Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter 206: Imperial Marriage

Chapter 206: The Imperial Marriage

The annual meeting invitation has been sent to various locations.

The Jiang family of Jiangnan, the Ji family of Rongcheng, the Qin family of Weishui, and the Li family of Kyoto.

Ji Meiqing sat in her small courtyard, aimlessly counting the remaining leaves on the tree. It was already deep winter, yet a few withered leaves still remained.

This has to be said to be a miracle.

Since the letter returned, the Ji family has been busy. They've been so busy that they haven't had time to deal with them, which has allowed them to relax and enjoy their freedom from their rivals.

Ji Meiqing was then able to do her own thing with peace of mind.

Lu Yu had the distillery mass-produce his newly brewed wine, named "Immortal's Intoxication," implying that even immortals would get drunk from it.

The first batch of newly brewed wine has already begun its journey towards the capital and should arrive in about two days.

After counting on her fingers, Ji Meiqing fell into deep thought. It would take a month for the divine brew to arrive and depart.

And the anniversary is just around the corner, only a month away. Even if they're satisfied, we won't receive it until next month.

With a sigh, the leaves beside me finally fell.

Lu Yu returned from outside, covered in dust from his journey. He was carrying a jar of wine, and upon seeing her, he immediately smiled.

"I ran into some acquaintances today, and they brought me a jar of plum blossom wine. Would you like to try some?"

Holding up the wine jar, a hearty and happy smile graced his face. Ji Meiqing couldn't refuse, so she got up and fetched two cups, placing them in front of the two of them.

Seeing that she looked somewhat unhappy, Lu Yu was puzzled.

"what happened to you?"

"It's nothing." She shook her head, casually splashing the water out of the bowl, her sleeve accidentally brushing against a puddle on the table.

"What are you worried about?"

He couldn't tell, but the question he asked was enough to shock her.

"Letters have been received in Jiangnan, Kyoto, Weishui, Rongcheng, and several other places. As for us, we're still preparing for the National Day celebrations, and we don't even know if we'll be able to celebrate." After saying this, he let out another long sigh.

Lu Yu, however, felt it was no big deal. "We've received the letter, it's nothing serious. You're overthinking it."

“No.” She shook her head. “I was just thinking about what to do if the imperial decree couldn’t be delivered.”

"No, we won't," he reassured her, opening the wine jar. "Don't worry, we'll have a smooth trip to the National Day celebration."

"Mmm." She didn't say much more, and the two clinked glasses, drinking quite a bit. Drinking with sorrow in her heart, she hadn't drunk much, but she was already drunk. She collapsed unconscious on the table. Lu Yu drank two more glasses before putting her down and carrying her back to the room.

Holding Ji Meiqing felt like holding a feather, so light, so very light, as if she didn't exist in this world.

He set her down, untied the ribbon at her collar, removed the cloak from her back, and then settled her in and covered the cup.

He tiptoed out and drank the rest of the wine. There was only a little plum blossom wine, and it was finished quickly. Lu Yu felt refreshed and went back to work after finishing his drink.

She woke up in bed and looked at the sky outside the window, feeling somewhat dazed. After lazing around for a while, she got up to wash up.

Dinner had already been prepared outside, and Grandma Mei had made a backup and placed it on the kitchen stove. When Ji Meiqing arrived, she simply took this and left.

They were busy over there too, I don't know what they were busy with. As soon as Ji Meiqing arrived, someone told her Lu Yu's location, so she could go find him.

"Dinner's ready." She took out the food, then came over and led him to eat. Lu Yu wiped the chopsticks and said, "Jiangnan is preparing for the annual meeting, so they're currently making other arrangements. I've already sent someone to let them know, and we should get a response in a few days."

"Hmm." She didn't know what to say. After eating a couple of bites with him, she realized that the cabbage she brought was a bit too salty. She quickly ate a couple of mouthfuls of porridge to balance it out.

She finished her meal quietly and then cleaned up. She didn't leave immediately, but sat for a while and chatted with him.

The main street of the capital was still bustling. Shangguan Yuzhe walked along the street, feeling rather bored. Faced with the noisy chatter on both sides, he felt only annoyance. None of the singing was as pleasant as the music from his own home.

"Brother Shangguan, how long will you stay this time? Does the Emperor intend for you to stay here for an extended period?" A man in purple and green robes looked at him curiously, as did two others walking alongside him.

Shangguan Yuzhe didn't bring up this topic with them, but instead said, "I brought back a lot of good stuff this time. Would you like to try some?"

"What good thing could it be? Perhaps a passionate beauty from the Western Regions? Or some kind of miraculous elixir?"

"Well, it could be some kind of exceptional horse, but judging from Brother Shangguan's thoughts, that's probably the case."

He grinned but didn't answer. Instead, he sat in a building in the east of the city, where the palace eunuch somehow found him and immediately explained his purpose upon seeing him.

"The Empress Dowager wishes to see you. Please come with me to pay your respects."

The palace had come looking for someone, so they naturally couldn't refuse. After exchanging a few words, they saw him off and hurriedly went to the palace.

Upon entering the Empress Dowager's palace, a whiff of sandalwood incense wafted towards you, making you feel slightly dizzy.

"The Empress Dowager is waiting for you inside, please."

The eunuch smiled, cupped his hands, and ushered him inside.

Shangguan Yuzhe walked over and saw a beautiful young girl talking to him as soon as he entered. The girl was quite pleasing to the eye, with bright phoenix eyes and rosy cheeks.

He glanced at it only once before turning his gaze away and bowing to the Empress Dowager.

"Yu Zhe is here, please have a seat." She smiled and had someone come over to pour tea and serve him.

"This lady was sent by the Prefect of Cangzhou. Her name is Fang Hua. You should get to know her well." After she finished speaking, Shangguan Yuzhe almost spat out the tea in his mouth.

Looking at the girl again, she was shyly lowering her head, her face flushed red all the way to her ears.

He changed the subject, "Your Majesty, I brought back something wonderful to present to you on my return to the capital."

"Oh, what good stuff?" The Empress Dowager also became curious and glanced kindly at Fang Hua beside her.

"I have it at home; I will send someone to fetch it immediately."

"No rush." ​​She chuckled twice, then pushed Fang Hua forward, saying, "You two have a good chat. Fang Hua is such a lovely child."