Chapter 31 His restraint was utterly crumbling.
The capital city, the palaces.
The night breeze rustled the golden hairpins, their delicate shimmer reflecting the moonlight. The dignified and elegant Empress Dong departed from the Emperor's bedchamber, absentmindedly descending the white jade steps.
Deep within the palace, the old appearance remains; jeweled hairpins and gold-embroidered shoes, yet none can compare to the allure of a new face that captivates the emperor's heart.
New beauties laugh, old beauties weep; beauties come and go, but the heart of an emperor remains steadfast.
The emperor is heartless.
Empress Dong took a breath of the cool night air, walked down the jade steps, and happened to meet Consort Guo who was walking towards her.
"Greetings to my elder sister."
The virtuous Consort, with her full figure and elegant bearing, curtsied. Unlike the other concubines in the harem who were eagerly awaiting her arrival, she had a rosy complexion and a beaming smile, showing no sign of the anxiety that might arise from not having served the emperor for months and fearing being neglected.
Empress Dong gave a cold glance. Indeed, the new favorite who was currently enjoying the emperor's favor was given to him by Consort Xian.
Used to secure favor.
"His Majesty is not in the mood to see my sister right now. Please come another day."
Consort Guo smiled, covered her face with her sleeve, bowed again, and gracefully stepped up the jade steps, entering the main gate of the sleeping quarters.
The imperial guards did not stop them.
Empress Dong looked back for a long time, unconsciously clenching her fists.
Consort Guo is the mother of the Third Prince. The mother and son are very good at catering to his preferences and often make the emperor laugh heartily. Now, with the addition of a newly favored beauty, the Guo family's fortunes are gradually reaching their peak.
The next morning, Empress Dong, who had left the palace to visit her father, spoke of Consort Xian and her son with nothing but disgust and disdain.
The old prime minister, wearing a long gown and sitting by the couch, peeled a lychee and handed it to his daughter, saying, "Here, sweetie."
"Father, aren't you worried that the third prince will win His Majesty's approval?"
"A dragon should give birth to a dragon, not a rat. If you agree, then agree. There's no need to be too anxious. You are the Empress, you should have the magnanimity of the head of the harem."
"The daughter is worried about her father's health..."
"They're probably worried that Tao Qian will succeed as Grand Secretary and strengthen the power of the third son."
The old man, whose cough once shook the court, is now in his twilight years. His vigor has faded, but his old eyes remain sharp and piercing, as if they have condensed his remaining vigor and stored up the last bit of strength.
"As long as the Cui family doesn't cause trouble, the third prince alone won't be able to shake the crown prince's position. Remember, always be wary of the Cui family and don't let them reap the benefits."
"What Father means is..."
"Back then, the eldest prince detonated the carriage, and his body was completely shattered and unrecognizable. This has been a source of great worry for me."
Chief Minister Dong coughed, a bloodstain on his handkerchief. He quickly clenched the handkerchief, not wanting his daughter to worry. "When the snipe and the clam fight, both are injured. Perhaps this is the result that the Cui family father and son most want to see."
Empress Dong clutched her skirt in a panic.
"The most urgent task is to select a concubine for the Crown Prince." Chief Minister Dong leaned against the tattered wall, panting heavily, his body like a vine slowly withering away. "Persuade the Crown Prince not to favor any one woman exclusively."
The mention of the emperor's favored concubine infuriated Empress Dong. The Crown Prince's trusted confidant had already sent news of the Yangzhou salt administration's accounts back to the palace at breakneck speed. "Finally, we've gotten rid of that Yan Zhuyi."
"That's why I promoted her father to Salt Commissioner back then." Chief Minister Dong picked up a lychee, pinched it between his fingers until the skin was raw and the juice splattered. "A nobody with no substance or depth couldn't withstand the test. People are never satisfied. If he could withstand the test, I might think more highly of him."
Yan Hongchang's fate had long been manipulated by the Dong family head, which also indirectly crushed Yan Zhuyi's ambition.
How could an ordinary father and daughter possibly outmaneuver a seasoned chief minister who had been navigating the ups and downs of the court for decades?
