Chapter 61

The palace banquet was exquisite, with music and dance, and some miscellaneous plays to watch.

Originally, when two noblewomen who were not usually seen arrived, everyone was a bit restrained. However, as they were all astute people and familiar with each other, seeing the noblewomen unaffected, the atmosphere quickly relaxed with a few words.

When the banquet began, palace attendants first served tea, which was Lushan Yunwu tea.

Then came dried fruits, preserved fruits, pastries, and so on. After a few more dishes, they finally reached the appetizers, imperial barbecue, and porridge. The fragrant tea served at the end was Jasmine Silver Needle.

There were also several types of fruit wines and flower wines for entertainment, such as tangerine wine, mimosa wine, mixed flower wine, auspicious dew wine, honey wine, and even Suhe fragrant wine, considering the Princess’s frail health.

Song Pianxian appreciated the gesture and drank the prepared Suhe fragrant wine. This wine dispelled coldness, invigorated the meridians, and regulated blood circulation, so it was harmless.

Feng Yuexian sat beside her and saw her drinking. Although her expression remained unchanged, the ivory chopsticks in her hand paused for a moment.

When Song Pianxian put down her jade cup, Feng Yuexian resumed her conversation with the Consort.

After speaking a few words, Zuo Zhaoyi approached with a fragrant breeze and stood in front of Song Pianxian’s table.

“Is the Princess accustomed to drinking Suhe fragrant wine?”

With 09’s assistance, Song Pianxian could directly obtain the names and identities of the people in the small world. At this moment, she glanced at the woman in front of her and learned that she was a consort named Zuo Manran. Naturally, she replied, “Very good, it shows that the banquet host is very considerate.”

Zuo Manran’s face lit up, and she chuckled, covering her lips, “With a compliment from the Princess, all my hard work is worth it.”

“Was Zhaoyi preparing the banquet for Consort Hui?” Song Pianxian habitually praised, politely saying, “Zhaoyi has a noble and virtuous heart.”

Zuo Manran laughed even more openly, as if she had spilled honey wine on her face, sweet and sticky. She immediately followed along, her eyebrows and eyes flying all over her face, making anyone who saw her feel that she was extremely happy.

Behind them, Lu Yuan’s face darkened.

“Aren’t you going to watch your Zhaoyi?” a noblewoman next to her teased.

Lu Yuan lowered her head to eat, “What’s there to watch? I’ll wait for her to come back.”

As she spoke, the chopsticks in her hand emitted a burst of anger, angrily breaking a piece of almond tofu.

When the broken tofu lay limp in the white porcelain plate, she heard the noblewoman’s surprise, “Oh, she’s back?”

Back?

Lu Yuan poked the tofu and looked up. Zuo Manran had indeed returned.

“You know how to come back?”

Lu Yuan said coldly, almost writing “I’m very unhappy” on her face.

“I didn’t want to.”

“?”

“The Princess Consort said I smelled too strong, and the Princess couldn’t stand the strong fragrance.”

“She said that, so how can I stay?”

Zuo Manran looked very wronged.

Lu Yuan couldn’t believe it, “You’re feeling wronged too?”

Zuo Manran sat down, nodded sullenly, and leaned her head against Lu Yuan’s shoulder.

“It’s better to have you. You never mind my love for fragrance—ah.”

As Zuo Manran spoke, she leaned over, but found nothing there.

Lu Yuan moved away from her, expressionless, and said, “No, I mind.”

“???”

Zuo Manran looked at her like a betrayer, her eyes filled with tears.

Lu Yuan was unmoved by her performance, calmly eating diced chicken with peach kernels.

Zuo Manran angrily drank acacia flower wine.

Lu Yuan, you heartless person!

On the other side, after driving away Zuo Manran, Feng Yuexian glanced at Song Pianxian and said nothing.

Because the reason she gave sounded plausible, Song Pianxian hadn’t noticed anything yet, just smiled and asked, “Why are you looking at me?”

Feng Yuexian paused and said, “I’m afraid you’ll get drunk.”

“Don’t worry.” Song Pianxian smiled.

Her alcohol tolerance was not bad, but due to her current physical condition, she was afraid that drinking would harm her body, so she couldn’t drink too much.

As for alcohol tolerance—

She glanced at Feng Yuexian.

She didn’t know if Feng Yuexian, like in the previous world, would get drunk as soon as she touched alcohol.

“Mm.”

Feng Yuexian lazily responded, the wine glass in her hand turning, but not reaching her lips.

The corners of her eyes drooped slightly, looking somewhat unenthusiastic.

Yet, because of this, she seemed a bit innocent and pure, mixed with her usual cold charm, creating a strange allure.

