Fan Lianyi helped the man back into the house. She glanced around warily, then pulled Song Kaifeng aside and whispered, "Cousin, I don't want to stay in the Duke of Jingguo's mansion for even a day longer. Let's take this opportunity to negotiate with the princess and leave."
She took Song Yao's words to heart.
But I don't want to involve Song Yao.
She only wanted to take this opportunity to take Song Mao away with her.
Song Kaifeng remained silent with a cold face.
As the two were discussing, a series of footsteps suddenly came from the courtyard. Fan Lianyi got up to look and saw that there were six more Imperial Guards, a head maid, and a doctor carrying a medicine box in the courtyard.
Her eyelids twitched, and she quickly went to greet them at the door.
"The princess has decreed that from today onwards, anyone in the Rose Courtyard who is unwell may come to see Doctor Li," said the head maid.
"Granny, what does the princess mean by this?" Fan Lianyi asked awkwardly.
The old woman said coldly, "The Third Miss is currently discussing marriage; the Princess forbids anyone from interfering."
The hope that had just begun to rise was instantly extinguished by a bucket of water. Fan Lianyi's face turned pale. She wanted to ask more questions, but she met the nanny's sharp eyes, which frightened her so much that she retreated uneasily.
The moonlight grew stronger
After washing up early, Song Yue couldn't sleep. She propped her chin up and sat on the windowsill under the eaves, gazing at the dark sky. Suddenly, an enticing fragrance wafted to her nose.
She sat up.
What came into view was Zhao Zhiyan carrying several bags of oil paper in one hand and two jugs of wine in the other.
Song Yue asked in surprise, "How did you get in?"
With so many Imperial Guards in Yuehua Pavilion, even if Zhao Zhiyan's martial arts skills were high, it would be impossible for him to enter silently unless someone deliberately let him in.
“These past two days, the Imperial Guards have been on night duty.” He explained as he lifted his robe and sat down on the ground, the two of them looking at each other through the window.
Zhao Zhiyan raised the wine pot in his hand: "Fruit wine, it won't make you drunk."
Song Yue leaned over and took it, bringing it close to her nose for a gentle sniff. The aroma was delightful, and the taste was just right – not spicy at all.
After drinking together for a while, Zhao Zhiyan finally got down to business: "I am your best choice."
Song Yue stared into his dark eyes.
In fact, he was indeed the best choice. Guangjia was the former crown prince. Once the internal and external troubles were resolved, Guangjia's position would become awkward, and the Northern Chu Emperor would not tolerate Guangjia's existence.
Although the Prince of Shen's family saved his elder brother, the Prince of Shen's foundation is the weakest among them. The Prince of Shen's heir was adopted by the Emperor of Northern Chu. What will happen to the Prince of Shen himself?
After considering all the options, Zhao Zhiyan's identity was the most suitable.
He was not only an elder of the Prince of Guangjia, but also of pure blood, which was enough to convince people.
"Is Eighth Imperial Uncle really interested in the throne?" Song Yue was still self-aware. She was just an immature girl who hadn't yet developed her beauty. What kind of beauties hadn't someone like Zhao Zhiyan seen?
Marrying oneself is definitely not out of love.
Zhao Zhiyan's eyes flickered slightly, then he smiled: "Your mother wasn't the only one sent away for a political marriage back then."
Song Yue was stunned.
“Three years ago, another person was sent away.” Zhao Zhiyan raised the wine pot to his lips, took a big gulp, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips: “I owe her an explanation. Don’t worry, if anything happens to me, you can guard my cenotaph and live peacefully as the Eighth Prince’s Consort. No one will make things difficult for you. Just be more restrained in private and don’t go too far. I think you will live a happy and joyful life.”
It has to be said that these words really moved Song Yue, and she even felt a sense of enlightenment. The wine in her mouth even tasted sweeter.
After several rounds of drinks...
Zhao Zhiyan stood up, his gaze fixed intently on Song Yue: "What do you think?"
Song Yue nodded without hesitation: "Eighth Imperial Uncle is so honest and has helped me many times. I should repay him."
The two high-fived as a pledge, which was considered an agreement.
Two days later
A flower-viewing banquet was held in the palace.
Everyone attending the banquet knew that it was a banquet specially prepared for the Third Sister.
Many carriages gathered at the palace gate early in the morning.
Princess Jia Hua's carriage stopped at the palace gate, immediately attracting a crowd, including Princess Shen.
"Princess."
Princess Shen smiled at her: "Whatever choice the Third Miss makes today, we will support her. Don't worry, if the Third Miss takes a fancy to my son, I will definitely treat him as my own son."
Princess Jia Hua smiled.
Song Yue, standing behind him, kept her eyes down and remained silent throughout.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, one finds a profusion of flowers in full bloom.
The ladies and young women were all gathered together watching the opera, while she sat in a corner, listlessly munching on a pastry.
Suddenly, Yun Dong gently tugged at her sleeve.
Song Yue looked in the direction Yun Dong was looking. The opposite pavilion was already full of people, all of them scions of noble families, writing poems and painting.
"Third Sister."
Princess Zhennan walked towards her with a gentle smile on her face, just like an elder who cares about a younger generation.
Song Yue returned the gift.
"No need for such formalities." Princess Zhennan sighed, "In the end, it was Zhao Ge'er who was not fortunate enough to marry you. I never imagined that the Third Miss would have such great fortune to come."
Princess Zhennan never dreamed that three families would be seeking her hand in the same boat.
She originally thought that someone as cunning and domineering as Song Yue would never be married, and that she was nothing compared to Pei Zhao.
Song Yue pursed her lips and remained silent.
"I wonder which one the Third Miss has taken a fancy to?" Princess Zhennan's gaze lingered on the group of people in the opposite corridor. "In terms of status, Prince Guangjia is the most suitable. They are of similar age, and Prince Guangjia is a leading figure among the aristocratic families of the capital. Prince Shen's heir is also good. Princess Shen is beautiful and kind-hearted, and she has done your family a favor. As for the Eighth Prince, he would mess up the seniority..."
Song Yue looked up at the Zhennan Princess with a sneer on her lips: "I feel like the Princess wishes she were ten years younger so she could find a husband for me."
Upon hearing her words, the Princess of Zhennan's face instantly turned cold: "Sharp-tongued!"
“Prince Guangjia did stay under the care of Princess Zhennan for a while and had a good relationship with Pei Zhao. Prince Shen is also Prince Zhennan’s cousin, so they have a good relationship as well. It’s only the Eighth Prince who doesn’t give him any face and isn’t close to the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion. No wonder.” Song Yue shrugged and saw through Princess Zhennan’s thoughts.
Princess Zhennan wanted nothing more than to tear Song Yue's mouth apart, for as the saying goes, "You can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth": "You're so ostentatious..."
“Your Highness, I am a notorious person. I often beat and talk back to you. Your Highness is dressed so beautifully today. If you were thrown into the lake and turned into chicken soup, you would lose all face. Don’t blame me for not warning you,” Song Yue said.
Princess Zhennan immediately shut her mouth, gave Song Yue a strange look, and then strode away.
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