Chapter 73: Drinking to the Point of Oblivion

"Hehe! Who told you to start coveting someone else's dowry before I've even married into your family?" Princess Fire Phoenix grinned mischievously, clearly teasing Du Long.

She wasn't wrong. Strictly speaking, this fief should count as the princess's dowry; in the end, it belonged to her, though usually such fiefs were managed by the prince consort.

"Heh, I'm not coveting your dowry! I'm just curious, that's all. Yes, absolutely just curious!" Du Long chuckled, thick-skinned.

"Bah!" Princess Fire Phoenix was unimpressed by his feigned innocence. She feigned mystery and said, "Do you want to know why my father bestowed Fengli County upon us?"

"You know the reason?" Du Long's eyes lit up.

"Of course!" Princess Fire Phoenix replied proudly. "This concerns my future wealth and glory, so naturally I care about the state of the fief. Yesterday, I even went to ask Grandfather, the Retired Emperor, where would be best for my fief, and he recommended this place!"

"So you personally asked for this remote fief? Grandfather didn't trick you, did he?" Du Long exclaimed, suddenly realizing.

"What do you mean, 'remote fief'?!" Princess Fire Phoenix clearly disliked his choice of words, her lips pursed in mock anger. "Hmph! Grandfather loves Little Phoenix dearly; he would never deceive me!"

"Hehe, don't be angry, Little Phoenix. I'm only joking with you!" Seeing her displeasure, Du Long could only offer a sheepish smile. "By the way, did the Retired Emperor say why he recommended Fengli County as your fief?"

"He did. He said all the good places have been awarded over the years already. If I chose a mediocre fief, it would be better to pick one with greater potential. He also said Fengli County is vast and rich but has never been properly developed. Once the key issues are resolved, it'll definitely be a lucrative place!"

"Oh! Looks like Grandfather was right. If we want more profits from Fengli County, we'll have to rely on our own efforts. Well then, I'll make a habit of checking in there regularly from now on," Du Long nodded, having made up his mind.

The three of them—one elder, two youths—were quietly discussing the fief, but guests could no longer wait and began approaching to offer toasts. They had to pause their conversation, knowing there would be plenty of time in the future.

Once someone took the lead in toasting, others followed immediately: officials of every rank, friends and relatives, even students and teachers from the Royal Academy. Not only did the martial arts first-year class advisor, Zhao Man, attend, but the Academy's president and his wife graciously joined as well.

When the two elders came together to toast, Du Long—already flushed from drinking—hurriedly stood up with Princess Fire Phoenix and drained a large cup with them.

During this time, Du Long and Fire Phoenix put on polite smiles as they accepted toasts from the Fan, Li, and Zhao families. Since they had set aside past grievances to attend his engagement banquet, it would have been poor form to greet them with a cold face.

In short, the entire engagement banquet was spent fending off endless toasts. Fortunately, Du Long's cultivation had reached the second stage of Qi Cyclone, so his alcohol tolerance had improved, and the effects dissipated quickly.

Even so, he ended up so drunk he hardly remembered how he got back to the bridal chamber, let alone whether he consummated the marriage. It wasn't until mid-morning the next day, awakened by a commotion, that he finally came to.

"Husband! Get up, the sun is already high!" A shrill voice sounded at his ear, pulling Du Long from his dreams.

Shaking his still-dizzy head, he opened his eyes to see a large face right in front of him—Princess Fire Phoenix, grinning excitedly.

"Huh? Little Phoenix, why are you here?" Du Long asked, still groggy.

Princess Fire Phoenix immediately pouted, feigning anger. "Hmph! You used to chase me away every day, never let me stay by your side, and now that we're engaged, you're still the same! I'm very angry, the consequences are serious!"

Hearing the word "engaged," Du Long finally woke up. After being rejected once, he now had a new fiancée, and not just any—Princess Fire Phoenix herself!

"Hehe! It's nothing, I just haven't gotten used to being engaged yet!" Realizing he'd said something wrong, Du Long quickly smiled apologetically.

"Hmph! Just this once!" Princess Fire Phoenix, only pretending to be angry, had nothing more to say and continued urging him, "Hurry up and wash up! You drank from afternoon till evening yesterday—my goodness, you can really hold your liquor! You barely stopped all day, and when I tried to persuade you, you snapped at me!"

"Did I snap at you? I don't remember!" Du Long feigned amnesia, though memories flashed through his mind of accepting every toast and later rebuffing Little Phoenix's advice with raised voice.

