After Entering The Abusive Novel, I Became The Empress - chapter 21

Song Yirou pressed her fingers to her forehead helplessly, staring at the bright, flamboyant woman in front of her. She was so shocked that some of the tea in her cup spilled over.

“Are you serious?” Song Yirou refused the handkerchief the maid offered. Instead, she drew one from her own sleeve and dabbed at her clothes as she said, “It was only a suggestion. The Sixth Princess needn’t take it literally.”

“Too late. I’ve taken it seriously.” Qin Yuqing looked down at the crowd that was beginning to stir, then met Qin Youran’s expectant gaze, which was filled with anticipation of a spectacle. Qin Yuqing arched a brow in reply.

“Sixth Sister, have you thought this through? Don’t act on impulse.” Qin Youran suddenly took on the airs of a caring elder sister, though her tone was full of helpless reproach and feigned heartbreak.

“Back in Wenshan, Father might have cleaned up after your messes. But once the wine lantern is lit, there’s no turning back.”

Hearing this, Qin Yuqing gave a cold, mocking laugh. The words were ambiguous, laced with hidden meaning.

Knocking her fingers against her wine cup, she said, “Fifth Sister, that’s quite an interesting way to put it. If Father heard you, perhaps he would be very gratified—after all, at last one of his children has managed to ‘see through’ his heart.”

Qin Youran’s face changed instantly. The imperial heart was as deep as the abyss; it was not something they had the right to speculate about.

“If Sixth Sister likes this pair of Alhan twins so much, how about I find you another pair?”

That, at least, sealed her image as the thoughtful elder sister who looked out for her sibling. Another pair? My, my. Qin Youran certainly had her channels.

“No need. I like this pair.”

Qin Youran’s eyes turned cold as she watched the servants carry out several heavy wine jars.

See? On one side, a sisterly act of concern. On the other, the order to bring up the wine.

Utter hypocrisy.

“No more chatter. Who will start?”

Leaning lazily against the railing, Qin Yuqing swept her gaze over everyone with contempt. “No one dares?”

“I’ll go!”

“The opening bidder? You do have some courage.”

Her gaze fell blandly on Young Master Li. She took the jar a servant handed her and tipped it back, draining it in one go.

The servant received the empty jar, tipped it upside down, and with not a drop falling out, announced:

“Sixth Princess Qin Yuqing—one jar.”

Young Master Li gritted his teeth. Watching Qin Yuqing’s effortless, dashing movements, he refused to be outdone and followed suit.

“Young Master Li Muyan of the Li family—one jar.”

Li Muyan? Him?

It was only when she heard the servant’s announcement that Qin Yuqing realized: the man who had tossed out thousands of silver was none other than the newly appointed top scholar in the original story.

Though born the sole heir of the Marquis of Yongzhou, Li Muyan’s father was an honest official who never bled the people dry. On the contrary, he often helped the poor. He had won the people’s hearts but lived out his life in a remote, sealed-off fiefdom, forever barred from the capital.

Perhaps she had underestimated the treacherous intricacies of court.

Sighing inwardly, Qin Yuqing picked up another jar and drank it down.

“Sixth Princess Qin Yuqing—two jars.”

Li Muyan accepted his as well, though this time his pace was markedly slower.

Even in an age steeped in drinking culture, the Marquis of Yongzhou had always gone his own way. He neither liked alcohol nor cared for its rituals.

Perhaps that was why, in the end, he never returned home.

“Young Master Li Muyan—two jars.”

Out of respect for the marquis, Qin Yuqing chose to believe, until proven otherwise, that this man was indeed the good person history described.

“Master Li, there’s no need to force yourself.” Qin Yuqing met his gaze squarely, her tone frank.

Inside the cage, the twin children shivered violently. Though a brazier warmed the room, their bare feet rested in icy water, and they were clad in nothing but thin dresses.

Heaven bear witness—Qin Yuqing only wished to end things quickly, with no intent to humiliate. Who could have expected this Master Li to retort:

“Stop insulting me! I may be but a scholar, but I can prove myself!”

Qin Yuqing: “?”

Qin Yuqing: “Where did I insult you?”

Shaking her head helplessly, she said no more. She watched Li Muyan force down two more jars of fiery liquor before he finally collapsed unconscious.

“Take him out.” Qin Youran’s expression never shifted. Irritated and cold, she flicked her hand. The servants, already poised, rushed forward, lifting him with practiced ease and carrying him away.

“Such tolerance, Sister. Who’s next?” Qin Youran’s eyes flickered with a trace of reproach. Worthless fools.

The liquor used for the wine lantern ritual was strong old grain spirit, famous for its harsh taste and dizzying potency.

And yet jar after jar, Qin Yuqing remained unshaken.

Feigning a smile, she caught the venom glinting in Qin Youran’s eyes.

“Forgive my offense, Your Highness.” This time, a young woman stepped forward. She smiled sweetly, but her drinking posture was bold and unrestrained.

Qin Yuqing enjoyed opponents like this. They made the game worth playing. And with her constitution—immune to drunkenness—it was the perfect way to extract information and secure contracts in her past life.

“Good. I like it.” She downed another.

“Sixth Princess Qin Yuqing—five jars.”

“Second Miss of the Ye family, Ye Ning—one jar.”

“Such spirit, Your Highness! Again!” Ye Ning’s ladylike mask couldn’t hide the wild way she drank.

