Chapter 810: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 810: A Brief Moment of Tender Intentions (2)
Yan Junyu unexpectedly moved closer, his eyes fixed on Mo Yan as he spoke to Xiao Ruiyuan. The alcohol made his appearance even more charming, causing the light from the grand hall to pale in comparison. The young palace maids in attendance turned red, and even the eunuchs stared in disbelief.
Clearly, Yan Junyu had drunk too much. If not, he wouldn’t have been so reckless in his words. Though he was aware that some things should not be said, he still blurted them out in front of Xiao Ruiyuan.
“Shut up!”
Xiao Ruiyuan’s face darkened instantly. He used a subtle force to push Yan Junyu back into his seat. If not for the situation, he would have thrown him into the icy palace pond to sober up.
Not one to fear, Yan Junyu leaned in again, his words becoming even more outrageous. “If I had known this girl would look like this today, I should have kept her by my side as a maid two years ago. Alas, it’s too late. Everything is too late.”
Xiao Ruiyuan’s temples twitched, not wanting to argue with a drunkard. He immediately struck Yan Junyu on the back of the neck with a swift motion.
Yan Junyu, caught off guard, tilted his head and closed his eyes, collapsing onto Xiao Ruiyuan’s shoulder.
Disgusted, Xiao Ruiyuan pushed him away but didn’t throw him to the ground. Instead, he had the palace eunuchs help support Yan Junyu.
Though Yan Junyu had a well-proportioned figure and didn’t appear heavy, his weight was still considerable. The eunuchs behind him struggled to hold him up, and it wasn’t long before they began to wobble. Unfortunately, the feast was still ongoing, and there was no way to move Yan Junyu elsewhere for a rest.
By the time the feast ended at the late hours of the evening, everyone forced themselves to stay alert and followed Emperor Hui’an to the Taihe Hall.
As the midnight bell rang, signaling the start of the new year, Mo Yan, along with the civil and military officials, knelt before the Taihe Hall to welcome Emperor Hui’an, dressed in a new dragon robe, as he entered the hall to perform the solemn ancestral rites.
As the incense burned, Emperor Hui’an personally threw the auspicious and prayerful words he had written into the fire, praying for the stability and prosperity of the nation in the coming year.
By the time Mo Yan stepped out of the palace gates, it was already past midnight. Most of the carriages had long since left, leaving only a few behind, waiting for their masters.
The first to notice Mo Yan was Da Hongzao, who excitedly neighed. Even though it tried to suppress its sound, the clear cry was more distinct in the quiet of the palace gates.
Li Zhong, who had been dozing off at the driver’s seat, suddenly awoke and saw Mo Yan walking toward him. He hurriedly got out of the carriage to meet her.
Sensing the smell of alcohol on Mo Yan and seeing her face no longer as clear as usual, Li Zhong became concerned. "Miss Yan, are you feeling dizzy or unwell?"
Mo Yan wasn’t truly drunk, but the lingering effects of the alcohol combined with exhaustion had taken their toll. She shook her head, rejecting Li Zhong’s offer of support. She walked steadily toward the carriage, intending to sleep all the way back. Having stayed up most of the night, she was exhausted.
Li Zhong didn’t press further. He watched as Mo Yan pulled out a thin blanket from the carriage’s secret compartment, spread it over herself, and lay down. He was about to close the carriage door when a tall figure appeared before it.
Xiao Ruiyuan looked at the sleeping figure inside the carriage, and his cold expression softened immediately. In Li Zhong’s surprised gaze, he gracefully entered the carriage without causing any disturbance, making sure not to wake Mo Yan from her slumber.
Ignoring the words that Li Zhong seemed ready to say, Xiao Ruiyuan relaxed against the side of the carriage and slowly closed his eyes. The year-end duties had kept him busy, and he had worked into the night just yesterday. In the past ten days, he had barely had a chance to rest properly.
[End of Chapter]
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