“Jing’er, it is your good fortune that Prince Yu wishes to marry you.” Madam Yun said meaningfully, “Prince Yu is of noble status, not some stray cat or dog that crawled out of a brothel. Isn’t that right?”
Yun Mu Jing’s tear-filled eyes looked at General Yun and Madam Yun. She opened her mouth to say something, but under her mother’s warning gaze, she swallowed all her bitterness back down her throat.
Indeed, to her parents, she was nothing but a discarded pawn.
Whether she lived or died was of no importance.
“Mother is right.” Yun Mu Jing could only lower her gaze and compromise, “Marrying Prince Yu is what I have always desired.”
She held back her tears, full of helplessness and pity, as if her heart had sunk into deathly silence.
Mo Yu, however, was in a rather good mood and said leisurely, “Then the matter is settled. I have been busy these days. Take good care of my future princess consort. Do not fail in this.”
“Your Highness can rest assured.”
Mo Yu glanced teasingly at Yun Mu Jing a couple more times before turning to leave.
“Farewell, Your Highness.” Madam Yun said respectfully.
“Mother…”
Yun Mu Jing had been in a dazed and silent state the entire time. Only after Mo Yu left did her tears finally fall from the corners of her eyes.
“Why are you and Father treating me like this? I am your daughter too! You both know exactly what kind of person Prince Yu is, yet you still want me to marry him…”
“You had an affair with that wild man, and you still have the nerve to complain?” Madam Yun turned and saw Yun Mu Jing crying, sneering, “By marrying Prince Yu, your sister’s marriage prospects won’t be affected by your tarnished reputation.”
“If you have any sense left, obediently wait to marry Prince Yu.”
“I…” Yun Mu Jing sobbed softly, “Fine, I met with an outsider man and brought shame upon you. Then I will prove my innocence with death!”
Crying, Yun Mu Jing moved to dash her head against the nearby table.
“Yun Mu Jing!”
Seeing that Yun Mu Jing was serious, Madam Yun panicked instantly.
Judging by Prince Yu’s demeanor today, after meeting Jing’er, he was clearly very satisfied and determined to marry her!
He had just told her to take good care of Jing’er. If something happened to Jing’er in the General’s Mansion at this critical juncture, how could she explain it to Prince Yu?
Madam Yun hurried forward and caught Yun Mu Jing just as her forehead was about to hit the table.
Madam Yun had completely lost her previous arrogance and now comforted her, “Silly girl, when your father and I want you to marry Prince Yu, it’s not just for your sister’s sake, but for yours too!”
“For… for me?”
Since entering the General’s Mansion, this was the first time Yun Mu Jing had seen Madam Yun speak to her so gently. She instantly stopped crying and sniffled, “Mother, are you lying to me? Prince Yu is not a good man.”
“Silly child, how could I lie to you?” Madam Yun patted Yun Mu Jing’s back affectionately, “Actually, Prince Yu isn’t that scary. He just has a few more women and enjoys playing around a bit.”
“When you marry Prince Yu, you’ll be the noble Princess Consort Yu! A lifetime of wealth and honor isn’t that bad, is it?”
Yun Mu Jing’s large, watery eyes were filled with suppressed desolation, “But I…”
Not bad? She was no longer a virgin. Marrying Prince Yu meant only one path—death.
But as things stood now, with the verbal engagement settled, she had no chance to turn back.
“Very well.” Yun Mu Jing lowered her head and said, “I will marry him.”
“Ah! Good child!” Madam Yun was overjoyed. “That’s more like it! Listen to your mother, and don’t think about that wild man anymore. How could he compare to Prince Yu?”
“I will be obedient. I’ll listen to you, Mother.” A strained smile appeared on Yun Mu Jing’s pale face. “Mother, I’ve heard that Qingshan Temple has long been known as the ‘Mandarin Duck Temple.'”
“It is said that women with beloved ones who pray sincerely there will surely have their wishes fulfilled in the future, living in harmony with their husbands and spending their lives together.”
“Since I am now engaged to Prince Yu, I would also like to visit Qingshan Temple to pray. I wonder… if that would be possible.”
