The grand celebration filled the palace with laughter and music, the scent of rich wine lingering in the air. The joyous occasion had everyone in high spirits, yet hidden among them was a scheme carefully unfolding.
Lingui, one of the dancers who had eyes on Zoe, discreetly dropped love wine into a goblet meant for him. The potion, traditionally reserved for couples on their wedding night, was meant to heighten desire and cloud rationality. She hesitated for a moment but eventually signaled the maid to serve the drink.
The maid, though reluctant, followed the order.
Zoe took the goblet without suspicion and sipped. The taste was no different from the other wine he had earlier, but soon, something strange stirred within him. A creeping heat spread through his body, his pulse quickening unnaturally.
"Master, are you okay? You don't look well." Yuzhen, who had been observing him closely, leaned in with concern.