Cutting off the Crown Prince's unwanted romantic advances was a scheme the old chief minister had devised the moment he first saw Yan Zhuyi.
The original plan was to marry the daughter of the Jiang family, which would solidify the relationship between the two prestigious families of Dong and Jiang. Jiang Song only had one son and one daughter, and he cherished his daughter as the apple of his eye. If the daughter of the Jiang family were brought into the Eastern Palace, it would be possible to control Jiang Song and make him work for the Crown Prince. Who would have thought that the daughter of a minor official of the eighth rank would suddenly appear out of nowhere!
When Dong, the chief minister, set aside the lychees, he was also setting aside the unpleasant past.
Yangzhou.
As the young man carrying the knife emerged from the stone chamber, he was tapped on the back of the head by Manager Xie, who was squatting on the rock.
The young man cursed, "You dog!"
"You rascal," Manager Xie jumped off the boulder, pointed at the stone chamber, "have you given in yet?"
"When I make a move, she has no right to bargain!"
"That's good. We'll set off immediately once the Crown Prince sends out the last messenger to deliver the report closing the case."
Regarding Yan Zhuyi's feigned death, they couldn't determine which memorial the Crown Prince had written about it in, so waiting until the case was closed was the safest course of action.
Yan Yi rubbed his nose. "There are too many rabble; the case won't be closed anytime soon."
"Just wait, we've waited all these years."
Manager Xie thought of something and asked the young man, "Has that Akhal-Teke horse been disposed of?"
"It was sold to a horse farm in the county town."
"Who gave you permission to act on your own?" Manager Xie raised his seemingly clumsy leg and swiftly kicked Yan Yi. "That's an old horse; an old horse knows the way! Go to that county town immediately!"
Better late than never!
Yan Yi was unconvinced. "How could it run back from thirty miles away? Besides, it's a royal horse from the palace, not a native of Yangzhou. How could it know the way? It was an innocent life after all, and I couldn't bring myself to kill it."
"You call yourself ruthless, but you're nothing!"
Enraged, Manager Xie threw aside his walking stick, asked for the exact location of the horse farm, and strode towards the stables, intending to take matters into his own hands. These Akhal-Teke horses were not to be underestimated!
Inside the county magistrate's mansion not far away, the young girl lay on her back on the roof of the main room, shaking the wine jar in her hand, and muttered to herself, "When will that old fox Dong breathe his last? Old man Cui, you're not the all-knowing scholar of the court, how come you can't predict it?"
She took a swig of wine, and with a "hiss," she sat up abruptly after hearing a dog bark. She saw a pure white hunting dog run into the courtyard, followed by a woman in a crimson dress.
"Oh, a rare guest."
Jiang Yinyue looked up at the girl on the roof, "Bring Qibao for a stroll."
“This isn’t the Crown Prince’s beloved dog.” Cui Shihan jumped off the roof and used a wine jar to attract Qibao’s attention. “It’s gotten so fat!”
"Woof woof woof!"
"Did you understand?"
Cui Shihan shrugged and continued to tease Qi Bao. She had entered the palace as a child and had seen Qi Bao several times, recognizing her at a glance as the hunting dog kept in the Eastern Palace.
Qi Bao jumped up and touched the wine jar with her nose.
Jiang Yinyue approached the girl, "I originally wanted to foster it in your household, but it is timid and may not be able to adapt."
Wei Xichen left in a fit of anger, leaving Qi Bao behind. He would take her away sooner or later, but as long as he didn't ask, she wouldn't return her on her own initiative. She also took the opportunity to spend more time with Qi Bao.
The younger sister-in-law can't get close to Qi Bao, so Qi Bao can only be kept in Hanlan Garden, where she and Wei Qin live, to prevent it from running around the house and triggering the younger sister-in-law's allergies. If that still doesn't work, then we'll have to trouble Cui Shihan to take care of it.
Tired from playing, Qi Bao lay down in the shade of the yard and fell fast asleep, while two women sat on the roof chatting.
"Always drinking alone in silence?"
"Or else, you'll come with me?"
"I can't hold my liquor."
"Never mind, I'm destined to be a loner."
