After coming out of the palace, Zhou Jing'an was already a little drunk. He sat in the carriage, holding Jiang Ling's hand and talking nonstop.
"...Ling'er, when he was having a farewell drink with Brother Cheng, he mentioned the girl Aunt Zhu Yun had found for him. He said they had played together as children and had a close relationship."
His cheeks flushed crimson, his peach blossom eyes shimmering with tenderness. He took her hand to his lips and kissed it softly, his tone tinged with envy, grievance, and regret. "If only Ling'er and I had been childhood sweethearts, then the past ten years wouldn't have been wasted."
Jiang Ling laughed and opened her hand to pinch his face, but he grabbed her and brought her close to his face, rubbing her slightly red cheek against her palm.
She didn't hide either, muttering softly: "You are clingy enough now. If we had known each other since childhood, would I still have freedom?"
Unexpectedly, although Zhou Jing'an was slightly drunk, he was still heard by him.
He frowned and looked at her with rippling peach blossom eyes. His aggrieved look was even more unbearable than usual.
"Ling'er, do you dislike me?" He rubbed her palm and leaned over to kiss her fingertips. "Ling'er, don't dislike me."
He held half of her body in his arms, so close that Jiang Ling, who had never drunk a drop of alcohol, felt a little drunk.
Helpless, she turned to look at him, and met his face so close to her.
There was a misty pool in those eyes.
Jiang Ling was slightly startled, then smiled, "Are you really drunk?"
The moment she smiled, it was like a hundred flowers blooming. The bright spring light seemed to illuminate the dim carriage, making Zhou Jing'an's heart beat fast.
The drunkenness was climbing up like a vine at this moment, and he felt that he might really be drunk.
That charming face was right before his eyes, so Zhou Jing'an let go of the drunkenness in his head and kissed her on the lips.
The mellow fragrance of osmanthus wine spread between lips and teeth, and Jiang Ling still had time to smile secretly.
Zhou Jing'an kept a close eye on her drinking and wouldn't let her drink easily. Unexpectedly, she would be able to taste this fine wine today thanks to him.
You know what, this wine is really good.
The palace banquet ended late, and it was already night. The night in mid-September was already chilly.
The carriage moved slowly, and the sound of its hooves seemed to beat the beat of a drum in the silent night. It turned a corner, and the curtains swung up, letting in a wisp of cool night breeze.
A slight coolness startled Zhou Jing'an, who was full of heat. He opened his eyes suddenly and saw Jiang Ling's trembling eyelashes.
He immediately stepped back, covered his mouth, and looked a little helpless, like a child who had made a mistake.
"I drank..." His voice was still a little hoarse, mixed with regret.
Jiang Ling's cheeks flushed, and she winked playfully, smacking her lips. "Yeah, I tasted it."
Zhou Jing'an's face suddenly turned red, and his mouth opened and closed but he couldn't say a word.
He helplessly let go of her hand, and his words were stammering, "I...I was a little drunk and couldn't help it."
Jiang Ling couldn't help laughing, "Why do you look like you've been bullied?"
"Why, are you so unwilling to kiss me?" she asked deliberately.
As expected, Zhou Jingan immediately waved his hands and retorted, "How could it be!"
He lowered his eyes and couldn't help pursing his lips, secretly feeling the kiss lingering on his lips.
He wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her all day long.
At this time, the carriage slowly stopped and had arrived at the gate of Zhou's mansion. Zhou Jing'an didn't care about anything else, got off the car first, and hurriedly reached out to pick her up.
The other members of the Zhou family had already returned home, and he had specifically instructed them to walk slower for fear that the journey would be too bumpy.
They were the only ones at the door at this time.
Jiang Ling came out and looked for the stool beside the carriage in the light of the lantern.
But his bulging belly blocked his view, and his outstretched foot stepped a little off-center. However, the stool was wide and sturdy, so he didn't fall.
But Zhou Jing'an, who was standing by, was still startled, so he simply grabbed her by the waist and picked her up horizontally.
He only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the person was safely in his arms.
There was still a trace of panic on his face. "From now on, I'll carry you down. Otherwise, what will happen if you fall or get hurt?"
Jiang Ling stayed safely in his arms, hugged his neck as usual, and said with a smile: "Then I have to take you with me every time I go out in the future?"
"That's good, of course." Zhou Jing'an replied seriously, and strode into the mansion with her in his arms.
I never let go of him after hugging him.
They walked through the courtyard, along the corridor, over the low bridge, and across the continuous series of gardens and courtyards, heading towards the Qiyun Pavilion where the two of them lived.
The lights in the courtyard were on, emitting a warm yellow glow in the dark night, which made people feel warm when they saw it.
Jiang Ling nestled in his arms and chatted with him at first, but later she felt sleepy.
Zhou Jingan's embrace made her feel safe and secure, and his steps were steady, making her drowsy.
After washing up, I felt much more energetic and thought about waiting for Zhou Jingan, but he didn't come out no matter how long I waited.
When someone was called over to ask, they found out that Zhou Jing'an was afraid that the smell of alcohol was too strong, so he was taking a bath for the third time.
Jiang Ling smiled helplessly and asked someone to tell him to come out quickly.
When Zhou Jing'an came out wearing a moon-white middle-length robe, he no longer smelled of alcohol, and his drunkenness had dissipated by about 70%.
Jiang Ling stared at him very seriously.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Zhou Jing'an didn't understand.
His long hair had fallen down, tied casually with only a band. Strands of hair fell on the sides of his face, revealing his bright peach blossom eyes and light pink cheeks.
Her jade-like face had regular and delicate features, her eyebrows and eyes were like green mountains and blue waves stained by mist, her thin lips were red, and her undershirt was worn casually, with the collar mostly open, revealing her collarbone and a small part of her plump chest.
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