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Kapitel 6

Even more tragically, her face flushes easily after drinking. With a rosy complexion, people might not doubt her gender, but they might suspect she shares some unusual fetish with Prince Xin—like a seme or uke relationship.

Li Yuxuan entered the hall to find the banquet already underway. Ouyang Xiu, Wang Anshi, and several court officials sat at the head of the table, while Prince Xin, Su Shi, Xu Qingzhi, and Zhan Zhao sat at the second table. An empty seat was left next to Xu Qingzhi, presumably for her.

She walked over and poured everyone a full glass of wine: "Thank you all for coming. I'd like to propose a toast to you all!"

Xu Qingzhi and Su Shi stood up upon hearing this, but Prince Xin waved his hand and said, "The third-ranked scholar is celebrating his birthday today, how can you offer him such a toast? Isn't this just going through the motions? We'll toast the groom, three cups each, shall we?"

"Great!" everyone cheered, their enthusiasm even greater than when they were going to the red-light district to pick up girls. Sorry, but that was the only word that came to Li Yuxuan's mind when she saw Prince Xin. His lewd smile, which seemed to mock everything, made it impossible for her not-so-pure mind to think of a more suitable word for a harmonious society.

Knowing that refusal wouldn't work, she chuckled and said, "Please wait a moment, everyone. I'll go toast my mentor first, and then we'll come back here to drink until we're completely drunk, okay?"

"Alright!" Prince Xin waved his hand magnanimously, "Go quickly and come back quickly!"

Li Yuxuan clasped her hands in a fist salute, picked up her wine cup, and walked towards the head of the table. She had to drink several cups of wine in front of Ouyang Xiu—a real, substantial amount. She dared not be careless in their presence; those seasoned officials had sharp eyes. If she were discovered, she would undoubtedly be accused of disrespecting her elders.

After drinking around the table, Li Yuxuan's cheeks were flushed when he returned to Xu Qingzhi's side. Xu Qingzhi looked at Li Yuxuan's unsteady figure and asked worriedly, "Brother Li, are you alright?"

“How could the groom be impotent? How can he enter the bridal chamber tonight if he’s impotent? Right, groom?” Prince Xin interrupted Xu Qingzhi, picked up his wine cup and stood up: “Come, come, let’s drink three cups first.”

Li Yuxuan took the cup: "This humble official toasts Your Highness with three cups, bottoms up!" After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine down, then pretended to wipe the wine stains from his lips with a handkerchief, and casually spat the wine onto the handkerchief.

After drinking more than ten cups, Li Yuxuan shook his head and said, "I really can't drink anymore. Please spare me, otherwise my wedding night will be wasted."

"Hahahaha." Prince Xin laughed loudly. "No, no, you can't forget your friends for the sake of a pretty girl. You absolutely must finish all the wine on this table, don't you all agree?"

Xu Qingzhi laughed and said, "Brother Li looks so frail, he obviously can't hold his liquor. Your Highness, please spare him!"

"That's right!" Su Shi also raised his cup to Prince Xin: "Your Highness, I would like to offer you three cups!"

At the banquet, the main thing was to have some fun. When everyone saw that Su Shi and Xu Qingzhi were pleading for Li Yuxuan, they all turned their attention to Prince Xin. They couldn't let this opportunity to curry favor with Prince Xin slip by.

Prince Xin, however, remained relentless, his eyes still fixed on Li Yuxuan: "The groom wouldn't refuse me even this small favor, would he?"

Li Yuxuan closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. She had anticipated that Prince Xin would make things difficult. If he doubted her gender, he certainly wouldn't let her have an easy time.

She smiled slightly and looked directly at Prince Xin: "Your Highness is too kind to refuse. How many more cups would Your Highness like for me?"

Prince Xin chuckled and pointed to the people around her: "Well, there are still three people at this table who haven't finished drinking. Adding your colleagues around you, you only need to drink a hundred more cups."

You☆★●◎○□¤℃‰

□I OOXX your mom……

Li Yuxuan cursed him inwardly, but his face was still full of smiles: "Your Highness, do you want me to drink, or do you want me to make a glorious self-sacrifice and die in the line of duty?"

Hearing this, everyone around her burst into laughter. One of them said, "Groom, the prince is just joking with you. We won't offer any more toasts. A moment of bliss on this wedding night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. If you really get drunk, we'll never be able to face our sister-in-law again."

Prince Xin still wore that enigmatic smile: "Then let's skip the toasts and go have some fun in the bridal chamber?"

"Your Highness, come, I'll drink as much as you want, how about that?" Li Yuxuan filled the cups for the two of them and handed one to Prince Xin: "Since Your Highness has taken a liking to me, I'll drink with you until we're both drunk tonight! Our wedding night can be every night after that, right?! Your Highness's refined taste is truly rare. Come, everyone, let's all drink with Your Highness until we're both drunk!"

