She did not pay attention to my words, pushing open the window with a dazed look, as if immersed in a memory. The cold wind carrying river mist rushed in, making me shiver.
Yun Qiao leaned out the window, half her body exposed, her hair disheveled, yet wearing a gentle smile. Worried she might fall, I quickly grabbed her. She stubbornly pointed ahead and said, “I want to find him!”
“Alright, go find him,” I finally believed she was truly drunk and tried to soothe her like a child. She looked at me blankly, then said melancholically, “No, I can’t do this.”
I have A’fu and my consort husband. I can’t abandon them.”
I felt melancholic as the cold wind chilled me, and I had to prevent her from falling into the river. Was I here to comfort her or create trouble for myself?
She took my hand and looked at me earnestly, “We are both wanderers. A’yao, you must understand my pain.”
I was stunned. I didn’t quite understand…
“Father the Emperor wants to arrange a marriage between you and General Shen. He asked me to persuade you privately. I know you love Official An and dislike General Shen. However, marrying him would be beneficial for your future ascension to Crown Prince.”
I was confused. I knew Emperor Hong wanted to match me with Shen Dan’ding, but I hadn’t realized his considerations were like this. I was grateful but would never accept.
Yun Qiao sighed deeply. “Loving one yet having to marry another. Are the sisters of the Jiang family destined to bear such a fate?”
She was indeed drunk… If this continued, she might start composing poetry…
She finally fell silent, returning to the table to embrace the wine jar, drinking the last drop, then collapsed onto the table.
I called for sobering tea, had her drink plenty, and sent her home with the waiting guards. Consort E calmly carried her to her room, clearly having done this before.
The consequence of this farce was—I caught a cold.
