Meng Jiang Ming watched as Feng Jiu's sword was mere inches from his throat, its tip about to brush his skin. He felt his whole body tremble. "Feng Jiu, let's talk this through properly."
Feng Jiu's eyes were terrifyingly cold. She looked at him and said flatly, "I have nothing to say to you."
The sword in her hand was slowly withdrawn. Meng Jiang Ming could feel that if not for the shout to stop just now, Feng Jiu would have killed him without hesitation.
Suddenly, he stiffened. Who had spoken just now? Who was it that could make Feng Jiu stop?
Meng Jiang Ming shuddered, raising his head to look at Feng Jiu. "Why are you here?"
Feng Jiu sneered, though the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Young Master Meng… no, husband-to-be, do you know what day it is today? Where should you be?"
Meng Jiang Ming's body froze. What day was it today? Today… today was the grand day he was to marry Princess Xing Yue. Then why was he here? Why?
He instinctively looked down. He was only wearing his inner robe, its front open. He quickly pulled the quilt to his chest. The moment the quilt moved, a fair white back was revealed.
"Who are you? Who is it?" Meng Jiang Ming, cornered, looked at the woman on the bed in sheer terror.
Soon, he looked up at Feng Jiu, his voice filled with anger. "Was it you? Did you do this?"
Feng Jiu let out a cold laugh. "Husband-to-be, everyone is outside. Please tidy yourself up and go out!"
With that, Feng Jiu sheathed her sword and walked out.
Everyone was outside? "Feng Jiu, what do you mean by that?" Meng Jiang Ming pressed, but Feng Jiu left without looking back. Meng Jiang Ming clutched his head. How did he end up here?
Suddenly, the woman stirred. Meng Jiang Ming, startled, scrambled off the bed and retreated several steps. "You… who are you? Why are you here?"
The woman slowly rose. Her bodice slipped, revealing fair skin. Her long hair cascaded over her chest, and a small face emerged, her eyes filled with a tender, pitiable gaze. "Cousin, we…"
Meng Jiang Ming's head spun. He directly interrupted Jiang Xiu Yi's words and asked, "Xiu Yi, how did you get here?"
Jiang Xiu Yi looked bashful. "Cousin, didn't you hold my hand all yesterday? And you said Princess Xing Yue didn't like you at all…"
"You… shut up." Meng Jiang Ming felt a chill run down his spine.
He remembered. After returning from the Second Prince's residence yesterday, Wu Yi had secretly told him that Jiang Xiu Yi wanted to see him. Thinking he would be married tomorrow, he wanted to avoid seeing Jiang Xiu Yi. After all, though not exceptionally clever, he wasn't foolish enough to believe that Jiang Xiu Yi had no hand in the recent events.
It was just that Jiang Xiu Yi was his cousin, and they had been childhood sweethearts. So, he hadn't truly hardened his heart. He had only told Wu Yi to relay to Jiang Xiu Yi that tomorrow was the wedding day, and she should behave herself. He would not forget his promise. Moreover, his aunt had also promised that she would become his concubine, just not now.
After saying this, he had returned to his room, intending to rest well. After all, tomorrow was his grand wedding day with Princess Xing Yue, and no mistake could be made.
But who could have imagined that Jiang Xiu Yi would be in his room? He had intended to drive Jiang Xiu Yi away, but Jiang Xiu Yi knelt before him, showing him the scars on her arm, telling him that Concubine An had inflicted them.
He didn't believe it. He had pulled Jiang Xiu Yi along, intending to confront his aunt. But unexpectedly, the moment he touched Jiang Xiu Yi, he lost control of himself, especially seeing Jiang Xiu Yi's pitiable state and her many injuries. Thus, he had given in to his feelings.
At this moment, Meng Jiang Ming was filled with regret.
"Meng Jiang Ming, come out." The Duke of Ning's voice boomed from outside the door.
Meng Jiang Ming trembled and looked at Jiang Xiu Yi. "Cousin, after I go out, you hide under the bed. After they leave, you come out and go back quickly. Don't stay here."
Jiang Xiu Yi heard this and shook her head. "No, I am your person now. I can only stay here. I cannot leave."
"Jiang Xiu Yi, if you are here, it proves I didn't go to meet the bride on my wedding day. This is a crime of deceiving the emperor."
Jiang Xiu Yi said, "Cousin, you don't need to be afraid. Princess Xing Yue is a sensible person. Princess Xing Yue knows I am here and will surely fulfill our wishes…"
"Jiang Xiu Yi, you are too naive. This is a crime of deceiving the emperor. I am causing the royal family to lose all face." Meng Jiang Ming said.
Hearing this, Jiang Xiu Yi's tears began to flow. She looked at Meng Jiang Ming with tearful eyes. "So, cousin, are you going to abandon me again?"
Meng Jiang Ming looked at Jiang Xiu Yi's tear-streaked face and his heart softened. He said, "Cousin, listen to me. You leave first, and I'll find a way to bring you back later."
"No… I don't want to go back anymore. I don't want to. Cousin, please, keep me here. As long as you don't send me back, I'll be willing to be a maid." Jiang Xiu Yi pleaded bitterly.
"Cousin, why must you be like this?" Meng Jiang Ming shook his head.
"Cousin, I am willing. This is all done of my own free will." Jiang Xiu Yi said.
"Meng Jiang Ming, if you don't come out, I'm coming in," the Duke of Ning roared.
As Meng Jiang Ming was about to get up, Jiang Xiu Yi grabbed his sleeve and said, "Cousin, don't abandon me."
"But…"
"Cousin, Princess Xing Yue is not an unreasonable person. As long as you explain it clearly to her, she will surely forgive you. First, you have to get past Aunt and Uncle."
Hearing this, Meng Jiang Ming thought of how Princess Xing Yue had never made things difficult for him. He said, "Get dressed. Let's go out to see Father."
The door was opened, and Meng Jiang Ming fell to his knees with a thud. "It is my fault. The great mistake has been made. I beg you, for the sake of Xiu Yi and I being childhood sweethearts, I wish to give Xiu Yi a proper status."
After a long silence, with no reply, Meng Jiang Ming slowly raised his head. When he saw the person standing before him, he was completely stunned. "Prin… Princess Xing Yue, why are you here?"
"You beast, you still have the face to appear?" The Duke of Ning stepped forward and delivered a fierce kick to Meng Jiang Ming's chest. Caught off guard, Meng Jiang Ming spat out a mouthful of blood.
Jiang Xiu Yi rushed forward. "Cousin, cousin, are you alright?"
Meng Jiang Ming said nothing, only staring intently at Princess Xing Yue, who was adorned in a phoenix coronet and robes, breathtakingly beautiful, yet so noble it was suffocating.
Seeing Meng Jiang Ming spitting blood, Madam Jiang tightly clenched her handkerchief, but ultimately did not step forward.
"Guards, drag her away." The Duke of Ning pointed at Jiang Xiu Yi and roared.
The servants quickly moved to grab Jiang Xiu Yi. She struggled and soon broke free. She then knelt before Xue Xing Yue with a thud. "Princess, I beg you, please fulfill my cousin and my wishes. Please!"