Chapter 228 (1/2)

Chapter 228: Tolerance

”Why did you turn me down, Nan Xun?” Shangguan Yue choked out.

Nan Xun frowned and put some distance between them. ”I have no feelings for you.”

She lowered her eyes and clutched at her s.h.i.+rt, gritting her teeth. She blocked his way without a word. After a long stretch of silence, she looked up at him with adoring eyes. ”I've expressed my love for you, and yet you cruelly turned me down. I won't do this if I don't love you. Nan Xun, I'm willing to turn a blind eye to the affair between you and another man…”

Annoyance flashed through Jun Huang's expression. Nan Xun knew she was displeased. He had never wanted to be involved with Shangguan Yue. He only maintained a polite appearance because she was a woman. Now, though, he didn't care anymore.

He took a deep breath and said slowly, ”I hope Lady Shangguan won't forget about your shame and virtue as a woman. I've been patient with you only because what happened to your family. Since the empress dowager is willing to take you under her wing, you should stop chasing after an empty dream and take care of her.”

He took Jun Huang's wrist and pushed past Shangguan Yue. They walked away without a glance back.

Shangguan Yue stared after him, her eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears and her heart throbbing in pain. She never expected a man to be this harsh to her.

Nan Xun led Jun Huang onto a decorated boat. The sun had set. The view on the river was even more beautiful now than during daytime.

The boat moved forward, making ripples over the surface of the water. The river opened up as they moved away from the royal garden and turned into another fork, which led to the lake.

In the evening, there were many more decorated boats on the lake. A few smaller shantyboats roamed through the open s.p.a.ce between the bigger decorated boats. Performance of songs and dances were held on a few of them. The bright moon hung low in the sky. Its reflection dyed the dark river white.

Jun Huang and Nan Xun stayed on the deck of the boat where two divans were placed as their seats. Between them was a low table. She lay on the divan and looked up at the moon, her lips curved into a small smile.

”Is it the fifteenth of the month?” she asked.

Nan Xun looked up at the full moon and shook his head. ”It's the sixteenth.”

”Ah, is that so?” She sat up and looked away, reaching out for the wine jug to pour herself a cup. Nan Xun wanted to stop her, but her unblinking gaze made him pause. His hand froze in mid air helplessly.

She smiled. ”It's a beautiful evening. The moon is silver like the frost, and the view is nice. Wouldn't it be a waste of the scenery if we don't have a few drinks?”

He thought for a moment and decided that she was right. It might also help lighten up her mood. He nodded and didn't argue.

She filled two cups with wine and handed one to Nan Xun. She picked up the other one and had a sip. The wine was strong enough to make her tongue tingle, but it mellowed out once it went down her throat. It was a quality brand of wine.

Her sleeves fluttered in the wind as she finished another cup. It was a good day. She was starting to enjoy herself. She kept drinking until she drank almost half of the jug. Nan Xun had a few more drinks as well in a moment of weakness.

They were both a little drunk when the jug of wine was emptied, but Nan Xun was more sober than Jun Huang. He was used to having hard liquor when marching with the army. The wine they had tonight was more mellow, but the effect crept up on you. The moonlit night made them lose a little of their self-control.

She threw caution out of the window and walked up to the edge of the boat. Nan Xun shook the haziness in his head away and followed after her, worried that she might slip and fall off.

”Careful,” he said. ”It's not safe in the evening.”

She looked back at him, her cheeks tinted with red and her eyes as misty as the foggy lake. Nan Xun's heart fluttered. He wanted to get close to her, but he didn't want to scare her away. He stood as still as a statue, his eyes fixed on her.

Nan Xun had a high tolerance for alcohol. The strong wind over the lake was enough to clear his head. Jun Huang, though, was still inebriated. She was somewhat of a lightweight, and she rarely drank ever since she was. .h.i.t with the poison. All the doctors told her that she shouldn't drink in this state.

She stood there for a long time with Nan Xun providing silent company. The chilling wind made her skin sting. The boat had reached the port when she finally sobered up.

It was late. There weren't a lot of people around the area. Nan Xun's shadow guards were the only group waiting at the port.

They got off the boat and went straight back to the inn. Nan Xun watched Jun Huang enter her room before returning to his. She was tired. She plopped down on her bed immediately and fell asleep.