Clip-clop, clip-clop-
With the Scarlet Qilin Guard clearing the way, the four-horse carriage rolled through the bustling streets. Its doors and windows were shut tight, and it was much quieter than usual.
Inside, Zhao Ling sat in the principal seat in a warm yellow palace gown, her bearing as reassuringly stately as ever. Holding a wine cup, she gave a little huff.
"'Thank you for your boundless grace,' indeed. Couldn't you have been more tactful and said you needed to think about it? Then I could still have turned it down. Now that you've agreed,
"Wouldn't I be breaking both your heart and Imperial Father's if I dragged my feet?"
Dressed in white robes, Xie Jinhuan sat by the window and sighed.
"Last time we played truth or dare, I even admitted to touching the Jianbing Divine Gift, and Your Highness didn't hit me-hey, hey?"
Before he could finish, the imposing, regal Eldest Princess rose, her face flushed, and walked over with the wine flask. Supporting the back of his head, she began offering him a drink.
"I see Imperial Father's few words of praise have gone straight to your head. You dare bring up anything now. Here, let me clear your head for you-"
"Glug, glug, glug-"
The bulging Fat-Headed Peacock was right beside Xie Jinhuan's cheek, even pressing against him to hold his head in place. Washing his face in milk did indeed clear his head somewhat. Unable to dodge just then, he could only raise his hands slightly and accept his reward. Only after she had poured half a flask of wine into him did he reply,
"I overstepped. I'll leave this entirely to Your Highness. If you don't agree, nothing anyone says will matter. If you do agree, even refusing on pain of death won't help