An incident of the heroic rescuing of a damsel in distress became widely known among the aristocracy in the capital city completely solidifying the marital destiny between Yan Yi Ming and the Crown Prince.
Back then, Young Lady Yan, who had been deeply infatuated with the Crown Prince, had spent three years chasing after him. Now, she had finally achieved her long-cherished wish to marry the Crown Prince. Disregarding the twists and turns in the middle, this could be considered a beautiful conclusion to that story.
The episode in the imperial garden spread like wildfire. The Crown Prince disregarded the dangers and personally dove into the water to rescue Yan Yi Ming. Yan Yi Ming was so touched by his actions and was overjoyed and moved to tears. The story had a concise flow with a clear beginning and ending. The recent rumors circulating about Yan Yi Ming and Nangong Ye were conveniently forgotten by everyone.
As Nangong Xuan had predicted, upon hearing the events of that day, the Emperor greatly praised Yan Yi Ming and Nangong Xuan. He also mentioned that since the Crown Prince had already taken the purity of the young lady, there was no reason not to take responsibility. Moreover, with the heaven-sent match of a talented and beautiful couple, the Emperor could not find any fault with this perfect pairing. He immediately issued an imperial decree for their marriage, with the wedding date scheduled after the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony.
To outsiders, this seemed like a beautiful story, but the atmosphere in Duke Ding’s residence was despondent. If it were not for Nangong Ye, Duke Ding’s residence would have been ecstatic. However, they had a prior tacit agreement with Nangong Ye and yet, a royal decree had now forcefully determined the outcome.
The crime of deceiving the monarch was a heavy burden that Duke Ding’s residence could not bear.
With the latest incident of falling into the water, even without Little Apple informing Yan Yi Ming of Nangong Xuan’s growing fondness, Yan Yi Ming could also discern the recent increase in affection Nangong Xuan had towards her. The precious treasures that he once was reluctant to give to her were now continuously being delivered to Duke Ding’s residence.
Lu Mei nearly went blind staring at the dazzling array of jewelry. She cautiously asked her mistress, “My Lady, don’t you used to like these things?”
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Zyd Zk Ykdt nypwyzzu rknjle wr y fyel bykarkd clqsal alvwadkdt kv vs vbl csm. “Rq vbkdtp bye rypple vblka vkxl, lhld kq vblu olal sdnl talyvzu qyhsale, vblu dso ds zsdtla bsze vbl pyxl pktdkqknydnl sa kxrsavydnl yp clqsal. Rd vbl qwvwal, obyvlhla vbl Uasod Vakdnl pldep, fwpv byde kv shla vs xu xsvbla yde byhl bla bydezl kv yp pbl ellxp qkv.”
Lydtsdt Zl awpble cynj vs vbl nyrkvyz rspv-bypvl. Ekvbswv nbydtkdt sa qalpbldkdt wr, bl oldv pvayktbv vs vbl ryzynl vs xllv vbl Oxrlasa.
Gzvbswtb bl ldnswdvlale psxl vaswczlp ewakdt bkp vakr, Lydtsdt Zl bydezle kv lmnlrvksdyzzu olzz. Mbl Oxrlasa, obs yzalyeu blze y bktb altyae qsa vbkp uswdt psd sq bkp, wrsd pllkdt bkp nswaytl yde nyryckzkvklp sdzu ellrldle bkp yexkayvksd.
Gqvla vbl nsaawrvksd nypl oyp bydele shla vs vbl Rxrlakyz Uldpsayvl qsa qwavbla kdhlpvktyvksd, vbl sqqknkyzp alprsdpkczl qsa bydezkdt vbl xyvvla olal blyhkzu aloyaele.
Mbl Oxrlasa elnalle vbl lpvyczkpbxldv sq y dlo qklqesx qsa Lydtsdt Zl yde nsdqlaale vbl vkvzl sq Vakdnl Zwl wrsd bkx. Gqvla vbl Uasod Vakdnl yde vbl lzelpv rakdnl, Lydtsdt Zl dso blze vbl xspv ralpvktkswp vkvzl yxsdt vbl svbla rakdnlp.
Gqvla vbl aloyaep yde vkvzl olal clpvsole, vbl Oxrlasa, zkjl lhlau saekdyau qyvbla, cltyd nbyvvkdt ycswv qyxkzu xyvvlap okvb bkp psd. Tl xldvksdle vbyv nskdnkeldvyzzu, kd y qlo eyup, vbl Uasod Vakdnl’p alpkeldnl oswze yzps cl nlzlcayvkdt y fsuswp snnypksd, yde kv oyp yzps yd srrsavwdl vkxl qsa Lydtsdt Zl vs xshl vs bkp dlo alpkeldnl xyjkdt vbkp y eswczl nlzlcayvksd.
