After leaving Su Zhengyi's study, the King of Yu paused for a moment, then changed his direction and headed towards Su Mingyu's courtyard.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Zhizhu coming towards him.
Zhizhu seemed extremely afraid of him, with her eyes cast down to the ground. "G-greetings, Your Highness, the King of Yu."
Having no intention of chatting with a maid, the King of Yu stared at her coldly. "Where's Su Mingyu?"
Zhizhu answered timidly, "Miss is in her room. The King of Ruixian just sent her back. She's still in a deep sleep."
Hearing this, the King of Yu glanced at the closed door. "Is there anything wrong with her health?"
"I... I don't know." Zhizhu was on the verge of crying, her voice trembling. "The King of Ruixian said that Miss was just too tired, which was why she fainted. He told me not to call the doctor."
Too tired? He himself had been exposed to that kind of aphrodisiac incense. There was a high chance that Su Mingyu had been affected as well. And now that Gu Ruobai had sent her back intact, the King of Yu could almost guess what had happened without much thought.
Unconsciously clenching his fists, a sense of vexation welled up in his chest. Without even sparing a glance at Zhizhu, he turned around and left the courtyard.
Only when the King of Yu was far enough away did Zhizhu let out a long sigh of relief and return to Su Mingyu's room.
There, she saw Su Mingyu sipping her tea leisurely, showing no sign of being tired at all.
"Miss, why did you ask me to lie to the King of Yu? What if he finds out? Won't you be in trouble?"
Zhizhu's legs were so weak from fear. "You don't know how terrifying the King of Yu's eyes were."
Su Mingyu couldn't help but laugh at her timid look. "What are you so scared of? He won't eat people. But if you didn't help me lie, we might both end up in his jaws."
"Ah?" Zhizhu covered her mouth in horror. "What on earth did you do?"
Su Mingyu gave her a mysterious smile. "For your own safety, I can't tell you."
"Alright, go and do what I told you."
After saying that, Su Mingyu started to shoo her away. Zhizhu pouted. "The news about the King of Yu and the Second Miss has already spread like wildfire outside. Why do we still need to spend money to spread it, and even hire beggars and hooligans?"
Su Mingyu let out an almost inaudible sigh. "If it's just passed down among the official families, when will it reach the common people and become well - known?"
Zhizhu nodded in realization. "I understand. I'll go and do it right away."
The news about Su Yueyue and the King of Yu spread throughout the city that very night.
Most people were scolding them for their immoral behavior, but there were also some who were envious.
After all, this incident was enough to elevate Su Yueyue to the position of the Princess of Yu.
Unlike the hustle and bustle outside, Su Mingyu didn't seem to care much about the outcome. The next day, she sneaked out of the mansion and went to find Gu Ruobai.
After telling Gu Ruobai what had happened on her side, Gu Ruobai squinted his eyes with a half - smile.
Su Mingyu looked at him suspiciously. "What's wrong? I feel like you're up to something."
Gu Ruobai took a sip of his tea casually. "I just think that someone's dream of becoming a princess is about to shatter."
Su Mingyu frowned. "Su Yueyue? I think the King of Yu cares about her quite a bit."
After all, he had personally sent her back to the mansion. He should value her quite a lot, right?
Gu Ruobai glanced at Su Mingyu from the corner of his eye, a sneer playing on his cold face. "If he really wanted to marry Su Yueyue, he would have made it clear when he confronted Su Zhengyi in the Su Mansion."
"Given Su Zhengyi's personality, he would have surely spread the news far and wide. But it's already been a night. Have you seen any signs of it?"
"Moreover..." Gu Ruobai looked at Su Mingyu with a lowered gaze. "When I asked the Emperor to bestow a marriage on us, the Emperor was so happy that he issued the decree immediately. It's almost mid - morning. Have you seen any movement from the King of Yu's side?"
Hearing this, Su Mingyu suddenly realized. "It seems that Su Yueyue can only be a concubine."
As she said this, Su Mingyu sighed. "Poor Su Yueyue. Her biggest wish was to become the Princess of Yu, but now it's gone."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Ruobai raised his eyebrows and looked at her.
Su Mingyu was startled by the intensity in Gu Ruobai's eyes. She felt a bit uncomfortable and touched her nose. "What's wrong?"
Gu Ruobai curled his thin lips. "This is all your doing."
"Mine?" Su Mingyu pointed at herself. It took her a while to understand what Gu Ruobai meant. "You mean the King of Yu is taking his anger out on Su Zhengyi and Su Yueyue?"
Gu Ruobai raised his eyebrows. "So, we just need to wait for the news."
Su Mingyu pouted. Although this was what she had hoped for, she didn't expect things to go so smoothly.
As if to prove Gu Ruobai's words, Mu Yi walked in shortly after.
He whispered something in Gu Ruobai's ear. Gu Ruobai's eyes narrowed slightly, then he looked at Su Mingyu. "Concubine."
Su Mingyu clicked her tongue. "Not even a concubine consort?"
The King of Yu was really ruthless. This was like telling everyone that even if you've slept with me, you'll be whatever I want you to be.
Su Yueyue was still a young maiden. She had been seen in such a situation in public, and she only had eyes for the King of Yu. Yet, this was her outcome.
A sarcastic smile played on the corner of Su Mingyu's eyes. "I can't wait to go back and see Su Yueyue's expression."
"I'll go with you." Gu Ruobai raised his eyebrows and looked at her.
Su Mingyu was about to refuse, but the words got stuck in her throat. "Alright. Let's go and give my lovely sister some advice. Otherwise, she might even mess up the concubine position she's finally got."
Just as they were about to leave, Mu Yi came back with a rather grim expression.
"What's wrong?"
Su Mingyu's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly had a bad feeling.
Mu Yi looked at Su Mingyu, then at Gu Ruobai.
Gu Ruobai frowned. "What on earth is it? Just say it."
Mu Yi lowered his head. " Mei Qing... went to Lord Mo's mansion and said she wanted to thank Mo Wenyuan."
Gu Ruobai's face darkened slightly. "Wasn't she supposed to be entertaining guests at the First Fragrance? Why did she go to Lord Mo's mansion?"
Su Mingyu pursed her lips. "Maybe she just wanted to express her gratitude."
Then she looked at Mu Yi. "Tell her we appreciate the gesture but don't need the gifts. And ask her not to go there again."
Mu Yi looked at Gu Ruobai for confirmation. "My lord... forgive Mu Yi for being blunt..."
"Since you know you're being blunt, don't say it." Su Mingyu interrupted him coldly. "Go and get rid of Mei Qing."
As soon as Su Mingyu said this, both Mu Yi and Gu Ruobai were a bit shocked.
Since Su Mingyu and their master had gotten closer, Mu Yi had occasionally helped Su Mingyu with some trivial matters. But Su Mingyu had always been politely proper in her attitude.