Date with Meiying

Meiying and Zhenyue had grown closer as a family, and they spoke about how Zenki and Zhenyue had enjoyed a date in Castletown, disguised in common noble clothing, to experience the simple life for a day. Feeling intrigued by the idea, Meiying asked Zenki if he would like to have a similar experience, just the two of them, dressed incognito. To her delight, Zenki agreed.

But before she even asked Zenki about their date, Meiying had already talked to Zhenyue about her plans to ensure that their newfound sisterhood would not be compromised. Zhenyue was pleased by Meiying's consideration, and they both looked forward to spending more time together as a family.

For their date in Castletown, Zenki and Meiying decided to go incognito, wanting to experience the town as common nobles. They wore simple, yet elegant clothing that would not draw too much attention to themselves.

Zenki wore a tailored doublet in a muted gray color, paired with black pants and leather boots. He added a cloak in a darker shade to keep warm on the chilly night. His hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and he wore minimal jewelry, only a signet ring on his left hand.

Meiying opted for a long, flowing skirt in deep blue, paired with a white blouse and a matching shawl. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and she wore simple pearl earrings and a pendant necklace. She also wore a hooded cloak to keep herself warm, but its bright red color added a pop of color to her otherwise understated outfit.

As they walked through the streets, they blended in seamlessly with the other nobles, enjoying the sights and sounds of the bustling town. The incognito attire allowed them to experience the town in a different light, and they felt a sense of freedom and adventure they had not felt in a long time.

Zenki and Meiying were both dressed in common noble clothing, trying to blend in with the crowds of people in the busy Castletown market. They held hands as they walked, trying to experience the life of the common people for a day. Meiying couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart as she felt Zenki's strong hand holding hers.

As they walked, they came across a small pastry shop. The aroma of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, and Meiying's mouth watered. Zenki noticed her interest and took her inside. They ordered several pastries and sat down at a small table in the corner of the shop.

As they ate their pastries, Zenki couldn't help but gaze at Meiying. She looked so beautiful and carefree, without the weight of the kingdom's responsibilities on her shoulders. Meiying caught his stare and smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.

After they finished their pastries, Zenki took Meiying to a nearby park. They walked through the lush greenery and colorful flowers, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Meiying felt her heart swell with happiness. She couldn't believe how much she was enjoying this date with Zenki.

Zenki stopped walking and turned to Meiying. His voice was soft as he spoke, "Meiying, I want you to know that I love you. However, as the emperor, it is my duty to forge marriage alliances with other kingdoms to stabilize our situation. In the past, I only took notice of our side of the family, neglecting the others, which contradicts your wish for a fair and equal family."

Meiying's eyes filled with tears, and she hugged Zenki tightly. Her voice choked with emotion, she replied, "I love you too, Zenki. I am grateful that you realize the importance of being fair and equal to the whole family, regardless of the branch."

Zenki held Meiying tightly in his arms, feeling her warmth and the softness of her embrace. He felt the weight of his words lift off his shoulders, knowing that Meiying understood the importance of his duties as the emperor.

"I promise you, Meiying," Zenki said as he pulled away from the embrace, "I will strive to make things right with the other branches of our family. I will work towards creating a fair and equal family for all of us."

Meiying smiled through her tears, touched by Zenki's words. "I believe you, my love," she said, "and I will stand by your side in this journey."

As they continued their walk, Zenki and Meiying talked about their plans for the future. They spoke of their love for each other and their desire to build a kingdom that was strong, fair, and just. Zenki held Meiying's hand tightly, feeling the strength of their bond.

As they reached the end of their walk, Zenki stopped and turned to Meiying once again. "Meiying," he said, his voice soft, "I want to make a promise to you."

Meiying looked up at Zenki, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"I promise to love you, cherish you, and protect you always," Zenki said, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I promise to be the best husband I can be and to always put our family first."

Meiying's heart swelled with love and admiration for Zenki. She knew that he was a man of his word and that he would always keep his promises.

