Chapter 135.1

The banquet was sumptuous, and several jars of wine bestowed by the Emperor were opened. The two families already formed a deep bond after a long period of undergoing trials and tribulations together. At this point in time, the storm was over and from here on was just smooth sailing. There were many things for them to talk about.

Yu Xiang stepped on her elder brother’s feet a few times and poked him in the thigh with her fingertips. She appeared to be very serious on the surface and lifted her glass and said, “Come, for the sake of our family reunion, let’s all drink up!” After finishing her sentence, she drained the cup in one gulp.

Yu Pin Yan glanced at her fervently and also drank it down in one gulp. The Old Madam and the others also did the same. They toasted one another, and little by little their spirit became higher; eventually they finished up those several jars of wine. Yu Xiang loved to drink but she was not a good drinker. After drinking a few glasses of wine, she became tipsy but she neither weep nor fall into a deep sleep. She only propped her cheeks and stared at her elder brother beside her with an unreserved passionate gaze.

Yu Pin Yan’s heart and mind turned hyperactive, like ants on a frying pan, when he saw her gaze. He wished everyone could be driven out and then take the little girl into his arms to cherish her.

When the Old Madam noticed her granddaughter’s foolish condition, she smiled and reminisced, “Xiang’er is drunk. When she is drunk, she doesn’t recognise anyone but her elder brother. Oh right, I remembered when she likes to sing when she is drunk. I remember during the reunion dinner, I got her drunk and asked her to sing. She could take on an opera troupe all by herself such as the male role, female roles, painted face male role, role of an old man and comedy role[1] as easy as a turn of a hand. She just likes to act willfully and make a scene.”

“I am aware that she would not recognise people when she is drunk, but I didn’t know she also loves to sing.” Shen Yuan Qi was immediately intrigued and tried, “Xiang’er, sing a song for us to hear.”

Yu Xiang lazily glanced at him and then at her elder brother beside her. She lifted her hand in an orchid dance pose[2]while she sang in a bird-like voice, “The birds in the trees are in pairs. The crystal-clear water and the green hills are smiling. You plough the fields and I weave cloth. You carry the water and I’ll water the garden. Although the cave dwelling[3] is shabby, it can shelter us from the wind and rain. The love between husband and wife is sweet even when they suffer. From now on, we will no longer suffer from this enslavement, both husband and wife will return home together.”

She shifted between male and female voices with ease. As she sang, she wrapped her arms around her elder brother’s neck and repeated the line ‘The love between husband and wife is sweet even if they suffer’ several times.

Yu Pin Yan had long since discovered one thing — Once his younger sister was drunk, her greatest hobby was not to stare into space and sing, but to tease him. He had already lost count on the number of times. However, the sudden joy and fervent love was as strong as the first time (she did it). He wrapped his arms around his younger sister’s narrow waist and naturally carried and placed her on his lap.

Yu Xiang finished singing and muttered, “Elder Brother, I want a kiss that tastes like fruit wine.” As she said that, she pouted her red lips.

How Yu Pin Yan wished to swallow her alive, but he knew the timing was not appropriate. He pinched her lips and coaxed her, “Be good. I’ll give it to you after dinner.”

“No, I want it now. I want it now.” Yu Xiang clung onto Yu Pin Yan’s neck and swayed from side to side. She tried to kiss him on his thin lips, but after several attempts, she kept missing and could only call out her grievances reluctantly.　　

Both Tao Hong and Liu Lu held their foreheads and couldn’t make themselves look at this scene. The Old Madam didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, while it was an eye-opener for Yu Si Yu; feeling bashful, she turned her head away to stifle her laughter. Meanwhile, Shen Yuan Qi wished he could pummel Yu Pin Yan up for abducting his younger sister. However, on the surface, he forced a smile and gently said, “Xiang’er is drunk. I will take her home now.”

Yu Xiang flatly refused, “I’m not going back. I haven’t seen Elder Brother for a long time. Let me have a good look at him.”

“How is it long? It’s only been a few days. Xiang’er, be good. Quickly come down.” Shen Yuan Qi wanted to tear his sister away, but just as he was reaching out his hand, Yu Pin Yan cast a cold and stern glance on him.

“A few days? Haven’t you ever heard that a day without seeing someone is like three autumns away? Let me count how many autumns I have not seen Elder Brother.” She stretched out her five fingers and folded them one by one. She said vexingly, “Three autumns, six autumns, nine autumns, twelve autumns… Ah, I can’t count them. Two lifetimes have passed.”

Shen Yuan Qi’s face turned blue. Yu Si Yu could no longer withstand it as she slumped over the table and burst out laughing. She never knew Yu Xiang could be so entertaining when she was drunk. The Old Madam also laughed to the point of almost falling off her seat.

The little girl’s confession was so passionate and sincere that Yu Pin Yan could not hold back any longer. He picked her up and headed for the chamber. Shen Yuan Qi hurriedly chase after them, but he was pulled back by the Old Madam. She said, “Lord Shen, don’t chase after her. Let’s hurry and choose an auspicious date for them to get married.”

When a girl is of age, she must be married off. Otherwise, over time, she would be resentful if she was kept at home. Shen Yuan Qi naturally understood the sentiment. He had no choice but to sit down and discuss with Old Madam.

Yu Pin Yan hurriedly went back to his room and placed the drunken little girl on the bed. She licked her lips impatiently and struggled to take off her smock. She reached her hand towards her elder brother, “Elder Brother, we haven’t seen each other for two lifetimes. Why don’t you come over and kiss and hug me? I missed you to death.”

Yu Pin Yan lowered his head and pressed the tip of his nose against hers for a long time before he chuckled and seized her red lips. The two stayed wrapped up tightly in their embrace until the moment they felt they were about to suffocate, only then did they separate unwillingly.

“A kiss that tastes like fruit wine is so fragrant and sweet.” Yu Xiang’s eyes squinted as she recalled it. Yu Pin Yan was amused by the insatiable expression on her face. He discovered that as long as this little girl was by his side, his usual immovable heart would jump up with joy and happiness. He withdrew his smile as his eyes deepened and he lowered his head for another kiss. Just then, he heard a shout from the other side of the door, “Lord Yu, I have set a few dates with the Old Madam. Come and pick one. Let’s get the wedding arranged between our two families as soon as possible.”

It was supposed to be for selecting a date, but in reality it was to disturb his ‘good time’. However, he was his future brother-in-law, so he had to put up with it. Yu Pin Yan silently gritted his teeth and used his utmost self-control to gently peel off the little girl, who was clinging to him, from his body, and tucked her under the covers. He gave her a peck on her slightly pouting red lips. He took a few steps but was unwilling to part. Therefore, he turned back once more to give her a light kiss, then pushed the door open and left.