Love at First Sight, Chapter 31: No Leaving Without Getting Drunk

In the most secluded private room on the second floor of the Meijin Courtyard sat Zun Xiu, the second prince of the Tianshun Dynasty. His mother, An Miaohua, was the current empress, and his maternal grandfather, An Qingfeng, was the sitting Left Chancellor. The An family, in this dynasty, was at the height of its power—countless officials owed their positions to them.

Zun Xiu had come to the Meijin Courtyard today to exchange information with Wu Yuntong, the Assistant Minister of Revenue. Each brought trusted aides, and as they conversed, the frequent comings and goings nearby caught their attention, despite having chosen this remote chamber precisely for its privacy.

Growing uneasy, Zun Xiu instructed his confidant, An Guping, to go and investigate. Opening the door, An Guping spotted Wen Yueqing passing by with a bundle of clothes in her arms. He observed her carefully, while Wen Yueqing met his gaze with perfect composure, pretending she had heard nothing.

Only after she was at a distance did An Guping return. He reported, “Your Highness, it was just a young gentleman, carrying soiled clothing—likely just changed next door. I doubt he overheard anything.”

Zun Xiu nodded. “Very well. We’ve discussed enough. Go summon a few girls—make sure they’re beautiful.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll see to it at once,” An Guping replied, withdrawing.

Before returning to her own room, Wen Yueqing glanced around to ensure no one followed, then quietly slipped inside. She found Zun You’s cheeks tinged with red—he had clearly drunk a few more cups.

Seeing her return, Zun You smiled, pursing his lips, and patted the cushion beside him, an unspoken invitation to sit close.

Wen Yueqing hesitated, then complied. A nearby girl quickly poured her a cup of wine.

“You’re so slow,” Zun You remarked, his words slightly slurred. “Hmm? And you’ve changed clothes—what happened?”

“A maid spilled tea on me earlier,” Wen Yueqing replied, raising her cup and taking a sip.

Concerned, Zun You asked, “Was it hot? Did you get burned?”

“No, not at all. My clothes are thick; just a large wet patch, that’s all,” she hastened to explain.

“That’s good. As long as you’re unharmed, it’s only a garment. If you want another, I’ll buy it for you,” Zun You said, relieved, and took another drink.

The girls around them watched with complicated feelings, some even moved to the point of sadness.

“So handsome and so attentive—yet he prefers men?”

Wen Yueqing, meanwhile, asked, “Young Master You, what exactly is a ‘deathsworn’?”

Her question startled Zun You. “Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”

With so many people present, Wen Yueqing chose not to reveal the truth. She answered vaguely, “I overheard someone mention it on the street today and just wanted to know.”

“Heh, let Kang Qi answer you,” Zun You said, motioning to Kang Qi.

Kang Qi straightened his posture. “A deathsworn is essentially a suicide commando—specially trained for assault and assassination. They usually carry poison with them; if they fail their mission, they end their own lives.”

“I see… Then their martial skills must be formidable,” Wen Yueqing remarked.

“Absolutely,” Kang Qi agreed, his voice louder than usual, made bold by drink.

Wen Yueqing nodded, satisfied to have her question answered. As for the other things she had overheard, she decided to speak to Zun You privately back at the prince's residence.

The girls hastily interrupted, coquetting, “Oh, Young Master, all this talk of killing frightens us.”

“That’s right, Young Master—let’s just drink.”

“Here, let me refill your cup.”

Wen Yueqing smiled. “Alright, no more of that. Let’s drink.”

Zun You commented from the side, “You handle your wine well. I’m already tipsy, yet you’re still fine.”

“I just stepped out, didn’t I? Did you sneak a few extra cups while I was gone?” Wen Yueqing teased.

“Of course! You weren’t here, so I had to drink alone.” With that, Zun You leaned in close, his lips almost brushing her ear as he murmured, “All these painted faces can’t compare to even a fraction of you. I only want you by my side.”

His voice, roughened by drink, was deeper and more husky than usual—gentle, yet laced with a heady intoxication that made it sound entirely different from his usual self. To Wen Yueqing, his words rumbled like a bass drum in her ear.

He didn’t pull away; he was so close she could hear his breathing, feel the warmth of his breath mingled with the scent of wine, making her heart flutter.

Her pulse quickened. She thought, “Good heavens, this low voice is dangerously seductive. No, Wen Yueqing, you must hold your ground.”

She pushed him away. “Young Master You, you’ve had too much. Maybe we should go back.”

Zun You knew she was embarrassed and laughed heartily. “I’m not that drunk yet. Come, drink with me a bit more.”

Their intimacy made the others nervous—both wanting to watch and worried they’d see too much.

Wen Yueqing thought, “So you’re just feigning drunkenness to tease me! Very well, tonight I’ll drink you under the table.”

“Fine! Let’s keep drinking—no one goes home sober tonight.” She poured Zun You a brimming cup herself.

Liu Yi and Kang Qi dared not drink any more, as they were responsible for getting the pair home safely. All they could do was watch the two continue.

With laughter and more rounds, the two finally became genuinely drunk.

Wen Yueqing stood, insisting on dancing. She would have danced alone, but, already unsteady, she dragged Zun You up with her.

He staggered to his feet and watched her dance, clapping and cheering as if entranced. In his haze, he felt transported to a fairyland, mist swirling around him, where a beautiful immortal danced gracefully before his eyes.

They caroused late into the night, until they could go no further. Liu Yi and Kang Qi each supported one of them to the door, both groaning inwardly and hastening the servants to call for a carriage.

While waiting for their carriage in the main hall, Zun Xiu, himself tipsy, descended the stairs.

An Guping glanced up and spotted Zun You and Wen Yueqing. He thought to himself, “Isn’t that the young gentleman from earlier? How is he with the Third Prince?”