She feared that seeing her might cause him further distress. While she wasn't afraid for herself, she worried about inviting trouble for Murong.
"Alright, let's go. Since the Prince considers me a brother, we'll have a drink. But tonight, we're going to Qinyu Lou."
Qinyu Lou was the most opulent establishment in Yanjing. Fleecing Prince Shangguan for a bit wouldn't be bad, Yun Xiao grinned slyly. This time, Shangguan Lin readily agreed, no longer doubting Leng Yue.
What was a mere physician from a small medical hall? Even if they were from the Divine Dragon Palace, so what?
Thinking back, people from the Divine Dragon Palace seemed much more amiable. While their methods were questionable, they were targeting the very person in the palace, and nobody knew who that person was.
"Let's go."
As the two walked out, Shangguan Lin's arm remained around Yun Xiao's shoulder. They left arm-in-arm like sworn brothers, leaving Yan Mei, the shop assistants, and the physician gaping, speechless.
How could the Prince be so friendly with their young master? They had become like brothers in the blink of an eye.
They boarded a carriage. Inside, Yun Xiao subtly shifted out of Shangguan Lin's embrace, avoiding another possible embrace.
However, Shangguan Lin was unusually subdued tonight. He seemed heavy, oblivious to Yun Xiao's movements. A profound aura of melancholy enveloped him, rendering him gloomy, with an inherent loneliness and despair radiating from his very core.
The carriage journeyed towards Qinyu Lou. The establishment's signboard gleamed with a clear, blue light under the moonlight. The floors above and below were eerily quiet, with hardly any patrons. Qinyu Lou, usually bustling with guests, stood deserted tonight.
The proprietor of Qinyu Lou looked somewhat taken aback as Shangguan Lin and Yun Xiao entered. However, after a moment of surprise, he swiftly approached them, bowing respectfully.
"The Prince has arrived."
"Yes, serve this Prince the finest wine and the best dishes."
"Yes, yes," the proprietor replied repeatedly. With a wave of his hand, a young attendant in green stepped forward and said respectfully and cautiously, "Your Highness, please follow me to the second floor."
Shangguan Lin and Yun Xiao followed the attendant up to a private room on the second floor, with Mu Li and Qiao Chu trailing behind them.
The proprietor, standing behind them, beckoned to other staff to prepare the wine and food.
Yun Xiao's gaze swept across the hall. The few people present repeatedly looked up, surprise flashing in their eyes.
Who was this handsome young gentleman accompanying the Prince to a wine house at a time like this? However, the diners dared not speak further, quickly burying their heads in their meals.
On the second floor, in the easternmost private room, a semicircular wooden carved door bore a plaque.
'Muxi Chamber'
Yun Xiao, momentarily stunned, followed Shangguan Lin into the private room. The chamber was named Muxi Chamber, a name exuding a hint of refined elegance.
Muxi, or osmanthus, releases a fragrant aroma when it blooms. There was a poem for it: "From the jade trees, solemn order arrives; after a thousand blossoms fade, more flowers bloom. Purity further creates a realm of clear fragrance; in the desolate earth, it is relied upon to recover."
The private room indeed carried a faint scent of osmanthus. Looking up, a small incense burner sat on the windowsill, emitting wisps of fragrant smoke. Beside the burner was a small, vibrant green tree, full of life.
Shangguan Lin had already seated himself. In the center of the room stood a fine nanmu square table, with matching chairs on either side.
The chairs were fitted with bamboo mat cushions, and even the curtains hanging from the windows were of verdant bamboo leaves. The osmanthus fragrance mingled with the crisp scent of bamboo leaves, uniquely fresh and distinct.
The attendant respectfully said, "Your Highness, please wait a moment, we'll be right there."
He retreated and waited at the door. True to his word, a moment later, a line of people carrying wine pots and delicacies slowly approached. The attendant lightly knocked on the door, then opened it.
He allowed the people behind him to enter and present the wine and food in a continuous stream, filling the room with the aroma of dishes and flowers.
Unfortunately, Yun Xiao wasn't hungry. Looking at the table laden with food, she had no appetite and merely gazed at Shangguan Lin, waving her hand, "You may all withdraw."
The attendant led the staff out, and the private room fell silent, save for the faint clinking of cups. Yun Xiao raised her head to see Shangguan Lin had already downed two cups. Who drank like this?
It seemed he was truly troubled. She quickly restrained his hand as he reached for more wine and said in a clear, cool voice.
"What are you doing, Your Highness? Is this drinking? You're practically guzzling like an ox."
"Whether it's guzzling or drinking like a person, as long as there's wine, it's fine. Give it to me."
Shangguan Lin's pupils were bloodshot. After two cups of wine, the network of blood-red veins in his eyes became even more pronounced, emanating a chilling, bewitching aura. However, Yun Xiao was not afraid. Instead, she moved her hand aside and said in a deep voice.
"Tell me, have you encountered something upsetting? If you consider me a brother, then speak your mind. I will help you."
"Give me the wine," Shangguan Lin urged. He stood up abruptly, snatched the wine pot from Yun Xiao's hand, first poured a cup for Yun Xiao, and then poured one for himself.
"Come, drink a cup with me, Leng Yue. Right now, you're the only brother I have. I can't find anyone else to drink with. Tell me, aren't I a failure?"
Yun Xiao watched him drain the cup and then stare intently at her, as if she wouldn't be his brother if she didn't drink.
Yun Xiao sighed helplessly and accompanied him for a cup. She was certain that Shangguan Lin had been provoked tonight, but what had actually happened?
She was still completely baffled. This guy was truly tight-lipped, refusing to say anything. It seemed nothing good had occurred, for him to say she was his only brother.
He was a prince, with so many people around him, how could she be his only brother?
Didn't he have the Emperor? And Ye Wuyun, the foremost gentleman in Yanjing? Yun Xiao's mind flashed. Yes, why didn't he find Ye Wuyun to drink with? Instead, he sought her company. This was truly peculiar.
Shangguan Lin, seeing Yun Xiao drink with him, finally seemed satisfied and playfully punched Yun Xiao's arm.
Yun Xiao, caught off guard, nearly spat out her wine, glaring at him in annoyance.
Unfortunately, the Prince was already pouring himself another drink. This time, he didn't ask Yun Xiao to join him. Yun Xiao, too lazy to stop him, wondered what possessed the man. Let him drink, let him drink himself to death.
However, the man drank cup after cup, at least four or five, and eventually seemed to become a bit drunk. The wine was also gone. He swayed the wine pot, asking with a strange look, "Hmm, where's the wine?"
Yun Xiao sighed. Frankly speaking, if he continued drinking like this, even if he didn't die of drunkenness, he would still suffer from gastric bleeding.
And she, unfortunately being with him, if His Highness the Prince encountered any trouble, she would be facing certain doom. So she quickly grabbed the small teapot beside her and shook it, "It's here. Come, I'll pour it for you."
After all, the guy was somewhat drunk, and his tongue was undoubtedly numb, unable to distinguish the taste of wine from water.
Indeed, when Yun Xiao poured him wine, he drank it in one gulp without any reaction. His tongue stumbled for a long time as he looked up at Yun Xiao and slurred,
"Leng Yue, do you think I'm a failure as a person? For four years, I never noticed the difference. Do you think my imperial brother will blame me? He definitely will. That's why he's never come to find me, not even in my dreams."