L'hibiscus comme peinture - Chapitre 105
"Your Highness..." Yueying's voice arrived before she did.
Sitting by the window, Jin Xuan, who resembled Liu, suddenly stood up. In a flash, he rushed in front of Yue Ying, almost startling her. But Jin Xuan couldn't care less at this moment. He grabbed her shoulders and asked anxiously, "How is it? Has the Lord still not replied?"
"Hmm!" Yueying's face fell, and she nodded.
Jinxuan dejectedly lowered his hand, turned around in disappointment to write another letter.
"I was just kidding! Although my brother didn't reply, he sent me a message." Yueying's gloomy face lit up instantly, and she smiled mischievously.
"Really? What did Jun say?" Jinxuan suddenly turned around, excitedly grabbed Yueying's shoulders again, and asked anxiously, his heart pounding with anxiety and his face full of tension.
“Brother said: A perfect day is not a dream.” Yueying happily relayed 'Aojun's' words.
"A perfect day is not a dream? Haha... It really is a perfect day is not a dream! That's wonderful, wonderful! Yueying, Jun, she really said that? She really agreed? Haha..." Jinxuan's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, like a child, waving his arms and legs. His heart had never been so happy and satisfied. He thought he was really going to lose Jun forever, but unexpectedly, he had regained her. Haha...
"You don't believe me, hmph..." Yueying said, feigning anger.
"No, no, you are the most trusted sister of the king, how could I not believe you? I'm just too happy," Jinxuan quickly apologized. Mo Yueying had helped him and the king so much, and she was also the king's most trusted person; how could he doubt her words?
"Hmph, but what does that mean?" Yueying looked completely bewildered.
"Haha... In my letter to you, I wrote: 'Tender as water, a beautiful dream.' But you replied: 'A beautiful dream is not a dream,' haha... She has agreed to marry me, haha... I'm going to see her." Jin Xuan laughed happily as he rushed out. He wished he could fly to the Crown Prince's tutor's residence immediately, hug you tightly, and pamper you.
"I see." Yueying suddenly realized, and seeing Jinxuan about to rush out, she quickly grabbed him and said, "Wait, brother didn't come to see you in person, but sent me to deliver the message. I think firstly, she still can't bring herself to forgive you, and secondly, you know she's shy and easily embarrassed. If you go now, she might change her mind in a fit of anger!" Hmph, if you two meet, wouldn't all the plans be exposed?
"You're right, so what should I do?" Jin Xuan lowered his head and thought for a moment, seemingly asking Yue Ying, but also seemingly asking himself. In the face of love, he was like a naive young man, no longer the insightful, confident, and aloof Prince Jin.
"Give her a surprise wedding." A soft, delicate voice rang out. A woman as graceful as a willow branch walked in.
"Wu Ying, what brings you here?" Jin Xuan greeted her with delight.
"Come and give Third Brother some advice!" Wu Ying said with a smile, her expression a little mischievous, but actually hiding a sinister intent.
"Offer advice?" Jinxuan asked in confusion.
“Yes! Wu Ying just overheard Third Brother’s conversation with Miss Mo. First of all, congratulations Third Brother for finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.” Wu Ying bowed gracefully to Jin Xuan like a well-bred young lady, then smiled and said, “Third Brother, you are a ‘war god’ on the battlefield, you are good at fighting, but you don’t understand the feelings of a girl. Miss Mo is right, if you rush over like this, you might make things worse. What you should do now is to take good care of yourself and become even more handsome, so that you can be the most handsome groom in the world. As for the wedding preparations, I don’t think you know anything about them, so Miss Mo and I will help you with them, is that alright?” Her words were truly impeccable and flawless!
"Look how happy I am! Wu Ying is right. Then I'll trouble you and Yue Ying." Jin Xuan glanced at his disheveled appearance, smiled sheepishly, and sincerely thanked Cheng Wu Ying and Yue Ying. Little did he know that the two people he was thanking were setting a trap for him.
"Third brother, are you still being polite with us?" Wu Ying said, feigning anger. Seeing Jin Xuan like this, she felt a pang of jealousy, but even more so, hatred. Was Mo Jun really that good, worthy of your treatment? Hmph, you want to marry her? You'll be mine soon enough, the position of Princess Jin can only be mine.
“Yes! Your Highness is being too formal! He’s practically my brother-in-law now, oh, not my sister-in-law anymore, haha…” Yueying echoed Wuying, and seeing Jinxuan’s slightly flushed face, she couldn’t help but tease him.
Jinxuan looked at Yueying with a puzzled expression, as if he didn't understand.
Seeing this, Cheng Wuying covered her mouth and chuckled, while Yueying laughed loudly and said, "You're about to marry my brother, what am I going to call you if I don't call you sister-in-law? Hahaha..."
Overwhelmed with joy, Jin Xuan was first taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Hahaha... Yueying is right. Whether it's brother-in-law or sister-in-law, as long as I can be with you, I don't care. Hahaha... I am the happiest man in the world, the happiest man in the world..."
His hearty laughter softened his already resolute and perfect face, making him so striking in the sunlight. Cheng Wuying stared intently at Jin Xuan's handsome face, her hands clenched tightly. "Third brother, you are mine. Only I am worthy of you."
The news of Prince Jin's impending marriage caused an uproar throughout the capital. Everywhere you went, you heard people discussing it. Many young women were heartbroken, but others were happy that their idol had found his true love. The talk was mostly about how well-matched the prince and the princess were, how much they loved each other, and everyone offered their blessings. Yes, it was a princess. Everyone knew that Prince Jin was marrying the youngest daughter of Prince Zhongwu, the renowned beauty Princess Wu Ying. Even the wedding invitations had been sent out.
