After a long while, Zhongli Mingye found that the girl beneath him had fainted. He couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated. How could someone faint just from a kiss?
He didn't understand why he had suddenly lost his senses. He gently carried her to the bed and specifically told the maidservant to change her clothes.
Standing by the window with his eyes closed, he secretly tucked her lovely image into his heart. After Qingfeng came in, Zhongli Mingye instructed him to go to Tianmen Mountain and find out Song Jinyu's real identity there.
Since she didn't trust him, he would find out on his own.
The only thing he was afraid of was that she didn't have feelings for him. The more he cared, the more out of control he became.
In the Empress Dowager's palace, Ming Ruyi presented many precious sandalwoods. He lit the incense and poured tea for the Empress Dowager himself.
"Um... My son is really considerate..."
This was only the second time Ming Ruyi had visited the Empress Dowager since he returned to the capital. "If mother likes it, I'll have people search for more."
The Empress Dowager looked at him lovingly. "Mother hopes you can get married soon..."
"Mother, please don't mention this." Get married? Once he had a family and children, the one sitting on the high throne might not tolerate him anymore.
"Now that his crown prince and other princes have grown up, they won't be overly vigilant against you. If you get married and have a child, mother will be at ease." Her son was already in his thirties, yet he didn't even have a child!
Ming Ruyi put away his usual flippancy and lowered his eyes. "I will get married."
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed. "Then you mustn't leave the capital!"
Suddenly, a figure flashed past the window. The mother and son looked at each other and smiled, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
The next day, news came from the palace that Prince Yu, Zhongli Mingye, was to bring Song Jinyu into the palace.
He Yi happily ran to the palace gate to greet them. Today, the emperor was going to reward Song Jinyu and specially bestowed a lunch.
Prince Yu, Zhongli Mingye, got off the carriage and motioned for her to give him her hand. Song Jinyu felt a bit embarrassed and was hesitating when the carriage of the King of Zhongzhou also arrived at the palace gate.
Ming Ruyi laughed. "What, have you been hiding your beauty for so many days and are reluctant to let her out?"
Hearing this, Song Jinyu quickly got out of the carriage. She glared at Ming Ruyi fiercely. The latter raised his eyebrows. "This is not how you should treat your benefactor..."
"If it weren't for this king's folding fan, you would have had to lie in bed for a few more days."
Song Jinyu had no choice but to say, "Thank you, my lord... This subject's daughter..." Before she could finish, Zhongli Mingye beside her said, "All the kindness she owes you, this king will bear on her behalf."
These words were said firmly. Ming Ruyi was a bit dissatisfied and wanted to say something, but he saw Song Jinyu lower her head and say nothing.
This woman only showed her girlish side in front of Zhongli Mingye. He couldn't help but feel a bit angry. Clearly, they could have been very close, but because of Zhongli Mingye, they couldn't.
He waved his folding fan and walked away without saying a word.
"Let's go..."
He Yi finally saw Song Jinyu's figure and happily rushed over. "Jinyu!"
Unexpectedly, she was stopped by Zhongli Mingye. "Be gentle. Her wound hasn't fully healed yet!" He Yi opened her mouth and looked at Song Jinyu helplessly, feeling indignant in her heart.
"Alright..." Song Jinyu stepped forward and took He Yi's hand. She missed her after not seeing her for a few days. The two girls walked forward chatting and laughing.
He Yi was very dissatisfied and muttered, "Fourth brother's look is really scary! You're not just his!"
"Cough..." Song Jinyu said helplessly, "Let's talk about something happy!"
"Father said he's going to reward you."
"I told father that I want to form a sworn sisterhood with you." He Yi said with a bitter face, but he didn't agree. He said, "To become a family, you don't necessarily have to be sisters."
The speaker was innocent, but the listener was thoughtful.
The smile on Song Jinyu's face gradually froze. What did the emperor mean?
Ming Ruyi walked side by side with Zhongli Mingye. He was very dissatisfied. "Song Jinyu isn't yours. Why should you bear the kindness she owes this king on her behalf?"
