The fourth prince Liu Yi sat in the study, drinking by himself.
Xiao Qin'er pushed the door open and smelled the alcohol, revealing an expression of obvious disgust.
"Why are you drinking again?"
She opened the window a little to get some fresh air.
The cold wind blew in, taking away the smell of alcohol and the heat in the room.
The fourth prince Liu Yi took a closer look and seemed to recognize Xiao Qin'er.
He smiled, shook his head, and said, "I really envy Big Brother."
Xiao Qin'er said unhappily, "What's there to be envious of? It's not him who got the title, it's his child."
Liu Yi shook his wine glass and said, "You don't understand."
He wasn't envious of his two nephews for getting titles; he was genuinely envious of Liu Zhao for marrying a good wife. How could Liu Zhao have fallen for such a good woman like Gu Jiu so easily?
Why!
"You didn't tell me anything, so I naturally don't understand." Xiao Qin'er snatched the wine glass from his hand angrily, "You can't drink anymore."
Liu Yi laughed, "Do you think I'm drinking wine? I'm drinking my mood."
Only when he was drunk could he imagine in his dreams that he was marrying Gu Jiu and Liu Zhao was marrying Xiao Qin'er. The two brothers had completely switched places.
Everything that belongs to Gu Jiu belongs to him.
All that money, all that property, all that glory, all belong to him.
Let Liu Zhao worry about Xiao Qin'er, the jealous woman.
Xiao Qin'er called the servant in, carried Liu Yi to lie on the Arhat couch, and took off his boots for him.
She complained, "Drinking is just drinking, and you're still looking for a high-sounding excuse. You're just jealous that my sister-in-law earned titles for my two nephews. I don't have my sister-in-law's ability, so you don't have to despise me so much."
Liu Yi's eyes were hazy with drunkenness. "I don't dislike you, I dislike myself."
He chose Xiao Qin'er because he despised himself for being blind when he was young.
Now that I think about it, Xiao Zhaoyi is actually better than Xiao Qiner.
At least Xiao Zhaoyi is smarter than Xiao Qiner.
I regret it so much!
When I was young, I only knew how to enjoy myself and was obsessed with beautiful women, and never worried about serious matters.
All the bitter fruits we bear today are the result of the causes we sowed back then.
Liu Yi was feeling irritated, so he took off his clothes and exposed his chest.
Xiao Qin'er wiped his body and said, "You should drink less. The New Year is almost here, don't get sick at this time."
"It's okay to drink once in a while. Don't bother with that."
"I work so hard to serve you, and yet you actually despise me for being so nagging."
Xiao Qin'er was dissatisfied and advised herself not to bother with a drunkard.
The alcohol smell in the room had almost dissipated, so she closed the window. The room quickly became warm again.
She sat on a round stool and said to Liu Yi, "I'm afraid there's no other woman in the world as capable as my sister-in-law. It's useless for you to envy the prince. You've married me, so just accept your fate."
Liu Yi laughed at himself.
He looks like he's drunk, but he's actually very clear-headed.
He squinted at Xiao Qin'er and said, "You told me to accept my fate. Does that mean you admit that you are not as good as your sister-in-law?"
Xiao Qin'er snorted, "I'm not as good as my sister-in-law, but I'm not bad either. Besides not being as good at making money as my sister-in-law, how am I worse than her?"
It's all bad there.
Liu Yi turned his head away, avoiding meeting Xiao Qin'er's gaze, fearing that his inner thoughts would be exposed.
How dare Xiao Qin'er compare herself with her sister-in-law.
Apart from a strong family background, what else can you show off?
Liu Yi laughed at himself, thinking that Xiao Qin'er really had no self-awareness at all.
In terms of appearance, figure, brains, and even temper, Xiao Qin'er is inferior to her.
He closed his eyes, really impatient to see her.
I don’t know why, but in just a few years, the couple grew to dislike each other, yet they still had to tolerate each other.
When Liu Yi thought about having to live like this for decades, he suddenly felt that life would be worse than death.
Obviously, alcohol amplified Liu Yi's inner feelings.
The emotions that he usually ignored and the desires that he suppressed all came out under the stimulation of alcohol.
Xiao Qin'er pushed Liu Yi and said, "Why aren't you talking? Are you feeling impatient even now that you're talking to me?"
