Chapter Twenty-Seven: Mingyu's Thoughts

After the palace banquet ended, Rong Jiu returned to Rong Yuan with her elder brothers. She had just finished washing up when a maid entered, carrying an exquisite box.

"Princess, the eldest prince just sent something over."

The maid spoke as she handed the box to Rong Jiu.

Upon hearing that it was a gift from Song Moting, Rong Jiu’s eyes sparkled and she immediately took it.

"Alright, you may leave now."

Once the maid departed, Rong Jiu was so delighted she jumped up. Seizing the moment when the room was empty, she secretly opened the lid.

Inside the sandalwood box, a dazzling light shone forth. Rong Jiu squinted but couldn’t help widening her eyes—inside was a luminous pearl the size of her fist!

So, he wanted the luminous pearl to give it to me!

Rong Jiu’s heart was filled with happiness.

She carefully took out the pearl, cradling it in her palm.

"Such a precious gift for a first present—it’s almost embarrassing!" Rong Jiu giggled foolishly.

But she’d always been afraid of the dark, needing the lamp lit to fall asleep. Now, with this pearl, she would never be afraid again.

Three days later, Song Moan finished arranging matters in the army and returned to the capital with Qiao Muqing and a handful of soldiers.

Five days after that, Song Moan and his party successfully arrived at Jing’an City.

At the victory banquet, Rong Jiu watched the two young men being honored—one spirited and bold, the other gentle as jade. Both were handsome youths, yet she could hardly believe that these two, neither of whom looked particularly robust, were famed generals with distinguished records on the battlefield.

Still, the banquet was as dull as ever. Most of their conversation revolved around warfare, which didn’t interest Rong Jiu. After greeting her brothers, she slipped away with A’Mu.

On the city wall, a refreshing evening breeze greeted her face. Rong Jiu closed her eyes, savoring it. The summer night was the opposite of the day’s heat—the cool wind caressed her cheeks, so comfortable.

"It’s so much nicer outside!"

A deep, magnetic voice sounded at her ear. Rong Jiu opened her eyes to see Song Moting standing beside her, though she hadn’t noticed when he arrived.

She looked behind her—A’Mu was gone.

"How do you walk so silently? Don’t you know suddenly speaking like that could frighten someone to death!" Rong Jiu glared at Song Moting, feigning annoyance.

"You were simply too absorbed," Song Moting replied with amusement, finding her puffed-up expression adorable. Unable to resist, he reached out and pinched her still-babyish cheeks.

"Ah! Why are you pinching me?" Rong Jiu exclaimed.

"Because you’re so cute!" Song Moting answered.

Rong Jiu blushed furiously. It was the first time anyone had so openly called her cute—she struggled to contain her excitement, trying hard to remain composed.

"Ahem, well, it seems there’s someone over there," Rong Jiu said, pretending to turn her head casually, though she was really covering her mouth to hide a secret smile.

Her little gesture did not escape Song Moci’s eyes. He smiled slightly, surprised to see her shy.

But, following the direction Rong Jiu faced, there really was a man and woman standing together.

"That’s Yu’er and Muqing."

"Huh?"

Rong Jiu was momentarily confused, not understanding what Song Moci meant.

"I said those two are my sister and Qiao Muqing," Song Moci repeated, suppressing his laughter at Rong Jiu’s bewildered look.

Rong Jiu finally caught on and looked again—indeed, two people were there.

Oh my! He was just making it up, and there really are people!

Wait a minute! Who did Song Moci say they were? His sister and Qiao Muqing? His sister… wasn’t that the unruly princess from last time? And Qiao Muqing, wasn’t that the gentle young general just honored in the main hall? Who would have thought those two had something going on!

Rong Jiu’s gossip-loving heart was immediately ignited. She widened her eyes, staring at them.

Because they were far away, she couldn’t hear their conversation. After a brief exchange, the young man left, leaving Mingyu alone in tears.

"Looks like your sister just got rejected."

