Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C080 pt2

Ji Yang was already slightly drunk.

Wushuang had lost count of how much wine he had drunk, but when the wine was offered, he couldn't refuse.

She even wondered if he was drunk.

In reality, Ji Yang was indeed drunk, or rather, not quite drunk. The tension during the hunt, the exhilarating life-and-death struggle with the bear, and the events that followed had pushed his spirit to its limit. What he should have done upon returning was to have a good sleep.

But the excitement in his mind prevented him from sleeping. Instead, he had tossed and turned in the bathing room. Now, as he slowly regained his calm and drank so much wine, he became muddled.

Feeling that his mind was becoming unclear, Ji Yang reluctantly surrendered his body to Prince Wei, falling into a deep sleep.

Prince Wei's face was livid. He subconsciously wanted to clench his fist, but discovered that he was still holding a small hand in his palm.

"Your Highness, are you drunk?"

Prince Wei lowered his head and looked at their hands clasped beneath his sleeve. 'He' was drinking with others, yet his hand didn't forget to hold hers. In fact, he had been released earlier, just as they left Yuxiang Pavilion, so he naturally knew what had happened before.

Under the glow of the bonfire, his face seemed to be covered with a thin layer of light. His eyes were slightly intoxicated, yet they held a peculiar sense of clarity.

Wushuang was momentarily stunned, and subconsciously wanted to pull her hand back, but it was held tightly.

"Are you worried about this Prince?"

"This concubine is naturally worried about Your Highness."

If she hadn't lowered her head when she said those words, they would have been more convincing. Especially since Prince Wei was currently furious, he naturally felt that her words were all perfunctory.

However, Prince Wei had always been one to keep his emotions hidden, naturally making it impossible for others to discern any clues. He continued to hold Wushuang's hand, concealed by his sleeve, even gently rubbing the back of her hand with a subtle rhythm.

Just moments ago, everything had been fine, but now, with this change in demeanor, Wushuang inexplicably felt a sense of unease. Her hand was unusually sensitive, even feeling the slight prickle of the thin calluses on his hand as they grazed her skin.

At that moment, someone came to report to Emperor Taihe that the deer blood wine was ready to be served.

This deer blood wine was no ordinary deer blood wine. Not only was it mixed with wine, but it also contained dozens of top-grade medicinal herbs specially prepared by the palace physicians, possessing the effects of prolonging life and strengthening the body.

Of course, there was another effect, which could be seen from the knowing smiles of the men when it was reported.

It was said that the deer blood wine bestowed by His Majesty on the first day of the winter hunt had extraordinary effects, which had been spread throughout the court and the public, becoming a topic of much discussion among the ministers.

However, the civil and military officials who could accompany the winter hunt were limited in number. Not everyone could come, so naturally, those who had drunk it praised it endlessly, while those who had not were envious, making the rumors even more exaggerated.

It was once said that an old court official, seventy years of age, after drinking the deer blood wine bestowed by His Majesty, had bedded several women in succession, and it was said that he even had a big, fat son the following year.

Of course, these were all rumors circulating among the men. The women were unaware, and even if some married women knew the truth, they would only blush slightly, scolding their own old men for being indecent, and could say nothing more.

Wushuang was unaware of the intricacies, but she noticed that the sounds in the arena had diminished considerably at the mention of deer blood wine.

Soon, several chamberlains arrived with copper pots, pouring wine for each seat in turn.

The unmarried young men were naturally skipped, and some young men secretly asked their elders why they could not drink this wine, only to be scolded by their elders.

When the wine was poured in front of Prince Wei, Prince Qin said with a smile, "Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law are so affectionate, one bowl is not enough. Chen Fuhai, pour two more bowls for Prince Wei."

"This..." Chen Fuhai, holding the copper pot, hesitated and looked at Prince Wei. When pouring wine for other princes and ministers, one bowl meant one bowl, and no one could have more. But how could the princes be compared to ordinary princes and ministers? Chen Fuhai was not reluctant to give the wine, but it was clear that the two princes were competing with each other.

"This wine contains many medicinal herbs, and it is mixed with deer blood. One cannot drink too much, or the body will not be able to bear it," Chen Fuhai said, finding such an excuse after a moment of hesitation.

"What wine can the body not bear? This is a good thing! Old Third, you have been away from the capital for many years, and when you were still in the capital, you were still young and had not seen this good thing. Don't say that your brother is making things difficult for you. This Prince will drink three bowls first, and then you can drink, how about that?"

