"Since Your Highness has brought this up, I will surely do my best."
Ji Yeliu was extremely respectful. He came to the capital this time partly at the behest of the governor of Gusu City and partly to seek new opportunities.
However, unexpectedly, he had just learned of the whereabouts of his twin brother.
Even though the man was already dead.
From the words of Prince Yu, his younger brother had a relationship as a fellow apprentice with the princess. Even someone as calm as he couldn't help but think about what to do next.
Interesting. No wonder she looked at him like that. "General Ji, if there's nothing else, you may return to Gusu City to handle this matter."
"Now that Young Master Yan's background has been clarified, it's inappropriate for his memorial tablet to remain in the Song family."
"Yes!"
Not long after, Ji Yeliu left the capital for Gusu City. Rong Shuang'er, upon learning of this, only sighed at how wonderful fate could be.
Song Jinyu's senior brother turned out to be her cousin.
Before Ji Yeliu's departure, he had entrusted her to give a keepsake to Princess Yu, which was an old jade pendant that Yan Fei had had since childhood.
However, the jade pendant never made it into Song Jinyu's hands.
Zhongli Mingye coldly pointed at the "thing" and sent someone to rush it back to Ji Yeliu.
"General Ji, take good care of this."
Did his princess need such a thing?
Due to Yan Fei's background, Song Jinyu had had a very poor appetite these days. As for Zhongli Mingye, she didn't know what he was busy with. But she understood very well that after the crown prince was deposed,
Among the current princes, he had the highest prestige in the court and was at the center of the storm.
Yu had rebelled and fled to Yanqiu. These matters were already enough to keep him busy.
Song Jinyu couldn't help but worry. Today's morning court session had been unusually long.
The emperor announced in the court that he would not appoint a crown prince for the time being. The whole court was in an uproar. Zhongli Mingye remained calm, while Ming Ruyi wore a half - smile.
The emperor looked ruddy, and there was still a young prince born to Concubine Qin growing up healthily.
It seemed that he didn't trust these adult princes.
By now, it was already past noon, and he still hadn't returned. Song Jinyu began to worry. "Niaoniao, help me dress up!"
She decided to go to the palace. Now that Noble Consort Shu and Noble Consort Jia were jointly in charge of the six palaces, they must know something.
Noble Consort Shu was chanting scriptures when she saw Princess Yu arrive. She stopped and helped her sit on the couch.
"Why did you suddenly come to the palace?" In the past, Song Jinyu had never visited Noble Consort Shu alone.
To please her, she would occasionally enter the palace with Zhongli Mingye. Blushing slightly, she said, "Mother Consort, I'm very worried about Mingye."
"I wonder if there's anything going on in the palace?"
Noble Consort Shu looked at her lovingly. "I'm very happy that you care about him."
Then she said seriously, "But you must remember, never act impulsively."
"He is now at the center of the storm, and you are the only one he can trust."
"A few days ago, Concubine Qin's son fell ill."
"I heard them say that someone had deliberately made him sick." Noble Consort Shu sighed helplessly. "That's how it is in the palace. Even a healthy person can be made to fall ill."
Song Jinyu understood. It seemed that the emperor didn't trust any of his sons. Although the crown prince had lost power, it had also pushed the other princes into the limelight. "Many people in the court are pushing Mingye to be the crown prince, so the emperor is not happy."
Ill? Song Jinyu sneered. There must be something more to it.
When she left the palace, she looked up and saw that it was still early. Suddenly, she remembered Lin Yijun whom she had met that day. She asked Qingfeng to drive the carriage to the Prince of Zhongzhou's mansion.
"Just circle around it!"
Whenever she thought of Zhongli Mingye, she didn't dare to provoke anyone. Especially Ming Ruyi. But Lin Yijun was different. He was Lin Ziyu's elder brother.
He was the only son of the Lin family. His arrival in the capital might be for some important matter.
For Lin Ziyu's sake, she couldn't just stand by.
