novelraw Chapter 744 - 724 Drunkenness
Chapter 744 - 724 Drunkenness
After Lan Ningzhen returned to the banquet, Fang Chuning and Xie Jue exchanged silent looks. When Lan Ningzhen brought up the matter of divorce, it seemed to be a resolution they both found agreeable. Xie Jue briefly considered offering the position of Princess to Lan Ningzhen, but ultimately couldn’t bring himself to do it. He knew there was no chance of a future with Fang Chuning and that he must sever his feelings completely. Yet this self-righteous intention of "doing it for his own good" was buried deep in his heart. Xie Jue arrogantly thought to himself that, as someone holding the highest official rank, and with the Emperor being his younger brother, why should he care about societal opinions? If he chose not to marry, who could force him?
It was like selfishly and stubbornly leaving a sliver of hope for others—or perhaps, even for himself. Fang Chuning lowered his gaze and sat silently beside him. It was rare for him to remain so quiet, as he was usually lively and witty when around Xie Jue. Xie Jue said, "When the Beiman matters settle, I’ll travel to Sannan as a diplomat. You can go to defend the border."
"Alright!" Fang Chuning nodded, his gaze calm as he looked at Xie Jue’s flawless profile. "Sounds good!"
The Ningzhou border was temporarily stable, and civil life in Beining was gradually recovering, presenting a scene of prosperity. Apart from Sannan, there were no external threats anymore. Whether Fang Chuning or the Grand Marshal was sent to guard Jiangnan, Xie Jue felt assured.
Apart from official matters, there seemed to be nothing left to talk about. That was, until someone from the banquet came to summon them.
The Beiman delegation’s first public appearance and banquet in the Capital City was a grand and meticulously organized affair. Fengyu, Mrs. Fang, and the Rituals Bureau oversaw the event’s execution, blending festivity with a showcase of Beining’s cultural traditions. While both sides displayed a hint of restraint, the atmosphere was vibrant enough. Particularly, Dugu Jing and the Third Princess, along with the Fourth Princess, who had spent significant time in the Capital, already seemed acclimated and uninhibited. Xie Xun, being an informal and easy-going monarch, even challenged Dugu Jing to a drinking contest during the banquet. Xie Xun was a heavy drinker, and so was Dugu Jing. The two consumed five or six jars of wine yet remained standing perfectly steady, showing no signs of drunkenness. Refusing to concede, Dugu Jing ordered some Beiman wine to be brought, continuing his contest with Xie Xun. Eventually, he managed to drink Xie Xun under the table. Dugu Jing laughed heartily, clearly overjoyed to have finally bested Xie Xun and reveling in his rare triumph.
After becoming thoroughly drunk, Xie Xun returned to the palace to rest. Concerned for his well-being, Fengyu handed over the banquet responsibilities to Xie Jue and immediately summoned the Imperial Physician to examine Xie Xun.
Xie Xun hadn’t consumed this much alcohol in a long time, and Fengyu worried that his overindulgence might lead to health complications. Zhang Lingzheng prepared some hangover medicine, and after drinking two bowls of it, Xie Xun vomited heavily, feeling utterly miserable. Watching him suffer, Fengyu felt both heartache and worry. Silently, she vowed it would be the last time. Though Prince Jingbei and the others were still at the banquet, she couldn’t allow Xie Xun to indulge so recklessly in the future.
Xie Xun was visibly intoxicated and became incredibly clingy. He held onto Fengyu, calling her name in a slurred and sticky manner, kissing her lips and cheeks repeatedly, leaving her covered in the smell of alcohol. Fengyu, bothered by the overwhelming stench, tried to evade his kisses, but Xie Xun, drunk as he was, exerted brute strength. Gripping Fengyu’s chin, he hurt her enough to make her eyes well up with tears, and she almost slapped him in frustration.
What a brute!
"Ayu hates me." Despite being the one who hurt Fengyu, Xie Xun still played the victim, accusing her. His drunken, watery eyes appeared both aggrieved and pitiful, staring at her as if pleading. Unable to resist his gaze, Fengyu softened and coaxed him gently. "Zhixu, you’re drunk. Let’s sleep properly, shall we?"
"No!" Xie Xun shook his head, experiencing dizziness as Fengyu’s face seemed to sway before him. He cupped her face with both hands and commanded roughly, "Don’t move!"
Fengyu, with her petite frame, was entirely trapped by Xie Xun’s domineering embrace, unable to budge. Frozen like a wooden carving, she was further restrained as Xie Xun tightened his hold on her face. It felt as though with just a bit more strength, he might twist her head off. Fengyu rolled her eyes in exasperation. Thankfully, the palace maids had already left, leaving only the Emperor and Empress in the inner chamber; otherwise, their odd posture might have triggered bursts of laughter.
"Fine, I won’t move. What do you want?"
"You comfort me." Xie Xun, still feeling aggrieved by Fengyu’s earlier rejection, sulked. Like his brother Xie Jue, when drunk he would forget his actions and words completely. Xie Xun rarely drank to the point of inebriation, so except for those closest to him, few knew that he could act this way. For the most part, he exerted strict self-control, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. But tonight, likely in high spirits, he lost control in his contest with Dugu Jing.
"Alright, I’ll comfort you," Fengyu said, rising slightly on her toes to pat his head. Her tone, unintentionally imbued with the same gentle affection she used when soothing Ruyi, carried a maternal tenderness. "There, there. Don’t be upset, okay?"
"That’s it?" Xie Xun’s eyes widened in dissatisfaction. Even drunk, he found Fengyu’s placation far too perfunctory.
Fengyu couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. Xie Xun, clinging to her like a large, clingy dog, radiated warmth. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t break free. Then, with a sudden surge of energy, Xie Xun wrapped his arms around Fengyu’s waist and carried her to the soft bed. He pressed his heavy, drunken kisses onto her face and lips. "Sleep!"
Fengyu: "...You... Are you even capable of that?"
Could he truly manage intimacy in such a drunken state? Fengyu, frightened as he began pulling at her garments, felt a sense of dread. Usually, Xie Xun took care not to be rough with her, but now, entirely unrestrained, it seemed like if she surrendered to him, she wouldn’t make it out unscathed by morning.
"Wait..." Fengyu shivered and avoided Xie Xun’s kisses. Her resistance impatiently provoked him, prompting him to lower his head and bite her collarbone hard. "Don’t move!"
"Ah..." Fengyu cried out in pain, tears streaming down her cheeks as anger surged. Just as she was about to curse him, Xie Xun, apparently oblivious, continued rubbing his body against hers desperately and frustratedly. Her ceremonial Empress attire from the banquet was intricate and cumbersome, and Xie Xun spent what felt like an eternity failing to undo it. Exhausted, he finally collapsed onto her, falling asleep right on top of her.
Fengyu: "..."