Chapter 52: Peach Blossom Wine

Mu Qishao’s attitude was so matter-of-fact that the Governor’s Wife was stunned speechless. By the time she regained her senses, that group of men had already split up and stormed into the inner residence.

Lady Bao shrieked shrilly again, “What are you trying to do?! This is trespassing! Trespassing on the official residence of my Governor’s Mansion!!”

Those men turned a deaf ear, striding in as if entering an uninhabited place.

A crowd of maids and old servant women huddled around the Governor’s Wife, trembling like a flock of quails in the rain. Lady Bao was trembling too. Years of experience as an official’s wife told her that a catastrophic calamity had befallen them!

And the Master was conveniently not at home. That’s right—the Master!!

She grabbed Steward Chen, her teeth chattering as she forced herself to stay calm. “Hurry! Go get the Master to come back! Tell the Master there’s an urgent family matter, something that’s searing our eyebrows!”

Steward Chen acknowledged the order and turned to leave. The Governor’s Wife grabbed him again, lowering her voice and said through gritted teeth, “Send someone to the Zhechong Commandant’s mansion. Ask Commandant Liang to bring his troops over immediately. Tell him the Master gave the order.”

Steward Chen answered “Aye” and strode off.

A personal maid who had served in the household for many years, though also afraid, still had the presence of mind to brew a cup of hot tea.

The Governor’s Wife took the tea and held it in her hands, trying to use it to calm her nerves.

She had already figured it out. These people were after the Master. They were only bold enough to act because the Master wasn’t home. As soon as the Master rushed back, everything would return to normal. She would have the Master punish them for their crimes! Yes, that was exactly it!

Deep down, she vaguely sensed that this calamity was no ordinary matter, but she dared not think deeply on it. She could only place her hopes on Governor Wen, who had governed this prefecture for many years with deep-rooted, entrenched power.

“Madam!”

Just as Lady Bao was lost in her thoughts, Steward Chen rushed back in, his face full of fluster. One look at the steward’s expression told her it was bad news. Sure enough, Steward Chen wailed mournfully, “Madam, they’ve sealed off the outside! There are many guards outside blocking the doors, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.”

Lady Bao swayed, barely managing to grab the hand of a maid beside her. Her face pale, she asked, “What about the side gate?”

Steward Chen shook his head miserably. “They’ve got men guarding every entrance.”

The Governor’s Wife was panic-stricken, her voice trembling. “Then… then, the Zhechong Commandant, Commandant Liang, Commandant Liang has troops. He’ll go find the Master! Yes, he will!”

Running back, Steward Chen had already remembered the events of the previous day. Hearing his mistress speak thus, he replied bitterly, “Madam, have you forgotten? Commandant Liang is still locked up in the Imperial Medicine Hall.”

“Imperial Medicine Hall…” The Governor’s Wife was stunned. A thread in her mind connected all the events: the female doctor of the Imperial Medicine Hall… the Heir Consort whom His Majesty had decreed into marriage… the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion… She swayed, unable to steady herself. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, beating her chest and wailing loudly, “Why did I have to provoke the Imperial Medicine Hall?! Why did I have to provoke that female doctor?! Aaaahhh!! It’s all my good-for-nothing cousin who brought this on me!!!”

Inside the Imperial Medicine Hall’s residence, Yining gently pushed the door open and changed the tea for the Eldest Young Miss.

Chu Mingxi rubbed her tired eyes and casually asked, “What time is it?”

“It’s the second watch,” Yining replied. “Does Miss wish to retire?”

Chu Mingxi shook her head and turned a page of the medical records sent by Doctor Tang. “You should go sleep first.”

“Then I’ll just finish this seam.” Yining found her earlier needlework, sat on a low stool beside the Eldest Young Miss. Her personality was careful and steady, with extreme patience for small tasks. This was why the lively, talkative Qingdai was usually the one to accompany the Eldest Young Miss on outings, while Yining was more often entrusted with household matters.

Chu Mingxi brightened the lamp slightly. Under its light, mistress and servant each busied themselves with their respective tasks.

