On the third day of the third lunar month, Zhongli Mingye rode out of the city to personally welcome the imperial envoy from the capital. Sitting atop his tall horse, his gaze was far - reaching.
He had waited for this day for so long.
She had finally grown up. In just one more month, she would become his little wife.
A smile curved his lips. In the city of Liuzhou on this spring day, the gentle morning breeze, carrying the moisture of dawn, gradually softened the pride in his eyes, revealing a look of determination.
Today was Song Jinyu's coming - of - age ceremony. All the noble ladies in Liuzhou City who were on good terms with the governor's mansion had gathered in her room.
Since the mistress of the Song family was Lady Xiang, she presided over Song Jinyu's coming - of - age ceremony. Gently, she coiled up the hair of the beautiful and growing girl. "Yu'er, from today on, you are an adult."
Her slender hand gently caressed a red - ruby hairpin. This was the one Zhongli Mingye had sent early in the morning. It was a unique hairpin in the entire Great Xia Dynasty. He had personally set the ruby, which shone brightly and became even more resplendent in the sunlight.
Seeing Jinyu's delight, Lady Xiang couldn't help but smile. "He has been eagerly awaiting your coming - of - age." Song Jinyu blushed as her eyes sparkled with shyness, hope, and joy.
It turned out that what was written in the romance novels was true. If two people were deeply in love, their hearts would surely be connected. Even if they did nothing but just be together, they would feel extremely happy.
From their chance encounter in the Prince Yu's Mansion to the budding affection under the cliff, he had been so determined. Step by step, he had lured her into that sweet trap.
When had it started? Song Jinyu let out a soft sigh. The more time she spent with him, the earlier she realized her heart had fluttered for him.
Perhaps it was from the very beginning when she had seen Zhongli Mingye and couldn't help but feel shy.
Or maybe it was the day when he had let go of her hand and said with a smile, 'I'm in love with you.' The more she thought about it, the redder her face became. "Tsk tsk... Why are you blushing?" As an experienced woman, Lady Xiang naturally saw the signs of Jinyu's infatuation.
Although the royal family was complex, if two people were deeply in love, they could fear no storms.
"Sister - in - law..."
Smiling sweetly, her eyes shining with the light of happiness, once Song Jinyu had set her heart on someone, it was as firm as a rock and would never change.
In her eyes, only Zhongli Mingye was the one she would spend the rest of her life with.
Suddenly, she remembered what he had said forcefully in the tent on Yanqiu Hill. "If you ever betray me, I'll drag you to hell with me."
She shook her head. This fool! He should know her feelings. From now on, it would be him in the morning and evening, day after day, through all the ups and downs.
Just as the aunt and niece were chatting in the room, Song Chuyu suddenly came in and called them to the front hall to receive an imperial edict.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It has come to our ears that Song Jinyu, the daughter of the governor of Liuzhou, is gentle, kind, and well - behaved. With outstanding looks and intelligence, the Empress and I are most pleased. Now that our fourth son has reached the age of marriage, a worthy maiden should be chosen for him. To unite this beautiful couple, we hereby betroth you to our fourth son, the Prince Yu, as his princess. So it is decreed."
Gently raising her head, she met Zhongli Mingye's smiling phoenix eyes.
This time, Song Jinyu didn't shy away from his passionate gaze. Instead, she looked affectionately at the man in the deep - purple prince's robe. He was her beloved, the only one in the story of her life.
All the ladies and young misses present couldn't help but praise.
Everyone envied the good fortune of the Song family, admired Song Jinyu's peerless beauty, and the imperial edict of betrothal.
"I've long heard that the eldest daughter of the Song family has been betrothed by the emperor." One of the ladies whispered to another. "They are truly a match made in heaven."
"Indeed! Now the governor of Liuzhou's official career will surely flourish!"
One of the ladies whispered softly, "At first, there were so many rumors about the eldest daughter of the Song family in Liuzhou City, and the He family even tried to climb the social ladder."
"But in a blink of an eye, she's going to marry into the royal family."
"Even though the He family has Concubine He, the Song family will directly become the in - laws of a prince."
Everyone was envious, except Song Chuyu and her husband, who hoped that the two of them would always be in harmony and love each other deeply.
Zhongli Mingye and Song Qinzhou presented generous gifts to Eunuch Li. After he left Liuzhou City happily, Zhongli Mingye instructed Xing Jian, "It's time to start preparing!"
Preparing for his wedding with Jinyu.
After the coming - of - age ceremony, Song Jinyu returned to Mingjin Pavilion. She gently took off all her hairpins. "They're so heavy!"
"My lady, this is just the beginning. When you marry into the prince's mansion, the head - ornaments of a princess will be even more elaborate!"
Mi Cui helped her change her clothes. Song Jinyu kept only the red - ruby hairpin. "The prince said you deserve the best!"
Ah, he just loved to say such things to coax her.
But... where was he? Although the wedding was approaching, it was not proper for them to meet. Of course, Zhongli Mingye didn't care about such things.
Otherwise, why would he break into her boudoir again in the dead of night?
Mi Cui and Niaoniao quietly withdrew. "It's... so late. Why... did you come?" After saying this, Song Jinyu wished she could bite off her tongue. She had been longing to see Zhongli Mingye, but now that he was here, all she could say was something so spoilsport.
A strange look flashed in Zhongli Mingye's phoenix eyes. He slowly walked towards Song Jinyu and reached out to touch the red - ruby hairpin that shone brightly in the candlelight. "Are you happy?"
"Um..."
Feeling the warmth of his palm, the girl's face turned red, gradually falling into the boundless tenderness.
Suddenly, she fell into a warm embrace. "I've waited for this day for so long."
Hearing the hint of grievance in his words, Song Jinyu wrapped her arms around his slender waist and smiled coquettishly. Her clear voice was like the gentle spring breeze in March, melting the man's heart. "I was bound to grow up!"
She stood on tiptoe and left a gentle kiss on his handsome cheek to reassure him.
However,
Zhongli Mingye was not satisfied with just a gentle kiss. The next moment, Song Jinyu regretted her "boldness".
This man could be really relentless. She almost got devoured by him.
"You..."
Holding the girl in his arms as if she were the most precious treasure in the world, Zhongli Mingye was extremely content at this moment. He suddenly felt that with her in his life, it was already perfect.
If he had known from the start that he would love her so deeply, he would surely have given it his all. This deep love would never be in vain.
Ming Ruyi had left Liuzhou City before Song Jinyu's coming - of - age ceremony. "After the coming - of - age ceremony, it will be the wedding. This brat is so lucky!" He drank the fine wine in his cup with dissatisfaction.
Was it luck? Or was he just too domineering, leaving no chance for anyone else?
"What would happen if a man used his ambition on a woman?" Was he asking himself or the people around him?
The maidservant pouring wine beside him whispered, "Your Highness is so elegant that no one can compare. All the women in the world should be willing to follow you."
Her answer was off - topic! How boring. He waved his hand to let her go and poured the wine for himself. The two of them must be deeply in love and affectionate at this moment.
For some reason, he felt a bit depressed. If he hadn't discovered his hidden feelings earlier, Ming Ruyi wouldn't have been so dejected.
He shook his head to dispel the panic and loss in his heart.
And on this night, Ming Ruyi wasn't the only one who drank too much. Outside Liuzhou City, Ouyang Jinsè sat with his back to the starry sky in silence for several hours.
Even when the sound of galloping horses passed by, his expression remained unchanged, only a flash of pain in his eyes. Under the vast starry sky, he was left alone in his sorrow.
The hand tightly gripping the sword hilt betrayed his emotions.