Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Seeing Tao'er's appearance, Elder Li shook his head and sighed, "Tao'er is probably really drunk."

When she gets rowdy, she might actually cause a ruckus during the wedding night.

Shi Qi, quickly help her back inside to rest, don't let her cause any more trouble.

Today is the happiest day for Qingfeng.

"Yes, Father, I'll help Tao'er back to her room right away."

Xiao Yi put down his wine glass, his gaze fixed on Tao'er.

The surrounding villagers also chimed in, urging, "Young Master Shi, Master Li is right. You should hurry and help Miss Tao back home."

She was so happy that she drank too much. She'll probably get a headache if she's out in the night wind for a while.

"Yes, yes, today is Qingfeng and Dongkui's wedding day. Everyone knows Tao'er's feelings. Let her rest first."

Xiao Yi nodded quickly and cupped his hands to the crowd, saying, "Father is right. I will help Tao'er back to her room right away."

After saying that, he turned to the villagers and said loudly, "Dear uncles and aunts, please eat and drink well!"

Today is my brother's wedding, so everyone should drink and celebrate to their heart's content!

Everyone cheerfully raised their glasses in response, and words of congratulations rose and fell, filling the courtyard with a joyous atmosphere.

But Tao'er was not about to obey. She swayed and tried to go towards the bridal chamber, mumbling incoherently, "I want...I want to see the bride..."

The bride must be absolutely gorgeous...

I want to make a ruckus during the wedding night!

Xiao Yi quickly stopped her and coaxed her gently, "Tao'er, be good, stop making a fuss. You've had too much to drink. Go back to your room and rest. The bride isn't going anywhere. We'll see tomorrow, okay?"

Tao waved her hand and staggered around him, muttering something indistinctly. If you listened carefully, it sounded like "No, no" or "I want to see it now."

Xiao Yi sighed helplessly, reached out and supported her arm, half-carrying and half-lifting her into her room.

Just then, Xie Jingchen, who had been sitting quietly observing from the table, stood up, walked over naturally, and said, "Atao looks quite drunk. Brother Shi, you might have some trouble managing on your own. Why don't I help you?"

Let's help her into the house together; it'll be safer that way."

As he spoke, he reached out and supported Tao'er's other arm. His fingers were long and strong, and his movements, though seemingly casual, subtly pushed away Xiao Yi's hand that was resting on Tao'er's waist.

Xiao Yi frowned slightly, looked up at Xie Jingchen, and said in a calm but firm tone: "No need, I can manage on my own."

"If Young Master Chen really wants to help, why don't you go to the back kitchen and make a bowl of hangover soup? It'll be better for Tao'er to drink it when she wakes up."

Their eyes met in mid-air, and though they didn't speak, an undercurrent of tension was palpable.

Elder Li, being an experienced man, immediately saw through the rivalry between the two young men.

He quickly stood up and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Young Master Chen, Shi Qi is used to being taken care of by Tao'er, and he's quite nimble."

Why not follow Shi Qi's suggestion and ask Young Master Chen to brew a bowl of hangover soup?

It's not good for Tao'er to stay in the courtyard all the time after getting drunk.

If you catch a night breeze, the chill of early spring can easily cause you to catch a cold and get a headache.

After hearing Elder Li's words, Xie Jingchen hesitated for a moment, then released his grip and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll listen to Elder Li."

I'll go to the kitchen right now and make some hangover soup.

After he finished speaking, he turned to leave, but his gaze lingered on Tao'er for a moment, and the concern in his eyes could not be hidden.

Seeing Xie Jingchen release his grip, Xiao Yi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of barely perceptible smugness.

Without saying another word, he bent down and picked Tao'er up in his arms.

Tao squirmed in his arms and mumbled, "Put me down... I want to see the bride..."

Then she fell silent, nestled against his chest like a lazy cat.

Xiao Yi strode towards Tao'er's room, turning back as he did so, his tone deliberately lighthearted: "Young Master Chen, remember to make extra hangover soup. We're in a good mood today, and I'm afraid other guests might get drunk later."

Xie Jingchen stood there, watching Xiao Yi carry Tao'er away into the distance, and gritted his teeth in anger, his knuckles turning slightly white from clenching his fists.

But he was a man of principle. He took a deep breath, turned around and went to the kitchen. Although his steps were quick, he still maintained his innate composure.

But his tightly pursed lips betrayed his current state of mind.

Xiao Yi carried her into the house and gently placed Tao'er on the bed, handling her as carefully as if she were a fragile piece of porcelain.

He pulled the blanket over her and then went to the outer room to fetch a basin of warm water. He wrung out a cloth and carefully wiped her face and hands.

When he brushed the handkerchief across her rosy cheeks, his movements were so gentle it was almost as if he were afraid of waking a butterfly.

Tao'er was in a daze, and began to mumble incoherently.

"I want to go home... I miss home..."

"Damn it... they're all bullying me..."

After a while, she laughed again, her voice soft and sweet: "Hehe...the bride is so beautiful..."

She's more beautiful than any bride I've ever seen...

A moment later, her voice suddenly lowered, as if she were talking in her sleep: "Ayan...you must live well..."

You must...be well...

otherwise……

Or else I…”

Xiao Yi's hand paused slightly, and his brows furrowed gently.

He looked at Tao'er's face, flushed with alcohol, and his eyes showed deep heartache.

Even when she's drunk, this girl is still thinking about the people around her.

He just sat there on the edge of the bed, quietly watching her.

Tao'er was still muttering to herself, her cherry-like lips chattering incessantly.

Her face was flushed, her eyelashes trembled slightly, like a drunken kitten, both charming and naive, completely unaware that someone was watching her.

Xiao Yi's gaze fell on her lips, which were opening and closing, and he suddenly felt a tightness in his lower body and a faint heat rising in his lower abdomen.

His heart suddenly raced, pounding so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of his chest.

He abruptly turned his head away, unable to bear looking any longer. His Adam's apple bobbed a few times as he swallowed hard.

He was afraid that if he stared any longer, he would be unable to resist leaning down to kiss those rosy little lips.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Xie Jingchen walked in carrying a steaming bowl of hangover soup.

A slightly bitter medicinal aroma wafted from the soup bowl, mixed with a faint scent of osmanthus, indicating that he had indeed added some good ingredients.

As soon as Xie Jingchen entered the room, his gaze sharply swept over Xiao Yi's face.

Xiao Yi's face was slightly flushed, his breathing was not yet fully calm, and his eyes were somewhat evasive.

Something's off about this kid!

Could it be that he did something inappropriate to Atao?

He was alone in Tao'er's room just now, and Tao'er was not in a conscious state.

Xie Jingchen's expression changed upon thinking of this.