Lydtsdt Zl yppwxle vbyv vbl fsuswp snnypksd oyp alqlaakdt vs vbl lhldvwyz wdksd clvolld Kkyd Zw’la yde Lydtsdt Dwyd. G bkdv sq y pxkzl yrrlyale sd bkp bydepsxl qlyvwalp yp bl pyke, “Gqvla R ryu xu alprlnvp vs Ysvbla Oxralpp, R okzz nlavykdzu ts vs Ozela Jasvbla’p ryzynl vs sqqla xu nsdtayvwzyvksdp.”
Mbl Oxrlasa, obs yzoyup yrralnkyvle pllkdt bkp nbkzeald pbyal nzspl alzyvksdpbkrp, oyp hlau rzlyple. Tl ryvvle Lydtsdt Zl sd vbl pbswzela yde pyke, “Omnlzzldv! Fbyakdt pwnb ellr yqqlnvksd clvolld casvblap kp y osdelaqwz vbkdt. Gp qsa vbl uswdt zyeu sq Zyd’p qyxkzu, pbl byp clld yniwykdvle okvb vbl Uasod Vakdnl pkdnl nbkzebsse yde vblu nswze cl nsdpkelale yp nbkzebsse pollvblyavp. Lso, vbaswtb y plaklp sq qsavwdyvl lhldvp, kv byp clnsxl y clywvkqwz vyzl yde vblu nswze cl nsdpkelale y xyvnb xyel kd blyhld…”
As soon as the Emperor’s words fell, Nangong Xuan, who was still smiling, turned deathly pale in an instant. It felt like he had misheard and he asked uncertainly, “Father Emperor… Who are you referring to?”
“Who else could it be? She’s the one and only Yan Yi Ming from Duke Ding’s residence.” The Emperor found this matter amusing and thoroughly shared the episode’s details with Nangong Ye, “On the day of your mother’s birthday celebration, that child accidentally fell into the water, and it was your elder brother who personally rescued her…”
It was currently in the midst of a scorching summer, Nangong Ye was dressed in his thick court attire and should have felt exceptionally hot. However, at that very moment, he felt an overwhelming chill that seemed to have penetrated deep into his core and heart.
The Emperor finally noticed that something was amiss with Nangong Ye and, with great concern, asked, “Are you feeling alright?”
Nangong Ye clenched his fists tightly as his teeth grind harshly against each other.
“…Perhaps the exhaustion from the journey is finally taking its toll on me. Please allow this child to return and rest for a moment, change into some clean clothes, before heading to Kunning Palace to give my greeting to Mother Empress.”
Nangong Ye’s complexion was indeed not great at the moment. The Emperor refrained from saying more as he waved his hand to allow Nangong Ye to go back and rest.
Upon reaching Kunning Palace, the Emperor mentioned this matter to the Empress, shocking her into dropping the teacup that was in her hand. She forced a smile and excused herself under the pretext of instructing the imperial physician to check on Nangong Ye. After leaving the hall, she hurriedly instructed a servant to inform the Crown Prince.
During the peak of summer, Yan Yi Ming enjoyed hiding under a shady spot by the lake to escape the heat. As she was listening to Lu Mei’s recent conversation about the most popular operas in the capital, a sudden commotion erupted in the distance, accompanied by a myriad of chaotic and hurried footsteps. Soon after, anxious voices cried out, “My Lord…”
For a split second, Yan Yi Ming did not immediately realize who the address of ‘My Lord’ was referring to. It took her a moment to recall that Nangong Ye was no longer the Fifth Prince but an imperial prince who had established his title and received his fiefdom.
Lu Mei was frightened and immediately closed her mouth, nervously eyeing the approaching raging figure.
Just now, Yan Yi Ming had just received the news that Nangong Ye had entered the Imperial City. Logically speaking, he should have gone straight into the imperial palace to meet the Emperor and the Empress. However, unexpectedly, he was already storming into the residence of Duke Ding, demonstrating his urgency.
The maidservants chasing behind him nervously explained that their young lady was currently not home, but Nangong Ye seemed not to have heard. It was as if he had a telepathic connection with her and had directly made his way until he was standing right in front of Yan Yi Ming.
Having not seen each other for over a month, Nangong Ye’s height seemed to have increased significantly, and his face had shed some of its previous childishness, making him look more handsome and imposing. However, his dashing features were currently distorted by anger, making him look terrifying to the point where it intimidated others into not daring to breathe loudly. He was like a wild beast ready to pounce on Yan Yi Ming and tear her apart.
Yan Yi Ming observed him for quite a while before putting down the fan in her hand. She then courteously curtsy to Nangong Ye, “Greetings, My Lord.”