"I'm drunk and want to sleep. Can you let me have a good sleep?" Liu Yi said painfully.
Xiao Qin'er felt very depressed.
She was not happy that Gu Jiu's two children were awarded titles today.
She wanted to talk to Liu Yi and relieve his stress, but Liu Yi was drinking alone and left her aside.
Xiao Qin'er took a deep breath and said, "Then you should get some sleep. I'll ask the kitchen to prepare some wine and food tomorrow and we'll have dinner together."
Liu Yi nodded and did not give Xiao Qin'er an accurate reply.
Xiao Qin'er assumed that he had agreed, gave him a few more instructions, and then got up and left.
The study became quiet, but Liu Yi was no longer sleepy.
He lay on the couch, eyes closed, resting. In his mind, he pictured Gu Jiu's appearance and figure, recalling her every frown and smile.
Liu Yi knew that this was very dangerous, but he couldn't control himself.
Alcohol made him lose control of himself.
He thought about it over and over again.
Suddenly he remembered that he hadn't seen Gu Jiu for a long time.
When was the last time you met?
I remembered it was when Chen Min and Gu Yu got married.
At that time, Gu Jiu was pregnant, but her beauty was still evident.
Since then, Gu Jiu has been staying at home to recuperate after giving birth.
Even though they both lived in the palace, they hadn't seen each other for several months.
"Wang Shun, Wang Shun!"
Eunuch Wang Shun heard the shouting and walked in from the outer room.
"What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"Help this prince up."
Wang Shun stepped forward and helped Liu Yi up.
"Your Highness, are you not going to sleep?"
Liu Yi tapped his forehead and said, "I want to sleep, but I can't. Have you prepared the New Year gifts for the ladies in the palace for the 30th Palace Banquet?"
Wang Shun bowed and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. The New Year gifts are all ready. Madam will personally take care of it, and we guarantee that nothing will go wrong."
Liu Yi asked, "Do you know what New Year gifts the eldest wife has prepared?"
Wang Shun shook his head. "I'm not sure about that. I haven't heard from anyone. The people in the East Courtyard are very tight-lipped."
Liu Yi sneered, "Big brother is so lucky. He just needs to do his job with all his heart. He doesn't need to worry about anything in the mansion."
Wang Shun thought Liu Yi was unhappy about the two young grandchildren being granted titles, so he said, "The Second and Third Houses both had a scene today. The Second Prince had a few words with the Second Madam, and I heard the Second Madam smashed a teacup in front of the Second Prince."
Liu Yi perked up when he heard this. "Second sister-in-law actually has the guts to smash the cup in front of Second Brother? How will Second Brother react?"
Wang Shun considered his words carefully before saying, "The Second Prince left in a huff and went to spend the night with his concubine."
Liu Yi sneered when he heard this, "Second sister-in-law has a bad temper!"
Wang Shun laughed and said, "Second Madam's temper has been getting worse since she gave birth to her legitimate son."
Liu Yi laughed, "What's going on with the third room?"
"The Third Madam scolded a few concubines and set rules for them. The Third Prince found out and had a few words with her. The Third Madam burst into tears, and the Third Prince was so frightened that he apologized and made promises repeatedly."
Liu Yi laughed heartily. He knew why Third Prince Liu Yan had to apologize, because his wife, Madam Cui, was pregnant.
The child in the third wife's belly is the first child of the third prince Liu Yan.
The third prince Liu Yan attaches great importance to this child.
It is estimated that the Third Prince Liu Yan quarreled with the Third Madam Cui because he was provoked.
As a result, the third wife Cui directly used her trump card, and the third prince Liu Yan had to apologize in return.
This couple really is a match made in heaven.
After Liu Yi finished laughing, he said, "Everyone was so excited by the two nephews being granted titles that they've all lost their composure. It's no wonder, though. My eldest sister-in-law is so capable, and we're all just envious."
"Your Highness should be more open-minded." Wang Shun advised in a low voice.
Liu Yi sneered, "I am indeed jealous of my elder brother, but not for the reason you think."
Liu Yi would never tell the specific reason.
The secret desires in one's heart can only be hidden secretly and not told to anyone.
…
Before the New Year, the weather finally cleared up and the temperature rose.
