Fang Yuan had a hangover soup brought, and as he watched Wang Qingyao drink it, he explained, "You were so drunk yesterday that you were completely unconscious. Your cousin couldn't just send you back to the Wang family like that, so he sent someone to deliver a message to me, asking me to pretend to go out looking for you and accidentally sprain my ankle. This way, we could return to the manor in the same sedan chair and I could ask you to stay the night."
"Don't worry, I already sent word to your family yesterday to ensure your reputation remains untarnished."
After drinking a few sips of the hangover soup, Wang Qingyao noticed a wound on her lips. When she looked in the mirror, she saw that both her upper and lower lips were bruised and slightly swollen.
She asked curiously, "What happened to my mouth?"
Fang Yuan gave a suggestive smile, "I don't know. Your lips were already injured when you arrived yesterday."
Her smile was full of meaning, leaving Wang Qingyao utterly bewildered.
When Xiao Yun arrived, Wang Qingyao understood why Fang Yuan was smiling so happily.
Xiao Yun also had an injury on his lips, in the same spot as Wang Qingyao's.
Wang Qingyao watched him walk in, her gaze lingering on his lips for a few seconds before she realized, her face draining of color.
Could it be that she not only said things she shouldn't have, but also forcibly kissed Xiao Yun? Xiao Yun refused, and she took advantage of him?
Wang Qingyao instantly conjured a scene from yesterday's drunken state, her expression growing even more distressed.
Would Xiao Yun think she was frivolous?
Would he think she would cheat on him in the future?
Would he assume she would remarry without hesitation after he died?
Would he directly ask the Emperor to break off the engagement!!!
Wang Qingyao's face flushed and paled, her mind a chaotic stampede of emotions.
Xiao Yun had been trying to remain calm, but seeing Wang Qingyao's complicated expression, his heart tightened, and his face also turned red.
Fang Yuan chuckled slyly, "You two chat, I'll have someone prepare the fragrant bath." He winked at Wang Qingyao, "We'll bathe together later."
Wang Qingyao then remembered that it was the Dragon Boat Festival.
She dared not meet Xiao Yun's eyes, covering her forehead with her hand and looking elsewhere, her mind in utter collapse.
Compared to a forced kiss, whatever inappropriate things she might have said didn't matter. She could still manage to argue her way out of verbal indiscretions.
After all, drunken words could be true confessions, or just nonsensical ramblings.
She awkwardly touched her forehead, her voice barely a whisper, "That, about yesterday... I... I'm sorry, I... that..."
She pointed to his lips, then to her own.
Xiao Yun finally understood, was stunned for a moment, and then went along with it, "It's alright, it was my fault for not stopping you from drinking."
Wang Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief, glad he wasn't going to pursue the matter.
After all, it wasn't like she drank on her own accord. It was his ill intentions that led to unforeseen consequences, so she couldn't be blamed.
Wang Qingyao thought with a clear conscience.
For Wang Qingyao, this matter was over.
She didn't know what crucial things she had said, and only believed she had forcibly kissed Xiao Yun, so she didn't dwell on it.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yun had glimpsed a corner of Wang Qingyao's secret, his heart churning like a storm, and he became even more determined to uncover the truth.
---
Fang Yuan came in to hurry them along, warning that if they didn't bathe soon, they would miss the dragon boat races.
Wang Qingyao had thought Fang Yuan meant they would bathe together in the same tub, naked, and she was still hesitant.
Upon entering the bathing chamber, she discovered there were two large tubs, separated by a screen – though the separation made no difference to Wang Qingyao.
The bathing chamber was filled with mist and the scent of herbs. Through the screen, Fang Yuan sighed, "If Sister-in-law were here, we used to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival together."
Zuo Yun was still recuperating at her family's home. She was three months pregnant, but she found it so comfortable there that she had no desire to return to the Zhongyong Marquis's manor and engage in pleasantries with Madam Huang.
However, as the future wife of the heir of the Zhongyong Marquis, she had no choice but to return.
"Eldest Brother said he would bring Sister-in-law back by mid-month at the latest," Fang Yuan said happily.
There were few children in the Zhongyong Marquis's manor, and she was so bored being alone.
Wang Qingyao asked, "Doesn't Young Master Zeng not look for you to play?"
