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Yu Chi Mingyue glanced at her, turned around angrily, and ran away.

Seeing this, Ming Shuangchen also stood up and said to the Prince of Nanling, "I will also take my leave."

The Prince of Nanling sighed helplessly a few times and ordered his servants to clear the banquet.

...

Meanwhile, Di Xiu was led to a guest room to rest alone. A short while later, a maid brought him lunch and medicinal soup. Knowing that he was the husband chosen by Yu Chi Mingyue, the maid restrained her previous teasing and disrespect, only offering a few words of congratulations with a smile before leaving.

He lay half-reclined on the couch, holding the medicine bowl and sipping it gently. Recalling Princess Qingyun's expression just now, he felt a renewed sense of apprehension.

Everyone in the manor knew about the affair between Yuchi Siguang and Princess Qingyun. Although he rarely heard the manor lord mention the past, he knew that the manor lord held the princess in high esteem. What a fierce and resolute woman she was, intolerant of any falsehood or deception. And now, her suspicion and hostility were perhaps a sign that she had seen through his despicable nature.

As he was thinking, he heard hurried footsteps and the door was suddenly pushed open.

He knew the visitor must be Yu Chi Mingyue, so he wasn't surprised. But upon seeing her appearance, he couldn't help but feel heartache.

She had been running all the way, her hair disheveled and her hairpins loose, looking slightly disheveled. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her lips were bitten, and her eyes were filled with tears. Without saying a word, she walked a few steps to him and threw herself into his arms.

Di Xiu was slightly startled, but didn't know whether she should ask. She, however, simply buried her face in his chest and remained silent. He could only raise his hand and gently pat her back as a gesture of comfort.

Yu Chi Mingyue felt utterly wronged, as if her feelings had been completely and unequivocally rejected. Unable to refute or argue, she instinctively tightened her arms, holding him even closer.

After an unknown amount of time, she murmured, her voice trembling with sobs, as if pleading, "Don't restore... please don't restore..."

Upon hearing those words, a sharp pain shot through his chest. This pain felt strangely familiar.

That night, every word she said felt like a thorn in my heart:

"I don't sit at the same table as servants."

"A person should have self-awareness."

"I don't agree to this marriage! ...For no reason at all. I just don't agree. You're not good enough for me."

...

In fact, he already knew. To her, "Chief Steward Di" was nothing more than a ruthless servant.

He could still remember the lies she had told:

"Actually, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you... All this time, my opposition to you and my unkindness towards you were just to get your attention. Later, when I heard that you were engaged to my second sister, I was really angry. That's why I made such a scene, trying to break off the engagement..."

What a beautiful lie...

Unfortunately, a lie is still a lie. That night, her reason for opposing his marriage to Yuchi Caiyao could be summed up in just three words:

You don't deserve it.

He suddenly wanted to laugh. Laugh at himself for having already given up on the idea, yet still feeling a stirring of emotion...

He no longer needed her love. In this world, only power and status could prevent him from being looked down upon or humiliated. True love was, in the end, a luxury he could only dream of.

"To win over the fourth young lady of the Yuchi family," that would be enough...

Chapter Twenty-One

"To win over the fourth young lady of the Yuchi family," that would be enough...

As Di Xiu thought this, his gaze gradually turned cold, and the hand patting her back stopped. Why dwell on it? Why be honest? Wouldn't it be better to wait until everything settles down, until she becomes his?

At this moment, Yu Chi Mingyue released her grip and sat up straight. Her eyes were slightly red, but she didn't shed a tear. She spoke, saying, "I'm so hungry..." She pointed to the food beside her and asked, "Can I eat this?"

Di Xiu looked at her and couldn't help but laugh, nodding helplessly.

Yu Chi Mingyue picked up her bowl and chopsticks, ignoring the food, and just stuffed it into her mouth as if to vent her frustration. Soon, her cheeks were bulging. She frowned, chewed resentfully, swallowed a little, and then continued stuffing food into her mouth.

Seeing her like this, Di Xiu felt both amused and worried. He got up, ladled out a bowl of soup, held it in his hands, stirred it to cool it down, and watched her closely, afraid that she might choke at any moment.