It's ridiculous that the groom himself doesn't know yet, and still thinks he's going to marry his beloved Jun. Everyone in the Prince Jin's mansion knows that their prince is going to marry the princess. Yi Tian and Yi Han also know. Although they are angry and confused, they have no right to interfere in their master's affairs. Besides, all the wedding arrangements were handled by Princess Wu Ying. Needless to say.
Ao Jun sat leisurely on the swing, holding a book, his face calm and serene, seemingly detached from the world and unaffected by external influences. The garden was quiet.
"Brother, you're still reading? Something terrible has happened!" Yueying angrily snatched the book from Aojun's hand and shouted, breaking the silence of the garden.
"Ying'er, why are you like this? Who bullied you?" Ao Jun looked at Yue Ying with a doting smile, took the book from Yue Ying's hand, and started reading again.
"It's not bullying me, it's bullying you. See for yourself." Yueying said angrily, her face flushed, and handed a red sticker to Aojun.
Ao Jun took a look, his expression changed, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled, saying, "Why is Ying'er so angry about someone else's wedding?"
Yueying was taken aback by Aojun's nonchalant attitude; this was completely unexpected! She snatched the wedding invitation and exclaimed, "Brother, look carefully! It's the Prince marrying Cheng Wuying! Why aren't you reacting at all?"
Ao Jun didn't even look up, continuing to read her book, "What should my reaction be? Should I go to the Prince Jin's mansion, or cause a scene at the wedding? Everything is already set in stone, and my relationship with Ouyang Jinxuan is over." Her eyes remained fixed on that line of text for a long time, her mind completely elsewhere.
“But…” Yueying wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Aojun.
Ao Jun stood up, patted Yueying's shoulder, and said, "Ying'er, Bodhi has no tree, the bright mirror is not a stand, originally there is nothing, where can dust settle? Everything is nothing but a reflection in a mirror and the moon in the water..." He then leisurely left. These words were spoken to Yueying, but also to himself. She couldn't deny that she still felt something when she saw the wedding invitation. She hadn't reached that level of composure yet. Had she truly lost her carefree spirit? Her heart still ached. He really was going to marry Cheng Wuying...
It seems she has to leave. It's a pity I didn't get to see Xue again. I wonder where she and her brother-in-law are now, traveling incognito.
She really doesn't care anymore, she can really let go so quickly, did she ever love the prince? Can feelings be let go so easily? Yueying wondered, watching Aojun leave leisurely.
Suddenly, I noticed a piece of paper lying on the ground; it must have just fallen from between the pages of a book! Picking it up, I saw a poem written on it: "Spring arrives, yet you depart; Lonely at the ends of the earth, my sorrow is hard to convey. The east wind, oblivious to my parting, heartlessly turns the fragrant grass green again. I long to celebrate this festival, but sorrow is unbearable; I raise my cup in merriment, but alas, all is in vain. How many tears can I shed? This bond will only remain a lasting memory."
He chuckled coldly and muttered, "Mo Jun, I thought you were really a saint? Humph..."
Little did Ao Jun know that this wedding would be her death knell...
Kyoto Chapter 74: Marital Breakdown
The streets are deserted today. Why? Foolish me! Today is the auspicious day of our wise and mighty Prince Jin's wedding to Princess Wu Ying. Everyone has gone to watch the excitement. I heard the Emperor will also be attending. Maybe I can even see the Emperor!
"Your Highness, congratulations, congratulations..." A whole bunch of officials rushed to congratulate Jinxuan.
"Congratulations, congratulations..." To everyone's surprise, the usually cold-faced Prince Jin greeted each of them with a smile and returned their greetings frequently. Dressed in a bright red wedding robe, his face was filled with a happy smile. His thousand-year-old icy expression was broken, and his gentle smile drew attention. Recently, he was the most handsome groom in the world.
The ministers had never been treated with such courtesy by the aloof Prince Jin before. They were all flattered and showered him with compliments. Normally, anyone who spoke such words to Prince Jin would have been frozen to death by his icy demeanor, but today they felt as if they were bathed in a spring breeze; they were truly moved. The only pity was that Grand Tutor Mo hadn't come. They had hoped to see that stunningly handsome man again today, but were disappointed…
In contrast to the groom's happiness and joy, the servants in Prince Jin's mansion were all acting strangely. Each of them looked as if someone owed them a fortune, with dark faces, making them seem so out of place in the festive atmosphere of Prince Jin's mansion. Even all the generals who fought alongside Prince Jin looked angry, sitting silently to the side, as if they dared not speak out. Although Jin Xuan also found it strange, he was too overjoyed to care about such things, his mind solely focused on the bridal sedan chair that had not yet arrived.
"I'm furious! How could the Prince betray his strategist and marry that princess?" Zhao Zhiyang said angrily, unable to bear seeing Jin Xuan's radiant smile. They all knew that their wisest strategist was a woman, but this did not diminish their respect for her at all; on the contrary, it made them admire her even more. She was a woman who was just as capable as any man, making them, as proud men, feel ashamed.
"Zhiyang, stop talking," Wei Ziqi whispered sharply. The Prince's affairs were not something they could discuss. Although they felt indignant on behalf of their lord, there was nothing they could do. My lord, do you know that Ziqi once admired you, but hesitated because we were both men? I never imagined you were a woman in disguise. I thought the Prince could bring you happiness, but it has turned out like this…