Jiang Yinyue smiled and picked up a small, unopened jar from the rooftop. "This humble woman is making an exception for the county princess today."
Cui Shihan immediately unsealed the seal for her, saying, "Alright, alright, don't worry. If you entrust Qibao to my care, I will treat her as a VIP. If the Crown Prince comes to take her back, I will fight him to the death."
"It was worth making these fair-weather friends."
"Come, come, my drinking buddy, have a little sip."
The two men clinked wine jars together, chatting and laughing as they drank heartily.
After drinking a small jar of wine, Cui Shihan glanced at Jiang Yinyue, who was lying unconscious on the roof, then grabbed her wine jar and gulped it down.
"Bring me the umbrella."
In the evening, Wei Qin received a message and came to the county magistrate's mansion. Cui Shihan was still sitting on the roof, holding an umbrella in one hand, leaning towards Jiang Yinyue to shield the woman from the sunlight, and holding a wine jar in the other hand, sipping it slowly.
"They're here." She closed her umbrella and pointed to Jiang Yinyue, who was lying on the ground. "Your wife is drunk."
Wei Qin glanced at the girl indifferently, then stepped past Qi Bao who was approaching, and strode onto the roof, landing steadily between the two women, separating them.
Enveloped in shadow, Cui Shihan raised her face, looked at Wei Qin under the shimmering sunset, gave an ambiguous smirk, picked up two empty jars, jumped off the roof, and slunk back into the house.
Wei Qin squatted down next to Jiang Yinyue, resting his elbows on his knees. With a hint of helplessness, he gently pulled up the woman's right arm, hoisted her onto his shoulder, and covered her with his outer garment.
Qi Bao clung to Wei Qin's legs, wagging its big tail as it followed him. Its round eyes reflected its master's disheveled appearance, wrapped up like a cicada pupa.
"Um......"
Amidst the turbulence, Jiang Yinyue regained a sliver of consciousness. Unable to free herself from the outer garment covering her, she kicked weakly.
"Put me down..."
He was so drunk he couldn't even speak coherently.
Wei Qin held down her legs and took her home. He did not allow the maid Du Juan to get close to her and personally took care of his wife, who was dead drunk.
He laid the person flat on the bed, took off the embroidered shoes, wrung out a silk handkerchief, and bent down to stand by the bed.
"Come."
Jiang Yinyue opened her eyes and waved her hand drunkenly, "Hongmei, don't tell Father, he'll scold me again."
Who am I?
"Rainbow Rose."
Wei Qin sighed, realizing that his wife had only been drunk twice in all these years, and both times it was related to Cui Shihan. He should advise his wife to stop associating with her so frequently in the future.
Even a drunkard would be humbled by Cui Shihan, let alone his wife who gets drunk after just one drink.
"Is she that important to you? Would you risk your life for your soulmate?" Wei Qin asked softly as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Jiang Yinyue, in a daze, groaned, "Hongmei, I feel unwell."
"Du Juan went to make some hangover soup."
"Help me undress."
Jiang Yinyue tugged at her collar and scratched the skin that was being "stung" by the ends of her hair, leaving fine scratch marks on her snow-white skin.
Her skin is so smooth and delicate it could be broken with a touch.
Wei Qin grasped her hand and smoothed her long hair that was nestled in front of her chest.
The undulating mountains suddenly appear, half-hidden in the bright red bellyband.
On the bib, a pair of mandarin ducks are playing in the water, lifelike and vivid.
Wei Qin turned his head to straighten her clothes, but a small hand grabbed his.
Why has your voice changed?
Jiang Yinyue held "Hongmei's" hand and wrapped it around her like a koala.
The mountain peak leans against the strong pine.
The warmth of the woman's heart emanated from Wei Qin's strong, pine-like arms. He gripped the handkerchief in his hand tightly, and droplets of water spilled out, flowing through his fingers and dripping onto the mandarin ducks.
Feeling the moisture, Jiang Yinyue released her hand and lowered her head to touch her chest.
It got all wet.
It was cool, which made her shiver.
"Hongmei, you splashed me."
