Lu Yan being overly attentive made it a bit exhausting for Yan Luo to handle.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Jun Yulin sitting nearby, his expression not looking too good. His brows were slightly furrowed, and the food in front of him was basically untouched.
She recalled that this man was usually quiet and taciturn, and didn’t seem to enjoy such lively occasions. Then her gaze landed on Lu Yan. Yan Luo blinked once, then suddenly raised her hand to pick up the wine cup beside her, the corners of her lips lifting slightly into a smile.
“Royal Uncle works hard for the affairs of the state. Let me offer you a toast.”
The girl’s voice carried a hint of helplessness due to Lu Yan’s actions, yet it was clear and bright, very pleasant to the ear.
Jun Yulin, who had been frowning and deep in thought, turned his head at the sound—and was met directly with Yan Luo’s starlike eyes under the dazzling lights.
She was smiling, looking casual yet showing a touch of respect.
That kind of respectful demeanor one showed toward an elder.
His heart felt even heavier. Without thinking, he picked up the wine cup beside him.
It wasn’t until the slightly spicy liquid slid down his throat that Jun Yulin suddenly realized what he had just drunk.
Behind him, a servant’s slightly panicked voice rang out. Jun Yulin put the cup down, his lips tightly pressed together. One hand braced against the table, and his eyes were already growing a bit unfocused.
Yan Luo was stunned. She looked toward the servant behind Jun Yulin and, seeing the man’s flustered expression and anxious inquiry, paused for a moment before asking in confusion, “Royal Uncle… can’t drink alcohol?”
Jun Yulin was already a bit dazed. He turned his eyes toward her upon hearing her voice. The corners of his lips twitched slightly before he suppressed the movement again.
Mm… he really couldn’t. Just a drop, and he’d be drunk.
At banquets, the wine cups were usually only for show. He hadn’t expected that tonight—like he’d been possessed—or perhaps in order to cover the emotions in his heart, he had just downed it without thinking.
And now he was immediately starting to feel lightheaded.
Startled by the emotion in Jun Yulin’s eyes, Yan Luo, not caring anymore about Lu Yan beside her or anything else, spoke quickly for fear of his blackening value rising again, “How about Royal Uncle goes to the back to rest for a bit?”
Given the situation, he indeed couldn’t stay here any longer. With a vague memory of what he was like when drunk, Jun Yulin frowned as he stood up, nodded, and walked out.
Yan Luo glanced over twice and, seeing the banquet was about to end anyway, also left the hall.
Once the main guests had gone, the banquet quickly came to a close.
When Yan Luo heard that the Regent’s sedan chair had already left the palace about half an hour ago, she finally let out a breath of relief.
It was already late. Yan Luo yawned lightly. Several palace maids carried lanterns to light the way, and before long they arrived at her bedchamber. All her jewelry and robes were removed, and after the maids withdrew, Yan Luo had just walked up to the bed when—
Suddenly, a dark shadow fell over her and pushed her down.
That person carried a pleasant scent and, as if knowing what was about to happen, immediately covered Yan Luo’s lips with a hand, forcing her startled cry back down her throat.
At that moment, the last candle in the room flickered out. With only faint moonlight from outside, the room was shrouded in complete darkness.
Yan Luo, full of shock and doubt, looked behind her. At a glance, she saw a pair of pitch-black eyes. The man’s face wasn’t clearly visible under the moonlight, but it was still easy to recognize.
Yan Luo’s eyes widened, and her voice came out slightly muffled, “Royal Uncle?”