La pluie printanière est comme du vin, les saules comme de la fumée

Chapitre 173

When Shuangdie saw Situ Xingyun inside the house, she was slightly surprised, but she still smiled without showing any emotion and said, "Why are the Emperor and my sister here?"

Situ Xingyun said, "I happen to have nothing to do, and I would also like to try my beloved concubine's cooking."

Yu Wuxia smiled slightly and said, "My sister saw that the Emperor, Princess Xiangxue, and Prince Ande were all here, so she just wanted to join in the fun."

Shuangdie could only smile and say, "Your Majesty and my sister's arrival truly brings honor to my humble abode! It is indeed an honor for me." After a pause, she instructed, "Zixing, add two more chairs."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As she passed Qingyun, Zixing recalled the dark abyss of that night, and her body trembled involuntarily. But she quickly regained her composure and then placed two chairs in the room.

After everyone was seated, Eunuch Tao, following custom, examined each dish on the table for poison. Only then did Situ Xingyun and the others begin their dinner.

They sat at a round table. To Situ Xingyun's left and right sat Shuangdie and Yu Wuxia respectively, while to Yu Wuxia's right sat Qingyun and Lige. They began to eat, their laughter filling the air.

The atmosphere at the Butterfly Palace was exceptionally harmonious tonight.

Shuangdie suddenly stood up, walked to Qingyun's side, and poured her a glass of wine. She smiled and said softly, "Princess Xiangxue, I was in the wrong that night. This wine is for you. I hope Princess Xiangxue can forgive me."

Qingyun paused, staring intently into her silver eyes. A moment later, just as she was about to take the wine, Lige suddenly snatched the wine from the double-butterfly cup, tilted her head back, and drank it in one gulp.

"Your Highness, this cup should be offered to you by me. I suddenly barged into the Butterfly Palace that night, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Qingyun frowned, looking at Lige with some confusion.

At this moment, Shuangdie laughed and said, "We are all family, why should Your Highness be so fussy?"

Li Ge pursed her lips slightly and nodded.

Shuangdie's gaze fell on Qingyun again. Just as she was about to pour another cup of wine, she found that the wine pot was empty. She called out, "Zixing, bring another pot of wine."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zixing immediately presented a new pot of wine.

Just as Shuangdie grasped the wine pot, she suddenly exclaimed softly, "Ouch!"

"Clang—"

The wine pot shattered upon impact, shards scattered all over the ground, and a small amount of sake splashed onto Qingyun and Lige.

At this moment, Zixing exclaimed, "Your Highness, your hand is bleeding!"

Shuangdie was startled, noticing that blood was indeed flowing from her palm. The bright red blood dripped onto Lige's hand, resembling a vibrant red flower in bloom.

Li Ge frowned slightly and wiped away the drop of blood with her sleeve.

Shuangdie shook her head, took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her palm, and smiled, "It's nothing. There's just a chip on the wine pot. I didn't notice it just now, and I accidentally cut my palm."

After a long silence, Situ Xingyun finally spoke, "Let's eat! It's best to drink less alcohol." His tone seemed to carry a hint of impatience.

Shuangdie pursed her lips and sat back down. The palace maid beside her quietly cleaned up the broken pieces on the floor. But the atmosphere was tense.

"Sister's cooking is so delicious!" Yu Wuxia's sweet voice eased the tense atmosphere slightly.

Shuangdie covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her silver eyes shimmering. "You flatter me, little sister."

Situ Xingyun was quietly having his dinner when he heard the conversation between the two women beside him. His eyebrows twitched slightly, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Qingyun glanced at Situ Xingyun and noticed a fleeting glint of cold light in his eyes.

She sneered inwardly, suddenly feeling sorry for Wuxia, Shuangdie, and all the women in the harem. They were all actors in the emperor's hands; the harem was the stage the emperor watched, and they performed on this stage every day, while the emperor watched coldly from below. Life and death on the stage were nothing more than a play to the emperor.

Perhaps sensing Qingyun's gaze, Situ Xingyun's eyes welled up with tender tears, and he smiled at Qingyun.

Yu Wuxia saw it, and her eyes dimmed slightly.

Shuangdie, however, sneered inwardly.

Li Ge, however, remained calm.

Qingyun didn't notice the expression on the face of the person next to her. She picked up a Three Immortals Meatball and put it in her mouth. She took a small bite, her brows furrowed slightly, but she still swallowed it.

At this moment, Shuangdie asked, "Princess Xiangxue, is the food I made not to your liking?"

Qingyun's eyes flickered slightly, and she said calmly, "It's alright."

Wuxia burst out laughing, drawing everyone's attention.

Situ Xingyun asked gently, "What happy thing did Consort Yu recall?"

Qingyun raised her eyes and looked at Yu Wuxia.

Wu Xiao glanced at Qingyun, then at Lige. Her eyes were full of smiles, but she hesitated whether to speak.

Qingyun seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled, "If you have no time, please speak freely."

Wuxia was relieved and said, "Princess Xiangxue doesn't dislike the food you cook, sister. It's just that it's the best food she's ever eaten in the world. So, no matter what Princess Xiangxue eats, she will never be satisfied."

Situ Xingyun raised an eyebrow, looked at Qingyun curiously, and asked, "Xue'er, what is the most delicious food you have ever eaten in the world?"

Qingyun was taken aback. "The best dish?"

Li Ge smiled slightly as she listened to them talk.

Yu Wuxia smiled and said, "Yes! Princess Xiangxue told me that Prince Ande's cooking is the best in the world."

Li Ge's smile froze instantly.

A shadow crossed Situ Xingyun's eyes, and his expression turned slightly displeased.