The two raised their glasses again, the crisp sound of them clinking echoing in the warm lighting.
After several rounds of drinks, the night had deepened.
Seeing Shen Xu completely drunk, Li Xi originally wanted to call his servant, but he was nowhere to be found, so she had no choice but to take him back.
The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone path, draping the tranquil night in a soft silver veil.
Li Xi helped Shen Xu mount his horse, and the scene, amidst the interplay of light and shadow, appeared both heartwarming and slightly comical.
Shen Xu lay on the horse's back, muttering incoherent words from time to time, sometimes laughing loudly, sometimes humming softly, as if he were immersed in some distant and beautiful dream.
"Brother Chen, you'd better hold on tight, we'll be home soon," Li Xi said helplessly.
Upon arriving at the Marquis of Wu'an's residence, Li Xi was about to call the gatekeeper to help Shen Xu inside.
Unexpectedly, when he saw the horse stop, he tried to dismount.
However, still under the influence of alcohol, he staggered and fell forward.
Li Xi reacted quickly, grabbing Shen Xu's sleeve and pulling him back forcefully, causing the two to embrace due to inertia.
Shen Xu's breath carried a hint of wine and warmth. He was stunned for a moment, then instantly sobered up from his hazy drunkenness.
He only noticed the unusual thing on his chest and the warm bodies of the two of them pressed together.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and even the roots of her ears turned a rosy blush.
He hurriedly tried to steady himself, but found himself somewhat powerless due to the weakness caused by the alcohol.
"I...I'm sorry, I...I..." Shen Xu's voice was tinged with embarrassment and panic, his words tumbling out as he seemed at a loss for what to do.
Li Xi was stunned. She had been in such a hurry to get to the palace today that she hadn't had time to put on her muscle suit...
Although her figure isn't exactly curvy, it feels strange to be pressed against her like this.
In an instant, she pushed Shen Xu away, her face flushed, her eyes flashing with complex emotions, including a hint of anger.
I suppose he didn't mean it, so I won't hold it against him. Seeing how drunk he was, I suppose he was speechless.
"Sit there and don't move. I'll go find your gatekeeper." Li Xi then knocked on the gate of the Marquis's residence.
Seeing that he had gone inside, she immediately mounted her horse and hurried towards the mansion.
Meanwhile, Shen Xu was put to bed by the servants after returning to his room.
In his half-awake state, his mind replayed every moment he shared with Li Xi. That subtle emotion, catalyzed by alcohol, became even clearer and stronger.
He muttered to himself, as if saying: So she was a woman!
He once thought he was going crazy for developing feelings for the man.
Shen Xu felt both relieved and indescribably excited.
He closed his eyes, trying to sort out this sudden emotion, but his thoughts surged like a tidal wave, impossible to calm.
Upon returning to his residence, Li Xi was overjoyed to see the people in his courtyard and quickly went forward.
"Brother Qin, what are you doing here? The people at the Duke's mansion said you went out, and they thought they wouldn't see you for a while."
Her voice was filled with undisguised joy.
"I just got back, so I came to see you first." Qin Xiaolin said with a smile.
He gently raised his hand and smoothed Li Xi's wind-blown hair, the movement natural and intimate, as if it were something he had done countless times before.
"I've been thinking of you constantly while I've been away. Seeing you now makes my life complete."
Qin Xiaolin's words were like a spring breeze, causing ripples to spread across Li Xi's heart.
Upon hearing this, her face flushed slightly, and she looked away from Qin Xiaolin, not daring to meet his burning gaze.
She lowered her head, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up, revealing a rare, shy smile typical of a young woman.
"I heard you're going to Sichuan?" he suddenly said.
Li Xi: "Yes, it's business."
"Be careful, the people over there are skilled with poison, don't fall for it." He wished he could be by her side every moment.
However, as the master of Yinxian Manor, he still has an unfinished mission. With the current turmoil in various countries, it is precisely the time when Jingyuan Dynasty needs his service.
It was also his adoptive father's dying wish that led to the Hidden Sage Manor's current status in the martial arts world, thanks to the support of the retired emperor.
He cannot sit idly by in the face of both internal and external troubles.
However, Xiaoxi has always been strong, and she will definitely be able to make a name for herself on her own.
Qin Xiaolin took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket.
"What's this?" Li Xi asked, puzzled, when she saw the bottle he handed her.
"This is a pill that can protect your heart meridian. You must keep it close to your body, just in case." Qin Xiaolin looked solemnly at the woman in front of him who reached his chin.
As she approaches seventeen, she grows increasingly radiant.
This kind of men's attire adds to his heroic spirit and unruliness, and his brows reveal a tenacity and determination beyond his years.
Li Xi took the small porcelain bottle, her fingertips gently stroking the cool porcelain surface, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.
She looked up at Qin Xiaolin, and those deep eyes made him unable to resist pulling her into his arms.
"Qin..." She began to speak, but her voice trembled slightly due to the sudden intimacy, and in the end, it turned into a soft syllable that hung in mid-air.
Qin Xiaolin didn't give her a chance to continue speaking. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if he wanted to merge her into his own bones and blood.
That warmth seeped through her clothes and reached the softest part of her heart.
"Xiaoxi, I know your path is destined to be bumpy, but I hope you know that wherever you go, I will always be your strongest support. This bottle of pills is the smallest thing I can do for you, but I hope it can protect you in crucial moments."
Qin Xiaolin's voice was deep and gentle, every word filled with affection.
Li Xi could feel the rise and fall of his chest, and hear the strong heartbeat in her ears.
At this moment, all the strength and defensiveness seemed to have found their home.
She closed her eyes, letting the warmth completely envelop her.
Li Xi isn't exactly a traditional person; she thinks hugging someone you like is a pretty good thing.
"Thank you, Brother Qin." She finally spoke, her voice soft but unusually firm.
After eradicating the Red Lotus Cult, she wants to fully enjoy her life here.
But fate is unkind. Even though the two are of one mind, destiny always seems to cast a shadow when people are happiest.
The Red Lotus Cult's power was far more deeply entrenched than they had imagined, and a sudden storm shattered their peaceful days.
But the two of them were completely unaware of this at the time.
The next morning, just as the sun rose, Li Xi rode a fine horse alone and galloped towards Sichuan.
The thought of possibly seeing her master made her quicken her pace, wishing she could fly to her destination immediately.
At the same time, Hongying was naturally very worried about her granddaughter.
Yesterday they had already discussed the plan. She took Wan Yue and rode the golden eagle to Sichuan, arriving ahead of time to find a safe place to settle down.
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