Chapter 13: None Left to Drink

Although Qiao Qingyun was not considered a first-rate beauty, the determination she displayed while treating the patient was something rare indeed. Bathed in the silvery glow of the moon, she seemed transformed into a living goddess descended from heaven.

After a while, Qiao Qingyun, apparently tired from her dance, simply plopped down on the ground, hugging her wine jar as she drank again. Glancing up at the sky, she pointed accusingly and began to curse the heavens, her drunkenness rendering her fearless and irreverent.

“Damn you, Heaven! Are you messing with me? Sending me to this godforsaken place for no reason! What did I ever do to you? If you didn’t like me, wouldn’t it have been easier to just kill me outright? Instead, you force me to survive in the cracks, pushing my limits!”

“I’m no expert at palace intrigue. Must you arrange things this way? Is this some kind of joke?”

Every word fell clearly on the ears of Yuan Zaichun and Liu Fu, who listened from nearby.

Liu Fu was taken aback. He glanced at Yuan Zaichun and asked softly, “Your Highness, shall we send Miss Qiao back to her quarters?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

At this moment, it seemed Yuan Zaichun had set all other concerns aside; his gaze contained nothing but Qiao Qingyun.

“Raising a cup to invite the moon, and so I drink alone—not three, not two, just one!” Qiao Qingyun rambled, her words growing more nonsensical. At this, Yuan Zaichun swept his sleeves and strode into the Bamboo Pavilion.

As he approached, the scent of wine was unmistakable. A single breath confirmed she’d had more than a little to drink.

“Do you recognize me?” Yuan Zaichun asked coldly as he came to her side.

The woman suddenly raised her head, her cheeks flushed, her face reflected in his eyes.

Ba-dum, ba-dum…

His heart suddenly raced, as if it might leap from his throat.

What a breathtaking sight.

Indeed, at that moment, Qiao Qingyun seemed to have stepped straight out of a painting.

She lifted her hand, her gaze still clouded with confusion, that slender hand stained with wine. “Hehe, more wine.”

“There’s none left.”

He forced himself to look away, ears tinged with red. Liu Fu stepped forward quickly, “Your Highness, shall I help Miss Qiao inside?”

“I’ll do it myself.”

The thought of Liu Fu taking that delicate hand roused a flicker of anger in Yuan Zaichun.

“Why’s there no more wine?” Qiao Qingyun pouted.

She looked down, tugging at her clothing. “Ah… so that’s where it all spilled. What a shame.” As she spoke, she fussily shook her robes. “At least I’m not too wet.”

Her silly behavior left Yuan Zaichun feeling helpless. Just as he was contemplating whether to simply carry her to her room, Qiao Qingyun abruptly stood.

“Dance with me?”

“Insolence!” Yuan Zaichun snapped.

But emboldened by drink, Qiao Qingyun had no fear. She threw her arms around his neck and slurred, “Let me show you the Drunken Concubine dance!”

With that, she whirled her sleeves and began to dance around Yuan Zaichun once more.

“The golden hairpin and jade comb were your gifts to me… The Song of Rainbow Garments returns again and again, and for you I sing and dance~”

Hearing her sing, even Liu Fu was dumbfounded. Though clearly intoxicated, her movements were graceful, just like a concubine seeking her lord’s favor in a drunken haze.

When finally she stopped, she collapsed onto a stone bench.

“Qiao Qingyun.”

But before Yuan Zaichun could say anything, the sound of her snoring filled the air. Helpless, he picked her up and carried her inside before leaving.

The next morning, Qiao Qingyun rubbed her temples as she woke. Qingluo, who had sobered earlier, was already preparing a hangover remedy.

“Miss, you’re awake.” Qingluo hurried to her side, handing her the bowl. “Please drink this, so you won’t have a headache later.”

“Thank you.”

After finishing the remedy, Qiao Qingyun had all but forgotten the events of the previous night.

“Ah… I drank too much yesterday and finished off all the wine,” she muttered pitifully, like a wronged child, as if someone had bullied her.

Qingluo smiled, then whispered in her ear, “Miss, do you remember who brought you back last night?”

“What? I went out?”

That only strengthened Qiao Qingyun’s resolve never to drink again. If she ever caused trouble in her drunkenness, wouldn’t Yuan Zaichun have her head?

Qingluo, meanwhile, could not contain her laughter and shyly lowered her head. “I was awake at the time and saw everything. His Highness carried you inside himself and even tucked you in.”

“What!” Qiao Qingyun’s eyes widened in disbelief as she recalled the events, her heart full of regret.

How could she have done something so outrageous!

She had actually been carried by him!

Just as she was about to say more, a maid announced from outside, “Miss Qiao, His Highness wishes to see you.”

Great, speak of the devil and he appears.

After quickly freshening up and changing into a pale yellow dress, Qiao Qingyun hurried to the main hall. There, she saw Yuan Zaichun sipping tea, Feng Ke seated beside him. She knelt and paid her respects.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Qiao Qingyun’s slender figure swayed like a willow in the breeze, making Feng Ke uneasy, itching to take her away himself. If not for the imperial edict already issued, he would have tried to negotiate.

“Brother Feng, what brings you here?” Yuan Zaichun asked.

Feng Ke collected himself and replied, “The one who was poisoned could not bear the pain and bit her tongue to end her life after returning.”

Qiao Qingyun frowned, but showed little surprise, as if she had already expected it.

“It’s to be expected. The pain is like a thousand arrows piercing the heart; when it strikes, it’s as if thousands of ants are biting at the flesh. No one could endure it.”

“But there are many more like her. Am I supposed to kill them all?”

As he spoke, Qiao Qingyun caught the look of compassion in Feng Ke’s eyes—and understood. No doubt these were loyal subordinates; otherwise, he would not grieve so.

“There’s nothing else to be done but let them bear the consequences. They made their choices; now they must face the results. As you sow, so shall you reap.”

She sighed, resignation on her face. “If it were so easy, I wouldn’t have so many regrets, and my comrades wouldn’t have died one after another.”