The emperor was about the same age as Li De.
If Zhan Tianye had not facilitated it, the emperor would not have gained Li De's precious daughter.
Li De's plan would have succeeded today if he hadn't been warned in advance.
Yun Shu then thought of Zhan Tianye's amnesia, which must have been a conspiracy between the emperor and Li De.
And that Sha Gong...
Whenever Yun Shu thought about things, she tended to lose track of time.
She hadn't eaten breakfast yet. It was only when Zhen Lin reminded her from outside that she remembered to go out for it.
After breakfast, everyone who had come for the hunt began packing their belongings and preparing to leave.
During this time, many people were asking what the screaming was about that morning, but no one knew.
Later, someone whispered mysteriously that General Li De had actually arrived.
The arrival of General Li De caused great confusion. He hadn't attended the hunt yesterday, and now, on the eve of their return to the capital, why would General Li De suddenly show up?
Yun Shu listened to the murmurs, lowering her gaze to hide the emotions swirling in her eyes.
Rushing over so quickly, Zhan Tianye's sword had truly struck Li De to the core.
A while later, after lunch, the crowd received astonishing news.
The emperor had just issued a decree naming General Li De's daughter, Li Meng'er, as Concubine Meng.
The news was so sudden that it was truly shocking.
Li Meng'er, who was being gossiped about, saw Zhan Tianye.
Her face was completely devoid of color, and she looked at Zhan Tianye as he walked in with a wistful gaze. Her eyes held too many words, too many things she wanted to say to His Highness Prince Jin.
She desperately wanted to ask him why he had sent her to the emperor! Last night, she had offered herself to him, and he had so heartlessly pushed her towards the emperor!
Li De was also present. He looked at Zhan Tianye with a complex expression, realizing that this time he had shot himself in the foot. He had misjudged Zhan Tianye.
He had thought he could act silently and fulfill the wishes of his only cherished daughter. He hadn't expected Zhan Tianye to be so prepared and to so precisely push Meng'er towards the emperor!
The emperor, looking at Zhan Tianye as he entered, had a look of shared pride in his eyes. He was indeed his son, not easily manipulated.
"You're here. Come and sit down. After a few words, we'll be returning to the capital," the emperor said to Zhan Tianye in a gentle tone.
Zhan Tianye acknowledged him with a "yes" and sat down, not looking at his father and daughter opposite him throughout the conversation.
It was as if what happened last night had nothing to do with him, as if he knew nothing, showing no emotion whatsoever.
The emperor chuckled inwardly. This was probably the first major setback Li De had experienced in years.
Although the emperor had relied on Li De, he had also been wary of him. His son had handled today's affair brilliantly.
"Congratulations, Father Emperor," Zhan Tianye said, under Li Meng'er's mournful gaze.
Li De felt as if he were spitting blood. He desperately wanted to grab Zhan Tianye's clothes and ask where his daughter had fallen short. She had been offered willingly, yet she was so despised!
She hadn't even been given a glance.
His words, "Congratulations, Father Emperor," were a stab to the heart, capable of making Meng'er suffer immensely!
Li Meng'er's eyes reddened, and tears welled up, seemingly on the verge of spilling.
Fortunately, she quickly turned her head and wiped her eyes.
"With Concubine Meng by my side from now on, I will surely be in high spirits," the emperor said, speaking his true feelings.
Li Meng'er's face strongly resembled Li De's wife in her youth.
Years ago, he had harbored some feelings for Li De's wife. However, the beauty had been engaged to Li De early on, and he could only think about her in his heart. Now, taking their daughter as a concubine fulfilled an old wish and healed a regret.
Prompted by Li De, Li Meng'er could only suppress her heartache and reluctantly say, "It is my fortune to be able to serve Your Majesty."
Afterward, the emperor engaged in some perfunctory conversation with Li De.
Finally, the emperor laughed heartily, appearing very pleased, and then ordered the departure for the capital.
As Zhan Tianye walked out, Li De also walked out.
After walking a considerable distance, when there was no one around, Li De, with a somber expression, asked Zhan Tianye, "Your Highness Prince Jin, you have excellent methods. When did you discover it?"
"What matter are you referring to, General Li?" Zhan Tianye's dark eyes, sharp as an eagle in the night, fixed on Li De.
Li De's heart skipped a beat at that gaze, and a sense of fear arose within him.
What a King Ye!
He, who could hold sway in Dongning, was an eagle not to be trifled with, even after losing his memory and arriving in Xixia.
Li De's emotions were now extremely complex. He admired Zhan Tianye, was furious about last night's events, and believed Zhan Tianye was uncontrollable. He feared that he and the emperor might both end up in a situation where they had hoisted themselves by their own petard!
Seeing Li De remain silent, Zhan Tianye simply walked away.
Li De did not follow.
He stood rooted to the spot, still reeling. His beloved daughter, the one he had doted on, had entered the palace just like that! With so many women in the palace, the thought of his daughter facing struggles for favor in the future felt like her heart was being fried in oil!
From now on, he must be exceedingly cautious in any matter involving His Highness Prince Jin!
...
Before boarding the carriage to leave.
Yun Shu saw Zhan Tianye not far away.
They were separated by a crowd of people.
Their eyes met precisely.
Yun Shu nodded subtly.
A hint of tenderness flashed in Zhan Tianye's eyes.
Someone inadvertently saw the tenderness in Zhan Tianye's eyes and followed his gaze, seeing Princess Ning De. Princess Ning De was also looking at Prince Jin.
Qin Lingyue turned to Qin Linglong with a sarcastic smile. "You always said Prince Jin liked you, didn't you? Prince Jin publicly declared his feelings for Princess Ning De yesterday. Look, Prince Jin is still looking at Princess Ning De just now, his gaze is very gentle. Qin Linglong, I think you're just dreaming!"
"If I were you, I'd go find Prince Jin right now and break off the engagement. Otherwise, when Prince Jin breaks off the engagement, you'll be utterly humiliated!"
This was a stab to the heart.
Qin Lingyue's words left Qin Linglong almost utterly devastated.
Her face paled and then paled again. She bit her lip and said stubbornly, "Qin Lingyue, you'd better be polite to me right now. No matter who Prince Jin's heart belongs to, it doesn't change my engagement to him."
"You! I'll see how long you can keep pretending. Hmph!" Qin Lingyue said hatefully.
Qin Linglong bit her lip, glancing at Prince Jin, then at Princess Ning De. The handkerchief in her hand was already twisted out of shape.
...
In the carriage, Princess Ning De calmed herself.
Was Prince Jin looking at her just now?
That gaze was so tender, she couldn't help but fall into it.
After calming her racing heart, she asked Yun Shu, "Miss Ning, do you love your fiancé?"