The palace banquet on New Year’s Eve was three times more lively than in previous years.
This year, the palace has welcomed several little princes and princesses. How could it not be lively?
With so many children and grandchildren, Empress Dowager Xiao was particularly satisfied and was generous in giving red envelopes to the younger generations.
When people get old, they like to act as matchmakers.
Empress Dowager Xiao became concerned about the marriages of the fifth and sixth princes.
Emperor Wende said frankly that he was not in a hurry.
The prince's wedding costs too much.
The Shaofu spent a huge sum of money to help the third son get married.
Emperor Wende planned to arrange marriages for the fifth and sixth sons in two years, thinking that by then there should be a surplus in the treasury.
Xiao Qin'er avoided people and came to Xiao Zhaoyi.
She said viciously, "You'd better behave yourself tonight and don't cause any trouble. Otherwise, I will be rude to you."
Xiao Zhaoyi looked at Xiao Qin'er with a half-smile, "How can you be rude to me, sister?"
"Are you seeking death in front of His Majesty? Even if it doesn't affect yourself or the Xiao family, you should at least think about the children." Xiao Qin'er suppressed her disgust and solemnly reminded the other party.
Xiao Zhaoyi held her handkerchief, covered her mouth and laughed, "Oh, sister, you've finally grown up and even used the child to remind me. Don't worry, sister, I always do things in moderation and never act recklessly. But you, you are so anxious to warn me, aren't you afraid of being seen and arousing suspicion?
"Guess what others would think when they see you looking so ferocious? We are sisters from the same father and mother, yet we act like enemies. How did this hatred come about? If someone investigates this matter, do you think they will find the truth?"
"What on earth do you want to do?" Xiao Qin'er was going crazy. Xiao Zhaoyi must be mentally ill.
What good is there in going against her?
Xiao Zhaoyi: “…” There’s no benefit, just want to have fun.
She giggled and took Xiao Qin'er's hand.
"Sister, please don't shake my hand off. Someone is watching us. Don't look back, or we'll be discovered."
Xiao Qin'er could only endure it and could not shake off Xiao Zhaoyi's hand.
Xiao Zhaoyi stretched out her left hand, gently stroked Xiao Qin'er's cheek, and tucked the loose hair behind her ears.
She had a smile on her face and was very friendly. Anyone who saw her would say that she was a sister.
However, the words she spoke were like a poisonous snake, making Xiao Qin'er feel sick and terrified.
Xiao Zhaoyi whispered in her ear, "You don't look well. There's even a fine line at the corner of your eye. Sister, how long has it been since you last enjoyed the care of His Highness the Fourth Prince? When was the last time you two had sex? Do you remember?"
"Shame on you!"
Xiao Qin'er was completely furious and wanted to shake off Xiao Zhaoyi's hand.
However, Xiao Zhaoyi's strength is far greater than Xiao Qin'er's.
Xiao Qin'er couldn't believe it.
Xiao Zhaoyi laughed. "Do you know how I got through those years when my sister was married to the palace? I kept practicing martial arts with the martial arts master in the palace, just so that one day you would be unable to shake off my hand. I could beat you if I wanted to."
"You, practice martial arts? How come I don't know?"
Xiao Zhaoyi pursed her lips and smiled, "Because I learned it secretly, even my parents don't know. I also put a gag order on all the servants around me. Are you surprised, sister? Am I very strong? You can't break free from me by yourself. Why don't you call His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince over? If he comes, I will definitely let you go."
"Are you crazy? What on earth do you want to do? Don't forget that you and His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince are different in status."
"But I am your sister's biological sister. According to the relationship in the Xiao family, His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince is my cousin." Xiao Zhaoyi was very proud. She liked to see Xiao Qin'er being humiliated.
She beckoned over her trusted maid, "Go, invite His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince here. Tell him that Madam Yi and I are having a pleasant chat."
The palace maid took the order and left without even looking at Xiao Qin'er.
Xiao Qin'er was extremely anxious. She lowered her voice and asked harshly, "What on earth do you want to do? Do you want to kill everyone?"
Xiao Zhaoyi chuckled, "It was my sister who took the initiative to talk to me, but now you're blaming me for killing everyone. If anyone should be blamed, it should be you, sister!"
"You lunatic!"
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