Chapter 106 - How About Marrying Me?

Shortly after Shen Ninghua left, the Crown Prince walked out from behind an artificial hill beside Ningkun Palace. Seeing Shen Ninghua’s departing figure, he waved his hand and ordered the dark guard. “Keep a close watch on the Second Prince’s Mansion and the Prefectural Princess Mansion these days. Nothing is allowed to happen between her and Baili Jinchuan. Otherwise…eradicate…”

The Crown Prince’s voice carried boundless coldness, but the dark guard seemed to be used to it. He replied calmly, “Yes, Master.”

After returning home, Shen Ninghua immediately called Hong Ling over, “Hong Ling, is there any news in the capital recently?”

“Miss, there is nothing special.” Hong Ling shook her head.

Shen Ninghua frowned. She always felt that the empress’s attitude was a little strange, but she couldn’t say exactly how. Three days later, a shocking piece of news came over.

“The Great Yue Kingdom will send an envoy to the capital soon to find a princess for the Sixth Prince of the Yue Kingdom.”

When Hong Ling told her the news, Shen Ninghua’s expression changed abruptly. There was no such a thing in her previous life.

Great Yue and Da’an were two big countries, but because they were separated by a tall mountain, they coexisted peacefully for many years. This time, Yue Kingdom had suddenly come to ask for a princess for its prince. This made her wonder what they wanted to do.

Chu Junyi entered the door and saw Shen Ninghua’s solemn expression. He immediately knew that she must have also received the news. “Ninghua, have you heard of it?”

“Yes. The royal families of Da’an and Great Yue have not had any contacts for many years. There are only merchants traveling between the two countries. Why did they suddenly come here to seek a marriage with Da’an this time?”

Chu Junyi shook his head. “I haven’t received any specific information either. We can only wait for them to arrive before making a decision.”

Shen Ninghua nodded without much disappointment. When the people from the Great Yue Kingdom came, she would naturally know the answer.

Chu Junyi looked at her white and translucent face under the sunlight and suddenly said, “Ninghua?”

“Huh?” Shen Ninghua raised her head. A strand of hair accidentally fell from her ear and landed beside her cheek. She raised her hand to put the hair behind her ear, but because the strand of hair was too smooth, it fell off again.

Shen Ninghua raised her hand to try again, but Chu Junyi held onto her wrist.

Chu Junyi’s gaze was focused, and his mood kept surging. For some reason, he subconsciously held her plain white fingers in his palm when he watched them swaying in front of his eyes.

Shen Ninghua frowned slightly and raised her head to look at Chu Junyi in confusion. “What happened to you? Why did you suddenly…hold my hand?”

Chu Junyi did not answer. Instead, he reached out to touch her hair and carefully put the strand of hair behind her ear. His warm palm swept across her face with a sense of warmth that made her feel at ease.

Looking up at those focused and deep eyes, Shen Ninghua suddenly did not know what to say. She only raised her head and stared blankly at his handsome face, allowing the complicated emotions in those eyes to slowly engulf her.

Chu Junyi had only intended to help her pull her hair back, but he sensed that Shen Ninghua had no intention of rejecting him. He involuntarily gently caressed her face, and his eyes were radiating with pleasantly warm and pampering feelings.

At this time, Shen Ninghua eyes became dazed and blank. She looked extremely cute, reminding him of a cat which was bathed in the warm sunshine and then curled up under the flowers and squinted its eyes for a good sleep. Waves of heat surged in his heart. He couldn’t help but ask.

“Ninghua, how about marrying me?”

Shen Ninghua raised her head and looked at him. Her eyelashes trembled slightly and she finally escaped from the addictive atmosphere. Her ears blushed and she angrily waved Chu Junyi’s hand away. “Looks like I can’t stay alone with you in the future. Otherwise, I won’t even know when I fall into your trap.”

Seeing her reaction, Chu Junyi’s heart surged with regret. “You black-hearted girl, how can I trap you?”

“Why not? Didn’t I almost fall into your trap?” Shen Ninghua raised her eyebrows.

Chu Junyi felt both angry and funny. “I was expressing my affection sincerely. I wasn’t deceiving you. Are you stupid, black-hearted girl?”

Shen Ninghua turned her head and said, “Who knows what you’re thinking about!”

“You…” Chu Junyi glared fiercely at her. He raised his head and touched the hair on her forehead, but didn’t bear to use much strength. He only gently stroked it and then withdrew his arm stiffly. “Alright, a lot of things have happened in the Xiao family these days. I can’t be away for too long, so I’ll go back first. If there’s any news, I’ll have the azure-feathered bird send you a message. If you need anything, you can also send someone to tell me.”

“Yes, I know.” Shen Ninghua lowered her head slightly and seemed absent-minded.

Chu Junyi cast a deep look at her and turned around to walk out.

When the room was empty again, Shen Ninghua sat in a daze for a moment and slowly raised her hand to touch her forehead. She could still felt the warmth from his hand. “If there was really no other way, Chu Junyi would be a good choice.”

A few days later, Madam Zhang prepared enough medicinal ingredients again. This time, she didn’t dare to use them by herself and sent someone to invite Shen Ninghua over. Shen Ninghua did not refuse. She ordered the helpers to make the medicine and then went to treat Zhao Ruyun.

