It had been raining quite a lot this year. Fortunately, spring rain was as precious as oil. Song Jinyu stood in front of the flower window, thinking that the autumn harvest would probably be quite bountiful.
When He Yi got into trouble, Zhongli Mingye had just gone to pay a visit to the Empress Dowager.
The timing was just right.
She didn't want to think too much about it, but... what if Zhongli Mingye had known about it in advance? She was quite conflicted. She had long been aware of Zhongli Mingye's schemes,
but why did her heart keep fluttering?
"What are you thinking about?" Zhongli Mingye had just returned from court and got wet in the rain.
He changed into his casual clothes and saw the slight frown on her face. As a husband who knew his wife well, he naturally understood what was bothering Song Jinyu.
Although she didn't usually inquire about court affairs, she was still as intelligent as ever.
He decided to clear up her doubts right away. "I did know about Prime Minister Ling's plan."
"But I'm not that powerful to know exactly when he would set up his scheme." Zhongli Mingye wrapped his arms around her. The faint fragrance of his little wife was really pleasant.
Since she got pregnant, she had stopped going to the pharmacy. All she did every day was adorn herself with flowers. "The white magnolia suits you perfectly today."
Song Jinyu turned around. "Mingye... Why did Prime Minister Ling do that?" Why did he ask for He Yi's hand in marriage for his eldest son?
"For power and influence."
Then Zhongli Mingye told her that Prime Minister Ling had actually fallen out of favor with the emperor and was trying to scheme against the young prince.
It was better to tell her everything than to let this little woman keep speculating.
She looked at him seriously, a glint of determination flashing in her beautiful eyes. "So, this time you joined hands with your father to get rid of Prime Minister Ling!"
This was the real truth. Zhongli Mingye was a bit helpless. Why couldn't she be a bit more naive?
She picked up a crispy pastry with her delicate fingers and took a small bite with her pearly teeth. The freshly baked pastry was indeed fragrant and crispy. But after just a few bites, Zhongli Mingye took it away from her. "Eat less. You won't be able to have lunch later."
"Humph... I can eat more if you give me."
She was telling the truth. Lately, her appetite had been getting better and better. She ate even more than Zhongli Mingye. This scared him so much that he would always drag her out for a walk after every meal.
Zhongli Mingye's eyes followed her features down and landed on a certain place. Maybe because of the pregnancy, the part that used to be as small as a glutinous rice ball
had now become more prominent.
She shivered slightly under his gaze. "Cough... cough..." Where was this man looking at!
"Prime Minister Ling's actions are understandable. The merit of supporting the new emperor is greater than everything else. This is what many court officials have been dreaming of since ancient times."
"Shouldn't a court official dream of becoming the emperor?"
"Cough... Song Jinyu..."
He was really bold. He took the opportunity to pull her into his arms. She was fragrant and soft, making his heart flutter.
Leaning in his arms, she whispered, "I only say this to you."
"Okay."
"That day I got the news that the Empress Dowager had invited Prime Minister Ling's eldest son into the palace... So I went there too."
"Fortunately, there were people in the palace, and He Yi didn't really lose her innocence. As a brother, I couldn't just let my sister be bullied. That would be too heartless."
Song Jinyu looked up at him. "Prime Minister Ling's mistake was that he shouldn't have tried to scheme against the emperor's daughter. No parents in this world don't love their children. Although He Yi is not a prince, she has been deeply loved since childhood."
"This time, your father really acts like an ordinary father."
He Yi's "illness" was gradually getting better. The emperor bestowed a title on Cheng Song. He had been busy building the Marquis of Jian'an's mansion these days. Whenever he had free time, he would go into the palace to accompany He Yi.
With Song Jinyu's guidance, the rough and straightforward Cheng Song was appreciated by the emperor. "Although he is a bit rough, he is also very meticulous. No wonder He Yi is so infatuated with him."
The emperor and Concubine Jia watched the young couple with increasing satisfaction. "One doesn't necessarily have to be in a high position. This kind of affection can't be faked."
"My love has a unique vision."
Concubine Jia liked Cheng Song more and more, especially for the words he said that day. "I don't care. I just hope He Yi will get better."
"She is the one I've chosen."
On a spring day, the sun was warm. Zhongli Mingye asked someone to prepare lunch on the Bright Moon Terrace. He rolled a small pancake with tender scallions and fresh duck meat.
He handed it to Song Jinyu and insisted that she eat it from his hand. Niaoniao and Micui were used to this and didn't find it strange at all.
Her pink lips brushed against his fingers, leaving a soft and warm touch. Zhongli Mingye's eyes became even more profound as he looked at her. After the lunch was cleared away,
Song Jinyu felt a bit sleepy.
"Come here..." Zhongli Mingye waved his hand. There was a complete set of things including a couch on the Bright Moon Terrace.
In the afternoon, she lay down beside him and fell into a deep sleep.
"My lord, the Empress Dowager is still under house arrest and not allowed to leave the palace."
Ming Ruyi seemed not to hear at all and continued to take care of the few extremely precious flowers she had just obtained. "Have her food and clothing been cut short?"
"No!"
"Then don't mention this to me again." The only way to make the Empress Dowager stop scheming for him was to let her give up completely.
He wasn't not tempted by that position.
But under the current situation, he, Ming Ruyi, had neither the chance nor the strength.
Concubine Qin was taking care of the young prince and the prince, feeling more and more uncertain. After all, her child was still too young. How could he compete with Prince Yu?
Now that Prime Minister Ling had made a wrong move and there was no longer a court prime minister to support them, and the Empress Dowager was under house arrest. What should she do? Just as she was worrying,
Unexpectedly, Jinyu slipped in silently.
"You... you..." Concubine Qin was as scared as if she had seen a ghost.
"What are you afraid of?" Jinyu sat on the couch boldly like a man. Her fox-like beautiful eyes were fixed on Concubine Qin.
Suddenly, she sneered. "Your Ladyship Concubine Qin, why have you become so timid?"
"Get out of here quickly! Otherwise, I... I..." She hugged the child tremblingly and didn't dare to look at Jinyu. She naturally knew that Jinyu, who could enter the palace at night, must have some extraordinary skills.
Jinyu leaned closer to her and lifted her chin in an extremely ambiguous way. "Don't be afraid... beauty... I just want to tell you a secret."
"To help you get along better in this palace."
Concubine Qin's eyes widened. "Is this true?"
She couldn't believe it. How could the princess of the prince... Well, if such a big handle fell into her hands, maybe Yao'er's position on the throne would be more secure.
The two people who had been sleeping in each other's arms on the Bright Moon Terrace finally woke up.
"Now, you should exercise more."
"I'll take you for a walk in the garden..."
Song Jinyu was a bit lazy. She stretched out her hands and let Zhongli Mingye put on her outer robe.
He looked at her with amusement. Her beautiful eyes were still closed, her red lips were charming, and her fair and jade-like skin was glowing. It seemed that she was about to fall asleep again. His phoenix eyes landed on a certain part of her body, and his heart skipped a beat.
He kissed her.
He carefully laid her down, and the robe she had just put on slipped off. "Um..." Song Jinyu, who was dazed by his kiss, opened her eyes slightly.
She thought that the Bright Moon Terrace was really a place that could easily arouse emotions.
However, she seemed to miss him very much.