She pouted, struggled to sit up, and playfully pounced on her "good sister" by the bedside, leaning her head against her sister's back.
I miss you so much.
Wei Qin carried her on his back and slowly paced around the room, helping her gradually dissipate the smell of alcohol.
The drunkard, unable to hold his liquor, was extremely unruly. He used both hands and feet to entangle Wei Qin's tall and straight body, hooking his little feet together and tightening around Wei Qin's waist. "Giddy up!"
They also treated people as if they were chasing lightning.
Wei Qin turned his head and asked, "Your sister Hong Mei is leaving, shall we see her off?"
"Don't leave."
Jiang Yinyue squeezed her knees together and slapped Wei Qin three inches below the waist with force, "Giddy up!"
She was chasing after her sister, Rainbow Rose, in a state of chaotic consciousness.
The man, who felt a sharp pain three inches below his waist, suddenly stopped and placed the drunkard on the cold table.
An emotion never before seen appeared on the man's face.
A sense of helplessness lingered in the coldness.
You can't argue with a drunkard.
The little drunkard sat at the table, swinging his legs, his open shirt completely loose.
Mandarin ducks floated below the mountains.
The undried water stains remained on the embroidery thread of a mandarin duck.
This bib was made by Hong Mei; the silk is light and thin, and the embroidery is superb.
fascinating.
It was reflected in Wei Qin's eyes.
The drunkard, now without a horse, reached out to tug at the man's clothes, saying, "Help me onto the horse."
Wei Qin was both helpless and obedient. He grabbed the woman under her armpits, picked her up, and let her hang in his arms.
A pair of large hands supported the woman's buttocks to prevent her from slipping down.
Jiang Yinyue used the same trick again, hooking her legs around Wei Qin's waist and laughing as she looked up, "The wine is delicious."
Wei Qin lowered his eyes and asked, following her words, "Your alcohol tolerance is so good?"
They've all learned to appreciate wine.
Jiang Yinyue nodded, "I'll treat you to a drink next time."
She blinked her bright, almond-shaped eyes and suddenly noticed a wound. She immediately wrapped her arms around Wei Qin's neck to prop herself up and stared at the sword wound. "You're injured."
In a moment of crisis, alcohol could cleanse wounds, so she repeatedly leaned closer and used her fragrant lips, still carrying the scent of alcohol, to treat the sword wound.
When he felt a moist, soft touch on the side of her neck, Wei Qin unconsciously tightened his large hand that was supporting Jiang Yinyue's buttocks.
The palm is full of soft, bouncy flesh.
The unfamiliar touch made the hot-blooded "scholar" uncomfortable. He tilted his head back slightly, and his shallow breathing became heavier.
My fingertips were trembling.
The veins on the back of his hand were bulging and clearly visible.
"Miss."
Jiang Yinyue continued to suck on the wound, saying, "I'm helping you."
Wei Qin pursed his dry lips, his chest heaving with uncontrollable panting. He led the woman back to the table, lifted her up and sat her on it. Without any further thought, he cupped the woman's face in his hands and kissed her.
"Hmm? Hmm..."
The woman being kissed instinctively wanted to escape, but she was unable to move and was forced to endure it.
The subtle creaking sound of their lips touching continued incessantly.
The scholar kissed the drunken lady forcefully, his jaw taut and then relaxed, over and over again.
The woman's lips were sweet and smooth, and after being soaked in rice wine, they became exceptionally soft and tender.
The scholar was insatiable.
"Ugh... let me go..."
Wei Qin slightly distanced himself, panting as he gazed at her, his long, narrow eyes tinged with a delicate, alluring red.
It adds to its charm.
He wiped the remaining moisture from the woman's lips with his thumb, then buried his face in the crook of her neck to soothe his burning desire.
For over a thousand days and nights, love arose without knowing its origin, and desire burned without knowing its source. He was but a mortal, and ultimately could not withstand the test of love and desire.
His left hand, wrapped in white cloth, slipped through the woman's black, satin-like hair, gripped the back of her neck, and in her dazed gaze, leaned down again to capture her two soft breasts.
Insatiable greed.
Self-control is no match for the scalpel.
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Author's Note: [doge]
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