Volume One, Chapter 13: Drunkenness by the Bonfire

At that moment, Yu Changming suddenly understood and immediately cupped his hands in response: "Marquis, Lingyi has communicated with me and told me where she is staying now. Once we return to the capital, you and the marquis’s wife will be reunited."

The Marquis of Dingyuan raised his eyebrows, moved, and said, “Good, good, thank you, Changming.”

The emperor finally untangled the convoluted story and smiled, “What a twisting and touching tale.”

Suddenly, the empress spoke up, “I have heard that the crown prince was struck by love at first sight with Mei Lingyi at the palace banquet and earnestly sought this marriage. Now that he has married her younger sister, does he harbor any resentment?”

Ye Jianxun’s expression remained calm as he stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands, “I have no fate with Miss Mei Er, but now that I have Lingxi by my side, it is truly my fortune.”

Hearing this, the emperor threw back his head and laughed heartily, “This is a perfect case of a bride mistakenly married to the right groom. Since that is so, I hereby grant the marriage to bless this heaven-sent union.”

Yu Changming was overjoyed, knelt down, and kowtowed, “Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the emperor, ten thousand years!”

Mei Lingxi watched the entire scene coldly, lifted her delicate hand holding a wine cup, and downed it in one gulp.

Ye Jianxun stepped back to his seat, casting a glance at her lonely expression, then sneered, “Yu Changming turns out to be a faithful one.”

Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, “I have uncovered the truth: the incident at Tianhua Temple was orchestrated by Mei Lingyi. She sold the information about you and the marquis’s wife going up the mountain to worship to the bandits and bribed a novice monk to place a narcotic incense in your room.”

Mei Lingxi suppressed the tickling sensation from the breath near her ear and looked at him in surprise, “You... you know about the Tianhua Temple incident?”

Ye Jianxun nodded, then his gaze darkened with cruelty, “It was your dear younger sister, Mei Lingyue, who told me.”

“Lingyue?” Could it be that because she refused her request, she privately informed Ye Jianxun to sow discord between them?

No, there was no affection between them.

That was why Ye Jianxun could calmly share his findings with her now.

He continued, “From what the Marquis of Dingyuan just implied, he will take Mei Lingyi back to the mansion and restore her status as the legitimate daughter. What do you think?”

Mei Lingxi took another drink, curling the corner of her lips with a trace of coldness in her eyes, “I will take my revenge.”

“Very good.” Ye Jianxun’s lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile.

Yu Changming was still lost in his own joy. Nearby, Yu Qingshan caught Ye Jianxun’s glance and toasted silently with him.

Ye Jianxun did not reciprocate but instead looked at the woman quietly drinking beside him. Seeing her mood was not bright, he said nothing.

***

The banquet ended.

Mei Lingxi and Ye Jianxun walked out together. Though she had drunk a few more cups, she had always been a good drinker—a fact not commonly known.

At the marquis’s residence, she disguised herself as a pure white lotus, appearing cold and frail, but in truth, she loved drinking and eating meat.

She walked straight ahead of Ye Jianxun, disregarding the usual etiquette. Ye Jianxun kept a two-step distance but was not annoyed, quietly watching her retreating figure.

At the corridor’s end, they unexpectedly met a woman. At her first words, Mei Lingxi knew immediately this was the woman who had met with Ye Jianxun in secret that afternoon.

“Brother Jianxun, this must be your sister-in-law, right?” Qiunan was the crown prince’s elder sister, but she had not attended the banquet tonight.

She had waited here for two hours, her legs numb, and finally caught sight of the person.

Under the silver-white glazed lantern, she saw the approaching woman, graceful and poised, cheeks flushed, almond-shaped eyes sparkling like stars.

Even though she was a princess, praised for her bearing and looks, this woman was admittedly more beautiful.

However, her behavior was improper—walking ahead of the honorable crown prince was truly rude.

Ye Jianxun introduced, “This is Princess Qiunan, and this is Lingxi.”

“Greetings, Princess Qiunan,” Mei Lingxi bowed slightly, exchanging a cool, polite greeting.

Qiunan was about to speak when the crown prince passed by, smiling, “Why are you blocking the corridor?”

The crown prince was only ten years old, at a playful age. Seeing the crowd, he chuckled, “I am planning a bonfire night party with roasted meat and drinks. Would you like to join?”

“Sure,” Mei Lingxi blurted out, then saw Qiunan, Ye Jianxun, and the crown prince all looking at her strangely.

She blinked and asked, “What’s the matter? Why are you all staring at me? Since the crown prince kindly invites, let’s go see.”

The crown prince laughed heartily, “I didn’t expect the crown prince’s consort to be so straightforward.”

Mei Lingxi was a little tipsy and spoke from her heart. She was not a particularly reserved person and was willing to indulge herself tonight.

The group arrived at a large lawn where the bonfire was already lit, racks set up, and a pot of fragrant lamb soup exuding aroma in the night.

The crown prince picked up several skewers of meat and handed them out, saying, “Roasted by myself, the meat tastes the best!”

Mei Lingxi went directly over, squatted by the fire, and began roasting.

***

Ye Jianxun sat beside her, holding a skewer as well. After a while, he asked, “Do you want some seasoning?”

A young eunuch brought a plate of condiments. Seeing the meat was cooked, Ye Jianxun brushed one skewer with honey, and another with cornelian cherry powder.

Holding two skewers, he asked, “Which one do you want?”

Mei Lingxi looked up and paused at the honey-coated skewer near her, “The honey one, thank you, Prince.”

Two skewers in her hand were still cooking, so she couldn’t hold more. Ye Jianxun took one away and said, “I’ll roast it.”

Qiunan sat nearby, savoring the lamb soup, watching their interaction with a sour feeling. She said, “Brother Jianxun, I want a skewer too.”

Ye Jianxun casually handed her one dusted with cornelian cherry powder, but Qiunan did not take it and said, “I don’t like spicy. Brother Jianxun, roast me one with honey, please.”

Ye Jianxun did not respond but ate the cornelian cherry-coated meat himself. Qiunan called out again, but Ye Jianxun seemed lost in the flavor, not even raising his eyelids.

The crown prince laughed, “Sister, I have one with honey for you.”

Qiunan pouted and shook her head, “I don’t want it now.”

The crown prince knew Qiunan’s feelings for Ye Jianxun but secretly mocked her foolishness. Seeing her mood sour, he smiled and asked the eunuch beside him, “What about wine?”

“Today, I brought some grapes wine from the Western Regions. It is said to have a beautiful color, rich flavor, and a hint of sweetness.”

The eunuch brought the wine and poured it, handing glasses to the four.

The cups were made of transparent glazed glass, and the red wine appeared vivid inside. Mei Lingxi curiously sniffed it, and a captivating aroma of grapes filled her senses.

She loved eating grapes but had never tasted grape wine before, so she sipped it. Indeed, the flavor was quite good.

Qiunan also found the wine beautiful and tasty, drinking several cups.

Ye Jianxun did not partake. There was not much wine, and since the two girls enjoyed it, he did not compete; otherwise, it would be gone in no time.

The crown prince watched the two girls immersed in the charm of grape wine, feeling proud.

Suddenly, he thought of something and joked, “Brother Jianxun, Yu Changming stole your love at the banquet today, and you don’t feel any hatred?”