Tian Yu was busy with the opening of the new store, and more than half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Everything was ready, but finding a shop and recruiting staff still took a lot of time. During this period, Zhao Moyan also came and went in a hurry, each time only having lunch with her and Tangyuan before leaving. Seeing how busy he was, Tian Yu did not dare to disturb him and asked him if he was angry. He said he was not angry, but there were too many things going on in the court recently. In order to ensure their safety, he added a few more guards to the courtyard. Tian Yu found it strange, but did not say anything and nodded in agreement.
The princess would return to visit Tian Yu every few days, but Li Xingyun was never seen. Sometimes she would simply arrange to meet him outside, much to Tian Yu's anxiety and frustration. At this moment, they were meeting at Huang Xuan's restaurant. Watching the passersby outside, the princess seemed much better, but Tian Yu felt something was missing. She had lost her former liveliness and cheerfulness, often lost in thought, like now, holding a wine glass, gazing out the window, seemingly lost in thought. Tian Yu rushed over and sat down beside her, but the princess didn't notice. Tian Yu reached out and took the wine glass from her hand, saying, "When did the princess learn to drink? Trying to drown your sorrows only makes them worse."
"Tian Yu, when did you arrive? You didn't make a sound."
"Princess, didn't you hear me? What are you thinking about so intently?"
"I wasn't thinking about anything, just looking around. Look how happy the pedestrians on the street are, chatting and laughing."
"What's wrong? The princess seems unhappy today."
"Today, the Empress Dowager has selected several young men from prominent families for me to choose from."
"So, am I good-looking?"
"Everything is fine, but me!?" The princess said, her eyes reddening.
"I didn't like it!"
"Tian Yu, what should I do?" she said, tears already streaming down her face.
Tian Yu got up and sat down next to the princess, putting her arm around her shoulder to comfort her, saying, "It's okay, it's not a big deal. If you don't like her, you don't have to marry her. Just follow your heart."
"Follow your heart? Can I?" the princess asked Tian Yu, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
"Of course you can! As long as you're alive, nothing is impossible. Don't be discouraged!"
"But I am a princess, do I have any other choice?"
“That’s right! You are a princess! A princess of the Wu Kingdom! If you don’t have a choice, then aren’t the other women in the Wu Kingdom even more miserable! Believe in yourself!” Tian Yu said, holding the princess’s hand.
"Is that so? But what other options are there now? Father has already given the order!"
"Yes! There are many, but I wonder what kind of ending the princess wants?"
"What!?"
"You can try my brother again. If he also has feelings for you, you won't have to suffer so much."
"Does he even have feelings for me? But the problem is, even if he does, my father won't approve of us being together, so the outcome will be the same!"
"Your father will agree. After all, my brother's ancestors were imperial physicians, and you also have the Marquis and the Fifth Prince. Don't worry, there's always a way. As long as you're willing, we'll all help you!"
"Really?!"
"Of course! But if you really get together with my brother, have you thought it through? He has a leg disability, and his life may not be as comfortable in the future. Moreover, the worst outcome is that he will fall out with your father, and you may no longer be a princess and have to live a life of wandering. Even so, are you still willing?"
The princess said excitedly, "As long as I can be with him, I'm willing to go anywhere and live any kind of life."
"If my brother really doesn't have feelings for you, can you let go and start over?" Tian Yu asked again.
"This!? If Brother Xingyun really doesn't like me, I... I will slowly let go!" the princess said sadly.
"That's right. Love is important, but it's not everything in your life. If you find it, try your best to win it over. Even if you can't be together, at least you won't have any regrets! Princess, no matter what the outcome, I hope you can live well. Only by living can there be hope!"
"Okay! I'll do as you say!"
"Are you really sure about this?"
"Hmm! But will Father and Mother agree?"
"Well, think about it! Since ancient times, what parent has ever been able to win over a rebellious child? Don't worry! The biggest problem now is how to win over my brother!"
"Take...take it!? How do I take it?"
"Hmm, this? My brother is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and he's stubborn as a mule. You definitely can't win him over with ordinary methods, but once he's in love, it's for life. It seems like this is the only way to try."
Tian Yu whispered something in the princess's ear for a long time. The princess's expression changed several times before she finally asked doubtfully, "Will this work?"
"Don't worry, it'll definitely work!" Tian Yu said with a smile.
"But isn't this a bad idea?!" Gongzu asked, still somewhat incredulous.
"So, do you want to continue being sad alone, or do you want to live happily ever after with the one you love in the future?"
The princess mustered her courage and said, "Alright! I'll try, but!?"
"No buts, just listen to me."
"Okay! I'll listen to you! But let me think about it some more, give me some time first."
"Okay! Let's eat now."
"Tian Yu, why are you helping me so much?"
"I didn't help you!? I was helping myself."
"How so?"
"Think about it! If you become my sister-in-law, no one will compete with me for the Marquis's title, and wouldn't it be impressive to have a sister-in-law in the palace? Of course, I didn't initially intend for you to become my sister-in-law. I wanted to introduce you to some good men, but who knew that you wouldn't choose any of these outstanding young men from noble families, and instead fell for my brother, so this is the only way!"
Anyway, thank you!
"You're welcome. Just don't hold it against me!"
"How could that be! How could I have met Brother Xingyun without you!"
"That's good. Eat up! The food's getting cold. Look how thin you are. Seeing you makes me understand what love is in this world, that it can make people willing to die for each other."
"Isn't that what love is all about? Isn't that what you feel for the Marquis?"
"No! I do like him, but I am also myself. I have my own things to do, and I won't give up my life for him. Someone like you can only live in fairy tales; there are no such people in the real world." Tian Yu said this, but in her heart she also told herself that Zhao Moyan was not her everything, and she still had to be herself.
"Then you don't love the Marquis enough."
"Love?! Your kind of love is terrifying, I would never do that!" Tian Yu said stubbornly.
“Now I understand why they all felt sorry for the Marquis,” the princess said.
"Is he pitiful? Is he so pitiful there?" Tian Yu asked.
Can't you tell?
Tian Yu shook her head and said, "No! Why do you all feel sorry for him?"
"Because of you!"
After parting ways with the princess, Tian Yu hadn't gone far when she encountered several servants who introduced themselves and invited her to the Li residence for a chat. Seeing this, Tian Yu didn't think much of it, gave Green Willow and Autumn Chrysanthemum a few words of advice, and got into their carriage. Autumn Chrysanthemum and Green Willow were anxious, but they still listened to Tian Yu and went back to Qin Garden to wait for news.
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