The look in Liang Yuzhou's eyes as he fixed them on her face seemed to carry a hint of warmth.
He appeared so serious, yet his eyes were like invisible hooks, captivating Song Wanchu's thoughts.
Song Wanchu had no choice but to stand up with her wine cup in hand, forcing a smile as she looked at him. "It's my oversight. This cup is my toast to the Taoist priest."
The corners of Liang Yuzhou's lips curled up in a pleased manner.
Just as Song Wanchu's red lips were about to touch the wine, an arm reached out from beside her and blocked her.
Shi Luohan took the cup from her hand, smiling as he looked at Liang Yuzhou. "Wanchu has a weak constitution. The doctor has specifically told her not to drink. I'll take this cup for her. Come on, Taoist Priest Qingzhou."
Without waiting for Liang Yuzhou's reaction, he tilted his head back and downed the wine in one gulp.
Chu Yueying kept shifting her gaze between Liang Yuzhou and Shi Luohan. She felt as if there were invisible swords and daggers clashing between these two men, engaging in a silent competition.
Originally, it was she who had taken the lead in toasting, but now she had become an unnoticed bystander!
Chu Yueying felt a deep sense of frustration and sat down dejectedly.
Just as Liang Yuzhou was about to sit down, Shi Luohan filled another cup and raised it.
"Today, with all the elders here, I, as a junior, have some good news to share and make everyone happy."
Grandma Chu's curiosity was piqued. "Our family has been through so many things these days. It's time for some good news. Luohan, tell us quickly."
Shi Luohan drank another cup of wine on his own, his smile becoming even more radiant.
He took Song Wanchu's hand, his eyes gentle and affectionate. "Wanchu and I have decided to get married on the second day of the second lunar month next year. The letter has already been sent to my uncle and aunt."
Suddenly, Song Wanchu felt a tightness in her chest and a sense of suffocation. Instinctively, she wanted to escape.
But her hand only trembled slightly in Shi Luohan's palm.
Brother didn't feel secure. Announcing the wedding date in front of Liang Yuzhou was both a way to assert his sovereignty and to make Liang Yuzhou give up completely.
Once the wedding date was set, his role would change from being her brother to her fiancé.
"Clang!"
Before Grandma Chu could even utter her words of congratulations, the wine jug beside her elbow fell to the ground with a loud crashing sound.
Song Wanchu's heart skipped a beat at the sound. She involuntarily looked at Liang Yuzhou.
He sat there, his back straight, elegant and noble. There was no visible change in his expression on his face, but his tightly pursed lips, which had turned a pale blue, betrayed his emotions.
His hand hidden under the table had clenched into a fist.
Two maidservants rushed over to pick up the broken pieces and wipe up the spilled wine on the floor.
For some inexplicable reason, they felt a powerful sense of oppression emanating from Taoist Priest Qingzhou, accompanied by a chilling coldness.
The two maidservants were so frightened that they didn't even dare to breathe loudly. They quickly finished cleaning up and retreated.
"Just as there's good news, there's the sound of porcelain breaking. 'Breaking things' brings peace," Grandma Chu said calmly. Having experienced many things in her life, she remained composed. "Come on, let's all raise our cups to congratulate Luohan and Wanchu on finally getting together as lovers!"
The atmosphere at the dinner table was enlivened by Grandma Chu's words.
"Sister Wanchu, congratulations!" Chu Yueying sincerely offered her blessings.
Ning Shi was also happy. Since she was pregnant and couldn't drink wine, she drank a cup of tea instead.
Not having drunk any alcohol, her mind was particularly clear. Being a sensitive person, she noticed that Wanchu, who should have been happy and shy, had been forcing a smile.
Her smile was dignified and generous, but there was a hidden sadness in her eyes.
Ning Shi put down her teacup and fell into deep thought.
Liang Yuzhou stood up again, filled his cup with wine, and raised it as he looked at Song Wanchu.
"Thank you, Taoist Priest Qingzhou, for your blessings. I'll take this cup for Wanchu," Shi Luohan said with a smile.