It was not until the third watch that a young maid announced from outside: the Young Master had returned.

Yining casually set down her needlework and accompanied the Eldest Young Miss out the door. They saw the Heir Apparent approaching from a distance, several servants on night watch walking before and behind her carrying lanterns. The Eldest Young Miss stopped under the eaves.

“Mingxi.” Wei Qingchen stood before the steps, looking up at the person before her. The large lanterns in the corridor illuminated her eyes, her clear pupils tinged with a light layer of intoxication, bright as stars.

Chu Mingxi watched her for a moment, then extended her hand to her. Wei Qingchen’s lips curved into a smile. She took hold of that soft hand and walked into the room together with her.

Hot water had long been kept ready. Yining took the young maids to prepare the side room first.

Wei Qingchen sat at the round table in the Flower Hall, holding Chu Mingxi’s hand in one of her own, unwilling to let go for anything.

“How much did you drink?” Chu Mingxi asked, amused.

“I drank some.” Wei Qingchen leaned in, pressing Chu Mingxi’s cool palm against her own heated face. “Old Man Wen drank even more. It was three of us against two of them. It took great effort to get them falling-down drunk.”

As the two drew close together, a waft of rouge and powder scent came from Wei Qingchen. Chu Mingxi frowned slightly, glanced at her indifferently, then turned around and poured out the sobering tea that had been kept warm in the food box.

Wei Qingchen felt her hand suddenly empty and felt a bit lost. A cup of warm tea was then stuffed into her hand. She looked up, smiled at her wife, and became as docile as a cat.

“Eldest Young Miss.” Yining curtsied.

Chu Mingxi said, “Go take a bath.”

Wei Qingchen just kept looking at her and smiling, reaching out to catch her hand.

Chu Mingxi gave a gentle push to her shoulder. “Go on, quickly.”

Wei Qingchen nodded, took a sip of the tea, and swayed as she walked into the side room.

“Hiss!!”

Chu Mingxi was tidying up the books and medical records on the table when she heard Wei Qingchen’s low exclaim from behind the screen.

The maids had all withdrawn, leaving only the young couple in the room. Chu Mingxi looked toward the side room and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Bumped into something…” Perhaps influenced by the alcohol, Wei Qingchen’s voice was softer than usual. “It hurts.”

Chu Mingxi paused briefly, then said, “Should I come in and take a look?”

“Mm…”

Chu Mingxi walked up to the screen and heard the rustling sound of clothes dropping to the floor. Not sure what she was thinking, a faint blush rose on her face. Instead, she turned her back, pressed her lips together, and said, “Better wait until you come out, and I’ll look at it then.”

Wei Qingchen bathed a little longer than usual this time. She was truly exhausted and nearly fell asleep leaning against the edge of the tub. It was only when Chu Mingxi called out to her twice from outside that she wiped away the water droplets and climbed out of the gradually cooling water.

Chu Mingxi waited until Wei Qingchen drew near before saying, “Where did you bump into something?”

Wei Qingchen blinked. It was obvious she had completely forgotten about it. Shaking her head, she rolled onto the bed.

Chu Mingxi watched her lie on her back, her temples still wet. She hadn’t even loosened her hair crown.

Sighing, Chu Mingxi had no choice but to step forward and let down her hair for her.

Wei Qingchen’s face was flushed, the color of peach blossoms stained by wine after drinking. Had she drunk Peach Blossom Wine tonight? Why else did her every breath carry the fragrance of blossoms?

Unbeknownst to her, Wei Qingchen had also opened her eyes at some point and was quietly watching her, the slightly upturned corner of her mouth betraying its owner’s mood.

Chu Mingxi felt her cheeks flush. She pressed down on Wei Qingchen’s shoulder to stand up, but Wei Qingchen wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Where are you going?”

“To put out the lamp.” Chu Mingxi steadied herself and tried to unfasten the arm looped around her waist.

“Wait a moment.” Wei Qingchen refused to let go and instead held her tighter.

