Fourth Sister-in-Law, You've Been Drinking in Secret

The collar at the front of Lu Jingsi's robe was still in disarray. One glance was enough for Chengying to realize what he had just interrupted, and he hastily lowered his eyes, not daring to look again.

"Your Highness, something has happened at the Pavilion of Fragrant Flowers."

"The eldest young master of Duke Xu's Residence died at the Pavilion of Fragrant Flowers."

Lu Jingsi narrowed his dark eyes slightly and asked again, "Who did you say?"

"The eldest young master of Duke Xu's Residence, Xu Bin."

"How did he die?"

Chengying cautiously looked up at his master's expression before answering, "He drank too much and got into a fight with another patron who had gone to the Pavilion of Fragrant Flowers for amusement. They were fighting over a courtesan."

As a result, he was struck down on the spot with a vase.

Lu Jingsi raised a hand and rubbed the space between his brows. "What does the Capital Prefecture get paid for? Go to them with a case like this."

The Prison Administration did not take every case.

It generally took over only major cases or those assigned directly by the emperor.

Ordinary murder cases were investigated by the Capital Prefecture.

Chengying bowed and rubbed the tip of his nose. "The one who struck Xu Bin down with the vase was Qi Wenxuan, the Marquis of Yongding's youngest son."

"Lord Qi, the prefect of the Capital Prefecture, said he had to recuse himself to avoid suspicion."

The Marquis of Yongding's Qi family and Qi Zi'an of the Capital Prefecture belonged to the same clan. Though the two families were not closely connected nowadays, Qi Zi'an's decision was understandable.

Hearing this, Lu Jingsi could not help looking up at the bustling scene, ablaze with the lights of the Qiqiao Festival.

The pleasure boat was slowly approaching the shore. The streets teemed with people, and even though the Capital Prefecture and the Patrol Battalion had deployed plenty of men today, wherever there were crowds, there were disputes. It was impossible for nothing to happen.

Lu Jingsi's face darkened. He turned to glance at the boat's cabin, though with a curtain and a screen in the way, he could see nothing.

The boat had reached the shore. He withdrew his gaze and finally disembarked, instructing Chengying as he walked, "Have the princess consort's maid board the boat and attend to her. If she doesn't want to return to the residence, send more men to guard her."

The scenery at Bright Moon Lake was lovely, and she had seemed to be in good spirits just now. She probably would not return too early.

Chengying bowed and acknowledged the order. Once he had arranged everything, he hurried after his master.

One mishap after another had befallen Duke Xu's Residence these past few months. As the saying went, good news stayed indoors, but bad news traveled a thousand miles.

What had happened on the day of Xu Yin's coming-of-age banquet had become a topic of conversation for many in Yujing City. Duke Xu had placed nearly all his hopes on Xu Bin, yet who could have expected this to happen now?

Even if Lu Jingsi did not go to the Pavilion of Fragrant Flowers tonight, once Duke Xu submitted a memorial to the emperor tomorrow, the matter would most likely land on his shoulders in the end anyway.

As soon as Lu Jingsi left, Zelan boarded the pleasure boat. When she entered, she saw her mistress sitting leisurely on the daybed by the window, savoring some wine.

Her curvaceous figure was alluring, and the hand holding her cup was as fair and delicate as jade.

Su Luoqian had drunk an unknown amount. The upturned corners of her eyes were tinged with pink, and when she looked back and saw Zelan, she smiled and beckoned to her. "The view is lovely here. Come quickly."

Once Zelan was aboard, the pleasure boat slowly pulled away from the shore again.

The water rippled gently alongside the boat, its soft murmurs mingling with the calls of vendors on the shore and the conversation and laughter drifting from other pleasure boats, weaving together into this lovely tapestry of everyday life.

Seeing that Su Luoqian's mood had not been affected in the least by the prince's departure, Zelan said nothing.

She simply came to her side and poured her wine.

Taking in the nighttime view of the lake, the two chatted about many amusing things from their childhood at the Su residence.

It was not until after nine o'clock that Pei Mu brought Zhou Jingmi back.

Zhou Jingmi had clearly enjoyed herself. She carried a small flower lantern in one hand and held a little painted clay figurine in the other, her eyes and brows curved with delight on her round little face.

As soon as she saw Su Luoqian, she ran over with a smile. "Fourth Sister-in-Law, look! Brother Pei Mu bought this for me."

The flower lantern had clearly been bought from a street stall. Its materials were ordinary, but it was exquisitely made, with flowers painted in vivid, dewy colors on every side, along with some auspicious phrases.

Lit by the candle inside, it looked all the more warm and inviting.

Su Luoqian lowered her eyes to the little lantern and readily smiled. "Mm, it's lovely."

Pei Mu stood beside them and bowed to Su Luoqian. "Your Highness, the crown prince's pleasure boat is in the middle of the lake, so..."

By rights, Zhou Jingmi should have been taken back to the crown prince before returning to the palace later. But his boat had sailed to the middle of the lake, and after waiting a while without seeing it return, Pei Mu had brought the little princess back to the Prince of Cheng'an's Consort first.

Su Luoqian understood what he meant and smiled, her eyes curving. "It's all right. I should thank you for looking after Mi'er, Young Master Pei."

"In that case, I'll take my leave."

When Zhou Jingmi heard that Pei Mu was leaving, she was immediately reluctant to part with him and gazed at him longingly.

Noticing her gaze, Pei Mu crouched slightly to meet her eyes. "Princess," he said gently, "when you go to Grand Tutor Yan's class tomorrow, don't be late again."

Zhou Jingmi's cheeks flushed. She pursed her lips and replied, "I know, Brother Pei Mu."

Pei Mu stood again and bowed to Su Luoqian before turning to leave the boat.

Su Luoqian had Zelan prepare fresh pastries and tea for Zhou Jingmi. As the little girl ate, she edged closer, her little nose sniffing here and there. Tilting her head up, she asked, "Fourth Sister-in-Law, have you been drinking in secret?"

Su Luoqian lowered her gaze to the little girl's face and smiled. "I drank openly. How was that drinking in secret?"

"It smells so sweet and delicious! Fourth Sister-in-Law, what kind of wine is it? Can I have some?"

Su Luoqian shook her head. "It's green plum wine."

"But you're still too little to drink it, Mi'er. You can have some when you're older."

"All right~"

Zhou Jingmi was a little disappointed, and her little face fell.

Seeing this, Su Luoqian changed the subject. "Mi'er, did you have fun with Young Master Pei just now?"

The little girl's eyes lit up at once. Smiling, she nodded vigorously. "Yes! Brother Pei Mu is amazing! He won this painted figurine."

"But..." She seemed to remember something, and her little face fell again. "I heard Brother Pei Mu say he'll soon be going back to the border to find his father and mother."

Pei Mu had only stayed in the capital temporarily to study and was due to return to the border after a few months. No one had expected him and Zhou Jingmi to grow fond of each other during that time.

Su Luoqian stroked the little girl's head and comforted her. "Young Master Pei comes from a family of generals. He was always destined to guard the border and defend his homeland one day."

"Mi'er, if he weren't such an ambitious young man, you wouldn't sincerely treat him like an older brother, would you?"

Zhou Jingmi was still young, and Su Luoqian's words were not easy for her to understand. Even so, she vaguely felt that her fourth sister-in-law was right, so she nodded and leaned into her embrace.

The two of them, one grown and one small, rested together against the daybed, admiring the nighttime scenery by the lake.

When Lu Jingsi returned just before nine o'clock, he found the two of them nestled close together on the daybed, fast asleep.