Li Shiyan insisted on getting up, but was persuaded to stay down by the servant.

No matter what, they couldn’t let him do something foolish while intoxicated.

Finally realizing it was futile, Li Shiyan stopped forcing the issue. He simply lay on the bed and turned over, his back to everyone as he waved his hand dismissively: “All of you, get out.”

“We should still leave someone to look after you. You’re so drunk right now, what if…”

Before he could finish, Li Shiyan roared: “Shut up! Everyone out! I just want to sleep.”

The group exchanged glances with each other, then withdrew one by one.

Li Shiyan pulled the covers over himself and twisted around a few times…

On the other side, the evening banquet continued.

Wen Che inquired with a servant at the estate about his uncle’s whereabouts. The servant said: “Master Wen went into seclusion with the estate master after congratulating Lord Li on his birthday in advance.”

Had he heard correctly?

How could that mischievous old uncle of his go into seclusion?

How could someone like him do something requiring such mental stillness?

Wen Che asked doubtfully: “Did Uncle say anything before entering seclusion?”

“He didn’t say much, only reminded us that if General Wen came looking for him, not to wait.”

In other words, he wouldn’t help!

Wen Che had specifically brought Ji Yunshu to the estate to ask his uncle for medical treatment. Now that his uncle was in seclusion and had someone deliver such a message, it was clear this trip would be in vain. Wen Yu waved his hand dismissively at the servant, then said: “Brother, you know Uncle’s temperament. He doesn’t have the mindset for seclusion—at most he’ll come out in a day or two. Besides, tomorrow is Lord Li’s sixtieth birthday. Uncle has always loved joining in festivities, so he’ll definitely come tomorrow. When that happens, I’ll have people keep a close watch. As soon as Uncle emerges, I’ll corner him and make him examine Miss Ji no matter what.”

“You certainly understand Uncle well.”

“He’s our uncle after all. If I don’t understand his nature, don’t you? Don’t worry, he’ll definitely come out tomorrow.” Wen Yu seemed to have already predicted tomorrow’s events, then drank his wine with peace of mind.

Wen Che said nothing more.

Due to the rule that women could not attend the evening banquet, people at the estate sent meals to each courtyard one by one.

Ji Yunshu received her meal and expressed thanks. She had just sat down when Zhu Yao and Cai’er arrived at the door.

“Miss Ji.” Her voice was very pleasant.

Ji Yunshu looked up to see her standing at the doorway with Cai’er holding a meal tray.

“Miss Zhu, what brings you here?”

“I felt stifled eating in my room, so I came to dine with you.”

“Then please come in.”

Zhu Yao entered with a smile, having Cai’er set down the dishes. Looking at the few vegetable dishes on the table, her brow furrowed slightly: “Why are you only eating these? So plain? How could those servants handle things this way?”

She was indignant on her behalf.

Ji Yunshu explained: “You misunderstand. Because the condition on my face hasn’t healed yet, I can only eat these things.”

Looking at the veil covering her face, Zhu Yao suddenly understood: “It’s my oversight. I almost forgot.”

“It’s fine.”

“I brought some medicine for treating rashes. I’ll have Cai’er give it to you later.”

“Thank you.” Ji Yunshu nodded lightly.

Zhu Yao looked at the dishes on the table: “Then let’s eat quickly.”

Just as they were about to pick up their chopsticks, a shrill voice suddenly rang out from the doorway: “Eating, are we!”

Hearing the sound and looking over, they saw the Empress’s younger sister, Qiu Shu, leading a group of young ladies standing at the door, each with an arrogant and haughty attitude that was immediately grating to see. Zhu Yao was somewhat timid by nature. When she saw them, her eyes flickered slightly, and she instinctively shrank to the side, visible fear on her face. Her hands resting on her knees involuntarily twisted together, while Cai’er beside her instinctively moved to shield her, protective of her mistress to prevent any harm.

Ji Yunshu, however, boldly met Qiu Shu’s superior gaze and asked: “Do you need something?”

Qiu Shu leaned her body to one side, the corner of her mouth curved in a savage yet bewitching smile as she said: “Can’t we come see you even if there’s nothing particular?”

“Of course you can.”

“So your relationship is close enough that you’re eating together? Why didn’t you invite us?”

Ji Yunshu replied in a cool tone: “I’m afraid the space is too cramped to accommodate all you young ladies.”

A girl in pink said: “This room is indeed small, and… there’s also a foul smell.” As she spoke, the girl covered her nose with a handkerchief, displaying a look of disgust.

Qiu Shu immediately put on an act of scolding her: “Aman, you mustn’t be so rude. How can you say a young lady’s room smells?”

“Oh my, I misspoke.” The girl called Aman twisted her brow as she looked at Zhu Yao and Ji Yunshu. “I trust you both won’t blame me for speaking out of turn just now?”

Zhu Yao lowered her eyes: “I won’t.”

“Miss Zhu is so gracious.”

Qiu Shu stared at the few dishes on the table, the corner of her mouth curving as she said: “Since we’re dining together, why don’t we all join in? Li’er, go fetch everyone’s meals and bring them here. We’ll eat and chat together.”

“Yes!”

Li’er received the order and brought over all the masters’ meals.

They all sat around the table!

Zhu Yao was clearly terrified, her eyes constantly looking at Ji Yunshu, wanting to ask if she had any solution.

Ji Yunshu remained calm and composed, seemingly not taking the current situation to heart at all.

Qiu Shu looked at Zhu Yao strangely, then picked up her chopsticks and lifted a chunk of meat toward her bowl, but deliberately let her hand shake, flinging the greasy piece of meat onto her clothes.

“Ah!”

“Oh my, I’m so sorry. Just now… my hand slipped.”

Zhu Yao’s clean clothes were stained with grease, very conspicuous.

Those young ladies all covered their mouths and laughed. Someone immediately imitated her, also picking up meat to place in Zhu Yao’s bowl, and they all let their hands shake as well.

Flinging piece after piece of meat onto Zhu Yao’s body!

Even… someone deliberately knocked over the teacup in front of her with chopsticks, causing a full cup of tea to spill down.

Zhu Yao was nearly at her breaking point.

She stood up directly, looking down at her clothes covered in grease and tea stains—very disheveled.

The many girls burst into mocking laughter.

Ji Yunshu, who had been sitting calmly throughout, rose and went to the inner room for a moment, then returned with a handkerchief and pressed it into Zhu Yao’s hand, saying in her ear: “Sit down.”

What?

She had been bullied like this, yet she was being told to sit down?

To continue being humiliated?

But for some reason, from the first moment she saw Ji Yunshu, she inexplicably trusted her completely. So she suppressed the tears in her eyes and this humiliation and sat back down.

Qiu Shu said: “Zhu Yao, we just wanted to serve you food. It wasn’t intentional.”

She bit her lip and said: “It’s fine.”

“Good that you don’t mind.” Qiu Shu covered her mouth as she laughed.

Ji Yunshu’s face beneath the veil suddenly darkened, then she said: “Since you’re all serving food to Miss Zhu, then let me return the courtesy on her behalf.”

Hmm?