Chapter 104: Bridal Chamber Night (Part 1)

It was still the grand hall of the Prime Minister's residence, where guests once feasted in celebration—notably absent now were the festive scarlet decorations and the boisterous crowd. Seated around a round table were three exceptionally handsome men, each with his own distinctive aura.

Shan Yulan raised his hands slightly in a respectful gesture and smiled.

"Congratulations. I didn't get the chance to say it last time."

Though it had been at the emperor's behest that he interrupted the previous wedding banquet, he still felt a twinge of guilt toward Lou Xiyan.

Su Ling also offered a small bow, silently conveying his apologies.

Lou Xiyan replied with a calm smile, "Thank you. It's not too late to share a cup of celebratory wine now."

A servant stepped forward to pour the wine, the amber liquid flowing slowly, releasing a rich, mellow fragrance that filled the room.

Before taking a sip, Su Ling already remarked in a low voice, "Morning Dew Huadiao—excellent wine!"

Lou Xiyan chuckled. "I've long heard that General Su has a refined palate. Your reputation is well-earned."

Draining his cup in one gulp, Su Ling replied nonchalantly, "I simply enjoy good wine."

Compared to Su Ling's boldness, Shan Yulan and Lou Xiyan were far more refined, savoring the wine with elegance and poise.

Noticing the deliberately unoccupied seat beside Lou Xiyan, Shan Yulan asked curiously, "Are you expecting another honored guest?"

To be deemed a guest of such importance by Lou Xiyan... could it be—

"Would I count as an honored guest?"

Before Shan Yulan could finish his thought, a deep, jovial voice tinged with imperial authority rang out from beyond the doorway.

The newcomer wore casual, unadorned robes, accompanied by a graceful and radiant figure by his side. As they stepped into the room, the three men immediately rose and half-knelt in greeting.

"Our respects to His Majesty, and to Consort Qing."

With a smile lighting up his face, it was clear Emperor Yan Hongtian was in excellent spirits. Waving a hand, he said with laughter,

"Rise. Since this is a private banquet at Prime Minister Lou's residence, let's forgo these formalities."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Qingfeng's eyes swept across the spacious hall but did not spot Zhuo Qing. Turning to Lou Xiyan, she asked naturally,

"Brother-in-law, where's my sister?"

Brother-in-law?!

Yan Hongtian's brows lifted slightly—how familiarly she called him. She seemed to have forgotten her own identity. If she called Xiyan "brother-in-law," then what should she call him?

Lou Xiyan, momentarily stunned, then responded with a gentle smile, "She's in her room with Qingmo."

Qingmo too?!

Qingfeng's urgency was written plainly on her face. Lou Xiyan turned to a nearby servant.

"Escort Consort Qing to Lanyue Pavilion."

"Yes, sir."

Qingfeng cast Lou Xiyan a grateful smile before quickly following the servant toward the rear courtyard.

With her departure, only the men remained in the hall, and the atmosphere grew markedly more relaxed.

The faint aroma of wine still lingered in the air. Yan Hongtian took a sniff and frowned in mild displeasure. With a wave of his hand, several guards entered, each carrying large jars of wine. Laughing heartily, he declared,

"Today is a day of joy. I brought aged Xifeng wine—none of us shall leave sober tonight!"

Aged Xifeng?

Su Ling's eyes lit up with eager anticipation. Lou Xiyan and Shan Yulan, however, stiffened at once. Exchanging a glance, they could only offer wry smiles.

Xifeng wine was indeed a rare treasure, but its fame was owed as much to its potency as to its flavor. Even a single cup could render a lightweight unconscious for a night—let alone the several jars now presented. There was no escaping drunkenness tonight!

Meanwhile, in Lanyue Pavilion, the door was tightly shut. Gu Yun sat with her back to Zhuo Qing, leaning over the back of a chair. Her petite frame appeared even more delicate, and beneath her rolled-up sleeves, a long, fair arm was exposed—now marred with large, purple bruises, a shocking sight.

