Chapter 368
~ A YEAR’S COMMITMENT ~
Yue Wang looked coldly at Meng Handong. His body was as straight as a snow pine. He slowly pulled out a feathered arrow and nocked it onto his bow. He pulled back his arm and instantly pulled the bow into a crescent moon shape. If he wasn’t here just now, even if Meng Handong’s arrow couldn’t kill Yunyao, it would have heavily injured her.
Meng Handong’s eyes widened, and his eyeballs were about to pop out. He could not help but feel a strong sense of fear in his heart, and he kneeled down with a “pu tong” sound. “Your Royal Highness, I was wrong. I really know my wrongs. I will not dare to find trouble with Miss Mu anymore. I beg you to spare my life!”
He hated Mu Yunyao in his heart. If it wasn’t for her, his sister wouldn’t have lost control of her sense of propriety, causing the Emperor to be angered to death. Also, his Eldest Uncle wouldn’t have been removed from office, and he wouldn’t have been employed for five years. The Meng family had suffered too much this time, so when he saw Mu Yunyao, hatred surged in his heart, and he shot an arrow directly. He didn’t think Yue Wang was guarding at her side!
Since Yue Wang left the Capital over Western Guangdong, he rarely returned he seldom came back every year. The people in the Imperial Court had no impression of him other than a despairing prince who was not in favor. They knew very little about Yue Wang’s temperament and style. Meng Handong did not hold much respect for Yue Wang at first. Otherwise, he would have knelt and begged for mercy the moment he saw Yue Wang. He wouldn’t have waited until his palm was pierced before realizing his fear.
Meng Handong was really scared. Seeing that no matter how he pleaded, Yue Wang did not loosen his grip on him and immediately shifted his gaze to Mu Yunyao. The woman was soft-hearted, and Yue Wang himself was taking revenge on him for her sake, so as long as he could make a move on Mu Yunyao, Yue Wang would definitely spare his life, “Little Sister Mu, it is all because of my reckless actions, and I nearly injured you. I will definitely prepare a great gift to come and apologize to you in the future. I beg Miss Mu to help me speak up and allow Yue Wang to be magnanimous to raise his hand!”
Yue Wang looked towards Mu Yunyao and seemed to be waiting for her to speak.
Mu Yunyao slightly raised the corner of her lips and smiled brilliantly. Her eyes focused on Meng Handong’s palm as she said, “Young Master Meng, if I hadn’t been so lucky just now, you wouldn’t have had the chance to beg me.”
“No, I never thought of harming Miss Mu’s life … I… I didn’t mean to....”
Mu Yunyao’s smile grew wider. “Don’t worry, His Royal Highness Yue Wang didn’t want to hurt your life. After all, you’re Grand Preceptor Meng’s grandson. It would be too much trouble for you to die on the hunting grounds.”
A hint of a smile flashed through Yue Wang’s eyes. But when he looked at Meng Handong, it had turned completely ice-cold. His thin lips pursed into a line, and his killing intent seemed to solidify. With sharp arrows, he shot straight through Meng Handong’s left shoulder.
Blood splattered as the arrow shot out from his body. Meng Handong couldn’t help but let out a wail and then fell to the ground with a thud.
Yue Wang finally put away his bow and arrows, bent over, and picked up the jade-green step on the ground. After checking to see if there were no omissions, he gave it to Mu Yunyao.
Mu Yunyao took out a handkerchief and wrapped it around her broken steps. Then she looked at Meng Handong, who was on the ground, “Young Master Meng, you previously said that as long as I keep your life, you would prepare a generous gift and come to the door to apologize in person. I will remember this in my heart. Don’t forget it because I will be waiting for you at the Su family’s residence.”
Yue Wang chuckles in his heart. He then carefully lifts Mu Yunyao on the horse’s back and leads the horse away slowly.
It was only a long while after the two of them left that Meng Handong slowly got up from the ground. His face was deathly pale as he looked in the direction where the two of them had left. The hatred and fear intertwined in his eyes: Yue Wang, Mu Yunyao … These two people were actually so cold-blooded and heartless!
