Chapter Forty: Enjoy Yourself

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“That settles it, then.”

Zhao Ang raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp. He set it lightly upon the table, the cup striking the wood with a clear, crisp sound.

The corners of his lips lifted, revealing a hint of smugness.

Across from him, Qingqing’s smile was even brighter. The corners of her eyes curved like new moons, while a faint trace of disdain hovered at her lips.

Sandalwood burned in the room, its elegant fragrance mingling with the scent of wine and spreading through the air.

Outside the window, the wind of the capital’s outskirts stirred the silk tassels of the red lanterns. The distant clamor of drunken revelers drifted up from below, making the private room seem all the quieter by contrast.

Qingqing rose unhurriedly, her supple waist swaying like willow branches brushing the water.

She lifted both hands and slowly removed her outer robe, revealing a light red gauze dress beneath.

Her figure was graceful and alluring, like a shy flower just beginning to bloom.

“My lord, shall we continue drinking?”

Qingqing settled back into Zhao Ang’s arms. Her soft voice was like a gentle spring rain tapping against a window lattice—tender, yet touched with provocation.

Zhao Ang arched a brow, reached for the wine pot, and casually refilled his cup.

“I’m in excellent spirits today. However many garments you have, I’ll drink that many cups.”

Zhou Qi, seated nearby, cast him a sidelong glance. A trace of disgust surfaced in his eyes.

He had long known that Zhao Ang was a notorious libertine. Seeing him behave like this, he cursed him inwardly as a lecherous demon.

Yet nothing showed on his face. He merely chuckled softly and said, “My lord certainly knows how to enjoy himself. Miss Qingqing must count herself fortunate.”

At this, Zhao Ang threw back his head and laughed, raising his cup to drain it.

“Whether I enjoy myself or not depends on whether this young lady has the skill to serve me properly.”

With that, he narrowed his eyes at Qingqing in his arms, his gaze carrying a teasing edge as he looked her over with seeming seriousness.

Qingqing lowered her head slightly, concealing the chill in her eyes. On her face, however, appeared an even more seductive smile.

She gently loosened the front of her dress, revealing a stretch of skin smooth as polished jade.

Zhou Qi swallowed beside them. His gaze flickered, though he still forced himself to remain composed.

“My lord, Miss Qingqing is the most charming and entertaining beauty in this establishment. You must make certain to enjoy her thoroughly.”

The remark seemed to amuse Zhao Ang. In a ringing voice, he said, “Very well. Then I’ll keep drinking!”

Another cup went down. A faint flush spread across his face, as though the wine had truly begun to take effect, and his gaze grew increasingly heated.

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Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door.

Zhou Qi’s brows twitched. He hurried to the door and opened it a crack before asking in a low voice, “What is it?”

A voice from outside replied quietly, “Everything has been arranged.”

Zhou Qi gave an almost imperceptible nod, closed the door, and turned back toward Zhao Ang.

“My lord, this wine is fine indeed, but if you drink too much, you may spoil the evening’s pleasures.”

Zhao Ang waved a hand and laughed. “Zhou Qi, what a dull thing to say. Whether drinking leads to trouble depends on who is doing the drinking. In my hands, this wine is a treasure that only adds to the fun!”

As he spoke, he picked up another cup.

Qingqing, seated in his arms, reached out and pressed a hand against his wrist. In a soft voice, she said, “My lord, why not let Qingqing serve you your wine? It would make things more entertaining.”

Zhao Ang looked up at her and asked with an ambiguous smile, “Oh? And how do you intend to serve me?”

Qingqing’s smile deepened. She lowered her head, placed her lips against the rim of the cup, and slowly drew the wine into her mouth.

Then she leaned close to Zhao Ang, as though she meant to feed it to him. Zhao Ang turned his head slightly, seeming to evade her—or perhaps merely teasing her on purpose.

As Zhou Qi watched, a trace of ruthlessness flickered in his eyes.

