The Cup of Wine

Her head buzzed. She reached up to support her head until Lao Er spoke again:

“Does the princess have a headache?”

Feeling slightly better, she said, “Ta không sao, cảm ơn ngươi đã quan tâm.”
"I am fine, thank you for your concern."

Bai Xiao tried to endure seeing someone else show concern for her, but finally unable to bear it, he used an excuse to leave.

“Let me go call the physician to check her pulse.”

He quickly walked out, escaping the stifling and uncomfortable atmosphere.

Along the path, a hundred flowers bloomed, with the roses standing out, refusing to be outdone by any other flower.

He saw them and slowly walked over to a thorny rose.

Intending to pluck the rose, the thorns on the stem cut into his delicate skin, like a harsh truth cutting deep.

“Is that damned fellow trying to ruin my plans?”

He grabbed the flower and tore away its petals. The beautiful petals fell from the bud, leaving the rose bare and pitiful.

Then he turned and walked toward a deep alley, which served as a shortcut to the physician's residence.

In a small corner lay a pile of firewood, upon which sat a kite painted with a butterfly. Seeing the kite there, he walked over, threw it to the ground, and trampled on it. Once done, he turned and left as if nothing had happened.

*The Princess's Palace.*

Hao Qian, having heard the news from Lao San, rushed over to visit her.

“Little sister, how are you feeling?”

Qing Yan, knowing she was no longer needed, stepped outside. As she gazed at the beautiful sky, she saw rose petals drifting from afar, landing before the princess's door.

Lao Er, seeing Hao Qian arrive, also stepped back.

Hao Qian walked to Wan Ru's side, took her hand, and said:

“Perhaps I should go next time.”

“No, Imperial Father will certainly not allow it. If you go, I fear it will cause too much trouble from the imperial palace. It is easier to hide it from Imperial Father if I go.”

After speaking, she coughed a few times. Hao Qian frowned, seeing her riddled with illness yet still wanting to shoulder the responsibility for him.

“It is fine, let me make the trip. With me going...”

Before he could finish, she cut him off:

“You are the Crown Prince. If anything happens to you, Imperial Father will know immediately.”

Hao Qian, seeing her forehead beaded with sweat, used a handkerchief to wipe it.

“By the way, will you allow me to cultivate at Xiawei Mountain near the palace this time to gather spiritual energy?”

Her brother paused. Hao Qian's gaze was filled with sorrow, harboring a deep sadness.

“Very well, whatever you want, I will surely do for you.”

Lao Er suddenly spoke from behind: “That is a good idea. I was also planning to cultivate on that mountain for a short while. It is perfect, as I can also protect the princess.”

Hao Qian said with gratitude and emotion: “Then I entrust my sister's care entirely to Lao Er.”

“It is only my duty.”

Afterward, a small dinner banquet was held at her palace. Wan Ru invited the group of mages, her brother, and Bai Xiao to dine.

When everyone had gathered, she raised her wine cup and said:

“Congratulations on surviving this great tribulation. That I could keep my small life is all thanks to you. Let us raise our cups.”

Lao Ba smiled gently and said, “Princess, it was all due to your own internal strength; we were merely helpers. We dare not accept such credit.”

Lao Yi laughed heartily like a brave warrior: “Indeed, the princess handled the situation with immense skill.”

Then everyone stood up. Just as she was about to drink, Bai Xiao, who was beside her, pressed her cup down away from her mouth and said:

“Princess, you have just recovered; you must not drink wine.”

Lao Er, who was also beside her, took her cup and said:

“Then let me drink in your stead.”

Bai Xiao reached out and snatched the cup that Lao Er had just taken, saying, “It is fine, I will drink her cup.”

Lao Er smiled and tried to pull it back, but Bai Xiao held the cup firmly.

“How can I let the Crown Prince drink two cups of wine? Though I am a cultivator, I am very good at drinking, so...”

Bai Xiao's face stiffened as he gripped the cup tightly, refusing to let Lao Er take it. The two of them kept tussling back and forth.

“I am also very good at drinking. Drinking too much is not good for you, Lao Er.”

“It is fine, such a trivial matter is no trouble for Lao Er.”

Hao Qian, not wanting to watch this squabble any longer, took the cup of wine and said:

“Then I shall drink it for her, alright?”

The two who had been fighting helplessly watched Hao Qian drain the cup. Their expressions were truly a sight to behold.

The others burst into laughter at the scene.

While eating, Lao San kept staring at her.

Lao San was still too young to drink, so only the adult men were drinking and carousing together.

While the men were urging each other to drink, Lao San walked over to her side. Understanding his intent, she said to the boy:

“Alright, let us go outside to play.”

Hao Qian, already plagued by the wine, said to her:

“Little sister... let me go out with you.”

Lao Yi, holding a wine jar, hugged Bai Xiao and said:

“The Crown Prince must stay here and drink with us.”

Bai Xiao took off his outer coat, stood up, and said, “You might catch a cold out there.”

Just as he was about to drape the cloak over her, Lao Er, who was also drunk, pulled him down and said:

“We have not finished drinking together, Crown Prince.”

She and Lao San quickly seized the opportunity to slip outside together.

Tonight, the moon was perfectly round and bright, casting clear shadows. Lao San got straight to the point: “This humble one finds Lao Er to be highly unusual.”

She was slightly taken aback, not knowing why this little brother was suddenly bringing this up out of nowhere.

“Why are you telling me this?”