Chapter 9

On the night of the banquet, I secretly drugged the tea… and it ended up in Azi’s cup.

When Shen Yunian left the table drunk, I went to inform her as instructed, “Sister Azi, it’s your turn.”

Azi gave a shy smile, changed into a cool strapless blouse and skirt, and slipped into Shen Yunian’s courtyard under the cover of darkness.

A stick of incense later, I carried a bowl of sobering soup towards Shen Yunian’s courtyard, counting my steps, estimating that the drug should be taking effect by now.

Rustling sounds came from inside the room.

I pushed open the door, only to see two white bodies entwined on the bed.

“Eldest Young Master, I’ve brought you some sobering soup…”

Feigning innocence, I smiled insincerely and drew back the curtain.

A man rolled off the bed.

His clothes were half-open, and it wasn’t Shen Yunian, but rather the Prince Consort, Qi Yu.

This banquet was hosted by the Shen Family to thank the princess for her favor, and since the princess couldn’t attend, the Prince Consort came in her stead.

After the feast and drinks, both the host and guests were quite inebriated, and Shen Yunian had specifically given up his main courtyard for the Prince Consort.

Azi, unaware, had stumbled into the Prince Consort’s bed.

With the drug taking effect, she didn’t care who was on the bed; she just climbed on, revealing her charms, and the drunken man couldn’t resist his desires.

The tray in my hand fell to the ground with a crisp “clang,” waking Qi Yu from his stupor.

After a moment of passion, his face was paler than a corpse, and in his panic, he even tied his clothes incorrectly.

The princess was notoriously jealous and ruthless.

Tonight’s incident must be kept tightly under wraps.

I steadied myself and quickly offered a solution, “This is easy to handle. This lowly maid wants to climb the social ladder, just hoping for some wealth to give her family a better life. I can give her some silver to send her back to her hometown.”

“She won’t cling to you, my lord.”

Qi Yu, still shaken, asked, “Who are you?”

“My name is Yuan Qiao, the adopted sister of the Shen Family’s Eldest Young Master… Don’t worry, my lord, once she takes the money, she won’t speak of this.”

I spoke lightly, instantly putting Qi Yu at ease.

Feeling as if he had been granted amnesty, Qi Yu hurriedly handed me a pouch, “Miss, you are truly a good person. I trouble you with this matter.”

After a few rounds of polite refusal, I reluctantly accepted it.

With a touch, I knew there were quite a few banknotes inside!

I was so thrilled that my fingers trembled.

Tsk tsk, Azi, oh Azi, one night for two hundred taels, you’re worth more than a courtesan!

After pocketing the banknotes, I helped the unconscious Azi out, quietly and without a trace.

In a dark alley, I untied a scarf and whispered, “Sister Azi, have a safe journey.”