Prince Ye stroked his chin, squinting at her. "Oh? May I ask who you are, young lady?"
Shu Hua curtsied, smiling generously and beautifully, "Your Highness, my father is Shu Gu, and my name is Shu Hua."
Shangguan Jingci gripped his wine glass tightly, not looking at her, lost in thought.
“Oh, Miss Shu.” Prince Ye suddenly realized who she was, and looked at Shangguan Jingci, saying, “Your Highness, this young lady seems to have quite a connection with you.”
Shangguan Jingci lowered his eyes and smiled, "It's just hearsay among the common people, nothing to believe."
Shu Hua was taken aback. Was he denying all the friendship they had shared in the past few days?
Prince Ye understood, "So that's how it is."
Shu Hua took a breath and ordered the maid to fill the cup in her hand with wine, "This humble woman toasts Your Highness and the Prince."
Before the two could react, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp, then turned the glass upside down, leaving not a drop of wine.
Shu Hua smiled generously, but her eyes were slightly red.
Prince Ye's eyes swept over her, then he suddenly spoke: "Miss Shu, you should have offered two cups to me and His Highness, why..."
Shu Hua was taken aback, but then laughed. "Your Highness is right. I did not think things through. I will punish myself with three cups."
Shangguan Jingci's fingers, which were holding the wine glass, turned slightly white.
After a few drinks, Shu Hua bowed deeply to the two men, performing a perfectly standard farewell, and then turned to walk towards another table.
Following the example of Prince Ye, many people with ill intentions tried to get Shu Hua drunk in various ways. She accepted all offers, and by the time she reached Qin Qi, her cheeks were flushed, but her eyes were clear, though somewhat moist.
“Zihui…” Qin Qi frowned.
Shu Hua shook her head, offering another toast. Qin Qi sighed softly and returned the toast to her.
The banquet ended quickly. Despite feeling dizzy, Shu Hua saw them off one by one. Master Shu had personally prepared generous gifts, hoping that these people would say a few good words for Shu Hua.
“Miss Shu.” Prince Ye stopped in front of her, his guards supporting Shangguan Jingci.
Her heart tightened, but she showed no sign of it on her face. "Greetings, Your Highness."
"Miss Shu, His Highness the Crown Prince has drunk too much and is now unconscious. May we trouble you for the night?"
Looking north... is he drunk?
Shu Hua couldn't help but look at the person behind him. She knew she should refuse; that would be in her best interest.
However, when her gaze fell upon that person, she couldn't help but nod. "Then please entrust His Highness to me, Your Highness. I will arrange for someone to take good care of His Highness."
"Thank you for your trouble, Miss." Upon hearing this, Prince Ye relaxed his brow, handed the person over to her maid, and then turned to leave.
"Miss?" The maid called softly when she saw her lost in thought.
"Okay." Shu Hua pulled herself back to reality. "Settle down in my room for now, and we'll talk about it when I'm done with my work."
"yes."
...
...
The next morning, Qin Qi was sitting in front of a bronze mirror, letting the maid dress and groom her.
Lu Huai strode in and sat down silently. Only after Qin Xi finished drawing her eyebrows did he speak with a grave expression: "Something has happened."
"Hmm?" She turned her head to look at her.
Lu Huai pursed his lips and said, "Shangguan Jingci is going to marry Shu Hua."
With a "thud," the snail-shaped ink in Qin Xi's hand fell to the ground.
...
...
In the Dragon Soaring Hall, Shangguan Jingci bowed to Emperor Yuming and said, "Your Majesty, I truly wish to marry Miss Shu. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."
"Oh?" Emperor Yuming's eyes darted around. "The Crown Prince has only been in the capital for a few days, yet he already has someone he likes?"
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