Tang Dynasty Hidden Guards

Yuan Min invited everyone to sit down. Dugu Yizhi took the initiative to sit next to Xue Wei, pushing aside his younger sister Dugu Jiao, who was originally sitting next to Xue Wei. This made Yuan Min secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

She understood Dugu Jiao's intention perfectly; she was trying to make Xue Wei happy by drawing a cute portrait of her as well.

"Third Brother, how is the situation at the manor?" Yuan Min asked.

"What else can we do? We changed it to celebrate the eldest brother's birthday. We even changed the banners. Actually, the guests don't care. Everyone just wants an excuse to get together."

"Is Grandfather angry?" Yuan Min asked again.

Yuan Mao shook his head. "I can't tell if Grandfather is angry. He seems to have something on his mind and has become very silent. But that Young Master Cui is looking for you everywhere."

"That Cui Shi and Shangguan Wan'er have an ambiguous relationship!"

Dugu Yizhi said coldly, "Amin, don't be fooled by his gentle appearance. Besides, he's been married before and has a daughter."

The candidate fairy's eyes widened. "Brother Dugu, how did you know?"

"I'm a member of the Imperial Guards; we know everything that happens in the palace!"

Xue Wei suddenly had a very good impression of Dugu Yizhi. Although he was also a suitor of Yuan Min, Xue Wei liked his integrity.

Xue Wei smiled and said, "The Court of Imperial Sacrifices is Shangguan Wan'er's territory. Cui Shi has only been serving as a censor for a year, but suddenly he was promoted four ranks and became the very powerful Director of Ceremonial. Logically speaking, he has latched onto Shangguan Wan'er's coattails."

Yuan Min's eyes showed extreme disgust. Xue Wei grasped her hand, raised his glass, and laughed, "Don't mention those spoilsport people. Let's wish Amin a happy birthday, bottoms up!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

The atmosphere became lively as Xue Wei was surrounded by three young women, each of whom drew two chibi-style portraits of him. Overjoyed, the three women began calling Xue Wei "brother-in-law."

Xue Wei then painted a portrait of both Dugu Yizhi and Yuan Mao.

After several rounds of drinks, Yuan Min took the opportunity to pull Xue Wei aside and whispered, "Dugu Yizhi has always liked me. He pursued me for a year after my divorce last year, but I never agreed to be with him."

"He's a good person, why won't you agree?"

"I've always regarded him as an elder brother, and I have absolutely no romantic feelings for him. Besides, he has a concubine who has borne him a son. How could I possibly marry him?"

"I know you would never share your husband with another woman."

"Just know that, don't be jealous. We don't usually keep in touch; we only run into each other at parties."

Xue Wei put his arm around her shoulder and laughed, "I won't be jealous!"

Yuan Min tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek, then took his arm and laughed, "Let's go back!"

The two returned to the party, where several tea girls came to dance for the host to celebrate his birthday. The group then played pitch-pot, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Young Master Xue!" Dugu Yizhi stepped forward, holding a wine cup.

Xue Wei waved his hand, "You can call me Chongyin."

Dugu Yizhi sighed and said, "I know you don't remember, but actually we've fought before, more than once."

Xue Wei was taken aback. "For Amin?"

Dugu Yizhi nodded. "I felt sorry for her back then. I felt sorry for her being humiliated by you. I really hated you back then. I wished I could kill you with one blow. Later, you went to prison and Amin was freed. I was very happy and felt that I had a chance. I am telling the truth. There is not a single lie in my words."

Xue Wei nodded. "I was really a jerk before. I hate myself. I want to make up for the harm I caused her. I've been repenting."

"I can tell you put a lot of effort into drawing her portrait. If you can continue to treat her like this, then I will wish you both well and I will step back and stop pursuing her."

Xue Wei looked at him and said, "Thank you for your honesty!"

Dugu Yizhi laughed, "Liking someone doesn't necessarily mean possessing her. As long as she's happy, I'm happy for her too."

Xue Wei nodded slightly, "We became friends after our initial conflict. We used to be enemies, but I hope we can be friends from now on."

"Alright! Cheers to our friendship that blossomed from a fight!"

