The wine was still brought over by Yinshan—two jars placed before Munuha. After Munuha downed both jars heartily, Bu Shulin finally had Yinshan fetch two more, letting Munuha choose first. Munuha's capacity for drink made Bu Shulin feel he had met his match.
The two of them wildly consumed three jars of wine. Bu Shulin's vision began to blur, while Munuha felt his lungs burning. Neither was willing to admit defeat easily, so they opened their respective fourth jars.
The onlookers, who had initially been rowdy, now held their breath in tense silence. By the time half a jar was finished, both men had collapsed, unable to even lift the jars. Yet Bu Shulin refused to give up: "Yin... Yinshan... pour... pour wine for your master!"
"Young Master..." Yinshan was genuinely worried.
"Pour... the wine... now!" Bu Shulin, so drunk he could barely keep his eyes open, still tried to glare at Yinshan.
Helpless, Yinshan poured him a bowl. Bu Shulin trembled as he lifted the wine, shaking for a long moment before downing it in one gulp.
On the other side, Munuha had also reached his limit. He ordered his attendant: "Fill... fill it up..."
In the end, the two nearly finished the remaining half jar using bowls, both stubbornly glaring at each other, waiting to see who would collapse first.
Bu Shulin felt as if his entire body were on fire but still commanded: "Another... another bowl!"
Yinshan poured another bowl for Bu Shulin, who could no longer lift it. Instead, he leaned over and lapped at the rim like a dog drinking water.
After a couple of laps, a large hand reached over and forcefully moved the wine bowl away. Bu Shulin turned his head sluggishly, squinting blurrily to make out the newcomer: "Cu... Cui Shitou..."
The newcomer was none other than Cui Jinbai. Looking at the drunken mess that was Bu Shulin, Cui Jinbai wished he could douse him with a bucket of cold water.
"Have you had enough of this foolishness?" Cui Jinbai asked from his imposing height.
"I... I..." Bu Shulin pointed at himself, "I'm being foolish? How could I be! It's all... all... because... I'm lonely! Lonely, do you understand... It's you who made me... made me lonely!
I, I have to—hic—I have to find my own fun!"
Cui Jinbai glanced at both men: "The two of you are evenly matched. Drinking any further will harm your health. Let's call it a draw. Worldly Son Bu will keep his sword, and Prince Munuha, I will gift you a fine blade."
This offered each a way out without either having to admit defeat. Munuha, who could drink no more, nodded in agreement.
"I don't—" Bu Shlin staggered to his feet, pushing away Yinshan who tried to support him, "Who... who are you to me... that you can... decide for me?"
He stumbled over to Cui Jinbai: "Don't think... just because we've slept together a few times... you can take charge..."
Bu Shulin's words made everyone around them widen their eyes in shock. Some young ladies even covered their mouths, glancing back and forth between the two. There had long been rumors of their romantic affairs, but most had dismissed them as gossip. Now, with Worldly Son Bu's drunken confession, it turned out the two really did share such intimacies!
"You're drunk." Cui Jinbai grabbed his pointing hand and started dragging him away.
"What are you doing... Are you trying to take advantage... Do you think just because I'm drunk... you can be... on top!" Bu Shulin resisted while rambling nonsense, "I... I'm telling you... Cui... Cui Shitou! Even if I'm drunk... drunk, I'm still the one on top of you!"Yinshan followed behind, utterly mortified. Should he be gratified that the young master never forgot his male identity, or ashamed to face this young master who spouted such vulgar words?
"Young Lord Cui, the young master is drunk. This subordinate will escort him back to the residence. Please pay no mind to the young master's words..."
"Drunk? Nonsense!" Bu Shulin shoved Yinshan away. "You're lying... I'm not drunk! Whose side are you on... You ungrateful... He hasn't even entered the household... and you're already currying favor with... the mistress?"
Yinshan didn't dare look at Cui Jinbai's face.
So in their young master's heart, Young Lord Cui had always been the woman, while he was the man!
Cui Jinbai's eyes darkened, his face taut as he directly hoisted Bu Shulin over his shoulder and left the pleasure house. Taking Bu Shulin back to the Cui residence was impossible—he didn't yet hold authority there. Bringing him to the Dali Temple was even less feasible, as it was a solemn place of judgment. Cui Jinbai had no choice but to return Bu Shulin to the Bu residence.
Before they even reached Bu Shulin's chambers, Bu Shulin vomited all over Cui Jinbai.
Jinshan, witnessing this, hurriedly directed maids and servants to separate the two. He arranged for Cui Jinbai to change clothes and freshen up. By the time Cui Jinbai was properly tidied, Bu Shulin had also been tended to by maids who ostensibly served tea but actually attended to him closely, having been force-fed a sobering concoction.
After drinking it, Bu Shulin lay listlessly on the bed, eyes vacant yet refusing to sleep. Despite the coaxing from maids and Jinshan, he remained still like a helpless, bewildered child.
This was how Cui Jinbai found Bu Shulin when he entered.
"Cui... Shitou..." Bu Shulin stammered upon seeing Cui Jinbai. "I... I feel awful..."
The anger that had been brewing in Cui Jinbai's chest inexplicably dissipated. Sitting by the bedside, he said gently, "Close your eyes and rest. You'll feel better when you wake."
"I... won't... sleep." Bu Shulin's thoughts were muddled. "Can't sleep... if I sleep... there'll be danger..."
Puzzled, Cui Jinbai glanced at Jinshan standing guard nearby.
Jinshan bowed his head and explained, "In his youth, the young master endured a period of frequent assassination attempts. He dared not sleep at night, only finding peace to rest during the day."
Later, Bu Shulin took to frequenting pleasure houses, lingering until dawn, then returning home to sleep soundly through the day.
Hearing this, Cui Jinbai felt an inexplicable pang in his chest and coaxed, "I'm here. You can rest assured."
Bu Shulin looked up at him, staring for a long moment before grinning foolishly. "Cui Shitou... marry me... won't you marry me?"
"Young master!" Jinshan whispered in reminder.
Bu Shulin snorted lightly at Jinshan, then turned back with a beaming smile. "I... like you... Cui Shitou... I want to marry you..."
Seeing how the intoxicated man, even in his stupor, couldn't resist teasing him, Cui Jinbai's expression darkened again.
"Cui Shitou... marry me... you'll be the consort! Eventually, you'll be a princess consort—something countless people beg for but never obtain..." Bu Shulin paid no heed to his scowl. "Everything I have... I'll give to you. Won't you marry me..."
He even shook Cui Jinbai's hand, his face full of grievance.
Cui Jinbai tried to pull his hand away but failed. "Stop this nonsense. Go to sleep—mmph..."
Bu Shulin, having somehow regained some strength, propped himself up and pressed his lips against Cui Jinbai's.
Cui Jinbai froze instantly, his mind going completely blank.
Jinshan turned pale with fright and rushed forward to pull Bu Shulin away. "Young master!"Cui Jinbai snapped back to reality, abruptly stood up, and strode out with hurried steps, as if fleeing in disarray.
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