The closer they got to Tianmen Mountain, the heavier Song Jinyu's heart became. Looking at Zhongli Mingye beside her, she was worried about her master. Miao Yunshen didn't want her to marry into the royal family.
Now that he was in poor health, what if he got so angry because of her marriage that it would be bad for his condition?
Thinking of this, her mood involuntarily sank. She never thought of giving up Zhongli Mingye, but now her master's serious illness put her in a difficult situation.
As if seeing through her thoughts, Zhongli Mingye said, "I should go and visit your master. Once a teacher, always a father. Don't worry. Leave everything to me..."
What else could she do? Song Jinyu looked at him helplessly. If only he wasn't the Prince of Yu! If he were an ordinary young man, after they got married...
Would they live a life of a man farming and a woman weaving? That was impossible.
She would let Zhongli Mingye cook at home and manage the manor, while she managed the medicine herb hall on Tianmen Mountain. Would they live a simple and peaceful life as a couple? The more she thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, but it also seemed quite nice. Thinking about it, she couldn't help laughing.
"What are you thinking about?"
Song Jinyu shook her head with a smile. She was afraid this man wouldn't be content with a simple life.
"I was thinking it would be nice if you weren't the Prince of Yu."
"Not nice!"
Zhongli Mingye glared at her. "Because in that case, it would be even more difficult to win your heart."
Well... It seemed he was right. If it weren't for the emperor's betrothal edict, how could she have been so obediently at his mercy?
But if it were only because of the edict, it seemed even more wrong.
In short, Song Jinyu recalled how she had met Zhongli Mingye. It wasn't just because of the edict. Maybe her heart had been moved earlier, but she mustn't let him know. Otherwise, Zhongli Mingye would be even more complacent and "bully" her.
Finally, they arrived. Zhongli Mingye looked at the majestic Tianmen Mountain and the mist - shrouded peak. That was the base of the number - one sect in the world.
Once, this sect could threaten the national fortune of the Great Xia Dynasty. More than twenty years ago, it was brutally suppressed by the emperor, but then allowed to exist in a corner.
"Let's go..."
Watching the girl skip forward, his mood improved a lot. Taking a detour to Tianmen Mountain today, on the one hand, he wanted to visit Miao Yunshen, and on the other hand, it was about the deal between Tianmen Mountain and the emperor.
No one could easily make a deal with the emperor and get out unscathed. Miao Yunshen was a cunning old fox, but the emperor was the real strategist.
"It's been a year..." He looked at Song Jinyu and smiled.
The girl stopped in her tracks. "What's been a year?"
"The last time I came to Tianmen Mountain, it's been exactly a year." They had known each other for more than a year. If he had known they would love each other so deeply, he would have wished they had met earlier.
Yes, Song Jinyu looked at him. She still remembered when they had fallen off the cliff together. Their fate was so wonderful. Maybe that was when her heart had fluttered.
Miao Yunshen was in good spirits today. He came out personally to welcome them in. Song Jinyu didn't have time to talk to her master properly before she called Niaoniao and went to the pharmacy together.
"The yin grass should be used as medicine soon..."
Miao Yunshen originally wanted to scold Song Jinyu for making her own decisions, but seeing her running around for his illness, he felt a bit heart - ache.
"Master Miao, I hope you are well!"
Zhongli Mingye stepped forward and saluted, not as the Prince of Yu, but as Song Jinyu's fiancé. Both emotionally and rationally, Miao Yunshen was Song Jinyu's mentor, so he must come to visit today.
Coming back to his senses, Miao Yunshen gently supported him. "Your Highness, you're flattering me."
"You're Jinyu's master and also my senior."
The two of them tacitly didn't mention the incident a few days ago when Miao Yunshen had sent Yan Fei to negotiate with him at night. Instead, they walked into the study and talked for a long time.
"I've heard a bit about the situation of Tianmen Mountain."
"Although it has received strong support from the emperor, it has also become a target of public criticism. I'm sure you don't want to see that."
