The elders were chatting about family matters, things that the younger generation didn’t need to worry about.
“See, if you hadn’t come, you would have missed out,” Fang Qi Er said, glancing around to make sure no one was watching before taking a sip of the soup.
“What are you doing!” Xi Fuhong exclaimed in surprise, shocked by such a rude action from a disciple of Bi Xuan Palace.
Fang Qi Er smiled mischievously at her, quickly scooping a spoonful and feeding it to Xi Fuhong.
“Now we’re both accomplices, so don’t go telling the senior sister,” Fang Qi Er said with a sly grin, making it hard for Xi Fuhong to stay mad.
“This soup is really good, want to have a few more sips?” Fang Qi Er asked, holding the spoon and seeking Xi Fuhong’s approval.
Xi Fuhong knew it was useless to argue, so she smiled and nodded.
The two of them stood by the table, taking turns sipping the soup, enjoying themselves.
The courtyard of the official’s residence was filled with laughter at night.
Bright red lanterns hung high, and a group of women in blue played music to liven up the atmosphere.
The young disciples of Bi Xuan Palace had never seen such a grand feast and were having a great time.
Even the usually composed and reserved Qin Ke Yun didn’t stop them, casually chatting with the official, her mind seemingly elsewhere.
“Why does that old fool keep pestering Senior Sister Ke Yun?” Fang Qi Er asked, biting into a sweet melon, the juice making her hands sticky.
“Maybe he’s just grateful?” Xi Fuhong suggested, handing over a napkin.
“After all, it was Miss Qin who first spoke to the official, maybe he mistook her for the senior sister.”
“That makes sense.
I just feel like Senior Sister Qiyu seems a bit down.
Usually, she would be the one handling these greetings,” Fang Qi Er said, tossing the melon seed aside and heading back to the table for more food.
Xi Fuhong also noticed that Xiao Qiyu seemed unusually calm, her usual gentle aura missing despite her smile.
Xi Fuhong looked around and realized Xiao Qiyu was nowhere to be seen.
At some point, she had left the courtyard.
Following the corridor, under the bright moonlight, Xi Fuhong saw Xiao Qiyu drinking alone in a small courtyard.
Her thin figure looked frail, and the breeze lifted her ink-black hair.
The jade crown on her head shone coldly in the moonlight, making her seem like an otherworldly being, drinking in solitude.
Xi Fuhong clutched her chest.
She had seen the gentle Xiao Qiyu, the sad Xiao Qiyu… but this was the first time she saw the lonely Xiao Qiyu.
“Miss Xiao…” After hesitating for a while, Xi Fuhong finally spoke up.
Hearing the sound, Xiao Qiyu turned slightly, and upon seeing Xi Fuhong, she smiled as usual.
“Miss Xi,” her voice was soft, with a hint of intoxication.
Xi Fuhong approached and noticed several opened wine jars beside Xiao Qiyu, indicating she had been drinking alone since the banquet started.
Realizing this, Xi Fuhong frowned.
She didn’t like seeing Xiao Qiyu like this but didn’t know what to say, so she quietly sat beside her, offering silent comfort.
Xiao Qiyu didn’t ask Xi Fuhong to leave.
She poured herself a cup of wine, spilled it on the ground, then poured another and drank it all.
This action repeated until Xi Fuhong couldn’t stand it anymore.
She stood up, took the wine jar from Xiao Qiyu, and stepped back ten paces.
“Miss Xiao, you’ve had too much to drink.” Although Xiao Qiyu reeked of alcohol, her eyes were clear.
Her calm eyes were darker than the night, and Xi Fuhong couldn’t discern the emotions hidden in Xiao Qiyu’s gaze.
“Today is a rare day to get drunk,” Xiao Qiyu said, releasing the wine cup, which shattered with a crisp sound.
She approached Xi Fuhong until they were less than a step apart, looking down at her.
Xiao Qiyu’s slightly cold fingers brushed Xi Fuhong’s arm as she took back the wine jar.
“Rare… or perhaps… often lost in drunken dreams?”
“Even if it’s a rare occasion to drink, you can’t…” Xi Fuhong tried to take the wine jar, but Xiao Qiyu held her hand.
“This wine is for Ling Xue…” Xiao Qiyu tossed the jar into the air.
“Tonight is her death anniversary.”
Crash! The jar shattered, releasing a fragrant aroma.
In the cold night, Xiao Qiyu’s smile was both sorrowful and relieved, stirring an indescribable emotion in Xi Fuhong’s heart.
The air she breathed was filled with the scent of wine, and even though she hadn’t drunk a drop, she felt intoxicated.