"I love you, Zenki," she said, as she leaned in for a kiss.

Their lips met, and Zenki held Meiying close, feeling the warmth of her embrace. As they pulled away, they looked into each other's eyes, knowing that their love was strong enough to conquer any obstacle.

From that day on, Zenki and Meiying continued to work towards building a fair and equal family for all of the branches. They knew that their love was the foundation of their strength, and they would always stand by each other's side in their journey towards a better future.

Zenki and Meiying arrived at the restaurant in Castletown that Zenki had booked for their candlelight dinner. The aroma of the delicious food wafted through the air, and the soft light of the candles created a warm and romantic atmosphere.

As they sat down, Zenki took Meiying's hand and looked into her eyes. "Meiying, I want to talk to you about Zhen Yi and Yu Mei," he said, his tone serious.

Meiying's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What about them?" she asked.

"I spoke to them both recently, and Zhen Yi expressed a desire to learn more about war tactics, while Yu Mei wants to cultivate," Zenki explained. "I think it's important that we support them in their endeavors, especially since they are both part of our family."

Meiying nodded in agreement. "I couldn't agree more, Zenki," she said. "We need to support each other and help each other grow, not just within our immediate family but throughout our entire extended family."

Zenki smiled at her, his heart full of love for her. "That's why I love you, Meiying," he said. "You always think about what's best for everyone, not just yourself."

Meiying blushed at his words and smiled back at him. "I love you too, Zenki," she said. "I want to help Zhen Yi and Yu Mei in any way I can."

Zenki squeezed her hand. "I knew I could count on you," he said.

They continued their dinner, enjoying the delicious food and each other's company. As they talked and laughed, Meiying couldn't help but feel grateful for Zenki and the love that they shared.

After they finished eating, Zenki led Meiying outside to a nearby garden. The moon was shining brightly overhead, casting a soft glow over the flowers and trees.

"Meiying," Zenki said, taking both of her hands in his. "I know that I haven't always been the best husband, but I want you to know that I love you more than anything in this world. You mean everything to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy."

Tears welled up in Meiying's eyes as she looked at Zenki. "You are the best husband, Zenki," she said. "I love you too, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life."

Zenki leaned in and gently kissed her, his lips soft and tender. Meiying's heart swelled with love and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close.

As they broke apart, Zenki looked at Meiying, his eyes shining. "Let's make a promise to each other," he said. "No matter what happens in the future, we will always support each other and work together to make our family strong and united."

Meiying smiled at him, her heart full of love. "I promise, Zenki," she said. "I will always be here for you, no matter what."

They walked back to the restaurant hand in hand, their hearts full of love and their spirits lifted. As they left the restaurant and walked through the streets of Castletown, Meiying couldn't help but feel grateful for the love she shared with Zenki and the beautiful life they had built together.

Zenki and Meiying arrived at the castle gates, feeling content and fulfilled after their romantic candlelight dinner. As they approached their respective quarters, Zenki turned to Meiying and took her hand.

"I'm glad we had this time together, Meiying," Zenki said, looking into her eyes. "It's been too long since we've had a moment to ourselves without the pressures of the kingdom weighing on us."

Meiying smiled and squeezed his hand. "Yes, it has been. And I'm glad we were able to discuss some important matters as well."

An elderly man and a young girl were making their way back to the Kingdom of Avaloria. The old man turned to the girl and said, "Thank you for coming with me, even though it was your grandfather's suggestion."

The girl smiled and replied, "No problem, Grandpa Yong. It's also an opportunity for me to spread my wings and explore beyond my grandfather's influence."

After finally finding his old friend, Liu Yong discussed the situation with the Spiritual Blacksmith. They both agreed that Liu Yong's grand daughter, who was a one-star-ranked Spiritual Blacksmith, should come along with him on his journey back to the Kingdom of Avaloria. It was a chance for her to spread her wings and gain experience outside of her grandfather's influence, while also aiding in their quest to improve their skills.