"Why have you been in the capital all this time, yet Qingli Pavilion is an industry of the Prince Yu's Mansion?"
Song Jinyu didn't understand. Qingli Pavilion had always been a restaurant in Liuzhou City frequented by nobles. Only this particular pavilion was never open to the public.
It was only today that she learned that the entire restaurant, including Qingli Pavilion, belonged to the Prince Yu's Mansion.
"A few years ago, Father intended to bestow Liuzhou upon me, so I started making arrangements," Zhongli Mingye said casually, brushing it off with a single sentence.
But Song Jinyu wasn't satisfied. "You're really tight - lipped. Could you really be certain that Liuzhou would become your fief just based on one word from the emperor?"
Zhongli Mingye had just washed his hands. He picked up a pair of tweezers to remove the fish bones for her. His hands were well - jointed, slender like scallions, and truly a pleasure to behold. "Naturally not..."
"Didn't you take a good look at the dowry I gave you?"
What? She didn't understand how he'd shifted the topic so abruptly. "..."
"If you had looked closely, you'd have found that there are property deeds not only for Qingli Pavilion in Liuzhou City but also for places like Yanzhou, Yunzhou, and Tengzhou."
Ah?
This time, Song Jinyu widened her eyes. He'd actually given her those things as a dowry. She couldn't help but be a bit touched.
But...
"Open your mouth..."
She swallowed the fresh and juicy fish. It was incredibly delicious. Having lived on the mountain for a long time, she rarely ate such delicious and fresh fish. The few times she did, it was the fish she and Yan Fei caught in the stream behind the mountain. There was little meat and many bones, and it wasn't tasty at all.
However, she wouldn't tell Zhongli Mingye about this because Song Jinyu had noticed that he would get quite unhappy whenever Yan Fei was mentioned.
Seeing her looking dazed, Zhongli Mingye sighed. "In the future, you should manage the household well."
Manage the household? Song Jinyu made a bitter face. "That would be so troublesome!"
"You're the only mistress in the mansion. If you don't manage it, who will?" He looked at her with a smile. She wasn't as easily blushed as before, but he still couldn't help teasing her.
Song Jinyu swallowed the delicious fish in her mouth and said with a smile, "Your Highness is both civilly and militarily accomplished, highly talented, and erudite. I'm sure such things are a piece of cake for you!"
"Alas! Others marry wives to manage the household, but when it comes to me, not only do I have to take care of my wife, but I also have to manage the household myself. Tsk, tsk..."
What?
Song Jinyu glared at him. "Do you regret it?" If he dared to say he regretted it, she'd stab him with a needle.
However, "There's no way. As you said, I can do everything. It's just a piece of cake!"
This remark pleased Song Jinyu very much. Her eyes filled with smiles, and she leaned closer to Zhongli Mingye.
"Then... will we go to the capital in the future?"
For some reason, she really didn't want to go to the capital. The situation there was much more complicated than in Liuzhou.
Zhongli Mingye didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "If we do, will you follow me?" His phoenix - like eyes stared intently at her.
Without even thinking, Song Jinyu said, "Wherever you go, I'll go..."
This remark completely delighted Zhongli Mingye. He stared deeply into her clear eyes. "I'll remember this!"
"Um..."
In the Golden Water Palace,
Ouyang Jinse had completely gone mad. The vice - palace master was seriously injured, which was almost like losing an arm to him. Ouyang Weiyi was not only his subordinate but also the patriarch of the Ouyang family.
Now he was blind, and his martial arts were almost ruined. For Ouyang Jinse, many plans hadn't been carried out yet, but the key person was no longer capable.
Song Jinyu, was it you who did this? Or was it that man?
In that case, he'd have to launch the plan ahead of schedule! The dead end on Tianmen Mountain would be insoluble. Even if the emperor supported them from behind, the situation wouldn't change.
He didn't have much time left. If he didn't act soon, even the crown prince might be dissatisfied...
On Tianmen Mountain, Miao Yunshen forced himself to stay awake and finished writing the prescription for the spiritual medicine. Although Yu'er had found the Yin grass for him, it could only relieve his pain and prolong his life. It was a pity for the child's filial piety. Miao Yunshen couldn't bear to tell Song Jinyu the truth.
Now, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.
"Yan Fei... Remember, after the incident, don't let Xiao Shiyi come back to the mountain!"
Du Zhouli's actions were becoming more and more frequent. Miao Yunshen watched silently. The crisis on Tianmen Mountain had never disappeared.
As long as the spiritual medicine came from Tianmen Mountain, the crown prince would always see them as thorns in his side.
In this year, he had figured out the people the Golden Water Palace had placed on Tianmen Mountain, and he had gradually promoted many new people to serve in the back courtyard of Tianmen Mountain.
Yan Fei knelt in front of him. "Master..."
Miao Yunshen looked at him lovingly. "You've always been honest and kind."
"Who do you take after?"
"Remember, after you go down the mountain, don't come back either!"
Xiao Shiyi had arranged for Yan Fei to enter the Song family. Now in Liuzhou City, the Song family was the most noble family. They would surely protect Yan Fei.
The future of Tianmen Mountain was no longer related to his beloved disciple. Although he felt a bit regretful in his heart, he had to protect them in this complex situation.
Yan Fei took the order and left. After Wen Sirong came in, Miao Yunshen glanced at him. "Sirong, I'll leave Tianmen Mountain to you."
"But..." Miao Yunshen called him forward and gave him some detailed instructions.
Wen Sirong's eyes were filled with tears. "Disciple vows that I'll never let Tianmen Mountain down in my life."
After giving these instructions, Miao Yunshen seemed to have aged dozens of years. He slumped in the chair. "You may go..."
The only variable in all his plans was Song Jinyu. He wondered if she could still marry in peace after learning the news.
He took out the portrait of Qiu Shuixin and lit it with the candle on the table. Watching her charming face gradually disappear, Miao Yunshen gradually let go of his regret.
He Shuyi rummaged through all the silver notes and jewelry in her possession. Even though the He family was struggling to make ends meet, she had never touched this money.
Now, she couldn't hold back any longer!
The happy look of those two people stabbed at her eyes. It also made her heart even more terrifying. "Song Jinyu, go to hell!"
Even though the General's Mansion was heavily guarded and ordinary people couldn't enter, what if Song Jinyu came out on her own?
So, she asked someone to send a letter in the name of Lin Yijun.
One day when He Shuyi passed by the Lin family, she learned that the Lin family had once wanted to propose marriage to the Prefect's Mansion but failed. Lin Ziyu was good friends with Song Jinyu.
Lin Ziyu's early death had hit Song Jinyu hard. So when she saw the letter from "Lin Yijun", her heart skipped a beat.
The elder brother of her good friend was now in such a sorry state because of guilt.
Song Jinyu didn't want to see this. For Lin Ziyu's sake, she had to go and see Lin Yijun in person.