Yu Zixi hadn't come for several days. He sent a letter, saying that he was on Yan Gu Mountain.
Seeing Wei Dongling, who had been in a gloomy mood these days, sitting under the oil lamp reading the letter with a lovesick look on her face and a silly smile, Cui Huan couldn't help but lean over and sigh, "What did the young master say? Tut-tut-tut, is it a love poem?"
Wei Dongling quickly covered the letter and spat, "You single dog, don't look!"
Cui Huan reached out to grab it, and the two of them got into a tussle.
Just then, Ruan Niang pushed open the door and saw Cui Huan snatch the letter. She read it curiously, "I haven't seen you for a single day, yet I miss you madly... Tut-tut-tut, how cheesy!"
Wei Dongling blushed with embarrassment. Limping, she chased after Cui Huan and cried out anxiously, "Give it back to me quickly!"
Ruan Niang covered her lips and smiled softly. She took out a small jar of wine from her bosom and said, "This is the fruit wine I brewed last month. I brought it for you to taste."
Wei Dongling quickly invited her in. The three women sat around the bed and sipped the fruit wine in turn.
Wei Dongling smacked her lips and laughed, "It's sour and sweet. The taste is okay. Have another sip."
Ruan Niang had been worried that Wei Dongling was troubled by the matter of Prime Minister Su. Seeing that she looked normal, she felt relieved. She smiled and passed the wine to her.
Cui Huan gulped down two mouthfuls. Her face instantly turned red. She mumbled, "Ruan Niang, you said it was fruit wine. Why do I feel a bit dizzy after drinking it?"
Wei Dongling and Ruan Niang looked at each other, both looking confused. Then they saw Cui Huan fall backwards onto the bed, drunk.
Ruan Niang burst out laughing. She reached out and covered Cui Huan with a thin quilt.
Wei Dongling rubbed her forehead and smiled. She tilted her head back and took two gulps of wine. Her face was as rosy as a peach blossom. She grabbed Ruan Niang's sleeve and sighed to herself, "Apart from creating a bit of public opinion, I can't do anything..."
Ruan Niang stroked her soft black hair and let out a soft sigh.
At the door, Luo Xunlong knocked gently and called out, "Miss, there's a Lord Rong downstairs looking for you."
Wei Dongling looked at the night outside the window and was surprised. "Looking for me at this late hour?"
Ruan Niang asked, "Do you want me to go with you?"
Wei Dongling shook her head. She tidied up her clothes and got up to go downstairs.
Lord Rong was standing downstairs with his guards, waiting with his head down. He saw Wei Dongling coming over with a charming smile. She greeted him with a beaming face.
That smile instantly smoothed out his knitted brows.
"Lord Rong, please come upstairs. I'll make tea for you!" Limping, Wei Dongling led Lord Rong into a private room on the second floor. She took the teapot from Luo Xunlong's hand and made tea for Lord Rong herself.
Under the dim light, the young girl offered the teacup with her delicate hands. Her face was flushed like a peach blossom. Lord Rong's eyes showed a hint of admiration. He took the teacup with both hands and stared at her without blinking. He smiled and said, "I happened to pass by, so I thought I'd come in and see you. I'm sorry for the disturbance. Please forgive me, Miss Wei."
Wei Dongling smiled sweetly and said, "I'm so happy that Lord Rong could come and see me despite your busy schedule! You must have had a hard journey back from Xing Mountain."
Lord Rong raised his eyebrows and said, "I didn't go to Xing Mountain. I've been following the Censor-in-Chief to secretly investigate the thugs who attacked on the Qixi Festival these two days. I didn't expect Miss Wei to be so well-informed."
Wei Dongling was stunned for a moment. She lowered her eyes and said, "I'm sorry. I was just guessing randomly. I made you laugh."
Lord Rong smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. Maybe someone has been spreading rumors secretly these days. The whole capital is filled with unfounded old stories. It's normal for you to hear a bit about the court affairs."
Wei Dongling was stunned again. She lowered her eyes and smiled, "I don't think it's necessarily a rumor! If the rumor is true, it's really unfair that such a kind and noble old man ended up so miserably."
Lord Rong looked at the pity in the girl's peach-like face. His expression turned a bit cold.
Wei Dongling was a bit drunk. Her face was completely red. She mumbled and laughed bitterly, "But those despicable villains who play dirty tricks and stab people in the back can still run amok and go unpunished. Don't you think it's funny?"
Lord Rong's hand holding the teacup trembled. A hint of coldness flashed across his eyes. He looked at Wei Dongling's bright eyes and asked, "Has Miss Wei had some wine?"
Wei Dongling looked up at him. She smiled with her eyes curved and had no defenses. She replied, "Just a little fruit wine. It's quite sweet. Would Lord Rong like to have a taste?" With that, she got up and called Ruan Niang to get the wine.
Lord Rong quickly waved his hand and refused, "No, I'm not good at drinking."
But Wei Dongling insisted on getting the wine. Ruan Niang brought over a new jar of fruit wine. Wei Dongling removed the cork, and a sweet smell of wine spread out.
She poured a glass of wine and passed it to Lord Rong. Holding her wine cup, Wei Dongling smiled and said, "Come on! Let's have another cup of wine and drown our sorrows together!"
Seeing her slightly drunk and cute look, Lord Rong couldn't help but laugh softly. He nodded and took the glass of wine, gulping it down.
Seeing the guard trying to stop him, Wei Dongling waved her hand and said, "Don't worry. It's just fruit wine. Your lord won't get drunk."
The guard was speechless.
A blush appeared in Lord Rong's eyes. Looking at Wei Dongling's face, he smiled and said, "I never expected that some people who were once life-and-death friends for many years would gradually have different thoughts as time passed. I still cherish the old friendship in my heart, but I feel that it's not as sincere as the friendship with someone I've only met once."
Wei Dongling laughed and said, "I didn't expect Lord Rong to be a kindred spirit! Come on, have another cup!"
Lord Rong quickly whispered, "I can't drink anymore. I have other things to do later!"
Wei Dongling's eyes were slightly red. She slurred and sighed, "I'm the same as you, my lord! I've known Miss Qi for eight years and we were very close. But in the end, we fell out over a man. Hahaha, life is really not worth living!"
Lord Rong was stunned. He remembered that on the Qixi Festival, this girl had immediately turned away when she saw the servants of the Prince's Mansion. He whispered with a smile, "Did you two sisters both take a fancy to Prince Shangguan Yun?"
Wei Dongling was confused. She asked in surprise, "How did Lord Rong know that?"
Lord Rong waved his hand and said, "If you're troubled by matters of the heart, maybe I can help. My elders have some connections with the Prince's Mansion."
Wei Dongling shook her head like a rattle. She pouted and said, "I don't dare to provoke Prince Yun! But my sister thought I was going to fight with her for the man. She even said she'd never have anything to do with me again. Sigh, it's all tears when I think about it!" After saying that, she poured herself another glass of wine and gulped it down.
Lord Rong couldn't help but laugh. He asked, "For such a small matter, haven't you explained it clearly?"
Wei Dongling sighed, "I can't explain it clearly! I still cherish the old friendship, but she doesn't think so!"
Wei Dongling remembered the scene when she first time-traveled and was at a loss when she got her period. Qi Jinxuan patiently taught her. She felt a bit sad in her heart. She filled up the fruit wine and took another gulp.
Lord Rong sighed and said, "Miss Wei, drink less. Don't get drunk."