Yan Fei rode his galloping horse, his mind drifting back to last night when his master had suddenly summoned him.
"Little Eleven is deeply in love. Although she doesn't say it, your master has been through it all," Miao Yunshen advised Yan Fei. "I also know you have feelings for her. Why not do something to put an end to her hopes?"
Caught off guard by his master's revelation, Yan Fei's hands fidgeted uneasily. He prostrated himself on the ground and replied, "I shall obey your command, master!"
Miao Yunshen instructed Yan Fei to visit Zhongli Mingye and make it clear that disciples of Tianmen Mountain were not allowed to marry into the royal family. To completely discourage Zhongli Mingye, he suggested revealing his long - standing childhood bond with Song Jinyu. However, Yan Fei hesitated. He understood his junior sister's feelings all too well. Although this was meant to be for her own good, would Song Jinyu really be better off?
Yan Fei reined in his horse and stood still, lost in thought as he remembered Song Jinyu. What if, what if she was heartbroken? That day he had intended to confess his feelings to her, but Song Jinyu had been completely oblivious. Instead, she had even asked him to be included in the Song family's genealogy.
Was she really that naive, despite her intelligence?
Regardless, he didn't want her to suffer any harm. After all, the person she was involved with was in a perilous position, surrounded by danger. The power struggle within the Xia royal family was on the verge of breaking out. Even Tianmen Mountain would inevitably be dragged into the chaos.
With these thoughts in mind, he remounted his horse and set off resolutely towards Liuzhou City.
"Miss, you'll strain your eyes if you keep this up!" Niaoniao walked in and found Song Jinyu still reading by the candlelight.
She quickly put away the book for her. "Don't read anymore!"
Song Jinyu had no choice but to give up. Reading was the only thing that could calm her down. Niaoniao accompanied her to the dressing table. At a glance, she saw the jade carving. It was "her"!
Zhongli Mingye had carved it himself. She wondered how a prince could be skilled in jade carving.
He must have spent a great deal of time and effort on it.
Holding it in her hand, she thought of Zhongli Mingye and suddenly felt an overwhelming sadness. This was a sadness she had never experienced before, not since her mother's death when she was six.
If only Yan Fei were here. He could comfort her. She pressed the jade carving tightly against her chest and curled up on the bed.
As the night deepened, sleep eluded her.
Only the mournful chirping of insects filled the air. The moonlight filtered through the gauze window, casting a pale light on her tear - stained face.
Zhongli Mingye couldn't remember how many times he had run into Yan Fei. But this time, it was different.
"Master Yan..."
Had she sent a message to him?
"Your Highness, may I have a word with you in private?"
Yan Fei was invited into the main hall of the prince's mansion by Zhongli Mingye. "Serve tea..."
"No need to go to the trouble. I'm just here to convey a message from my master," Yan Fei said.
Zhongli Mingye watched Yan Fei leisurely. This man had a special relationship with Song Jinyu. Although he remained calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil.
Unable to read the Prince Yu's expression, Yan Fei thought for a moment and relayed his master Miao Yunshen's intentions. He also proposed that Song Jinyu would not return in the future, and that Miao Yunshen would explain the cancellation of the marriage to the emperor.
For a moment that seemed as long as it took to burn an incense stick, Yan Fei received no response from the prince. Just when he thought the Prince Yu would remain silent, he heard the cold voice say, "Is this your master's idea or hers?"
Thinking of Song Jinyu, Yan Fei initially wanted to lie and say it was her idea, but the words got stuck in his throat. He sighed and said, "It's my master's idea."
Zhongli Mingye narrowed his eyes. Those who knew him well knew this was a sign of his impending anger. "What a Miao Yunshen! What a Tianmen Mountain!"
"The court has been too lenient with you. You even dare to interfere in a royal marriage!"
With a "crack", the teacup on the table shattered. The prince's imposing manner filled the room. Yan Fei suddenly realized that his master had underestimated the Prince Yu.
"Your Highness, do you know about Yu'er..." She was no ordinary disciple of Tianmen Mountain! But Yan Fei couldn't bring himself to say it.
The Prince Yu frowned and said coldly, "Master Yan, go back and tell Miao Yunshen."
"I will have her, no matter what!"
Hearing this, Yan Fei grew anxious. "Song Jinyu and I grew up together as childhood sweethearts. We are the couple my master has in mind. I hope Your Highness will show mercy!"
As soon as he said this, Yan Fei knew he had touched Zhongli Mingye's sore spot.
Sure enough, he couldn't even force a smile.
Zhongli Mingye attacked, and Yan Fei could hardly defend himself. Shocked, he had no choice but to fight back with all his might. The two of them exchanged blows, turning the main hall of the prince's mansion into a mess.
Before long, due to Yan Fei's distracted state of mind, he gradually began to lose. Carelessly, he was struck by Zhongli Mingye's palm wind and injured his face.
"I'll spare your life for Jinyu's sake!"
Childhood sweethearts? Song Jinyu was as innocent as a blank sheet when it came to love!
But despite knowing this, upon hearing those words, Zhongli Mingye still lost his temper and revealed his martial arts skills in front of Yan Fei.
Yan Fei was even more dejected. He had never expected the Prince Yu to be so highly skilled in martial arts.
Before long, the two managed to reach a draw. But Yan Fei knew in his heart that Zhongli Mingye had held back.
"If you dare to interfere, I won't hesitate to wipe Tianmen Mountain off the face of the martial world," the Prince Yu said before turning away and leaving the main hall.
But as soon as he stepped out of the door, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Miao Yunshen had a special relationship with the current emperor. If he wanted to stop his marriage to Jinyu, it was not impossible.
Suddenly, he began to feel insecure.
Ouyang Jinse finally realized that anything that could cause trouble for Song Jinyu and make her stumble would bring her joy.
The crown prince had replied that the queen was in seclusion for self - reflection and couldn't handle this matter. However, the selection of a side concubine for the Prince Yu had already begun.
Song Jinyu, that man is not your right match.
Ouyang Jinse's face contorted gradually. She could never forget the humiliation of that day. Only with me, only by uniting the martial world and living a carefree life in the martial arts community, can we be the perfect match! I'll gradually destroy your support and make you submit to me.