Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Forced Marriage

**Chapter 1: Forced Marriage**

Jing Yue'er could not tear her eyes away from him; wearing those robes, he didn't seem uncomfortable at all. For the past few months, she had grown accustomed to seeing him in coarse linen clothes. Now, in this attire, she felt no sense of mismatch whatsoever.

Among the civil and military officials in the court, only that single figure made her feel... so at ease!

Liu Jun was not exactly a peerless beauty, but he was indeed handsome as jade, possessing a quality that made one difficult to forget.

If someone told her that the man before her was the same Liu Jun she had spent so much time with, she wouldn't believe it even if she were beaten to death. Yet, the fact lay right before her eyes, his silhouette shimmering faintly in her bright vision. Amidst the rising music and dancing, it took Jing Yue'er a long while to snap back to her senses.

From the moment the newcomer sat down, he had been looking toward Jing Yue'er with a gentle gaze, just as he had in the past. For a moment, Jing Yue'er felt a sudden burst of cold sweat, so she turned to look at Yan Yuxiao.

Calm as ever, he sat in the chair to Jing Yue'er's left, resting his eyes. Occasionally, he would glance toward the dancing. He cast a bored look her way and said, "Yue'er, that is Heir Apparent Ye."

"Uh..."

Jing Yue'er blinked, looking at Liu Jun once more. After a long pause, she turned her gaze back to Yan Yuxiao, pouting in dissatisfaction. "That's not right. I was just about to ask you when you were going to invite my savior into the palace. Brother, you're teasing me again."

"Little girl..."

Yan Yuxiao instinctively tapped her head. "Why would your brother lie to you? He is indeed Heir Apparent Ye."

Jing Yue'er rubbed her eyes, doubting her vision for the first time.

"He really isn't Heir Apparent Ye, he is..." Jing Yue'er argued.

"Ask him yourself if he is Heir Apparent Ye."

Yan Yuxiao rolled his eyes at her, but seeing her cute expression, he couldn't bring himself to criticize her.

Jing Yue'er looked at Ye Yunxie once more, pursed her lips, and finally spoke: "Are you Heir Apparent Ye?"

Ye Yunxie froze, meeting the clear and lovely gaze from beneath Jing Yue'er's eyelashes. He gave a faint smile and nodded.

"See? I told you your brother was teasing you," Yan Yuxiao said with a smile.

"But..." Jing Yue'er gritted her teeth, unable to stop arguing with Yan Yuxiao. "But I've been with him for over two months! He was clearly just a fisherman, how did he suddenly become a noble Heir Apparent? This is nonsensical!"

"Yue'er, you are the one being nonsensical. I said he is Heir Apparent Ye, I didn't say he wasn't your savior."

Yan Yuxiao smiled, looking innocently at the conflicted Jing Yue'er. He had been searching for his sister for over a year, so he naturally knew that although she was quick-witted in her actions, she tended to be a bit muddled and silly regarding small matters, which made her incredibly adorable.

Of course, hearing this made Jing Yue'er feel like she was about to spit blood from anger. Had living in the imperial palace for a day or two truly made her feel so at home that she was regressing and being played by her brother?

"But... Brother..."

Jing Yue'er still couldn't understand.

Yan Yuxiao calmly sipped his tea, looking at Jing Yue'er and the Northern Emperor sitting beside her. "For the past few years, the Prince Rong Mansion has always claimed that Heir Apparent Ye was gravely ill. What Imperial Grandfather doesn't know is that he hasn't lived in the Prince's mansion for three years..."

The Northern Emperor frowned, suddenly finding this interesting. "What happened?"

Yan Yuxiao unhurriedly placed his teacup back onto the crystal jade saucer and smiled. "Imperial Grandfather may not know, but three years ago, Grandmaster Juechen visited the Prince Rong Mansion. At that time, Brother Zigui was only fifteen. He was a dashing young man, surrounded by beauties like clouds. Back then, Grandmaster Juechen said one thing."

"Hmm?"

Jing Yue'er looked at Yan Yuxiao with dissatisfaction. "Brother, stop being cryptic and just say it."

Even the usually calm Jing Yue'er couldn't help but urge him. She wanted to know why a noble young master, a hereditary prince, would choose a fishing village and stay away for three whole years. Moreover, why would he stay in such a dilapidated thatched hut without saying a word? She had tried to probe him many times but never learned his identity. The only thing she knew was that when Liu Jun wore fine silks, he was no inferior to any noble gentleman.

"Grandmaster Juechen said..." Yan Yuxiao glanced at Ye Yunxie before continuing, "He said that Brother Zigui currently spends his days lingering among the flowers, but one day, he would be forced to change for a woman. From then on, he would be devoted to only her! After Grandmaster Juechen finished speaking, he couldn't help but shake his head and added that Brother Zigui was destined to never escape the word 'love' in this lifetime."

