On the tower, someone had already prepared a table full of fine wine and food.
The servants had all been dismissed long ago.
Bright palace lanterns hung from the six corners of the eaves, providing just the right amount of light.
Jiang Chengyan said, "Please sit down."
The remaining four people took their seats.
Yuan Yao sat to his left with Yun Chan and to his right with Jiang Chengyan.
Xie Zhi was sitting opposite her.
Lin Xuan glanced back and forth between the two of them, then said to Xie Zhi, "My eyes have been hurting lately, and the lights here are blinding me. Why don't you switch seats with me?"
Under the light, his eyes were indeed bloodshot.
Xie Zhi glanced at him, his expression unchanged, and smiled, "Alright."
After saying that, she actually stood up and switched seats with Lin Xuan.
Seeing Lin Xuan sit down, Yuan Yao casually asked, "Lin Xuan, what's wrong with your eyes? My uncle is also in the capital. If you're not feeling well, you should have him take a look at them as soon as possible."
In two days, he will be returning to the State of Chu with us.
"Hmm..." Lin Xuan rubbed his eyes and replied, "I was scratched by a tree branch while riding a horse, it's nothing serious."
"I've been resting for several days, and I'm much better now."
"An eye injury is a serious matter!" Yuan Yao said solemnly, "Tomorrow, let my uncle take a look at it for you!"
If you delay, and it causes problems, it could be a lifelong issue!
Lin Xuan opened his mouth: "Then... okay..."
To be honest, he didn't take it to heart.
How can a real man avoid getting hurt?
Besides, how could he be so fragile?
However, how could he refuse Yuan Yao's kindness?
From the side, Yun Chan said, "Since your eyes are injured, young marquis, you should not drink alcohol these days and should rest and recuperate."
"What are you afraid of?" Xie Zhi looked Lin Xuan's eyes carefully for a few moments: "He hasn't been diagnosed or given medicine yet, it's okay to drink a little."
Yun Chan: "..."
He gave Xie Zhi a deep look and said calmly, "As Prince Yu has grown older, his temperament has become more and more generous and open-minded."
Xie Zhi glanced at him and said with a smile, "After all, I have spent many years on military campaigns and training troops, so I am a rough man, unlike the noble and aloof Emperor of Chu..."
Yun Chan smiled gently, slowly ladled out a bowl of soup, and handed it to Yuan Yao: "Drink some soup first to warm your stomach."
"Mmm," Yuan Yao responded softly.
She took the soup and looked down at the clear, glistening broth.
She's not stupid.
She felt somewhat uncomfortable listening to Xie Zhi and Yun Chan's conversation.
Xie Zhi said he had let go, but there was still resentment towards Yun Chan in his words...
Yun Chan, however, remained wary of Xie Zhi.
The two of them can never go back to their childhood.
However, the fact that Xie Zhi was able to reconcile with her is already a significant step forward.
Once you take the first step, there will be a second step, a third step...
A person's life is but a few decades.
Her energy was truly limited, and she didn't cherish many people. Xie Zhi was a friend and family member she absolutely didn't want to lose...
Yuan Yao picked up the soup and slowly drank it all.
Jiang Chengyan rolled up his sleeves and personally poured five cups of wine.
He handed the wine to the group and raised his glass, saying, "At the prime of our lives, although we have all gone our separate ways, it is truly a blessing that we can still gather together like we did when we were young."
This glass is for you all.
Yuan Yao raised her glass, her smile bright: "If I have the chance in the future, I will come back to visit you often."
"Give me a break." Jiang Chengyan downed his drink in one gulp and said with a hint of disdain, "An empress only needs to escape once in her life."
If we have to make two more trips, it will threaten the harmony among the five nations.
"Pfft..." Yuan Yao took a sip of the sweet wine and smiled, her eyes crinkling: "The harmony of the five kingdoms depends on the emperors of your five kingdoms to maintain it."
As for me, I just want to be a happy, laid-back person!
A happy salted fish?
Jiang Chengyan said helplessly, "Yuan Xiaoyao, can't you have any ambition? Do you even remember who you are now?"
