"They got married..."
Time flew so fast. It was only last year that they had first met. Now they were sisters-in-law. Song Jinyu must be very happy.
That man,
The man she had been infatuated with in her youth, looked at Song Jinyu with such obsession and tenderness.
For Song Jinyu's sake, he had not hesitated to stab his own father and had disregarded any concerns about social status.
Yu Duanya supported her belly. The baby was about to be born. It had always been very well-behaved, but today it was a bit restless.
She had just eaten a bowl of red date soup, but soon vomited it out.
The maid supported her. "The prince told you not to move around too much..."
"It's okay. I've heard that moving around more is good for the baby!"
Concubine Lin came to pay her respects. She had always been favored and had never put Yu Duanya in her eyes. It was not until Prince Cheng severely scolded her that Concubine Lin realized that given Yu Duanya's family background, she was no match for her.
So, since then, she had been much more obedient. Moreover, after Prince Cheng had been stripped of his title of prince by the emperor, the atmosphere in the entire mansion had been very oppressive.
The concubines and secondary wives who had originally vied for favor had, in this oppressive atmosphere, all given up their thoughts of competing for the prince's affection.
Just as the two were exchanging greetings, Prince Cheng Zhongli Shuoyi came over. He quickly helped Yu Duanya sit down. "You're in your advanced stage. Be careful everywhere."
"Two days ago, my father-in-law sent over several midwives."
Zhongli Shuoyi was very looking forward to this child. Concubine Lin felt a pang of jealousy in her heart. In fact, she had seen through Zhongli Shuoyi. If it weren't for Yu Duanya's background, with Zhongli Shuoyi's heartlessness, how could he truly treat her well?
Especially that day, when Prince Cheng had successively driven away three secondary wives because of Yu Duanya. Concubine Lin suddenly understood that except for the principal wife, the women in this mansion were actually treated as nothing.
"Father has returned from the Cool Pavilion. The palace is holding a summer banquet."
Yu Duanya looked at him obediently. "I should accompany you, but my body... is really too clumsy." She gave a gentle smile. "How about asking Sister Lin to accompany the prince?"
Zhongli Shuoyi was pleased with her understanding. Concubine Lin quickly stepped forward to thank Yu Duanya.
After they had all left, Yu Duanya's face turned cold. She sat dejectedly under the flame tree. If it were that man, he would definitely not let Song Jinyu be wronged.
After all, Prince Yu had been willing to remove the fish bones for her in public and had offended the only feudal prince with a different surname in the Great Xia Dynasty for her sake.
She gave a bitter smile. Why couldn't she let go after all this time? Why did she still feel so unwilling? People were greedy. They wanted to hold everything in their hands.
When they had never obtained something, they would yearn for it.
She hadn't seen Zhongli Mingye for several days. It was for the best. It saved her from the embarrassment.
However, that afternoon, Song Jinyu had just woken up from her nap when she saw Zhongli Mingye sitting by the bed with a smile. "You're like a kitten when you sleep."
He gave her a start and was teasing her. Humph... She was too lazy to care about him. She just pulled the summer quilt up higher.
"Scaring people can kill them!"
She scolded him a few times. Zhongli Mingye had a bit of a dark shadow under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept for several days.
Sure enough, he let out a soft yawn. "Mmm..."
"My love... I haven't slept for several days." Zhongli Mingye looked at her with a smile, his eyes a bit dazed.
Song Jinyu: "..." The way he called her "my love" gave her goosebumps.
"Then why don't you go to sleep quickly!"
Why did he run in and scare her?
Zhongli Mingye was helpless. "Father has returned to the palace. It's the Beginning of Summer season. The inner court has organized a summer banquet."
He reached out and tapped her on the forehead. "I've been asked to attend the banquet with the princess..."
Ah? Did she have to go to the palace again?
Sigh... She had already said that the people in the palace were so idle... What was the point of doing these things that wasted people and money?
Just as she was lost in thought, Zhongli Mingye suddenly climbed onto the bed. "There's still plenty of time. Let's take a nap first..."
Yawning continuously, he ignored Song Jinyu's resistance and simply hugged her soft body and fell asleep.
"Hey!"
Song Jinyu wanted to refuse, but seeing his steady breathing, she couldn't bear to wake him up.
So... So... She had no choice but to be held by him and close her eyes to rest. With her head in Zhongli Mingye's arms, listening to his strong and powerful heartbeat, and the faint sandalwood fragrance lingering around her nose.
It gradually made her feel at ease.
This afternoon nap was a bit long.
Niaoniao woke the two sleeping people up just in time.
Song Jinyu blushed and got up uneasily. Zhongli Mingye had had enough sleep. He was lying on his side by the bed, propping himself up slightly on his arm, looking sideways at Song Jinyu while Niaoniao was combing her hair.
The young girl's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were evasive. But Zhongli Mingye knew that she had feelings for him in her heart. Otherwise... Why would she be so obedient?
That day in the Liuyun Pavilion, although she had fallen asleep.
But their relationship had undergone a subtle change. The knot in their hearts still needed time to be untied. Now that she had married him, time was on their side.
Zhongli Mingye got what he wanted. He held her hand and walked forward along the avenue in front of the palace gate.
Song Jinyu felt countless joys in her heart, all because of Zhongli Mingye beside her. Although she didn't like the imperial palace, she felt a bit more at ease now.
Along the way, they met Prince Cheng and his concubine Lin. Song Jinyu didn't see Yu Duanya. Then she thought that perhaps Yu Duanya was about to give birth.
Prince Yong had come with Princess Suoli. Her belly couldn't be hidden under her complicated palace attire.
The two of them looked very happy. There had been rumors in the capital that Prince Yong and his wife didn't get along well, but Song Jinyu could see from Suoli's bright eyes that she was living a good life.
"Jinyu!"
Princess Suoli greeted her enthusiastically when she saw her. Song Jinyu was her savior. Their bond was closer than that of sisters.
The two greeted each other a few times.
Before long, they met the crown prince and his wife. Song Jinyu's eyes instantly turned cold and her hands trembled slightly.
It was him!
The current crown prince had repeatedly caused trouble on Tianmen Mountain and had indirectly caused the death of her master!
The crown prince, Zhongli Chengze, looked at his three younger brothers with a fake smile, his eyebrows twitching slightly. The crown princess looked ugly, as if she had just recovered from a serious illness.
As if he had felt Song Jinyu's gaze.
Zhongli Chengze looked at her, his gaze aggressive. Since Prince Yu's wedding last month, many people who had seen Princess Yu had been amazed by her beauty.
Now, in her magnificent attire, she was indeed extremely beautiful and elegant!
Zhongli Mingye tightened his grip on Song Jinyu's hand slightly, bringing her back to her senses. Then he took a step forward and shielded her behind him. "Your Highness the Crown Prince has been busy for the country all day long."
"Today, you must drink a few more cups!"
His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. Although there was a faint smile on his face, it didn't reach his eyes.
The crown prince withdrew his gaze and laughed. "It's all to relieve Father's worries... You've just gotten married. You'll surely have to drink a few more cups today!"
The fact that Prince Cheng, Zhongli Shuoyi, didn't get along with the crown prince was an open secret. Zhongli Chengze didn't even bother to put on a show.
He just let out a cold snort from his nostrils and walked away.
Biting back her anger, Song Jinyu lowered her eyes. Zhongli Mingye turned around and took her hand, tracing a few lines on her palm with his finger.
His deep eyes gradually calmed Song Jinyu's anger.