Fang Yuan's face immediately turned red, and she chided, "He's working at the Hanlin Academy now, where would he find the time to play with me every day?"
Zeng Huai no longer lived in the Zhongyong Marquis's manor. With the help of the Duke of Zhongyong, he had acquired a small residence not far from the manor, and they still visited frequently.
His parents had passed away early, leaving him alone. On a grand festival like the Dragon Boat Festival, he had no family to accompany him. The Duke of Zhongyong had instructed Fang Zheng to invite him, so that the young people could spend time together.
The two of them probably soaked for half an hour. Their clothes were new. The set Xiao Yun had bought yesterday had already been sent to the Wang family. This was another set he had purchased – a pale pink Su embroidery moonlit brocade dress, which made Wang Qingyao's skin appear fair and rosy.
After changing into their new clothes, they tied colorful silk threads around their arms and pinned small talismans to ward off evil onto their hairpins.
With everything prepared, they walked out of the room, carrying the scent of herbs.
Xiao Yun, Fang Zheng, and Fang Yuan were already waiting in the flower hall. Upon seeing them, they exchanged greetings and set off for the canal to watch the dragon boat races.
The Duke of Zhongyong and his son and daughter-in-law were also going out, but not with the younger generation.
Madam Huang showed no embarrassment upon seeing Wang Qingyao, and even warmly approached her with a few pleasantries.
It was as if the incident where she had designed cats to attack Wang Qingyao last time had never happened.
Conversely, Wang Qingyao felt more awkward, responding with dry "uh-huhs."
The heir's gaze was constantly on Madam Huang, gentle and affectionate, with a smile.
It seemed Madam Huang had already appeased the heir, and there was no rift between them.
Fang Zheng was his usual reserved self. Fang Yuan, being young, couldn't hide her emotions and deliberately avoided looking at Madam Huang, exuding hostility.
The streets were crowded, as if everyone in Duanjing had come out onto the streets. Some main roads were even congested, with carriages unable to pass for a long time.
They had to dismount and walk, taking twice as long as usual to reach the canal, which was already teeming with people.
In the distance, four dragon boats floated side-by-side on the water, their rowers ready to depart.
Wang Qingyao and her companions didn't need to jostle with the crowd to watch the dragon boat races. There were several restaurants along the canal, and Fang Zheng and Xiao Yun had already booked two private rooms with excellent views overlooking the river.
When Wang Qingyao arrived, she discovered that Madam Zuo and Zuo Yun were also there. Zuo Yun had been confined at home for three months and was so bored she was about to mold, eagerly awaiting the Dragon Boat Festival to go out and have some fun.
Madam Zuo, fearing the crowds would jostle her, had been reluctant to agree.
It was only after Fang Zheng made all the arrangements and persuaded Madam Zuo that Zuo Yun was able to come out.
"Sister Yao, what happened to your lips?" The injury was too obvious, and Zuo Yun asked as soon as they met.
Madam Zuo's gaze followed, and Wang Qingyao's face tightened. It was truly bringing up a sore subject.
She could only manage a choked "mm-hmm," unable to speak.
Fang Yuan let out a chuckle and nudged Zuo Yun with her elbow, gesturing for her to look at Xiao Yun.
Zuo Yun saw the injury on Xiao Yun's lips, was stunned for a moment, then realized, and let out a meaningful "oh."
Wang Qingyao was mortified. Knowing they had misunderstood, she could only pretend to be shy and lower her head.
Xiao Yun's face also turned red.
The two private rooms were separated by gender. Zeng Huai and Xiao Yun had originally come to greet Madam Zuo and the others, but unexpectedly found themselves subjected to piercing gazes.
Zeng Huai frowned, his face full of confusion, "Did His Highness and the Second Miss Wang fall together?"
Fang Yuan couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.
Fang Zheng patted Zeng Huai on the shoulder and said with a straight face, "Your deduction is very accurate. They just had bad luck and fell together."
Now even Madam Zuo started to laugh.
It was a truly mortifying scene.
Fortunately, the dragon boat races began at this moment. The surrounding crowd cheered and encouraged, creating a bustling and noisy atmosphere.
Everyone forgot to tease Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun and rushed to the windows to watch the race.