Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter 104: Dowry

Lu Yu nodded, "This is Ji Meiqing."

Granny Lu sized her up a few times, then turned around and sat down in a chair. "This isn't difficult. When are you two getting married?"

"Later this month."

Granny Lu was somewhat surprised, "So fast?"

"It happened so suddenly, please forgive me, Granny." Lu Yu said apologetically. He only wanted to put Ji Meiqing at ease as soon as possible, and didn't care about the rush.

Granny Lu shifted her gaze to the person who had been standing there and said slowly, "Go and get my sewing box. I'll take this young lady's measurements."

"Yes."

Ji Meiqing took a sip of water, listening to their conversation. Occasionally, Granny Lu would ask Ji Meiqing a question, but later she only spoke to Lu Yu. She sat there as if she were invisible.

The sewing box was brought over, and Ji Meiqing went to the inner room with them.

"Miss, you just need to take off your outer garment and let the nanny measure you," the girl gently instructed her, and Ji Meiqing returned the instruction with a smile.

The inner room wasn't well-lit, except for a small window that let in a golden glow. Granny Lu led her inside, then stood still and said, "Take off your clothes first."

Ji Meiqing did as instructed, taking off her clothes and standing with her arms outstretched. Granny Lu carefully measured her body before helping her put on her clothes.

When he came out again, Lu Yu was still talking to that person in the hall. Hearing Ji Meiqing come out, Lu Yu immediately turned around.

"Have you taken the measurements?"

Ji Meiqing nodded; her clothes had already been tidied, and she fixed her hair. Next to her came Granny Lu, who approached Lu Yu and said, "Come back in half a month for the clothes."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Granny." Lu Yu bowed slightly, and Ji Meiqing followed his gesture, then left with him.

Once they were out of the alley, Ji Meiqing asked again, "Where are we going now?"

"Where do you want to go?" Lu Yu asked in return.

Ji Meiqing shrugged, her expression innocent: "I don't know..."

"Then go back first."

Ji Meiqing felt a little frustrated upon hearing this. She didn't really like it ending so soon, and looked at the road in front of her.

Lu Yu simply smiled and took her hand as they went back together. By the time they got home, it was already dark.

After entering the room, she was completely stunned.

The room had been decorated. Ji Meiqing stared blankly inside. In front of her was a large pile of flowers, white, purple and yellow, complementing each other, with six candles in the center.

"You..." She covered her mouth, her heart pounding with unease. "How could you suddenly..."

"Happy birthday." Lu Yu walked up to her and looked at her affectionately. Ji Meiqing was completely stunned. Today was her birthday, and she hadn't expected it at all.

What surprised her even more was that Rouge actually came over, carrying a jar of wine, and placed it directly in her hands.

"You two are doing fine, going out shopping. I'm all alone in the house... I'm exhausted!" She rolled her eyes at them, then rubbed her shoulders and walked back. "Happy birthday, I'm leaving now. I've put the gift in your room. By the way, your room is really ugly!"

The two exchanged a smile. Ji Meiqing, in a good mood, ignored her earlier complaint and asked, "Aren't you going to stay for a drink?"

"I'm afraid your man won't agree." She glanced at Lu Yu deliberately and added, "Don't worry, I know my place. Tonight belongs to you two. I'll come and torment you again next time we have a wedding night."

With that, she left without looking back. Only the two of them remained in the room. Ji Meiqing looked at the wine jar in his arms and suddenly said, "Want to drink until we're completely drunk?"

"Alright." Lu Yu smiled faintly, and the two went to the courtyard. Lu Yu held a wine jar in one hand and Ji Meiqing's waist in the other, and with a flick of his feet, he was on the roof.

The rooftop offered a wide view, so the two sat down and gazed at the stars and the moon. It wasn't completely dark yet, as there were only a few stars, but the moonlight was still quite bright.

Lu Yu unsealed the wine jar, then took out two bowls and poured the wine into each.

The aroma was strong, but the taste wasn't as intense as the fragrance; it even had a hint of sweetness. Ji Meiqing took a sip and couldn't help but ask, "What kind of wine is this?"

"It's newly brewed fruit wine," he explained to her, pouring her another glass.

Ji Meiqing took two more sips, her eyebrows curving up like a kitten. After finishing her sip, she leaned on Lu Yu's shoulder.

"I forgot to mention, this wine has a strong aftereffect," he added, but Ji Meiqing was already drunk and couldn't understand what he was saying at all.

Lu Yu glanced at her and saw her finish the wine in a madcap manner, then bring the bowl closer as if they had agreed, muttering in a coquettish tone, "I want more."

Lu Yu didn't refuse and poured her another bowl.

Ji Meiqing finished her drink in one gulp, feeling even more intoxicated. She couldn't help but burp, exhaling a fruity taste from her mouth, before laughing again.

After finishing the wine in his bowl, Ji Meiqing held out the bowl again and said loudly, "I want more! Give me another bowl!"

Lu Yu pretended not to hear and continued drinking from the wine jar. Ji Meiqing stared blankly at this scene, then, somewhat indignant, tried to snatch it from him, but Lu Yu pulled her into his arms and pinned her down.

The aroma of fruit wine lingered on his tongue. Ji Meiqing's head was a little foggy, but she still responded slightly.

Whether it was from the alcohol or her body heat, her entire face was flushed red, and her skin felt soft and hot to the touch. Lu Yu couldn't help but deepen the kiss.

When he released her, he saw that her face was dazed and her lips were red, and his heart stirred. But thinking that they were not yet married, Lu Yu could only restrain himself and send her back to his room.

Perhaps still craving the taste of the wine, her lips still sweet, she couldn't resist licking them. This subconscious action made Lu Yu pause. He stared at Ji Meiqing's face as if bewitched, but thankfully he snapped out of it at the last moment and quickly fled.

Ji Meiqing turned over, her brows furrowed tightly. A sudden commotion outside woke her; something on her forehead felt like it was about to explode. She clutched her head and left the room.

The noise outside, combined with the pain of her hangover, inexplicably ignited a fire of anger within her.

Stepping outside, she found a large group of people sitting in the main room. Several pairs of eyes were staring at her, making her feel somewhat lost. Ji Meiqing stood there, completely bewildered, not knowing what had happened.

Lu Yu brought over the tea and, seeing her come down, couldn't help but smile and say, "You're awake. Does your head still hurt?"