Today, not only the three princes but also some young masters of court officials who were on good terms with them had gone hunting. The remaining servants and maids were feeling rather bored.
"Have you heard? Gong Linghai, the prince of the Kingdom of Wo in the South Sea, will arrive in the capital to deliver the marriage proposal letter in a few days," a young servant said seriously, showing off the news he had gotten.
This was not a good habit. Song Jinyu shook her head and ate a slice of watermelon. The watermelon had been chilled in the cellar and tasted really good. "Miss, eat less. Don't overindulge in cold food," Niaoniao said with concern.
Song Jinyu pretended to be nonchalant and continued to eavesdrop. "Marrying the princess? It's a great thing for the two countries to form an alliance through marriage!"
The young servant sneered. "A great thing?"
"My young master got the news long ago. That prince is not a good person. He's extremely lustful and has a notorious reputation in the royal family of the Kingdom of Wo!"
"Not only is he fond of women, but he also has a penchant for young men! Tut-tut!"
"Ah? Then if the princess marries him, won't..." Several servants and maids couldn't help but sigh.
The prince of the Kingdom of Wo in the South Sea was lustful? Song Jinyu suddenly curled her lips. It was good that he had a weakness.
She clapped her hands and stood up. "Micui, come with me..."
Micui was suddenly called by Song Jinyu and felt a bit dazed. Since being assigned to her by Prince Yu, her mission had always been to protect Song Jinyu. But because of Niaoniao's presence, she never dared to overstep her bounds.
She didn't know why she was called today. For a moment, she felt rather nervous.
When they reached a deserted place, Song Jinyu looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them. Her eyes were like cold stars. Although there was a smile on her face, they were unfathomably deep.
"The prince assigned you to me. Do you have any complaints in your heart?" After a long while, she finally spoke.
Micui didn't dare to underestimate her. She just lowered her head and said, "This servant wouldn't dare. I will surely do my best to protect the young lady."
"Hehe..."
Song Jinyu laughed. "Are you here to protect me or to keep an eye on me?" There was no room for those with divided loyalties around her. No one was an exception.
"..."
Not knowing what she really wanted to say, Micui just knelt down to show her loyalty.
She heard the young lady's cold voice ringing above her head. "This young lady will give you a chance. If you're obedient, I'll keep you by my side."
"Otherwise, I won't mind sending you back." The coldness in her tone made Micui shiver.
"Don't report anything about me to Prince Yu."
"If he asks, just say that this young lady doesn't allow you to say anything. If he forces you, then leave this young lady."
Micui quickly agreed. Song Jinyu was quite satisfied to see that she was sensible. "There's something for you to handle right now."
She called Micui closer and whispered a few words in her ear. Micui was greatly shocked. She didn't know why the young lady wanted to investigate the prince of the Kingdom of Wo in the South Sea's route into the capital. She felt a bit flustered in her heart, but she knew this was the first test Song Jinyu had given her.
After arranging for Micui and watching her leave the hunting ground, Niaoniao was puzzled and was about to say something. She only heard Song Jinyu say softly, "Cheng Song, go and contact Zhong Yuanliu. This young lady has something important to discuss with him."
Heyi's cute little face kept flashing in her mind. How could that cute and innocent girl endure such a person?
Song Jinyu, who had been in a daze, didn't notice that the princes had returned from hunting at all. It was not until the sound of someone's whip rang out that she was still in a daze.
"What are you thinking about? So absorbed!"
Zhongli Mingye was dissatisfied with her distraction. He motioned for Qingfeng to put the prey in front of her.
"Choose. I'll make a white fox fur cloak for you in winter." He remembered that during the escape from the cliff last year, her white fox fur cloak had been damaged. He couldn't help but smile. It was exactly at that time that he had completely determined his own feelings. There was no other reason. He didn't want to let her go in this lifetime.
Song Jinyu also remembered that day. She felt a strange flutter in her heart and couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
The man was now riding a shiny red horse with high spirits. He was wearing a bright blue brocade robe over golden armor, which shone brightly. A jade-encrusted and gold-plated crown held up his black hair. There were quite a few beads of sweat on his well-defined face. The sunlight refracted a faint radiance. There was playfulness, tenderness, and passion in his phoenix eyes.
She composed herself. "It's very hot. Come down and eat some watermelon!" After saying that, she told Niaoniao to cut the watermelon and waited for Zhongli Mingye to go and tidy up. "Since you don't choose, then it's all for you..."
Song Jinyu muttered in her heart, "I..." Before she could say anything, Ming Ruyi slipped over. "Jinyu, I'll give you mine too."
"She doesn't need it..." Zhongli Mingye beside her gave Ming Ruyi a cold look. The other person rolled his eyes at him.
"You..."
Seeing that they were both sweating profusely from the heat, Song Jinyu told the maids to quickly tidy up and serve tea and cut watermelon. "It's too hot today. Don't get heatstroke."
"I can't use so many. You might as well keep them and give them to others." Anyway, it wasn't winter yet, so they weren't needed.
Well, now she didn't accept anything from anyone. Zhongli Mingye glared fiercely at Ming Ruyi, who walked away merrily, fanning himself.
After returning to the mansion in the afternoon, Song Jinyu asked Zhongli Mingye to send a message to Princess Heyi in the palace. She hoped that Heyi would have time to come and play at Prince Yu's Mansion.
"After all, she's in a bad mood now. It's good for her to come out and get some fresh air..." Seeing the skeptical look in Zhongli Mingye's eyes, Song Jinyu couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
"Wait for a couple of days."
Was this a yes? Unable to suppress the joy in her heart, she smiled with her eyes bent. Zhongli Mingye suddenly pinched her face. "Don't cause any trouble..." The feel was quite good. Had she put on some weight?
Humph! She twisted her head and broke free from his long fingers.
"You can have dinner by yourself tonight. I have something to take care of," Zhongli Mingye said. Thinking of something, a glint appeared in his eyes. It was bound to be a sleepless night tonight.
Seeing that she looked a bit confused, he couldn't help but want to tease her. "And you don't need to wait for me to go to bed..."
With the ambiguous tone, Song Jinyu angrily kicked at him. "Who would wait for you?!" But the man dodged, and she kicked into thin air.
Seeing Song Jinyu at a loss, the man laughed loudly and went out.
Filled with indignation, she stabbed at the dishes with her chopsticks as if they were Zhongli Mingye.
Seeing her pouting in anger, Niaoniao joked, "Only the prince can make you this angry..." Her young lady had always been fearless, but now she was completely under the thumb of Prince Yu.
All along, Niaoniao had always thought that her young lady was a bit like a little adult. Although she was extremely intelligent and brave, deep down she was still a young girl in her teens. This girlish side was fully displayed only in front of Prince Yu.