Ning Fengzhi massaged his temples as Lucien leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
"When did Rongrong even get wine…?" Fengzhi muttered, realization dawning. His heart grew colder with every word Lucien gushed. Could it be… the jars I treasured most?
"No—impossible!"
Lu Yuan blinked, eager. "Uncle Ning, it had delicate packaging. An altar, real fancy—"
Ning Fengzhi's heart dropped like a stone.
Gone… it's over.
The two priceless jars he had secretly saved—betrayed, given away to this gluttonous boy!
"Rongrong said there's still one more altar left," Lucien said innocently, scratching his head.
Ning Fengzhi nearly spat blood. This brat! That girl Rongrong blabs everything!
Lucien's eyes gleamed. "Ha! I knew it. Nobody treasures wine with just one jar. Uncle Ning, so you do have another!"
Ning Fengzhi slumped, feeling his lifespan shorten.
"Uncle Ning, don't worry. I'll head back to the Sect and 'collect' it myself one day." Lucien licked his lips eagerly. He wasn't letting that jar escape his throat.
"…Nothing to love," Ning Fengzhi whispered hollowly.
"Uncle Ning, what's wrong with your face? So serious."
"I want to take you to meet someone," he said finally, steadying himself. Lucien was making too much noise across the continent now. Introducing him to useful contacts might stabilize some of the damage.
"Not going." Lucien waved instantly. "Boring if there's no drinking involved."
"If you refuse," Ning Fengzhi said, eyes narrowing, "I'll drink that last altar myself."
Lucien froze as if struck. Long silence. Then he erupted with a groan. "…Fine! Let's go. But you'd better guard that jar for me!"
Heaven Dou Palace.
"Gulp, gulp, gulp…"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes twitched as Lucien downed wine right in the Emperor's halls. He's drunk again already… gods, what a headache.
A voice rang out.
"Teacher!"
Lucien perked up. "…Xuexue! Haha!"
He charged forward, arms wide. Xue Qinghe stiffened, face twitching—as Lucien hugged her tightly, hands patting boldly down her back… then slapping her rear.
"Brother Lu Yuan, I told you before! No hugging. And—stop slapping my butt!" she hissed through gritted teeth, eyes darting nervously at the watching servants.
Rumors had already spread last time this happened. Behind her back, palace staff actually whispered she liked men.
"You two know each other?" Ning Fengzhi blinked, surprised. He had specifically wanted to introduce Lucien to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Yet by the looks of it, they were already… oddly close.
"Yes," Qinghe said swiftly. "We've met." Too many times.
Lucien grinned. "Xiao Xuexue—let's go to the bar!" He didn't even ask. He simply dragged Xue Qinghe away.
"Teacher, we'll head out first!" Qinghe called back desperately, flushed with discomfort.
Ning Fengzhi just chuckled. Strange, but convenient. Lucien never had trouble knowing people.
Inside Xue Qinghe's palace quarters.
"Huh? Xiao Xuexue, there's a girl in your house." Lucien staggered to a halt, wine jar in hand.
A beautiful short-haired girl glanced up shyly, her noble aura unmistakable.
"This is my imperial sister, Xue Ke," Qinghe introduced stiffly. "Little Sister, this is the Lucien I've told you about."
"B-brother…" she muttered, mortified that he was exposing her curiosity so directly.
Lucien blinked in surprise. "…You've mentioned me?" His grin widened. "Ha! Then you must want to drink with me!"
He reached as if to clap her shoulder. Princess Xue Ke flinched, cheeks aflame, and backed away rapidly. "I-I don't drink!"
"What's the fun in that? No matter—come, pour some for us!" Lucien plopped himself down, already uncorking another jar.
For some reason… Xue Ke obeyed. Hands trembling slightly, she poured for the drunk and her disguised older brother.
Round after round, the two "brothers" drank until Lucien collapsed backward, jar clutched tight, snoring in hazy satisfaction.
Qian Renxue—disguised as Qinghe—watched quietly. Hopeless drunk. But… strangely trustworthy…
Xue Ke, however, sat very still, staring at his sleeping face. Against all reason, her heart fluttered. Nervously, before she could stop herself, she leaned down—her lips brushing his cheek.
Then—panic. She recoiled instantly, face flaming, realizing what she had done.
"What… what was that?!" she whispered, clutching her chest. Luckily, nobody saw… or she'd be executed for rashly kissing this boy.
Tiandou City. Yuexuan.
Moonlight fell across elegant drapes. Princess Xue Ke sat before a woman in ornate palace silks—Tang Yuehua.
"Aunt Yuehua," she whispered urgently, "how can I… get the attention of a boy?"
Yuehua's eyes softened knowingly. "So, you've fallen for someone?"
"I… I think so. He's completely unlike anyone else I've met. He's interesting…" Xue Ke admitted shyly.
"And his attitude toward you?" Yuehua asked.
"I-I think…" Xue Ke bit her lip, recalling how he ignored her all night to joke with Xue Qinghe, only asking her to pour drinks. "…I think he likes men!"
"Pffft—!" Yuehua actually spewed her tea, coughing frantically. Very few things could crack her composure, but that did it.
Seeing her niece's stricken face, Yuehua exhaled and forced a gentle smile. "Nonsense. Orientation doesn't shift so easily… Try to impress him with your charm."
"Charm…" Xue Ke whispered, cheeks brightening. She clenched her fists. "…Alright!"
Curious at last, Tang Yuehua tilted her head. "This boy—what's his name?"
"Lu Yuan."
"Lu Yuan?" Yuehua murmured. "The boy causing such a storm across the continent?"
Xue Ke nodded, lips curving faintly as she thought of him.
Yuehua smiled faintly. "Then bring him here, if you can. I, too, would like to see this infamous child."
--
Check out my pa**on to read 50 advanced chapter for just 7$. Link is in synopsis/description of this fic.