"Get along with me? What do you mean, mother? Isn't Princess Ming Yue returning to the western vassal state with King Ming in a while?"

Lin Mengya pretended not to understand the message Concubine De was trying to convey as she looked at her with widened, puzzled eyes.

Concubine De did not think much of it. Her mouth turned up at its corners, forming a gentle smile.

"It is King Ming's intention to look for a family for Princess Ming Yue to marry into, and it just happened that she had her eyes on Yu'er. I'm aware that you two are still newlyweds and this is not totally appropriate, but it is difficult to turn King Ming down."

Lin Mengya was relieved to learn from Concubine De's tone that this matter was still not firmed up, but was only at the stage of discussion.

"Ya'er thinks that this would depend on Prince Yu's opinion. I'm merely a woman, how would I know of such things?"

She knew Long Tianhao too well. No one could force him into anything he did not want to do.

By then, she would dissuade Long Tianhao, so it would be impossible to Princess Ming Yue to marry him.

Concubine De was immediately reminded of her son's character.

Back at that time, Long Tianhao would not have given in to the Queen, if she had not threatened him with Concubine De's life.

"Sigh, what you said is right. This critical factor had slipped my mind. Oh yes, could you do mother a favor?"

She had seen with her own eyes the strong and intimate relationship between Yu'er and Ya'er.

As she reflected, that was exactly the kind of cordial and mutually respectful relationship she shared with the Emperor.

For this reason, she supposed Yu'er would listen to Ya'er.

"Mother, are you asking Ya'er to help persuade the prince?"

Lin Mengya looked to be put in a difficult situation. However, after she paused to ponder for a while, she eventually nodded unwillingly.

"Although I can't guarantee if I would succeed in persuading the prince, I'll try my best."

She had carefully concealed the triumphant look in her eyes. Lin Mengya secretly promised herself that she would totally dissuade Long Tianhao to marry Princess Ming Yue.

"Sigh, it would be great if Lin Lang is here. Yu'er listens to her most. It's just too bad she's not here."

Concubine De's words shook Lin Mengya up a little.

She tried suppressing the sour and bitter feeling in her heart and forced herself to look indifferent, and she began to inquire about Long Tianhao.

"Mother, I've heard the prince talk about Princess Linlang, but who is she?"

Concubine De gave her a look then shook her head and said, "That child, Lin Lang grew up with Yu'er. However, later on... forget this, this matter could not be explained clearly in a few sentences. I think you should go, I'm tired."

Lin Mengya nodded and left obediently.

The name Lin Lang was like a thorn, piercing into her heart.

Even Concubine De knew that Long Tianhao only listened to Lin Lang, and moreover they had grown up together, maybe—

All of a sudden, she felt an emptiness in her heart, as if a part of it had been dug out.

In reality, she had been deceiving herself and others.

"What happened, master?"

Baizhi tugged at Lin Mengya's sleeve as she gazed at her master with a worried look.

"Nothing, I was just thinking about how to persuade the prince later on."

Although the four maidservants were usually sensitive and thoughtful, they were totally clueless with regards to the relationship between the opposite sex.

They thought their master was brooding over the matter concerning Princess Ming Yue.

"Actually, I don't think the prince will marry Princess Ming Yue, so don't be so upset, master."

Baizhi was an attentive confidante to Lin Mengya. She would always put Lin Mengya first in her heart.

Baiji and Baishao merely exchanged looks.

It was common for the men of large families, especially noble families such as Prince Yu's, to have more than one wife and concubines.

Nevertheless, their master had just married into the family no long ago. She would have many miserable days ahead of her if Long Tianhao were to marry a concubine so quickly.

"I'm alright really, don't worry about me."

Lin Mengya forced a smile. Lin Lang alone was already breaking her heart. How would she have the energy to think about Princess Ming Yue?

An evil thought crossed Lin Mengya's mind even. Just let Ming Yue marry into the family. Anyways she would leave one day. If Long Tianhao married more capable concubines, Lin Lang would have a hard time dealing with them!

Making up her mind, Lin Mengya headed back to Liuxin Courtyard, filled with indignation.

However, the moment she entered the courtyard, she saw Long Tianhao, in his normal clothes, practicing sword moves with Xiaoyu, who had mysteriously returned.

His lanky figure was moving around with steady footwork.

Although his sword moves were not as vicious and aggressive as the other when he was combating the enemies, he was able to counter all of Xiaoyu's moves.

Looking at his back, Lin Mengya thought he looked proud and aloof as if he would bow down to or submit to another.

His long hair went up and down in sync with his movement, which enhanced his heroic spirit.

This image of Long Tianhao was also like a sharp sword, piercing into her heart.

Damn it! Why was he so handsome?

How could she bring herself to let go of him?