Xu Qingzhi looked at Li Yuxuan and asked softly, "Third brother, can you still hold on? Don't hurt yourself."

"Okay!" Li Yuxuan gave him a grateful smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine." But it would be a lie to say she was truly fine. With everyone bustling around, she couldn't be too conspicuous about vomiting. Some of the wine she drank, some spilled on the ground, and some got onto her handkerchief. She even went to the toilet three times, desperately vomiting up everything she had drunk. It seemed this Prince Xin had no pity for her whatsoever; he just wanted to kill her.

The commotion continued from noon until evening. Li Yuxuan was dizzy and about to collapse, but despite her dizziness, her mind remained clear. She stood beside Xu Qingzhi, knowing that when it came to matters of the heart, this man was the most honest. He had never doubted her.

Xu Qingzhi knew Li Yuxuan couldn't drink anymore, but fearing Prince Xin's power, he could only worry helplessly. Meanwhile, Ouyang Xiu had already returned home. Who could they turn to to resolve this matter? This Prince Xin—his third brother didn't seem to have offended him in any way, so why was he getting into this mess?

Prince Xin could see that Li Yuxuan was putting on a brave face, but the fact that she had kept him company from noon until now made him look at her in a new light. He even began to wonder if he was mistaken, and if the scholar before him was a genuine man, not the woman he had suspected.

If it were a woman, her courage and drinking capacity would be admirable.

However, if it were truly a woman, he would not be merciful for the sake of his family, country, and the world.

Ideally, he wouldn't discover that she had any political motives in taking the imperial examination to become a third-ranked scholar. Ideally, she wouldn't be a spy for the Liao or Western Xia dynasties... Ideally, she wouldn't be a woman, but just a frail scholar.

He finally clapped his hands and stood up under everyone's gaze: "We've had enough wine, and we can't really ruin the groom's wedding night. Alright, everyone, let's go home!"

Seeing that Prince Xin was finally leaving, Li Yuxuan immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Don't bother seeing me off! Have a safe journey!"

Prince Xin passed by Li Yuxuan, stopped and chuckled, "The groom must perform well tonight!" He then laughed heartily and strode away.

Last night, the west wind

After dealing with everyone, Li Yuxuan returned to her room and saw that Yinzi had dismissed her maids and removed her red veil. She was staring blankly at the table full of red dates and peanuts. Suddenly, her childlike heart stirred, and she tiptoed up behind Yinzi and slapped her on the shoulder: "What are you thinking about?"

Yinzi was startled. When she saw that it was Li Yuxuan, she immediately wiped her eyes and stood up: "Miss—" Li Yuxuan saw her red eyes and smiled: "Silly girl, don't worry, your girl won't ruin your life. We'll stay here for two years. After we figure out the tragedy that happened to our family, we'll go to live in Jiangnan. Then you can go find your good man, and I'll go find my happiness."

"Miss! What are you saying?" Yinzi said with a slight reproach, helping her sit up on the edge of the bed. "I was just worried about you. If it weren't for that incident, you would already be married into a wealthy family and raising children. Why would you be being bullied like this here?"

Li Yuxuan relaxed his tense nerves after a long day, but felt dizzy and could no longer hold on. He leaned against the bed rail and said, "Yinzi, I've drunk too much and can't hold on any longer. Quickly get me something to eat."

As she poured hangover soup from the thermos, Yinzi replied, "I prepared it long ago." She then brought the soup to Li Yuxuan's lips, saying, "Miss, let me feed you!"

Li Yuxuan mumbled a sleepy "Mmm," and muttered, "Yinzi, remember to wake me up tomorrow morning." His eyelids wouldn't open any longer, and he fell asleep leaning against the bed rail.

Yinzi couldn't help but let her tears fall again. She knew the hardships her daughter had endured. For the past five years, disguised as a man, she had drifted from Changzhou to Bianliang, and now she had gritted her teeth and endured every kind of suffering. Although she never complained about it in front of her, and although she was always cheerful in front of her, as if there were always people taller than them to hold up the sky... she always felt that her daughter was hiding a secret, and it was this secret that had made her fight so recklessly for the past five years.

She moved Li Yuxuan to the bed and helped her take off her bright red wedding dress. She noticed that her armpits were already marked with red lines from the cotton cloth binding her breasts. To prevent anyone from accidentally touching her breasts during the wedding festivities, she had specially wrapped two extra layers of cotton cloth around her breasts this morning.