Zhongli Mingye got straight to the point. "If it weren't for this, you wouldn't have stopped my marriage to Jinyu."
Being exposed by him, Miao Yunshen looked a bit embarrassed, but he still insisted, "Yu'er resembles her mother a bit."
"She's not as gentle as her mother, but she's extremely intelligent."
"I just want her to live a safe and smooth life. I don't want her to experience the ups and downs of the world. I've never had any children of my own, so I've always regarded Yu'er as my own daughter."
The servant boy came in to pour tea. Zhongli Mingye thought for a while. "As a father, one always hopes for the safety and happiness of their children."
"The royal family is complicated, and the affairs of the prince's mansion are even more cumbersome. I don't think she can adapt to such an environment."
Miao Yunshen liked Zhongli Mingye's straightforwardness, so he didn't hide his true intentions.
These days, he had figured it out. If Song Jinyu really liked Zhongli Mingye, it would be okay to bless their marriage. But he needed to know this man better.
Hearing Miao Yunshen's words, Zhongli Mingye sighed inwardly. No wonder Song Jinyu was so sensible and generous. First, she had upright elder brothers, and then she had such a loving master.
He stared at Miao Yunshen and said seriously, "I'm truly in love with her. I'm willing to swear with my life that my love for her will never change."
"There won't be any other concubines or secondary wives in the Prince of Yu's mansion. The royal family is complicated, but she doesn't need to worry about it."
Although his words were few, they were powerful, which caught Miao Yunshen's attention.
After a long time, he closed his eyes. "I hope Your Highness's words today aren't just a momentary impulse."
"She's more precious to me than any treasure in the world." Thinking of Song Jinyu, his heart skipped a beat.
If there was anyone in the world who could make his emotions fluctuate, it was only her.
Suddenly, Miao Yunshen sneered. "What about the throne?"
Zhongli Mingye's face darkened. Although he respected Miao Yunshen, it didn't mean he could be so presumptuous. The coldness in his phoenix - like eyes made Miao Yunshen a bit nervous. Even though he had been in the jianghu for decades, he was a bit flustered in front of this young prince.
"I have no intention of the throne... And I disdain to compare the throne with Jinyu."
Originally, under Ming Ruyi's guidance, he had been tempted. But now that Ming Ruyi intended to disrupt the court, Zhongli Mingye would never be his sword.
This answer was not satisfactory, but Miao Yunshen couldn't say anything more. The atmosphere in the study became a bit tense. At the next moment, a cheerful voice interrupted them. "Master! The medicine is ready..."
Miao Yunshen took the still - warm medicine soup. "Hmm, this smell..."
Afraid that he wouldn't drink it, Song Jinyu said in a hurry, "It smells bad, but it shouldn't taste bitter." As she said this, she secretly glanced at Zhongli Mingye, and he was also looking at her meaningfully.
"Master... Little senior brother was seriously injured this time, and half of his internal strength was destroyed. Is there any way for him to recover quickly?"
She was worried about Yan Fei. Although she hadn't had time to take care of him these days, she could tell that Yan Fei was a bit gloomy. She thought it was because of his loss of internal strength.
Moved by the deep affection between the senior brother and junior sister, Miao Yunshen comforted her, "I naturally have a way. Don't worry."
He naturally knew how rare the yin grass was. Now that his little eleventh disciple had shown such filial piety, how could he bear to ruin her marriage?
So, Miao Yunshen smiled slightly, as if he had made a decision. "The prince and I have set your wedding date."
"You'll soon reach the age of adulthood. Go down the mountain early and prepare your wedding dress."
Raising her head and opening her beautiful eyes wide, "Master..."
Looking at her lovingly, Miao Yunshen smiled. "In a blink of an eye, you're going to get married."
Lowering her head, a bit embarrassed, as she was shy, Song Jinyu's eyes drifted past Zhongli Mingye. What had he said?
Her master didn't object anymore!