Hearing this, Jing Yue'er couldn't help but laugh. "Brother, what does that have to do with him going to a fishing village?"

He smiled warmly and continued with doting affection, "Brother Zigui was curious at the time. He wondered what kind of woman could make him lose track of time and remain obsessed for a lifetime."

"Then Grandmaster Juechen said that if he hid away in the Prince's mansion, he would naturally never meet her."

Yan Yuxiao unhurriedly told the story to Jing Yue'er while sipping his tea. This was the first time Jing Yue'er had listened so intently; the two of them seemed to completely ignore the dancing, the Northern Emperor, and even Ye Yunxie.

"Huh?" Jing Yue'er frowned. "Wouldn't it be better if he didn't meet her? How did Heir Apparent Ye respond then?"

"Heir Apparent Ye naturally wanted to see her and take a gamble against Grandmaster Juechen to see if he would indeed lose himself in her. " Yan Yuxiao paused, then added, "If he lost, he would follow Grandmaster Juechen to cultivate. If he won, he would get his wish and see exactly what kind of woman Grandmaster Juechen spoke of—the one who would make him lose track of time."

"Hmm... and what was the wager?" Jing Yue'er looked at Yan Yuxiao curiously.

"To leave the mansion and go to the fishing village to be a fisherman for three years. He would surely meet that woman!"

Yan Yuxiao smiled. "Now, the three-year promise has been fulfilled."

"Then did Heir Apparent Ye meet that lady?" Jing Yue'er blinked, showing a rare, girlish charm.

Yan Yuxiao did not speak, but instead turned to look at Ye Yunxie. "Brother Zigui, tell us. Did you meet her?"

Ye Yunxie froze, his gaze flickering slightly. He looked at Jing Yue'er, and after a long silence, he said, "The three-year promise has arrived. I have indeed yielded to Grandmaster Juechen. As I wished, I have met her."

"She..."

Jing Yue'er was about to ask who the lady was, but when she saw her own reflection in Ye Yunxie's eyes, her fingertips trembled. Her face flushed red all the way to the back of her ears, and she fell silent.

In an instant, the entire hall fell into dead silence. The graceful dancing drifted into Jing Yue'er's ears, sounding clear and pleasant.

"Hahaha..."

The Northern Emperor's loud laughter brought Jing Yue'er back to her senses. "Yunxie, if a young man isn't romantic, he has wasted his youth. He truly is a devoted soul. I heard that Yunxie has a life-saving debt to Yue'er. Could it be that this fate was destined by Heaven?"

Ye Yunxie glanced at Jing Yue'er, his jade-like face suddenly reddening. "Princess Ziyue used the pseudonym Luo'er at the time. Her status was ten times more noble than mine, yet she never looked down on my humble thatched hut. She braved the wind and rain by the seaside all alone and was still able to protect herself. It is truly as Grandmaster Juechen said; Princess Ziyue is one of a kind. It was from that moment that Yunxie developed a deep admiration for Princess Ziyue."

Jing Yue'er lowered her eyes, truly at a loss for words. The most infuriating part was that the entire court was staring at her alone, whispering amongst themselves. If they were just wanting to catch a glimpse of her beauty, she wouldn't mind, but now they were linking her and Ye Yunxie together in their hearts. It truly gave her the urge to turn around and walk away immediately.

To make matters worse, the Northern Emperor noticed nothing and said to her earnestly, "Yue'er, a man who waits devotedly for you for three years, willing to give up wealth and honor, to endure wind and rain, and to live a life of hardship just to see you once... that is not something just anyone can do."

Jing Yue'er felt as if her heart were about to leap out of her chest. To confess to a girl in front of so many people—and then for her grandfather to urge her to accept this affection in front of everyone—she truly didn't know what to say.

"Grandfather..."

Jing Yue'er pursed her lips. It was indeed difficult for a man to have such an obsession. She had indeed once had the thought of living a lifetime in the fishing village with that Liu Jun. But now her identity had changed, and his identity had changed as well.

It was as if he had become someone she no longer recognized...

How could she accept this so suddenly?

"Yue'er, if your brother were a woman and met such a devoted man, I would have accepted long ago," Yan Yuxiao said with a smile, loud enough for Jing Yue'er and himself to hear.

"I..."

Jing Yue'er was truly helpless. With the entire court present, she knew that none of them didn't share her brother's sentiment; they all wanted to facilitate a beautiful marriage.

That is how the human heart works. When seeing a man so devoted, people always hope the woman will understand and accept him in the next moment. If she did not comply, they would surely gossip behind her back about how ungrateful or arrogant she was.

