Zhao Qiye was a bit surprised.
"Why are you here?"
She used to love hanging out with Third Brother at Dexiang Palace, so her sudden arrival here caught him off guard!
Yue Er replied.
"I was reading at Third Brother’s place, but it got really noisy here, so I came to check it out!"
"What are you guys playing?"
Zhao Qiye turned his head to look at the other brothers who appeared embarrassed, and hesitantly said.
"We’re... playing pitch-pot and drinking!"
"Do you want to join?"
Yue Er looked around hesitantly.
She wanted to play, but she didn’t like Shih Shaoling.
She quietly glanced at him, only to see him holding up a wine cup with a nonchalant expression, looking off into the distance, seemingly disdainful.
Yue Er felt a surge of anger.
’You don’t want me to join? Well, I’ll join regardless! It’s not your place!’
’I’m just going to upset you!’
She said this and sat down beside Zhao Qiye with a proud snort.
"I’m joining too!"
Zhao Qiye found it both exasperating and amusing.
But he always listened to his most cherished younger sister.
He immediately had the Palace Attendant prepare another set of dinnerware and, of course, replaced the dishes in front of her with new ones she liked.
"Thank you, Fourth Brother! You’re so good to me!"
Zhao Qiye smiled gently, holding up his wine cup.
"Of course!"
"You’re managing to remember your Fourth Brother exists, so rare for you to come by; how could I not treat you well!"
Yue Er rolled her eyes, snuggling close to him and pinching him.
"Hey Fourth Brother, what do you mean by that!"
"When have I ever forgotten about you?"
Zhao Qiye quickly conceded.
"Alright, alright, I haven’t forgotten!"
Yue Er finally nodded in satisfaction.
The others greeted the Princess and also sat down.
The games resumed, with fine wine and food, creating a lively atmosphere.
...
Yue Er hadn’t played pitch-pot much and couldn’t hit the mark at first.
Though everyone made allowances for her, she still struggled.
The small feathered arrow in her hand refused to cooperate, always missing, either too far or too close, unable to land in the pot.
She became anxious.
"Fourth Brother, I don’t want to play anymore, it’s embarrassing!"
Oddly, why did she feel embarrassed?
Was it because Fourth Brother was there? Or the other clan brothers? It seemed neither!
So why was she so nervous?
Yue Er muttered to herself: I don’t even know!
Zhao Qiye calmly put down his wine cup, teaching her hand-in-hand.
"Don’t focus on the feathered arrow, focus on the pot before you! And, don’t be tense, be relaxed! Just like this!"
He guided Yue Er’s hand with a gentle force.
The specially crafted delicate feathered arrow slid smoothly into the pot with a small opening.
"Wow, it actually went in!" Yue Er was thrilled.
"I want to try too!"
Taking a deep breath, she picked up a feathered arrow herself and carefully gave it a try.
After a few attempts, she finally hit one.
"Oh yeah!"
Yue Er jumped up in excitement.
By this time, it was already late, and the lights were on outside.
The candlelight shining through the red lantern illuminated Yue Er’s face, making her complexion appear even rosier and delicate, her eyes sparkling like a glorious galaxy!
With a smile full of warmth, Zhao Qiye tousled her hair in praise.
"Yue Er is amazing!"
Yue Er excitedly grabbed Fourth Brother’s hand.
"I did it, I did it!"
She flamboyantly turned to the other clan brothers with bravado.
"Come on, I’m not afraid of you anymore!"
"Alright!" They responded.
A new round of the game began, and the atmosphere grew even more fervent.
As Yue Er became increasingly skilled, her throws improved, and it wasn’t long before she turned the tables.
"Hahaha... Fourth Brother, you lost again! Time for a drink penalty!"
Yue Er grew more exuberant, her cheeks flushing red, her eyes glowing with even brighter stars.
...
’So lovely!’ someone thought in their heart.
Suddenly, he was incredibly envious of the Fourth Prince sitting beside her.
He could fondly tousle her hair, hold her hand, even share the same air.
He also envied the other clan’s Princely Heirs; at least they could play together.
These were dreams he yearned for but dared not even imagine.
He had never envied anyone before, until he met her.
Coming to his senses.
Shih Shaoling found himself laughable—when did he become so self-conscious?
In the Northwest, every girl in town wanted to marry him, after all.
Though not at the level of being surrounded by admirers, he was still quite sought after.
Yet no woman had ever stirred his heart.
Until he met her!
...
He wanted to catch her attention, but wasn’t sure how.