After downing two large bowls of wine, both men’s faces showed a faint blush. The nearby Local Constable were still egging them on, while Zhuyan stood to the side, her lips twitching in disbelief.
Although she had tried to stop them several times, there had been too many stressful events lately. It was rare for them to open up like this, so having a few drinks wouldn’t hurt.
She arranged for Xu Xiangren to take Lu Chuichui and Fourth Sister home, while she stayed behind to take care of Shen Du.
Zhuyan knew something of Shen Du’s alcohol tolerance. At this rate, he would surely pass out before finishing two jars.
However, Shen Du’s performance today surprised Zhuyan. After two jars, neither man showed any sign of wavering and wanted to keep drinking.
It was getting late. Zhuyan hurriedly stepped forward and said, “Alright, alright. Drinking is neither here nor there. We can drink again another time. It’s late, let’s head back.”
“Hey!” Xu Xiangren quickly interjected, “Madam Shen, that’s not right. The Grand Chancellor is busy every day. Now that the case he’s been working on has eased up and he finally has some free time, how can we not let him drink to his heart’s content?”
“That’s right, that’s right. It’s just a few jars of wine, it won’t cause any trouble,” Shen Du chimed in, refilling his bowl.
Zhuyan was at a complete loss. Although she knew both men were busy with official duties every day and rarely had time to relax, such heavy drinking when they finally had some free time was not advisable.
Moreover, given Shen Du’s alcohol tolerance, drinking so much today would make it difficult for him to even return to the Shen residence.
Events unfolded much as Zhuyan had anticipated, though she was surprised to see that Shen Du’s tolerance had indeed improved compared to before.
After two jars, four jars, and then six jars, both men finally vomited.
To everyone’s surprise, it was Xu Xiangren who threw up first. The man who claimed he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk had finally succumbed.
Seeing Xu Xiangren vomit, Shen Du slammed his bowl on the table with a “bang” and swayed unsteadily. Pointing at Xu Xiangren, he mocked, “You lost. You threw up. Everyone here today can testify that you lost to me.”
Zhuyan hurried forward to support Shen Du. The strong smell of alcohol nearly made her vomit. With a look of disgust, she propped up Shen Du and said to the others, “I told you not to let him drink, but you all egged him on. Now look at this mess. Quickly, take him back, and don’t let this interfere with tomorrow’s official business.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” The remaining Local Constable hurriedly supported Xu Xiangren and left.
Yunque looked at the situation and asked Zhuyan with concern, “Madam Shen, will you be alright on your own?”
“I’ll be fine. Go take care of Brother Xu. I can handle Shen Du,” Zhuyan said through gritted teeth, then turned and left, supporting Shen Du.
Shen Du was tall and sturdy. Being supported by Zhuyan’s small frame was like having a mountain pressing down on her.
Zhuyan was extremely frustrated but had no choice. After all, she was still Madam Shen, and with Shen Du drunk, it was naturally her duty to take him home.
After much effort, she finally got him back to the Shen residence, only to find that everyone in the household had disappeared as if by prior arrangement.
Even Jinglin was nowhere to be found after repeated calls.
“How strange. Where has everyone gone?” Zhuyan brought a basin of hot water into the room and gently wiped Shen Du’s forehead.
His body was very hot, and his face was flushed from the alcohol. In the candlelight, this man was indeed beautiful to the extreme.
After tidying everything up, Zhuyan wiped her hands and said to the man on the bed, “I’ve searched the entire household, but there’s not a single person. Even Jinglin has disappeared. The wooden basin is next to you. If you need to vomit during the night, remember to turn it over. Don’t choke yourself.”
After speaking, Zhuyan stretched tiredly and covered Shen Du with the blanket once more.
Just as she was about to stand up and leave, her hand was suddenly gripped tightly by Shen Du’s large hand. The scorching temperature of skin contact made even Zhuyan’s hand feel hot.
Startled, she immediately struggled, but Shen Du’s hand was like an iron clamp, impossible to break free from.
The more Zhuyan struggled, the tighter Shen Du’s grip became. With a sudden pull, Zhuyan fell onto him.
