Repeatedly broken branches

Now that the person had been recruited, and Xie Huai was a top-notch chef, Xiao Mu had nothing to worry about. She instructed the teahouse's chefs to prepare a ton of delicious food to entertain Xie Huai.

Xiao Mu recognized Xie Huai the moment she saw the hairpin. Actually, she didn't recognize the hairpin itself, but rather the gold powder that gave it a fragrance. She figured only Xie Huai would do something like that, spending so much time and effort just for the fragrance. It wasn't worth it.

"Xie Huai, why are you giving up your job as the royal family's master craftsman and coming to our little shop?" Xiao Mu poured him a glass of wine and looked at Xie Huai with some curiosity.

Little Spoon wondered why the princess seemed to have connections with so many people. What a coincidence that someone she knew happened to be applying for the job.

Did they agree on this beforehand?

No, that's not true. Xiao Mu had no idea that Xie Huai had come to Chaoyang Kingdom.

Xie Huaifeng said casually, "It's all the same everywhere. I didn't feel comfortable in the Western Regions, so I came to Chaoyang."

"Then my maternal grandfather agreed?" Xiao Mu picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth, chewing slowly.

"What can I do if he doesn't agree? Can he kill me if I don't work for him? Besides, he actually wants to give Bai Jiaoyu to me. How can I not run away?"

Xiao Mu looked at him in astonishment, "Bai Jiaoyu?"

Xie Huai recounted, “He said that Bai Jiaoyu had long been in love with me at first sight but refused to say it. Now even you, who are younger than her, are married, while Bai Jiaoyu is twenty-five and still has no one to marry. So, she’ll just have to reluctantly marry me. If I don’t run away, I’ll become that shrew Bai Jiaoyu’s meal.”

Xiao Mu felt a little regretful. Perhaps she could have used Xie Huai to get to Bai Jiaoyu. How could she have such an idea? What was her relationship with Xie Huai that she would use her whole life to help her?

It's really scary. How could I have such selfish thoughts?

Seeing that she hadn't spoken for a long time, Xie Huai said, "I know what you're thinking. It's not that I don't want to help, it's that I already have someone in my heart. I'm afraid I won't do a good job. So, it's not that I'm unwilling to help you, it's that she can tell at a glance that I don't love her."

Xiao Mu smiled. So even someone like Xie Huai has someone else in his heart. Anyway, she didn't expect him to actually help her.

"Now that you've come to Chaoyang, what about your sweetheart?" Xiao Shao asked.

After she finished speaking, she looked at Young Master Ruan beside her. He silently lowered his head and looked at the medical book without saying a word. That's how it was. Whenever she was around, Young Master Ruan was always taciturn.

Xie Huai glanced at Xiao Mu, then looked back at her, saying without changing his expression, "My beloved doesn't care about these things; she has another man in her heart."

"Cough cough cough." Xiao Mu choked on her drink. "Then you'd better not even think about it."

Ruan Cifeng habitually took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth. He was stunned by the sight. He lowered his head, knowing that he was being too presumptuous. However, he had always done this before. For a moment, he forgot that Xiao Mu was already someone else's wife.

Xiao Shao saw all this and felt a pang of sadness. Young Master Ruan was so attentive to the princess. She knew they were best friends, but she couldn't help feeling a little upset. She knew she shouldn't be jealous of the princess. If it weren't for the princess, how could she have married Young Master Ruan and lived such a good life?

Xiao Mu didn't think there was anything wrong with this. In her heart, Ruan Cifeng was just her friend. But she felt that Xiao Shao might be unhappy, so she smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm really something. I haven't learned the rules of the palace yet. Please don't laugh at me!"

Xie Huai knew perfectly well that Ruan Cifeng's gaze only softened when he looked at Xiao Mu. Towards Xiao Shao, he treated her like a stranger. Only those involved couldn't see it; that's what it means to be an outsider.

Little Spoon was amused. "Princess, you were the same way back in Jiuguang, but the Emperor never said anything, so you didn't like to learn the rules."

Yes, who wasn't carefree before?

Who used to have so many worries?

"When Xiaoshao and Cifeng get married, how about you personally make her phoenix crown? Your craftsmanship is the best. Xiaoshao will definitely be the most beautiful bride then!"

Xiao Mu looked at Xie Huai excitedly, her bright eyes filled with tears. Xie Huai was flustered and stared at her blankly. He nodded woodenly and said, "Okay, you're my boss, how could I dare to say no?"

Tonight, when she gets back, she can discuss Xiao Shao and Ruan Cifeng's wedding date with Yu Yanjing. There are also a series of other things to worry about; she's never been this attentive to her own wedding.

Little Spoon lowered her head in shame. The princess was really something, how could she say such things in front of so many people? She was so embarrassed.

Ruan Cifeng silently drank his wine, glancing bitterly at Xiao Mu. He had nothing in his heart, yet he couldn't let go of anything. He had no objection to marrying Xiao Shao; it was his own promise. What else could he say?