On and on they went, until Qin Youran finally cut in: “Second Miss Ye is drunk. Send her home.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Her maids hurried to escort the now-rambling Ye Ning away.

The venom in Qin Youran’s gaze was no longer masked. She had hoped to see Qin Yuqing drunk and disgrace herself before their father. Instead, her sister hadn’t even flushed.

The guests in the room had gone from sneering anticipation, to shock at three opponents falling, to disbelief at their own eyes, until finally, they sat in stunned numbness.

Especially as the servant’s voice droned on:

“Sixth Princess Qin Yuqing—thirty-nine jars.”

“Sixth Princess Qin Yuqing—fifty jars.”

“Sixth Princess Qin Yuqing—eighty-five jars.”

Even the strongest drinkers might manage fifty jars at most. Eighty-five? Impossible, even with water.

And still, her count climbed steadily.

The room emptied as challengers fell away.

This Sixth Princess was terrifying.

“Anyone else?” Qin Yuqing slouched against the railing, one slender hand gripping her sash to keep from toppling over.

Half the crowd had already vanished, leaving only a few who had held back, sipped cautiously, or surrendered outright.

“Who’d dare now? Not me. Old Dong, want to try?”

“No, no. She’s already at one hundred thirty-three jars. Does that look like someone drunk to you?”

“She’s shattered Chun Shanting’s record. Last time it was only sixty-one.”

“I give up. I’m done.”

“She’s like a bottomless pit!”

The whispers drifted to Qin Youran, turning her face green with rage. Gritting her teeth, she stood, eyes burning with hatred.

“Congratulations, Sister. You’ve lit the lamp. The twins are yours.” She glanced slyly toward someone approaching in the distance and suddenly smirked. Raising her voice, she said:

“But if you’ve gone to such lengths for them, you’d best enjoy them slowly.”

Qin Yuqing tilted her head, looking up from beneath her lashes. “Your face looks awfully green. Too many vegetables in your diet?”

She chuckled, patting her own cheek. “See? My face is round and healthy. Not like yours—a turnip.”

“You—!” Qin Youran slammed the table.

“Pfft.” Song Yirou stifled a laugh.

“Careful! The turnip’s going to bite!” Qin Yuqing giggled, her cheeks faintly flushed, her eyes misty as they met Qin Youran’s.

“Let’s go.” Qin Youran slammed a plaque onto the table and swept out.

The crowd dispersed as well, sighing. They hadn’t managed to buy the twins, but the spectacle was worth it.

“Your Highness, you’re drunk.” Song Yirou supported Qin Yuqing’s boneless body, offering a cup of tea. “Had it been me drinking with you, the twins would be mine now.”

“Drunk?” Qin Yuqing’s gaze cleared in an instant. She took the tea steadily, set it aside, and replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Miss Song.”

Shock flickered in Song Yirou’s eyes. Rising, she bowed lightly. “I underestimated you, Princess. My younger brother and sister await me at home. I’ll take my leave.”

“Go.” Qin Yuqing watched her slender figure depart with a faint sigh.

“You two, change your clothes.” She went downstairs and stopped before the cage. “I’ll take you somewhere else.”

But the boy suddenly lunged, his hand nearly raking her face if she hadn’t dodged in time.

“Enough.” Qin Yuqing’s voice cut through as a servant raised a stick. Then she fixed her cold gaze on the twins.

“I know you understand me. So let’s be clear—though I’ve no interest in you, I went to great trouble to claim you.”

“So you’d best behave.” Step by step, she approached the boy, lowering her voice so only they could hear. “I’ll set you free. But first, you’ll help me with some things.”

“Roar!”

“Shh.” She pressed a finger to her lips. “Be good. Do what I ask, and you’ll go home. I keep my word.”

The boy eyed her warily, rasping hoarsely: “Swear. To the gods.”

“Fine.” Without hesitation, Qin Yuqing vowed, “I, Qin Yuqing, swear to the gods: once the task is done, I will return the twins home. If I break this oath…”

Her foxlike eyes gleamed cold as her gaze slid past the boy to the girl cowering behind him.

“…may I be struck by lightning, die miserably, and never reincarnate.”

The boy withdrew his hand, hesitating, but finally relented.

“Take them to change clothes, feed them, and send them to my palace tomorrow.” Qin Yuqing tossed over the last of her silver. “I’m leaving.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And another thing—don’t put them back in the cage. Treat them well. If I see a single scratch on them…” Qin Yuqing raised her small bow, aimed it at the servant’s head, and smiled. “I’ll kill you.”

“Y-yes, yes! I’ll take good care of them!” the servant stammered.

Satisfied, Qin Yuqing nodded, watching the twins taken away. Only then did she allow her taut nerves to ease. The fragrance of plum blossoms drifted by, and the alcohol she had suppressed surged back up.

Her so-called immunity wasn’t absolute—this liquor was stronger than anything she’d tasted in the modern world.

And at one hundred thirty jars, the system had already warned her:

【Warning: Host’s body has reached its limit. Further drinking not advised.】

“If they hadn’t given up, I might never have secured them.” Patting her chest, she exhaled in relief. “I’m amazing. Truly brilliant. A round of applause for me.”

Then she turned—and found a certain silent general standing there.

“Lu Jingchuan!”

“Next time, could you not sneak up on me like that?”