Song Pianxian felt that Feng Yuexian’s gaze at this moment was more intoxicating than honey wine.

Her heart stirred slightly, just about to speak, when someone else arrived.

But this time, the newcomer was heading towards Feng Yuexian.

Seeing someone approaching Feng Yuexian, Song Pianxian closed her lips, lowered her head, and ate her food.

“It’s rare to have a chance to meet with Your Highness today…”

Ning Yaomeng’s face was flushed, as if she hadn’t even drunk yet but was already intoxicated. She offered a wine cup to Feng Yuexian.

“This is Autumn Dew White brewed by Yaomeng herself, specially brought for Your Highness to taste. I hope Your Highness will appreciate it.”

Throughout the banquet, there were toasts, laughter, and even playful tapping of bowls with chopsticks, making it quite noisy.

For some reason, although Ning Yaomeng’s voice wasn’t particularly loud, it flowed into Song Pianxian’s ears exceptionally clearly.

Homemade wine?

Song Pianxian’s movements with the bamboo shoots slowed unconsciously.

Autumn Dew White was different from these fruit wines and flower wines; it was genuine strong liquor.

Perhaps Ning Yaomeng, knowing that Feng Yuexian came from a family of warriors, unlike ordinary women, specially chose this type of liquor.

But—could Feng Yuexian really handle it?

Song Pianxian’s hand movements stopped completely, and she looked up, just in time to see Feng Yuexian not taking the wine glass and instead turning her head slightly towards herself.

Hm?

Song Pianxian pondered for a moment.

“When I came, His Majesty even reminded me not to let Her Highness drink too much, fearing she might get a headache.” Song Pianxian said warmly to Ning Yaomeng.

Ning Yaomeng looked towards the Princess, then after a moment of astonishment, her expression became slightly flustered:

“It’s my oversight.”

“What oversight? If it weren’t for my frail body, I’d want to taste such beautiful wines just by hearing their names,” Song Pianxian said. “It’s not your fault that we don’t have that blessing.”

Like water flowing over her heart, Ning Yaomeng gradually calmed down, her expression easing.

“That’s fine then,” she sighed in relief.

Looking at the Princess again, all she saw was the Princess’s straight back like bamboo, her hair cascading like a waterfall, exquisitely beautiful and graceful.

Such a splendid figure was indeed suitable to sit beside the Princess Consort.

Despite their equally stunning appearances, they exuded different charms, truly complementing each other.

Compared to them, whether in appearance, demeanor, or status, Ning Yaomeng had nothing to compare, let alone walk side by side with them.

Ning Yaomeng pursed her lips.

She could have picked up the tangerine wine on the table again and toasted Feng Yuexian, but due to inexplicable feelings of loss and resignation, she ultimately didn’t do so.

After Ning Yaomeng left, there was a slight silence between the two.

After a while, Feng Yuexian raised an eyebrow and asked, “Not drinking anymore?”

Song Pianxian paused and replied, “Not drinking anymore.”

Consorts were all astute individuals. Seeing that they weren’t drinking, there was no need for further toasts.

After the banquet, Feng Yuexian only ate a little, and drank some flower wine that was not too intoxicating.

Even so, when they left the pavilion, there was a hint of redness at the corners of Feng Yuexian’s eyes, a watery gaze, adding a touch of charm to her appearance.

Yin Xue followed behind her mistress, feeling nervous.

As the saying goes, “those who are near vermilion are red, those near ink are black.” While following her mistress had possibly cultivated a sense of calmness in Feng Yuexian, it seemed to have cultivated a propensity for drunkenness in Yin Xue—

Her mistress’s alcohol tolerance was really poor!

Yin Xue followed cautiously, afraid that her mistress might already be drunk and say something she shouldn’t.

Her eyes kept falling on Feng Yuexian’s mouth. If she dared, she would directly cover it with cloth to prevent her mistress from speaking every time she opened her mouth, giving her a scare each time.

Yin Xue glanced at the Princess, her expression and mood both complicated.

Such a beautiful woman, yet…

Forget it, the Princess was too good-looking; she couldn’t blame her.

Yin Xue gave up on herself, and could only say, “Your Highness, let’s return to the Eastern Palace.”

“Return to the Eastern Palace?”

Feng Yuexian seemed intoxicated, her eyes and brows shrouded in a faint drunkenness, her voice tinged with a hint of laughter as she said:

“Why not… go to the Ming Shou Palace.”

Hearing this, Yin Xue felt like pulling her hair out.

“Let’s return to the Eastern Palace.”

When Yin Xue was feeling extremely uncomfortable, the Princess’s voice sounded like celestial music, rescuing her from distress.