"It's getting late, aren't you going home?" Xie Huai looked at Xiao Mu, who was already slightly tipsy. This silly girl really couldn't hold her liquor; she'd only had two jugs and she was already like this. Yet she pretended to be a heavy drinker, continuing to drink.

"Why go back? I'm staying here tonight!" Xiao Mu slammed his hand on the table and shouted towards the kitchen, "Bring me another pot of wine! I've got plenty of money!"

Only then did everyone realize that Xiao Mu was truly drunk and had started talking nonsense.

Ruan Cifeng got up and helped her up, instructing Xiao Shao to go outside and call the coachman to get ready, as Xiao Mu was going back.

Xie Huai followed them out. Watching Ruan Cifeng supporting Xiao Mu's back, he became even more certain of his doubts.

Watching Xiao Mu get into the carriage and head towards the palace, Ruan Cifeng finally breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced indifferently at the innocent Xiao Shao beside him, feeling no love whatsoever. What should he do?

Xie Huai shook his head. He couldn't even figure out his own problems, so how could he have time to think about other people's problems?

After a day of playing, I was completely exhausted. It's probably because I haven't had that much fun in a long time. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I feel tired after playing for a long time.

Back in the palace, Xiao Mu wanted to take a bath as soon as possible to wash away the smell of alcohol. She had been chatting so much that she was quite tipsy and didn't know how much she had drunk. She could smell the alcohol on herself, let alone others.

But she felt dizzy and didn't know how she got into the carriage and returned. The wind helped her clear her head a bit along the way.

You quickly prepared Xiao Mu's change of clothes. If the Emperor found out that she had drunk so much wine, he would probably be furious!

As soon as they went out, Wei Lan came running, drawn by the smell.

As she watched Xiao Mu's retreating figure, she noticed the strong smell of alcohol. The Empress had gone out and drunk alcohol, which was simply against the rules!

Facing Xiao Mu's retreating figure, she said with a furrowed brow, "Your Majesty, if the Emperor finds out you're doing this, he will surely be angry. Besides, you are the mother of the nation; how can you come back from drinking outside?"

Xiao Mu suddenly turned around, made a face at her, pointed at Wei Lan, and asked suspiciously, "Who are you? What emperor or empress? I'm called Xiao Mu. And who are you? How come you're in my room? And who gave you permission to look at me like that! Did I steal your eggs... you old hen! Waaaaah, I'm sorry~ I didn't mean to, please forgive me..." As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Mu lay down on the ground, grabbed Wei Lan's skirt, and pretended to cry.

Wei Lan stared in disbelief, and it took her a long time to help Xiao Mu up. She said blankly, "Your Majesty, what... are you saying?"

Now she knew that Xiao Mu was drunk, and quite drunk at that. If the Emperor found out, he would be furious!

"I told you my name is Xiao Mu, not Empress!"

"Alright, alright, then you should go and rest. You've already gone to prepare a bath for you... You should rest well!" Wei Lan closed the door and ran off, afraid that Xiao Mu would go crazy and take it out on her.

You took Xiao Mu to the bath room, helped her take off her clothes, and let her soak in the bathtub. She went out to prepare her clothes, though she was very worried.

Xiao Mu was puzzled as to how she ended up in the swimming pool, but the pool was far too small; she couldn't even stretch her legs out.

She submerged her head in the water and held her breath for a while. Suddenly, she surfaced and saw a woman's face in front of her. She screamed in fright.

Shen Shanshan was also startled and quickly ran out the window.

Today, Yu Yanjing is hosting a banquet in the palace. Shen Shanshan finally mustered up the courage to go out, and she wanted to see what the Empress was doing. But when she peeked through the window, she found that the Empress was taking a bath.

Xiao Mu climbed out of the bathtub, wrapped herself in the clothes she had just changed out of, and dashed out. Really, how dare she peek at me while I was swimming, and she was a girl!

She locked onto her target, grabbed Shen Shanshan's hair and started pulling it, forcing Shen Shanshan to beg for mercy repeatedly, "Your Majesty, I was wrong, I was wrong, please don't hit my face! Ah... I said don't hit my face! You're finished, I don't care if you're the Empress or anything, how dare you hit me!"

Shen Shanshan also grabbed Xiao Mu's hair. Since Xiao Mu had just taken a bath, all of her hair was down, unlike Shen Shanshan who still had her hair in a bun. With a casual grab, Shen Shanshan took a large handful.

"Alright, I've met my match!" Xiao Mu rolled up her sleeves and stood head to head with Shen Shanshan, like bulls in a bullring, the battle was deadlocked and neither side could gain the upper hand.

"What are you doing? Miss Shen! Please let go of Her Majesty the Empress!" You dropped the clothes in her hand and rushed to the two to try to stop the fight, but she was punched by Shen Shanshan and Xiao Mu, and both of her eyes turned purple.

She covered her eyes in pain and continued to cry out, "Your Majesty, please stop hitting me! I just saw the Emperor's procession arrive here!"

Shen Shanshan was startled. The Emperor had arrived? Then she must be in this state! She wanted to stop, but Xiao Mu still held onto her hair and wouldn't let go.

