Chapter 162: Drunkenness

Chapter 162: Drunkenness

He Qingxiao had indeed come over because he couldn't bear to see King Qing making things difficult for Xin You.

Now, seeing Xin You drink the wine so readily, he stopped and watched the situation unfold.

Seeing Xin You drink the strong liquor without hesitation, a flash of surprise crossed King Qing's eyes. He then picked up another cup from the tray held by a maid, smiling, "That first cup was to thank Miss Kou for saving my cousin. This one is on behalf of my younger brother."

More?

Xin You raised an eyebrow slightly.

Her reaction deepened the smile at the corner of King Qing's lips. "Miss Kou, would you give me this chance to express my gratitude?"

Catching a glimpse of He Qingxiao frowning out of the corner of her eye, Xin You's heart skipped a beat.

She didn't want to be the catalyst for a conflict between Lord He and King Qing.

Extending her delicate hand, she picked up the wine cup from the tray and gently clinked it against King Qing's. "Your Highness is too kind."

King Qing watched as Xin You tilted her head back and drank the wine, then he also drank his and lifted another cup. "This one is from me to Miss Kou, for I have yet to thank you for your gift of books."

Gift of books? What gift of books?

Many people's curiosity was piqued upon hearing this.

Xin You smiled and drank the third cup of wine.

Her straightforwardness left King Qing momentarily speechless.

By now, everyone could see that King Qing was deliberately making things difficult for Miss Kou. After all, Miss Kou wasn't a man; how could he keep toasting her to show his gratitude?

What was even more surprising was Miss Kou's performance—she had drunk three cups of wine in a row without changing her expression.

As King Qing's mind raced to find a reason for the fourth toast, Xin You raised her hand and summoned a maid with a tray.

The new maid's tray held six full cups of wine.

Xin You picked up a cup and smiled at King Qing. "I should also toast Your Highness, for visiting my bookstore and bringing honor to my humble shop."

The surprise in King Qing's eyes deepened.

She was actually toasting him?

Meeting those calm, water-like eyes, King Qing felt a surge of irritation.

"Miss Kou, you're too kind."

Their cups clinked, producing a crisp sound.

"I'll toast Your Highness again."

Cup after cup, Marquis Jing'an Kong Rui, as the host, went from wanting to intervene to being shocked, and finally to feeling dazed.

He Qingxiao, who had been about to step forward but was stopped by Xin You's gaze, was also bewildered.

Why was Miss Kou drinking with King Qing?

Recalling Miss Kou's warning about bloodshed at the banquet, He Qingxiao suspected that perhaps she had gotten drunk and lost control, leading to a fight with King Qing, which he had to stop, resulting in his injury.

As for the others, they were even more stunned.

Was this a dream? How else could they witness the second prince, King Qing, drinking competitively with the owner of Qingsong Bookstore, Miss Kou?

The scene grew increasingly quiet, and no one knew how many cups of wine had been consumed. The young woman's voice remained steady and calm. "I'll toast Your Highness again."

"Alright," King Qing's hand trembled, and the wine cup fell to the ground, shattering with a startling sound.

Looking at King Qing, his body swayed and he leaned to the side, but fortunately, Kong Rui was quick to catch him.

"Excuse me, I need to take His Highness to change."

Kong Rui dragged the unconscious King Qing away.

Xin You watched the direction King Qing had gone, her face expressionless, a cold glint in her eyes.

To think he would dare to challenge her with such a low tolerance for alcohol.

After a long moment of silence, everyone turned their gaze to Xin You.

Xin You calmly sat down, picked up a piece of cold food, and took a bite, frowning slightly.

This frown made a noblewoman, who had been intimidated by her competitive drinking, ask cautiously, "Miss Kou, is something wrong?"

Xin You looked up at the noblewoman and smiled kindly. "Nothing, I just noticed the food is cold."

The expressions of those present were indescribable.

You just took down King Qing, and you're worried about the food being cold?

Princess Royale Zhaoyang only learned the details of King Qing's drinking competition with Miss Kou from Kong Rui after the banquet ended.

"Rui'er, Mother has only one request of you."

"Mother, what is it?"

"I like Miss Kou's character so much. Try your best to marry her and bring her into our family!"

Kong Rui was taken aback, his face turning red instantly.

Is Mother also drunk? Would she say such things casually?

Princess Royale Zhaoyang was certainly not drunk, but she was filled with an indescribable emotion that made her seem rather excited: "Facing a prince of vastly different status, Miss Kou not only wasn't intimidated, but also turned the tables on him. There's no one more suitable to be my daughter-in-law than her. Rui'er, you must strive!"

Whenever Princess Royale Zhaoyang thought about how that little brat, King Qing, went to provoke someone and ended up being dragged away like a dead dog by a young girl, she felt a sense of satisfaction.

Kong Rui's face turned red: "Mother, you've worked hard all day. You should rest early."

"I'm not tired." Princess Royale Zhaoyang glanced at her son: "Did you hear what I said?"

Kong Rui tentatively suggested: "If you really like Miss Kou, why not adopt her as your goddaughter?"

"Hmm?" Princess Royale Zhaoyang raised an eyebrow.

Is this brat not interested in Miss Kou?

Kong Rui seized the opportunity to clarify: "To me, Miss Kou is just like Fu'er."

Anyone would find it hard to have other thoughts when facing a girl who looks like their mother.

Princess Royale Zhaoyang had suffered the near-miss of being forced to marry a nouveau riche, so she didn't intend to force her son. She only muttered that he lacked discernment.

As for adopting Miss Kou as a goddaughter, she hadn't planned that yet; otherwise, it might become awkward if her son came to his senses later.

Princess Royale Zhaoyang decided to let things between her son and Miss Kou take their natural course. Thinking about how King Qing had made things difficult for Miss Kou, she became pensive.

Could it be that she had been wrong before? Was it not because of Count Gu Chang's household that Miss Kou's cousin-in-law sought trouble, but because of Consort Shu?

She didn't believe that King Qing, that arrogant wolf cub, would cause a scene at her birthday banquet for his cousin.

How did Miss Kou offend Consort Shu?

A deep doubt arose in Princess Royale Zhaoyang's heart.

After the banquet, He Qingxiao was not at ease and followed Xin You's carriage from a distance.

In the carriage, Xiaolian cautiously asked: "Miss, did something happen at the banquet?"

The attendants of the guests were accommodated elsewhere and were not present during the banquet.

Xin You, whose eyes were slightly hazy from drinking, looked over: "What do you mean?"

"Upon leaving, I noticed many people looking at you secretly, and—" Xiaolian paused, concern evident in her eyes, "You seem to have had quite a bit to drink."

Such a strong smell of alcohol didn't resemble fruit wine.

"Something did happen."

Xin You closed her eyes. Although she didn't show the usual signs of drunkenness, she wasn't as calm as she appeared: "Xiaolian, lift the curtain and look behind us."

Xiaolian was taken aback.

The girl leaning against the carriage wall smiled lightly, her mind drifting: "I think Lord He will be following us."

Xiaolian: !