Right after the Lantern Festival, Song Jinyu rushed home excitedly. She knew that her sister - in - law was pregnant, so she was willing to help her with some housework.
Her elder brother, Song Chuyu, was busy training soldiers and asked Jinyu to accompany her sister - in - law more.
So after she got home, she rarely went out and didn't participate in the various gatherings of the noble families in Liuzhou. In the whole Liuzhou City, the eldest daughter of the Song family was happy to be at ease.
Xiang was making little clothes for the baby in her belly, and Jinyu was helping her organize the balls of thread.
"The He family is in high spirits again these days."
"What...?"
Jinyu looked at her sister - in - law, wondering why she brought up the He family.
Xiang said cheerfully, "It's said that the second daughter of the He family has been chosen as the concubine of Prince Yu."
Jinyu was silent for a long time. Prince Yu? Zhongli Mingye?
"She's the niece of Concubine He, and Prince Yu's fief is in Liuzhou." Xiang explained, not noticing that her sister - in - law's eyes were gradually dimming.
However, there was a look of worry in Xiang's eyes. "Well, their family has regained its prestige."
Song Jinyu tried to calm the turmoil in her heart. "Concubine He is really quite capable."
"Oh!" Xiang only got such a response after a long while.
She couldn't help laughing. What was wrong with this girl today?
"Are you jealous?" Xiang teased her.
Was she seen through? "What does it have to do with me!" Jinyu quickly tried to distance herself.
She was afraid that if she continued talking, her sister - in - law would see through her. "I won't talk to you anymore. I'm going back."
"Aren't you going to have dinner with me?" Xiang asked worriedly as she saw Jinyu running away quickly.
"The food you prepare is so tasteless. I don't want to eat it."
All those words about loving me were lies! Sure enough, all the people in the royal family are heart - breakers.
Humph! I'll never see him again.
"Niuniu, where's that jade cricket?"
Niuniu saw her storming back from the Zhuxuan Courtyard.
She thought Jinyu had quarreled with the young mistress.
"The young mistress is pregnant. You should be more understanding, miss."
Song Jinyu was furious. "What are you talking about! Quickly throw that jade cricket out!!!"
...
Niuniu saw that her face was flushed with anger and quickly pulled her to sit down. She poured a cup of tea.
"My dear miss..."
She consoled her helplessly. "The jade cricket hasn't offended you. Why do you want to throw it away?"
That jade cricket obviously was very valuable. What if she regretted it later?
"Alright. Leave me alone for a while."
Jinyu calmed down and drove all the maids, including Niuniu, out.
What's wrong with me? Why am I so irritable all of a sudden! This is not like me at all.
Jinyu tossed and turned in bed.
She just felt extremely restless.
Make medicine! Make poison with all my might! Poison that heart - breaker!
"Concubine He is also doing this for your own good. You need someone to take care of you."
The emperor and Prince Yu were just like an ordinary father and son. Today, Zhongli Mingye came to accompany his father for dinner. He planned to set off for Liuzhou City at noon tomorrow.
Zhongli Mingye was firm in his attitude. "Your son doesn't need it. Please take back your gracious gift, Father."
"I've already promised Concubine He." The emperor was also helpless.
"Father, your son doesn't want to have too much to do with the He family."
There were too many complicated relationships in the harem. Now that he had been crowned as a prince, he was an adult.
Although the emperor was gratified that his son was sensible, he really thought his son needed someone to take care of him. So he brought up another matter. "I once promised you that you could choose your own marriage."
"Now, do you have someone you like?" The emperor probed.
"Yes..." Prince Yu, Zhongli Mingye, admitted generously.
The emperor laughed. His son didn't intend to hide it from him. Now that the father was kind and the son was filial, this was exactly what he wanted.
"In that case, I'll betroth you!"
When the emperor heard Zhongli Mingye mention the daughter of the prefect Song, his mind was full of thoughts.
His son was really different. He not only refused to marry into a family closely related to the harem but also rejected the possibility of marrying the daughters of court officials.
Being so indifferent to power, the emperor didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.
His son's pure heart was as bright as the sun and the moon. For the emperor, it wasn't a good thing if a prince was too powerful.
So he might as well fulfill his son.
"Please, Father, only give the imperial edict of betrothal to your son."
There was a blush on Zhongli Mingye's face. "Your son is afraid of scaring her." When the right time came, he would let this imperial edict add luster to their marriage.
The emperor laughed and said, "My son is really a passionate man."
He arranged for his trusted eunuch to write the imperial edict of betrothal and gave it to Zhongli Mingye.
The emperor really liked Zhongli Mingye. "I'll wait for your good news."
"However, I'm really bored staying in the capital."
The emperor looked at Zhongli Mingye meaningfully. "I'll go on a southern tour in a few days. The first stop will be your Liuzhou City!"
Zhongli Mingye got the emperor's approval and the imperial edict of betrothal. Although he tried to hide his emotions on the surface, the joy in his eyes was revealed. "Yes, your son will surely make good preparations."
No one else knew about Prince Yu's betrothal. Holding the imperial edict, Zhongli Mingye left the capital in a good mood.
This time, let's see where you can escape!
A smile appeared on his lips. Thinking of her bright smile, he thought the carriage was going too slowly.
On Tianmen Mountain, Miao Yunshen kept coughing. His eldest disciple, Wen Sirong, and Yan Fei were waiting on him.
Before long, a young servant brought in the medicinal soup.
The master of Tianmen Mountain was getting weaker day by day. Suffering from a chronic illness, no matter how amazing the medical skills of Tianmen Mountain were, he couldn't cure himself.
Wen Sirong said, "Master, there are no urgent matters in each hall for now. You should rest."
Miao Yunshen said weakly, "It's okay. I can still hold on."
Wen Sirong was always steady in his actions. "You and your fellow disciples should manage Tianmen Mountain well together."
"The output of spiritual roots is decreasing day by day. There's not enough rain in spring. Remember to water them frequently. The water should soak deep into the soil." Miao Yunshen instructed.
"The secret medicine we gave to the emperor last time was only enough for half a year."
"I'm afraid he'll be dissatisfied." Miao Yunshen was afraid that the nightmare of twenty years ago would happen again. He specially made a secret medicine for prolonging life, which was only for the emperor's exclusive use. That was why the emperor had always been in good health.
It was also for this reason that the court tolerated Tianmen Mountain.
"Master, the elder is here."
Tianmen Mountain had an elder council, which was composed of the senior brothers of the previous master. They had a certain say in the future development of Tianmen Mountain.
Now that Miao Yunshen's health was getting worse, the successor of the next master of Tianmen Mountain must be selected.
The elder came here with the wishes of the other five elders.
As soon as he entered the door and saw Miao Yunshen spitting out blood, his worry deepened.
"Junior brother, this blood..."
The elder, Ling Qianming, was in charge of the elder council and mainly responsible for medicinal herbs.
"It's okay, senior brother."
Miao Yunshen looked at the elder and said, "Senior brother, Sirong and the others are still young. I'll have to trouble you to take more care of them."
"Now, the young master of Tianmen Mountain has not been determined yet." The elder advised Miao Yunshen.
"Have you decided on the candidate? If, if..." The elder couldn't say the following words.
But Miao Yunshen understood.
"Senior brother, don't worry. I've already decided on it, but I can't announce it for the time being."
Miao Yunshen said worriedly, "Tianmen Mountain may seem like an impregnable fortress..."
"Actually, there are many villains. Senior brother, rest assured. She will make Tianmen Mountain better!"