As night fell, the singing and dancing in the palace had just ended, the music had faded and the guests had dispersed, leaving only the palace servants cleaning up the mess, and the hall filled with the lingering smell of alcohol.
The small garden of Yongguo Palace is decorated with artificial hills and flowing water, followed by an endless green grassland, where fireflies occasionally fly around, accompanied by dim lanterns that dance in the light or darkness.
"I can still drink... I can still drink..." He Lan Wuxia, dressed in a scarlet dress, had a flushed face and her eyes were slightly dazed from the alcohol. She occasionally showed a silly grin, making people want to tease and pinch her.
His body swayed from side to side, and if it weren't for the maid Xiao Yan supporting him, he probably would have fallen to the ground long ago, which shows that he was really drunk.
Dressed in fine clothes, Jin Mingrui was supported by his wife He Lanmin. He staggered, reeked of alcohol, and was even slightly out of it.
They all drank quite a bit at today's banquet. Helan Wuxia was really good at urging people to drink, so he drank quite a lot himself, and Jin Mingrui couldn't help but drink several more cups as well, losing the self-control he used to be so proud of.
Despite being slightly drunk, Jin Mingrui's gaze still unconsciously lingered on Helan Wuxia, his eyes burning with an astonishing intensity. A woman like Helan Wuxia was simply too vibrant and beautiful, drawing one irresistibly to her, radiating the unrestrained passion unique to the women of the grasslands—truly irresistible.
As the third prince of the Great Jing Kingdom and a strong contender for the throne, Jin Mingrui had seen countless women, but a woman like Helan Wuxia was truly rare. It seemed he would become the ruler of the Great Jing Kingdom and a wise and benevolent ruler of the world. Naturally, he would take the women he desired into his harem, and would not allow others to have their way with them.
It was only then that Jin Mingrui remembered his queen. He turned his head and saw that her dignified and elegant face was filled with worry. She carefully took a handkerchief and wiped his forehead, showing her thoughtfulness and care.
It must be said that He Lianmin was an excellent wife. She was quiet, elegant, generous, and well-mannered, managing the household affairs impeccably. Both her father and mother praised her as a virtuous wife, showering her with compliments. She was completely devoted to her husband, giving him everything she had, and could be said to be the person who understood him best.
The only drawback was that Helan Min's appearance was average; she could only be described as pretty, relying entirely on her temperament. However, this wasn't a major flaw, since a wife should be virtuous, while a concubine should be beautiful. He wanted a virtuous wife, not a beautiful concubine.
If he proposes to take Helan Wuxia as a concubine, Helan Min will definitely not refuse, and may even help her to mediate. How wonderful it would be for an aunt and niece to share a husband and to have a virtuous wife and beautiful concubine in one's arms.
"Your Highness, let's go back!" Helan Min cautiously observed Jin Mingrui's expression, having a premonition in her heart, and tried her best to appear as a magnanimous and gentle wife.
"Yes! It's rare for you to come back, so please spend time with Wuxia and the others. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to tell me." Jin Mingrui responded softly, his voice deep and powerful.
His trip to Yong was not only to accompany Helan Min on her return to her hometown, but also to take this opportunity to win over Yong and neighboring countries, expand his sphere of influence, and prepare for the future struggle for the throne. Helan Wuxia was an unexpected bonus for him, and he naturally accepted it with pleasure.
However, now is not the time. It's not too late to bring this up after he finishes what he's doing. After all, the important thing is to get down to business.
Helan Min understood Jin Mingrui's meaning and nodded in acknowledgment. Even if the prince hadn't said anything, he would have taken good care of Wuxia. She truly liked her niece, Helan Wuxia; she was intelligent, beautiful, and lovable. Their social status destined them to be natural allies. In the desolate backyard of the palace, he now had family by his side, someone to support him.
Thinking about it this way, he actually looked forward to this outcome and became even more determined to take good care of his niece.
The season when the grass grows and the orioles sing is the perfect time for the children of the grasslands to gallop on horseback. Helan Wuxia, being lively and active by nature, always invites a group of people to go horseback riding on the grasslands. After receiving the task of hosting his aunt and uncle, the first thing he thought of was the boundless grasslands. He showed everyone his skillful horsemanship, and the atmosphere was filled with laughter.
Seven or eight days passed in a row, and the weather on the grassland suddenly changed, turning into a season of continuous rain. The drizzle fell on every corner of Yongguo, washing away the air and purifying the grassland.
Helan Wuxia had no choice but to give up her travel plans and stayed obediently in the Yong Kingdom's palace, thinking of her sisters.
"Sister, I've come to see you." Before even getting close, the girl's lively voice could be heard from afar, and her fiery red figure quickly appeared at the entrance of Anning Palace.
The fragrance of pear blossoms wafts through Anning Palace, light and delicate, just like its owner, mixed with a strong medicinal scent, a scent that has been a constant feature of Anning Palace for many years.
The door to the inner chamber was tightly closed, and light white gauze surrounded the bed, blocking the view from inside. Only an excessively slender figure could be vaguely seen.
"Sister, let's go fishing by the river today!" Helan Wuxia burst into the inner hall, her voice filled with excitement. A strong medicinal smell assaulted her nostrils, and Helan Wuxia frowned, utterly disgusted by the odor. She instinctively covered her nose and complained, "Sister, why does this place always smell so bitter? It's unbearable! Open the windows to let in some fresh air!"
As he spoke, he was about to open the window, moving so fast that it was almost impossible for anyone to react.
"Princess Wuxia..." Xiaotang, carrying the medicine, exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward to help Helan. In the end, she was no match for Helan Wuxia, who had learned some martial arts. She watched helplessly as he opened the window, and a cool breeze carrying drizzle mercilessly rushed into the room, diluting the smell of medicine in the shop and bringing endless chill.
"Cough cough... cough cough..." The coughing suddenly intensified, and the person even sneezed slightly, their face turning red.
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