Chapter 224 The Twenty-Sixth Day of Entering a Rebirth Novel

Chapter 224: The Twenty-Sixth Day of Transmigrating into the Rebirth Story

The several officials exchanged glances. The Lord Heir of Marquis Zhongyong... actually took the Imperial Preceptor's cup to drink as if it were nothing?

And the Imperial Preceptor didn't seem angry?

It seemed that this Huo Huai was so favored by the Imperial Preceptor?

Countless thoughts flashed through their minds. They immediately put on even more enthusiastic smiles, gave a few perfunctory laughs, said some polite words like "The Young Lord can really hold his liquor" and "Your Excellency the Imperial Preceptor must take care of your health," and then tactfully excused themselves.

Huo Huai put down the cup and then turned to look at An Yi: "Master, are you drunk? Do you need your disciple to accompany you to rest for a while?"

An Yi did not answer immediately. Instead, he slightly tilted his head up to look at Huo Huai standing before him.

From this upward angle, he could clearly see Huo Huai's tightly clenched jawline, as well as his noticeably reddened ears and his slightly lowered eyelashes due to their eye contact.

Noticing An Yi's upward gaze, Huo Huai immediately bent one knee and crouched down, bringing his line of sight level with the seated An Yi.

An Yi blinked at his action.

He extended a finger and pointed faintly at the empty cup still tightly held in Huo Huai's hand.

His meaning was obvious—that was my cup.

Huo Huai followed his gaze to his own hand, his pupils suddenly constricting, and his handsome face instantly flushed bright red!

He had been so focused on blocking the drinks, afraid those officials would disturb his master's peace, that he had directly taken his master's used cup!

This... this is...

He stammered an apology, his voice cracking: "Your disciple was rude! I did not mean to offend you, Master! Please punish me!"

Seeing his manner as if he wished to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, An Yi's eyes curved slightly, and the flush of wine made him look even more striking.

Getting shy again.

So adorable.

He shook his head, letting out a soft laugh, unconcerned about such a trivial matter. He casually picked up a clean cup, poured half a cup for himself, and said calmly: "It's nothing, let them toast. Sometimes getting a little drunk isn't a bad thing."

Huo Huai, however, remained knelt there, looking up at him with furrowed brows, his tone showing rare persistence and worry: "Drinking too much... will make you feel bad."

An Yi smiled at him, and that smile, set off by his flushed cheeks, seemed even more enchanting and moving.

He extended his free hand and lightly gestured for Huo Huai to rise, touching his arm: "Sit down. I know my limits; I won't overdo it."

Huo Huai obediently stood up and sat properly on the stool beside An Yi, but his body remained tense, and the redness on his ears did not fade for a long time.

This interaction between the two, though at a distance where specific words could not be heard, the unmistakable atmosphere of unusual intimacy and harmony between them did not go unnoticed by many observant eyes.

Many officials who wished to curry favor with the Imperial Preceptor but had no means to do so now couldn't help casting their gazes toward Huo Huai.

So the Lord Heir of Marquis Zhongyong was such a favored figure before the Imperial Preceptor?

Perhaps the way to approach the Imperial Preceptor could be through this lord heir?

Huo Hong, sitting not far away, took in the entire scene, especially his son's flushed face and flustered demeanor, which was all too clear to him.

He sighed mournfully in his heart, his vision nearly going black, and almost passed out from shock.

This foolish boy! His intentions were as clear as day!

He prayed desperately in his heart, "May our ancestors protect us, this little rascal must keep his feelings hidden, and never, ever let the Imperial Preceptor discover them!"

If the Imperial Preceptor became angered, the barbarian envoy who was reduced to ashes at the palace banquet would be a clear warning!

Their Huo family's century-old legacy would likely be destroyed in an instant!

Truly, kids are nothing but trouble!

An Yi seemed genuinely affected by the kick of the imperial wine. He didn't engage in much conversation with others, only occasionally lifting his refilled cup to take a small sip, gazing dazedly at the boisterous crowd below.

The flush on his face didn't go away; instead, as time passed, it gradually spread, coloring the corners of his eyes, which were always clear and calm.

That touch of red was like white jade tinged with sunset clouds, adding a rich, enchanting beauty to his features, making him look utterly different from his usual aloof and otherworldly self.

The wedding feast's clamor went on for a long time, until the night was as dark as ink.

The Old Emperor had long since returned to the palace, and the Crown Prince and the others left, each wearing a different expression.

An Yi finally rose slowly.

Maybe because he'd been sitting too long or the wine went to his head, he gave an almost imperceptible sway. The two Taoist Apprentices who had been standing behind him immediately stepped forward to support him.

However, someone was faster than them.

Almost the moment An Yi swayed as he stood, Huo Huai reached out an arm and naturally took hold of An Yi's arm, replacing the apprentices.

An Yi, held by him, turned his head slightly to look.

Due to the wine, his eyes shimmered with even more glistening light than usual, and the flush tinged the corners of his eyes, seen up close, was startlingly vivid.

He seemed to recognize the person before him, and a smile deeper and hazier than usual spread across his lips.

Huo Huai's breath caught suddenly, and he felt a rush of blood surging to his face!

The Imperial Preceptor... was so close to him!

So close that he could clearly see the shadow cast by the other's long eyelashes, see the fine down on his fair skin, and smell the elegant, faint cold fragrance mixed with the scent of wine, threading into his nostrils, occupying his senses.

So fragrant...

And... so beautiful.

"Huo Huai," An Yi finally spoke, his voice lower and huskier than usual due to the wine, the ending with a hint of lazy magnetism that sent a shiver straight through Huo Huai's heart.

Huo Huai's throat tightened, his voice dry: "...Your disciple is here."

"Help me take a walk outside," An Yi's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue and annoyance. "It's a bit stuffy here."

"...Yes." Huo Huai nodded stiffly, his heart pounding as if it might explode.

It was early spring, and their clothes were no longer thick.

Through several layers of soft fabric, Huo Huai could clearly feel the warmth and slenderness of An Yi's arm.

That temperature instantly spread through his limbs and bones, bringing a dizzying tingling sensation.

An Yi was indeed slightly tipsy, his steps much more unsteady than usual, and his body unconsciously leaned slightly toward Huo Huai, using him to support some of his weight.

In that moment, Huo Huai felt that elegant cold fragrance mixed with a hint of wine, like the most potent narcotic, enveloping him completely and overwhelmingly.

As An Yi's body leaned in, he could feel the warmth of the other's body seeping through with unparalleled clarity, and could even hear the close, light, and regular breathing.

He practically held his breath, all his senses focused on the sensation from his arm and the scent lingering at the tip of his nose.

Supporting An Yi, he walked out of the wedding banquet venue under the gaze of many curious or probing eyes.