Chapter 22 The ancients said that wine was the most precious thing in the world, thus it could be seen that the pleasure brought by wine was beyond words. It was because of the wine that the atmosphere at the banquet became more enthusiastic. After a few drinks, these people who all sat upright and looked serious at first began to show their true colors. Even the members of the royal family could not resist the temptation of wine. From ancient times to the present, only sages regarded wine as an ominous thing. Long, long ago, when Yidi made wine for Yu to taste, Yu took only one sip. Although he thought the wine tasted sweet and mellow, he immediately said, “In the future, there will surely be people who will destroy the country because of wine.” So from then on, he kept a distance from Yidi. When the King of Yue slept on the brushwood and tasted the gall to nurse vengeance, he also refused to drink. What’s more, he ordered people to pour the wine into the river to show his determination to endure the pain together with his people. Duke Huan of Qi dropped his crown behind his head because he was drunk. After waking up, he felt ashamed and did not go to the royal court for three days. I was afraid that the members of the royal family had forgotten the lessons of the sages and become so addicted to the wine that they couldn’t control themselves. The hall was shrouded by the strong aroma of wine. The enthusiasm of the people ran high slowly in the cold air. My voice seemed so insignificant amidst the noise of the people. I drank a mouthful of wine in silence. Although it was craft wine, it was delicate and plain. When I drank it, I felt indifferent, quiet, and harmonious. But in the chaotic space, I couldn’t breathe freely, so I used the same excuse and slipped out of the hall. On this cold New Year’s Eve, there appeared a thin and melancholy woman in the open imperial garden, and that was me. The cold air outside blew away the chaotic thoughts in my mind, and the surrounding terraces and pavilions seemed to be silently pouring out endless desolation and loneliness. Lights were bright everywhere, brilliant fireworks bloomed in the sky, and only the quiet of this corner could comfort my indescribable struggle and persistence. Not far away, there seemed to be a sound coming from the rockery. I was shocked and held my breath. “Uncle Six, how long do you want me to wait? I can’t wait any longer.” “Don’t worry, I’m already getting ready.” “I’m aging, and I have no time to wait any longer.” “Believe me, this day will come soon. The emperor is becoming more and more fatuous, and now I just need to worry about the prince, who was not easy to deal with. The prince has the support of the people, so I’m afraid of causing unnecessary trouble.” Oh my god, was this Princess Yongxing and Xiao Hong, Xi Yi’s uncle? No wonder they were missing from the hall just now. Although I thought it was weird, I quickly covered my mouth. “Hum, I know what you said is all empty talk, and those are just lies to deceive me,” Princess Yongxing said. “My good niece, why would I lie to you? Look, I got you a present.” Princess Yongxing said, “Is that the present? It’s just a cheap hair clasp!” “You don’t know that. I asked someone to make it specially for you. The gemstone on the top is a high-grade ruby from India, so it is very valuable and should not be underestimated.” Xiao Hong hastened to comfort her. Princess Yongxing, with another cold hum, raised her voice and said, “Even if it’s valuable, I don’t like it. Compared with your money and treasure, it’s just a drop in the bucket.” “Sh!” Xiao Hong’s voice was full of helplessness. “If I were an empress, I could take whatever properties I want in the world.” Although Princess Yongxing lowered her voice, she still said a lot of treacherous words. “All right, it’s enough, my little baby, we should go now. If we stay out too long, we’ll be found out, and then we’ll be in trouble.” “Are you afraid? If you are afraid, go back to the emperor and kneel at his feet.” Princess Yongxing’s voice was so dark and horrible in this open garden. “No, one day, everyone will kneel at my feet.” The sound struck me like a thunderbolt in the clear sky. I shivered all over and a chill spread through my bones. “Can you do anything without my help?” “Well, my dear princess, don’t get mad. This matter still needs to be considered carefully before making a decision. How can I lose you? Every day when I think of your slender figure and cherry lips, I can’t stand it anymore.” “Don’t play tricks on me.” Princess Yongxing grinned. A terrible sound came from the royal courtyard, and the barefaced uncle and neice thoroughly went into the grave of morality, into an endless abyss and into destruction. The most terrible thing was usurping the throne and killing the emperor. My blood coagulated in an instant. Xiao Hong was a mediocrity. The title of the prince of Linchuan was received through the emperor’s pity, but he was still not satisfied. However, the emperor doted on him blindly and promoted him all the time. In that year, when the Northern Wei Dynasty was attacked, Xiao Hong, who gave up the good opportunity for our army to attack the enemy, was cowardly and mocked by the enemy. As a result, he was given the clothes of a woman by the enemy and was ridiculed as “Little girl.” However, such a defeated general who had delayed the realization of a military plan was trying to seize the throne now! I slowly retreated in fear, and when I reached a place where no one was there, I started running. The dirty scene filled my mind, and all my internal organs were twisting. I swore to myself that I would never go to this secluded place by myself. I heard what I didn’t want to hear, and I saw what I didn’t want to see. I didn’t even have a chance to be alone. How sad it was! There were only two words in my blank mind: Run away. I ran to the hall in a daze and bumped into a man. “Ah!” I screamed. Then, I was stunned. It was the prince. My nervous expression was seen by him, so there was a faint sense of loss in my heart. After seeing him, the inexplicable emotion that had died in my heart slowly returned. I hurried to tidy up my hair, so that my mood slowly calmed down. The prince looked at me with a consistent smile, and his smile was like a lotus flower in full bloom—holy, kind, solemn, and magnanimous. My heart was slowly falling after a rise. “Princess of Xiangdong, do you hate that noisy occasion, too?” The prince saw my heart at a glance, and I couldn’t help admiring him. “My Prince, please forgive me for my impoliteness.”