Yao Chenzi opened his eyes.
The servant said respectfully, "This is a gift from His Highness to you, senior."
There are at least thirty or forty brewing recipes in the stack, including not only folk brewing methods, but also more than a dozen recipes for imperial brewing.
Yao Chenzi chuckled: What did he say again? His friend is really loyal.
No wonder she has friends!
Ji Pingxi, who had friends, hosted his friends who had come from afar. Half of the top 100 masters in the martial arts world were present, and the remaining people from all walks of life could fill seven or eight tables.
They didn't come when the 'Fourth Miss' took a concubine before, because it was just a concubine and not worth making a big fuss about. But today, His Highness is getting married. How could they not come for such a joyous occasion?
Some travel day and night to get here, while others arrive carrying their zithers and riding the wind.
The heroes of the martial arts world were causing a ruckus at the princess's residence. Ji Pingxi, enjoying this rare moment of pleasure, decided to have a drinking contest with them.
It's called a drinking contest, but in the end, it's not about how much you can drink, it's about your inner strength.
She single-handedly took on over a hundred skilled fighters, drinking them all under the table. With a flourish, she tossed aside her wine cup and turned to instruct her chief steward, "Take good care of them."
Night quietly fell, and the bride, waiting anxiously in the bridal chamber, crumpled the handkerchief in her hand. Just then, the sound of the door opening was heard.
"All of you may leave."
Ji Pingxi changed into a scarlet wedding dress. The beautiful scenery and the beauty of the scene rivaled even the moonlight.
Jin Shi Yin Ding dared not look at her, lest he be bewitched by the prince's beauty. Although a demon is alluring, how can he compare to a fairy descending to earth?
The nannies and maids who had been guarding the bridal chamber filed out, and Ji Pingxi slowly strolled to the bedside and stood there for a while.
She remained silent for a long while, and just as Yu Zhi was about to speak, the candlelight suddenly blazed brightly before her eyes.
"What a nice view."
The princess lifted the red veil with one hand, instantly calming Yu Zhi's inner turmoil. Her willow-leaf eyes shone brighter than spring: "You too, so beautiful."
Ji Pingxi's body went limp as he leaned into her arms: "So beautiful, why don't we stay up tonight?"
"Aren't you going to sleep?"
"I'm not going to sleep," she repeated earnestly.
Yu Zhi looked over shyly and softly replied, "Then I won't sleep."
"Play along with my nonsense?" The princess smiled deeply.
The beauty was slightly taken aback, then a seductive glint appeared between her brows: "Do whatever you want."
The two drank the nuptial wine together, pledging their hearts to each other. Ji Pingxi could no longer contain himself and tore off the red cloth covering the Mingguang Mirror. The life-size mirror, a tribute from a foreign land, was so clear that it reflected people even more clearly than the one Yu Zhi had seen in Yangchun Palace!
A blush crept up her limbs as she gazed longingly at the man she had been waiting for.
Do you miss me?
"think……"
Upon hearing her say "I miss you," a smile spread across Ji Pingxi's eyes, and tender affection flowed over Yu Zhi's entire body: "If you miss me, then you should behave well."
Yu Zhi clutched at her collar, defiant: "Then you...you have to do well too..."
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Chapter 93 I Love You
In August, the evening breeze carries the sweet whispers of lovers.
The starlight is gentle, the Milky Way flows, and the moon shyly peeks out, its bright light kissing the branches of the trees.
Inside the ivory bed, someone took out a luminous pearl the size of a baby's fist from a treasure chest; inside the red silk quilt, someone waited for their beloved's pity.
Three thousand strands of long hair flowed like water, her tender white toes quietly gripped the mattress, and a cat meowed two or three times outside the window.
The princess's residence kept cats, and the imperial palace also kept cats of various sizes and colors. When Princess Changyang got married, the palace and its surroundings were decorated with lanterns and streamers, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
A place where the light doesn't reach—a water dungeon.
The jailer sauntered in, humming a tune, carrying a jar of wine: "Who would have thought we could benefit from His Highness's wedding!"
He broke the mud seal, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, "Mmm! Fine wine! May Your Highness and Princess Consort have a happy marriage soon—"
He stammered, "Ah, ptooey, ptooey, look at my mouth, I misspoke. I should wish Your Highness and Princess a harmonious and long-lasting marriage. Come, come, let's drink! Let's drink until we're drunk tonight!"
"Let's drink until we're drunk!"
"Your Highness."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The two men raised their bowls at the same time, and the wine sloshed in the large bowls, as if shimmering in a pool of moonlight.
The woman locked in the cage was thin and frail, showing no trace of the gentle and lively Miss Yan of the past. She was withered like an old woman. She slowly raised her head when she heard the noise not far away.
Her voice was hoarse as she asked, "What makes you so happy?"
She asked the question three times, and it was only on the third attempt that the jailer, who was drinking and eating heartily, finally heard her.
After all, she is Miss Yan the Second, formerly Madam Wei.
