Chapter 7: The Future Mistress

Sheng Mingyue gazed into her father’s eyes, not missing the flicker of worry deep within them.

When she was small, because she was a girl, Liu Cuixi would often take her to the desolate wilderness, plot to abandon her there, and then return home alone. In her memories, whenever the sun set, a man would always appear, carrying a torch, and silently carry her back to their dilapidated little thatched cottage—though she would inevitably be severely beaten by Liu Cuixi afterward.

"Father, where could I possibly run?"

Sheng Qiming froze, his hand trembling as he clutched the coin purse, at a loss for words.

"Liu Cuixi is short-tempered and keeps you under tight watch. This money... I fear it is not enough to get you anywhere else." Sheng Mingyue looked at the bruises on the corners of his eyes, pressed her lips into a thin line, and remained silent for a long moment before saying, "Father, I am currently unable to move. The Prince is grateful for the life I saved and is willing to provide a place for me to stay; that is already a great kindness."

"Under the wide heavens, all land belongs to the King. If the powers that be want me dead, I will be caught no matter where I flee. It is better to find sanctuary. Do not worry, Father, the Prince’s manor is very safe."

Sheng Qiming’s eyes turned red. He lowered his hand, which was tightly gripping the coin purse, and spoke with self-deprecating bitterness, "It is your father’s fault... for having no ability to provide you with a good life. If you can keep yourself safe, the Prince’s manor is indeed a good place."

"But remember, Father will see you only this once." Sheng Qiming raised his eyes, his gaze filled with profound reluctance. "In the future, no matter how I may beg, do not show yourself."

With these words, he thrust the coin purse into Sheng Mingyue’s arms and walked toward the alley exit without looking back.

The coin purse in her arms still held the warmth of his touch. Sheng Mingyue looked up at the man’s slow, labored gait and could not help but call out, "Father..."

Sheng Qiming paused, turning his head slightly to glance at his daughter from the corner of his eye.

Sheng Mingyue gripped the purse tightly, her eyes warming with tears. "Once I escape this predicament and settle down, I will surely bring you out. Father, wait for me."

Sheng Qiming curled his lips, a movement that tugged at the wounds on his face. A moment later, he walked away.

Sheng Mingyue stared at his retreating back, her eyes rimmed with red. She knew well that her father had lived a difficult life for many years. She had often heard the villagers say that her father was a scholar who had served as a village teacher, held in high regard, and had even been betrothed to the village chief’s daughter. His life, which should have been bright and promising, was ruined in a single rainstorm.

That year, the rain was ferocious. Her father was returning from town and was trapped in a ruined temple, where he happened to encounter Liu Cuixi, who had also come inside to seek shelter. A lone man and a lone woman, confined in the same room, dry wood meeting a blazing fire...

By the day of her father’s scheduled wedding, Liu Cuixi arrived, heavily pregnant, to demand her due. She turned everything upside down, causing her father to lose his marriage, lose his livelihood, and be forced to take her as his wife.

After that, she was born. Liu Cuixi detested her and hated her for not being a boy, naming her "Sheng the Cheap Girl." It was only because her father knelt before his kinsmen and risked half his life that he was able to change her name.

Mingyue.

Her father loved her dearly.

Sheng Mingyue held the coin purse to her heart, sobbing uncontrollably. If she could start over, she would rather have taken her meager savings and left the palace than follow Rong Yan to Mount Fo.

"Miss, the wind has turned cold. Let us go back."

Song Guo cautiously poked her head out and, seeing that no one was beside Sheng Mingyue, spoke up.

Sheng Mingyue hurriedly wiped the tears from her face and gave a vague response. As she turned, she saw a carriage slowly passing the alley entrance, a wooden plaque hanging from it with the character "Yun" carved upon it.

Sheng Mingyue suddenly stopped in her tracks, her gaze fixed intently on the carriage parked at the alley mouth, saying nothing.

"What is the Miss looking at?" Song Guo, overcome by curiosity, followed her gaze.

