Inside the carriage, the two sat in silence. After a long while, Song Jinyu broke the awkward silence.
"Have you taken my words to heart?"
What words? Song Jinyu was a bit confused. "Don't go to see Lin Yijun!!!"
She hadn't taken this matter seriously at all. She had been drinking with Yan Fei and even went to the riverside to pick up Lin Yijun.
Where did that put him!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Suddenly, he grabbed Song Jinyu's hand and stared at her fiercely. "If you don't take my words to heart, I don't mind cooking the rice thoroughly!" His words were a harsh threat. The young woman looked at him in surprise.
"You're going back on your word!"
Just thinking of the expressions on the Lin siblings' faces, Song Jinyu panicked.
"You were the one who broke the promise first. Hmm? Drinking with Yan Fei? And going to pick up Lin Yijun today!" Zhongli Mingye finally exploded. She was the only one in his eyes, but what about her heart?
There were too many people in it, and she just didn't care about him.
He admitted that this relationship was obtained by underhand means, leaving her no way to refuse. But now, she had been so heedless time and time again.
Zhongli Mingye was scared, scared that she didn't have him in her heart.
Seeing him suddenly get angry, Song Jinyu was still too inexperienced in matters of the heart. She said helplessly, "Yan Fei is my senior brother, and Lin Yijun..."
Hmm?
"I originally wanted to buy some top - grade glass bottles from him to hold the tonic pills."
The young woman let out a sigh.
"The ceramic jars I have are really inconvenient. It would be great if I could get some glass jars. They'd be nice to look at and convenient for you..."
After saying that, she closed her eyes and refused to talk to him, thinking his actions were just childish "foolishness".
"..."
Was it something for him? Immediately, all his unhappiness vanished. Zhongli Mingye felt a bit embarrassed.
"Anyway, Lin Yijun will send them to the Prince Yu's Mansion. I'll save them for you then!"
Quibbling!
Humph... She still refused to talk to him. But before Song Jinyu could continue to ignore him, Zhongli Mingye embraced her.
In the narrow carriage, the two embraced. Song Jinyu put her hand against him. "Don't act rashly..."
Prince Yu grinned wickedly. "Anyway, no one can see!" He was in a great mood. This little woman still had him in her heart.
He didn't care. His eyes darkened. Suddenly, he kissed... her hand.
Song Jinyu covered his lips with her hand, her eyes full of cunning and pride.
"..."
It wasn't the first time he had kissed her! Zhongli Mingye looked at her discontentedly.
"Your Highness, the Song Mansion is here!"
Qingfeng's inopportune voice came from outside. Song Jinyu quickly slipped out of his arms and jumped off the carriage.
She ran into the house smiling, leaving behind the "discontented" man.
However, she was still wearing his cloak! Touching the black fabric with the sandalwood fragrance, it was as if he was right beside her. Song Jinyu felt a bit shy. Her heart was pounding. She turned around to put it away properly, planning to return it some other day.
"Phew..."
A few days later, Prince Yu's Mansion sent a lot of things to the Song Mansion. They even specially selected some glass bottles and specifically stated they were for Song Jinyu.
She filled the bottles with pills and sent them to Zhongli Mingye along with the fresh peaches from the estate.
It was the first time she had come to his mansion to deliver something. She wasn't quite used to it. But that man had really helped her a great deal. It was only reasonable and proper for her to thank him. So, Song Jinyu had even refined pills especially for him.
"Don't move!"
Prince Yu was busy with his painting. He had planned to paint today. Just as she barged in, he might as well paint her.
"Are you done painting yet?"
Song Jinyu had been sitting for a long time and was getting impatient. Pouting and folding her arms, she glared at Zhongli Mingye angrily. She thought she shouldn't have come.
Zhongli Mingye said calmly, "You should be a bit more patient..."
Patience! Patience! Patience!
Helpless, she had to sit in the pavilion and let his eyes fall on her from time to time. His gaze was so intense that it made her shiver.
"Done!"
Finally, the painting was finished. Song Jinyu happily ran over. She saw that the person in the painting looked so vivid. Her eyes were gentle like water, her features were delicate, and her eyebrows were as beautiful as a painting. She looked less childish and more like a pure young girl. Her moist eyes were like those of a newborn fawn.
Prince Yu found it very interesting to see her stunned expression. "How's my painting skills?"
"It's really good. I'll take it... as my reward for you!" Song Jinyu happily wanted to put it away.
But he blocked her with his hand. "Who said this is for you?" She was immediately angry. It was a painting of her. Wasn't it for her?
He said proudly, "This is a painting for myself!"
Seeing that the young woman was very unhappy, he coaxed her, "Another day, I'll paint one for you..."
Who wants yours?
Song Jinyu saw that the man proudly called in a maid to have the painting mounted. Angrily, she left along the lakeside.
Seeing that she was unhappy, Zhongli Mingye ran over to tease her. "Prince Cheng is getting married soon. He's sent me an invitation."
What did that have to do with her? "Princess Duanya specifically invited you to go to the capital to congratulate her." His phoenix eyes were full of smiles as he watched the young woman's expression.
Sure enough, as he expected, "I'm not going. Our friendship isn't that good..."
She walked to the lakeside, picked up a pebble, and threw it out. "Moreover, I don't have a good impression of the capital at all!"
"I see!"
Zhongli Mingye knew she wouldn't go, so he changed the topic. "Heyi is going to get engaged!" Song Jinyu was instantly stunned. "She's only twelve..."
"Father wants her to marry the prince of the Wo Kingdom in the South Sea..." Zhongli Mingye mentioned this matter casually. Heyi had been throwing a tantrum.
Although Song Jinyu didn't have a good impression of the capital, Heyi was different. She had always been very nice to her. Now, at the tender age of twelve, she was going to be sent to marry a foreign prince.
Seeing her face turn cold, Zhongli Mingye kindly explained, "Heyi is the oldest among the unmarried princesses in the court." The implication was that Heyi had to go.
Just thinking of that cute girl having to go and marry at such a young age, Song Jinyu felt a bit sad. She thought Heyi must be very unhappy. Even though she was a precious princess in the heavily - guarded palace, she probably wasn't living happily.
Just as Song Jinyu had guessed, Princess Heyi had been crying in Consort Jia's palace for half a day. "Mother, I don't want to go..."
Consort Jia was in a dilemma. The emperor had made up his mind, and she had no way to persuade him.
"I'm Father's favorite little princess..." Why was Father so heartless?
Consort Jia lovingly hugged her, but in her heart, she was thinking: The so - called royal favor was the least reliable thing. Compared to the country, a little princess was nothing.
Even if Heyi was gone, he would just dote on another little princess. For a moment, mother and daughter were overwhelmed with grief and hugged each other, crying.
Consort Jia went to look for the emperor but couldn't find him. It turned out he had gone to the Queen Mother's palace. Although she knew it was useless to plead, after all, this was the daughter she had doted on for twelve years.
How could she bear to let her marry so far away at such a young age?