Seeing this, Yu Chi Mingyue moved closer to him, without putting down her bowl and chopsticks, but instead lowered her head and bit the soup bowl in his hand, taking a difficult sip.

Di Xiu understood, scooped up a spoonful of soup, and fed it to her.

Yu Chi Mingyue finally relaxed her brow. She took a few sips of her drink, swallowed the food in her mouth, and then said with great enthusiasm, "Hmph! They won't let me marry them, but I'll marry them anyway! I'll elope if I want!" After saying that, she continued to wolf down her food.

Di Xiu was startled by her, and stood there blankly holding the soup bowl, not reacting for a long time. When he came to his senses, he couldn't help but laugh.

Yu Chi Mingyue, dissatisfied, mumbled, "What are you laughing at... I'm serious!"

Di Xiu smiled, said nothing more, scooped up some soup, and continued to feed her.

For some reason, the stinging pain and anxiety in my heart gradually subsided, replaced by a renewed sense of melancholy. No matter how many times I've been trampled upon, humiliated, or how many times I've resolved to change things, I remain powerless. Deceiving, exploiting, seeking revenge… harboring such despicable thoughts, when she's truly before me, all I can do is laugh…

Yes... that's good enough...

...

In the days that followed, a somber and cold atmosphere permeated the Nanling Prince's residence. A rift seemed to exist between the Princess and Yuchi Mingyue; when they met, they merely exchanged curt greetings without saying another word. The matter of marriage remained unmentioned, seemingly shelved. Speculation abounded.

The awkward and somber atmosphere only eased slightly on March 17th, Yu Chi Mingyue's birthday. Officials and nobles on good terms with the Nanling Prince's Mansion had all sent their congratulatory gifts well in advance, and the mansion was bustling with joy and activity.

With nothing to do and his injuries having largely healed, Di Xiu meditated and recuperated in his room. After lunch, Mei Ziqi, who also had nothing to do, came to find him to play chess.

Several hours later, Mei Ziqi stared at the chessboard, shook his head, and sighed, "Tsk tsk, things are really different after recovery. This kind of reckless, suicidal move, isn't it forcing me?"

Di Xiu frowned and said, "You've been thinking about this for a long time."

"Hey, don't rush. You have nothing to do anyway, what's wrong with waiting a little longer? I am a teacher, after all. If I lose to you, wouldn't I have to go back to farming?" Mei Ziqi took out a fan and leisurely fanned himself.

Di Xiu sighed helplessly, picked up a black stone, held it in his hand, and seemed to be deep in thought.

Mei Ziqi glanced at him and smiled, "Ah Xiu, are you perhaps worried about your marriage with Xiao Si?"

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu put down the chess piece in his hand and said, "I have already said that no one would marry their daughter to a fool."

“Don’t mention it,” Mei Ziqi said. “You’re not stupid. If you’d like, I’ll go out right now and announce loudly that I’ve cured you!”

Di Xiu frowned and asked, "Why are you so concerned about Mingyue and me, sir?"

"Oh, no problem." Mei Ziqi said, raising her hand to pinch Di Xiu's cheek, but Di Xiu dodged it. He looked disappointed and continued, "Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a loving man is hard to come by."

Di Xiu said, "Aren't you afraid that you've misjudged someone, sir?"

Mei Ziqi retorted, "Then tell me, did I misjudge you?"

Di Xiu fell silent and did not speak again.

Mei Ziqi smiled and looked at him, saying, "Actually, sir, I envy you quite a bit."

Di Xiu looked up, slightly puzzled.

"Being able to honestly express your feelings, regardless of the outcome, already means you've won a move." Mei Ziqi's tone was gentle, tinged with melancholy. "And how fortunate you are to have received such genuine reciprocation..."

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu felt a little disappointed.

At this moment, Yu Chi Mingyue rushed in. Upon seeing Mei Ziqi, she greeted him respectfully with a smile, "Sir." Then, she pulled Di Xiu up and said with a smile, "Come with me."

Di Xiu did not refuse and followed her out the door.

Mei Ziqi shook his head helplessly and continued to ponder the game.