Nangong Ye stared at the still-dazzling woman before him. At the words “My Lord”, it felt as if his heart were instantly crushed by a hand, the pain turning everything into a blur of flesh and blood.
He stepped forward, the pain and despair was difficult to suppress at the back of his throat causing those beautiful eyes to be bloodshot.
“I rushed back with much joy in my heart, and this is the surprise you give me.”
Yan Yi Ming remained silent.
The entourage consisting of Madame Yan and others rushed over upon hearing the news of Nangong Ye’s arrival from the servant. Yan Yi Qi, who heard Nangong Ye’’s words became anxious as he tried to explain, “Fifth Hig- No, My Lord, my sister did not mean to wrong you. She accidentally fell into the water while trying to save Jian Yu’er, and the Crown Prince happened to rescue her…”
Yan Yi Ming saved Jian Yu’er from drowning but accidentally fell into the water herself. The Crown Prince then rescued Yan Yi Ming.
What a classic tale of a hero rescuing the beauty.
However, it was because of this ‘hero saving the beauty’ that completely severed all ties between him and Yan Yi Ming.
Why did he have to leave the capital during this period?
Why did he not manage to make it back in time for Mother Empress’s birthday celebration?
Why wasn’t he the one who rescued her?
Why did the Crown Prince have to be the one who saved her? And why did she have to save Jian Yu’er?
While everyone thought that this statement finally calmed Nangong Ye down, little did they know these words left a deep gash in Nangong Ye’s heart.
Yan Yi Qi was about to say more when Nangong Ye, who could no longer suppress his anger, shouted, “Scram!”
Having never seen Nangong Ye lose his composure like this, Yan Yi Ming turned towards Madame Yan and whispered, “There is something I need to say to His Lord in private. Mother, need not worry.”
Nangong Ye raised his head to look at her, still unable to discern any expression on her face. He recalled what Yan Yi Ming had told him initially. She did not want to make things difficult for Jian Yu’er for fear of displeasing the Crown Prince. Now, Yan Yi Ming had gone as far as to fall into the water to save Jian Yu’er. Why? What was her motive? Was it all for the sake of the Crown Prince?
Reaching out to pinch Yan Yi Ming’s chin, his gaze firmly locking onto hers, Nangong Ye asked, “Why did you save Jian Yu’er?”
Yan Yi Ming seemed oblivious to the pain on her jaw. After a moment, she lowered her eyelashes, “It is exactly what My Lord has in mind.”
In an instant, hatred overwhelmed his entire being, and Nangong Ye lost control as he roared, “Do you love him that much?!”
“I don’t love him…”
“But everything you’ve done tells me that you still love him!”
With a loud bang, a gust of wind swept by Yan Yi Ming’s ears which caused her to instinctively close her eyes. The man’s heavy breathing lingered in her ears for a long time. Yan Yi Ming did not open her eyes until she felt a sharp sting on her lips. Nangong Ye kissed her fiercely as if he wanted to devour her, he was full of resentment. In his rage, he bit her lips forcefully, and only upon hearing Yan Yi Ming’s muffled groan did he finally withdraw but he kept his gaze locked onto hers.
Yan Yi Ming touched her sore lips and whispered, “Your Highness, please believe me, I will only marry you and not the Crown Prince.”
Nangong Ye sneered, a cynical smile hung on his face. A marriage bestowed by the Emperor himself, and she did not plan to accept it? Ha! Was she planning to defy the imperial decree? That was impossible…
Moreover, being able to marry the crown prince was precisely what she had always dreamed of, no?
Now, her heartfelt desire was finally about to be fulfilled.
Not wanting to see her or hear her voice anymore, Nangong Ye turned and strode away with large strides.
He could no longer trust a single word that came out of this woman’s mouth.
Yan Yi Ming slowly opened her eyes, running her fingers over her bitten lip. From the periphery of her eye, she spotted the bloodstain left by Nangong Ye’s fist on the artificial mountain. She called for Little Apple to take care of the wound on her lip.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, she could not afford to keep such an injury on display right now.
Poor baby Ye’er…
(T⌓T)
I wasn’t sure if I should add this author’s note since it might be a spoiler (about who the male lead is). So, I shall add it as a footnote for those that want to know.
P.S. When I first read the novel, I didn’t spot this author’s note, and to be honest, I feel that it’s better not to know about it when one reads it. BUT, those who decided to know, please don’t spoil it for other readers that might want to be kept in the suspense.
Thank you!
(人´∀`)
The author has something to say:
Alright, it’s quite heart-wrenching. Please be prepared for some emotional turmoil.
HERE1For those who have been consistently asking about the male lead, you can take another look at the synopsis. After re-reading it, you’ll probably be able to guess who the male lead will be..
Thanks for the chapter. I still don’t get who the male is