“The Crown Prince is still waiting for the Princess Consort.” Song Pianxian emphasized the words “Crown Prince,” reminding Feng Yuexian.

The Eastern Palace was better guarded and more convenient for handling affairs. She was still thinking of returning to the Eastern Palace from the Ming Shou Palace.

Fortunately, Feng Yuexian seemed still sober. Upon hearing this, she didn’t insist further and simply nodded twice, saying:

“Alright.”

Her steps were light and slightly swaying, with a hint of obedience.

Song Pianxian’s heart softened as she watched, then she instructed Yin Xue and Yin Bing:

“Take good care of the Princess Consort and make sure she doesn’t catch a cold.”

But Feng Yuexian chuckled softly:

“With your petite frame, you’re advising me?”

“…Well.”

Now it was clear that Feng Yuexian was a little tipsy.

Song Pianxian didn’t argue with intoxicated people.

She turned and boarded the carriage, leaving first—she still had to return to the Eastern Palace.

Yin Xue watched the Princess’s departing figure, then looked at her own mistress, feeling frustrated.

Clearly, they were both indulging in a bit of mischief. Look at the Princess, so mature, composed, calm, virtuous, and considerate. Then look at you…

Sigh!

After bathing and tidying up, Song Pianxian changed back into male attire, then returned to the Eastern Palace through a secret passage.

Each time she left, Xue Qing personally guarded the room where the secret passage was located, with hidden guards outside, ensuring extreme secrecy.

This room was within the sleeping quarters, separated only by a floor-to-ceiling screen decorated with flowers and birds. After she emerged from the dim screen, she saw Xue Qing.

Xue Qing poured tea for her, whispering softly as she conveyed various pieces of information received throughout the day.

Listening, Song Pianxian issued a few urgent instructions to deal with matters as quickly as possible, before temporarily sorting things out.

After the banquet, feeling exhausted, she intended to take a short rest, but then remembered:

“What about the Princess Consort?”

Didn’t Feng Yuexian return to the Eastern Palace first? Why is it so quiet now?

“After the Princess Consort returned, perhaps she felt tired from drinking and has already rested.”

Feng Yuexian was full of energy and rarely took naps during the day, something Song Pianxian hadn’t considered for a moment.

She instructed Xue Qing to leave and headed towards the bed.

The canopy hung down, and the scent of incense from the boshan stove wafted around.

She lifted the golden canopy a bit.

Feng Yuexian lay on the bed. Perhaps due to the dissipation of alcohol, she felt hot and pushed the thin quilt aside, not covering herself with anything.

Song Pianxian bent slightly, preparing to cover her abdomen.

Just as she approached, Feng Yuexian suddenly opened her eyes alertly.

In that instant, she was like a startled cheetah, emitting sharp glints like blades.

Song Pianxian was momentarily intimidated by her, hesitatingly asking, “You’re awake?”

As soon as she spoke, Feng Yuexian seemed to recognize her, as gentle as a house cat.

She slightly curled up her long, slender legs, like a cat curling its flexible boneless body.

The drunkenness in Feng Yuexian’s eyes grew thicker, misty, as if she hadn’t heard Song Pianxian’s question.

Song Pianxian’s voice grew softer, “Go back to sleep.”

Feng Yuexian propped herself up with her elbow, supporting her slender figure. Her long hair brushed against her shoulders, slightly curled at the ends.

She leaned closer to Song Pianxian, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, and hummed softly, her breath exhaling:

“Hmm?”

Just as Song Pianxian was about to patiently repeat herself, there was a slight sound at the foot of the bed.

She looked towards the sound.

It turned out that Feng Yuexian was using her toes to play with the incense ball.

With light pink nails and white toes, she lightly tapped the round, gold-engraved silver incense ball.

It was more like teasing than stepping on it, more like tempting.

As the incense ball swayed, fragrance dispersed, drifting over her delicate ankles, along her slender and fair calves, slowly rising—

Feng Yuexian lay on her side like this, as if lying on a beauty’s couch.

Her one arm bent, propping up her head, while the other arm, like soft and tender spring water, flowed down her enticing waistline, her slender and nimble hand resting on the root of her thigh, lightly covering it, half-concealing it.

The curves were full and voluptuous.

As she lay on her side, beneath her collarbone, the tender spring light gathered in two places, overflowing.

It truly captivated the soul.

Unconsciously, Song Pianxian’s breathing became extremely steady.

Meanwhile, the fragrance of the beautiful woman’s feet continued to linger, each step, each movement, kept on.

The silver incense ball clinked and rolled to Song Pianxian’s hand.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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