Night fell.
Carriages and horses streamed along the Chongming River like a dragon, and the lights of former days shone once more within the Commandery Princess's Manor.
In an elegant residence in the rear courtyard, three people sat in the hall. Assorted delicacies and a heap of red-lacquered boxes covered the table, while Coal Ball bounced wildly around the toy house prepared for it.
Zhao Ling had changed into a gorgeous warm-yellow palace gown. With a jeweled hairpin adorning her head and a face that promised a peaceful, prosperous realm, she looked like the queen of the Kingdom of Women. She raised a hand to pour the wine and said:
"Let's try something interesting today. We'll take turns opening boxes. Whatever we get, we either use it on the spot or drink a penalty cup. How about it?"
Linghu Qingmo sat beside Xie Jinhuan, turning a small box produced by Danyang Academy over in her hands.
"That works, but these are all pills, artifacts, and protective gear. Surely everyone will choose to use them. Who would choose to drink...?"
Xie Jinhuan had opened mystery boxes on Golden Gate Street with Wanyi before and knew that most of the boxes in the shops contained money-losing junk. But these boxes clearly hadn't come from a shop. Given the Landlady's personality, he didn't even dare imagine what was inside.
Still, what did a male model like him have to fear on an occasion like this? He smiled.
"Senior Zhang won't be able to send word until tomorrow at the earliest, so there's no harm in playing. We barely drank any of that jar of Number One Under Heaven last time. Shall I fetch it?"
Remembering how she had been fondled all night last time, Linghu Qingmo flushed and hastily shook her head.
"I'm