On the night of the Qixi Festival, the full moon hung high in the sky. As the crowds gradually dispersed, a gentle breeze blew through the capital, dispelling the summer heat.
Zhongli Mingye and Song Jinyu were strolling slowly on the stone-paved road.
"An ethereal magpie bridge spans the sky; the tinkling jade pendants sound a thousand times." Song Jinyu gazed absent-mindedly at the night sky and staggered along the road. Suddenly, she recited a line of poetry.
Zhongli Mingye pulled her along lovingly, preventing her from falling. "Meeting and getting drunk is a predestined bond..." He suddenly stopped and racked his brains for the next line.
"What comes next?"
Song Jinyu's eyes sparkled like jewels and stars even in the night. "But alas, deep affection meets shallow fate."
Zhongli Mingye felt displeased upon hearing this. He tugged her over impatiently, looked down at her delicate red lips, and for a moment, he was in a daze. Then he quickened his pace towards the Prince Yu's Mansion. The guards of the mansion saw the prince pulling along a delicate young gentleman. They couldn't help but exchange a knowing look. When did the prince develop such a preference?
"Slow down..."
Discontented with his hasty pace, Song Jinyu struggled feebly. Zhongli Mingye pushed her into the bedroom and closed the door.
He reached out and pulled off her hair ribbon. Her long black hair cascaded down instantly, revealing the girl's elegance.
This looked much more pleasing to the eye.
Before she could react, he planted a passionate kiss on her lips. "Mmm..."
She was stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening. This man... Song Jinyu was so overwhelmed by the kiss that she unconsciously immersed herself in it, reciprocating his deep kiss and experiencing an indescribable and amorous feeling. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around Zhongli Mingye's slender waist and leaned limply against him.
Feeling her actions, Zhongli Mingye was filled with even more joy. Did she really like him?
Just as the two were deeply in love, there was a sudden knock on the door. Song Jinyu quickly pushed Zhongli Mingye away. Her blushing face fell into Zhongli Mingye's eyes. He gently embraced her, and his rapid breathing gradually calmed down. They heard Qingfeng reporting outside, "Your Highness! Something has happened to the Prince of Zhongzhou!"
Zhongli Mingye's face instantly turned cold. He said softly to the girl in his arms, "You go to sleep first..." The way he said it made it seem as if they were already a married couple.
After seeing Zhongli Mingye off, Song Jinyu's heart gradually calmed down. She was becoming more and more immersed in the tender feelings he gave her. What should she do?
She burrowed into his quilt and buried herself completely. The alcohol was gradually taking effect, and drowsiness washed over her. She fell into a deep sleep.
Ming Ruyi was walking on a narrow path, gently waving his folding fan. The moonlight softly fell on him, adding an air of elegance.
Not long after, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Who's there?"
Suddenly, there were more than a dozen shadows on the ground. Ming Ruyi's face turned cold. He snapped open his folding fan, and a blade flashed with a white light.
Before long, he fell covered in blood in front of the Zhongzhou Prince's Mansion.
Hearing the news, Zhongli Mingye rushed over in a hurry. By then, the Zhongzhou Prince's Mansion was ablaze with lights, and basins of blood were being carried out of the room. He saw Ming Ruyi's pale face. The imperial physician only said, "The injury has hit a vital part. He may be in danger of losing his life."
Zhongli Mingye couldn't understand. Ming Ruyi's martial arts were unfathomably high. How could an ordinary assassin pose a life-threatening danger to him? The imperial physician knelt straight down and pleaded, "Your Highness, this official is helpless. The Prince of Zhongzhou... there's no way to save him!"
Uncle... was he really going to die...
Suddenly, he thought of someone. Maybe she could save Ming Ruyi.
At this moment, Uncle couldn't die. If he really did, there would be chaos in the court, and the forces behind Uncle wouldn't let it go easily.
He immediately rushed back to the Prince Yu's Mansion. When he entered the bedroom, the girl was already sound asleep.
"Jinyu, Ming Ruyi has been seriously injured. I have to ask you to save his life."
Song Jinyu quickly told Aonao to pack up their things and enter the Zhongzhou Prince's Mansion through the back door. "Make sure no one knows that you saved him."
Zhongli Mingye looked at her apologetically. Song Jinyu comforted him, "Don't panic. As long as he still has a breath left, I'm sure I can save him." Her words were full of confidence and certainty, which made Zhongli Mingye feel at ease.
Seeing that Ming Ruyi was breathing more out than in, Song Jinyu quickly took out the spiritual medicine to keep him alive first. After working all night, Ming Ruyi's breathing gradually became steady. Although he was still in a coma, his life was saved.
When dawn was approaching, Aonao packed up the things, and Song Jinyu wrote a prescription and left it for Zhongli Mingye. He insisted on sending her back to her mansion. Along the way, he saw her yawning continuously, and her little face was full of exhaustion. He felt heartache and bent down, "Come on, I'll carry you back!"
"..."
Song Jinyu felt warm inside and didn't decline. She lay on his shoulder and saw that each of his steps was firm. She smiled and asked, "Am I heavy?"
"Not heavy, but I'm afraid of dropping you..." There was a hint of doting in his tone, which made her sink deeper and deeper.
"Zhongli Mingye..." Song Jinyu mumbled something and gradually fell asleep on his back.
Before falling asleep, her little head rubbed against his back.
"Hmm? Are you wiping your nose?"
Zhongli Mingye didn't hear what she said clearly. He carried her back to the mansion helplessly and gently laid her on the bed. He told Micui to attend to her closely, "Don't disturb her..."
The next afternoon, Ming Ruyi finally woke up. His face was deathly pale, and he was weak. Zhongli Mingye said, "With your martial arts, how could this assassin be your match?"
After a long time, the man lying on the bed forced a smile with his pale face and said, "I'm afraid of the person behind him."
"News of your serious injury has spread. Leave the capital in a few days!"
Zhongli Mingye closed his eyes. The mastermind behind this was no other than that person. The schemes behind the royal family were too deep.
Ming Ruyi seemed to remember something and said, "Was it Jinyu who treated my injury?"
Wasn't he in a coma? "How do you know, Uncle?"
He pointed to the knot on the bandage of his wound. "I've seen her treat people..." A teasing smile spread across his lips. "Jinyu is really a lucky star for this king."
Zhongli Mingye frowned and said, "Don't let others know about this. It won't do her any good."
Ming Ruyi could be said to have turned misfortune into fortune. If he had killed all the assassins in one go last night, he might not even have a glimmer of hope today. It seemed that the Empress Dowager in the palace was temporarily safe. His eyes were filled with more and more exhaustion. The emperor had really gone too far.
Well, why not make the capital even more chaotic before leaving.