On the first day of the sixth lunar month, the weather was stifling.
After seeing off three distinguished guests at the Prince Yu's Mansion, the Prince Cheng made an appointment with the Prince Yu that he would invite him to his wedding soon.
Just after seeing them off outside the city gate, Zhongli Mingye spotted Song Jinyu on horseback. He told Qingfeng to keep an eye on her.
Then he rode ahead to lead the way for the three guests.
Yu Duanya was in the carriage. Looking out, she happened to see Song Jinyu waving goodbye to her. She waved back indifferently, bidding farewell not only to her jealous feelings but also to Zhongli Mingye.
Seeing Zhongli Mingye up ahead, she called out loudly, "Brother Mingye, she's really wonderful..."
Although Zhongli Mingye didn't turn back, the smile on his face betrayed his emotions.
She was indeed wonderful, a precious person in the world.
"What are you doing? There are so many people watching..."
Zhongli Mingye rode his horse to Song Jinyu's side and reached out his hand for her to get on the horse.
"Hmm?"
He raised his good - looking eyebrows, and his passionate gaze dazzled Song Jinyu.
The girl opposite glared at him fiercely and refused to get on. Zhongli Mingye was about to pull her forcefully.
Unexpectedly, she shouted at the top of her voice, "My lord, you're abducting a commoner girl in broad daylight!"
As she shouted, she started running. Soon she began to laugh and ran quickly with Niaoniao.
Zhongli Mingye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Remembering what had happened in the Jinshui Palace that day, he shook his head helplessly and gave Qingfeng a look.
Qingfeng sent guards to surround Song Jinyu and her maid in an alley.
Song Jinyu thought angrily that she shouldn't have come to see Yu Duanya off today. The man on the horse reached out his hand again.
"Come..."
The man hugged her on the horseback, and his burning breath was right beside her ear. Song Jinyu tensed up. She regretted forgetting to bring her veil hat today and now had to cover her face herself.
The fragrance of the woman lingered around him. He felt a bit dazed and a bit excited. He rode the horse slowly along the riverbank, wishing time could pass even slower.
Qingli Zhai? Song Jinyu couldn't help but recall the last time. She felt so embarrassed. Hadn't she made herself clear?
Zhongli Mingye pulled her upstairs and threw her on the soft couch. Then he leaned over her. "Zhongli Mingye! How dare you?"
Song Jinyu was extremely angry. Was he used to bullying her?
"I just want to take a look at your neck..." Zhongli Mingye found her strange expression quite amusing.
"I don't need your concern!" Song Jinyu quickly covered her neck and glared at him.
The man's breath was too close to her. The strong possessiveness in his eyes almost swallowed her up. She couldn't help but shrink her neck and was determined not to let him see.
Zhongli Mingye's eyes darkened. "Take your hand away!"
Song Jinyu was so angry that she kicked at him. She missed, but it enraged Zhongli Mingye.
"Hmm?"
He forcefully pushed Song Jinyu down on the soft couch. "You..."
Seeing that Zhongli Mingye was about to kiss her, Song Jinyu made up her mind and pressed the ring in her hand against his neck. "Try it. This poison will kill you instantly..."
The man's eyes turned cold and he stared directly at Song Jinyu. Suddenly, he still kissed her deeply.
Song Jinyu blushed and her ears burned. Unconsciously, she even responded to the kiss and gradually melted into the passion.
However, the hand pressing against his neck never moved.
After a long time, Zhongli Mingye finally let her go.
Looking at the hand still on his neck, he said proudly, "You're really a woman who says one thing but means another!"
His eyes were full of teasing.
As if seeing through his thoughts, Song Jinyu said, "It's like being bitten by a dog... Humph."
Zhongli Mingye's face turned cold. "I can tell you don't dislike me. Then why..." Why did she reject him so much?
He pushed her away, stood up, and walked straight to the window, looking at the river. "Because I'm burdened with an inexpressible mission."
It was time to make things clear to him.
Forcing back the pain in her heart, she lowered her eyes. "I'm not the ordinary official's daughter you think I am."
Zhongli Mingye was puzzled. "Then who are you?"
