Her own resolve seemed to be wavering.
Xu Mingyue watched her thoughtful expression and couldn't help but chuckle.
"People always find it easy to judge others, but difficult to deal with their own situations. Ah Yao, you should also seriously consider how to handle your relationship with the Prince."
She thought about it, Feng Jin Yao thought about it every day.
But her thoughts were useless; Xiao Ting Yi had given her no chance to refuse.
It seemed there was only one outcome at the end of the road: acceptance, not just acceptance, but willing acceptance.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel like she was a wild horse that the Prince of Ding intended to tame.
Pursing her lips, she complained to Xu Mingyue.
"Sister Xu, since you've known the Prince for so long, have you ever seen him give up on anything?"
Xu Mingyue shook her head. "I don't know the Prince well. He usually visited my home in my grandfather's study, and no one knew what they talked about. But I can see that he is a man of firm will. If he wants something, he probably gets it."
After Xu Mingyue said this, Feng Jin Yao suddenly deflated. For a moment, she felt that her struggles were meaningless.
It was as if she had fallen into the intricate web he had woven; the more she struggled, the less chance she had of escaping.
It would be better to just lie down.
But she was also afraid. She feared that with Prince Ding's keen insight into people's hearts, he would eventually uncover her secrets, and then everything would return to how it was before.
She had come to comfort Xu Mingyue, but by the time she left, Xu Mingyue seemed to have found clarity, while she herself became even more confused.
Xiao Ting Yi had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time. The moment he saw her, he noticed her low spirits, her face all scrunched up like a steamed bun.
The hidden guard, who had been protecting Feng Jin Yao from the shadows, "unethically" relayed the sisters' private conversation to Xiao Ting Yi.
After listening, a smile appeared on his face.
Her hesitation meant Feng Jin Yao was beginning to care about him.
Her dejection meant Feng Jin Yao was seriously considering his feelings.
This was a good sign. It seemed he should let Xu Mingyue talk to her more often so that she could understand sooner and face her own emotions.
"Ah Yao."
"Your Highness?"
The people in the small courtyard were now accustomed to the Prince's sudden appearances.
Yun Xu glanced at her young lady. Seeing that she didn't resist, she quietly led He Huan away.
Xiao Ting Yi walked towards her, his steps firm and his demeanor composed.
"Why are you here?"
"My maternal grandfather is hosting a family banquet tomorrow at the Min family's villa. There's a clear stream there with many lotus flowers, and boating on it is most refreshing. I guessed you would like it, so I've come to invite you."
For some reason, Feng Jin Yao suddenly remembered what she had said to Yin Can Wen.
"I want to boat on the lotus lake, use lotus leaves as a hat, hold lotus flowers as a staff, and laugh at the cool, clear colors of the world."
So she looked at Xiao Ting Yi with suspicion, wondering if he was a mind reader, otherwise how could he know her thoughts?
She forgot that someone had planted spies on her. It wasn't just about her liking to boat on the lotus lake; even if she wanted the moon in the sky or flowers in the water, he could bring them to her.
"But it's a Min family banquet. It wouldn't be appropriate for me, an outsider, to go, would it?"
"Ah Yao, I have never considered you an outsider, nor does the Min family."
With these words, he revealed the Min family's feelings. Their affection for Feng Jin Yao was evident.
Feng Jin Yao was not foolish; she could see it.
However, if she agreed to this private invitation, it would seem like an implicit acknowledgment of her relationship with Prince Ding.
Her mind still a muddle, she was unwilling to make such a commitment easily.
Seeing her hesitation, Xiao Ting Yi did not want to force her and said,
"If your second brother and Miss Xu are willing, they can also come."
"Your Highness doesn't mind?"
Bringing so many people to a family banquet, was he truly willing?
"Mind what?"
One is your second brother, and the other is your future second sister-in-law. Since it's a family banquet, what's wrong with more family members meeting?
However, these words he kept to himself and did not speak aloud, so Feng Jin Yao had no way of knowing.
After a moment's thought, she agreed.
Xiao Ting Yi looked at her dotingly. The possessiveness that was once so evident in his eyes was gone, replaced by a tenderness that was rarely seen on his face.
The next day, the Min family villa welcomed the Feng siblings and Xu Mingyue.
Elder Master Min and his wife were delighted and happily entertained them.
Although their gazes were somewhat overt, making Feng Jin Yao slightly uncomfortable, there were many people at the table, and their conversations kept their attention from solely focusing on Feng Jin Yao.
Xiao Ting Yi had deliberately chosen to wear a light-colored brocade robe that day, which matched Feng Jin Yao's pale green skirt perfectly.
They were seated side by side. Elder Master Min looked at them with increasing satisfaction, wishing they would marry immediately so he could hold his great-grandchildren soon.
Madam Min, knowing her father-in-law's intentions, spoke kindly.
"The water and soil of the Eastern Capital are indeed more nurturing. When the Feng family's second brother, third young lady, and Miss Xu entered together today, I thought celestial beings had descended."
Feng Jin Lin was heroic and spirited, Feng Jin Yao was stunningly beautiful, and Xu Mingyue was dignified and elegant. Any one of them was beyond reproach.
Madam Min was also very fond of Xu Mingyue. If her two sons were not already engaged, she might have harbored other thoughts.
Feng Jin Lin cupped his fists and said respectfully.
"Madam Min's praise is undeserved. However, my sister and Mingyue are truly worthy of it."
With the word "Mingyue," he subtly revealed their relationship to everyone present.
Madam Min, being a shrewd woman, immediately understood.
"All is well, all is well. It seems we will have wedding wine to drink before long."
Uncle Min, a straightforward man, spoke directly after hearing this.
Feng Jin Lin glanced at Xu Mingyue. He had told her yesterday that he would give her time to think. He was afraid that Uncle Min's words might make her uncomfortable, making her think he was forcing her.
Seeing that she was still composed and at ease, he felt somewhat relieved.
The reason Xu Mingyue had implicitly accepted this relationship was because she had figured things out yesterday.
She would find an opportunity to communicate her feelings to Feng Jin Lin. Otherwise, this fool would worry endlessly, and how could he then work for the people of Jinling City?
Sensing his gaze, Xu Mingyue returned a smile.
This smile was like a reassuring pill, greatly lifting Feng Jin Lin's spirits.
He immediately picked up his wine cup and said to Uncle Min, "Master Min, rest assured, I will personally deliver the wedding invitation to your manor."
"Good, good!"
After saying this, they both drained their cups.
With their lively exchange, Feng Jin Yao also felt a little more at ease.