Marrying Wife and Concubine Together: After Rebirth, I Remarried the Scumbag's Father on the Sp

Pang Qiang was also a little drunk. She leaned back in her chair and looked at Zhan Miao with tender eyes: "I miss it too. Back then, we were sincere, unrestrained, and carefree. It was truly wonderful!"

"Can we go back?" Zhan Miao asked softly, her tone filled with anticipation.

Pang Qiang fell silent. She looked at the bright moon above her head for a long time before slowly shaking her head: "We can't go back. Miao'er, we've all grown up, and we can never go back."

Zhan Miao couldn't hold back her tears. She choked out, "Sister Aqiang, I'm so afraid of growing up. I'm afraid that Second Brother will become more and more like a king, no longer the Xuan Laoda who protected us back then; I'm afraid that you will become more and more like a queen, no longer the Pang Qiang who used to play and joke with us."

Pang Qiang reached out and gently stroked Zhan Miao's hair, her eyes also filled with tears: "No. No matter what happens to your second brother and me, our friendship will never change."

She picked up the last glass of wine and handed it to Zhan Miao: "Here, have another glass. After you finish this one, you can go back and rest happily. From now on, with me helping your second brother in the palace, you and your mother can rest assured. Together, we will protect the kingdom of Li and the people we care about."

Zhan Miao took the wine glass and clinked it against Pang Qiang's glass again. The two drank it down in one gulp. The candlelight flickered, reflecting their reddened eyes and the unchanging affection in their hearts.

Just then, a maid announced from outside: "Lord Ye has arrived!"

Zhan Miao's eyes widened instantly. She staggered forward and grabbed his arm, saying, "Ye Xiaoli, you really know how to pick your time. My sister Aqiang and I have already finished our drinks, and you're only just arriving. You don't want to drink with us, do you?"

Ye Li's eyes reddened instantly, and he hurriedly explained, "No, little meow, I secretly came to Prime Minister Min's residence while the king was resting. I can punish myself with three cups of wine!"

Zhan Miao shouted, "Someone, prepare a large wine cup for Ye Xiaoli, I'm going to punish him!"

Pang Qiang knew his alcohol tolerance; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he'd be drunk after just one cup. She couldn't let him get really drunk, otherwise it would be difficult to explain to Zhan Xuan.

She quickly advised, "Meow, don't make him drink; he can't hold his liquor!"

Zhan Miao couldn't help but pout: "Sister Aqiang, we're the best of friends, why are you taking his side?"

Pang Qiang explained softly, "You wouldn't want him to be too drunk to attend court, would you? If the court officials find fault with him, wouldn't he be devastated?"

Zhan Miao immediately nodded: "Yes, no one is allowed to bully Ye Xiaoli. He is a member of our Zhanyi Marquis's mansion, and I must protect him!"

Pang Qiang smiled, her eyes narrowing: "Then let's not punish him by making him drink, okay?"

Zhan Miao listened attentively, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Ye Li: "So late? What are you doing here?"

Ye Li said cautiously, "I've come to visit Pang Qiang. I heard she's going to be queen, and I want to try to persuade her!"

Zhan Miao sighed helplessly, "I can't persuade her. Sister Aqiang doesn't even listen to me, so why would she listen to you? But you have to tell my second brother to treat her better, otherwise, I'll have to beat him up!"

Ye Li subconsciously looked at Pang Qiang, only to see a gentle smile on her lips.

She teased, "Ye Li, in three days, it will be my wedding day with the King!"

Ye Li lowered his eyes guiltily, his originally jade-like face flushed red.

He knew that the king's wedding day was just a formality, an explanation to the people and officials of Li Kingdom.

He rose and bowed respectfully to Pang Qiang: "Three days from now, Ye Li will personally welcome you into the palace to become Empress!"

Pang Qiang concealed the complex emotions in her eyes and leaned forward to help him up.

She whispered, "Ye Li, from now on, you will be in the front court, and I will be in the harem. Together, we will assist Elder Xuan and help him become a wise ruler!"

Zhan Miao leaned closer to the two of them, and asked somewhat confusedly, "Sister Aqiang, Ye Xiaoli, what are you whispering about? Is there something I can't hear?"

Ye Li said affectionately, "Meow, let's talk again about how we should properly assist Boss Xuan and help him become a wise ruler of Li Kingdom!"

Zhan Miao looked on with envy: "My second brother is really lucky to have you all so devoted to him. Now I can go back to Shengchao with my mother without worry!"

Ye Li's expression changed drastically, and he asked in surprise, "Are you leaving?"

Zhan Miao nodded: "That's right, my sister Qing Ning is pregnant. She can't possibly give birth in Li Kingdom, can she? We'll leave once the situation in Li Kingdom stabilizes!"

Ye Li's expression suddenly turned gloomy; he was very reluctant to let the little kitten leave.

Pang Qiang reached out and patted his shoulder: "Ali, all good things must come to an end. You still have me, and you still have Boss Xuan!"

Zhan Miao smiled, his eyes narrowing: "The three of you must stay together happily!"

Ye Li gripped her hand tightly, his expression resolute: "We must be happy together!"

Three days later, the wedding day of the king and Pang Qiang arrived.

Red silk wrapped every corner of the palace walls, and gilded palace lanterns shimmered with tiny halos in the morning light.

On the main road outside the palace, cheers from the people rose and fell, bringing the joy of King Zhan Xuan's wedding in Li Kingdom to its peak.

Pang Qiang, dressed in a bright red phoenix robe, had the pearl on her phoenix crown swaying gently with her steps, reflecting a cold light. Her gaze calmly swept over the kneeling officials, but her fingertips secretly tightened on the sachet in her sleeve. It was sent by Ye Li last night, containing calming mugwort. He said, "Tomorrow at the auspicious time, I will personally escort you into the palace."

At this moment, Ye Li was standing beside Zhan Xuan, wearing a purple python robe and a double fish jade pendant at his waist. His face was as handsome as ever, but there was a hint of unease hidden between his brows.

His gaze frequently fell on Pang Qiang. Seeing her phoenix robe trailing on the ground and her graceful gait, he felt both gratified and inexplicably bittersweet.

He knew that from this day forward, Pang Qiang would be the Empress of Li Kingdom and Zhan Xuan's wife, while he could only be her subject and her good brother who fought alongside her.

"The auspicious hour has arrived! We respectfully welcome the Empress to the palace!" The master of ceremonies announced loudly, and the drums and gongs sounded in unison, accompanied by the playing of ceremonial music.

Pang Qiang lifted her phoenix robe and was about to step into the palace gate when suddenly, a sharp whooshing sound rang out.

Three poisoned crossbow bolts shot out from behind the eaves of the palace roof, whistling sharply, and aimed straight at her back!

"Watch out!" Ye Li reacted extremely quickly, almost instinctively rushing forward and shoving Pang Qiang away.

The crossbow bolt grazed her phoenix robe and embedded itself in the red pillar beside her. The arrow's fletching trembled on its own, and black venom slowly seeped out along the wood grain, corroding tiny black spots.

Chaos erupted instantly. People screamed and fled in all directions, while court officials panicked and retreated hastily. Zhan Xuan's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sharply, "Protect the Emperor! Seize the assassin!"