When did it start?
Song Jinyu was becoming increasingly blurred in her mind. It was as if he had grown onto her heart, gradually covering it completely. Not only did he not allow her to reject him, but he always clung to her tightly.
"This won't do!"
"What won't do?" Zhongli Mingye still had a bit of snow on his body. He stood a bit farther away, afraid that the moisture would get on her.
Turning around and seeing him, a big smile bloomed on her face, and her eyes were filled with joy. She quickly walked over and hugged him. "You're a bit cold. Wait a moment..."
"No... I won't!"
When her stubbornness flared up, Song Jinyu just wouldn't follow his advice. "Alright..." It didn't matter. They could just take a bath together later.
After he changed his clothes, Song Jinyu was already sitting beside the hot pot early. "Come!"
"Today is the Great Snow Festival. It's most suitable to drink wine and eat hot pot." Her eyes sparkled as she watched the mutton slices and mushrooms tumbling in the pot.
Zhongli Mingye looked at her with a smile and picked up a lot of meat for her with chopsticks. "Eat more..."
"What did you mean by 'won't do' just now?"
"..." Song Jinyu stopped and felt embarrassed. "I just feel that I seem to be relying on you more and more..."
"Isn't that good?"
He just wanted Song Jinyu to stay by his side easily, not bothered by worldly affairs. Song Jinyu looked at him seriously. "It's snowing so heavily. Why did you come back?"
"Because you're at home. So..." He reached out and pinched her delicate and smooth cheek, saying softly, "How could this prince be willing not to come back?"
She couldn't help but feel proud. "Sure enough, I'm so charming!"
Seeing her pride, Zhongli Mingye felt even happier. "Cheng Song is back, but... he's still on the way for now."
"Ah? That's great!"
Cheng Song rode his horse looking in the direction of the capital city, feeling extremely nervous.
Was that little princess still as willful and spoiled as she was last year? Was she still playing with the eldest lady? Was she happy?
Originally, he was determined that with his military achievements, he would be qualified to marry her. But now, as he got closer to home, he became more and more timid, afraid that some noble young master in the capital city had caught her eye.
The next day, Song Jinyu got up a bit late. She had drunk a lot of wine out of excitement the day before. In a daze, she only remembered Zhongli Mingye's laughter. "Mother Princess wants us to have a child soon, so..."
"Go to bed early!"
As for what happened later, she had no memory at all. She shook her head and suddenly remembered the news about Cheng Song.
She quickly got ready. She wondered if Zhongli Mingye would be able to see He Yi today.
Niaoniao was also very happy. Thinking that she had been with her for many years, Song Jinyu was determined to find a good family for Niaoniao.
However,
"Princess, this servant... doesn't want to get married!" Niaoniao knelt at her feet. Her voice was not as gentle as usual, making people feel sad.
Song Jinyu helped her up. "You've always been loyal to this palace. In my heart, you've always been like a sister."
"I hope you'll be happy."
Niaoniao no longer avoided the topic. "After Young Master Yan left, this servant no longer has any expectations for the future."
"If there's still a thought in this life, it's to serve you well."
So it was because of Yan Fei. Song Jinyu's eyes turned a bit cold. That young man in white, who looked sickly but was actually very proud, had left her a long time ago.
The better they used to be, the more painful the memories were today. Her young man in white. If only he were still alive.
She let out a soft breath. Her mind was no longer at peace. "You can go down first. This palace understands your feelings." Niaoniao no longer hoped for happiness because of Yan Fei.
Back then, the three of them grew up and played together. Now, the other two were both dead. Yan Fei died at the hands of Ouyang Jinse, and Ouyang Jinse and his martial - arts hegemony were both destroyed by her.
He Yi was nervously pacing back and forth. Song Jinyu looked at her with amusement.
"Don't be in a hurry!" Later, when Cheng Song came, she would just meet him and then leave.
Let these two have a good chat. She couldn't help but sigh. The stories in the books could actually happen in real life.
After several months in the military camp, Cheng Song had become more mature. His skin was tanned, which added a touch of battlefield aura. He Yi lowered her head slightly. "You're finally back."
"Yeah..."
Cheng Song's face flushed red. The little princess in front of him was so delicate and clear, like a green lotus.
Song Jinyu and Rong Shuang'er were getting impatient as they watched from outside. Sure enough, Cheng Song was as dull as a wooden block. At this moment, he didn't know what to say at all.
The two women were gossiping outside. Inside the room, the two people were quietly looking at each other. The affection in their eyes couldn't be hidden at all.
After a long time, Cheng Song squeezed out a sentence between his teeth. "Wait for this subordinate for two years... I will surely seek military achievements on the battlefield... and come back to marry you!"
"Pfft!"
Rong Shuang'er was shocked. "This fool. The words he said are really... so simple!" Song Jinyu gave her a sideways look. "But the effect is excellent!" She pulled her to peek at He Yi's expression. Sure enough, the young girl couldn't hold back her longing anymore and stepped forward to hug Cheng Song.
Song Jinyu was very satisfied. She hoped that all her friends around her could be happy. "Tsk tsk. Look at He Yi. Then look at you!"
Rong Shuang'er was confused. "What's wrong with me?"
"You should learn from her!" Rong Shuang'er and Ming Ruyi were both extremely proud people.
Rong Shuang'er looked at Song Jinyu helplessly and sighed slightly. "You..." She suddenly wanted to tell her about Ming Ruyi's feelings, but what was the use of telling Song Jinyu? After all... it would be better for her not to know, so that she would have fewer troubles. Moreover, the Prince and Princess Yu were deeply in love.
Song Jinyu returned to the prince's mansion and sat silently in front of the window alone. She had seen with her own eyes that Cheng Song and He Yi were happy and harmonious, but now Niaoniao was dejected.
It was her fault. She had really neglected this.
If she had discovered Niaoniao's affection for Yan Fei earlier, maybe Yan Fei would have had a destination and his fate would have changed?
After all, she was responsible for Yan Fei's death.
"Has the princess not had her meal?" Zhongli Mingye walked into the room and saw her in a daze. "What's bothering you so much?"
"You're back!"
"I'm asking you a question!" He was dissatisfied that she was changing the topic. He pulled her to sit down and carefully served her food. "Is it because of Yan Fei?" After thinking about it, the only thing that could make her so absent - minded could only be Yan Fei.
Song Jinyu lowered her head. He really understood her too well. "If Yan Fei were still alive, he should be married and have children by now."
"Today, I wanted to find a family for Niaoniao, but..."
She told Zhongli Mingye everything that had happened during the day. "If I had known earlier, maybe I could have changed Yan Fei's fate."
"You couldn't have!"
Zhongli Mingye smiled slightly. "Because you simply couldn't have changed Ouyang Jinse's mind. Even if it wasn't Yan Fei, it would have been someone else very close to you."
"So, I regret even more that I didn't kill him earlier. I always had all kinds of concerns!"
"It's not your fault. Because you were also a victim."
On the night of her coming - of - age ceremony, she lost her best friend; then she received the news of her master's sudden death. Tianmen Mountain was in great danger, but she still didn't care about her own safety.
After a series of blows, when she returned to Tianmen Mountain, she calmly planned and took control of the overall situation.
"You've done a good enough job. If it were someone else, they might not be as wise and clear - headed as you." Zhongli Mingye hugged her in his arms. "You don't have to feel guilty anymore... Yan Fei... he hopes you'll be happy and joyful."