8: break off an engagement

Yinyao looked up in disbelief, starting to suspect her hearing was failing her.

Was this still Meng Yun?

Why had he suddenly become so cold towards her?

A pang of inexplicable pain struck Yinyao's heart; she felt something was amiss.

But no matter how much she speculated, she could never have known Meng Yun's true predicament.

It was simply too fantastical.

The truth would only plunge everyone into utter despair.

At this moment, Yinyao could only let her thoughts run wild. At one point, she suddenly froze:

Meng Yun, could it be… he had someone else?

And the way he desperately tried to keep her from entering the room just now, perhaps that person was already inside!

With that thought, she silently stood up and began to pace slowly around the room, inspecting it back and forth.

Although her expression was calm, what kind of person was Meng Yun?

He keenly sensed that Yinyao seemed to be searching for something!

Almost instinctively, Meng Yun moved to stop her.

He didn't want her to know that he had become neither human nor ghost.

Even if the whole world knew, he especially didn't want her to know.

Meng Yun stood in front of Yinyao.

“Princess, this is my humble private residence. Your actions… are inappropriate.”

He met Yinyao's trembling gaze, looking at his own reflection in her pupils, and felt a sharp pain in his heart.

But, if they were destined to part,

Then the deeper the love, the deeper the wound.

Sometimes, hatred was more merciful than love.

“Meng Yun, what exactly are you hiding?!” Yinyao finally couldn't bear it any longer, her eyes reddening.

“I…”

“Have you fallen for someone else?!”

Meng Yun was stunned.

He looked at Yinyao's almost shattered, exquisite face, and said expressionlessly: “…Yes.”

It seemed this was the best excuse.

Yinyao, shedding tears, stormed off in a huff. For several days in a row, she never visited your home again. Though you felt guilty, you believed this was the best outcome.

Seven days later, Yinyao visited again. Upon seeing her again, the originally graceful and delicate young woman was much more gaunt and frail. She seemed to bear no grudges, showing you all sorts of kindness. But you still found an excuse to brush her off.

You felt that Yinyao still held expectations for you. You began to indulge in pleasure without restraint. You drank all night, you slept on the streets, you frequented brothels, and you even invited dancers to your home for all-night revelries. You went to great lengths to debase yourself.

Another five days later, Yinyao arrived unexpectedly again. By now, she was emaciated, as if a gust of wind could blow her over. Apart from you, no one seemed able to associate her with the title of Princess.

You laughed heartily, speaking wildly: “How can someone as withered as you be worthy of me!” Yinyao was expressionless, but her eyes were completely cold. She felt an immense sense of unfamiliarity and despair towards you.

From then on, Yinyao never came again. She realized that even if that dream was real, it was ultimately just an illusion.

In a blink of an eye, it was late December.

Meng Yun woke up from his bed, feeling pain all over. He instinctively reached out to touch himself, only to feel something beneath his skin, about to break through.

“Heh…” Meng Yun shook his head in self-mockery.

He never thought that White Cloud Virtuous Minister, who had schemed to kill Martial Universe Qiankun, would one day fall into becoming a devil.

He couldn't waste any more time like this. Meng Yun clearly knew that this might be his last period of living a normal life in the sunlight as a human.

He could no longer delay.

Meng Yun took out his official uniform, which had already gathered dust, and put it on neatly.

He was going to the capital to meet the Emperor.

“Meng Yun, Meng Yun!” A commotion suddenly came from outside the mansion. It was Luo Mian, carrying a jar of fine wine, arriving through the snow.

Innate True Qi protected him, and not a single snowflake clung to his body.

Luo Mian's unexpected arrival disrupted Meng Yun's plans, but it didn't matter, as it wouldn't delay him for long.

“Old Luo? It's been a while since you last came.” Meng Yun smiled slightly.

“I've been granted a Marquisate.” Luo Mian stepped into the front hall and plopped down: “Marquis Zhenyang.”

“Marquis Zhenyang?” Meng Yun was slightly startled: “Then aren't you about to depart for the border, to guard Tianyang City and defend against demonic beasts?”

“Departing tomorrow.” Luo Mian said in a muffled voice.

Meng Yun was silent for a moment, then earnestly looked at his good brother.

This is the last time, I must get a good look, he thought.

“That dog Emperor brought all those old fellows from Huangsha Town over, giving them good food and drink, and even granted them titles.” Luo Mian poured Meng Yun a cup of wine. Seeing that he didn't drink, he poured one for himself and drank alone.

“It's a disguised house arrest. The Emperor is afraid of you.” Meng Yun shook his head and chuckled.

“I don't care about those old fellows, Meng Yun, come with me!” Luo Mian said with hope in his eyes.

“The Emperor won't let me go. Are we supposed to give up wealth and glory to wander the world?” Meng Yun refused him verbally, but in his heart, he thought of Yinyao's tear-streaked face.

“You are unparalleled in strategy, and I can split the sky with one spear. The world is vast, we can go anywhere!” Luo Mian pouted.

“Watch your words, watch your words.” Meng Yun smiled helplessly, showing little respect for the Emperor in his words.

Perhaps that tiny bit of respect was only for Yinyao's sake.

With a myriad of worries, although Meng Yun had no appetite, he still picked up Luo Mian's cup of wine and clinked it with his brother.

“Brother Luo, cheers!”

The strong liquor went down Luo Mian's throat, and he sighed contentedly, but Meng Yun grimaced, finding it hard to swallow.

“Hahahahahaha, if you don't train that small body of yours, you might embarrass yourself at your wedding next year!” Luo Mian burst into laughter.

“Only a dog's mouth speaks ivory, hahahaha…” Meng Yun felt bitter in his heart, but he clapped his hands and laughed along.

The laughter seemed to still echo, but only Meng Yun remained in the place.

Meng Yun sat for a long time, then finally got up.

He headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

…

“What did you say? You want to break off the engagement??” In the Imperial Study, the Emperor slammed the scripture in his hand onto the floor.

He looked at Meng Yun below him, his eyes flickering with hidden murderous intent.

Originally, he had considered some in-law affection, but now it seemed that he, the Son of Heaven, had been mistaken…

The Emperor's emotions were imperceptible, but what he was thinking of were the recent rumors in the city and his beloved daughter's increasingly haggard appearance.

It was not a good match after all.

So be it!

“Granted.” The Emperor said faintly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Meng Yun bowed and withdrew.

With Meng Yun's departure, silence once again fell upon the Imperial Study.

At some point, the Emperor's voice sounded again: “Someone, summon Lord Warden Li Miao…”

On that day, the Emperor drafted an imperial edict, proclaiming to the world: Meng Yun is naturally unrestrained and disrespectful, truly not a suitable match for the Princess. The matter of marrying the Princess is hereby dismissed. Effective immediately, the Princess shall seek another suitable match.

As soon as the proclamation was issued, the whole world was astonished.

Yinyao sat quietly in the Princess's residence. The sword she usually practiced with had been put away. Her face showed no joy or sorrow, and in front of her, an incense burner emitted wisps of green smoke.

Human hearts are so cold; Yinyao confided her feelings to ghosts and gods.