Dongfang Zhan's gentle and refined gaze swept lightly over Shen Yingxue and Su Yuting. He picked up his wine glass and drank, a mysterious smile playing on his lips, seemingly disdainful yet mocking.
Nangong Xiao and Dongfang Heng were helped to Chang Le Palace and placed in two rooms to rest. Nangong Xiao was really drunk and not very clear-headed. He refused to take the hangover medicine and smashed things in the room. Then he sat at the round table, grabbed the Fifth Prince, and challenged him to a drinking contest.
The palace maids and eunuchs stood trembling at the door, not daring to go in. Inside the room came the sounds of people playing drinking games, sometimes loud and sometimes soft. Shen Lixue shook her head. Nangong Xiao's drinking manners were indeed not very good. With the Fifth Prince watching over him, he should be fine.
Opposite to Nangong Xiao's room is Dongfang Heng's room, separated by a large courtyard. Even if Nangong Xiao makes a ruckus here, Dongfang Heng might not be able to hear it.
When Shen Lixue entered the room, a faint scent of pine incense was already burning inside. Several palace maids bowed to Shen Lixue and slowly retreated with tea sets, cups, and bowls in hand. Zi Mo, who was taking care of her by the bedside, also quickly disappeared.
Lying on the large bed in the inner room was Dongfang Heng, his handsome face slightly flushed, his eyelids slightly closed, and his even breathing softly. Shen Lixue knew that he had taken the hangover pill and fallen asleep.
Dongfang Heng, drunk, lay quietly on the bed and fell asleep, while Nangong Xiao was noisy and disruptive, kicking and hitting, causing no peace of mind whatsoever. Their drinking habits were worlds apart, completely incomparable.
Dongfang Heng was already asleep and didn't need her help anymore. Shen Lixue was about to leave when Dongfang Heng turned over, and half of the silk quilt slipped down, revealing his half-naked, strong chest. With his breathing, his chest rose and fell, arousing the imagination.
People who are drunk really don't know how to take care of themselves! Shen Lixue shook her head, walked to the bedside, pulled the silk quilt up to cover Dongfang Heng's alluring chest, and untied the pink curtain hanging on the golden hook, trying to block out some light so that Dongfang Heng could have a good sleep.
Suddenly, a large hand grabbed Shen Lixue's wrist. Shen Lixue was startled and quickly waved her hand away. Just as she was about to back away, a ribbon tightly wrapped around her wrist, throwing her into the bed. At that moment, the pink curtains silently closed, enveloping the two of them.
A strong, tanned chest was inches away, and the faint scent of pine resin assaulted her senses. Her waist was tightly held, unable to move an inch. Shen Lixue glared at Dongfang Heng, gritting her teeth: "Dongfang Heng, I knew you were faking being drunk!"
In full view of everyone, in front of the Emperor and Prince Zhan, Dongfang Heng pretended to be drunk and left his seat. He was really bold.
"The banquet was noisy. Don't you think it's quiet here?" Dongfang Heng answered softly, his eyes still closed, and unconsciously tightened his grip on Chen Lixue's arm.
"This is your room to rest, of course it should be quiet!" Shen Lixue glared at Dongfang Heng in annoyance, and quickly tried to pry the arms that were tightly wrapped around her waist: "I still have to report to the Empress Dowager, let go of me!"
"The banquet is only halfway through, and the Empress Dowager won't return to Yongning Palace for at least half an hour. It's too early for you to go and report now!" Dongfang Heng's strong arms wrapped around Shen Lixue's side, pulling her into his embrace. Her arms were firmly held in his arms, making it impossible for her to pry them off.
“Nangong Xiao has a terrible drinking habit. The Empress Dowager specifically instructed me to pay special attention to him. I need to go to that room over there to check on him, lest he smash even more things and really turn Chang Le Palace upside down…” Dongfang Heng is highly skilled in martial arts and has profound internal strength. Shen Lixue has no internal strength at all, and her only means of attack, her arms, are also restrained. She cannot force her way out, so she has no choice but to use a roundabout strategy to get Dongfang Heng to release her.
"With the Fifth Prince there, he will be responsible if anything happens, so you don't need to worry," Dongfang Heng said softly, resting his chin lightly on Shen Lixue's dark hair. A faint fragrance wafted into his nose, which smelled wonderful.
"Dongfang Heng, do you really like to rest while holding a woman?" Whenever Dongfang Heng saw Shen Lixue while resting, he would pull her onto the bed and hold her while resting. As a result, Shen Lixue secretly wondered if he would sleep while holding another woman when she was not around.
"No!" Dongfang Heng's handsome face darkened slightly. What kind of person did she take him for?
"Let go of me, I have things to do!" Taking advantage of Dongfang Heng's distraction, Shen Lixue broke free of her arms and pulled at his strong arms that were holding her body.
"You still want to go back to that scheming banquet hall?" Dongfang Heng suddenly opened his eyes, his dark pupils flashing with a sharp light.
"Of course not!" Shen Lixue shook her head. There were many people she disliked in the banquet hall, and now that she was out, she had no intention of going back. "The palace is so big, I can wander around!"
"The palace is very complicated. You might wander into someone's trap without even realizing it!" Dongfang Heng looked at Shen Lixue with a serious expression, showing no sign of joking.
