The people cheered, their eyes filled with trust and admiration. They believed in Hunyuan's choice, and Lianyi's abilities had proven that she was indeed worthy. The Heavenly Master had a worthy successor, and it was hoped that the Great Yin Dynasty would thrive in peace and prosperity.
Inside the palace hall, upon receiving a signal from Emperor Zhaohuan, Eunuch Zhang walked to the corridor with a beaming smile and shouted in a loud voice, "By the emperor's order, the banquet begins!"
At this announcement, activity sprang up everywhere. Firecrackers exploded merrily all around. Palace maids filed out in an orderly manner, guiding the guests to their seats. Outside, the commoners distributed red envelopes. Following the old custom established by Master Qingyi, each envelope contained two copper coins and a peace talisman.
The apprentice - taking ceremony was successfully completed. Inside the hall, cups clinked merrily. First, toasts were made to Emperor Zhaohuan, and then to Hunyuan and the Su family. Since this matter hardly affected the interests of the various families, everyone was in high spirits, offering congratulations one after another. Of course, this did not include the members of the Luo family, who were now filled with bitter regret.
Yunxi was happy for Lianyi and joined in the fun. She drank a bit too much and felt dizzy and feverish all over. Not wanting to spoil the joyous atmosphere and dampen others' spirits, she asked Saixing and Lingyan to help her to the side hall for a rest.
As soon as the three of them left, Muyuan, who had been keeping a close eye on them, immediately reported to Yizhen, "Princess, it's done."
Yizhen paused in stirring her jade - like soup and slowly showed a satisfied smile. "Since it's done, go and inform the Seventh Prince."
"Yes." Muyuan replied and was about to leave when Yizhen called out, "Wait."
"What else does the princess command?" Muyuan bowed respectfully and asked in a low voice.
"This Yunxi is extremely cunning. She always manages to escape our schemes. This time, I'll go and oversee the matter myself. Let's see how she can get out of this one!" Yizhen said as she stood up. To ensure everything went smoothly, she asked, "Has everything been taken care of regarding Prince Yu'an? We can't afford any last - minute mishaps."
Muyuan smiled and replied, "Princess, rest assured. The sleeping drug was specially sent by the Seventh Prince's national teacher. I've had someone test it, and the eunuch slept for two days before waking up. Even if Prince Yu'an has deep internal skills, he won't wake up tonight."
Yizhen suddenly turned to look at Muyuan, and a strange glint flashed in her beautiful eyes. "Good, let's go."
The two quietly left, unnoticed by the people in the hall.
Yunxi, feeling drowsy, took off her shoes, socks, and outer robe and lay down on the couch. She intended to take a short nap, but for some reason, her body was burning with an unbearable heat. She couldn't help but let out a couple of soft moans, which drew a caring scolding from Saixing. "Miss, it's natural to be happy for Lianyi, but you shouldn't drink without restraint. Now look at you, you're so dizzy and your body is so hot. You could hurt yourself. Oh well... Lingyan, I'll go and make a bowl of sobering soup for the miss. You stay here and watch over her."
Lingyan nodded, and the two went their separate ways.
Not long after Saixing left, the door creaked open. Lingyan turned around warily and shouted, "Who!"
The face of a strange man flashed by. Lingyan tightened her grip on her sword but did not give chase. She had suffered enough from the "luring the tiger away from the mountain" trick.
The person outside seemed surprised that Lingyan didn't fall for the trick and came back. This time, instead of pushing the door, he quietly reached for the window and was about to throw a bead the size of a thumb inside. Lingyan unsheathed her sword, made a beautiful arc with it, and rushed forward. But the man seemed to have anticipated this and quickly withdrew his hand and leaped backward.
Lingyan snorted and rushed to the window. She quickly closed the window with a smooth motion. She wasn't a fool to be tricked repeatedly.
However, when she turned around, the room was filled with billowing white smoke. It turned out that the enemy was using the "attack in the east while feigning in the west" strategy. Lingyan thought it was bad and was about to hold her breath when a wave of dizziness hit her, and the next moment, she fell to the ground.
Hearing the commotion inside, the person outside waited for a while. After confirming that Lingyan was unconscious, he finally pushed the door open and swaggered in. He was a stranger, but his appearance and dressing clearly indicated that he was a subordinate of Zongzheng Fengyi.
"Seventh Prince," the man stepped forward, felt Lingyan's pulse, and after confirming that she was unconscious, he turned to the outside of the door and said, "It's okay."
"The national teacher said that the aphrodisiac is very potent but has a limited duration. Prince, hurry up."
"I know." Zongzheng Fengyi's figure appeared at the door, followed by Yizhen, who was worried about any unexpected problems.
"Aphrodisiac?" Yizhen covered her nose with a silk handkerchief, but her big, watery eyes were looking at Zongzheng Fengyi. "It sounds like a good thing. Will it work on this maid even if she's unconscious?"
Zongzheng Fengyi's amber eyes flashed with understanding as he glanced at the unconscious Lingyan. He smiled and said, "It will definitely work. Coincidentally, I still have some left. Since the Fourth Princess has helped me so much, I'll give it all to you."
Saying this, he took out a square, bulging oil - paper packet from his bosom and held it out to Yizhen with two fingers. "I'm still busy, so I won't accompany you. But... if the princess wants to listen from outside, I'll be happy to oblige."
Yizhen gave him a cold look, disdainfully glanced at Zongzheng Fengyi's lower body, picked up the oil - paper packet from his hand with her slender fingers, let out a contemptuous "Humph," and without hesitation, turned around and left.
Zongzheng Fengyi watched Yizhen's back with interest for a moment, rubbed his fingertips, and murmured with a low laugh, "Interesting..." But his steps into the room did not falter.
The man who had just checked Lingyan bowed, picked up Lingyan's limp body, and retreated. The brown wooden door slowly closed.
Zongzheng Fengyi's belt slipped, and his outer robe gradually fell off.
Yunxi was lying on the bed. Perhaps because of the heat, her fair cheeks were flushed, and her hands were constantly tugging at her collar. The delicate and snow - white skin on her chest had turned an alluring pink, which was even more enchanting in the candlelight. Even Zongzheng Fengyi, who was experienced in amorous affairs, felt a tightness in his lower abdomen and a dryness in his mouth. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down twice. He tore off his inner garment, grabbed Yunxi's delicate wrist, pressed it down, and with his upper body bare, he pressed himself on top of her.
Just then, Yunxi, who had been mumbling in a daze, suddenly looked into his eyes. "Is the Seventh Prince in such a hurry? Do you want the yin - gu in my body to prolong your life?" Her words were clear, and her almond - shaped eyes were bright. There was not a trace of drunkenness or passion on her face.