At this moment, someone quietly entered the room, followed by a faint scent of sandalwood.

Mei Ziqi smiled slightly, stood up and bowed, saying, "Princess."

The newcomer was Ming Shuangchen. She nodded and asked, "I just saw Ming Yue come over. Has she already left?"

Mei Ziqi laughed and replied, "I just took Ah Xiu out."

“Ah Xiu…” Ming Shuangchen repeated the name, her eyes filled with suspicion as she looked at Mei Ziqi. She walked to the table, looked down at the chessboard, and after a moment asked, “The white piece is you, and the black piece is that ‘Chief Steward Di’?”

Mei Ziqi nodded. "Exactly."

Ming Shuangchen frowned and said, "If you're mentally challenged, how could you have such chess skills?"

Mei Ziqi smiled and replied, "He is not stupid; he has simply been bound by a curse cast by the Heavenly Fox, which has imprisoned his mind."

“The Celestial Fox?” Ming Shuangchen’s eyes sharpened as she looked at Mei Ziqi. “You didn’t mention the Celestial Fox to me before.”

Mei Ziqi realized she had spoken out of turn and could only remain silent.

“How could Meigu Sanren not be able to break the Heavenly Fox Curse? Is that ‘Chief Steward Di’ just pretending to be stupid?” Ming Shuangchen’s voice was cold and sharp, like a blade.

Mei Ziqi was speechless for a moment, and was about to explain when Ming Shuangchen became angry and said indignantly, "How dare he!"

After saying this, she turned and left quickly. Mei Ziqi hurriedly followed, fearing something might go wrong.

...

Meanwhile, Yu Chi Mingyue pulled Di Xiu along at a trot until they arrived at the horse farm behind the Prince's Mansion.

It was dusk, and the setting sun cast its golden rays across the land. Beside the horse stable stood a black steed. Its red leather saddle, red reins, and gleaming bridle further accentuated its extraordinary beauty.

Yu Chi Mingyue smiled and said, "You still remember it, right? The horse your grandfather gave you. I searched for a long time before finding this saddle and bridle that suits it. Isn't it beautiful?"

Di Xiu was deeply moved and felt a surge of emotion. Today was her birthday, and he had assumed she would be busy celebrating. But instead, she had spent most of the day searching for a saddle...

"What's wrong? Doesn't it look good?" Yu Chi Mingyue asked, somewhat disappointed.

"It looks good." Di Xiu nodded and replied with a smile.

Yu Chi Mingyue smiled again, her face full of joy. She pulled him to the horse and said, "I heard that it never lets anyone ride it except for Grandpa. Why don't you give it a try?"

Di Xiu nodded and gently stroked the horse's neck.

The horse naturally recognized him, and its former arrogance vanished, leaving only docility.

Di Xiu mounted his horse and loosened the reins. The steed, obeying the command, galloped off. Beneath the setting sun, in the glow of the evening rosy clouds, the horse raced swiftly, as fast as the wind. The fading light shattered the intangible. Its graceful and agile movements were unparalleled.

As Yu Chi Mingyue watched him ride towards her, she felt that the scene before her was like a painting.

Once he had reined in his horse and come to a stop, she went up to him, looked up at him with a smile, and said, "Let's give it a name."

Di Xiu pondered for a moment and said, "Xi Zhui."

“Xi Zhui…” Yu Chi Mingyue looked up and saw the sun setting in the west, its afterglow fading. The beautiful twilight was coming to an end. Thinking about the name again, she found it increasingly beautiful and unique. She nodded and smiled, “Let’s call him Xi Zhui.”

Di Xiu smiled, extended his hand to her, and invited her to mount his horse.

Just as Yu Chi Mingyue was about to accept the invitation, someone shouted sharply, "Mingyue! Get away from him!"

Yu Chi Mingyue was startled and turned around to see Ming Shuangchen leading a group of servants, her expression full of anger. Confused, she didn't act, only timidly calling out, "Mother?"

Seeing that she didn't move, Ming Shuangchen's anger grew even stronger. She reached out and took the riding whip from the servant's hand, took a few steps forward, pulled Yuchi Mingyue behind her, and lashed the whip at Di Xiu.