Chapter 105: The New Eight Drunken Immortals (4)

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The evening breeze stirred the willows beside the lakeside pavilion, while the fragrance of red and white lotuses drifted through the air. Facing the setting sun, Wu Yueling sat at the head of the bridge, quietly enjoying the serenity.

A fish leapt from the water with a splash. Its pitiful reflection wavered with the ripples, disturbing the tranquil surface of the lake. The commotion also startled a dragonfly from beneath the lotus leaves that shielded the crimson sun. It flew straight into the sunset, brushing past the woman’s flowing black hair.

“Greetings, Libationer He!”

“Elder He!”

“Lord He, we meet again. The last time I came, I intended to argue with the Princess Protecting the Nation. I admit that I was in the wrong. But today, I have come to sample the famous strong liquor of Chang’an and attempt to cross the Eight Immortals Bridge!”

Wang Lizhi gazed toward the wooden arched bridge stretching across the lakeside. His proud expression was filled with the confidence of one certain of victory. At the same time, he noticed the woman beneath the bridge, dressed in a jade-green floral skirt. He took a closer look and drew in a sharp breath.

The woman possessed a slender, graceful figure. Her delicate hands emerged from beneath her long sleeves, and her cheeks were as lovely and tender as white jade. Her long hair streamed in the breeze, while the parted strands across her forehead gave her an unusual appearance, unlike the women he usually saw with elaborate coils and painted brows. Her body was not plump like that of ordinary women, but slender and delicate instead. Yet somehow, there was nothing about her that inspired aversion. Even without being voluptuous, she was beautiful.

Wang Lizhi’s heart pounded. He had fallen for her. How could such a beauty possibly be compared with a mere Half-Spring?

Nor did she wear earrings or any jewels around her pale neck and slender wrists. Everything about her seemed naturally perfect.

In an instant, apart from the beauty drawing nearer, he forgot entirely why he had come. His desire to possess her flared like a spark igniting a plain of dry grass, utterly beyond restraint. Who exactly was this woman? Wang Lizhi wondered. He was a son of an eminent aristocratic clan. What woman could he not obtain?

Wu Yueling’s hair hung loose, the long strands parted over her forehead and flowing to either side in the wind without the slightest disorder.

When she reached the pavilion, she cast a brief glance at the young man staring fixedly at her face. A vein rose faintly at her temple. In his eyes, she saw a desire that made her deeply uncomfortable. Frowning slightly, she turned her gaze away and spotted Master Song among the crowd. Her brows drew together at once. She did not particularly like him.

Though the old man had never troubled her afterward, the allure of finding the Eight Immortals was simply too great. Shrimp and small fry, wealthy merchants and high officials alike had all come here. So far, apart from Prince Ruyang, who had drunk three bowls of strong liquor and crossed the bridge, no one else had managed to make it across.

“Everyone, this gathering to seek the Eight Immortals is being held by Her Highness, the Princess Protecting the Nation. I merely happened to be here after receiving an invitation from a young friend!”

He Zhizhang rose from his Eight Immortals chair and cupped his hands toward the assembled scholars. His long white beard trembled as he spoke. Every time a new group arrived, he introduced the Princess Protecting the Nation again.

“Oh? I never imagined that this would be the renowned Princess Protecting the Nation! Zhou Yong is honored to meet Your Highness!”

Zhou Yong glanced at the woman standing beside Lord He. He had not expected her to be the Princess Protecting the Nation. He had deliberately come to stir up trouble. If she learned that Wang Lizhi had come to join the gathering and even became one of the Drunken Eight Immortals, would she not be furious? Besides, he had secretly given Wang Lizhi a medicine that would delay the effects of alcohol.

With that thought, Zhou Yong and the scholars behind him bowed in greeting. He then hurriedly pulled Wang Lizhi forward.

“This is the handsome and dashing—”

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Before Zhou Yong could finish, Lord He took one look at the young man and immediately remembered him. Pointing at Wang Lizhi, he said,

“Ah, Princess, this is that Wang Bastard!”

“Wang Bastard?”

Wu Yueling followed Elder He’s gaze. Was this not the lecherous fellow who had looked at her so obscenely? She instinctively took a step back and, for no discernible reason, covered her perfectly flat chest. Her brows furrowed.

