After a day's journey, Song Jinyu and the others were gradually approaching Yanqiu. Meanwhile, strange rumors began to spread in the palace.
It was said that the King of Zhongzhou and the Princess Consort of Yu had been having an overly intimate relationship. Taking advantage of the disappearance of the Prince of Yu this time, the two had eloped.
The Noble Consort Jia was extremely angry. She successively had several palace maids and eunuchs beaten to death, which managed to suppress the rumors before they reached the emperor's ears.
These rumors were extremely vicious. Not to mention that the life or death of the Prince of Yu was still unknown, these rumors were intended to put both the Princess Consort of Yu and the King of Zhongzhou to death.
The Concubine Qin tapped on her armor, looking even more pleased. Now that all the adult princes had suffered disasters, and the emperor was still in good health, her son might have a chance to ascend the throne in the future.
But then she thought of the King of Zhongzhou, the youngest son of the current empress dowager. She felt very uneasy. So, under the guidance of a "wise man", she spread such rumors in the palace. She didn't expect the Noble Consort Jia to directly execute many people.
Fortunately... she had been discreet in her actions. Otherwise, she might have suffered a double loss.
She wanted to lie low, but the "wise man" arranged for her to regain the emperor's favor again and taught her a dance.
However, recently, because of the disappearance of the Prince of Yu, the emperor had been in a depressed mood. He not only didn't summon any concubines but also stopped the imperial concubine selection.
Now in his sixties, he had lost the Second Prince, and then the Fourth Prince had been assassinated and was missing.
Recently, the Concubine Qin had sent fish silk soup, hoping to serve the emperor. But she was sent back by the emperor. He vaguely regretted that perhaps he shouldn't have indulged his sons from the very beginning.
Things had come to this, and he could only send more people to search for the whereabouts of the Prince of Yu. Originally, he had planned that since the prince had defeated Yanqiu and enhanced the prestige of the Xia Dynasty, he would make Zhongli Mingye the crown prince when he returned in triumph.
But now, the prince was missing.
Recalling his sons, some were dead, some were disabled, and the son he admired most was missing.
There was only the youngest prince left by his side. But would God give him enough time to cultivate this prince?
Looking at his hands with age spots, the emperor's heart sank gradually.
"Qilin?" Was this the Qilin that Song Jinyu had mentioned?
Zhongli Mingye looked at the huge and strange creature in front of him. He let out a bitter smile. Just after defeating the "strange man", now he had encountered the ancient divine beast, the Qilin.
Well, during the days he had spent with Song Jinyu, this was the only thing missing.
The Qilin snorted fire. Its eyes, as big as copper bells, stared at Zhongli Mingye up and down, as if thinking about where to start eating first.
Zhongli Mingye felt creepy under its gaze and decided to strike first.
Unexpectedly, before he could make a move, the Qilin ran away first, and it ran even faster than a rabbit. Zhongli Mingye was very confused.
He didn't want to delve into it either, because he was really exhausted. As usual, he wanted to take out the jade carving to have a look. But when he touched it, he found it was gone.
Maybe it had fallen to the ground accidentally during the fight with the strange man. He wanted to go back to look for it, but he was afraid that the Qilin might change its mind and come after him.
There would surely be another fight, and he didn't have the energy to deal with that ancient divine beast at this moment.
He felt regretful in his heart, as if he had lost something extremely precious. Dragging his body forward, he happened to come across a hot spring.
A faint smile appeared on his lips. He remembered the beautiful and stunning her in the Xishan Hot Spring Palace. It had been a long time since they last saw each other. He wondered how she was.
That heartless woman usually, would she miss him?
That day, they had exposed the identity of the Silver - Masked Young Master.
Song Jinyu's first reaction was that she had lost a helper who could protect her.
Touching his chest, it was full of Song Jinyu. No matter what, he would survive.
Love her and accompany her.
Having made up his mind, Zhongli Mingye continued to move forward.
Previously, Song Jinyu had mentioned that there might be an attack by strange birds after the hot spring. Zhongli Mingye became even more vigilant.
Song Jinyu watched Rong Shuang'er bustling around, working non - stop. "Shuang'er, sit down for a while. There are Niaoniao and Micui."
Rong Shuang'er didn't say much and silently sat down beside her.
"I know why you're so down?" She said in a low voice, "Is it because of Ming Ruyi?"
"I promise you that once the prince is found, I will offer the antidote."
"Your Highness the Princess has really let down the King of Zhongzhou's affection." Rong Shuang'er said each word slowly. As she finished, she felt as if her heart was being tortured.
She picked up a pill and put it into her mouth, chewing it slowly. "Shuang'er, the complexity of people's hearts is not something we can be certain about."
"You and I have similar personalities. I think my father in Liuzhou will surely like you. If... " There seemed to be a spark in her dead - looking eyes. "If I'm no longer here, please visit my father for me several times to fulfill my filial piety."
Rong Shuang'er stood up in shock. Was she leaving a last will?
"I must see him alive or see his body dead..." Her sweet voice trembled slightly. "But no matter what, I will give the antidote to Ming Ruyi."
Although her voice was low, it reached Ming Ruyi's ears with the wind and pierced his heart. It turned out that she had already accepted the possible outcome and was gradually making arrangements for the aftermath. She had made up her mind to die!
She closed her phoenix - like eyes, not wanting others to see the surging emotions in them. She rolled up her sleeve and looked at the criss - cross red lines on her arm.
The poison was real. Song Jinyu really didn't trust him at all.
She and Zhongli Mingye were really of the same kind. After getting in touch with her for this period of time, seeing her act with a heroic spirit, Ming Ruyi suddenly realized that Zhongli Mingye must have seen this side of her a long time ago. It showed that the two of them were in harmony with each other in their hearts.
Why was she always like this in front of other men, but turned into a charming and delicate young woman beside Zhongli Mingye?
It was the person who made her heart flutter that she was willing to change herself and even seal her strong side.
Ming Ruyi, who had never truly loved anyone before, envied Zhongli Mingye even more at this moment. So this was what it felt like to truly love someone.
Once he realized this, his heart ached as if being stabbed by a knife.
Rong Shuang'er looked up and saw Ming Ruyi coming. She got up and left. Song Jinyu continued to be silent. She didn't want to talk to Ming Ruyi too much.
She didn't trust Ming Ruyi. Who didn't want that imperial throne, that supreme power?
She was afraid that Ming Ruyi wanted it the most.
"If he dies, what will you do?" Although Ming Ruyi already knew the answer, he was still deeply shaken when he heard it. "I will surely not live alone. What's the meaning of living in this world without Zhongli Mingye?" Did she want to be the Princess Consort of Yu alone until she was old and enjoy the so - called glory and wealth? She let out a bitter smile. "You..."
He had once fantasized that if Zhongli Mingye was no longer here, he, Ming Ruyi, would have a chance. But looking at her silent and lifeless eyes, he knew how ridiculous his thoughts were.
"Anyway, there's no result yet. You might as well keep a glimmer of hope in your heart." Leaving this sentence behind, Ming Ruyi walked out.
When they set off again, Rong Shuang'er found that the glorious appearance of Ming Ruyi was no longer as radiant as before.
Was it because he had seen the Princess's determination to die?