She fetched hot water from outside and carefully washed Li Yuxuan's face and feet before going back to her own bedroom to sleep, which was the other bedroom that Li Yuxuan had requested to be combined with her own.

The next morning, Li Yuxuan was woken up by Yinzi. He felt a splitting headache and his vision was blurry. He forced himself to get up, dressed, and washed, then took Yinzi to the scholar's residence to offer tea to Ouyang Xiu and his wife. Since he had recognized them as his godparents, this courtesy was essential. Having entered this society, he had to follow its rules. This was a tearful conclusion Li Yuxuan had reached after experiencing countless events since his transmigration.

After serving tea at the scholar's residence, Yinzi returned home with the help of her maid. Li Yuxuan went to court with Ouyang Xiu. Looking at Li Yuxuan's pale face, Yinzi asked worriedly, "Husband, are you... alright?"

Li Yuxuan patted her hand: "Don't worry!"

Ouyang Xiu also asked, "Are you alright? Why don't I go and talk to them and suggest you take a day off?"

Li Yuxuan rubbed his temples: "It's alright, I can hold on. Wasn't it uncertain when I asked for leave the other day? The Emperor was deliberately making things difficult for me, and you, my mentor, could tell."

Ouyang Xiu nodded: "That's true. I don't think the Emperor really wants to make things difficult for you. Princess Wei still holds a grudge."

"Hehe." Li Yuxuan chuckled, "It's a good thing to be remembered." He and Ouyang Xiu each rode in a sedan chair towards the palace.

Upon seeing Li Yuxuan arrive, the people waiting in the side hall for the court session all crowded around her. She already had a terrible headache, and now with everyone chattering around her, she felt even more unsteady, as if she were walking on a pile of cotton. She couldn't help but frown.

He forced a smile and said, "I'm sorry, I drank too much yesterday, and the effects of the alcohol are still there. I'll go rest for a bit."

She dared not move her feet, afraid of accidentally falling and becoming a laughing stock. When she saw Xu Qingzhi in the crowd, she looked at him for help.

Fortunately, Su Shi was behind Xu Qingzhi. Both of them saw her pleading eyes and pale face, and quickly walked towards her one after the other.

A languid voice came from behind the crowd: "What are you all doing? Oh—it's the groom!" It was Prince Xin.

Li Yuxuan had no choice but to perk up: "Your Highness!"

Prince Xin walked to Li Yuxuan's side and saw her standing there stubbornly and palely, like a kitten ready to pounce at any moment. His heart softened for no reason. He wanted to tease her a bit more, but the words that came out of his mouth were: "You're in such a state, why aren't you resting at home?" His concern was evident in his words.

"Huh?" Li Yuxuan saw a hint of concern suddenly appear in Prince Xin's fox-like eyes, and he shivered. His previously muddled mind was cleared up by this blow.

Fortunately, the high-pitched voice of the eunuch who was announcing the time came from outside just in time: "All civil and military officials, please proceed to court to pay homage to the Emperor!"

Li Yuxuan was most afraid of hearing this rooster-like crowing sound, and reflexively rubbed her ears with both hands. Xu Qingzhi took her left arm: "Brother Li, let me help you."

Just as Li Yuxuan was wondering what to do, he saw Xu Qingzhi helping him over and immediately leaned towards him, saying, "Thank you! Brother Xu, I don't lie to people, I drank too much yesterday and the effects are still on me. You'll have to stand next to me and keep an eye on me later."

"I know." Xu Qingzhi smiled slightly. "Don't worry!"

Su Shi also came over, and the two of them sandwiched Li Yuxuan between them as they walked towards the main hall.

Prince Xin watched them coldly, and only after they left did he follow them into the palace.

Li Yuxuan stood dazed in her seat, feeling a churning stomach. She'd been fine while sleeping last night, but the effects of the alcohol were kicking in now. She couldn't understand why these people had to go to court so early. No wonder there were stories in ancient books about ministers who drowned in the moat after going to court on a rainy day. She hadn't believed it before, but now she truly did. She'd gotten up at four in the morning, gone to the scholar's residence, and then come to court without even hearing the dawn bell. If she hadn't felt dizzy after all that, it would be a miracle.

She glared hatefully at Prince Xin, who stood calmly in front of her, wishing she could see seventeen or eighteen hemorrhoids growing from the soles of his feet all the way to his hairline.

She heard someone making a fuss ahead, and through her dazed state, she saw people arguing. It seemed to be about some problems with the border defenses of the Western Xia, and something about the routine winter patrols.

She then heard a loud voice calling her name. She recognized the man as Du Wei, the Imperial Son-in-Law and husband of the Princess of Wei. She suppressed her dizziness and stood up straight. Although she hadn't clearly heard what they were saying, if it involved her and the Princess of Wei, it couldn't be anything good.

