It was completely dark, yet there were no lamps lit in the study.
Scattered clothes lay on the floor.
"Humph!" Song Jinyu turned her head away, refusing to pay any more attention to him.
"Aren't you hungry?" the man asked contentedly, holding her in his arms. "I don't want to eat anymore!"
"Fine. I'll starve with you," the man said.
Song Jinyu was being coy, but finally turned her head back. "Mother Princess said that the little prince in the palace is ill."
"They said he ate something bad."
Seeing that she brought it up on her own initiative, Zhongli Mingye smiled. "I of course know about it."
"And?"
"Whether Father Emperor wants to think whatever he likes is his own business. I have a clear conscience." Besides, that was just a baby a few months old. Whether the child could grow up safely was another matter.
Someone was eager to act, trying to kill two birds with one stone.
His eyes were dark and unfathomable, but his thoughts drifted to the court. "As long as I'm alive, this world belongs to me!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the court officials immediately knelt down and shouted long live the emperor. Zhongli Mingye sneered inwardly. It was just a way to warn him.
He understood Song Jinyu's worries. But as he smelled the delicate fragrance of medicine on her body, his heart became more and more at ease.
"Don't worry. I have this matter under control."
It was time to recall the Brave Prince back to the capital!
Seeing her lying in his arms, her cheeks flushed and her eyes rippling, he couldn't help but kiss her on the forehead. "This is just the old trick of the palace again."
Concubine Qin had a good plan. She was trying to drive a wedge between their father - son relationship. Didn't she fear that while the mantis was catching the cicada, the oriole was behind?
"No matter what, Mingye, you have to tell me the truth about this. And..."
"Don't hide anything from me!"
Zhongli Mingye could see everything about her clearly, but she herself couldn't see him clearly.
Zhongli Mingye laughed. "Sure. But let's have dinner first." He had just heard her stomach growling.
After Song Jinyu went to the bathroom, he took the opportunity to find several secret letters and read them by the candlelight.
After dinner, Song Jinyu wanted to leave, but he grabbed her. "I still lack a graceful companion to add fragrance. I wonder if my beloved concubine would be willing?"
Of course she was willing. It had been a long time since she and Zhongli Mingye had quietly spent time in the same room like this.
She obediently ground the ink for him. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of those secret letters. Zhongli Mingye held them in front of her so that she could see more clearly:
"The King of the Southern Courtyard has returned to Yanqiu. Someone attempted to assassinate the king, and he is now in a stand - off with Empress Dowager Li."
"The Tingran Pavilion fully supports the King of the Southern Courtyard, but has gradually reduced the trading of military supplies."
"The rest are colluding with Empress Dowager Li and are competing with the King of the Southern Courtyard."
Seeing this, Song Jinyu was a bit delighted. "So, you don't have to go to the battlefield anymore?"
There was also news about Song Chuyu. Originally, Qinghe Pass was attacked by Yanqiu, but with the pincer attack of the Song father and son, they successfully repelled Yanqiu.
Coupled with the serious internal troubles in Yanqiu, the crisis in Liuzhou City was lifted.
Zhongli Mingye nodded. "Not for the time being." But there was no guarantee that the King of the Southern Courtyard wouldn't turn against them.
Song Jinyu then read another letter. "Prime Minister Ling is cooperating with Concubine Qin."
The prime minister, who had once claimed to be honest and neutral, was now colluding with a concubine?
He wrapped his arm around her slender waist and gently pinched her delicate and fair cheek. "Don't worry. Uncle has already had evidence in hand."
As if remembering something, Song Jinyu said, "Mingye, what do you think Ming Ruyi's motives are for helping you like this?"
She didn't believe that Ming Ruyi would help Zhongli Mingye unconditionally.
Every time Song Jinyu doubted Ming Ruyi, he was happy, and today was no exception. He pulled her onto his lap. "He of course has his own plans. In any transaction, who isn't acting for their own interests?"
In the Zhongzhou Prince's Mansion, Ming Ruyi felt sorry for the banana trees as they were hit by the rain. He ordered someone to add another layer of straw shed to cover them better, not realizing that he himself was getting quite wet. "My lord, is this okay?"
"Yeah, go down."
Seeing that the situation in the capital was developing as he had expected and getting back on track step by step, he felt a bit self - satisfied. However, for a moment, he was still worried.
He knew his nephew well. Would he be willing to be caught in this trap?
The next day, the rain stopped.
The sun was shining brightly. Song Jinyu was in a great mood while learning needlework. Ever since she gave Zhongli Mingye a sachet last time and made him extremely happy, he had given her a task. "My beloved concubine's craftsmanship is really good. From now on, all my clothes will be made by you."
That heartless man always liked to scheme against her.
Unfortunately, this good mood didn't last long. "Princess, the prince has been thrown into jail!"
"The imperial guards have surrounded it and won't allow anyone to enter or leave!"
Seeing that Song Jinyu's expression remained unchanged, Qingfeng emphasized the seriousness of the matter.
"I know!"
Sure enough, it came. Was it because of Concubine Qin's prince? The emperor was really muddled. How could he suspect Zhongli Mingye of harming the prince?
It was so ridiculous. Not to mention whether that little child could grow up. Even if he could, by that time, the emperor would have already passed away. How much of a threat could this little child be?
She threw down the needle and thread in her hand. "Let's go!"
At this moment, she had to stay calm.
Ming Ruyi had prepared tea, as if it was for Song Jinyu in advance. "You're still as wise as before. You know to come to me for information."
"Even with so many imperial guards, they couldn't stop your legs."
Song Jinyu sneered. "Those good - for - nothings couldn't stop me."
Since she needed his help, she naturally couldn't be as haughty as before. "Uncle, how is Mingye?"
"Do you have a way to let me into the jail?"
Hearing her call him "uncle", Ming Ruyi's face darkened, and he didn't reply for a long time. Just when Song Jinyu thought he wouldn't say anything, she heard, "Call me Ming Ruyi, and I'll help you!"
What a time this was!
Song Jinyu was dissatisfied, but since she was under someone else's roof, she had to yield. She softly called out, "Ming Ruyi!"
He walked up to her and looked down at her pink cheeks. The woman felt a bit uncomfortable and took a few steps back imperceptibly. Ming Ruyi said nothing more and just motioned for the people around to back off.
"Are you that worried about him?"
"Yes!" Looking at the face that was getting closer, Song Jinyu was annoyed. She held a needle in her hand and pressed it against his chest. "Please respect yourself, uncle!"
"You're asking me to do something for you!" How could she have such an attitude when asking for help?
He snorted coldly. "If something happens to him, you won't be able to get away with it either. You still need Mingye!"
Ming Ruyi opened his folding fan. "You see things clearly!"
"Take me to the jail!"
His eyes were unfathomable, as if he was weighing something. Song Jinyu's expression remained unchanged. She was certain that Ming Ruyi wouldn't betray Mingye at this moment.
After Song Jinyu disguised herself and sneaked into the jail, she saw Zhongli Mingye sitting in the cell with his eyes closed, as if in meditation. Seeing the stubble on his chin,
She thought he had been mistreated and felt extremely heart - broken. Ming Ruyi's face darkened. He didn't want to watch the two of them being so affectionate, so he gradually retreated into the shadows and went to drink with the jail guard.