Chapter 34 - 22: The Blind-Eyed but Clear-Hearted Young Marquis
Tianmiao and Xiao Anning returned to the garden, and Dong Xiao went aside to serve as the backdrop. Meanwhile, Kong Hou had been pestering Liu Ming for quite a while, making him drink so much water that he was almost full, only then did she let him go and leisurely left to look for Dong Xiao.
Liu Ming climbed ashore, his whole body shivering from the cold, lips turning purple. But what was colder was his heart...
The words of the fortune teller kept echoing in his ears.
Did Ji Liruo know that this marriage was sought by the Prime Minister?
She should know...
Yet, she still told him those cryptic words. Thinking back, the things she said had long placed herself outside the matter, claiming her actions were entirely her own willfulness and had nothing to do with him.
Liu Ming walked dazedly towards his bedchamber, and the eunuch waiting for him outside was scared out of his wits seeing him in this state, wanting to call for help, but was sternly stopped by Liu Ming. Under the eunuch’s confused gaze, Liu Ming tiredly waved his hand: "Let’s go back first, take a hot bath and change clothes. Don’t worry, I won’t die."
When Liu Ming uttered this sentence, he suddenly recalled the fortune teller’s words about not dying and calming down in the water. Indeed, it seemed to make sense; he was much calmer now and began to carefully think through some issues.
Seeing how he seemed to be led by the nose in Ji Liruo’s case. But, speaking of which, the woman beside the fortune teller was really strong. He patted his head, feeling as if a bump had formed. Earlier, he had been incredibly angry, but now thinking back, he wasn’t that furious anymore.
Little did Tianmiao know that having Kong Hou discipline Liu Ming actually made this foolish child grow quite a bit; at this moment, she was leisurely sipping a type of fruit wine specially prepared for her by the Crown Princess Consort.
Watching Tianmiao’s satisfied expression, Commandery Princess Yong’an couldn’t help but slightly curl her lips. Only when eating and drinking did Tianmiao act in a manner fitting her age.
The flower banquet smoothly concluded, and Ji Liruo had not seen Liu Ming appear until she was about to leave. A strange feeling rose in her heart, but it wasn’t appropriate to ask someone about Liu Ming’s situation right now, so she could only proceed home in confusion.
When Xiao Anning returned home later, Commandery Princess Yong’an privately inquired if he had seen Ji Liruo today, to which Xiao Anning shook his head: "I did not see her today." However, the Imperial Grandson had arranged a meeting with him by the lake, where a series of unpleasant events occurred. He chose not to mention these matters to spare his mother any worries.
"Then..." Commandery Princess Yong’an was also puzzled; hadn’t the Crown Princess Consort mentioned that the Prime Minister’s family had arranged for Ji Liruo to go to the lake? Why hadn’t Ning’er seen Ji Liruo?
"Mother, I think this marriage with Miss Ji should involve asking for her own opinion." Xiao Anning considered carefully but still said these words.
"She must be willing, for sure. The Prime Minister, like an old fox, is clearer on this matter than anyone. If Ji Liruo was unwilling yet still got married, it wouldn’t be a union, but a feud. This is something the old fox must be able to foresee." Commandery Princess Yong’an was somewhat puzzled why her son would say such things, then suddenly trembled, staring wide-eyed and asking, "Ning’er, do you dislike Ji Liruo, and do not want to agree to this marriage only because you are considering our feelings and haven’t opposed it? If that’s the case..."
"No." Feeling the concern in Commandery Princess Yong’an’s tone, Xiao Anning smiled reassuringly, "Mother, it’s not like that. I wouldn’t be that foolish; you always wanted me to have a life of happiness and well-being. If I end up delaying a lifelong matter just to reassure you, that would indeed keep you anxious for life."