"Forget it! I won't argue with a drunk!" Princess Fire Phoenix sighed and went to help him dress. As a princess, she'd never done such a thing; in the end, she was more hindrance than help.

In the midst of this chaos, a thought flashed through Du Long's mind, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "Um... Little Phoenix, last night... we didn't, uh, do anything, did we?"

"Ugh, ugh! Do anything? You blockhead! I went back to the palace to rest last night and just arrived here—only to find you, lazy pig, still sleeping!" Princess Fire Phoenix understood his implied question and, both embarrassed and indignant, explained.

"Oh..." Du Long replied with exaggerated disappointment.

"You rascal! Always thinking naughty thoughts! Hmph, since you're so lecherous, tell me honestly—have you and Qing Lian already done it?" Princess Fire Phoenix's eyes flashed dangerously. It was clear that if Du Long dared say "yes," she'd pounce and tear him apart.

"Ah!"

Just then, the door to the chamber opened and a graceful figure entered. Xia Qing Lian, carrying a basin of water, stepped inside. Hearing the implication in Princess Fire Phoenix's words, she was so startled her legs nearly gave way, almost dropping the basin.

"Ah, Qing Lian, you're here!" Du Long, facing the door, immediately saw Xia Qing Lian with her blushing face and unsure posture, seized the chance to change the topic and ease her embarrassment.

"Mm, Young Master, Qing Lian has brought hot water for you to wash up," Xia Qing Lian said softly, her voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, and respectfully greeted Princess Fire Phoenix, "Qing Lian pays respects to Princess Fire Phoenix!"

Princess Fire Phoenix quickly turned and took the basin from her, somewhat displeased. "Qing Lian! I've told you so many times—when there's no one else around, just call me by name. Why do you never listen?"

"I dare not!" Xia Qing Lian replied, still timid and reserved.

"Qing Lian, Little Phoenix is right! The three of us are friends, and now we have a bond of kinship. There are no outsiders here, so you should just call us by name. Being too formal isn't good," Du Long added.

"Yes, Young Master," Xia Qing Lian nodded, though her demeanor remained reserved. Clearly, Du Long's engagement had affected her deeply, and it would take time for her to adjust.

"Come, Qing Lian, help me wash up. I'm hungry, so let's all go out for breakfast together!" To help her relax, Du Long asked her to assist with washing up, giving her something to do and easing the awkwardness.

Princess Fire Phoenix understood perfectly and immediately smiled, "I'll help too!"

So, the two girls helped Du Long with his morning routine. Princess Fire Phoenix deliberately made conversation with Xia Qing Lian, her genuine smile soon melting the last traces of awkwardness in Qing Lian, whose face gradually brightened with a smile.

Du Long noticed this, and joy blossomed in his heart!

No matter whether Xia Qing Lian accepted his engagement with Princess Fire Phoenix, it would inevitably hurt her. Now, with Princess Fire Phoenix being so understanding, Qing Lian's worries would surely soon be dispelled!

Once he had finished washing and left the chamber, Du Long discovered Su Jin Bao and Yuan Yu sitting in the courtyard, both looking at him with admiration. Although it was normal for men to take multiple wives in this world, for a prince consort—especially one not from the imperial family—it was difficult to take concubines.

The reason needed no explanation; everyone knew it.

"You're all here! Perfect. Let's not eat at home today—I'll invite Sister Cai Ni and we'll all go out for a good meal at a nice restaurant! You've been staying at my residence for days, and I haven't had time to treat you properly," Du Long said cheerfully to Su and Yuan.

"You've been busy with your engagement to the princess; it's only natural you haven't had time for us. By the way, here's a small token, congratulations on your engagement! Yuan Yu and I went to Treasure Pavilion to pick out this gift," Su Jin Bao patted Du Long's shoulder understandingly, then produced a palm-sized box and handed it over.

"You rascal! You're wearing a space ring? Looks like your Su family is seriously wealthy!" Su Jin Bao conjured up the gift, and Du Long immediately noticed the space ring on his finger.

Space rings were rare treasures in this world. Du Long himself owned one but dared not let outsiders know. Clearly, Su Jin Bao regarded them as true friends, not caring if they saw his space ring.

"Wow, it really is a space ring! I've always wanted Father to give me one, but he always refuses, saying he'll only gift me one on my wedding day with Du Long!" Princess Fire Phoenix exclaimed in envy.

Her words came as no surprise—everyone present knew how precious space rings were, so no one found it odd.