"It's nothing. You probably haven't seen anyone get drunk in the palace. That person couldn't attend court for two days straight."

Xiao Lian raised an eyebrow, took a deep breath and exhaled, saying, "Xiao Lian is inexperienced in the ways of the world and has never seen such a grand scene before."

Upon hearing this, the old woman smiled slightly and said, "I think this Prince's mansion is shrouded in mist and clouds, just like the imperial harem. I guess you've seen it a lot before."

Xiaolian swallowed nervously: "I hope we can move out soon."

"It won't be long. Let's go and wait outside for the princess to wake up before going in."

Xiaolian nodded in agreement, and then the two of them left.

"Has the princess not gotten up yet?" Lin Ziwen waited outside for quite a while before they came out.

"The princess is not good with alcohol and is still fast asleep. Is there anything you need, young master?" Xiao Lian asked.

Lin Ziwen nodded and said, "The banquet is being prepared at the manor, but the princess is missing."

Upon hearing this, Xiaolian smiled awkwardly and frowned, saying, "That's really unfortunate. The princess is still drunk and I'm afraid she can't go. Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness."

"Did you give the princess some hangover-relieving soup?"

Xiao Lian shook her head and explained, "Let's wait until the princess wakes up before she drinks it. Perhaps she's sleeping so much because she was too tired yesterday."

“That’s true.” Lin Ziwen glanced in the direction of the bedroom and said, “I’ll come back to see her after the princess wakes up.”

"Alright, sir, please take care."

Over there, Yi Zexuan was already sitting at the dining table, while Xue Yurou had been sent back to her courtyard and was not allowed to sit at the table.

"Returning empty-handed?"

"Yes, this feast of yours is a treat for me all by myself."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zexuan smiled, picked up the wine pot and poured himself a cup, then took Lin Ziwen's cup and filled it as well.

"Perfect timing. It's been a long time since we've had drinks together like this. It's good that no one is bothering us."

"Perhaps." Lin Ziwen raised his glass in a toasting gesture.

After eating for a short while, Lin Ziwen asked, "Miss, you met the princess. Did you notice how she felt?"

Yi Zexuan turned to look at him and asked in return, "How will Su Lixia's arrival affect her mood?"

This was the first time Yi Zexuan had addressed her by her full name.

Lin Ziwen smiled helplessly and said, "Having followed you for so long, besides Aunt Chun, the woman you talk to the most is Miss, but the feeling you give me is that you don't care much."

"I have my own reasons for how I conduct myself, and you don't need to worry about it at all."

Lin Ziwen shrugged: "That was just me being nosy."

Without further ado, the two chatted about other things while drinking and eating, never mentioning the other two again. It was definitely much more comfortable this way.

Over there, Su Lixia reached out and pounded her head, letting out a couple of sobs, her voice trembling with tears as she cried out, "Waaah, Mom! My head hurts! I want some water! Waaah..."

Tears welled up in my eyes; being drunk really is awful! (Minors are prohibited from drinking alcohol! Prohibited from drinking alcohol! Prohibited from drinking alcohol!)

Upon hearing the sound, Xiaolian quickly ran inside, brought in a cup of water, placed it aside, and then helped Su Lixia up, saying, "Princess, please drink this."

Su Lixia bit down on the teacup, then reached out and took the cup herself, drank it all in one gulp, let out a satisfied "ha!", and said, "Mom! I want more!"

Although she didn't know whose name she was calling, she understood the meaning, so she said, "Then Princess, please lean against here for now." After settling Su Lixia in, she went to pour a glass of water.

After finishing her drink, Su Lixia slid downstairs and said, "Mom, call me when the food is ready, then I'll eat. I want to eat braised pork ribs."

"Braised pork ribs?" Xiaolian asked, puzzled, because she had never heard of this dish before, but she still reluctantly agreed.

"Yes, I will instruct the servants to do it right away."