The two raised their glasses, clinked them together, and drank them down in one gulp.

.........

The birthday party lasted until evening, and both the city gate and the neighborhood gate were closed, as Yuan Min had made prior arrangements.

Behind the teahouse are three small courtyards for guests to stay overnight. Almost every restaurant and teahouse has overnight rooms for guests who cannot go home after curfew.

Yuan Min arranged for Yuan Mao and Dugu Yizhi to share a room, while the three best friends shared another. With the perverted Dou Wenniang around, everyone got completely drunk and were taken back to their rooms to rest by the maids on duty.

Yuan Min was also extremely drunk, but Xue Wei was very sober. He had the ability to detoxify, which seemed to be very effective in relieving his hangover.

He helped Yuan Min back to the courtyard. There were two rooms in the courtyard; he and Yuan Min could each have one, but...

"Old Xue, this courtyard is where I live. I won't let guests stay in the places I've stayed before. Only you... you can stay here. You are my husband, and we must sleep together."

Such words could only be uttered when drunk. Xue Wei helped her lie down on the couch and brought her hot water to wash her face and hands.

Yuan Min hugged Xue Wei's waist and chuckled, "You lecherous devil, how many times have you peeked at A Jiao? Do you think I don't know? You're not allowed to do it again next time. You can only look at me. I'll let you look, you can look however you want, but you're not allowed to look at other women."

Xue Wei's heart was pounding. He knew tonight was an opportunity, but... this wasn't Yuan Min's true desire. She was just drunk. This was taking advantage of her vulnerability. Even if he got her for a while, he would lose her completely once she sobered up.

"You're drunk, get some rest, I'll stay with you."

"Of course you have to stay with me. You're not allowed to leave tonight. You have to hold me while we sleep," Yuan Min muttered.

Xue Wei bent down and kissed her forehead, covered her with the blanket, and sat down beside her, holding her hand.

As the night deepened, Yuan Min slept soundly, while Xue Wei, unable to stay awake any longer, also fell asleep without realizing it.

When Xue Wei woke up, he felt someone stroking his face. He slowly opened his eyes and found Yuan Min sitting next to him, leaning down and gently stroking his face.

"Fool, you could have done it last night, why did you have to be so virtuous?"

Xue Wei smiled slightly, "I don't like bullying drunk women."

"You don't like drunk women, do you?"

"Except for you!"

Yuan Min laughed, "I like smooth-talking guys!"

She lowered her head, gently kissed his lips, and whispered, "Do you know how troublesome it will be if we remarry?"

Xue Wei nodded. "I only found out yesterday. Yuan Mao told me."

"Your mother promised to help us resolve this issue, so I'm not worried!"

"What could she possibly do but ask the emperor for special permission?"

Yuan Min slowly said, "She said there are two methods, one short and one long. The short method is to ask the emperor for special approval. If the emperor refuses, then the long method will be used."

"What's the best way to do this?"

"Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will definitely overturn the verdict in the Li Chongrun case. All the judgments in this case will be overturned, including the government's decision to divorce him. Because you are innocent, you are wronged, so the decision to divorce you is a miscarriage of justice, and the government will cancel it."

Xue Wei's eyes lit up. This was indeed a good idea, a very safe one.

"But it will take too long, at least three or four years."

"We will be together, we just need a wedding. Once we cancel our estrangement, we will hold the wedding and then we will officially remarry."

Xue Wei's eyes slowly reddened, and his voice choked with emotion, "You're finally willing to remarry me?"

Yuan Min nodded gently, "Because you didn't touch me last night, I trust you again. I believe you have truly repented, so I agree to remarry you."

"Then we..."

Yuan Min covered his mouth, "Don't rush, let's take it slow and wait for things to fall into place."

Xue Wei felt as if he were being soaked in warm water; he felt like he was melting.

"Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you. We can start making our move regarding Li Chongrun's secret. I want to go with you."

"But you can't bypass the firewall!"

"With you here, I'm not worried, but I'm really curious, so please take me with you!"

Yuan Min gently shook his arm and begged, and Xue Wei's heart softened completely.

"Alright! If I'm discovered, I'll just use the Emperor's Golden Token to deal with it."