Song Jinyu didn't say a word. After a long while, the man said calmly, "Sooner or later, I'll make you tell me voluntarily."
Seeing his determination, Song Jinyu's heart skipped a beat. "Okay..."
The two stood in front of the window, looking at the riverbank. Zhongli Mingye's hand quietly moved closer to hers. Gradually, their hands overlapped.
At this moment, they no longer insisted on their own principles but were just ordinary men and women in the mortal world.
A letter from Princess Heyi arrived! She invited Song Jinyu to the capital to celebrate her birthday with her.
The capital?
Song Jinyu had never been there. Although she really wanted to go, she thought it wasn't a good time to leave Liuzhou City. Her sister - in - law was getting heavier every day, and she needed to help manage the household.
As if seeing through her thoughts, Mrs. Xiang said with a smile, "Just go! There's a housekeeper at home. Anyway, you'll only be gone for a month."
"But I'll feel more at ease at home."
Mrs. Xiang said, "It's a good thing that Princess Heyi values you. If you decline her kindness, you might offend her."
Song Jinyu tilted her head and thought for a while, then decided to go to the capital.
She suddenly remembered the incident where Ouyang Jinse had a good relationship with the Crown Prince. Maybe she could find out something.
When Zhongli Mingye heard that she was going to the capital, he was a bit worried. But as a vassal king, he couldn't leave Liuzhou City without an imperial edict. So he immediately sent Qingfeng and some guards to accompany Song Jinyu.
Song Jinyu refused. "Qingfeng is your personal guard. What would it look like if he followed me?" Seeing Zhongli Mingye's unhappy face, she finally accepted his kindness but didn't want Qingfeng.
In June, the weather is as changeable as a baby's face.
They had just set off when a downpour came. Song Jinyu sighed helplessly. "Looking at the sky, it won't stop for a while!"
Niaoniao and Cheng Song served by her side. Although they were a bit worried, they never expected the heavy rain to last for so many days.
On the third day, the heavy rain showed no sign of weakening. Song Jinyu began to worry. Although there was still a month until Heyi's birthday, being delayed by the heavy rain on the way wasn't a good solution.
Not only was Song Jinyu anxious secretly, but the spiritual root planting base on Tianmen Mountain was also washed away by the heavy rain. Miao Yunshen stared blankly at the fields, worried. "There's no way we can make spiritual pills for tribute in the second half of the year."
Suddenly!
There was a loud noise in the distance, rumbling~
The horses suddenly got out of control. The carriage veered off the official road. The guards' horses were out of control too, and everything was in a mess. Cheng Song tried to control the carriage to prevent it from overturning but couldn't control the direction.
Song Jinyu saw that the sky was getting darker and knew that the heavy rain must have triggered a mountain flood. The most urgent thing was to find a high place quickly. Before she could get out of the carriage, there was a louder "rumble" sound...
It turned out that a mountain flood had broken out in front. The flood spread, broke through the dam, and washed away the bridge. Song Jinyu's carriage was trapped by the flood. After Niaoniao helped her get out of the carriage, the wind and rain were too strong, and the two of them were on the verge of being blown away. Cheng Song struggled to separate the horse from the carriage and had no time to take care of them.
Just when they were in a critical situation, a figure suddenly dropped down. He neatly grabbed Song Jinyu and flew with her to a big tree beside. Niaoniao felt relieved and then found a big tree to take shelter in with Cheng Song.
"The mountain flood will wipe out everything. It's not safe to stay here for long."
Still in a state of shock, Song Jinyu finally saw clearly that the person who saved her was a young gentleman. He had long willow - like eyebrows, a jade - like figure, a delicate and elegant appearance, bright features, and a cold expression. His words carried a lofty aura that couldn't be ignored.
The man looked down at the girl he had just saved. Seeing that she seemed still in shock, he said softly, "Beauty, don't worry..."
With a faint smile, dimples faintly appeared. Song Jinyu was stunned. He was even more beautiful than a woman.
Tsk tsk, she compared herself with this young gentleman in her heart. "The stranger is as gentle as jade, and the young master is peerless in the world." This saying probably described this man.
However, his phoenix - like eyes seemed a bit familiar, just like... just like Zhongli Mingye?