His other hand came up, holding Zhuyan tightly in his embrace. He mumbled, “Since you’ve come back, don’t think about leaving. I won’t let you go.”
Zhuyan’s face burned hot. She didn’t know if Shen Du’s words were drunk talk, but his two arms were like two large trees pressing down on her, getting tighter and tighter until she could barely breathe.
“If you keep squeezing like this, I’ll suffocate. Can you let go so we can talk properly?” Zhuyan said angrily, struggling hard. She finally managed to sit up, only to have her wrist grabbed by Shen Du again.
It was then that Zhuyan realized Shen Du, who had been sleeping moments ago, had now opened his eyes. But his gaze was still hazy as if the effects of alcohol hadn’t worn off.
“Good, you’re awake. Now let go of my hand,” Zhuyan said, feeling somewhat relieved to see him awake. She held their hands up in front of Shen Du’s face. “Don’t try to take advantage of me while you’re drunk, or I’ll make you pay for it.”
Shen Du narrowed his eyes and sat up, his face now inches from Zhuyan’s.
The strong smell of alcohol hit her, making Zhuyan retch. The next moment, her face was cupped in Shen Du’s palm.
“Where is such a beautiful woman going?” he asked.
“…”
Zhuyan was a bit flustered. Shen Du’s drunken state was truly hair-raising.
“I’m not just some beautiful woman. I’m your wife,” Zhuyan explained patiently, forcefully suppressing her inner rage.
Hearing this answer, Shen Du became even more interested. He leaned forward, attempting to kiss Zhuyan.
Zhuyan resisted with all her might, her hands firmly gripping Shen Du’s face and turning it aside. She angrily rebuked, “If you dare to kiss me today, I’ll die with you.”
It was as if Shen Du hadn’t heard Zhuyan’s words. The next moment, his stomach churned violently, and he immediately leaned over the bed and started vomiting.
The pungent smell made Zhuyan feel utterly hopeless, but with no one else around, she had no choice but to take care of him.
She quickly grabbed some mouthwash and a towel to clean Shen Du. After wiping away the mess, her hand was once again grasped by Shen Du.
This time, Zhuyan didn’t rush to break free, because she saw a look in Shen Du’s eyes that was different from before.
“I knew you would come back. You couldn’t let me go, could you?” he said.
“Huh?” Zhuyan was bewildered as if she hadn’t understood Shen Du’s words.
The next moment, Shen Du pulled her up, one hand holding her waist. With a turn, he pinned her beneath him. His deep, magnetic voice sounded in her ear, “Don’t leave me again, okay?”
After saying this, Shen Du’s head drooped to one side.
Zhuyan was completely shocked. For a moment, she didn’t even have the strength to resist. Shen Du’s words had a powerful impact on her.
Moreover, she felt a strange feeling in her heart. Could it be that she had developed feelings for this man?
Impossible, how could it be?
They were supposed to divorce.
When they first married, he had even held a knife to her throat. How could he possibly like her? He must be drunk and talking nonsense.
Zhuyan consoled herself this way. She heard even breathing next to her ear; the man had fallen asleep. Zhuyan carefully pushed him off her, intending to leave, but the next moment, the large hand on her waist suddenly tightened, pulling her back into that warm embrace.
“Not allowed to leave.” The low voice sounded in her ear, both domineering and doting.
Zhuyan’s resolve completely melted away. She felt she no longer had the courage or willpower to escape.
She could only nestle in Shen Du’s embrace and fall asleep like that.
When she woke up, it was already bright outside. The two of them were lying cuddled up in the blanket, looking peaceful.
Shen Du was still holding Zhuyan tightly. When Zhuyan opened her eyes, she saw Shen Du looking at her with utter disbelief, as if asking why she was in his arms.
“Ah!”
As Zhuyan came to her senses, a sharp scream shattered the tranquility of the entire Shen residence. Birds resting on trees in the courtyard were startled into flight, and Jinglin shuddered.
Yesterday, when he saw the two return, he had thought about going to help, but the memory of the Grand Chancellor’s murderous glare made him retreat.
He had even instructed everyone in the household not to disturb the two. A night had passed, and neither had left the room. It seemed his plan had been perfect.
…