Last time, Zhao Ruyun had been in a coma because of her serious injuries. This time, as soon as Shen Ninghua entered, she turned her head to look at her.

Zhao Ruyun’s face looked healthier than before. Her face was no longer morbid and pale, but had a sign of life. “I never thought that you would be the one who saved me in the end.”

Shen Ninghua ignored her dark gaze and took out the golden needle with ease. “Well then, are you disappointed to see me, Miss Zhao? Or do you want to see Shen Linghan?”

“Shen Linghan? Haha, that bitch?” After lying in bed for so long, Zhao Ruyun thought about the past events for the first time. If it wasn’t for Shen Linghan’s scheme, how would she fall off the pavilion on the artificial hill? Moreover, Shen Linghan made mistakes many times in the past, but in the end, she was always the one who stood up for her!

She had been like a nice spear, attacking wherever Shen Linghan found unpleasing. Even her favorite man, the Fifth Prince Baili Jinze, appreciated Shen Linghan more.

Although she also hated Shen Ninghua for forcing her to kneel down and apologize, now she hated Shen Linghan much more! After knowing that she could fully recover, she imagined countless scenes of walking in front of Shen Linghan and taking revenge on her on the spot. She would definitely make Shen Linghan pay the price!

Shen Ninghua did not care about the hatred in Zhao Ruyun’s eyes. Fortunately, Zhao Ruyun had such hatred. Otherwise, her rundown body would have been unable to hold on long ago.

At first, she couldn’t feel the insertion of the golden needles into her body, but as time passed, various feelings of soreness, swelling, pain and numbness made Zhao Ruyun shout loudly.

Shen Ninghua took a towel and stuffed it into her mouth. “Don’t let go of your breath, or my work will be wasted.”

Zhao Ruyun quickly fainted after receiving the needle treatment and taking the medicine. Shen Ninghua wiped the sweat off her head and took out a pill to feed her.

After this treatment, Zhao Ruyun should be able to move around. She should be able to walk freely before the envoy of the Great Yue arrived. This way, the following drama would be exciting enough. After all, the Zhao family was an indispensable part, right?

Half a month later, good news came from the Zhao family that Zhao Ruyun, whose spine was broken, had actually recovered. However, this news wasn’t sensational, because everyone’s attention was focused on the upcoming envoy of Great Yue.

According to rumors, in order to show his sincerity for the marriage, the Sixth Prince of the Great Yue Kingdom, Bu Jinglan, personally came with the envoy. Although this prince was ranked sixth, he was the emperor’s favorite son. Not only was he proficient in martial arts, he was also proficient in the theory of strategy and literature. He was loved by the people of Great Yue Kingdom.

This time, when they heard that such a legendary prince was coming, the people of Da’an rushed into the streets and stood on both sides of the street waiting for him.

Shen Ninghua entered the Palace early in the morning and stayed in Princess Anning’s palace to watch her dressing up. “If you dress like this, that Sixth Prince will probably fall for you at first glance.”

Baili Anning’s hand that was picking the hairpin paused. She turned around and looked at her in embarrassment. “Don’t talk nonsense. With moonlight like you in front of us, how would the others, the light of fireflies, be noticed by people?”

Shen Ninghua stood up. She picked a simple but elegant phoenix hairpin and helped Baili Anning wear it. “That is wrong. I am only an adopted daughter of the emperor, and I cannot stand in the front row. There are so many people to greet the prince, and it is not easy to see me. But you, only you and the Ninth Princess in the Palace have yet to get married. If you do not want a political marriage, there is no need for you to dress up like this today.”

Baili Anning thought for a long time and shook her head. “As a princess, I can’t embarrass the royal family this time. That Sixth Prince must have investigated us before he came. It’s better to generously show him than to conceal it. Perhaps, that Sixth Prince is handsome and elegant, and happens to be my Mr. Right!”

Shen Ninghua laughed out loud when she heard this, and she couldn’t even stand up straight from laughing. Unexpectedly, Baili Anning’s words were right.

Standing in the welcome group of women, Shen Ninghua looked at Bu Jinglan, who slowly moved forward riding a black steed. Her eyes were filled with a little surprise.

She had seen many handsome men in her two lives. Bu Jinglan was not the most outstanding, but he could be considered the one with the most special temperament. His aura was calm, like a pool of clear water. It was as if people could see the bottom, but everything was just like a reflection on the water, making people unable to see clearly.

“Prince Bu Jinglan of the Great Yue Kingdom pays his respects to the Emperor of Da’an.”

Baili Qingcang’s expression was gentle when he saw his standard salute and respectful attitude. “As you were. You came all the way here. It must have been a hard journey.”

Bu Jinglan straightened his body and the silver-white prince attire of the Great Yue Kingdom made his temperament even more extraordinary. “It’s my honor to come to Da’an, Your Majesty.”

“Haha, good. Today I will hold a welcome banquet in the Palace for you.”

Bu Jinglan smiled and nodded with indescribable grace. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Shen Ninghua secretly sized up Bu Jinglan and members of the envoy behind him with cold eyes. This Sixth Prince was really not simple. He went forward to go over the formalities, but the envoy behind him stood still. Even the horses stood upright without a sound, carrying a silent and solemn aura.

Suddenly, she felt a gaze falling on her. She involuntarily looked up and saw a pair of smiling brown eyes…