Yu Shuo sat down to have dinner with her; the dinner consisted of Qin Su's favorite dishes.

"I've never mentioned my eating habits, how do you know?" She was surprised and somewhat incredulous.

"Yes, you can find it if you pay more attention."

He would remember which dishes she would touch more often during each meal and gradually figure it out.

How could she bear to blame her husband for being so devoted?

Moreover, they weren't exactly at odds.

"I need to rest. As for keeping an eye on Xue Huai'an, please do so."

Yu Shuo nodded. "Let's rest."

...

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The Prince of Yangcheng asked the maidservant on guard, "Is the Princess willing to dine?"

The maid shook her head.

King Yangcheng had no choice but to go in and take a look.

We can't just let her continue like this. She hasn't eaten for two meals. How can she stand it?

Yu Niao sat on the ground, curled up, looking utterly devastated.

"Why!"

King Yangcheng sighed heavily.

"Does it have to be that kid Yu Shuo?" he asked Yu Niao.

Yu Niao turned her head away, "Fine, if Father won't help me, then so be it."

“How can I help you? Their marriage is an imperial decree, it’s not so easy to change. Besides, Yu Shuo is your cousin, how could you possibly get married?” This was one of the reasons why the Prince of Yangcheng disagreed with the marriage.

Another reason is that Yu Shuo is a difficult person to deal with, and Yu Niao would definitely suffer if she married him.

Besides, given their relationship, Emperor Mingyang would absolutely not agree to it.

The royal family simply cannot afford to lose face like this.

“We’re not related by blood. Besides, it would be absolutely no harm to us if our daughter married Yu Shuo.”

If she can marry Yu Shuo, with Yu Shuo's background, it will definitely elevate the power of the Yangcheng Prince's Mansion to a new level.

King Yangcheng shook his head, "When the founding emperor separated our lineage, it was impossible for us to go back."

He is content with his current situation.

The fiefdom was far from the capital, but the land was not barren. Compared with the other imperial uncles, the lineage of the Prince of Yangcheng was already extremely good.

"Can't you see? This marriage is not only satisfactory to Prince Chen, but also to His Majesty and even the Empress Dowager. How can you go against the entire royal family?" Prince Yangcheng felt exhausted, and no amount of persuasion from his daughter could help him.

"Maybe she's the one who deceived my cousin Ziyu and His Majesty. Someone like her would do something like that." She stubbornly believed that the child wasn't Yu Shuo's.

Almost everyone felt that Yu Shuo would not do something offensive to a woman before marriage.

"Enough!"

King Yangcheng didn't think Yu Shuo would do such a thing. How could a man resist temptation? Especially a beauty like Qin Su.

"If the child in Qin Su's belly isn't Yu Shuo's, do you think the Emperor wouldn't find out? The Empress Dowager wouldn't find out? Would they allow a child who doesn't belong to Yu Shuo to occupy the title of royalty?"

"In the end, Qin Su is just a princess without any real power base; she doesn't have the ability to deceive everyone."

“But… that’s simply impossible.” Yu Niao still believed it shouldn’t be like this.

The thought of Yu Shuo being defiled by other women caused her heartache and made her want to tear those "other women" to pieces.

"Think it through before you go out. If you don't want to eat, take the food away." King Yangcheng hardened his heart and said this directly to Yu Niao.

He had already realized that Emperor Mingyang and Yu Shuo were both on Qin Su's side. If his daughter, being naive, were to run into her again, even a god couldn't save her.

It's better to discipline people yourself than to leave them to be disciplined by others.

"Father!" Yu Niao looked at King Yangcheng in disbelief, but he had already left in his wheelchair. She grabbed her hair fiercely, "Why? Why is everyone on Qin Su's side?! What right does she have?! What right does she have?!"

Even her father isn't helping her, what else can she do? Give up?

No!

Yu Niao felt she couldn't give up. She had waited so long, finally grown up, and finally able to get married.

How could she tolerate marrying someone who wasn't the one she loved?

...

The next day, Qin Su changed into palace attire to accompany the Empress Dowager. She couldn't go hunting today, but she trusted Yu Shuo to make the arrangements.

On the other side.

Emperor Mingyang did indeed lead a few young men deeper into the forest in pursuit. He had just spotted a deer of exceptional quality; if he could shoot it down, the deer hide would make a beautiful pair of gloves.

But that deer is too fast; a group of people still haven't caught up with it.

"Waaah..."

Emperor Mingyang sensed something was wrong, immediately reined in his horse, and looked around warily.

“Something’s not right,” Chief Steward Deng said, voicing Emperor Mingyang’s thoughts.

"It must be wolves," Emperor Mingyang speculated, noting that the sounds just now resembled wolf howls.

However, there aren't many wolves in the hunting grounds, so there's no need to worry too much.

"It would be good to hunt a few wolves, Your Majesty. Let me do it." Steward Deng drew out a few arrows, ready to fire.

Those who could serve the emperor were no ordinary people. Chief Eunuch Deng Quan's horsemanship and archery skills came from the same teacher as the emperor, and he could easily handle several wolves.

Emperor Mingyang relaxed and laughed heartily, "Very well, then let's see if you can hunt a wolf today. If you can, I will reward you handsomely."

Deng Quan wasn't after Emperor Mingyang's reward at all. He had grown up with Emperor Mingyang and had long regarded him as family. He would have been willing to die for Emperor Mingyang as long as he was happy.

Several gray wolves sprang out of the bushes at great speed, but Deng Quan was even faster. His arrow shot out and struck the wolves in vital spots. The wolves whimpered a few times and then collapsed, lifeless.

Emperor Mingyang immediately clapped his hands, "Excellent, excellent, Deng Quan, you're still got it!"

Deng Quan laughed and said, "It's thanks to His Majesty's great fortune."

"Something's not right." Emperor Mingyang and Deng Quan simultaneously suppressed their smiles and immediately became alert.

"Walk!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and Emperor Mingyang immediately turned his horse around, wanting to leave quickly.

Unexpectedly, they were also surrounded by wolves from behind.

"Protect His Majesty!" Deng Quan drew his sword from his waist. Although he was a eunuch, he was now extremely brave.

The Imperial Guards and Qin's father, who were following him, also drew their swords immediately.

They soon realized the seriousness of the situation; the wolf pack was growing larger and larger, gathering almost all the wolves in the hunting grounds together.

Xue Huai'an rode up from the crowd and said loudly, "We will break through from the rear so that His Majesty can leave."

The others didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said, but his situation was somewhat sensitive.

But at this point, there's no time to worry about that.

The gray wolves gathered in increasing numbers, eyeing the invading humans with predatory intent, seemingly waiting for an opportunity to strike them dead.

"Awooo—"

Inside, a huge gray wolf howled to the sky, and the pack stirred.

Qin's father originally intended to protect Emperor Mingyang's safety with Deng Quan on either side, but unexpectedly, a young man squeezed in and took his place.

Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Xue Huai'an, and his expression immediately turned sour.

"what you do?"

Xue Huai'an had already prepared his explanation: "The matter is urgent. I urge Marquis Zhongyi to put aside past grievances and prioritize protecting His Majesty."

He wasn't wrong, but Qin's father was furious and wished he could smash a hammer over his head and crack his skull open.