Moonlit Reunion [子夜归]

Chapter 25

When Wu Zhen saw that Mei Zhuyu was awkwardly keeping his hand still, too shy to pull it away, she found him amusing and purposefully held on a bit longer before letting go. The moment she released him, Mei Zhuyu immediately tucked his hand into his sleeve. He wasn't quite used to close physical contact; when others got too near, he felt a natural aversion. Yet, with Wu Zhen, it was different—there was no repulsion, but rather a racing heartbeat that made it hard to focus.

"It's almost time for you all to finish your duties. Are you heading home now?" Wu Zhen asked.

Mei Zhuyu shook his head. "No, I need to go back to the Ministry first." He regretted his earlier candid comment and tried to recover, "If you have important matters, please go ahead. I'll head back to the Ministry." With that, he walked to fetch his horse.

When he returned, Wu Zhen was still waiting.

"I don't have anything urgent. I'll keep you company to the palace gates," she said as she mounted her horse, smoothing its mane with a quiet laugh. "Didn't you just say it's been a while since we saw each other?"

Mei Zhuyu was evidently shy, too embarrassed to admit he missed her.

Mei Zhuyu silently mounted his horse. The two horses trotted side by side, a slight distance between them, moving slowly, with neither rider in a hurry to gallop.

Wu Zhen tugged her reins, drawing closer, and turned to ask, "How's your drinking practice going?"

"Every night when I return, I practice," Mei Zhuyu replied, which really meant he'd been ending each night quite drunk.

Wu Zhen could easily imagine the scene and chuckled, unsure of what to make of his determination. "My Lord, drinking is supposed to be enjoyable. The real pleasure lies in savoring it. Forcing yourself to drink every day without any sense of enjoyment—there's no need to do that."

"If you don't like it, there's no reason to keep practicing. When it's time for the wedding feast, I'll make sure you don't have to drink too much. And the rest of that wine, let's save it for me to drink another day."

Hearing this, Mei Zhuyu looked as if he'd disappointed her. In a panic, he gripped his reins tightly, causing his horse to rear slightly.

"I... I won't waste your wine. I'm just not yet accustomed to the taste... How about I set those bottles aside for you, and I'll get some others for myself? I'll grow to like it over time. Truly."

Wu Zhen gently reined in her horse, calming him. "I'm not accusing you of wasting anything. I simply don't want you to force yourself. I'm the kind of person who never does what I don't want to, and I don't believe you should either. Life is better lived true to oneself."

Mei Zhuyu glanced at her. "I am living as I want." Having someone in his heart meant he wanted to go along with her in all things.

Wu Zhen sighed, "Fine, but don't drink too hastily. Drink in moderation; I'll join you in the future. Maybe drinking together will make it more enjoyable."

"All right," Mei Zhuyu agreed, now feeling a budding anticipation.

Their horses continued at a leisurely pace, reaching the palace gate just as officials were leaving for the day. As they were about to part, someone emerged from within the palace gates.

A middle-aged man with a stern, upright posture appeared, his eyebrows sharply arched and streaked with gray at the temples, his expression solemn and forbidding.

Wu Zhen recognized him immediately: he was her friend's father, Censor Liu, the same Liu who was notorious for his strictness and straight-laced demeanor. His distaste for frivolous young nobles like Wu Zhen was legendary—he viewed her as a waste of potential who set a poor example for others. Whenever he saw her, he'd glare at her as if she were an unwelcome suitor.