After walking far away, Yue Wang looked at Mu Yunyao. “How do you know that he’s pretending to be unconscious?”
“A person who is skilled in medicine does have a bit of discernment ability. Naturally, I can distinguish between a real or a fake fainting at a glance.”
Yue Wang has a smile in his eyes. He did not know what other people would look like if they liked someone. In any case, ever since he fell for Mu Yunyao, even if she looked at him coldly, he would still think that she was so cute. “Be careful. The Meng family is not as simple as they seem.”
“Yes, I will pay more attention and be more careful.”
Yue Wang looked at the hill not far away. From here to the foot of the hill, there was a flat area. It was a good place for a horse to run. “Yunyao, do you want to make the horse run faster?” Yue Wang then turned his head to looked Yunyao and asked, “What do you think?”
“Hmm?” Mu Yunyao was a little doubtful. “It’s my first time riding a horse, so I’m not that good, and I don't know how to....”
Yue Wang smiled and used all his strength to board the horse. He sat behind Mu Yunyao and reached out his hand to wrap her whole body in his embrace. He fiercely shook the reins in his hand and shouted loudly, “Go!”
The horse swung its front hooves, whinnied, then sped off.
Mu Yunyao was caught off guard. Her back was pressed tightly against Yue Wang’s chest as she nervously bit down on her lower lip.
The wind whistled past her ears as the scenery on both sides quickly retreated. After adapting, Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She moved forward so quickly, as though she was floating atop the wind, which immediately gave birth to a heroic feeling in her heart.
It was only at the foot of the hill that the horse stopped.
The smile on Mu Yunyao’s face was brilliant, and her eyes shone faintly. After being led off by Yue Wang, she felt as if her feet were stepping on cotton. It was the first time she rode a horse while running. It really did seem like she was flying.
“Although my Palace is quite remote, it is extremely huge. There is a martial arts training ground that has been built. If you like it, I can take you to ride a horse at any time.”
Mu Yunyao smiled and let out a sigh of relief. She felt her mood was incomparably bright and beautiful. The haze she had accumulated over this time had disappeared without a trace. “Okay, when I want to ride a horse, I will let people tell you. But after we return to the Capital, it’s not appropriate for me to frequently visit your estate, is it?”
“When you have your coming age ceremony, I’ll propose a marriage decree to Imperial Father. How about it?”
Mu Yunyao’s smile froze as a complicated look appeared in her eyes, “Bestow the marriage decree?” Able to trouble the Emperor to bestow a marriage, she must be married to the royal family. However, with her current status, it’s absolutely impossible for her to marry Yue Wang.”
“That’s right. When you are old enough, I will marry you.” Yue Wang lowers his head and looks into Mu Yunyao’s eyes with expectation. He knew that he was anxious, but he just couldn’t control himself. He wanted Yunyao to become his wife, wanted her to always be by his side, wanted her to embrace her without a care in the world, and wanted to be with her for the rest of her life.
Mu Yunyao slightly tilted her head and turned to look at Yue Wang. “Have you made up your mind seriously, Fourth Master? Come to think of it. My current identity is a merchant’s daughter. Can Fourth Master take a merchant’s daughter as his Wangfei?”
Yue Wang understood the worries in her heart, but he didn’t mind, “Yue Wang can’t, but Ning Junyue can.”
Mu Yunyao shook her head slightly. “My coming age ceremony will be in another month. During this time, I’ve been busy taking care of Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo. I haven’t had the time to accompany my mother for a long time, so I want to stay with her for one year. Could Fourth Master promise me?”
“One year?”
“Yes, one year! A year from now, if Fourth Master still treats me the same way as it is today, I will definitely wear a phoenix crown and happily marry you.”
Yue Wang looked at Mu Yunyao’s eyes for a while, then nodded with a smile and agreed, “Alright, then I’ll wait for one year before asking Imperial Father for the permission. At that time, I’ll definitely marry you in full glory!”