Xiao Che's eyes gradually darkened, perhaps from the pain of loss, or perhaps from the helplessness of not being able to control the future.
As the most beloved prince of the Sage, this was the first time the Seventh Prince had experienced the pain of helplessness.
"It was I who wronged you, so you should have it," Xiao Che mocked himself.
"Your Highness," Yu Mingyue called softly, "Your Highness, do not belittle yourself. This humble woman believes that Your Highness will be a great ruler in the future, bringing prosperity to the people of Great Wei."
That dream had a great impact on her at first, and she also hated him. But it was undeniable that Xiao Che was a good emperor.
He simply didn't like her, he wasn't irredeemably evil. As for the downfall of the Yu family, it wasn't entirely his fault.
It was the old madam who sowed discord among the branches, and the fourth uncle, unworthy of his position, greedy and shameless, who gave Su Wanqing an opportunity.
She wanted to try her best to change her family's fate, but she wouldn't be so selfish as to confuse right and wrong.
Now that their engagement was broken, she also hoped that they would both get better.
She truly wished him well, to be a good emperor like in the storybooks, and to usher in an era of prosperity for Great Wei with Xie Jia Yan.
Yu Mingyue's eyes were filled with smiles, like a ray of light piercing through the haze, dispelling the darkness in Xiao Che's heart without bias.
Xiao Che stared at her for a long time, and then he too began to smile. For many years to come, Xiao Che would remember her smile, and her words.
She said he would be a good ruler, a blessing to Great Wei, and he strived for it his entire life.
"Thank you," Xiao Che said softly.
Although he had always been steady, he was still an eighteen-year-old youth. He didn't know why he had rushed to find Yu Mingyue first after hearing the news.
But he had not come in vain.
"This humble woman knows that Your Highness will be leading troops north soon. This humble woman will pray every day for Your Highness's swift victory," Yu Mingyue said, bowing to Xiao Che.
Xiao Che reached out to steady her arm, then reached for the jade pendant at his waist and placed it in Yu Mingyue's hand: "This is what I owe you. If you have any requests in the future, I will grant them."
Yu Mingyue was taken aback and hesitated whether to refuse, but Xiao Che pressed her hand: "Keep it. Consider it a promise from your future ruler."
With that, he strode away.
Yu Mingyue followed him to the doorway: "This humble woman sees Your Highness off."
Xiao Che did not look back, but waved his arm.
Xiao Che continued his hurried pace, but compared to when he arrived, the gloom had vanished, and he was full of spirit.
Yu Mingyue watched Xiao Che leave with a smile. He was meant to be such a vibrant youth.
The next day, the Sage announced at the morning court that the Seventh Prince and Yu Liu Niang had incompatible horoscopes, and thus, their verbal engagement was dissolved.
Then, an imperial decree was issued, bestowing the hand of Luo Ling Yi, daughter of Princess Huayang, upon the Seventh Prince. Upon the Seventh Prince's victorious return, their wedding would be held.
As the old saying goes, people can best see human nature when they are down and out. The old saying did not deceive.
The old madam was so happy she could have set off firecrackers in the courtyard to celebrate. The mother and daughter of the second branch also walked with a swagger, as if good fortune would befall them if Yu Mingyue did not become the Seventh Prince's consort.
However, on the day the Sage decreed the cancellation of the engagement, the family members, in tacit understanding, all gathered at Qingfeng Courtyard.
That night, Yu Mingyue accompanied her father and elder brother for a drink of osmanthus wine. She had hoped to drink a few more cups, but being young, she lost consciousness after just one cup. In the end, she was carried back to her room by her elder brother.
Yu Ming Jing placed his sister on the bed, but she suddenly opened her eyes and grabbed his arm: "Brother, it's all different from the storybooks now, isn't it? Those things won't happen anymore?"
Yu Ming Jing patted his sister's hand: "No, they won't. Brother will protect you. Go to sleep now!"