Qingshan Temple… located in Moqian Mountain. By going there, she would naturally be able to meet the Crown Prince.
Madam Yun’s eyes lit up. Si Yu admired the Crown Prince, so Qingshan Temple would indeed be a good place to go.
“My dear Jing, how could I possibly refuse your request?” Madam Yun immediately replied. “How about this—I’ll have people start packing right away. We’ll set off early and bring your younger sister along so you’ll have company on the journey.”
“Mother… I’m feeling a bit unwell and would like to rest a little longer. Could we go in two days instead?” Yun Mu Jing asked hopefully.
How finicky. Though Madam Yun thought this to herself, she maintained her image as a loving mother and smiled. “Of course, if you’re not feeling well, go back and rest early.”
“You don’t need to copy the sutras anymore. I’ll speak to your father about it.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Yun Mu Jing smiled.
Afterward, Yun Mu Jing moved back to the side courtyard and rested peacefully for a while.
On the morning two days later, the Yun family carriage was already waiting at the gate early.
In the early winter, the weather was especially cold at this time. Yun Mu Jing wore only a thin, plain white dress.
By the time she reached the carriage, she was shivering all over from the cold.
It made her appear even more delicate and pitiful.
Watching Yun Si Yu, who was being helped into the carriage by a servant not far away, bundled up thickly and holding a warm hand warmer, she couldn’t help but feel envious.
In the side courtyard, not to mention such luxuries, there wasn’t even any charcoal for heating.
She felt cold every day, especially at night, which was even more unbearable. She and Yu Ning had to huddle together for warmth just to get through it.
“Elder Sister, aren’t you coming quickly? Do you want to keep Mother waiting?”
Qingshan Temple wasn’t actually far from the capital—about half a day’s journey. For convenience, they all shared one carriage this time and didn’t even bring any servants.
“I’m coming now.” Yun Mu Jing quickly stepped onto the carriage step and climbed in.
At that moment, Yun Si Yu was leaning against Madam Yun. When Yun Mu Jing entered, Yun Si Yu cast a cold glance at her, her face filled with disdain.
That seductive face—just looking at it made her furious!
But now that Yun Mu Jing was engaged to Prince Yu, she wouldn’t have many good days left and was no longer a threat.
Thinking this, Yun Si Yu couldn’t be bothered to argue with Yun Mu Jing anymore and instead focused on pleasing Madam Yun.
In a secluded corner of Moqian Mountain, a bloody confrontation had just ended.
Mo Han Zhao, dressed in an elegant black robe embroidered with golden osmanthus, stood by the edge of a cliff not far away, watching as Zhu Ye led the Eastern Palace guards in executing a group of mountain bandits.
The mountain breeze brushed against his sleeves, as if he were filled with a murderous and chilling aura.
“Your Highness, according to the latest intelligence from the Emperor’s Dark Eagle Guard, there should still be three bandit ambush points within Moqian Mountain,” Zhu Ye swiftly approached Mo Han Zhao, bowing with clasped fists. “We await your command.”
“Since we are to eradicate the bandits, our priority must be ensuring the safety of the traveling civilians to the greatest extent,” Mo Han Zhao said calmly. “I recall there is a mountain path that is the only route to Qingshan Temple.”
“Qingshan Temple has thriving incense offerings, with many pilgrims visiting to pray. According to the Dark Eagle Guard’s report, bandits are also active there. Let us clear that area first.”
“As you command.”
…
At that moment, a carriage was traveling through Moqian Mountain.
Yun Mu Jing sat in the corner, watching her mother and Yun Si Yu play together as if they were biological mother and daughter, while she herself felt like an unnecessary outsider. Her expression couldn’t help but turn wounded and desolate.
“Everyone, halt! This mountain was opened by us, these trees were planted by us. If you wish to pass this road, leave the beauties behind!”
Just as Yun Mu Jing was lost in thought, the carriage suddenly jolted violently.
“Mm…”
Yun Mu Jing nearly slipped from her seat, barely managing to steady herself.
“Protect the madam and young miss!”