Shen Lixue's struggling movements suddenly stopped. The concubines in the harem were all shrewd and cunning, and their schemes and tricks were endless. If someone was plotting against her, even if she was very careful, she would fall into their trap as soon as she moved. If she stood still, they would not find any opportunity.
Shen Lixue wasn't afraid of conspiracies and tricks, but she didn't want to cause trouble for herself. With so many family members attending the War King's welcoming banquet, the palace was even more chaotic. Staying here was indeed the best choice for her: "I'll go sleep on the soft couch by the window!"
Dongfang Heng moved to Chang Le Palace to sober up, and someone might come to visit him at any time. If she slept on the soft couch, people would think she was taking good care of him and there would be no rumors. But if they saw her sleeping so intimately with Dongfang Heng in the same bed, gossip would fly everywhere.
Dongfang Heng lay still without moving or speaking, gently closing his eyes and slowly relaxing his arms.
Shen Lixue raised her head and looked at Dongfang Heng with suspicion. Why had he suddenly become so easy to talk to?
Perhaps he had really drunk too much, for Dongfang Heng's handsome face was still flushed, his eyelids were slightly closed, his long eyelashes trembled gently, and the resolute lines of his face were as soft as a poem or painting, making it impossible to look away once you saw him.
Shen Lixue pouted. The number one handsome man in Qingyan is indeed worthy of the name. This handsome face can charm thousands of young girls!
"Does this king have flowers growing on his face?" Dongfang Heng suddenly spoke, his face indifferent and his eyelids slightly closed.
Shen Lixue was taken aback. It was one thing for him to pretend to be drunk and asleep, but he even pretended to close his eyes, deliberately playing a trick on her.
A graceful smile curved her lips, and Shen Lixue's gaze was strange as she said, enunciating each word clearly: "Your handsome face is covered in a bunch of peach blossoms!"
As she spoke, Shen Lixue grabbed a pillow, rolled off the bed, walked quickly to the soft couch, and slowly lay down. The couch was large, and it was very spacious for Shen Lixue to sleep alone.
The window was half-open, and many flowers were planted in front of it. A gentle breeze blew in, carrying waves of fragrance. Chen Lixue lay on the soft couch, took a few breaths, and frowned slightly. The mixed floral scent was a bit too strong, not as pleasant as those delicate fragrances...
A tightness gripped her waist, and the familiar scent of pine resin wafted into her nostrils. Anger surged within Shen Lixue as she turned to glare at Dongfang Heng: "Weren't you lying in bed? How did you end up sleeping here again?"
"It's too hot on the bed, it's relatively cooler here!" Dongfang Heng said softly, his voice somewhat indistinct, as if he was about to fall asleep.
With the window half-open, Shen Lixue lay on the soft couch, able to see the situation in the courtyard clearly. People in the courtyard could also see the general situation on the couch through the window. If she and Dongfang Heng continued to lie like this, they would definitely be discovered and rumors would spread.
Shen Lixue sat up and reached out to pry Dongfang Heng's arm off her waist: "Dongfang Heng, you can have the soft couch. I'm going to sleep on the bed."
"It's too hot on the bed, you'll be more comfortable sleeping here!" Dongfang Heng pulled her back into his arms with a little force, his strong arms making it hard for her to breathe.
Shen Lixue glared at Dongfang Heng through gritted teeth, grabbed something and threw it at him: "Dongfang Heng, this is for you!"
Shen Lixue slammed the pillow down hard, creating a gust of wind. When Dongfang Heng opened his eyes, he saw Shen Lixue holding a long, soft pillow, looking at him with indifferent and questioning eyes.
"This pillow is softer and smells better than a woman's body. You'll definitely sleep more comfortably if you hug it!" Shen Lixue smiled slightly, a faint but strange smile. Dongfang Heng probably couldn't sleep without hugging something. Apart from being cold and extremely soft, this pillow was almost as soft as a woman's body. If he hugged it, he probably wouldn't bother her anymore.
Dongfang Heng's handsome face instantly darkened, and two flames of anger suddenly rose in his dark eyes, burning fiercely as if they wanted to incinerate him.
Shen Lixue was startled, a chill inexplicably rising down her back. Looking at the angry Dongfang Heng, she was filled with confusion. Had she said something wrong?
"Smack!" The soft pillow was hit hard on the ground. Dongfang Heng glared at Shen Lixue, got off the bed, and walked to the bed without looking back, lying down with his face facing inward and his back to Shen Lixue.
Unlike Nangong Xiao, Dongfang Heng didn't make a scene by kicking and hitting, but his silence was a sign of his anger. His rage created an invisible pressure that made it hard for people to breathe.
Looking at the tall, slender figure behind the pink curtains, Shen Lixue was puzzled again. Dongfang Heng was always unfathomable, never showing his emotions. Why was he so angry today? She hadn't done anything particularly annoying...
“Prince An…” A clear male voice came from outside. Shen Lixue looked out the window and saw the Fifth Prince approaching with several palace maids and eunuchs.
Shen Lixue rolled off the soft couch and quickly tidied her clothes and hair. A white jade crystal swallow peeked out from under her clothes and hung in front of her chest. Shen Lixue was suddenly stunned.