The underwater world was very different from what Ji Yunxi had imagined. The light around them was not bright; instead, it was getting dimmer and dimmer.
Yu Mingyi noticed Ji Yunxi frown due to the dimming light. So he came to her side and said with a smile, "The light in the deep sea is not very good, but we have magic pearls. It'll get better soon."
Ji Yunxi glanced at him. She really couldn't figure out why Yu Mingyi liked her. Logically speaking, there was no special relationship between them, and she had always kept a certain distance from him.
"The merman clan has always lived in the deep sea. We are good at singing."
Yu Mingyi seemed not to see the reluctance in Ji Yunxi's eyes. He just kept talking to her persistently about things related to the merman clan.
"I'm not interested. Shut up."
But Yu Mingyi seemed not to hear her. He stepped forward and grabbed her hand. "I want to tell you that you'll be living here for a long time in the future."
"Yu Mingyi, do you think your joke is funny?" Ji Yunxi mocked him without mercy.
Yu Mingyi squeezed his free hand. "Yunxi, Feng Xingzhi and Jiang Yaoji, you and me. Wouldn't it be good if all four of us could be happy?"
"You and Jiang Yaoji will be happy." Ji Yunxi had never thought that someone could be so selfish. "I'll never like you. I just find you annoying!"
After being scolded by his beloved one, the light in Yu Mingyi's eyes gradually faded.
Yu Xiaobei, standing beside them, felt mixed emotions. She pitied both her master and Ji Yunxi. Love had never been about who came first or who could accommodate each other.
"Do you want to hear the songs of the merman clan?" Yu Mingyi regained his composure and came closer to talk to her again.
"No."
"Look, this is a magic pearl. Once it's opened, it'll light up the whole underwater world."
Ji Yunxi still ignored him. No matter what Yu Mingyi said, she didn't want to listen. But Yu Mingyi wasn't annoyed. He still explained things to her seriously and took good care of her.
There was a hint of sadness in Yu Xiaobei's eyes. She silently followed behind the two of them.
Finally, they arrived at the merman's water city. In the center of the city was the royal palace, which sparkled from time to time under the blue sea water.
Yu Mingyi walked to the door and knocked rhythmically. The palace gate slowly opened. Yu Mingyi spread out his hands and invited Ji Yunxi to enter.
The guards looked at each other. This woman clearly looked like a mortal. Why did the Crown Prince bring a mortal woman back?
Maybe feeling their gazes, Yu Mingyi looked over and replied with a smile, "This is the future princess consort."
Everyone was stunned for a moment and quickly bowed, afraid that they would be scolded by Yu Mingyi if they were too slow.
Ji Yunxi was extremely annoyed, but out of good manners, she didn't say anything.
Yu Mingyi had lost all his dignity on the way. Now that they were back in his territory, he naturally stopped trying to please her.
His expression became more restrained. Although Yu Mingyi was still smiling, he subconsciously locked Ji Yunxi up in the palace.
Yu Xiaobei was a bit surprised when she saw this. Didn't Yu Mingyi like Ji Yunxi very much? Why did he suddenly lock her up?
"Your Highness, isn't Miss Ji allowed to go out?"
"Just take good care of her. Don't talk too much."
Ji Yunxi finally exploded. She stepped forward and slapped Yu Mingyi hard. "What on earth are you doing?!"
Yu Mingyi used his tongue to push against his slapped cheek. "Ji Yunxi, my patience is limited. Don't think that I'll always spoil you."
Suddenly, he seemed to get excited. "Now that you're in my territory, what do you think you can be proud of? Don't even think about leaving. If you try to leave, I'll inform Jiang Yaoji, and that person will surely die!"
Ji Yunxi was stunned for a moment and took a deep breath. She couldn't contact the outside world now, so she naturally didn't dare to bet Feng Xingzhi's life.
Yu Mingyi was about to say something else when suddenly someone came to him. "Your Highness, the elders of the clan request your presence."
He frowned, looking a bit dissatisfied. He had thought he could scold Ji Yunxi a few more times to make her afraid, and then he would get what he wanted.
He didn't even need to think to know what these people wanted from him. With a gloomy face, he waved his hand and closed the door tightly.
Ji Yunxi looked at herself being locked up, sighed, and then went back to the inner room and sat down.
Yu Xiaobei stepped forward carefully and said, "Miss..."
"It's okay. I'm tired. I'll take a rest first."
Yu Xiaobei knew that she was feeling sad, so she quietly stayed outside alone without saying a word.
On the other side, the elders of the clan were gathered in the hall, discussing animatedly. Most of them were opposed.
"The Crown Prince is really going too far!"
"Yes, how could he bring in a woman from an outside clan?!"
"He has been acting so wildly these years. He doesn't look like someone who can inherit the throne at all."
As soon as Yu Mingyi walked to the door, he heard these people gossiping about his marriage. His face immediately darkened.
"Shut up all of you."
He scolded coldly, obviously angry. "A bunch of old and useless things. How dare you point fingers at me?"
The elders were so angry that their eyes turned red after being insulted like this. "You! Although you're the Crown Prince, without the support of our noble families, how long do you think you can last?!"
"Then come and talk to me when you're willing to support me. My father is still on the throne. If you have something to say, go and say it directly to my father." Yu Mingyi suddenly looked at them sinisterly. "Otherwise, you're not qualified to say these things in front of me. What do your words count for?"
The elders obviously didn't expect Yu Mingyi to be so irritable now. He didn't give them any face at all.
They all looked at each other in dismay. After Yu Mingyi left, they immediately made an appointment to go and complain to the higher - ups.
Not to mention anything else, if Yu Mingyi gave the position of the Crown Princess to an outsider, what would happen to the children in their clan? Who would guarantee their future glory and wealth?
Thinking of this, everyone quickened their steps involuntarily.
Yu Mingyi's father was named Yu Shaoguang, the current emperor of the merman clan. He was cold - natured. When faced with the sudden arrival of the elders, his expression paused for a rare moment.
He had to admit that the bloodline of the merman clan was very important. So Yu Shaoguang was naturally not happy about Yu Mingyi suddenly bringing in a woman from an outside clan and being so high - profile about it.
Moreover, he couldn't afford to offend these elders for the time being. The power and influence they held couldn't be eliminated in a short time.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has really gone too far! Please discipline him properly!"
This was like slapping Yu Shaoguang in the face. With a hint of anger, he said, "Someone! Go and invite the Crown Prince here nicely!"
The elders finally seemed a bit satisfied after hearing Yu Shaoguang's words.
"Since Your Majesty has already spoken, we won't say anything more. As for the Crown Prince's rudeness to us, we believe Your Majesty will give us an explanation."