Xiao Mu was secretly thrilled. Scared now? Who told you to watch me swim!

"What are you doing?" Shen Ruoxuan's eyes widened as she looked at the fighting scene before her.

Yu Yanjing's face darkened, and he stood there stunned, not saying a word.

Shen Ruoxuan quickly stepped forward to pull the two apart and dragged Shen Shanshan away, thinking it best to run away first to avoid Yu Yanjing getting angry and hurting innocent people.

When Xiao Mu saw that it was Yu Yanjing, she threw herself into his arms, sobbing, "Yu Yanjing, Shen Shanshan peeked at me while I was swimming! Waaaaah, you have to stand up for me!"

Yu Yanjing's face darkened as he quietly lowered his eyes to see what she was planning to do next.

"Why don't you go after her... Waaaaah, don't you love me anymore?"

Yu Yanjing carried her to the bedchamber, found a cloth for drying hair, covered her head, and said calmly, "Dry it first."

Xiao Mu muttered to herself, but still kept wiping her hair with a cloth.

She instantly sobered up. Had she just been drunk and acting crazy? How did Yu Yanjing get here? Oh no, if Yu Yanjing finds out she went out drinking, he'll be furious. What should she do? How could she possibly fool him? He's not someone to be fooled...

"Do you have anything to say?" Yu Yanjing asked expressionlessly, his sharp eyes fixed on her. Xiao Mu trembled involuntarily, unsure whether it was from the cold or fear.

"I had a little wine, but not much..."

"Not much?" Yu Yanjing frowned. "How much would you call that?" He looked at her with the same scrutinizing gaze he would give a criminal, and Xiao Mu felt inexplicably scared.

After all, he was in the wrong no matter where he was.

"Not much... about two pots..." Xiao Mu's voice was very soft, but Yu Yanjing still heard it, and he was so angry that his face turned green.

"Knowing you can't drink, you still drank two jugs. Don't you have any self-awareness at all? Who were you drinking with, Xiao Shao? Ruan Cifeng? How could they let you drink so much? Don't you want to live?"

Xiao Mu confessed, "And Xie Huai..." After saying that, she lowered her head and stared blankly at the ground, thinking to herself, "Oh no, Yu Yanjing will be even angrier if he knows Xie Huai is here too."

I should have kept quiet.

"Xie Huai?" Yu Yanjing looked bewildered and astonished. When did she start hanging out with Xie Huai again? He's such a worry.

"Xie Huai is now my shop's master. He's no longer with the Western Regions royal family because my maternal grandfather wanted to marry Bai Jiaoyu to him, so... he's come to Chaoyang now!" Xiao Mu answered truthfully.

Yu Yanjing understood the gist of it. Why was it such a coincidence that Xie Huai went to her shop? Wasn't it supposed to be arranged? How could there be such a coincidence? It was simply unbelievable.

Yu Yanjing was stunned and speechless. He didn't know how to treat her. Should he be fierce and angry, or talk to her nicely? If he was fierce, he was afraid she would cry. If he talked nicely, he was afraid she wouldn't listen. This was more difficult than being an emperor.

Xiao Mu hugged Yu Yanjing's arm and said softly, "I was happy because Xiao Shao and Ruan Cifeng are getting married, so I drank a little more. I promise I won't do it again. I just realized how embarrassing it is to act crazy when drunk... I really won't drink so much again, Yu Yanjing, please don't be angry, okay? Ugh... I feel a little nauseous."

"Feeling nauseous? Wait a minute." Yu Yanjing immediately became anxious, helped her sit down, poured her a glass of honey water that You had prepared, and fed it to her.

After a while, the nausea in her stomach finally subsided, and she felt much better. She vowed never to drink again; the feeling of being drunk was just too awful…

"Thank you, Yu Yanjing, please don't be angry anymore, okay?" Xiao Mu snuggled into his arms and softly rubbed against his waist.

Yu Yanjing's heart was pounding. He couldn't resist Xiao Mu's coquettishness at all. He nodded and said in a hoarse voice, "Next time, when we drink, can you take me with you?"

"what?"

Yu Yanjing said again, "Next time, take me with you when you drink. I'll take good care of you. Don't refuse, okay?"

"Alright alright!"

He picked up Xiao Mu and walked towards the inner hall. Xiao Mu frowned and whispered in his ear, "What are you going to do? I haven't recovered yet."

Yu Yanjing grinned mischievously, "Then I'll help you recover a bit."

"I'm already like this!" Xiao Mu struggled, kicking her legs desperately, "Please let me go..."

"No!" Yu Yanjing placed her on the bed and began to undress, even pulling up the bed curtains.

He blew out the candle and gently kissed everything about Xiao Mu...

Okay, I know I'm in the wrong, so I'll just let it go. As long as he doesn't get angry, what does it matter if I feel a little pain?

If this continues, will she get pregnant? No, no, she's not ready yet!

Yu Yanjing stopped at her neck, his voice hoarse as he said, "Don't be distracted...be serious..."

Yu Yanjing! You! You scoundrel!