Chapter One Hundred and Eight: Arranged Marriage
Yun Si had been missing for a day and a night. During this time, many things happened. For instance, the true culprit behind the fifth prince's murder was found. That night, the emperor experienced a mix of sorrow and joy, announcing a general amnesty and hosting a grand banquet to celebrate with all the nobles and officials.
Someone mentioned the folk custom of celebrating weddings, which greatly pleased the emperor. He raised his cup and exclaimed, "Arranged marriage! Arranged marriage! Let... Let Princess Ling Shuang choose a date for her marriage to the second prince of Shu, haha!"
At first, it sounded like a joke, but since ancient times, the emperor's words were never mere jests!
The emperor's words struck Jiang Lingshuang like a bolt from the blue. Her playful smile gradually disappeared, and she forced another smile, stepping forward to bow, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The news of that day quickly spread throughout the capital. Some lamented the death of the fifth prince, while others celebrated the betrothal of Jiang Lingshuang to the second prince of Shu.
The next day, Jiang Lingshuang bid farewell to her master and set off for Kunlun with two maids. On the way down the mountain, she ran into Yulanxing walking towards her.
Jiang Lingshuang panicked, wanting to escape, but Yulanxing stopped her. She was completely at a loss, trying to force a smile and greet him, "Yulanxing, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to see you visiting our master as well. We were too far apart just now, I didn't recognize you."
Who would believe such a feeble lie?
Yulanxing sneered, "I know. Your eyesight has been poor for a long time. I should have let you see the doctor earlier. Then you wouldn't be in this state now."
Jiang Lingshuang couldn't help but laugh at his remark, "Yes, Yulanxing, your sharp tongue has been a problem for quite some time. Like you, I was worried about which young man from which family you'd take advantage of."
As their eyes met, time seemed to stand still...
Jiang Lingshuang looked away first, pretending to wipe away tears, forcing a cheerful smile as she said, "I wish you find your match soon."
She pushed past him in a flustered escape. She feared that if she hesitated for another moment, tears would spill uncontrollably. She didn't want him to see her like that.
"Jiang, wait!"
She stopped but didn't turn back, leaving him with a tender silhouette.
"Jiang, on the day of the wedding, I will personally escort you. You'd better dress up nicely, or else the Shu prince might look down on you, and you'll be sent back."
"I..." will.
Her voice faded into a whisper, unable to make a sound, ending with silence. Behind the tender silhouette was a tear-stained face, showing the last trace of stubbornness before she walked down the mountain.
The sound of waves came intermittently, merging with the scorching heat on her forehead and the cold touch of her surroundings. Yun Si woke abruptly, looking at the unfamiliar environment. Her mind was blank, unable to recall how she got here.
A throbbing headache made her already confused mind even heavier. Countless scattered fragments flashed through her mind...
"...Wen Shiming..."
She remembered. It was Wen Shiming who had cornered her to a dead end that day, forcing her to use a teleportation talisman to escape for her life. Unexpectedly, the talisman had transported her here.
At that moment, she noticed a disheveled little girl with a grimy face beside her, staring at her strangely, as if she were looking at something odd.
Feeling uncomfortable under her scrutiny, Yun Si asked hesitantly, "Who are you?"
The little girl's gaze became even stranger as she approached, examining Yun Si from head to toe as if she were examining something peculiar. "Weird!"