As Yu Yihe composed herself and followed the path back according to her memory, she happened to encounter the little maidservant who had arrived late.
Seeing her approaching with her clothes neatly arranged, the little maid’s gaze wavered for a moment before she walked over, her expression somewhat strange. “Why did you come back by yourself, Miss?”
Yu Yihe glanced at her and sneered inwardly, yet her face remained unreadable. She simply pressed her hand to her forehead, feigning exhaustion.
“I took a short nap just now, and the effects of the wine have mostly faded. Not wishing to cause any delays, I walked back on my own.”
Hearing this, the maid asked hesitantly, “Did you… encounter anyone?”
The question was incredibly blunt, but Yu Yihe continued to act oblivious. Since she had already spoken those words to him, everything that had just happened should be treated as if it never occurred.
“No. Why do you ask, girl?”
Only then did the little maid realize she had been too rash. She quickly forced a smile and said, “I was only concerned for you, Miss. Ah, I have brought some sobering soup for you. Please drink it while it is hot.”
But how could Yu Yihe dare to drink anything from Yu Zhaoyuan again? “There is no need. The night breeze has already cleared my head.”
With that, she immediately stepped toward the Xi Dian. Her steady pace forced the maid to swallow back any further words, leaving only a faint look of confusion between her brows.
Little did the maid know that every step Yu Yihe took was with absolute concentration. She was controlling her limp limbs and suppressing the tide of passion within her body.
Even someone in a daze could guess that something had been added to the wine she drank. However, perhaps due to a concern for appearances or the fear of punishment, the amount added was not substantial, which was why Yu Yihe could still stand and walk.
But none of that was the most important thing right now. The priority was how to deal with the Yu family once she returned, and how to extract benefits from this situation.
Yu Yihe knew she lacked the power to completely sever ties with the Yu family. She could make a scene, and she could blame and complain, but there had to be a limit. Over the years, she had finally understood one thing—the crying child gets the milk.
However, when she returned to the hall, the high platform was still empty of figures. The female guests were chatting loudly, and on the side of the male guests, people were standing in small groups, with some laughing out loud.
As she drew closer, she saw that Consort Rong’s seat was already vacant. Beside it, Yu Zhaoyuan suddenly turned around after a maid whispered in her ear. Her expression shifted the moment she saw Yu Yihe dressed neatly and appearing unharmed. Madam Yu and the Countess, Yu Yiwei, also turned around.
Yu Zhaoyuan hurried over and asked urgently, “Sister, where have you been?”
She scrutinized Yu Yihe from head to toe. To an outsider, it would seem like deep sisterly affection, but Yu Yihe saw the confusion in her eyes. Over Yu Zhaoyuan’s shoulder, she also saw the worry in Madam Yu’s eyes. It was truly laughable; this worry was not for her safety, but rather a fear that she had failed to climb into the bed of that person.
“I was going to change my clothes, but the summer night breeze was warm and my head was aching, so I found a pavilion to take a short nap.”
Yu Zhaoyuan’s expression remained normal; clearly, everything had been part of the plan. She only asked, “Did you not encounter anyone?”
“I did not.”
The same three words were spoken again. Yu Yihe saw her three relatives reveal varying degrees of disappointment. Yu Zhaoyuan looked both disappointed and somewhat relieved, while Madam Yu’s disappointment was pure.
Yu Yihe lowered her eyes to hide the mockery within them. When she looked up again, she wore a look of slight suspicion. She looked at Yu Zhaoyuan and then at Madam Yu, suddenly saying, “Imperial Consort, Mother, I feel that tonight’s wine was a bit…”
Before she could finish, Yu Zhaoyuan cut her off quickly. “A bit sweet and fragrant, wasn’t it? I thought so too. It just so happens that the Emperor has already announced his departure, so we sisters can enjoy a few more cups.”
Hearing this, Madam Yu and the Countess also surrounded her. Yu Yihe wanted to refuse, but Huixiang had already brought over the remaining wine jug and four small cups. She poured a cup for each of them, and the jug was emptied.
“It is just finished. Since it is only one cup each, Second Miss, please do not decline again.”
Since things had reached this point and all three were watching her, Yu Yihe knew she could not escape this cup. However, she was no longer afraid. She had already offended that person tonight, and the matter could not be undone. So what did one more cup of wine matter?
Besides, this cup was bound to be ordinary fruit wine.
As expected, after the wine was down and she followed Madam Yu back to their courtyard, Yu Yihe felt nothing else. Even the spring tide within her body dissipated completely along the way.
Back in the courtyard, just as the two were about to part, Madam Yu casually mentioned the wine from tonight. “Fruit wine is still wine after all. Drinking it always makes one’s blood run a bit hot; even I felt it. Go back, take a good bath, and you will calm down.”
By the light of the lanterns, Yu Yihe noticed that Madam Yu’s face was indeed more flushed than usual. She realized that any investigation into tonight’s wine jug would likely yield no results.
“Mother is right. Then your daughter shall head back first.”
Despite knowing their schemes, Yu Yihe still could not have a falling out with them. She could only endure it in silence.
Madam Yu nodded and watched her second daughter return to the West Room. After a long while, she let out a deep sigh, withdrew her gaze, and went into the main room.
Not long after, Yu Shilang also returned. Reeking of alcohol, he took the sobering soup brought by a maid and looked at his regretful wife.
“Since even this failed, let the matter drop. We shall search for a divine doctor again to see if Fu’er’s body can be cured.”
Madam Yu nodded, undressing as she leaned toward Yu Shilang. “I will invite Madam Li for a talk tomorrow.”
Since Yu Yihe could not enter the palace, she should not be kept at home any longer.
Seeing his wife’s flushed face, Yu Shilang let out a few dry laughs before meeting her embrace.
“How was it?”
Wei Jingheng did not look up from the memorials he was writing, sparing only a fragment of his attention to question Li Fuhai, who had just entered.
The Chief Manager bowed slightly. “Emperor, the imperial physicians inspected the wine cups and the jug, but they found no traces of any drugs inside…”
Noticing the slight furrow in the Emperor’s brow, the Chief Manager did not dare to delay his report.
“Only three or four drops of wine could be poured from that jug, making it very difficult to test. However, one physician said there seemed to be a faint scent of an aphrodisiac, but the amount was too small to be certain.”
That single sentence was enough. Wei Jingheng slowly set down his imperial brush and sat up straight. His expression revealed no emotion, but after a moment, he let out a cold snort.
“Prepare the water. I wish to wash.”
“Yes.”
However, just as Li Fuhai had taken a few steps, Yu Zhaoyuan’s voice came from outside, seemingly asking a young eunuch to announce her arrival. He turned back hesitantly to look at the Emperor on the high platform. “Emperor…”
Wei Jingheng did not say a word; he only shot him a glance. The Chief Manager understood perfectly. He bowed and went outside, and soon his voice could be heard.
“The Emperor is busy with state affairs and is currently reviewing the memorials delayed by the banquet. Imperial Consort, please return.”
“Eunuch…”
“Imperial Consort, please return.”