Chapter 829: Tao Hua Zui

The remaining women who were staring intently at the Emperor noticed that he kept drinking.

In their hearts, they thought.

"This wine must not be hard to drink!"

Someone curiously had a taste and then passed the word around.

Finally, everyone drank some and seemed to like it very much.

The Empress Dowager timely smiled and said.

"This wine is specially found by the mourning family from the folk, called Peach Blossom Intoxication. It’s said to have been introduced from the west in the past two years, and common folk outside really like it!"

"Let’s all have a taste!"

Zhao Junyao heard and said indifferently.

"Mother, you are thoughtful."

The Empress Dowager smiled.

"The mourning family likes it too. The festival is today, let’s all have a good time, those who like it can drink more!"

Everyone got up and expressed agreement.

Noble Concubine Shih smiled and picked up her cup to have a sip herself.

In her heart, she said, the taste is indeed good.

At the beginning, the face felt a bit hot, later with slight dizziness.

Afterwards... things began to seem a bit hallucinatory in front of her eyes.

Since it’s gradual, it’s extremely hard to notice.

Fortunately, she didn’t drink much and had taken some antidote beforehand.

So she could control the situation, and still remained clear-headed.

Looking at others with poor alcohol tolerance, they were already beginning to feel dizzy at this time.

But... when drinking, isn’t feeling dizzy normal?!

In the middle of the banquet, several female dancers and singers came up.

Accompanied by pipes and strings, the singers gently sang, and the dancers showed off their waists.

Meanwhile, everyone on both sides was extraordinarily excited, as if they had drunk a lot!

Even Xia Ruqing felt especially spirited herself.

It seemed like there were countless dancers performing before her eyes.

Sometimes they flew to the sky, sometimes dived into the water, capable of anything.

She was excited enough to almost clap and shout.

Luckily, Zi Yue and Zi Su stopped her.

But she was still excited, her eyes kept fixed on the dancers.

At the same time, she wondered.

Why weren’t Zi Yue and Zi Su amazed? The dance was superb!

Noble Concubine Shih glanced mockingly at Xia Ruqing.

Then looked around, and everyone was like this, only then did she finally feel relaxed.

Thinking to herself:

Sisters, sorry.

If you were clear-headed, I couldn’t get things done.

So, continue with your illusions!

Looking at the Emperor on the platform, his gaze was also a little dazed.

Noble Concubine Shih went forward and gently said.

"Emperor, you are drunk, let me help you to rest!"

Zhao Junyao squinted and raised his head, seemingly somewhat unfamiliar with her.

Noble Concubine Shih directly went forward to support him.

"Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao looked at her again, his gaze changed from unfamiliar to infinitely gentle.

"Qingqing?!"

Noble Concubine Shih paused, the lost look in her eyes flashed by.

Fortunately, she soon returned to her senses and smiled again.

"Emperor, let me help you to rest!"

With these words, she helped him up and walked towards the side hall of Ningshou Palace.

As they were leaving, she glanced at Noble Consort Xian.

Seeing she was still staring at the dance in a daze.

Everyone else was the same.

Noble Concubine Shih laughed, this spiked Peach Blossom Intoxication truly was good.

...

On the way to the side hall, Zhao Junyao completely mistook her for Xia Ruqing.

Noble Concubine Shih felt very bitter inside.

Fortunately, she controlled herself; she must control.

Helped the Emperor onto the bed.

Noble Concubine Shih dismissed everyone and personally took care of him.

Zhao Junyao lay on the bed, his whole body burning, his gaze even more blurred.

Holding her hand, calling out ’Qingqing’ over and over again.

Noble Concubine Shih coldly laughed.

"Qingqing is not here, only I am here, Emperor, only me!"

"Rest assured, tonight I’ll figure out a way to enter your heart!"

"Even if I can’t match her, I must have a place here!"

With that, she got up.

First, she messed up her own clothes, opened the neckline, and tousled her hair.

Made herself look like she had been taken advantage of.

Then lay beside Zhao Junyao, ’violating’ him.

Zhao Junyao saw ’Qingqing’ advancing towards him, was very happy, and flipped over to press ’Qingqing’ beneath him.

The chance came.

Noble Concubine Shih quickly flicked the antidote hidden in her nail cover onto his face.

Moments later.

Zhao Junyao suddenly woke up.

He looked beneath him.

Surprisingly, it was a messy, panicked Noble Concubine Shih.

His mind went blank, instantly releasing her as fast as possible.

"Presumptuous!"

Anger! Extreme anger.

The one he held was Noble Concubine Shih? How could he mistake her for Qingqing?!

If Zhao Junyao still didn’t understand what happened, there wouldn’t be much point in being Emperor anymore.

"Shih Wanxin, you have nerve! Actually drugging me."

"You must not want to live!"

Noble Concubine Shih ’shocked’ and trembling, quickly knelt down.

"Emperor... Emperor, it’s not true!"

"I don’t know what happened; I struggled, I refused!"

"Though I’ve always wanted the Emperor’s favor, yet... you keep calling Noble Consort Xian’s name; I am unwilling!"

"I am unwilling!"

After saying this, she just knelt there without further explanation.

Zhao Junyao squinted and scrutinized her.

He saw her face injured, hair disheveled, and clothes torn.

Seemingly... signs of struggle.

He then hesitated.

Could it be, she was really wronged?

Noble Concubine Shih saw his wavering and added.

"Emperor, actually, you... were drunk..."

"It might be due to my... intense struggle that you... sobered up."

"Presumptuous!"

Zhao Junyao sneered.

"Drunk?"

"That several cups thing, can make me drunk?"

He has drunk the strongest of alcohols before, this thing amounts to nothing!

Noble Concubine Shih hearing this, showed a guilty expression, knelt with her head down, silent.

Zhao Junyao checked her again and sneered.

"What kind of drug? Speak!"

"Otherwise, I will accuse you!"

"No need to remind you the consequences of poisoning the King, do I?"

He slowly approached, his gaze sinister.

Noble Concubine Shih trembled all over in fright.

"Emperor, what are you talking about, I don’t understand..."

"I really don’t know what happened just now!"

"I am innocent, I plead for Emperor’s mercy!"

Her meaning was clear.

’You want to know something, find out yourself then? It’s none of my business, I’m innocent!’

Noble Concubine Shih stubbornly claimed ignorance.

Zhao Junyao grew increasingly angry.

He became more convinced that someone else was behind her!

If Noble Concubine Shih had directly accused the Empress Dowager from the start.

He wouldn’t dare believe it either! Isn’t it obviously throwing dirt?!

And now... Zhao Junyao began doubting.

Indeed, doubting the Empress Dowager.

Aside from the Empress Dowager, he really couldn’t think of anyone else.

Zhao Junyao fumed, his heart chilled, and became increasingly ruthless.

"Someone! Drag Noble Concubine Shih to the Punishment Department and interrogate her for me!"

Noble Concubine Shih cried heartbreakingly but still wouldn’t admit it!

Thus, her mouth was gagged, she was pulled away.

Naturally, it was done secretly, scandals couldn’t be disclosed to outsiders.

By this time it was late at night.

The Punishment Department personnel were busy sweating profusely.

The Emperor was to personally oversee the interrogation; how could they not be tense?

In the dungeon, Noble Concubine Shih was bound.

Wei Sheng was slightly apprehensive.

"Emperor, really punish her?"