After much thought, Yu Huai, the Prince of Duan'an, finally decided to join hands with the Prince of Cheng. His daughter could only marry a prince, so he would choose an ambitious and powerful one. Initially, he had taken a fancy to Zhongli Mingye, but unfortunately that man had no desire for the throne, which ran counter to Yu Huai's dream.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble my future father - in - law to take good care of the princess." A self - satisfied smile bloomed on the round face of the Prince of Cheng, but there was no bottom to the smile in his eyes.
A faint smile appeared on Yu Huai's lips. "Naturally, I will take good care of her."
In the evening, he told Yu Duanya about this. The frail woman gave a bitter smile. No wonder that person said he pitied her.
Putting away the needles, Song Jinyu met Yu Duanya's inquiring gaze. She simply said, "From now on, you just relax and live well."
Yu Duanya let out a soft laugh. "Why did you save me like this?"
Busy as she had been, Song Jinyu finally felt she could catch her breath. She tucked the quilt in for Yu Duanya.
"Because if I didn't save you, your father would kill me."
Yu Duanya reclined on the pillow, a strange light flashing in the corner of her eye. "I'm afraid you did it to gain his favor."
After a long while, she said, "Do women do everything just to please others?" Song Jinyu washed her hands under Niaoniao's service.
"Since you've managed to survive, you might as well relax and feel the changes of the seasons, the rain, snow, wind and frost."
Yu Duanya forced a smile. "If I can't win his heart, what's the meaning of my life?"
After drinking a cup of tea, Song Jinyu thought the tea in the mansion was really good. "Who he likes is his freedom; who you like is your choice. Love yourself first, and then love others. If the person you love doesn't love you, then don't love him anymore. It's not easy to live this life. What's the point of doing things that make you sad every day?"
"You're saying it so lightly because you've won his heart." Yu Duanya turned her head away and stopped looking at that woman. But something in her heart was quietly changing.
"Now, Father has betrothed me to the Prince of Cheng. Are you happy?" Yu Duanya's face was ashen. Just thinking about this made her heart ache.
Song Jinyu thought she was being unreasonable.
"No matter who you marry in the future, if marriage is an unavoidable choice, then love yourself first and then love others."
"You don't love him, but due to the situation, you should do things that make you happy, like eating well, living healthily, and living for those who love you."
It was the first time Yu Duanya had heard someone say such things. She asked in surprise, "What if... I feel pain?"
"…A woman can't just rely on a man to live."
"Yu Duanya, you only had two years to live originally." Song Jinyu leaned closer to her, looked into her eyes, and said coldly, "You're lucky to have met me."
"If you keep being so distraught for a man, you might as well end your life now."
Song Jinyu didn't want to say more. "I hope you can live a more wonderful life..." Having experienced Song Wangqiu and Shen Yingyun, she knew that women like them usually attached great importance to a happy marriage.
At the moment, she shook her head and walked out. Only Yu Duanya was left in a daze. From the despair last night to the calm today, maybe she should thank this woman. No wonder Zhongli Mingye was so infatuated with her. Even she herself was starting to like her a little.
"Come here!"
A cold male voice sounded from behind. Niaoniao quietly stepped back after seeing who it was.
Song Jinyu felt a bit helpless. Her feelings towards Zhongli Mingye were becoming more and more complex and contradictory.
"Is the Princess Duanya cured?" The man blocked her way.
The woman turned to look at him, smiling brightly. "Naturally, she is cured!"
The sun was scorching hot. The bright sunlight shone through the wisteria on the veranda, reflecting on the woman's long black hair. A flash of light passed through Zhongli Mingye's eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he reached out to touch her smiling face.
But she was so startled that she took a step back. "…This subject's daughter will take her leave first."
"Subject's daughter?" Why did she call herself that again? Zhongli Mingye was a bit dissatisfied and pressed on. "This prince heard what you said to console the Princess Duanya. You're really too kind."
Song Jinyu let out a soft laugh. "Who said I was helping her? I always seek revenge for the slightest grievance. How could I help an enemy for no reason?" After all, the wound on her neck was real.
She continued, "I've planted the seeds of hope in her heart. The more her father hopes she'll be a qualified princess consort, the more rebellious she'll be. Maybe she'll do something even more disobedient. Who knows?" Song Jinyu raised her eyebrows playfully and smiled.
"What do you think? …This subject's daughter is not a kind - hearted person." The implication was that Zhongli Mingye should stay away from her.
Hearing what she said, a look of surprise flashed in Zhongli Mingye's eyes. "Hmm, this prince was right about you."
Song Jinyu gave him a disdainful look and didn't say a word. She just wanted to leave. But he grabbed her hand.
"Come with me..."
When she was dragged to the destination by him, Song Jinyu held her forehead. Why was it this warm pavilion again? "Today, this prince's chef has cooked some delicious dishes."
As soon as she heard there were delicious food, Song Jinyu became interested. But accidentally, she got a rap on the head from Zhongli Mingye. "You love eating so much, but I don't see you growing much?"
Growing? What growing?
Song Jinyu immediately straightened her back, but she still only reached his chest. "What did you eat to grow so tall!" she complained.
The man being nagged by her just smiled indulgently.
The Prince of Cheng, Zhongli Shuoyi, went to visit the Princess Duanya. Now that they were engaged, it was the first time he had come to see this legendary princess of the Duan'an Mansion who was doted on by everyone.
Through the curtain, Zhongli Shuoyi saw the graceful figure of the woman. He felt a strange sense of discomfort and unfamiliarity in his heart.
The two exchanged a few polite greetings and then had nothing more to say. After all, a royal marriage was as cold as ice water.
Yu Duanya kept thinking about what Song Jinyu had said, and her heart gradually became more open.
She looked at her future husband and slowly said, "Your Highness, please take care of me."
Zhongli Shuoyi, who was about to step out of the door, suddenly stumbled when he heard her strange words. He turned back and said, "Sure, sure..."
But then he heard the woman behind the curtain let out a soft laugh, as pleasant as the sound of a silver bell.
Suddenly, he began to look forward to his future princess consort.