Finally, he could face Liang Yuzhou calmly.
There was no sign of joy or sorrow on Liang Yuzhou's face. Only his jet - black eyes were deep and unfathomable.
"One cup is not enough. I'll accompany Young Master Shi until we're both drunk," he said, then drank three cups in a row.
The wine, which should have been mellow and intoxicating, only tasted bitter in his mouth.
He swallowed it mouthful by mouthful, forcing down the blood - tinged taste surging in his throat.
Shi Luohan was not to be outdone and drank three cups in a row as well.
The atmosphere at the dinner table became tense again for no apparent reason.
Neither of them said a word, but they were determined to outdrink each other, taking turns to pour the wine into their mouths.
It wasn't until all the wine jugs on the table were empty.
"Is that enough, Taoist Priest Qingzhou?" Shi Luohan's face had already turned red.
"Brother, don't drink anymore," Song Wanchu gently tugged at Shi Luohan's sleeve. He didn't have much of a tolerance for alcohol. Having drunk two or three jugs in a row, it was even doubtful whether he could leave the dinner table sober.
Liang Yuzhou's face, on the other hand, had become even paler. He seemed as if he had been immersed in ice - cold water, exuding a faint chill.
During the whole meal, Song Wanchu felt a knot in her heart.
In the end, Shi Luohan couldn't hold on until the end of the banquet and passed out drunk.
Song Wanchu escorted him back to his courtyard.
Grandma Chu ordered the kitchen to send over some sobering soup, but Shi Luohan was so drunk that he couldn't even be woken up, let alone drink the soup.
Song Wanchu asked the servant to heat up some water and personally wiped his face and hands.
Although he was drunk and sleeping heavily, the corners of his mouth were always upturned.
It was a victorious smile.
Song Wanchu tried to convince herself that as long as Brother was happy, all of this was worth it.
...
Chu Shangxu was worried that Liang Yuzhou might be affected by the alcohol on his way home, so he specially arranged a guest room for him to rest.
Chu Yueying sneaked over to see him without even bringing a maid.
Just thinking about having some alone time with Taoist Priest Qingzhou made her excited. She lifted the hem of her skirt and walked quickly.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Liang Yuzhou walking out of the room.
He looked clear - headed, his eyes bright. He didn't look like someone who had drunk too much at all.
"Taoist Priest Qingzhou, are you leaving now?"
Liang Yuzhou glanced at her, his eyes indifferent. "I'm an outsider. Miss Chu is still unmarried. You shouldn't meet me privately."
He looked so serious, as if he were warning her.
Chu Yueying felt hurt.
He had clearly accepted her embroidered pouch. Didn't that mean he was interested in her?
He didn't even give her an affectionate look. She had come to see him on her own initiative, but instead of cherishing this moment, he kept pushing her away.
The young girl pouted, her eyes welling up with tears of grievance.
Liang Yuzhou ignored her and continued walking out.
"Taoist Priest Qingzhou, do you have feelings for me or not?"
Chu Yueying decided to take a risk and grabbed his sleeve.
If Taoist Priest Qingzhou was too cautious because of his status, then let her be the brave one.
In the face of true love, Chu Yueying cast aside her girlish reserve.
Liang Yuzhou gently pulled his sleeve out of her hand.
His eyes were calm but also cold. "Miss Chu, I left the mortal world for someone, and I will only re - enter it for her in this lifetime."
Chu Yueying understood. Taoist Priest Qingzhou already had someone in his heart.
She felt extremely sad. It was as if her heart had been dug out. Tears streamed down her face.
"Then why did you accept my embroidered pouch?"
It had made her misunderstand for so long.
"Was that really the embroidered pouch you made with your own hands?"
Chu Yueying was stunned and stood there in disbelief for a long time.
How could he possibly know that she hadn't embroidered it?
Liang Yuzhou had already left the courtyard.
Song Wanchu walked absent - mindedly towards the Plum Shadow Studio.
Suddenly, in the distance where the plum blossoms cast their shadows, a tall figure stood there.
Her heart tightened violently.