Prince Qin glared with eyes as big as copper bells, and Chen Fuhai could only pour the wine.

He poured a bowl, and Prince Qin drank a bowl, finishing three bowls in a row.

After drinking, Prince Qin looked at Prince Wei with red eyes, "Old Third, your brother has drunk, won't you drink?"

Prince Wei said calmly, "Second Brother, why bother to show off? It's not as if we brothers won't have another chance to drink together in the future."

"Old Third, just say whether you will drink or not!"

Prince Qin was clearly drunk. He had been the one who had been urging Prince Wei to drink the most just now, and now he had drunk three more bowls of deer blood wine. He was at his limit, and his speech was slurred.

Prince Wei did not speak, but picked up the bowl filled with the blood-red liquid and drank it all in one gulp.

"Pour quickly."

Chen Fuhai, with trembling hands, poured two more bowls for Prince Wei, and Prince Wei drank both bowls.

At this time, Prince Jin said across the table, "Second Brother, calm down. You and Third Brother have both drunk a lot of wine tonight. As your elder brother, I will make the decision that it ends here tonight. If there is an opportunity in the future, we brothers can drink together again."

Chen Fuhai hurriedly left with the wine pot, going to pour wine for Prince Zhao and others below.

Generally, after the deer blood wine was finished, the banquet was almost over.

Emperor Taihe left his seat first, and the others were free to do as they pleased.

Some people were still sitting and drinking, while others dispersed. When Prince Wei stood up, he was a little unsteady, and Wushuang quickly supported him.

Prince Qin, completely drunk by this point, was being supported by a chamberlain. He chuckled at Prince Wei, "Third Brother, go back and enjoy yourself."

Even if Wushuang did not fully grasp his meaning, she could discern a hint of it. If she remembered correctly, deer blood was said to have aphrodisiac properties, and if mixed with strong liquor, its effects would be doubled.

Emperor Taihe was not a stingy emperor, yet he only gave each person one bowl, implying that one bowl was sufficient. However, Prince Wei had drunk three bowls, especially after consuming so much wine beforehand.

She could not help but worry, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

"What could possibly be wrong with this Prince?"

In truth, uttering those words already indicated that Prince Wei was somewhat abnormal. He would not usually speak like that, nor would he display such an expression.

Wushuang was petite, while Prince Wei was tall and large. She had to use both hands to support him, her entire body pressed against his. Yet, none of the attendants, including Fusheng, stepped forward to assist.

Supporting him was one thing, but his hand had somehow slipped past her cloak, resting on her waist. Through the layers of clothing, he kneaded and rubbed her waist intermittently.

It was precisely this intermittent touch. If it was intentional, it could not be truly called so, but if it was unintentional, Wushuang could not convince herself. She could only hope to reach Yuxiang Pavilion quickly, as a drunkard was the most difficult to handle.

They finally returned to Yuxiang Pavilion, where they each removed their heavy outer garments with the help of attendants.

Throughout, Wushuang kept a close watch on Prince Wei. Seeing that he seemed relatively normal, she felt a slight sense of relief.

When it was time to sleep, she was in a quandary. In the past, it was always Ji Yang who appeared at night, and Wushuang had never faced such a dilemma. But today, so much had happened, and Ji Yang had left at this time, clearly unable to hold on? Or was he tired? Or something else? In any case, it was Prince Wei now. What should she do tonight?

Wushuang could only hope that Prince Wei was truly drunk, so that they could spend the night in peace.

Just as Wushuang's mind was in turmoil, Prince Wei, with Fusheng's assistance, had already removed his clothes, washed his face, and climbed onto the couch. Wushuang, who was sitting before the dressing mirror, having already removed her headdress and ornaments, hesitated.

If she did not go to rest, Linglong and the others could not leave either.

Seeing Linglong looking at her with questioning eyes, Wushuang sighed inwardly and told her to take the maids away.

Only the two of them remained in the hall, enveloped in silence.

Wushuang walked to the couch and carefully climbed onto it from the foot of the bed. Just as she was about to lie down on the inside, her wrist was seized.

Only when Prince Wei pulled her in front of him did Wushuang realize that his breathing was somewhat heavy, his eyes were frighteningly red, and the corners of his eyes were even bloodshot.

