Jiang Xuanjin’s hand trembled, almost dropping her, as his eyelid twitched. With a stern face, he placed Li Huaiyu on the stone lion at the entrance of the inn. “If you want to stay at an inn, go by yourself!”

With that, he turned and walked away.

The Jiang family was scholarly and well-mannered, producing children who were all well-behaved and knew propriety. Who would want to get involved in her nonsense?

Sitting dumbfounded on the stone lion, Li Huaiyu watched his back, pouting. She hugged the stone lion and rubbed against it, looking pitiful.

Qingsi, who was following behind, frowned at the scene. Just as she was about to comment on how strict the Lord was, the resolute figure stopped after a few steps, seemingly holding back a breath, and returned to stand in front of his master.

“Are you coming or not?”

Huaiyu sniffed. “No, I want to stay at an inn.”

“You think threatening me will work?” Jiang Xuanjin sneered.

Moments later, he was carrying the drunken woman to an inn.

Huaiyu half-closed her eyes and smiled. “Why are you so cute?”

“Shut up!” he scolded fiercely, carrying her upstairs under the curious gaze of the innkeeper, and kicked open the door.

“Oh, Ziyang Jun kicked the door!” Huaiyu slurred to Qingsi behind her, “Make sure to note that down!”

Jiang Xuanjin turned back coldly, and Qingsi, feeling a chill, lowered her eyes. “I’ll return to the palace to report.”

With that, she used her lightness skill to slip away quickly.

The inn was well-equipped and looked clean. As Huaiyu was about to dive onto the bed, Jiang Xuanjin grabbed her collar.

Staring at the bed that had been used, Jiang Xuanjin’s disdain was evident. He took off his outer robe and laid it on the bed before letting her lie down.

Huaiyu’s face was flushed. Not only did she lie down, but she also pulled him onto the bed with a giggle. “Do you know why I wanted to come to an inn?”

“Your brain is soaked in alcohol.”

Giggling, Huaiyu wagged her finger in front of him. “Nope, it’s because once I left the palace and stayed at an inn because it was too late to return. I couldn’t sleep all night because of the noise, and I was so angry that I wanted to bring you here for revenge.”

Jiang Xuanjin looked puzzled. “You couldn’t sleep because of the noise, so why bring me for revenge? Couldn’t you just make noise back?”

Seeing his serious expression, Li Huaiyu couldn’t help but cover her eyes, sighing. “What should I do? You make me feel like I’m corrupting a virtuous man.”

“Say that again?”

“Marrying someone like Ziyang Jun is truly wonderful!”

With a “mwah,” she kissed him on the cheek, hugging him tightly. The smell of alcohol filled his embrace, and she smiled with red lips and white teeth, looking like a child.

Jiang Xuanjin sighed, prying her hands away to wet a cloth and wipe her face and hands. Then he loosened her outer robe to make her more comfortable.

Huaiyu watched him with half-closed eyes, and when he finished, she suddenly asked, “Do you have any wishes?”

This liar, is difficult to take care of when drunk, not only causing trouble but also talking a lot! Jiang Xuanjin snorted, too lazy to answer her. He blew out the lamp, got into bed, and held her down to prevent her from falling off.

The smell of alcohol filled the air, and Li Huaiyu restlessly kicked the blanket, stretching her leg over his waist and rubbing against him.

His body stiffened, and Jiang Xuanjin’s tone was unfriendly. “What are you trying to do?”

In the darkness, her bright almond eyes sparkled, and Huaiyu whispered mischievously, “Did you hear someone talking next door?”

Of course, the rooms were close, and the voices were clear. Next door, two travelers were discussing which direction to take tomorrow, seemingly arguing and cursing.

Just as he was about to say, “What’s so interesting about that?” she leaned in, the scent of wine mixed with her fragrance filling his senses.

His pupils contracted, and he grabbed her waist, turning slightly to let her straddle him. Huaiyu, saving her strength, became even more brazen, biting and kissing him, making him groan in response.

The arguing travelers next door suddenly fell silent. After a moment, one whispered, “Did you hear something?”

The other replied, “I didn’t hear clearly, but it sounded like…”

He didn’t finish, but got up and stood by the wall to listen.

Jiang Xuanjin noticed, turned her shoulders, and stiffened his fingers.

Li Huaiyu didn’t care, pecking him again, drunkenly saying, “We didn’t get to drink the nuptial wine at our wedding, so this makes up for it. How does it taste?”

There was a gasp from next door.

Jiang Xuanjin’s face turned ashen, both angry and at a loss. The person on top of him showed no shame, pulling open his clothes and caressing his hot skin.

A shiver ran through him, and he grabbed her wrist, taking a deep breath and lowering his voice. “Let’s go back to the palace.”

“It’s too late,” Huaiyu smirked, blowing into his ear. “I just love this look of yours. It’s so captivating.”

“Li Huaiyu,” he called her full name, squeezing the words through his teeth, “you’ll regret this when you sober up.”

“Then we’ll talk about it when I’m sober.” She waved her hand carelessly, boldly pulling off her inner skirt.