Sheng Mingyue remained calm on the surface, speaking softly, "Miss Song, do you know whose carriage that is? It looks quite luxurious."

"Could it be from Prime Minister Yun’s household?" Song Guo scratched her head, looking puzzled. "Brother Yunlai told me that the Prime Minister would be bringing his daughter to the manor as a guest today, and he told me not to wander around the front courtyard unless necessary, to avoid offending the honored guests."

"Prime Minister Yun... Yun Shengsheng..."

A chill flashed through Sheng Mingyue’s eyes, though her face remained impassive. She nodded gently, "Since they are honored guests, we should obediently stay in our rooms and not go anywhere."

Song Guo nodded repeatedly, whispering, "I heard Prime Minister Yun intends to arrange a marriage between his daughter and the Prince. Take it as gossip, Miss—let it go in one ear and out the other, and don't spread it! It is very likely that the Prince’s manor will soon have a mistress."

Sheng Mingyue looked down at her, feigning shock while a flash of realization crossed her eyes. Who was Song Guo close to? Naturally, Yunlai. Only he, as the one who served the Prince closely, would know the secrets of the household. A betrothal, she feared, was all but certain.

Song Guo made a gesture for her to be quiet, then supported her arm and helped her walk back.

Once Sheng Mingyue entered through the side gate, she glanced toward the front courtyard, her mind silently calculating.

***

The Prince of Jing’an’s manor was very quiet. The servants moved softly and kept to their duties; even the rough men were extremely careful in their work.

The Yun father and daughter were led into the Ru’an Hall. A servant served tea, saying only that the Prince would arrive shortly.

Yun Shengsheng looked around, and seeing that there were indeed no other women in the manor, she felt a bit more satisfied.

"Do not look around so restlessly." Yun Zhongkui glanced at her sideways, his voice low and his tone displeased. "Your mother told me those things, but in my view, it would be better for you to see the Prince first before we discuss this matter further."

This was exactly what Yun Shengsheng had been thinking, so she was not annoyed at his words, replying obediently, "Father, please rest assured; I understand."

"Prime Minister Yun, I trust you have been well."

A man’s gentle laughter resonated through the hall, drawing the attention of the father and daughter. Upon seeing the man arrive, Yun Zhongkui immediately rose to greet him. "I have brought my daughter to pay my respects to Your Highness."

Yun Shengsheng sat motionless on the rosewood chair, lost in the man’s smiling face.

Yun Zhongkui looked back at her and scolded, "Sheng’er, why are you staring blankly? Bow to the Prince!"

Yun Shengsheng finally snapped out of it, shuddering as she hastily knelt, whispering, "Greetings to the Prince. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."

Rong Zhao did not look at her, but smiled at Yun Zhongkui, saying softly, "It is no matter. Why must the Prime Minister be so angry? Please, rise."

Yun Zhongkui rose slowly, smiling as he exchanged pleasantries. "It has been a long time. How has your health been recently, Your Highness?"

Rong Zhao walked into the hall, his tone indifferent. "My health is always thus. I do not expect it to improve."

"Your Highness is of noble constitution; you will surely live a long and peaceful life." Yun Zhongkui waved to the servant behind him and lowered his voice, "This is a thousand-year-old ginseng my daughter found for you. It is the best for nourishing the body."

Hearing this, Rong Zhao’s gaze finally shifted from Yun Zhongkui and landed on the young lady beside him.

Sensing the gaze upon her, Yun Shengsheng’s cheeks flushed, making her look even more charming, and her heart began to race. No one had ever told her that this reclusive young Prince, who was rarely seen in public, was so strikingly handsome—his features even three parts more refined than those of Rong Yan.

"Your—"

"Your Highness!"

Before Yun Shengsheng could speak, Yunlai, who had been waiting outside the door, suddenly burst into the hall, his voice deep and urgent. "Miss Mingyue’s wounds have reopened and are bleeding incessantly; she has already lost consciousness."

"Song Guo had no other choice and came to beg Your Highness to permit Doctor Su to enter the manor!"