"Your Highness, did you drink the sobering soup? If not, I'll have someone send another bowl?" In her panic, Wushuang could not remember if Prince Wei had drunk the sobering soup, and could only say this to stall.

"Sobering soup cannot satisfy this Prince."

What did that mean? Was it that the sobering soup was useless, or...

He held her chin with one hand, while the other fingers slowly caressed her chin and cheek. When Wushuang was at her most tense, he leaned in slightly and whispered, "Today, when you two were engaging in dalliance in the bathhouse, this Prince was there."

Wushuang felt her mind explode, unable to think of anything.

"Do you remember what this Prince said to you last time? Since you do not want this Prince to take concubines, then how do you plan to serve this Prince?"

"Your... Your Highness…"

Wushuang could no longer form words, her entire being was in a daze.

After a moment, her eyes reddened, and tears began to fall uncontrollably.

Prince Wei frowned as he looked at her, dark flames flickering in his eyes, "You see him smiling with joy, but when you see this Prince, you are always tearful. Does this Prince disgust you so much?"

"N-no, it's not like that…"

"Then, does your heart truly yearn for this Prince?"

"I…"

Prince Wei's eyes narrowed slightly. "This Prince knows, your heart yearns for him, and you fear this Prince, afraid that this Prince will devour you whole. But do not forget, you are this Prince's Princess Consort."

Not only was the breath Prince Wei exhaled scalding, but his usually cold fingers were now like searing iron rods, moving across Wushuang's cheek, gradually shifting behind her ear, and to her vulnerable neck, where they lingered and roamed.

The heat made Wushuang involuntarily shrink and tremble, her eyes fixed on his slender fingers as they landed on her collar.

In her panic, her garments had already slipped down. By the time she reacted, she was already pinned beneath him. She hastily used her hands to push against his chest. "No, Your Highness..."

Prince Wei's expression was gentle, his tone coaxing. "That day, you already said you did not want this Prince to take concubines. Could it be that you now wish for this Prince to take concubines?"

"I…"

"Come, tell this Prince once more, do you wish it or not?" His voice was low and magnetic, like a demon tempting one to offer their heart and liver to be devoured. "Do you wish for this Prince to spend every night in another's chambers, allowing another to bear this Prince's children?"

After a pause, he added, "This Prince had forgotten, you are this Prince's Princess Consort, and it is your duty to bear this Prince's children."

How could Wushuang be Prince Wei's match? At this moment, she could only weep, shaking her head incessantly, unable to utter a single word, her mind like a paste of confusion.

"This Prince has always valued propriety, and cherishes you. In my heart, I do not wish for another woman to bear this Prince's children. This Prince's children should be born from the Princess Consort."

He wore an air of compassionate pity, his large palm moving to her abdomen, gently stroking it twice, before raising his hand to wipe away her tears.

"See how this Prince considers you so, and has always been so thorough in handling matters for you. Does the Princess Consort understand this Prince's painstaking efforts?"

Wushuang could not speak, and he asked again, "Does the Princess Consort understand this Prince's painstaking efforts?"

"Under...stand."

"Then, does the Princess Consort wish for this Prince to take a secondary consort?"

Wushuang shook her head repeatedly, and with each shake, tears scattered like rain.

"Since you do not wish it, then that is good." He used his fingers to wipe away her tears, one by one, until they were completely dry, before kissing her. "This Prince knows you have always been an obedient girl. You indulge him, yet you will not allow me, that is absolutely unacceptable."

Clearly, Prince Wei was not as calm and composed as he appeared, especially when he saw what lay beneath her collar, his breathing grew heavy, and a flicker of fire ignited in his eyes.

Just the thought of how she always sat properly before him, yet beneath her garments was this, made the veins on Prince Wei's forehead throb.

He had truly indulged her for too long!

His gaze darkened, his hand reaching lower. By this time, Wushuang had already reacted. Before, she was shocked that Prince Wei knew about her and Ji Yang in the bathing chamber. Besides being filled with panic and shame, she could not think of anything else, and naturally agreed to whatever he said.

But it was precisely this matter that awakened her.

"What? Do you still wish to refuse this Prince?" he said through gritted teeth. "He usually studies bedroom arts in private, and has used no small number of those tricks on you, has he?"

"If you and I are like this, and he were to find out..." Her voice was broken and wretched.

So she was still thinking of him. Prince Wei was so angered he laughed, and whispered in her ear, "He will not know."