Of course, she didn't really care about those things, but she cared about the looks her grandfather and brother were giving her. It seemed as if these two had also become worldly.

"Yue'er, is Heir Apparent Ye not good enough?" the Northern Emperor asked concernedly.

"No!" Jing Yue'er frowned and replied silently.

"Then, Yue'er, is Heir Apparent Ye good to you?" the Northern Emperor asked again.

"He is... very good."

Jing Yue'er had no choice but to nod. During that period when she was sick and bedridden, he was the one who brought things to her every day, washed her clothes, and prepared tea and meals. His skills were such that even though it was simple food, Jing Yue'er found it truly impeccable.

"Then what do you think of this child, Yunxie?" the Northern Emperor asked again.

"Impeccable," Jing Yue'er answered honestly.

"You are my granddaughter, and in this entire Wanyue Kingdom, I feel Yunxie is the most suitable for you... Therefore, Grandfather has an idea." The Northern Emperor paused, looking at Jing Yue'er cautiously. "I feel that you and Yunxie are a match made in heaven."

The Northern Emperor thought for a long time before finally making up his mind. "Now that your mother and father are no longer here, your brother and I are your only kin. If I were to betroth you to Yunxie, what do you think..."

Jing Yue'er's heart trembled violently. She looked at the Northern Emperor, then shifted her gaze to Yan Yuxiao, and finally, her eyes settled firmly on Ye Yunxie. This entire investiture ceremony felt as if it had been meticulously planned. Her brother wanted to push her onto someone else.

She knew well that Jun Lanfeng's brother had never liked her. Now, she didn't like him either. Yet her brother seemed to think that if she saw Jun Lanfeng, she wouldn't be able to resist his sweet words and might compromise!

So, he wanted to arrange an engagement for her in advance.

*Oh, my calculating brother, what can I even say?*

Although she didn't like this, what could she do? Did she truly still hold illusions about Jun Lanfeng? If she didn't, then the man before her was indeed exceptionally excellent. What reason could she possibly use to refuse?

Ye Yunxie walked up to the stage silently, meeting Jing Yue'er's gaze. After a long moment, his body suddenly leaned forward, and he knelt down gently.

Startled, Jing Yue'er frowned. "What are you doing?"

"There is a fruit stain on Princess Ziyue's shoe."

Ye Yunxie's voice was not loud, but it rang exceptionally clear in the breathless hall. He took out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the bright red fruit stain from Jing Yue'er's embroidered shoe. His movements were meticulous, wiping again and again. Only after it was completely clean did he lift his head to look at her. "Is the Princess satisfied?"

Yan Yuxiao rolled his eyes and smiled nonchalantly. "Brother Zigui, a man's hands are extremely precious. Although my sister is precious, you are indeed being too pampering. Usually, it is women who serve men; aren't you afraid the world will mock you for such behavior?"

Ye Yunxie smiled indifferently. "We are all men, but some men spend their lives working in the dirt, while others never touch a drop of water. Therefore, men are divided into different classes, and women are as well. Every kind of woman deserves a certain kind of treatment. In Yunxie's eyes, Princess Ziyue is unique, so she must naturally be treated with a unique attitude."

The women present were momentarily stunned. As they watched Ye Yunxie, who was still kneeling, countless envious gazes were cast his way.

This time, the previously calm civil and military officials could no longer remain composed.

"Princess Ziyue, it would be a great pity if you did not accept such a fine match," someone remarked.

"Indeed. Do you know how many noble ladies envy you for having such a wonderful partner right now? You must know, for a man to draw a woman's eyebrows is considered the height of pampering. Let alone touching your shoes—we wouldn't even dare dream of such a thing in our lifetimes," another noblewoman added.

"Heir Apparent Ye is the youngest and most learned man in our Wanyue Kingdom. If you don't even like this, we won't know what kind of man you actually like."

Another woman couldn't help but urge, "If you don't want him, the rest of Wanyue Kingdom will be fighting to have him!"

"Fighting to have him?" Jing Yue'er frowned.

"Of course! Heir Apparent Ye is second only to the Emperor and stands above ten thousand people. He carries half the weight of this Wanyue Kingdom! He is the Emperor's most capable assistant."

Jing Yue'er fell into sudden thought. She realized that the Northern Emperor wanting her to marry Ye Yunxie was actually a form of political maneuvering. However, it was rare for an Emperor to actively seek the consent of the person involved. Her grandfather truly loved her to the extreme; he hadn't treated her entirely as a trophy to be sold.

So, regarding marriage, if it had any utility value to her, why should she care? Moreover, the man before her had never once thought of the throne, nor was he arrogant like that other man. Instead, he truly held her in the palm of his hand.