She truly pinned Rong Xun down on the wooden cart, and the cornstalks beside them crackled.
With such a commotion, how could the old farmer miss the show? He drove his yellow ox and swayed over, saying earnestly, "Young man, this kind of girl can't get married in our village. She's a shrew who doesn't understand the three obediences and four virtues!"
Tang Youyou bristled all over. If this old man lived in the 21st century, he would surely be the one arguing vehemently on the keyboard!
Before she could get angry, Rong Xun, who was being choked by her slender hand, burst out laughing.
His laughter left Tang Youyou stunned. She asked in confusion, "Are you crazy?"
Rong Xun tilted his head back, resting on the hay. His starry eyes sparkled, soft and gentle. "My lady is so true to herself. She never hides her feelings. She's truly a rare gem in the world. I like you more and more, my lady."
These touching words gave Tang Youyou goosebumps. They wouldn't be so off - putting coming from someone else, but coming from Rong Xun, they had an inherent hint of sleaziness.
Just thinking about the female protagonist dying in his arms, Tang Youyou shivered. She quickly withdrew her hand like she'd been electrocuted and put up a defensive posture. "No, no. You don't need to like me. I'm not worthy!"
She didn't want to fall in love, especially with a fictional character. Falling in love with him would be a death sentence!
Rong Xun was slightly taken aback. Although he didn't know why his lady had changed so much compared to when they first met, wasn't she even more unique now? Perhaps when she came to Tianmen Mountain before, it was all because of her father's orders. Now, this was her most real self.
Immediately, his smile returned. He looked sideways at the distant mountains, his gaze deep. "My lady, we have a long time ahead."
Long my foot!
Tang Youyou silently spat. She only heard the old farmer sigh regretfully, "Alas, such a good young man is wasted! Wasted!"
This was Tang Youyou's second journey from Tianmen Mountain to Xuzhou. This time, she talked less and her curiosity diminished. In the following days, they stayed in an inn, in separate rooms.
Rong Xun never asked her what she was doing in Xuzhou, and Tang Youyou didn't ask when their rebellion plan would be carried out.
Early one morning, a light drizzle began to fall in Xuzhou. Tang Youyou was still sleeping in. There was a knock on the door.
She rolled over on the bed, thinking it was the waiter. She mumbled under the covers, "I don't want breakfast, no wash water, and no bath..."
The pillows in the book were like wooden stakes, meant to support the neck in the correct sleeping position. It took her a long time to get used to sleeping without a hard pillow. Of course, without the stress of life, she always slept until noon.
"My lady, it's me, Rong Xun."
The man outside lowered his voice and knocked on the door again.
Tang Youyou didn't want to pay any attention.
"My lady, I've prepared a surprise for you."
Tang Youyou pulled the covers over her ears.
"My lady, if you get up late, there won't be any roasted pigeons from Mingzhao Hall..."
This annoying male protagonist had figured out her habits in just two days. Hearing about the roasted pigeons, Tang Youyou reluctantly got out of bed. Finally, looking like a mess, she opened the door.
"Good morning, my lady." Rong Xun bowed formally. He looked like a docile lamb. If Tang Youyou hadn't read the original novel, she might have been deceived!
Tang Youyou lazily stretched out her hand. "The roasted pigeons."
She wasn't interested in Rong Xun. Instead, it was the roasted pigeons from Mingzhao Hall in Xuzhou that were tender, juicy, and delicious, making her yearn for them.
Rong Xun stepped aside and spread his arms. "My lady, wash up and meet me at Cuifeng Pavilion on the second floor."
"So fussy!"
Tang Youyou slammed the door shut. Eating roasted pigeons didn't need such a ceremony!
In her opinion, the ancients were too burdened by formalities. They set limits for themselves from birth and lived their whole lives in strict accordance with the rules!
Rong Xun was rebuffed but not angry. Instead, he found it amusing. Who else in the world could be as willful as Tang Youyou?
When Tang Youyou arrived at Cuifeng Pavilion on the second floor, besides Rong Xun, there was also an old man with white hair and beard.
The two were clinking glasses and chatting merrily.
Did Rong Xun even invite the owner of Mingzhao Hall here just to supply her with roasted pigeons?
She entered the private room in confusion. Their gazes fell on her at the same time. The old man stood up first, with a kind and amiable face. His white beard almost covered his neck.
He looked at Tang Youyou with a smile, the deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes indicating that he was at least in his fifties or sixties.
As the saying goes, guests should be treated well.
"Pleased to meet you."
Tang Youyou curtsied slightly while holding up her skirt. The old man was immediately at a loss. Where did this strange sense of distance come from?
Then, his lips trembled a few times before he said, "Youyou, I'm your father!"
"Ah?" Tang Youyou was stunned on the spot. She looked at the old man from side to side, feeling confused herself. He looked quite steady, but there was no sign on his face saying "father of the female protagonist"!
"This..." Prime Minister Tang Yu looked worriedly at Rong Xun beside him, as if silently asking: Good son - in - law, what's wrong with my daughter?
Rong Xun pursed his lips to hide his smile, then quickly composed himself. He coughed twice with his half - clenched fist against his lips and said nothing.
The atmosphere was awkward. Tang Youyou forced a laugh and sat down on her own. She said boldly, "Father, sit down too. We're a family, so don't be so formal. Isn't your back hurting from standing all the time?"
Tang Yu's face twitched. This was definitely not his daughter!
Recalling that a month ago, when he sent his beloved daughter to the foot of Tianmen Mountain, Tang Youyou was still a well - behaved young lady of a noble family. She was knowledgeable and polite, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's wings.
Now, Tang Youyou was sitting on the chair like a person with a broken spine, with no proper sitting posture at all, just like a hooligan from the streets.
"Your Highness is here, You'er. How dare you be so presumptuous? Now that you're married, you should abide by the rules and put etiquette first!" Tang Yu frowned, looking solemn and strict.
In Liangzhou, if any girl was so unrestrained, she would surely become a laughingstock.
"Come on, come on." Tang Youyou straightened her back a little. She didn't want to argue and just mumbled while playing with the teacup, "You're just a doomed character. Why are you still lecturing me?"
Even now, she still didn't take this fictional world seriously. She did as she pleased and was extremely willful.
"What did you say?" Tang Yu heard her words intermittently and didn't understand. However, his daughter's nonchalant attitude, showing a state of disobedience, made the anger in his heart surge.
This old man was really annoying!
Tang Youyou was listless. To have some peace, she forced a smile and said in an awkward way, "Father is right. Daughter will surely keep it in mind."
Tang Yu's expression improved a little. He apologized to Rong Xun, and then the two continued their high - level conversation without avoiding Tang Youyou.
Tang Youyou endured it until the roasted pigeons arrived. She ate them with oil all over her mouth and heard the gist of their conversation.
A long time ago, Prime Minister Tang Yu was a beggar. He was saved by the current queen. Three years ago, the crown prince eliminated his political opponents and exiled the third prince, Rong Xun. It was Tang Yu who used his private power to swap the prince secretly, which allowed Rong Xun to survive until now.
Tang Yu had long placed his bet on Rong Xun. He secretly trained troops and reached an agreement with the commander - in - chief of the three northern armies. But now, the current emperor had noticed something.
He was worried that the whole army would be wiped out, so he betrothed his most beloved daughter, Tang Youyou, to Rong Xun.
Even if things were exposed, Rong Xun could still retreat safely and live in anonymity with Tang Youyou.
As she listened, Tang Youyou could feel that Tang Yu was a loyal and affectionate person. He had made thorough plans for his daughter. The situation was urgent, and there was no turning back...
Such a person was going to die a tragic death...