However... the carriage circled around the Prince of Zhongzhou's mansion several times, but she didn't see him again. Just as she was about to give up and leave, unexpectedly, she happened to see Zhongli Mingye coming out of the mansion.
Beside him was Ming Ruyi, fanning himself. He looked at her thoughtfully.
It was a bit awkward... She stepped forward to pay her respects and then stood beside Zhongli Mingye hesitantly.
Her delicate hand under her wide sleeve was tightly clenched, her fingers curled into a ball, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Is the princess here to pick me up?"
Ah? Song Jinyu quickly replied, "Yes, yes, of course."
"In that case, I won't bother Uncle anymore."
After saying that, he pulled Song Jinyu into the carriage. As soon as Qingfeng started driving, Zhongli Mingye let go of Song Jinyu.
His face turned cold. "You really don't learn your lesson!"
There was no lack of sarcasm in his words. Song Jinyu looked up at him and gently moved closer. "I really just passed by."
"Humph, circling around the back door of the Prince of Zhongzhou's mansion. Don't you think it's ridiculous?"
Seeing that he didn't believe her, Song Jinyu stopped explaining. She just thought secretly in her mind how to get through this.
Unfortunately, until they returned to the mansion, she didn't see Zhongli Mingye smile.
"Mingye!"
"Wait for me!"
She lifted her skirt and quickly followed him.
Zhongli Mingye looked at her helplessly. The study was still dim as no lamp had been lit.
Song Jinyu pursed her lips slightly. After all the trouble this afternoon, she hadn't even had a sip of water. The angry man was sitting on the chair, his gaze cold. When he heard the servant's report in the Prince of Zhongzhou's mansion, he couldn't continue playing chess.
Song Jinyu walked over gently and grabbed his robe. "On Shuang'er's birthday, I accidentally saw Lin Yijun."
"So it's again because of another man?"
"He's Ziyu's elder brother. I..." She felt a bit embarrassed for no reason. It was really just for Lin Ziyu. But now Zhongli Mingye simply wouldn't listen. She let go of his robe. After a moment of silence, she said, "I'm very worried. I'm afraid something might happen to the only root of the Lin family."
"Ziyu was my only friend in Liuzhou."
Hearing the soft words of the woman beside him, Zhongli Mingye's expression softened a bit. "Did you go to the palace today?"
"Yeah! I went to see Mother Consort."
"The morning court session was too long today. I was a bit worried." Hearing this, Zhongli Mingye pulled her onto his lap. "How worried were you? Hmm?" He rested his head on her fragrant shoulder and closed his eyes.
"My heart was beating very fast, as if something bad was about to happen." She answered honestly.
"Well, let me check how fast your heart is beating."
She quickly grabbed his restless hand. "I'm talking seriously!"
"I'm not being unserious either!" The atmosphere changed so quickly. The man who had been angry just now had suddenly changed his expression.
Song Jinyu turned her head and looked at him seriously. "Mingye, I want to share some of your burdens."
"You can't always carry everything on your own. I can't always stay under your protection."
Zhongli Mingye looked at her and laughed. "Oh? Are you sure you want to share?"
"Yeah!"
Her little head nodded quickly like a pecking chicken, as if afraid that he would go back on his word!
He laughed even more unrestrainedly. Suddenly, he picked her up and gently placed her on the couch. Zhongli Mingye leaned over her. "There are twelve hours in a day, six in the daytime and six at night."
He smiled wickedly, his phoenix eyes becoming more and more ambiguous, as if he was going to devour her. "You just need to share the six hours at night with me!"
What?
Her eyes widened. They were as misty as a newborn fawn's, making people want to cherish her. In fact, Zhongli Mingye acted on his impulse immediately.
"Um, I'm hungry!" She hadn't had dinner yet!
"I'll feed you well. How about that?"
You've got to be kidding me. She was on the verge of tears! This was not what she meant by sharing his burdens!