…

A well-run inn in the capital was suddenly shut down, causing a stir early in the morning, with people gossiping. Qingsi returned to the palace and asked her master, “Do you know what happened?”

Hungover and with a pounding headache, Huaiyu rubbed her temples, weakly saying, “Who knows, probably tax evasion.”

“I heard it was ordered by the Lord. Aren’t you going to ask?”

Mentioning this made Huaiyu’s head hurt more. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He ignored me this morning, and when I sent breakfast, he sent it back.”

Qingsi frowned. “What displeased the Lord?”

“He’s always displeased.” Huaiyu put her hands on her hips in frustration, but then couldn’t help but ponder, “Did I do something excessive while drunk? How excessive could it be? Aren’t we both fine? We woke up in Feiyun Palace, and didn’t run around.”

Qingsi glanced at her. “You and the Lord returned at dawn, not spending the whole night in Feiyun Palace.”

“Really?” Huaiyu muttered. “I don’t remember anything I did after getting drunk.”

Qingsi pursed her lips, suddenly feeling a bit sorry for Ziyang Jun.

The weather was clear and refreshing, and it was a rare day off on the court. The old master Jiang sat in the courtyard of Longyan Palace, happily playing with his grandchildren.

“Our Sui Sui is growing so beautifully,” he said, his face full of wrinkles from smiling, gently poking the little troublemaker’s hand. “She’s getting prettier and prettier, destined to be a beauty who can topple a kingdom.”

Jiang Yan, holding a cup of tea nearby, thought for a moment and said, “If she looks like Uncle, she’ll be a beauty, but if she looks like Aunt… that’s another story.”

The old master glared at him. “What nonsense! Third daughter-in-law is also lovely!”

Jiang Chong took the opportunity to knock on Jiang Yan’s head.

Rubbing his head in grievance, Jiang Yan pouted. “I’m just speaking the truth. In our family, you get beaten for telling the truth?”

Li Huaiyu, who had been silent, couldn’t help but speak up. “It’s one thing to say it behind my back, but saying it to my face is too much.”

“Uncle said a gentleman doesn’t speak ill of others behind their back, so I only dared to say it because you’re here,” Jiang Yan said righteously.

Huaiyu snorted, pulling the little rascal over to examine him. “Fine, the daughter looks like the father, the son like the mother. I’ll split it with him.”

Jiang Yan sighed. “Poor our emperor.”

Smiling, Huaiyu kicked the stool he was sitting on, and Jiang Yan caught off guard, fell to the ground with a thud. He turned his head to complain, “Grandfather, look at her! No manners!”

The old master squinted his eyes with a smile, only focusing on his granddaughter, muttering, “I can’t see, I can’t see. Grandfather sees nothing but your sister.”

Jiang Yan: “…”

This life is unbearable!

Jiang Xuanjin and Jiang Shen sat on the other side of the courtyard, watching from afar.

Jiang Shen said, “Lord Bai visited the other day, but you weren’t here.”

“Mm.”

“He’s back in the position of censor, grateful for your support, and has done a lot of work, earning considerable merit,” Jiang Shen said. “But his second daughter, whom you sent back, still hasn’t married, and with Bai Mengshi still in prison, he looks much older.”

After a moment of silence, Jiang Xuanjin said, “I’ll arrange something when I have time.”

With this assurance, Jiang Shen knew he still remembered the kindness of Bai’s fourth daughter and wouldn’t let Bai Dezhong suffer too much.

Relieved, he smiled and changed the subject. “Why do you look so gloomy today? I heard the ministers are too scared to speak loudly around you.”

At the mention of this, he couldn’t help but recall the absurd night at the inn, his face darkening further.

The culprit, as if remembering nothing was bouncing around with the little rascal, her skirt fluttering, the peonies on it vivid and lively. She turned and met his gaze, smiling at him.

Her eyes sparkled, her beauty captivating. No matter how angry he was, his heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

They had been married for a long time, weathered many storms, and life had become smooth. He thought it would feel bland, but for some reason, every time he saw her, he still felt his heart flutter, even if she had just infuriated him. Her smile would make him relax.

The baby in the swaddle laughed, the clear sound carrying far, and the wind brought the scent of osmanthus. Li Huaiyu spun around with the child, her smile as bright as the morning sun, making him unconsciously smile too.

Jiang Shen watched with some envy. “You two have achieved everything, with mutual respect and children. Do you have any other wishes?”

Other wishes? Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips. Huaiyu had asked him the same question when she was drunk.

“None, I suppose?” Jiang Shen shrugged. “If I were you, I wouldn’t have any either.”

Shaking his head slightly, Jiang Xuanjin said, “I do.”

Li Huaiyu noticed the little rascal blowing a big bubble and couldn’t help but run over, her face full of joy.

He smiled, watching her, and softly replied to Jiang Shen:

“First, I wish my wife a long life. Second, I wish for my health. Third, I wish to be like the swallows on the beam…”

May we meet year after year.

(The End)