Lin Mengya gave both men a tender look, then quietly instructed Baiji and Baishao to prepare warm water and towels for the two men so they could refresh themselves.

Finally, the two called it a day when one of Xiaoyu's attack using his sword was blocked away.

"Elder sister, you're back!"

The youth who was a moment ago looking wielding his sword incisively broke out in a smile when he saw Lin Mengya.

This little guy was looking different every day.

His face was looking potentially more handsome.

Just one look from him was enough to win the hearts of many young girls.

Sigh, he would become trouble for the nation and people.

"Oh, how I missed you, elder sister."

The young man dashed up to Lin Mengya and cast his innocent eyes on her.

His forehead was covered with a thin layer of perspiration.

Lin Mengya took a towel soaked with warm water and started wiping away Xiaoyu's perspiration gently.

"I thought you were not coming back! Little guy, how have you been these few days?"

Baisu had told Lin Mengya that Xiaoyu was taken away by someone behind him.

For a moment, a look of impatience flashed across Xiaoyu's eyes, but soon he was back to looking obedient.

"I'm alright. I guess they can't really do anything to me. Just I missed you."

In reality, he had heard about how his elder sister was surrounded by the killers of Peach Blossom Dock when he was taken captive.

There and then, he had brought his sword to his neck, threatening to kill himself if those people did not try to save his elder sister.

Thank goodness his elder sister was safe and sound, otherwise, he would have gone crazy.

"That's good. Let's talk about this later."

Long Tianhao strode towards them and the pair wrapped up our conversation immediately.

"Mother had you stay back. What was it all about?"

Long Tianhao took over a clean tower which Lin Mengya had washed and started wiping his face.

"Indeed something's going on, but Your Highness, you might welcome as a good fortune."

Although Lin Mengya was smiling tenderly and sweetly, Long Tianhao could sense that something was amiss.

When did his princess ever put on a kindly smile? Something was fishy.

"Did mother rebuke you?"

Shaking her head, Lin Mengya continued smiling sweetly. This was making Long Tianhao feel ill at ease.

"Or had Ruqin been rude to you?"

She continued shaking her head, smiling. Long Tianhao could feel the hair on his back standing.

"Unless it's—"

"Congratulations, Your Highness, you're soon become King Ming's son-in-law."

Lin Mengya's bitter congratulations made Long Tianhao's stand.

How was that possible? This was ridiculous!

"What?!"

They went back into the house with Lin Mengya still smiling, but Long Tianhao was pulling a long face. There was no sign of joy on his face.

"This is outrageous! I'm going to look for the Crown Prince and King Ming right now!"

Long Tianhao's reaction took Lin Mengya by surprise.

She had thought that Long Tianhao would not reject this proposal.

"Why would you do that, Your Highness? Princess Ming Yue is gentle, virtuous, sensible and capable. Moreover, she is the apple of King Ming's eyes. If you marry her, it will be as good as gaining King Ming's support. Isn't that a good thing?"

While Lin Mengya continued to persuade Long Tianhao, acting all gentle and virtuous, all who were in the room could see that the princess was not speaking out of her heart.

Long Tianhao became silent as he set his gaze on Lin Mengya.

"Do you wish that I marry Princess Ming Yue?"

While Lin Mengya nodded, in her heart, she was scolding herself for being a hypocrite, saying things she did not mean.

Why? Why was she doing this against her own will?

Was she feeling jealous?

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

He spoke such indifference as if he was making a regular decision.

Long Tianhao had agreed to Lin Mengya's proposal without any resistance.

"Then, congratulations to Your Highness."

Lin Mengya could hear herself saying words of congratulations.

This should not be so! This should not be so! The voice in her head screamed in silence, but somehow, she stood her ground.

"Em, tomorrow I'll go to King Ming to discuss the details of the wedding. I guess you must be tired by now, go take a rest."

This appeared to be one of the many decisions Long Tianhao had to make on a normal day.

In his usually calm and collected manner, he had accepted Lin Mengya's suggestion this time.

Was this it？Was this all?

Lin Mengya's mind was blank. She had spoken those childish words out of a fit of anger.

Why? Why did Long Tianhao not reject the idea?

"All of you may leave. I'd like to have some time alone."

After all, marriage in the eyes of Long Tianhao was merely a tool of transaction.

She was too naive to think that Long Tianhao would not accept anyone else since Lin Lang was the only one who had a special place in his heart.

Did he not marry her in order to exchange for Concubine De's safety back then?

This was so heartbreaking!

All of a sudden, Lin Mengya's head started spinning and she fell into darkness.

"How is my master, doctor?"

"The princess must have overexerted herself. She should be fine after taking a rest. I will prescribe some tonic to restore her energy and health."

Lin Mengya could vaguely hear voices of conservation beside her.