"May the Crown Prince and Crown Princess grow old together in happiness and harmony."
Chu Yuan always felt that Shen Youan's blessing was not sincere.
Who doesn't know who?
Shen Youan saw the person off and didn't linger, afraid that outsiders would notice something amiss.
It doesn't matter that the Crown Prince is already infatuated with his aunt, but it's hard to say what will happen to others. If the Emperor finds out that his most trusted confidant, Shen Kuo, has been raising Ji Yun's orphan for more than ten years in a fake manner, the entire court and the country will probably be in chaos.
Shen Youan did not want to harm Shen Kuo and repay kindness with enmity.
Back at the banquet, Shen Youan was surprised to find that the Second Prince had been so drunk in just a short time.
Those spoiled young masters, taking advantage of the fact that it was a celebratory banquet and the hosts wouldn't hold it against them, got the Crown Prince drunk and then got the Second Prince drunk as well.
He couldn't resist stepping forward, snatching the wine cup from Dugu Ran's hand, and slamming it heavily on the table. "Enough!"
From Ji Yun's perspective, Dugu should indeed be killed, but from another perspective, one might feel sorry for Dugu's two sons.
Even if one enjoys wealth and honor from birth, one is also burdened by such wealth and honor. Once one fails to satisfy the expectations of the court officials and the people, all one will receive is harsh criticism, disappointment, and the judgment that one is incapable of fulfilling one's responsibilities.
Especially Dugu Ran.
She was usually an invisible person, but wherever she went, pity and sympathy followed her like a shadow. She was not as carefree as Princess Fushun.
General Shen was renowned for his prestige, and these纨绔 (sons of wealthy and powerful families) feared nothing but those who had tasted blood on the battlefield. They quickly left the Crown Prince's residence.
The vast mansion was able to return to tranquility.
Dugu Ran swayed and prepared to leave as well, but Shen Youan stepped forward and said, "Let this humble servant escort the Second Prince back."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Ran glanced at him with her cold eyes, but did not refuse.
*
In the new house.
Xia He trimmed the candle wick with scissors and said happily, "Alright, the Crown Princess and His Highness the Crown Prince can drink the nuptial wine now. From now on, may you live in harmony and be of one heart and mind."
"Reward." Dugu Ling, out of affection for Chu Yuan, was also very generous to her maid.
At the same time, he handed a cup of nuptial wine from the tray to Chu Yuan.
The latter looked up, and their eyes met. Chu Yuan smiled slightly and took the gift, saying, "Dugu Ling, don't blame me if I sleep badly later because I'm drunk."
Dugu Ling, "It seems like even when you're not drunk, your sleeping posture isn't much better, is it?"
Chu Yuan, "..."
I told you to be honest, but I didn't expect you to be this honest!
However, after Chu Yuan finished her cup, Dugu Ling refilled it for her, saying, "Drink one more time."
Chu Yuan frowned. "Why?"
As soon as she spoke, she sensed that Dugu Ling's gaze had changed; it was no longer so gentle and indulgent, but rather carried a hint of cold seriousness.
Chu Yuan: "..."
Oh no, I switched accounts again!
So, she has to go through the process twice just to get married?
Perhaps sensing Chu Yuan's resentment, Dugu Jue arrogantly plopped down next to her and said, "Isn't it all his idea, saying that we should each drink our own drinks?"
Chu Yuan rolled up her sleeves and proactively clinked her wine glass with Dugu Jue's, "Come on, so people won't say I'm biased."
Xia He was completely bewildered and couldn't understand what the two were saying at all.
However, Xia He was happier than anyone else that her princess had finally married, and to the man she loved. She felt that she could finally face the late emperor and empress in the afterlife without shame, so she didn't think these things were that important.
She smiled and gave a slight curtsy. "Then Your Highness and Your Highness should rest early. This servant will not wake Your Highness tomorrow, no matter how much the Emperor Qin cries and pleads."
"Xia He, you..." Chu Yuan felt that her girl was becoming more and more unruly.
Look at that, they even dare to joke about their master!
Xia He quickly slipped away, escaping her fate of being a third wheel at the scene.
The door closed, and Dugu Jue put his arm around Chu Yuan's waist. "Isn't this a case of 'like master, like maid'?"
Chu Yuan glared at him, "You're not going back to being Dugu Ling?"
On their wedding night, it's unclear how they'll divide the tasks.
Just as I was thinking it was absurd, a short arrow carrying something whistled through the air outside the window...
Dugu Jue reacted quickly, reaching out and grabbing the short arrow that was cutting through the air!
Chu Yuan's heart pounded. If Dugu Jue hadn't been there, would she already be dead?
Looking up, he saw that half of a familiar purse was also being held in Dugu Jue's hand.
It is pure black, embroidered with golden mandarin ducks.
"This is..." Chu Yuan reached out to take it, but Dugu Jue grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her into his arms.
Chu Yuan pinched his chest, "Stop fooling around, let me see what it is."
Dugu Jue then handed it over.
Chu Yuan took out her purse and decisively threw the short arrow a little further away. What if she got hurt in a fight with Dugu Jue later if she left such a dangerous thing on the bed?
"I knew I wasn't wrong." Chu Yuan clutched the purse, lost in thought. This was something the original owner kept close to her, and she had never given it away willingly. The only thing she could possibly have received was...
Suddenly, Dugu Jue's quiet voice reached his ears, "There's something in your purse."
Chu Yuan was taken aback. "Ah, really?" She had been too busy looking at his appearance.
I opened the purse, and sure enough, there was a piece of paper inside.
Chu Yuan had just unfolded her robe when Dugu Jue snatched it away, quickly scanning it before his eagle eyes suddenly glared at her.
"What's wrong?" Chu Yuan asked, puzzled. "What's written on it?"
Dugu Jue let out a cold laugh, then his five fingers clenched sharply, and the palm-sized piece of paper shrank into a ball in his hand. "It has been many years since we last met. I have not stopped thinking about the princess for a single moment. I escaped from Xiao Jing's clutches after several brushes with death."
If it is convenient for the princess, at midnight, at the pavilion a hundred li outside the city, your subordinate, concerned for the princess, requests an audience! —Night Shadow
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com