The next day,
The news that Jin Yu had come back from the dead spread from Tianmen Mountain. A glimmer of light burst forth in Ouyang Jinsè's eyes, which had been as dead as ashes.
She was alive! She was really alive! At this moment, Ouyang Jinsè finally saw his true feelings clearly.
Jin Yu was his life. Their bond was unbreakable no matter what.
Ouyang Jinsè couldn't wait to rush to Tianmen Mountain to see her. But as soon as he stepped out of the door, he was blocked by He Yan with a sword.
"Although my junior sister has come back from the dead, your Golden Water Palace is unforgivable!" He Yan was not good at words and rarely smiled. Obsessed with the swordsmanship, he was not only the chief disciple of Tianmen Mountain but also a well - known peerless swordsman in the Jianghu.
Ouyang Jinsè knew that his swordsmanship was no match for He Yan's. He simply said, "The Golden Water Palace has never and will never besiege Jin Yu."
"As long as I'm alive, the Golden Water Palace will never be an enemy of Jin Yu!" His words were firm and resounding. Ouyang Jinsè reached out and grasped the sword.
Blood dripped down drop by drop. The determination and sincerity in his eyes touched He Yan's heart.
"Give up. Yu'er is not someone you can covet." Although reluctant, He Yan still exposed this harsh truth.
"I will never let go!" Ouyang Jinsè's face suddenly turned grim. He exerted force on his hand. The pain from the flesh made his face contort. His stubbornness was inherited from Lady Jinhua.
Just as they were at a stalemate, a servant came and whispered something in Ouyang Jinsè's ear. This made him give up the argument with He Yan.
The Crown Prince had arrived in Liuzhou City and intended to inspect the local conditions on behalf of the emperor. Since Liuzhou was the residence of Prince Yu, the Crown Prince's visit might have an ulterior motive.
In the Great Xia Dynasty, it was a tradition for the Crown Prince or a prince to represent the emperor and tour the local areas. At this time, the arrival of Crown Prince Zhongli Chengze seemed no different.
However, with the confrontation between the two major forces in the Jianghu at this moment, Ouyang Jinsè smelled something unusual.
"You're leaving today?" When Jin Yu heard the news that Zhongli Mingye was leaving, she thought to herself: Finally, this big shot is leaving.
"You seem very happy!"
Zhongli Mingye was not satisfied with her attitude. They had just become closer under the cliff, and yet she treated him like this.
"Take some of these antidote pills with you. There are many snakes and poisonous insects on the mountain."
Her master had sent people from the Qingfeng Hall to escort Prince Yu down the mountain. Grateful for this man's saving her life, she specially brought the pills for him.
Zhongli Mingye took the delicate porcelain bottle. His phoenix - like eyes looked at Song Jinyu with a half - smile.
"Well, you're not completely heartless." Although he was reluctant to leave her, he had to go. He had to return to his mansion before the Crown Prince arrived in Liuzhou.
"It's almost the end of the year. Will you return to Liuzhou?" Zhongli Mingye asked casually.
Song Jinyu was worried about her master's deteriorating health and had made up her mind to accompany him more. "I originally planned to go back, but my master is not well. So..."
"Alright!"
Qingfeng had received the message that he was staying at the bottom of the valley and was on his way to meet him. Zhongli Mingye suddenly stepped forward and stroked Song Jinyu's face,
Just to check if the tiny wound had healed.
She was so startled that she took a step back and almost tripped over the threshold and fell to the ground.
Zhongli Mingye caught her in time.
Time seemed to stand still. A strange feeling lingered between the two of them.
Song Jinyu lowered her head. She didn't dare to look at Zhongli Mingye. She didn't know what was wrong with herself. She could play around with Yan Fei without restraint and outwit Ouyang Jinsè. But when facing Zhongli Mingye, she felt nervous and...
Shy. Her heart would beat faster for no reason, and she would be afraid to look at him for no reason.
There were so many good - looking men, but why was she afraid to look at him? Song Jinyu recalled the scene when he kissed her that day. Overwhelmed by shyness, she quickly found an excuse to say goodbye and left.
Zhongli Mingye was completely confused. He watched her run away like the wind with a faint smile.
A few days later,
Two distinguished guests came to Prince Yu's Mansion. One was the current Crown Prince, and the other was Shen Yingyun, the daughter of the current Grand Tutor.
Shen Yingyun was the second daughter of the Grand Tutor in the capital. She was only fifteen years old. She had grown into a beautiful young woman with bright eyes. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also proficient in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and the piano. She was known as the most talented woman in the capital. Her elder sister, Shen Yunmei, was the current Crown Princess.
Last year, she saw Zhongli Mingye at the spring banquet in the palace and fell head - over - heels in love with him. This time, she begged her Crown Prince brother - in - law to come to Liuzhou with her. She claimed to be traveling around for relaxation, but in fact, it was to visit Zhongli Mingye and relieve her lovesickness.
"Why haven't I seen Prince Yu yet?" The Crown Prince was drinking tea in the front hall. He was sure that Zhongli Mingye was not in the mansion at this moment.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment. The prince is taking a bath and burning incense for fear of passing on any illness to you."
Mi Cui, the female official of the mansion, and Xing Jian, the butler, didn't dare to breathe loudly. They didn't dare to tell the truth. They were afraid of being caught by the Crown Prince and only hoped that the prince could come back quickly.
Shen Yingyun looked around the front hall. Although Prince Yu's Mansion in Liuzhou was not as grand as the one in the capital, it was still full of nobility. It was not a disgrace to her, Shen Yingyun.
The Crown Prince was a schemer. He knew Shen Yingyun's feelings, but the entire Grand Tutor's Mansion was his power.
If Prince Yu married Shen Yingyun, it would not only bring no benefits but also be a burden. So he was happy to help with this matter.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, I'm sorry I didn't greet you properly!" A deep and magnetic voice came through the bead curtain in the flower hall. It was Prince Yu. Mi Cui let out a silent sigh of relief and exchanged a glance with Xing Jian. They thought they had finally got through this.
Zhongli Mingye rushed in. The Crown Prince looked at him carefully. In order to meet the Crown Prince, he had specially changed into purple court clothes, which were luxurious and noble. They made him look extraordinary, like a precious jade from Kunlun, emitting a faint glow. His phoenix - like eyes were as deep as an ancient well, calm and undisturbed.
Shen Yingyun finally saw the man she had been longing for. She stepped forward shyly to pay her respects but only received a faint nod from him.
She couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. Everyone in the royal family knew her feelings, but he always treated her coldly and kept her at a distance.
"Liuzhou City is not big. Miss Shen can take a stroll at will." Zhongli Mingye played a game of chess with the Crown Prince, and Shen Yingyun accompanied them.
Shen Yingyun's eyes were full of tenderness as she hoped that Prince Yu would look at her more. "I have nothing to do. I can just pour tea for Your Highness and the prince." Zhongli Mingye always focused on the chess game and didn't spare her a single glance.
"Fourth brother, you're really a dullard." The Crown Prince made a move on the chessboard.
He looked up contemptuously at the man opposite. "There's a beautiful lady here, and yet you treat her so coldly!"
"Your Highness is joking. I wouldn't dare." Zhongli Mingye concealed the sharpness in his eyes and deliberately left a flaw for the Crown Prince.
When the chess game ended, they had had many confrontations. Zhongli Mingye finally managed to avoid the Crown Prince's probing.