With legs weak, the sickly stable boy became a mad regent.

"Shen Nannan isn't drinking," Su Yue blinked. "It's such a waste. Would Madam Tong be that stingy?"

Tong opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Yun Jin took the bowl, took a sip, and smacked her lips: "It's sweet and delicious."

He took another sip and said with a smile, "Thank you, Mrs. Tong."

Tong's face was already very ugly, but she couldn't show it in front of Su Yue.

Su Yue is the daughter of the Prime Minister's family; she cannot afford to offend her.

Shen Nannan sat down next to her, a slight smile playing on her lips.

She glanced at Yun Jin.

Yun Jin was drinking soup with her head down, her eyelashes long, and she looked completely harmless.

Tong looked at the bowl of sweet soup, now empty, her fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeve.

Never mind, we still have a backup plan.

She gave the old nanny beside her a wink, and the nanny nodded and quietly slipped out.

Not long after,

The curtain was lifted again.

"Little sister Nannan."

Pei Ran walked in carrying a pot of wine, his smile gentle.

"I heard from my second aunt that you were here, so I came over."

He walked up to Shen Nannan.

"Little girl, I brought some peach blossom wine with me today. Would you like to try some?"

He handed her the wine glass, his gaze so tender it seemed to melt hearts.

Shen Nannan looked at the glass of wine but didn't take it.

The liquor was clear and didn't smell strange.

But she knew in her heart that since Madam Tong had invited her, she couldn't possibly have only prepared a bowl of sweet soup.

"Brother Pei, I'm not very good at drinking." She smiled.

"This is peach blossom wine, it's not very strong, and it's sweet."

Pei Ran handed it forward.

"It's a rare treat to get out and have some fun, let's have a drink to liven things up."

Tong chimed in from the side, "My dear, Young Master Pei is showing his kindness, please have a drink."

"Brother Pei, I—"

A hand reached out from behind and took the glass of wine.

Ah Chao stood behind her, expressionless, and tilted his head back to drink it all in one gulp.

Pei Ran's expression changed: "You—!"

"Thank you, Young Master Pei." Ah Chao placed the empty wine glass back on the table, his eyes lowered, his tone flat.

"Miss is frail and cannot drink alcohol. This cup will be drunk by me."

Pei Ran's face turned pale with anger: "You're just a servant, who gave you permission to—"

"Brother Pei," Shen Nannan interrupted him, smiling politely, "Ah Chao is right, I really can't drink. Shall we keep Brother Pei company another day?"

Pei Ran took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and forced a smile: "Since my sister isn't feeling well, then let's just forget about it."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left, the curtain slamming shut with a loud bang.

Shen Nannan really couldn't care less about him, and turned to look at A Chao.

Ah Chao, on the other hand, remained calm and showed no reaction whatsoever.

But she felt that his breathing was a little heavier than before.

"Ah Chao?" she called him softly.

"This servant is fine." He lowered his eyes.

Tong watched from the side, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes.

She was merely using Pei Ran's hand, but...

It's fine once you drink it; it doesn't matter who drinks it.

Anyway, in that wine—

At that moment, the curtain was lifted again.

This time, a young eunuch entered, smiling obsequiously, carrying two jugs of wine.

"His Highness the Crown Prince heard that Miss Shen had come to Peach Blossom Valley, and specially treated her to a pot of peach blossom wine."

He placed the wine pot on the table. "His Highness said that Miss Shen must do him the honor of trying it."

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat.

Prince.

She hid all day, but still couldn't escape it.

It's alcohol again. You can't avoid drinking today, can you?

They're all using this drugging trick, aren't they?

She touched the purse in her arms.

Fortunately, just in case, she spent a lot of money to have an antidote prepared.

I just don't know if this antidote pill can counteract all kinds of poisons...

Before she could speak, the young eunuch had already poured a full cup and presented it to her with both hands:

"His Highness said that this wine is a tribute item and not easily obtained. If Miss doesn't drink it, His Highness will be displeased."

These words were polite, but the meaning was very clear—not drinking meant disrespecting the Crown Prince.

Shen Nannan looked at the glass of wine.

The wine has a slightly yellowish tint and a faint floral aroma.

"What?" The little eunuch's smile became even more obsequious, but his tone carried a hint of coercion.

"Does Miss Shen look down on His Highness's reward?"

The tent fell silent.

Ms. Tong held her teacup, a smile playing on her lips, waiting to see what would happen.

"oops!"

Yun Jin suddenly stood up, stumbled, and almost bumped into the little eunuch.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" He grinned and took the young eunuch's arm. "It's the first time I've ever seen a live palace eunuch, I'm so excited!"

The young eunuch was startled and took a step back: "W-who are you?"

"I am Miss Su's servant." Yun Jin smiled and circled around him, her face full of admiration.

"Father-in-law, I heard that you all serve the ladies in the palace. Are you all very skilled? Please teach me how to pour wine. I also want to learn how to serve the ladies."

As he spoke, he reached out and picked up the wine jug from the tray.

The little eunuch tried to stop her, but Yun Jin had already turned around and walked in front of Shen Nannan. With a flick of her sleeve, she blocked everyone's view.

"Miss Shen, let me pour you a glass."

He smiled and poured her a glass of wine, handing it to her.

Shen Nannan looked down and saw his fingertip tap lightly on the rim of the wine glass.

It's very light and very discreet.

"Miss Shen, you must try His Highness the Crown Prince's wine."

Then he winked at her.

That look—

Shen Nannan took the wine glass; the wine was clear and looked exactly the same as the previous glass.

But she noticed that when Yun Jin poured the wine, she hooked her fingers on the lid of the pot and turned it gently.

The wine jug has been switched.

This brocade...

They're Ah Chao's people!

She was almost certain.

He deliberately drank that bowl of soup just now.

She was startled and glanced at A-Chao out of the corner of her eye.

He stood behind her, his expression indifferent.

He was still leisurely stroking the rabbit in his arms.

Shen Nannan snapped out of her daze, took a deep breath, picked up her wine glass, and smiled: "Since it's a gift from His Highness the Crown Prince, then I won't stand on ceremony."

She drank it all in one gulp.

Both Madam Tong and the young eunuch breathed a sigh of relief, a smug glint in their eyes.

The young eunuch smiled and bowed, "Miss Shen has a good capacity for alcohol. This servant will go back and report immediately."

After he finished speaking, he picked up the tray and left.

Tong also smiled, but her smile was meaningful.

It became.

Shen Nannan put down her cup and turned to look at A Chao.

But when she turned her head, she froze.

An unnatural flush appeared on A-Chao's face.

The pink hue spread from her cheekbones to her ears, and even her neck was tinged with a faint pink.

His breathing was heavier than before, and his Adam's apple bobbed as if he was holding back something.

Shen Nannan's heart sank.

"Miss," he said, his voice steady and unchanged, "it's late, you should go back."

But his Adam's apple bobbed again.

Shen Nannan clenched her sleeves tightly.

The substance in the wine took effect.