She asked Su Shi softly beside her, "What is it?"

"The matter of sending people to patrol the border is being argued between the Prince Consort and Prince Xin. Strangely, Prince Xin seems to be protecting you this time." Seeing the beads of sweat on her forehead, he handed her a handkerchief: "Wipe your sweat! Can you still hold on?"

Li Yuxuan took the handkerchief and nodded.

The argument in front finally stopped, and she saw Ouyang Xiu go up and say a few words. To be honest, it wasn't that she was particularly confused at the moment, but rather that as a low-ranking official of the fourth rank, she was destined to be relegated to a corner of the court. She didn't drink alcohol regularly, and when she encountered someone who spoke gently, she had to guess and make sense of what they were saying.

A moment later, she heard the eunuch on duty calling her name, as well as Xu Qingzhi's name. She pinched her Hegu acupoint hard with her fingernails, and the intense pain made her eyes, which had been glaring at her, widen. She walked straight out with her eyes wide open. Xu Qingzhi was waiting for her on the road. When he saw her come out, he reached out to help her up, and together they walked to the front of the platform and knelt down.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Xu Qingzhi and Li Yuxuan are hereby appointed as Imperial Commissioners, to depart immediately for Liangzhou to inspect military intelligence and preparedness, without delay. This is the imperial decree!"

Li Yuxuan followed Xu Qingzhi to receive the imperial edict, and the two returned to their original positions. She had completely lost the ability to think and was simply following Xu Qingzhi step by step.

intrigue

She barely managed to hold on until the court session ended. Ouyang Xiu came over to say something to her, only to find her standing there drenched in sweat, swaying precariously.

He was taken aback and quickly reached out to touch his forehead: "Yuewu, are you alright?!"

Li Yuxuan forced a smile: "It's nothing, I just need to rest for a bit."

"You're not alright yet, but you look like you're about to collapse. Go back and rest!" Before she could speak again, he beckoned to a guard: "Find someone to escort Lord Li back."

“Lord Ouyang, let me send him back!” Prince Xin appeared beside them at some point, waving away the guards. “I happen to have something to discuss with Lord Li.”

Li Yuxuan took a step back and looked at Ouyang Xiu: "Master, I am fine, please don't worry." He then turned to Prince Xin: "Since Your Highness has business with me, let's go to the Dali Temple! Official business should be discussed openly and honestly, so of course it should be done in the 'yamen' (government office). Don't you think so? How can we go to my private residence?"

Prince Xin looked at Li Yuxuan's heightened vigilance with a mocking expression, then suddenly lowered his head and chuckled: "Lord Li, are you afraid I'll eat you up? Or do you have some secret you're afraid I'll find out?"

Li Yuxuan was so dizzy she couldn't take it anymore. Staying here any longer might mean she'd die right there in the hall. No, she had to go home first. He's just a prince, right? He just likes chrysanthemum yellow, right? Why was she so afraid of him…?

She extended her left hand to Prince Xin: "Since Your Highness is so kind, I will certainly obey. Please help me home, Your Highness. This is not the first time Your Highness and I have had such close contact."

puff--

Prince Xin's smile froze on his face for a long time after her words, and he couldn't change his expression.

These words, coupled with Prince Xin's reputation for womanizing, were quite fitting, adding just the right amount to his unjust accusation of a romantic entanglement. Fortunately, Ouyang Xiu had already left when he saw him coming, leaving only Xu Qingzhi and Su Shi standing far outside the main hall watching the scene inside.

He widened his smile and took Li Yuxuan's hand: "Lord Li, aren't you afraid that what you're saying might make me think something?"

Li Yuxuan strode towards the palace gate: "To be frank, Your Highness, do you not think so?"

"I feel as if I have never been intimate with you; your heart has always been a thousand miles away from me." Prince Xin lowered his head, his voice softly reaching Li Yuxuan's ears. To outsiders, this posture looked like lovers whispering sweet nothings.

Li Yuxuan hadn't expected Prince Xin to be so unreserved, and a blush crept onto his pale face. This cunning fox's skin was thicker than a camel's. "How can my heart compare to Your Highness's? Your Highness is a son of the dragon, and your heart is naturally a heart of gold, a heart of jewels, and a heart of exquisite beauty. I am but a country bumpkin, and my heart is just a blockhead from the countryside, ignorant of the ways of the world and lacking in romantic understanding."

"Hahahaha..." Prince Xin laughed without restraint, and seemed to be very happy. He laughed until he couldn't breathe, then coughed and said, "Haha, Lord Li, you have quite the eloquence. It suits my temperament just like mine. Lord Li, you won't mind if I acknowledge you as my brother, will you?"