You are the Empress of Chu, the younger sister of the Empresses of the four kingdoms…
"What's wrong with the Empress?" Yuan Yao asked with a smile, her hands cupping her chin. "Can't the Empress live a more relaxed and comfortable life?"
I have Yun Chan protecting me, and female officials helping me.
Furthermore, as long as I remain happy and joyful, the five countries can maintain harmonious exchanges and friendly relations!
Besides this, is there anything else I need to do?
Jiang Chengyan: "..."
Okay, actually no.
As long as Yuan Yao is alive, the friendship and balance among the five countries will never be broken.
She doesn't need to do anything.
She should just be herself.
Jiang Chengyan then personally poured more wine for everyone and said, "Yuan Xiaoyao, tonight's wine is a belated wedding feast for me and Xie Zhi."
A wedding banquet?
Yuan Yao asked with a smile, "Cheng Yan, should I reimburse you for the cost of the food and drinks later?"
Jiang Chengyan's face hardened: "No way! I don't need your money!"
Yuan Yao blinked: "I was just saying that, I'm not going to give you any money."
Jiang Chengyan: "..."
very nice.
He really knows how to shoot himself in the foot.
Yuan Yao took the tea Yun Chan offered, took a sip, and then changed the subject, asking, "Cheng Yan, has the little princess's name been chosen yet?"
Mentioning the little princess, Jiang Chengyan's stern face finally softened.
A hint of joy flickered across his brow: "You Shu, Jiang You Shu."
You Shu?
The names taken from the Book of Songs?
Yuan Yao read it aloud once and laughed, "This name, it sounds like it was chosen by Sister-in-law Zhiheng, right?"
Jiang Chengyan's smile faltered, a faint blush rising to his face: "How did you know?"
“You can tell just by listening!” Yuan Yao said matter-of-factly.
Deng Zhiheng was born into a scholarly family. She was gentle and graceful, with a magnanimous and inclusive nature. Even her name exudes an elegant and scholarly air.
She has admired Jiang Chengyan since childhood.
The daughter's name reflects her deep affection for Jiang Chengyan.
Judging from Jiang Chengyan's expression, he must know exactly what's going on.
Yuan Yao took a sip of wine and sighed, "It's so good!"
The most captivating kind of feelings are those mutual affections that occur when one is unaware of their own love and during the ambiguous stage of a relationship!
"What?" Jiang Chengyan suspected she had ill intentions.
Yuan Yao's face was already flushed with alcohol, and she said with a smile, "Tomorrow, I will go to the palace to see the Empress Dowager and Consort Lin, and also to see Sister-in-law Zhiheng and the little princess."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chengyan considerately said, "Tomorrow, I will send someone to fetch you to the palace."
“Okay!” Yuan Yao replied with a smile.
Turning around, I saw Yun Chan and Xie Zhi silently staring at each other, having already finished two jars of wine.
These two...
Yuan Yao ignored them and, while talking to Jiang Chengyan, asked Lin Xuan, "Didn't Chengyan say in his letter that you were getting married soon?"
Why has there been no movement after so long?
Lin Xuan paused in his drinking motion.
He downed the wine in his glass in one gulp and said dejectedly, "The engagement is about to happen, but the noble lady has fallen in love with a guard in the household and is pregnant."
The marriage proposal fell through.
"Such a thing is true?" Yuan Yao exclaimed in surprise.
That's a really big green hat!
After hesitating for a moment, she comforted him, "It's alright, Lin Xuan. It's her loss that she didn't marry you..."
"Yeah, that's what I think too." Lin Xuan felt even more depressed.
He grabbed the small wine jug, took a large gulp of wine, and then said, "I don't want to get married for now..."
I'm really scared.
"Mmm!" Yuan Yao said, taking small sips of her drink. "You can't force matters of the heart..."
In an attempt to comfort Lin Xuan, Yuan Yao accidentally drank too much.
The effects of the alcohol were starting to take hold.
As night deepened, a crescent moon hung in the sky.
The sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence of the tower.
The guards of the Prince of Pingnan's mansion hurriedly climbed the tower. Before they could even stand properly, they gasped, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The guard looked at Xie Zhi, who was slightly drunk, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the old prince is failing..."
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