Gu Qianying staggered to her feet and walked over to Ouyang Qinglin. She patted him, but he remained motionless. She couldn't help but chuckle. Every time, he was the one who insisted on drinking, and every time, he was the first to get drunk.
Gu Qianying, holding the wine pot, glanced at Duan Xifeng, who was sitting beside them, and called out, "Brother, let's continue drinking!"
To her surprise, Duan Xifeng didn't say anything and simply lay back down.
Gu Qianying burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face. These two always mocked her poor alcohol tolerance. Now, after just one jar of Western wine with a stronger kick, they were so unbearable. She mused that perhaps the Er Nv Hong from before was more palatable, making one forget their worries with a single sip.
She lay down on the grass, gazing at the courtyard before her, a hint of joy on her face. It seemed everything was moving in a positive direction, yet she felt someone was missing from her side.
In her daze, Gu Qianying thought she saw a man in a moon-white robe pass by outside. She narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better look, but couldn't discern his features. He vaguely resembled Baili Su, but she dismissed it as a hallucination brought on by the alcohol and Baili Su's words earlier that day.
Gu Qianying closed her eyes and fell asleep, hugging the wine pot.
...
Little Yi Hao had been playing with Baili Mengran. He intended to return to Gu Qianying to ask for some fragrant herbs to make a flower crown that could attract butterflies for Baili Mengran. However, he was surprised to find Gu Qianying, Duan Xifeng, Ouyang Qinglin, and others lying on the ground, asleep.
They reeked of alcohol. Little Yi Hao, accustomed to this, turned to leave. Suddenly, he remembered something, and a smile spread across his face as he scampered away.
Baili Mengran's Courtyard.
Baili Mengran was waiting outside for Little Yi Hao to return. She was disappointed to see him come back empty-handed.
"Didn't you say you were going to Auntie to get herbs? Why are you back with nothing?"
Baili Mengran pouted, a little displeased.
"Never mind that, come with me quickly. No, no, I made a mistake. You go find your older brother. Now is a good opportunity to matchmake the two of them."
Little Yi Hao's eyes sparkled, as if he had stumbled upon a great fortune. After all, helping his mother find a good husband was the best thing.
"Okay, I'll go now."
Baili Mengran forgot all about the flower crown and hurried off to find Baili Jingxuan. She knew he had a day off today and was at the manor.
Little Yi Hao nodded and ran back to Gu Qianying's courtyard.
He looked at Ouyang Qinglin and Duan Xifeng lying beside Gu Qianying and shook his head. It wouldn't do to have these two here; they were in the way.
"Uncle, Little Uncle, wake up."
Little Yi Hao tiptoed over to Ouyang Qinglin and Duan Xifeng and called out softly.
"What is it?"
Duan Xifeng was the first to wake up. In his groggy state, he looked at Little Yi Hao and asked.
"I need your and Uncle Ouyang's help with something. Come and help me quickly."
Duan Xifeng always obliged Little Yi Hao's requests without question. Even though he was drunk, he forced himself to get up, pulled Ouyang Qinglin along, and they followed Little Yi Hao.
Seeing his plan succeed, Little Yi Hao was even happier. He was about to have a father.
Back in the room.
Little Yi Hao looked at Duan Xifeng, who was waiting for him to speak, and suddenly said, "Wait a moment, Little Uncle. I need to go out for a bit. You two should rest."
There was no other way. Since he had already told a lie, he had to tell another.
Little Yi Hao went out and locked the door behind him. Although he knew these two doors wouldn't stop them, Little Yi Hao felt more at ease this way.
There was no one outside now, and he had to go and watch over Gu Qianying. It wouldn't be good if someone else came.
...
Meanwhile, Baili Mengran ran breathlessly to Baili Jingxuan's courtyard.
"Mengran? Why are you here? And why aren't you accompanied?"
Baili Jingxuan was wiping his sword when he saw Baili Mengran. He was surprised. This little girl usually hated coming to his courtyard, finding the place filled with weapons intimidating.
He put away his sword, placing it aside, afraid Baili Mengran would be scared.
Furthermore, since these two children had a habit of disappearing, he was a little uneasy and quickly asked why she hadn't brought any servants.
"Brother, don't worry about that for now. Little Yi Hao's mother is very sad for some reason. She drank a lot and is crying in the courtyard. Please go and see her."
Baili Mengran used her hands and feet, clearly looking anxious.
"You want me to go?"
Baili Jingxuan, though somewhat of a rough fellow, knew about propriety between men and women. It wouldn't be proper for them to meet privately like this.
He hesitated, unsure of what to do.
After much thought, Baili Jingxuan's eyes lit up.
"I'll go find Mother to take a look."
Baili Jingxuan pondered and finally thought of a compromise: have a woman go and see.
"Don't look for Mother. Mother is taking a nap. She hasn't had a good night's sleep in a long time. Brother, don't wait, come with me quickly!"
Baili Mengran stepped forward and grabbed Baili Jingxuan's sleeve, a hint of urgency in her expression.
"You're right. Then I'll go find Grandmother to help."
Baili Jingxuan clapped his hands, decisively remembering the capable wet nurse who served Madam Baili.
"No, Little Yi Hao's mother is a distinguished guest of our Baili Manor. She's here to treat Second Brother. Now that she's feeling down, and we, as hosts, are just sending a wet nurse, does that look appropriate? What will Physician Gu say about our Baili family then?"
Although Baili Mengran was young, she was clever and quick-witted. Hearing Baili Jingxuan's suggestion, she immediately retorted.
Upon hearing this, Baili Jingxuan felt it was inappropriate. However, it was also not good for him to barge into a young lady's room.
Baili Jingxuan thought it over. What if Gu Qianying had an accident? He couldn't afford to worry about it anymore and went out with Baili Mengran.
The two of them soon arrived at Gu Qianying's courtyard.
"Little Yi Hao?"
Baili Mengran saw from a distance that only Little Yi Hao was guarding Gu Qianying.
With no one else around, she felt much more at ease.
Fortunately, Little Yi Hao was quite reliable and didn't let those two people get in the way.
"Quick, that's Little Yi Hao's mother. Brother, go find her."
Baili Mengran spotted Gu Qianying lying on the ground and nudged Baili Jingxuan.