96. Chapter 96: Public Opinion (9)

The kiss lasted so long that Yun Zui finally went limp in Chi Mie’s arms.

Chi Mie, meanwhile, was only growing more excited. So kissing could be done in so many different ways? He even wanted to try a few more novel tricks.

But the woman who had so astonished him had actually fallen asleep...

He had been left tormented, his desire impossible to extinguish, while she slept soundly. Looking at that innocent sleeping face, he could only feel a surge of frustration.

In the end, Chi Mie had no choice but to let Yun Zui go.

When Chi Mie had carried Yun Zui back earlier, he had already drawn plenty of attention. Now that he had remained in her tent for so long without emerging, people had begun to imagine all sorts of things.

Had the two of them gotten drunk and lost all restraint?

But no one dared to go and check for themselves; they could only wrestle with their curiosity.

Time ticked by minute after minute, until at last Chi Mie’s tall figure finally appeared.

The women who secretly worshiped Chi Mie all breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Yun Zui had not been the one to profit from the situation.

Chi Mie still ignored the looks cast his way. He did not care what others thought of him, but he could not tolerate anyone sullying Yun Zui’s reputation.

No sooner had Chi Mie come out than Chi Yuan hurried forward to greet him.

When he saw the slight swelling on Chi Mie’s lips, Chi Yuan froze.

He had indeed misunderstood, and his mind immediately filled with endless speculation.

The others, however, were too far away to notice the condition of Chi Mie’s lips.

“Third Brother, as you instructed, I had knives delivered to everyone who spread the rumors. I also had people spread the word that there have been many cases of loose tongues mysteriously disappearing for no reason.”

Chi Mie nodded in satisfaction, then asked, “Has Imperial Preceptor Xikong still not returned to court?”

Chi Yuan could only shake his head to indicate no. That Imperial Preceptor Xikong was truly impossible to track; it could be said that he came and went without a trace, utterly mysterious.

Chi Mie said nothing more and turned to leave.

The next afternoon, Yun Zui felt as if her forehead were about to split open. She had actually drunk herself into such a state yesterday!

Being drunk was one thing, but she had also lost...

As soon as she woke, Yun Zui went to the privy, still half asleep and somewhat dazed.

She called out once, and a maid immediately entered.

“Prepare hot water. I want to bathe.” After getting drunk yesterday and not washing up, she felt miserable...

The maid froze for a moment at the order, but quickly went off to prepare it.

There truly was no one else who bathed as frequently as she did.

Yun Zui went to the dressing table. She had meant to comb her hair herself, but then she discovered that her lips had turned red and swollen.

It was not too severe, but Yun Zui still stared in shock.

How had this happened to her?!

She had completely forgotten the fervent kiss from the night before.

After bathing, Yun Zui still did not know who she had been kissing to end up this way, but she no longer wanted to dwell on it.

This time, Yun Zui put on a veil. When she stepped out, she found that the way people looked at her had become very strange.

There seemed to be a hint of reverence in their expressions.

Yet she had clearly done nothing.

Could they have been shocked by her tolerance for alcohol?

By then, Yun Zui had awoken right in time for the meal, and all the officials and attendants were gathered together.

A very long table stood there, laid out with a full row of dishes. The instant Yun Zui arrived, every eye turned to her.

They had thought she would sleep for days and nights without waking, but they had never expected her to rise again the very next day. Her liquor capacity was truly astonishing.

Yun Zui kept her eyes fixed ahead, ordered a few dishes, and was about to leave to eat alone in her own tent.

“Why is the Dowager Consort wearing a veil?” Yun Shang and Yun Zui were as incompatible as fire and water, and everyone knew that Chi Mie had personally escorted Yun Zui back to her tent yesterday.