“My lord, Miss Qingqing is showing such devotion. You must enjoy it properly.”

Zhao Ang glanced at him from the corner of his eye. Suddenly, he laughed and drew Qingqing even closer.

“Today, I’ll take your advice. Come here, miss. Serve me well, and I’ll reward you handsomely.”

After several more cups, a faint flush gradually appeared on Zhao Ang’s face.

He gently rocked the wine cup in his hand, no longer seeming eager to drink the next one. Instead, he toyed with it, a trace of intoxication showing in his eyes. His gaze had grown hazy, as though the wine had begun to seep into his blood.

Qingqing and Zhou Qi exchanged a glance, a barely perceptible disdain passing between them.

“My lord, too much wine is not good for you. You should rest for a while.”

Qingqing’s voice was gentle as water, yet it carried a hint of mockery she could not quite conceal.

Zhao Ang gave a soft laugh, the corners of his lips curved by drunkenness. “Miss Qingqing, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with drinking too much. But no matter how fine the wine, if the woman pouring it is disappointing, then the whole evening is ruined.”

He narrowed his eyes. His tone had grown even more languid, almost muddled.

He appeared to be so drunk that he had lost all interest in anything, yet when he looked at Qingqing’s alluring figure, a glimmer of shrewdness still shone in his eyes.

Zhou Qi sneered inwardly. Seeing that Zhao Ang had finally lowered his guard, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Judging by Zhao Ang’s appearance, he seemed genuinely drunk. Everything was proceeding according to their plan.

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Zhou Qi covertly signaled Qingqing with his eyes, indicating that she should prepare to act.

Qingqing seemed to understand. The corner of her mouth lifted slightly as she rose and slowly approached Zhao Ang.

Her fingers came to rest lightly on his shoulder, ostensibly to help steady him, but in truth to lull him further into complacency.

Zhao Ang tilted his head slightly. His eyes were no longer as sharp as before, but had instead grown gentler, as though he were truly quite drunk.

He pretended to relax against the back of the chair and murmured, “Miss Qingqing, I can’t hear a word of what you’re saying.”

Qingqing bent down and lowered her head, drawing a little closer to him. The smile at her lips deepened.

“My lord, if you’ve had too much to drink, then you’ll have to let me take care of you.”

Her voice was laced with tenderness, yet the scheme beneath it was perfectly clear to Zhao Ang.

Zhou Qi watched from the side, satisfaction flashing through his eyes. He chuckled softly.

“My lord, it seems your reputation is well deserved. Even Miss Qingqing is willing to serve you wholeheartedly.”

Zhao Ang lazily lifted his eyes and glanced at Zhou Qi, his expression seeming amused yet inscrutable.

“Zhou Qi, are you praising me or mocking me?”

Zhou Qi froze for the briefest moment, then kept smiling without changing expression.

“Praising you, of course. You are a notorious libertine, my lord, conducting yourself without restraint or convention. It is enough to inspire admiration.”

Zhao Ang gave a soft laugh. The scent of wine clung to his words, and his voice sounded somewhat unsteady.

“Very well. Since you praise me so highly, I suppose I’ll reluctantly accept your flattering words.”

By then, Qingqing had quietly begun to act. Her fingers lightly lifted the front of Zhao Ang’s robe, pretending to straighten his clothing, while her movements grew increasingly bold.

Zhao Ang leaned against the back of the chair, the scent of wine hanging around him. His face was flushed, and a drunken smile played at the corners of his lips.

His eyes were half closed, as though he had lost all his former vigilance. His entire body appeared relaxed and languid.

Standing before him, Qingqing looked down at him. Her smile deepened, and a sly gleam flashed through her eyes.

She lifted the front of Zhao Ang’s robe as though merely arranging his clothes, but her movements gradually became bolder and bolder, as if she wished to test his reaction further.

Zhao Ang paused slightly. A flicker of wariness crossed his eyes, but it quickly vanished beneath his drunken guise.

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