The jailer stood up, holding a wine bowl, and stepped onto a long bench: "Today is the auspicious day of the princess's wedding. Everyone on duty in the palace has received wine and meat as a reward from the Empress. The wine and meat are very delicious."
"His Majesty is wise and benevolent, His Majesty is virtuous and kind, and His Highness has finally achieved his happy ending. This Great Yan Dynasty is truly a prosperous era. As citizens of the Yan Dynasty, why should we not be happy?"
Why are you telling her this?
His companion swallowed the roasted mutton in his mouth and slurred, "This woman is ruthless. Nineteen years ago, she took advantage of the Empress's trust to secretly replace the prince. Even if the prince isn't her own flesh and blood, he should at least be the nephew she raised herself."
"I really don't understand what these nobles are thinking. Marquis Yiyang dared to rebel for a woman, and Lady Wei coveted our Emperor and stole his daughter to raise. If you're going to raise her, then raise her properly. What's the point of trying to kill someone when you can't get her to behave?"
He curled his lip and looked at Gu Chenzi, who was silent in the beast cage: "And this person, whose martial arts are unparalleled, but unfortunately her internal strength was crippled by His Highness. Why do you think she could be so foolish as to risk her life for someone who doesn't love her?"
The jailer lowered his head and took a sip of wine: "Forget it, it's Your Highness's joyous day, let's not talk about this. Come on, let's continue drinking!"
Yan Qing's shoulders slumped, her eyes dim: "You're married."
She chuckled softly twice, a laugh that sent chills down one's spine.
The jailer glanced at her, feeling it was bad luck, and deliberately moved away from the animal cage, carrying a table to a corner to eat and drink.
"You never believed that she liked that concubine, but now you do?" Gu Chenzi's throat was dry and hoarse. He sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his white hair exuding an air of old age.
"Oh……"
Yan Qing shook her head: "Where exactly did I go wrong?"
Ah Si doesn't love her; he doesn't even see her.
The 'daughter' she raised for eighteen years only felt motherly affection for her, preferring to love a concubine rather than stay with her forever. Why wouldn't she stay with her forever?
Why?
Although she couldn't compare to the beautiful concubine in terms of charm and looks, she had kept Xi Xi for eighteen years.
She understood her, understood her eccentricities, liked all her flaws, tolerated her flirtatious nature, and loved her youthful appearance.
What exactly did she lack? She lost miserably.
Gu Chenzi let out a dry laugh: "Second Miss, the only one in this world who is worthy of you is me. Your 'daughter' is as wicked as a ghost, while you... are the real ghost."
How can a foster mother or aunt develop feelings for her 'daughter' or 'niece'?
This is not love.
It's madness, it's illness.
"Why..." Yan Qing muttered to herself, "My A Si, my Xi Xi..."
Seeing that she couldn't hear her, Gu Chenzi let out a sigh of frustration. Half an hour later, she opened her eyes from her meditation and asked softly, "Second Miss, do you want to go out?"
Yan Qing suddenly looked at her!
...
"Why is it so complicated!" The jailer slammed his hand on the table. "You, a prisoner, want to drink? What a dream!"
"I want to drink it."
"It's Miss Yan Er..."
The jailer treated Gu Chenzi differently than he treated Yan Qing. Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. No matter how much of a criminal Yan Qing was, she still had parents who couldn't bear to see their daughter die.
Moreover, on Your Highness's joyous occasion, if something truly bad were to happen here, and someone were to die unexpectedly, neither His Majesty nor the Grand Tutor could accept it.
After thinking for a moment, the jailer took the wine bowl and walked over.
"You're only allowed one sip, you hear me!"
As he approached, Gu Chenzi used the little true energy he had left to remotely retrieve the key tied to his waist.
Just as success seemed imminent, a cold snort rang out—"Useless! You almost ruined everything!"
The Grand Eunuch Yang Ruo appeared out of nowhere in the dark and damp water dungeon. With a flick of his wide sleeves, Gu Chenzi, inside the beast cage, coughed up blood and fell to the ground.
"What a brilliant and talented Old Ancestor of Suspended Yin! You can even tear open a gap when all hope seems lost. It's a pity you have bad luck!"
The jailer, forgetting all about drinking and eating, hurriedly knelt down: "Greetings, Grand Steward!"
With her last hope extinguished, Yan Qing, pale-faced, silently helped the severely injured Gu Chenzi to his feet. Gu Chenzi gave her a bitter smile: "Second Miss, I can't help you anymore..."
Seeing her pale and weak face, Yan Qing felt a sharp pain in her heart and dared not look at her any longer: "I want to see the Empress!"
Yang Ruo said in a sarcastic tone, "Don't you know what time it is? Her Majesty is with His Majesty, how could she have time to see you?"
"..."
The world fell silent, deathly still.
Springtime passions were raging within the Gan Ning Palace. The chief eunuch stood guard outside the door, speaking calmly: "Your Majesty, the matter has been resolved."
He received no response after speaking, and knowing his master was busy, he covered his mouth and laughed before quickly walking away.
"His Majesty……"
Yan Xiu clung to the emperor's not-so-broad shoulders, her breathing slightly disordered.