“Ahem, Lord He, I have something to discuss with you…”

While Master Song distracted Libationer He, Zhou Yong’s expression became somewhat unnatural. He quickly recovered, however, and stepped forward to introduce Wang Lizhi properly.

“This is the immensely talented young man, Wang Lizhi. He has the best tolerance for alcohol among us all. I hope Your Highness will allow him to give it a try!”

The setting sun hung halfway over the mountains, staining the lakeside crimson. After listening to Zhou Yong’s introduction, Wu Yueling remained silent. A playful gleam appeared in her eyes as she looked at Wang Lizhi.

What were these fellows plotting? This brat standing before her was the one who had written that hideous poem. The man who had cursed her actually dared to appear before her—and now he wanted to drink strong liquor and become one of the Eight Immortals?

“My name is Wang Lizhi. It is my honor to meet Your Highness.”

Wang Lizhi shook off Zhou Yong’s hand and cupped his own toward the princess. His face was wreathed in smiles, though his expression held a slyness unbecoming of someone his age.

“Your Highness, I hear that five places remain among the Eight Immortals. I wonder whether I am qualified to become one of them. I have also heard that strong liquor scorches the throat and burns the intestines. Is that truly so?”

“You are qualified, and it is true.”

Wu Yueling walked into the pavilion and found a place to kneel. In her heart, however, she was thinking something entirely different.

So he had come to cause trouble? How interesting.

Wang Lizhi smiled again and followed her inside, kneeling opposite her.

“Your Highness, shall we make a wager?”

“Speak.”

“If I drink three bowls of strong liquor without passing out, and then cross the Eight Immortals Bridge, will Your Highness take me as your husband?”

After saying this, Wang Lizhi stared fixedly into the princess’s eyes. Even his clear, youthful smile faltered beneath her gaze.

The skin at the corners of Wu Yueling’s mouth twitched faintly, but she ultimately held herself back. A triumphant curve formed upon her lips, and at last she threw back her head and laughed.

“Very well! You have nerve. Someone, go to the distillery and bring back a jar of the strongest alcohol available!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

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The two nearby guards of the princess immediately ran in the direction of the Princess’s Residence. Zhou Yong, who had overheard the exchange, broke into a cold sweat at Wang Lizhi’s arrogance and insolence.

You fancy her, but you need not be so reckless, he thought. Still, this was for the best. Once Wang Lizhi finished the liquor and crossed the bridge, everything would be easy. After all, Wang Lizhi had already been drugged.

Before long, the sunset had faded away, leaving only a faint glow along the horizon. It would soon be swallowed by the darkness of night.

Outside the pavilion, beside the table—

“Your Highness, forgive me for being presumptuous once more. I hope Your Highness will pour the liquor for me.”

Wang Lizhi’s face was difficult to make out in the dimness of dusk, but his voice remained as arrogant as ever.

Wu Yueling said nothing. She lifted the jar of liquor and glanced at the label marked “alcohol.” She removed the cloth covering and poured the contents into a bowl. After filling three bowls, she gestured for him to begin, then moved aside to wait for the spectacle.

Wang Lizhi did not hesitate. He lifted the bowl, intending to drain it in one gulp, but after barely swallowing half a mouthful, he began choking.

What in the world was this?

He opened his mouth soundlessly in shock. The fumes stung his nose, while the liquor spilling onto his hand gave him an immediate sensation of icy coldness.

He had made the wager, so he could not refuse to drink. Gritting his teeth, he forced down the liquor. After finishing the first bowl, he still felt little effect, though his throat already seemed sealed shut.

He lifted the second bowl of alcohol. His entire body convulsed, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Wu Yueling caught the bowl brimming with liquor. She cast a cold glance at Wang Lizhi sprawled on the ground, gave a contemptuous snort, and poured the remaining alcohol back into the jar. Ignoring the utterly astonished scholars, she returned to the pavilion to eat her dinner.

Zhou Yong stood there dumbfounded. He squatted down, supported Wang Lizhi, and slapped his face repeatedly, but there was nothing he could do. Wang Lizhi remained completely unconscious.

Zhou Yong picked up the bowl from the table and licked it clean. His tongue was instantly seared by an indescribable heat.

This was alcohol—but how could it be so terrifying?

He took another untouched bowl, drained it, and promptly collapsed as well. The bowl spun several times through the air before landing perfectly over Zhou Yong’s fleshy face.

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