Chapter 1 The Wedding Toast
This time the Emperor didn't summon me to the palace.
He came looking for me instead.
But I wasn't home.
I had gone to Jing Xuan's princely residence to drink at his concubine's wedding banquet.
Over the past two years Jing Xuan had taken three concubines.
Each one was carried into the residence with great fanfare, just like this.
But the woman today was clearly his favorite.
The wedding robes she wore alone must have cost Jing Xuan a fortune.
Even the embroiderers were the most renowned in the capital.
After three rounds of wine, most of the guests had left.
The new bride, still veiled, rushed to the front hall insisting I offer blessings for their happy marriage.
Heh.
I laughed.
I raised my cup and said, "May you have many sons soon—eight sons, at least."
The bride's face flushed scarlet. "Then I borrow the Princess's auspicious words."
I clicked my tongue.
No wonder she used to be one of the top Courtesan in Xianglou.
Her voice was soft as water.
"You're too kind—"
Before I could finish, Jing Xuan suddenly stepped forward and shielded her behind him.
"Cui Qingyi! You're doing this on purpose, aren't you!"
"You know full well no children are allowed before a proper wife is taken! Do you have to humiliate Yingying like this?"
This was His Majesty's third son.
Utterly ridiculous.