Xie Liwei's fingers pinched her lips so hard they pouted. When she met his reddened eyes, Song Yaozhu had the illusion that she had become prey being carried away by a wolf.

Her heart was pounding, and she panicked as Xie Liwei's face drew closer and closer.

Although I shouldn't be thinking like this, I can't help but feel that he wants to kiss me.

"Mmm!" She shook her head, but the hand holding her chin was too strong, and she couldn't break free.

As his lips were about to touch hers, Song Yaozhu closed her eyes with a resolute air. A few breaths later, she only felt his warm breath on her face, but nothing else touched her, and her heart skipped a beat.

That's terrifying!

The secret thrill that only she knew sent shivers down her spine.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw Xie Liwei carefully examining her face.

After a long while, he finally let go.

"I've heard that there's a secret technique in the Southern Frontier that allows people to change their faces. Did you use that technique?"

Song Yaozhu rubbed her aching cheeks, cursing her bratty younger brother a thousand times in her heart.

"Her face was natural, she hasn't had a single knife cut!"

Xie Liwei's eyes were filled with disbelief. "There's nothing wrong with Song Yaozhu's past in the countryside. I can't even find anything wrong with the months she spent at the Song residence. After much thought, I've concluded that the problem lies in our wedding. Did you do this on the day of my wedding?"

Song Yaozhu didn't know how to explain the absence of the "men" (plural of the group). If she had to explain it, she would have to thank the villagers underground.

"I don't understand what Your Highness is saying," she said in a coquettish voice.

Xie Liwei scoffed and ignored her.

He took a step forward; it was getting late, and he would be taking his seat soon.

Song Yaozhu followed him. Okay, okay, he's angry again. Sigh, so young, yet so temperamental.

Upon entering the palace, Song Yaozhu obediently sat down beside Xie Liwei. The others also took their seats one after another.

Only officials of the third rank or above could dine with their wives in the main hall; the rest were seated in the side halls on either side, with separate tables for men and women.

As soon as the banquet started, Granny Qin forbade Song Yaozhu from eating or drinking too much, fearing she would need to relieve herself and become a laughingstock. But she wouldn't listen; if she didn't eat her fill, wouldn't she go hungry for lunch and dinner?

She didn't really want to touch anything at the palace banquet.

Although the imperial kitchen conducts multiple checks to ensure safety, the food is often ice-cold by the time it's eaten, making it unpleasant to consume.

As the dishes were laid out on the small table, each one exquisitely presented, even when cold, a faint aroma still wafted into Song Yaozhu's nostrils.

The only warm dish on the table was the wine pot on the small stove; everything else was cold. Song Yaozhu sighed and whispered in Xie Liwei's ear, "Can we have a late-night snack when we get back tonight? I want to eat spicy rabbit."

Xie Liwei: "......"

Was she out of her mind? Hadn't he just snapped at her and questioned her identity? How could she so casually come over and talk to him about such a trivial matter?

It's like... just like a real married couple, they argue in bed and make up before they get out of bed.

But they weren't in bed, cough!

"Go back and tell Granny," he said coldly, pushing Song Yaozhu, who was leaning against him, away.

Song Yaozhu thought he was trying to correct her posture, so she sat up straight.

Sigh, it's been a long time since I've acted like this, I'm a little unaccustomed to it.

After waiting for a while, the Emperor and his concubine took to the stage. The civil and military officials rose, listened to the Emperor's polite words, and then sat down to watch the performance.

With singing and dancing, and the sound of orchestral music filling the air, the crowd gradually relaxed and became immersed in the performance.

Xie Li sat upright, his eyes fixed straight ahead, as if watching a song and dance performance.

The Emperor held his wine cup, a faint smile playing on his lips. His gaze inadvertently fell upon Song Yaozhu. She, too, sat gracefully at her seat, a slight smile playing on her lips, conveying a sense of both intimacy and distance.

The Emperor's thoughts paused slightly; her appearance was so similar to Xie Wanqing's.

If he hadn't known for certain that Xie Wanqing was dead, he might have feared that she had returned for revenge.

He turned his head to signal Li Wei, who, upon meeting his gaze, quickly bowed to make arrangements.

Li Wei's heart was in his throat, and he thought to himself that the emperor was going too far!

Song Yaozhu was engrossed in watching the song and dance when a young eunuch brought over a pot of wine and said, "This is this year's tribute fruit wine. It's sweet and delicious, and the imperial concubines all love it. Your Highness, you may have a taste."

The young eunuch placed the silver wine pot on the table and then withdrew.

Seeing that the other ladies had received theirs, Song Yaozhu breathed a sigh of relief.

She poured herself a glass of wine, took a light sniff, and a sweet pear scent filled her nostrils, which was very refreshing and pleasant.

"Your Highness, please try this sweet wine. Ordinary fruit wines, if not made well, will taste like rotten fruit. This is the first time I've ever seen such a refreshing fruit wine."

Xie Liwei glanced at her, as if he couldn't see that she wanted to drink but didn't dare, so she used him as a guinea pig.

He took the glass, drank it all in one gulp, and placed the glass on the table.

Song Yaozhu looked at him with bright, sparkling eyes, "How is it?"

"It's alright."

Song Yaozhu's mouth watered instantly, eager to taste the fruit wine. But to be on the safe side, she waited for a quarter of an hour, and seeing that Xie Liwei was still unharmed, she picked up a cup and poured herself a small glass.

Seeing her cautious manner, Xie Liwei couldn't help but chuckle. Suddenly realizing that the cup she was using was one he had used, his hand on his lap tightened, his Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously, and a sudden surge of heat rose in his heart.

She's really afraid of dying!

Song Yaozhu took a sip of the sweet wine, and just as she had expected, it was fragrant and refreshing despite being sweet.

She got carried away with her drink and ended up drinking half a pot.

Realizing this, she stopped touching it, afraid that she might cause trouble later if she got drunk.

Halfway through the banquet, the Emperor left with his concubine, which made the officials more relaxed, and some even got off the table to offer toasts.

Song Yaozhu roused herself and drank a few more cups with the ladies. Then, a maidservant accidentally knocked over a wine cup in front of her while serving dishes, soaking her skirt.

“Although the room is heated by an underfloor heating system, it is not proper to behave improperly in front of the palace. I will have someone bring you a change of clothes,” said Consort De, who was sitting above her.

Before Song Yaozhu could refuse, her maid had already walked up to her.

Song Yaozhu let out a soft breath, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

Turning her head, she winked at Xie Liwei, "Your Highness, would you accompany me to change my clothes?"

Before Xie Liwei could speak, the palace maid said, "Your Highness, that is Her Majesty's palace. It is not appropriate to invite the Prince in."

Song Yaozhu was deflated, desperately trying to signal to him with her eyes. She didn't know if Xie Liwei understood her meaning, and after a few moments, she had no choice but to get up and leave with the palace maid.

Xie Liwei's gaze swept over the empty dragon throne, and the tips of his fingers holding the wine glass turned slightly white.

Yuwen Wuji truly disgusted him.