Chu Mingxi was already half-leaning in her position. Pulled by Wei Qingchen, she lost her balance and tumbled back down. She quickly used her hands to brace herself against her.

The lamplight outside flickered in the moonlight, distant from the bed. In the half-drawn bed curtains, only faint specks of gold remained.

Chu Mingxi cast a sidelong glare at her, but Wei Qingchen misunderstood and said somewhat pitifully, “Just wait a moment before putting out the lamp.”

“Why wait a moment?”

“Lie down.”

“Then let go of me.”

“No.” Wei Qingchen’s voice was soft and milky. The intoxication surged up, gradually reddening her eyes.

There’s no reasoning with a drunk person. Chu Mingxi had no choice but to comply. She slowly relaxed her body and leaned against her.

The two were pressed very close together again. Chu Mingxi remembered the earlier scent of rouge. Looking at the half-dazed eyes of the person before her, she raised an eyebrow and asked casually, “Where did you drink tonight? Coming back so late.”

“Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion.” Wei Qingchen had a good memory. Even drunk, she thought for a moment and remembered, then immediately pouted. “But none of them smelled good.”

“None of them?” Chu Mingxi pulled away from her embrace and asked with a faint smile, “Who are ‘they’?”

“It was just…” Wei Qingchen raised a hand to gesture, realizing she couldn’t explain clearly. Her mind was still mush. She muttered, “Just ‘them’.”

Chu Mingxi watched her flustered, impatient state and felt somewhat like laughing. She caught her hand, and with a hint of an indescribable feeling, slowly drawled, “If they don’t smell good, then who does…”

Every word, every extended tone, every rising inflection at the end sounded like an unconscious seduction—sweet, yet dangerous.

Wei Qingchen was the only fish, biting onto her baited hook. Her gaze clung tightly to her, an instant flame igniting in her eyes.

It was then that Chu Mingxi sensed her own daring. She wanted to retreat, but it was too late.

“Sister Chu…”

This form of address startled Chu Mingxi. Wei Qingchen turned on her side and leaned in, one leg half-draped over Chu Mingxi’s leg. Her eyes seemed misted with Peach Blossom Wine, layered with a faint moisture.

Chu Mingxi’s heart skipped a beat. She gently pushed against Wei Qingchen’s shoulder. “Lie back down. It’s time to sleep.”

Wei Qingchen acted as if she hadn’t heard. Her rosy lips slowly drew nearer. Chu Mingxi’s heart beat faster and faster, beyond her control. The hand pressed against Wei Qingchen’s shoulder trembled slightly. She tried to make her tone stern, but what came out inexplicably carried a hint of fragility. “Wh-What are you doing?”

Wei Qingchen’s kiss started from her forehead. Then it moved to her creamy, porcelain-smooth cheek. When she kissed her eyes, Chu Mingxi closed them, and her senses became even keener. Keen enough to feel Wei Qingchen’s breath scorching her ears.

“Sister Chu…” Wei Qingchen murmured by her ear. “Don’t you know…?”

“Know… what…” Chu Mingxi opened her hazy eyes beneath her.

That wine fragrance, like peach blossoms, swirled around the bed canopy. It made one unable to resist the thought of indulging in a night of bliss.

Then Wei Qingchen’s kiss landed on her earlobe, drawing a muffled, stifled moan from Chu Mingxi as she bit her lip.

“The most fragrant thing in this world… is you…” Wei Qingchen’s breath was right by her ear, like a sigh of praise. Her voice lingered and wound its way deeply into Chu Mingxi’s heart.

The lamp flickered and swayed outside the bed curtains, already burning down to its end. A sudden breeze, appearing from nowhere, snuffed out the candlelight for the lovers.

Within the bed curtains, it grew darker.

“Qingchen…” She didn’t know why she called her name. She just felt a fire suppressed in her heart, burning even brighter after the candlelight was extinguished.

“I’m here…”

In the dim, suggestive night, Wei Qingchen held her Heir Consort close. A long, heated kiss finally landed upon her lips.