Chapter 168 Drinking Game
The people serving on the boat were all from Prince Duan's mansion. Everyone knew that their master's mind was unpredictable. If they were not careful, disaster would come. Especially in such a depressing atmosphere, they had to be more cautious.
"Your Highness Prince Duan may have misunderstood. Although Changle is a little clever, he would never dare to lie to the Imperial Concubine's invitation."
Jiang Xue raised her eyes calmly with a faint smile on her lips, and looked directly into Xiao Yan's deep eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.
These eyes do have the power to make people shudder. Fear is sometimes like this, rooted deep in the heart. Even if time passes, whenever you recall it, that feeling can still touch every corner of the soul.
"Hmm? Then may I ask Princess Changle, why did you leave the palace because you were not feeling well? Why didn't you go directly back to Gan Palace or to the clinic, but went to the restaurant instead?" Xiao Yan picked up the wine glass beside him and asked the waiter to serve some wine to Jiang Xue and the others.
"Your Highness Prince Duan may not understand that I have been in Yujing for a year and I miss the taste of my hometown very much. After searching for a while, I finally found a restaurant that suits my taste.
After staying in Beiling for many days, I was not used to the local climate and my old injuries flared up. In the midst of pain, only the delicious food from my hometown could comfort my soul, so I went there. "
She recalled that when Jing Ye came to see her, in order to cover up his whereabouts, he asked Xiaochun to pack two portions of Gan country's specialties to take away, just in case.
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded after hearing this. The previous intelligence did mention that she took two dishes with her when she left. This explanation was consistent with the facts. It seemed that he was worrying too much.
"I see. I was too suspicious." There was less probing in his words, and the atmosphere in the cabin became more relaxed. Xiao Yan drank the whole glass, and then his eyes fell on the wine glass in front of Jiang Xue.
Jiang Xue caught his gaze, smiled brightly, raised the cup and drank it all in one gulp, even turning the cup upside down to show Xiao Yan to prove that not a drop was left.
There were ripples in Jun Li's eyes. Although he had known Jiang Xue for such a long time, she never drank in front of him, just because he had inadvertently revealed that she didn't like the smell of alcohol.
But at this moment, seeing her drinking with Xiao Yan, his heart was filled with unprecedented complex emotions.
"Changle is indeed extraordinary!" Xiao Yan laughed heartily, then turned to Lu Linyi and said, "Miss Linyi, please have a taste as well. It's cold in the middle of winter, and a little drink can warm you up."
Lu Linyi looked at the wine glass in front of her and picked it up hesitantly. She was born with a sensitive constitution and would feel dizzy after drinking a little. The doctor said that she was born with a poor alcohol tolerance.
In the past, when her father was around, everyone never forced her to drink because of his majesty. But today, she was facing the Third Prince of Beiling, the powerful Prince Duan, a figure that even her father did not dare to disobey. How could a weak woman like her refuse?
Lu Linyi took a deep breath and decided to drink it. Just as the cup was about to touch his lips, a hand as soft as jade gently blocked the mouth of the cup.
“Your Highness Prince Duan, Miss Linyi is naturally allergic to alcohol. Even being slightly tipsy will make her feel uncomfortable and unable to breathe.
You invited us so kindly today. If Miss Linyi gets into trouble because of a small glass of wine, it will not be good for your reputation. Let me, Changle, serve the wine." Jiang Xue had just finished speaking when she looked up and saw that the glass was empty.
Jun Li was shocked when he saw this - there was a muscle softening powder hidden in the wine, specially prepared for Lu Linyi!
In his haste, he almost rushed forward, but when he thought of Xiao Yan beside him, he stopped abruptly.
"Changle's generosity is really beyond my expectation." Although Xiao Yan's plan was thwarted, he still had that charming smile on his face, but there was a subtle sharpness in that smile.
"Changle, are you okay?" Lu Linyi looked at Jiang Xue guiltily. The latter's face was flushed, obviously due to the alcohol.
Jiang Xue shook her head gently and gave her a reassuring smile.
She was well prepared. After taking a detoxification pill, two glasses of liquor were nothing to worry about. As for the muscle softening powder, humph, Brother He had already taught her the medical skills to save her life and developed detoxification pills. Ordinary poisons had no effect on her at all.
"Someone, bring two more jugs of wine." Xiao Yan's order made Lu Linyi extremely anxious. She gently advised, "Your Highness Prince Duan, Changle has already drunk two cups. I'm afraid he can't drink any more."
"Miss Linyi, please relax. I have comfortable guest rooms on my ship. If you are drunk, you can rest here." As soon as the words fell, two full pots of wine were presented. Xiao Yan poured two large cups and handed them to Jiang Xue.
Jun Li frowned. It was obvious that Xiao Yan was taking revenge on Jiang Xue because his plan was thwarted!
This wine is strong enough to knock down a strong man. These two pots are at least four large bowls! If Jiang Xue really drinks it, how can she be sober?
He said that he could take a rest when he was drunk. If that were true and it got out, Jiang Xue's reputation would be completely ruined!
Jiang Xue looked at the two newly filled glasses of wine. Xiao Yan's desire for revenge was as strong as ever. If she ruined his good deeds, she would destroy her reputation. This scheming had not changed at all over the years.
"Your Highness, this is quite a strong drink. The two glasses we just had are almost enough for Changle. It's rare for us to enjoy Your Highness's banquet on the lake. It would be a shame if we don't enjoy the beautiful scenery."
Although she could drink quite a bit, she didn't want to be forced to drink, especially if the other person had bad intentions.
"Changle, the wine is already full, how can you take it back? If you don't drink, you are not giving me face, right? Ask for water?" Xiao Yan deliberately asked Jun Li in front of Jiang Xue. Isn't Changle always the one who listens to Jun Li? Once Jun Li opened his mouth, he didn't believe that Changle would dare not give him a way out.
"Your Highness Prince Duan is absolutely right. Princess Changle, Your Highness has treasured this wine for many years and is sharing it with others for the first time. You are so happy today that you are sharing it with others. Princess, please do not refuse."
Although Jun Li was worried about Jiang Xue, he still chose to sacrifice her at the critical moment. Even if her reputation was gone, at most she could be made a concubine, which was also a compensation, so that she would not live out her life in loneliness.
"If Changle is afraid of missing the scenery, don't worry." Xiao Yan waved his hand, and the curtains were all opened, revealing the scenery of lakes and mountains.
He smiled proudly: "This way, Changle can enjoy the scenery and taste the wine at the same time without any delay."
It seems that Xiao Yan is determined to succeed today.
"Your Highness is in high spirits, how can Changle spoil his fun? This wine is so precious, it would be too selfish for Changle to enjoy it all by himself. Besides, wine makes people drunk easily, so drinking alone is boring. Changle suggests that we play a drinking game, and the loser will drink a glass as a penalty, so that drinking will be more interesting."
"Drinking games? Interesting."
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. He was just feeling bored. Besides, what could a woman do?
So he agreed: "Okay, let's play drinking games."
"However, Changle is already a little tipsy from the first two cups. Miss Linyi, can you take over Changle's drinking order?"
Lu Linyi was well-read in poetry and literature, so drinking games were a piece of cake for him.
"I agree." Xiao Yan leaned back and put his hands on the armrests.
"Then the first sentence, I will go first."
He stroked his chin and glanced at the two of them: "Jade Lake and golden cups reflect the drunken beauty."
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