Outside the Manor
Ming Xiu stood there, her eyes brimming with tears. In truth, she had harbored a premonition that the person was not her young lady. Yet, after such a long period of companionship, her heart had fully accepted this individual.
Now, she refused to appear and meet her. How could she not be heartbroken?
Cheng Changxing embraced her from behind. "Ming Xiu, don't be sad. She has her own considerations."
Ming Xiu nodded. "I know, it's just..."
"Ming Xiu, let's go!"
Ming Xiu gazed at the doorway, finally sighing and turning away.
Upon entering the carriage, Cheng Changxing whispered to the person inside, "Miss Ming Yu did not come out."
"I... I know." Hua Yun Jin opened the portrait in his hand, his gaze deepening considerably.
Some encounters are destined to be mistakes from the very beginning, so perhaps never seeing each other again is the right path.
Ming Yu, the bright girl in his heart, had ultimately departed.
"Your Highness..." Cheng Changxing called to him.
Hua Yun Jin gave a bitter smile. "Let's go!"
The carriage departed. After it left, a figure stood at the entrance, watching the receding shadow, their gaze flickering slightly.
"Why did you not see him?"
Ming Yu did not turn around, for she knew the person behind her was Hua Yun Dan.
"There's no longer a need," she said.
"Actually, Your Highness..."
"Your Highness, please don't talk to me about His Highness anymore."
Hua Yun Dan looked at her and said, "Alright."
"Your Highness, when are you returning?" she asked.
"Miss Ming Yu, you may have to stay here for a while longer."
Ming Yu was taken aback. "Why?"
Hua Yun Dan gazed into the distance and slowly replied, "Because of the prophecy of the Phoenix's destiny."
Suddenly, the sound of hooves approached from not far away. A horse stopped before Ming Yu and Hua Yun Dan, and a person rolled off the back. He was covered in blood, his face unrecognizable.
Hua Yun Dan hurried forward. Just as he was about to ask a question, the man grabbed his hand and said with difficulty, "Where is His Highness? I... I want to see His Highness..."
Something had happened; it was likely that Hua City was in trouble.
"His Highness will be fine," Ming Yu said, unsure of what words of comfort she could offer Hua Yun Dan at this moment.
After all, Hua Yun Dan held military power, and His Highness was even preparing to grant him the throne. However, there was only one possibility: unless the current Empress harbored murderous intent.
Taking advantage of Hua Yun Dan's presence in the capital, she might move against Hua City. If that were the case, Hua Yun Dan's situation would become much more difficult.
"Miss Ming Yu, please do not leave the manor freely these few days. I have matters to attend to, and I fear there will be no one at the manor to protect you at all times," Hua Yun Dan suddenly said.
Ming Yu nodded. "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will not go out."
Hua Yun Dan gave a slight nod. "Return to the manor!"
Upon entering the manor, Hua Yun Dan summoned his subordinates to the study, while she returned to her room.
In the following days, Hua Yun Dan was very busy. She saw him only a handful of times. Until one day, she noticed that the people in the courtyard seemed to have significantly decreased.
Only then did she leave her room and ask a servant in the manor, "Where is His Highness?"
The young servant saw her and respectfully said, "Replying to Miss Ming Yu, His Highness left early this morning with his men."
Ming Yu was surprised. He left without even informing her. However, she felt no particular sadness, as their relationship was not that close, and Hua Yun Dan had no obligation to inform her.
Yet, a trace of sadness lingered in her heart, as she had already come to consider Hua Yun Dan a friend.
"Miss Ming Yu..."
Ming Yu looked up and saw Chang Yu. She was startled and asked, "Didn't His Highness leave? Why has he returned?"
Chang Yu said, "His Highness has indeed departed, but His Highness ordered me to protect Miss Ming Yu's safety."
"Protect me?"
Chang Yu nodded. "Yes."
"What exactly happened?" Ming Yu asked.
Chang Yu seemed hesitant to speak, but ultimately did not reveal anything. "Miss, please rest well. Once this period of turmoil passes, everything will return to normal."
Seeing Chang Yu say this, Ming Yu felt it inappropriate to press further. In the evening, a guest arrived at the manor. Ming Yu was somewhat surprised when she saw the person, as it was none other than Li Chen Xi.
She had not seen Li Chen Xi for a long time, it had been a considerable duration since their last meeting.
"Have some tea." Ming Yu poured tea for Li Chen Xi.
Li Chen Xi looked at her, then lowered her gaze.
She sensed that Li Chen Xi seemed a bit off and couldn't help but ask, "Li Chen Xi, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just came to see you," Li Chen Xi said.
Ming Yu smiled. "Thank you. It's truly rare to meet a familiar face here."
Li Chen Xi smiled. "How are you adapting here?"
"It's okay," Ming Yu replied.
Although life was a bit monotonous, it was the most peaceful period in many years. She didn't have to worry about money, nor fear being kidnapped. Life was much more comfortable.
"Have you stopped contacting His Highness?" Li Chen Xi asked.
Ming Yu was taken aback. After a long pause, she shook her head. "Some people drift apart as they walk along. Some things were mistakes from the very beginning. Why let them continue to be wrong?"
Li Chen Xi smiled upon hearing this. "Miss Ming Yu is so open-minded."
"Don't call me open-minded. I'm just trying to preserve my life. Serving a ruler is like accompanying a tiger. When they favor you, you can soar to the heavens; when they don't, you are like dust in their eyes, and they will try every means to eliminate you. Therefore, it's best for people to have self-awareness."
Li Chen Xi nodded. "If everyone were like Miss Ming Yu, then conflicts might not occur."
"That's not necessarily true. Wherever there are people, there will be disputes. It's unavoidable."
"Miss Ming Yu's words are very profound."
"Li Chen Xi, you didn't come today just to discuss life with me, did you?" Ming Yu asked Li Chen Xi.
Li Chen Xi smiled. "You saw through me."
"Did something happen?" Ming Yu asked.
Li Chen Xi nodded, looking at her, and after a long while said, "Does Miss Ming Yu know that she is the one carrying the Phoenix's destiny?"
Ming Yu was startled, her gaze lowered. "Is it related to that?"
Li Chen Xi nodded. "Yes."
"What do you need me to do?" Ming Yu looked up at Li Chen Xi and asked.
Li Chen Xi looked at her and sighed. "He did this to protect you, and I, by doing this, have harmed you."
"Who is he? Hua Yun Dan?" Ming Yu asked tentatively.
Li Chen Xi nodded. "The Empress ordered Hua Yun Dan to bring the person with the Phoenix's destiny back, using everyone in Hua City as hostages. If you did not appear, the Empress would make all the people of Hua City pay the price for Shen Yun Xuan."
Ming Yu was taken aback. "He didn't tell me."
"Yes, he wouldn't tell you."
"If he didn't bring me back, aren't the people of Hua City very much in danger?"
Li Chen Xi shook her head. "I had Ming Xiu impersonate you."
Ming Yu was stunned. "They..."