“No, Brother Ming. You, you don’t understand…” Ji Liruo’s voice was very soft, and it was full of misery and sadness. She said, “The Young Marquis is a decent man. Since he’s betrothed to me, naturally he wouldn’t do anything improper or unacceptable. Other than his blindness, the Young Marquis is just excellent. I believe that there are many women in the capital who envy me for being engaged to marry him.”
Liu Ming was silent for a moment. This person, Xiao Anning, was indeed very outstanding. Even if he was blind, his talent and martial arts skills were beyond those of his peers. Every time his imperial grandfather put them to the test, he wouldn’t say anything at all. But afterward, he would always lecture them in an exasperated tone, as these young ones of his bloodline could not live up to what he expected of them. He would tell them, “Look at Anning. He’s blind and can’t see things, but he works harder and more diligently than any of you do. Can any of you compare to him in any way?”
This was precisely why they didn’t like Xiao Anning. He was a blind man, and yet he outshone the able-bodied Emperor and imperial grandsons of the royal family.
In addition, the understanding and thoughtful Ji Liruo was betrothed to Xiao Anning. He felt like there was a lump in his throat that was preventing him from speaking up, and he became even more frustrated at being unable to say anything.
Just as Liu Ming was letting his thoughts run wild, Ji Liruo simply whispered, “Actually, there’s really no need to envy me. One man’s meat is another man’s poison…”
The second half of what she said was almost inaudible, but Liu Ming still heard it clearly.
Liu Ming abruptly turned to face Ji Liruo and anxiously, yet eagerly, asked, “Sister Ji, what did you say? Are you also not satisfied with this marriage? I can go and tell Father. I can go and ask Grandfather to cancel this marriage.”
“No, I didn’t say anything. You heard wrong.” Ji Liruo was shocked. Her face paled, and she hurriedly shook her head in the negative.
“If you feel wronged, why didn’t you tell me? You used to tell me everything. If you’re unwilling to accept this marriage, why didn’t you tell me? I’ll find a way to stop it.” Liu Ming looked at Ji Liruo’s pale, smiling face and felt his heart ache, as though someone were twisting a knife in his heart.
Ji Liruo’s voice was harsh and stern at first, then it gradually became sad and miserable. “Brother Ming, this marriage was a gift bestowed by the Emperor! I don’t wish to bring you any trouble or worry. If you intercede on my behalf, what will other people think? What will the Emperor and Crown Prince think? How could I put you in such a difficult position?” she said softly.
Liu Ming also paled. As a member of the royal family, he of course knew better than to say and do what and when he pleased.
“All right, Brother Ming. You don’t have to say a word. Just pretend you don’t know anything. I beg you, don’t get yourself into trouble on my behalf. The Young Marquis is such a good man. After I’m married to him, he’ll definitely treat me well,” Ji Liruo earnestly pleaded with him.
Liu Ming tightly clenched his fists. His eyes were already filled with anger and… hatred as he looked at Xiao Anning.
“Brother Ming, I will go over first. I just want you to be good. Don’t think of doing anything silly,” Ji Liruo warned him. Then, lifting her chin, she put a smile on her face and walked toward the Crown Princess.
Liu Ming stood in the same spot alone. His eyes were brimming with hatred as he stared at Xiao Anning’s back, and for a long time, he didn’t move in the slightest.
At this time, Tian Miao was with Princess Yong An. Together, they headed to the garden of the Eastern Palace. The garden had been divided into two parts by a screen. The ladies and gentlemen sat separately. The few screens in between them merely served as a symbolic partition. In truth, the gaps in-between the screens were wide enough for a person to pass through. It was a convenient way of allowing the young men and women to observe one another.
The Crown Princess was also extremely interested in Tian Miao. But she didn’t dare to be overly enthusiastic, for the Emperor had specially instructed them all to treat this divine operator with great courtesy without making her feel the slightest bit uncomfortable.