The wine was again brought by Yinshan, and two jars were placed before Mu Nuha. After Mu Nuha boldly drank both jars, Bu Shulin had Yinshan bring two more, letting Mu Nuha choose first. Mu Nuha’s drinking capacity made him a worthy opponent for Bu Shulin.

The two drank three jars furiously. Bu Shulin’s vision began to blur, while Mu Nuha’s chest burned with heat. Neither willing to admit defeat easily, they each opened their fourth jar.

The spectators went from initial rowdy cheering to now holding their breath in suspense. After drinking half a jar, both collapsed, unable to lift their jars, but Bu Shulin refused to give up: “Yin… Yinshan… pour… pour young master some wine!”

“Young Master…” Yinshan was truly worried.

“Quickly… pour… wine!” Though Bu Shulin was too drunk to open her eyes, she still attempted to glare at Yinshan.

Yinshan had no choice but to pour her a bowl. Bu Shulin lifted the wine with trembling hands, shaking for quite a while before downing it in one gulp.

On the other side, Mu Nuha had also reached his limit, ordering his people: “Pour… pour it full…”

In the end, the two nearly finished the remaining half jar using wine bowls, both maintaining their last breath of strength to glare at each other, waiting to see who would collapse first.

Bu Shulin’s entire body felt like it was on fire, yet she still ordered: “Pour… pour another bowl!”

Yinshan poured another bowl for Bu Shulin. Unable to lift it anymore, she sprawled forward to lap at the bowl’s rim like a drinking dog.

After two sips, a large hand reached over and forcefully moved her wine bowl away. Bu Shulin slowly raised her head, hazily making out the newcomer’s appearance: “Cui… Cui Stone…”

The arrival was indeed Cui Jinbai. Looking at the thoroughly drunk Bu Shulin, he wished he could douse her with a bucket of cold water.

“Have you had enough of this foolishness?” Cui Jinbai asked, looking down at her.

“I… I…” Bu Shulin pointed at herself, “Foolishness… I’m not! I’m all… all because… loneliness! Loneliness, you know… it’s all because you made me… made me lonely! I, I had to *hiccup*… I had to find my fun!”

Cui Jinbai looked at the two: “You’re evenly matched. Drinking more will only harm your body. Let’s call it a draw. Young Master Bu keeps the sword, and Prince Mu Nuha, I’ll gift you a fine blade.”

This gave everyone a way out without losing face. Mu Nuha, already unable to drink more, nodded.

“I won’t—” Bu Shulin stood up swaying, pushing away Yinshan who tried to support her, “Who… who are you… to make… decisions for me?”

She staggered in front of Cui Jinbai: “Don’t think… just because we’ve slept together a few times, you can control me…”

Bu Shulin’s words made everyone around stare wide-eyed. Some courtesans covered their mouths, looking back and forth between the two. They had heard rumors of their romantic affairs before but thought them mere gossip. Now with Young Master Bu’s drunken truth-telling, it turned out the two did share male love!

“You’re drunk.” Cui Jinbai grabbed her pointing hand, dragging her outside.

“What are you doing… are you trying to take advantage… is it because when I’m drunk drunk drunk… you can be… be on top!” Bu Shulin resisted while babbling nonsensically, “I… I tell you… Cui… Cui Stone! Even if I’m drunk… drunk, I’m still the one on top of you!”

Following behind, Yinshan was mortified to death. Should he be relieved that the Young Master never forgot his male role, or should he be too ashamed to face his Young Master’s vulgar talk?

“Master Cui, the Young Master is drunk. Let this servant take the Young Master home. The Young Master’s words, Master Cui shouldn’t take to heart…”

“What drunk!” Bu Shulin shoved Yinshan away, “Nonsense… I’m not drunk! Whose person are you… you ungrateful servant… he hasn’t even married in… and you’re already eager to please… the future mistress?”

Yinshan didn’t dare look at Cui Jinbai’s face.

So in their Young Master’s heart, Master Cui had always been a woman, while she was the man!

Cui Jinbai darkened his eyes, tightened his face, and simply hoisted Bu Shulin up, leaving the flower house. Taking Bu Shulin back to the Cui residence was certainly impossible—the Cui household wasn’t under his control yet. The Court of Justice was even more inappropriate as a place of dignity. Cui Jinbai could only take Bu Shulin back to the Bu residence.

Before they even reached Bu Shulin’s room at the Bu residence, she vomited all over Cui Jinbai.

Seeing this, Jinshan quickly brought servants to separate them, then arranged for Cui Jinbai to change clothes and wash up. After Cui Jinbai was properly cleaned up, Bu Shulin was also been tidied up by her maids, who ostensibly served tea but attended to her closely and was given a bowl of sobering medicine soup.

After drinking it, Bu Shulin lay listlessly on the bed, eyes unfocused but refusing to sleep. Though the maids and Jinshan tried to coax her, she lay there quietly like a helpless, confused child.

This was how Cui Jinbai found Bu Shulin when he entered.

“Cui… Stone…” Bu Shulin spoke brokenly upon seeing Cui Jinbai, “I… I feel awful…”

Cui Jinbai, who had been filled with indignation, somehow felt his anger dissipate. He sat beside the bed and said gently: “Close your eyes, rest, you’ll feel better when you wake.”

“I… won’t… sleep.” Bu Shulin’s thoughts were somewhat confused, “Can’t sleep… if I sleep… there’ll be danger…”

Cui Jinbai listened in puzzlement, looking toward Jinshan who stood nearby.

Jinshan lowered his head and said: “In Young Master’s youth, there was a period when assassination attempts were frequent. He didn’t dare sleep at night, only resting during the day.”

Later, Bu Shulin simply chose to visit flower houses, lingering until dawn, returning to the residence to sleep soundly during the day.

Hearing this, Cui Jinbai felt an inexplicable pain in his heart, and began coaxing her: “I’m here, you can rest easy.”

Bu Shulin heard this and looked up at him, staring for a good while before giggling: “Cui Stone… marry me… will you marry me?”

“Young Master!” Jinshan warned in a low voice.

Bu Shulin gave a soft snort at Jinshan, then turned back with a smile: “I… like you… Cui Stone… I want to marry you…”

Looking at the person so drunk they’d lost their senses, even teasing himself, Cui Jinbai’s expression darkened again.

“Cui Stone… marry me… you’ll be the Young Master’s wife! Later you’ll be a Princess Consort, something many dream of but can’t have…” Bu Shulin finally noticed his sour face, “Everything I have… I’ll give to you, will you marry me…”

As she spoke, she swayed his hand, looking utterly pitiful.

Cui Jinbai tried to pull his hand away unsuccessfully: “Stop talking nonsense, go to sleep mmp—”

Bu Shulin somehow regained some strength, propped herself up, and pressed her lips against Cui Jinbai’s.

Cui Jinbai froze for a moment, his mind suddenly blank.

Jinshan turned pale with fright, rushing forward to pull Bu Shulin away: “Young Master!”

Only then did Cui Jinbai come to his senses, abruptly standing up and striding out, his steps hurried as if fleeing in panic.