A short night is hard to please! A stunningly handsome prince dotes on her exclusively.

Seeing her worried face and a flash of calculation in her eyes, Yun Zhaozhao quickly sat down and said in a gentle voice, "Your Highness, I know you are deeply in love with General Ling. The moonlight is so beautiful tonight. Your Highness has not forgotten my suggestion from that day, has she?"

"Huh? This...this isn't a good idea, is it?" Yuan Huaixue frowned, her heart beating faster and faster.

"Your Highness, tonight is a great opportunity. Could it be... that you're planning to wait until the General marries his new bride in a few days?"

Yuan Huaixue's face flushed instantly. "Of course, this princess will not allow Brother Ling to marry that Hua Buyu!"

"Your Highness, while everyone is making a lively toast, please hurry on your way. I will wait here."

"I……"

Suddenly, Yun Zhaozhao shoved a bottle into her hand, half-coaxing her, "Your Highness, after tonight, General Ling will be your consort!"

Looking at that handsome yet aloof face, Yuan Huaixue steeled her resolve, her gaze gradually hardening...

Xin Moyan felt increasingly uncomfortable as she ate. She looked up blankly and saw Xuan Yuan with a sullen face. In addition to his resentful and piercing gaze, he seemed to be emanating a chill from his entire body. She shivered involuntarily. Why did his complexion look even worse than during the day? Could it be... that he was sick?

If Xuan Yuan could hear her innermost thoughts, he would probably be incredibly hurt...

While her brother wasn't looking, she secretly curled her lips into a sly smile, raised her eyebrows, and subtly pointed to the artificial hill in the distance, indicating that he should go over there to talk.

The man's expression softened considerably, and he instantly understood. He made an excuse to leave the palace, and deliberately took a long detour to enter through the main gate of the Imperial Garden.

At this moment, the newly appointed top scholar, Su Mian, came over to offer a toast. Xin Moyan also stood up with her brother, just as she was thinking of a way to sneak out, but one wave of people kept offering toasts...

Xin Moling noticed that his younger sister seemed a bit bored, and said softly with a smile, "Yan'er, you're not good at drinking, and it's boring standing here with your brother. Why don't you go up and keep your aunt company to relieve her boredom?"

"Okay!" If I go and come back quickly, my brother probably won't find out!

Just as she was about to turn around, she heard Yuan Huaixue's voice.

"Brother Ling~"

Yuan Huaixue was holding a wine glass, her cheeks slightly flushed. Upon closer inspection, it was not hard to see the panic in her eyes, but Xin Moling did not look into her eyes.

"Your Highness," Xin Moyan greeted her politely.

Since she felt guilty, Yuan Huaixue didn't speak coldly to her this time. Instead, she smiled somewhat unnaturally, which surprised the brother and sister.

Holding a wine glass in each hand, Yuan Huaixue nervously swallowed when she saw Xin Moling looking at her, and could barely speak, "Ling... Brother Ling, I... I want to toast you, is that alright?"

Xin Moling simply frowned, staring at the wine glass she was offered without saying a word.

"Brother." Xin Moyan gave him a wink, after all, as a girl herself, she didn't want to see the little princess too embarrassed.

Seeing Yuan Huaixue looking at her expectantly, Xin Moling stopped refusing and raised her hand to take the wine glass.

"So you are here!"

Lou Shenghan's sudden appearance interrupted his actions; with a flick of his purple robe, the wine cup in Yuan Huaixue's hand vanished into thin air...

In the blink of an eye, Lou Shenghan had a wine glass in his hand, and with a gulp, he drank the wine in one go.

"That feels so good! My throat was practically burning from talking so much."

"boom!"

Yuan Huaixue's mouth dropped open, and the wine cup in her hand fell to the ground with a clatter, the sound of the porcelain shattering exceptionally crisp.

Lou Shenghan turned around and asked in confusion, "Princess, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Prime Minister Lou, this wine was offered to my brother by Her Highness the Princess, but you drank it." Xin Moyan explained to him in an annoyed tone, guessing that the princess was about to get angry again.

"Huh?" Lou Shenghan hadn't really thought that much about it, but it was just a glass of wine, it shouldn't be a big problem, right?

"Princess, please don't be offended. I was just very thirsty. I'll pour you another cup. Please toast Brother Ling!"

Yuan Huaixue was so frightened that her face turned pale. She didn't hear what he was saying, and her mind was only focused on recalling what Yun Zhaozhao had said about when the drug's effects would take effect...

"Princess? Are you about to cry again?" Lou Shenghan waved his hand in front of her face. Why did she react so strangely?

Seeing them chatting, Xin Moyan took a step back and turned to walk towards the artificial hill next to her.

Yuan Huaixue remained rooted to the spot, staring intently at Lou Shenghan. The two exchanged a glance and also felt that the princess was acting strangely today.

Just as Xin Moling was about to inquire about Yuan Huaixue, Qingque hurriedly came from outside the hall and whispered something in his ear. Xin Moling's expression grew increasingly solemn. After a moment of contemplation, he gave instructions to Lou Shenghan.

"Prime Minister Lou, I have to go out for a while. Don't drink too much. Later, take Yan'er back to the manor for me."

Lou Shenghan's eyes widened instantly. He pointed at himself and asked incredulously, "You mean, you want me to escort Yan Yan back to her residence? Brother Ling, how can you be so trusting this time?"

"Hmph! I trust certain people even more than you."

"Some people? Who are 'some people'?"

Xin Moling did not answer him. Instead, she beckoned to the palace maid beside her, asking her to go up and tell Emperor Yuan that he had something to do and needed to leave the palace early. Without waiting for the maid to announce his departure, he and Qingque left Chao'en Hall directly.

"Strange, Brother Ling, what important matter is it that you would leave Yan Yan behind? However..." As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curved upwards, as if he were sketching some beautiful scene.

"Lo...Lo..."

"Your Highness, are you stuttering?"

Yuan Huaixue was terrified, sweating profusely. She didn't know what would happen if the Prime Minister lashed out downstairs. Would he definitely kill her? What should she do?

He drank Yuan Huaixue's wine, and it seemed the little princess wasn't angry with him, so everything was fine. He raised an eyebrow and turned to go chat with Jin Fa...

"Your Highness, why are you tugging at my sleeve?"

"Where...where are you going?"

"I've rested enough, it's time to go back to serving the guests!"

Yuan Huaixue hesitated for a long time, unsure of what to say, and afraid that he would lash out in front of others later.

"Your Highness, is there something you need?" Lou Shenghan was puzzled by her behavior tonight, as it seemed to be the first time he had seen the princess not throwing a tantrum.

Yuan Huaixue nodded subconsciously. After all... the whole bottle of medicine was used up, and if he didn't return to the manor now, it might be too late.

"Prime Minister Lou... I have something to tell you."

"Princess, please speak!"

"It's not convenient here, can we talk outside?"

Lou Shenghan raised an eyebrow, thinking of her deep affection for Xin Moling, perhaps she wanted him to help her come up with an idea!

"sure!"

Without thinking twice, he lifted his long leg and followed Yuan Huaixue out...