"I'm so sorry! This is too much trouble for you, Young Master Zheng!" After saying that, Qin Yun lifted the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp!
"It's no trouble when it's you!" Xie Qianmo poured himself his second cup of wine.
While drinking, Qin Yun hadn't clearly heard what Xie Qianmo said. "What did Young Master Zheng just say?"
"Nothing," Xie Qianmo drank his second cup by himself.
Qin Yun took a deep breath, feeling a warmth spread through her body after drinking.
"Um... Young Master Zheng, would you like to compose poetry or guess riddles?"
Qin Yun held her forehead. She hadn't expected that after just one cup, the wine would hit her so hard.
Xie Qianmo looked at Qin Yun with deep meaning.
After a few more moments, feeling that the time was right, Xie Qianmo stood up and walked over to Qin Yun.
He narrowed his eyes, looking at Qin Yun, a slight curve to his lips. "Young Master Qin seems to be drunk."
Looking at the gentle and beautiful man so close, Qin Yun couldn't help but reach out and touch Xie Qianmo's face.
Since the mask only covered the upper half of his face, the lower part of his face and his lips were exposed to the air.
Qin Yun was somewhat dizzy with intoxication, completely unaware of what she was doing.
She hadn't even reacted when Xie Qianmo came in front of her.
At this moment, Qin Yun's intelligence was at a complete negative.
"You're so gentle!" Qin Yun's heart softened, touched by the tender, flowing gaze in Xie Qianmo's eyes.
"Do you like gentle men?" Xie Qianmo tempted her.
Qin Yun smiled foolishly. "Isn't gentle good? It's so cute! Just like a little milk bun!"
Little milk bun again!
Who was this little milk bun in Qin Yun's heart?
"Who is the little milk bun? What's his name?"
"Hic...!" Qin Yun burped.
"Little milk bun... I haven't seen him for a long time! I've been too busy lately to see him."
Thinking of Ouyang Sīqīng, Qin Yun couldn't help but want to cry.
"Wuwuwuwu...!"
"Qin Yun, do you like him that much? You miss him so much that you want to cry just because you haven't seen him for a few days?"
"And? Is the little milk bun a boy or a girl?"
Qin Yun pushed Xie Qianmo away. "Why should I tell you? You're the worst! Don't think that just because you're good-looking and gentle, I'll switch my affections. Let me tell you... I won't!"
"Then I'll ask you again, what is the little milk bun's name?"
"The little milk bun is the little milk bun! Why are you asking so much?" Although the alcohol was taking effect, Qin Yun's reflexes kicked in, and she still didn't want to reveal her inner secrets!
Xie Qianmo got a headache. He hadn't expected this kid to be so tight-lipped even when drunk.
"Wait, why are you so close to me? Weren't you sitting next to me just now?" Qin Yun pointed at Xie Qianmo's nose, questioning him with a look.
Xie Qianmo smiled. "This boat is quite narrow. Seeing that you were drunk, I was afraid you'd fall, so I came over to protect you."
Hearing that he was here to protect her, Qin Yun's expression brightened a little.
"Thank you! Can you take me back? I feel so sleepy!" Qin Yun held her forehead, drowsiness overwhelming her.
Xie Qianmo smiled. This kid was really a lightweight. His wine seemed ordinary but had a strong aftereffect!
"If you're tired, just sleep for a while. I'll protect you!" Xie Qianmo touched Qin Yun's flushed cheek and gently guided her to lean on his shoulder.
Leaning on Xie Qianmo's broad shoulder like this, Qin Yun felt even more drowsy. In no time, she fell asleep.
Listening to the shallow breathing beside him, Xie Qianmo took off Qin Yun's phoenix mask.
He quietly watched the person beside him, and Xie Qianmo felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction in his heart.
The old man disguised at the front of the boat was Leng Ye.
He quietly rowed the small oar, and the boat slowly moved forward, navigating through the beautiful lake.
Floating lanterns surrounded the lake. What a beautiful scene, but unfortunately... Qin Yun couldn't see it.
Xie Qianmo extended his left hand and slowly placed it on Qin Yun's back. Gently, he drew Qin Yun into his embrace. To avoid disturbing the sleeping Qin Yun, Xie Qianmo was being as careful as he could for the first time.
The moon was very round tonight. The bright moonlight shone on both of them.
Looking at Qin Yun's sleeping face, Xie Qianmo smiled with satisfaction. This kid was only this obedient when she was asleep.
He lightly stroked Qin Yun's fair and pink cheek with his right hand. Xie Qianmo narrowed his eyes. Unwilling to give up... he pulled at Qin Yun's collar. The conspicuous Adam's apple was still there.
He closed his eyes, feeling immense loneliness in his heart.
Xie Qianmo re-buttoned Qin Yun's collar, acting as if nothing had happened. He quietly held Qin Yun, letting the boat drift on the lake. Everything was so quiet, so beautiful.
The next day!
Qin Yun woke up in her Zhuangyuan Mansion. The first thing she thought about upon waking was how she had returned to the mansion last night. She seemed to have gotten drunk last night. Did that Young Master Zheng send her back? But how did he know where she lived? A string of questions made Qin Yun's head ache.
"Xiao Ju?"
Hearing the call, Xiao Ju came from the side room into the main room.
"Young Master, you're awake?"
"How did I get back last night?" Qin Yun sat up. She had only drunk one cup of wine last night, but she couldn't remember anything after that. Had she lost her composure? What had she done or said?
"Young Master, a young master sent you back to the mansion last night. After returning, Hong Fu helped you wash and change. Please rest assured, Young Master!"
"Is that so? But my head hurts so much, and I have no memory of last night."
"I'll ask the kitchen to make some hangover soup. I'll go get it now!"
Qin Yun nodded and glanced at the sky outside the window. It was already late, and she still had to attend court today.
At the same time, Hong Fu brought hot water. Qin Yun washed herself, then put on her official uniform. Before leaving, she drank the hangover soup brought by Xiao Ju, then got into the carriage and went to the imperial palace.
In the great hall!
Xie Qianmo, wearing his imperial robe, was valiant and heroic. The entire person exuded authority, a complete contrast to the gentle and tender person from last night.
In the hall, rows of officials kowtowed in unison.
"Long live Your Majesty, long, long live!"
Xie Qianmo said coldly, "All my ministers, please rise!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone slowly stood up. Qin Yun, among the crowd, stood up and remained bowed, standing quietly in her original spot.
"If any minister has anything to report, speak now. Otherwise, the court is adjourned!"
"Your Majesty, this minister has something to report!" Wei Cheng Gong stepped out of the formation.
"Minister Wei, please speak!" Although Xie Qianmo spoke to Wei Cheng Gong, his gaze was on Qin Yun in the formation. This kid's trouble has arrived. Let's see how she deals with it later.
"Your minister heard some time ago that this year's imperial examination seems to have been greatly rigged!" Wei Cheng Gong said this while turning to look at Qin Yun beside him.
The Su Tai father and son also smirked at the same time. A few meters behind them, Wei Xiao Chang frowned. What was his father's situation today? Why such a sudden move? Was he trying to impeach Qin Yun?
Upon hearing Wei Cheng Gong's words, Qin Yun remained composed. She had expected this. She hadn't expected it to come so soon. When she saw that the imperial examination questions were the same as the ones Wei Maoran had given her in the examination hall, she had guessed that this day would come. If she weren't the Zhuangyuan, she could have avoided this. But unfortunately... this Zhuangyuan position happened to be hers! So the question arose: the mastermind who obtained the exam questions would definitely find trouble with her, perhaps even drag her down and deliver a fatal blow.