"Your nephew, aren't you overstepping your bounds?"
Zhongli Mingye looked at him calmly and a smile appeared on his lips. "Uncle, this king is telling you in advance."
"A few months ago, this king asked for an imperial edict for marriage. It's just that because she hasn't reached the coming - of - age ceremony yet, it hasn't been made public." A smile on his lips showed Prince Yu's good mood.
"She has always been this king's fiancée."
The implication was that husband and wife were one, so why couldn't this king bear these kindnesses on her behalf? After saying that, he proudly strode forward.
These words made Ming Ruyi stop in his tracks. "A marriage bestowed by the emperor?" She had already been betrothed by the emperor. Did Song Jinyu know? Suddenly, he felt that coming to the palace today was a wrong choice. His steps became inexplicably heavy. After all these years, he finally met an interesting woman, but she had become someone else's fiancée.
"Is Miss Song's injury healed?" The emperor looked at her lovingly. After Song Jinyu saluted, she stood with He Yi.
After hearing the emperor's question, she replied, "This subject's daughter is already fine!"
The emperor also invited Concubine Shu and Concubine Jia to accompany them today. The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace didn't show up. No one knew the reason.
Song Jinyu saluted in order of status. She was elegant and generous, and was highly praised by them. Concubine Shu was especially satisfied. After everyone was seated, the emperor mentioned the time when Song Jinyu treated Princess He Yi's illness last time and also mentioned that she saved the princess's life when He Yi was in danger this time. Everyone sighed in admiration.
Ming Ruyi looked at Song Jinyu with a complicated expression, while Zhongli Mingye looked calm. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that she yawned slightly behind her handkerchief.
He couldn't help but smile. This lovely girl would belong to him in the future. No one like Yan Fei, Ouyang Jinse, or Ming Ruyi would ever be able to covet her again. He proudly raised his eyebrows and drank a cup of sweet tea.
The emperor was in a very good mood today. He suddenly mentioned that Prince Yu's mansion in Liuzhou City didn't have a mistress to manage the affairs of the mansion. Now that he had reached the age of marriage, "I've decided to bestow a marriage on Prince Yu, Zhongli Mingye, and Song Jinyu, the daughter of the governor of Liuzhou."
"Bestow the title of the principal wife of Prince Yu on Song Jinyu. After she reaches the coming - of - age ceremony, they will officially get married."
As soon as the emperor's words fell, Zhongli Mingye immediately stepped forward to thank the emperor, while Song Jinyu was too shocked to move.
"..."
He Yi gently pulled her hand and pushed her forward to kneel with Zhongli Mingye.
Everyone thought that the girl was overjoyed. After all, with Song Jinyu's background, she could only be a side concubine of a prince. Now, because she saved the princess, she received this great blessing.
Ming Ruyi drank up the fine wine in his cup with a complicated expression. Concubine Shu was naturally happy to see that her son was about to get married. Although He Yi couldn't be sisters with Song Jinyu, it was also good for her to be her sister - in - law. She happily clapped her hands and said, "Great!"
After the two thanked the emperor, they returned to their seats.
There was not a trace of joy in Song Jinyu's eyes. She just silently thought in her heart that he probably already knew, otherwise, why would he be getting closer and closer to her?
He Yi was a bit strange and whispered, "What's wrong with you?"
Normally, for a woman to be bestowed a marriage by the emperor was a great honor. Why didn't Song Jinyu show any joy? "It's just that my wound hurts a bit."
She took He Yi's hand. "I want to stay in your palace tonight. Okay?"
He Yi thought she was just shy after being betrothed by the emperor. "I have to ask fourth brother. You're his fiancée now."
Zhongli Mingye looked at Song Jinyu with strong possessiveness in his eyes. After the palace banquet ended, everyone learned the news that Prince Yu had been bestowed a marriage and congratulated him one after another.
All these reactions were clearly seen by Ming Ruyi. He envied Zhongli Mingye very much because that girl was really wonderful, but he didn't have the fortune to be with her.