While carefully applying medicinal oil, Zhuo Qing cursed in a cold voice,

"That brute Su Ling! He's far too heavy-handed."

Regardless of the reason, Yun was still a woman, and he dared to strike her—those bruises wouldn't fade for weeks. Thankfully, the bones weren't hurt.

Eyes half-closed, Gu Yun muttered lazily,

"He didn't come off any better himself."

The two of them had been furious at the time. The carriage had been pitch-dark; once they started fighting, injury was inevitable. She had kicked Su Ling several times—he surely didn't walk away unscathed either.

"Can't you two get along even once?" Zhuo Qing sighed helplessly.

"Why not move in with me for a while?"

Gu Yun immediately shook her head.

"You're newlyweds—why would I want to be a third wheel? Besides, I've found a lead on the Golden Silken Bagua Plate."

She was determined to find a way back. Though she had been in this foreign world for over half a year, she still couldn't adjust.

Zhuo Qing asked, not overly enthusiastic, "What kind of lead?"

Sitting up, Gu Yun let her sleeves fall back down and explained,

"I found a record in the Su family genealogy. The Golden Silken Bagua Plate is their ancestral emblem, believed to protect and bless their descendants. Typically, it's kept in the family mausoleum and only brought out during annual rites by the clan leader and the eldest son."

Her brow furrowed slightly.

"But I don't know where the mausoleum is, or where the emblem is kept within. I'll have to get the information from Su Ling."

If she wanted to return, she had to stay at the General's Estate—regardless of how intolerable Su Ling was.

Once Yun set her mind to something, nothing could dissuade her. Zhuo Qing simply warned,

"Just be careful. That Bagua Plate is sinister. If you get any leads, tell me immediately. Don't act alone."

"I understand…"

Gu Yun abruptly fell silent, her eyes darting toward the door in caution.

Moments later, a voice called from outside,

"Madam, Consort Qing has arrived."

Consort Qing?

Zhuo Qing and Gu Yun exchanged glances.

"It's Qingfeng," Zhuo Qing whispered.

Gu Yun nodded subtly. While Zhuo Qing opened the door, Gu Yun swiftly tucked the bottle of medicinal wine into her sleeve, then moved to the window and pushed it open.

Standing at the threshold was Qingfeng. Upon seeing Zhuo Qing, she smiled brightly,

"Sis!"

Waving off the nearby servant, Zhuo Qing took her hand.

"Come in quickly."

"Mo'er!"

Recognizing Gu Yun, Qingfeng rushed forward, grasping her hands tightly. For a moment, she was too choked with emotion to speak.

Gu Yun felt awkward, but couldn't pull away, so she stood stiffly. Qingfeng gently caressed her gaunt face, her voice full of pain.

"Mo'er, you've lost weight! Did Su Ling mistreat you?"

The touch to her cheek made Gu Yun uncomfortable. She took a small step back.

"No one mistreated me," she replied.

She was the one people needed to watch out for.

Qingfeng's hand froze mid-air. Was her little sister now so distant that she couldn't even accept her touch? The ache in her heart deepened, but she still asked gently,

"How have you been these past six months?"

Gu Yun saw the pain in Qingfeng's eyes, but to her, this woman was just a stranger. She couldn't summon any strong emotion. Clearing her throat, she said flatly,

"I've been fine."

"Mo'er… what's wrong?"

Qingfeng was bewildered. The woman before her was polite yet distant, with a proud, resolute glint in her eyes. This wasn't the timid, gentle sister she remembered.

Panic surged in Qingfeng.

"Don't tell me you… drank that cursed memory-altering soup too?"

Zhuo Qing raised an eyebrow in amusement, watching Gu Yun closely. If she also claimed amnesia, it would be far too convenient.

"I…"

Gu Yun faltered. That sort of irresponsible excuse was exactly the kind Zhuo Qing would think up. Shooting a glare at her gloating companion, she looked back at Qingfeng's worried face and forced a laugh.

"I'm fine. It's just been so long since we last met—I'm a bit overwhelmed and don't know what to say."