Rong Jiu clicked her tongue and couldn’t help gossiping with Song Moci.

At that moment, her mind was filled with the kind of novel plot where the male lead, after being saved by the heroine on the battlefield, falls madly in love and ruthlessly rejects the second female lead—the princess.

"This foolish girl, sigh!" Song Moci didn’t respond to Rong Jiu, only gazed at Mingyu in the distance, sighing inwardly.

"Do you think we should go comfort her?" Rong Jiu asked.

"No need. Let her be alone for a while; she’ll be fine by tomorrow," Song Moci smiled helplessly.

Someone with Mingyu’s pride would never want anyone to see her vulnerable. As her brother, he understood her well.

"Alright then!"

Actually, Rong Jiu had wanted to go tease her, since she held a grudge for Mingyu being so fierce last time.

"Let’s not talk about that. By the way, we’re going out tomorrow to have some fun—would you like to join us?"

Song Moci watched Rong Jiu’s expression nervously. He had come out precisely to invite her, but he wasn’t confident—she had disliked him before.

"Yes, yes! Where are we going?"

Rong Jiu didn’t think much of it. Hearing there was an outing, she was overjoyed; she hadn’t gone out for days and was feeling suffocated.

Song Moci hadn’t expected Rong Jiu to agree so readily and was stunned, his clear eyes filled with delight.

"As for that, you’ll find out tomorrow. I’ll come pick you up myself!" Song Moci was as happy as a child.

In truth, they had no plans for tomorrow. He’d asked on a whim, and since Rong Jiu agreed, he could only be vague for now.

After the banquet, everyone went their own ways. Song Moting and Song Moan stood atop the city wall, near the palace gates, overlooking the countless lights of Jing’an City.

Counting carefully, the two hadn’t seen each other for a year and three months.

"Has big brother been well lately?"

After a long silence, Song Moan spoke first.

"Yes, it’s been a while. You’ve grown much steadier."

Song Moting looked at the slightly more mature youth before him, feeling deeply moved. Who would have thought that, a year ago, he was just a reckless boy trailing behind, impulsive and eager to succeed… and now, in just one year, he had become a true commander.

"Because you once said you hoped I could stand on my own, I’ve been striving for that this past year. But in the end… it was only with your help that I won."

Song Moan lowered his head in shame, as if awaiting a scolding from an elder.

"You’ve done very well. I only gave you the answer; the process was all yours. You know, the process is far harder than the answer. And if it were the old you, with the enemy taunting outside the city, you wouldn’t have lasted a moment. I heard you endured three days—that’s what pleases me most."

Song Moting patted Song Moan’s shoulder, and the two exchanged a smile.

"Fourth brother, after this battle, you’re ready to stand alone. I can safely entrust the camp to you."

Song Moting gazed at the distant, dim lights, his eyes somewhat dazed but filled with determination.

"But…"

Song Moan was still hesitant. This experience had taught him that commanding an army was no simple task. With big brother around, he never had to worry, was never afraid, could do as he pleased—because he knew, no matter what, if he turned around, big brother would always be there.

Now… he feared he could never be like his brother, and didn’t want to let down those who trusted him.

"You know, the old you would never have been so hesitant."

No one can protect another forever. Though not born of the same mother, Song Moan had always relied on Song Moting from childhood.

Song Moting knew Song Moan’s potential, which is why he didn’t want him to hide under his wing forever.

"That’s because, with big brother here, I was never afraid to make decisions."

"You could before, and you can now. Because whenever you need it, big brother is always behind you." Song Moting patted Song Moan’s shoulder, speaking earnestly.

Song Moan’s eyes grew moist, but he strove to hold back tears. He took a deep breath, as if making a promise. "Thank you, big brother. I will do it!"

"That’s the spirit." Song Moting’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

Within Yaoheng Palace.

Mingyu lay dejectedly across the table, before her several plates of her favorite pastries, yet she couldn’t eat a single bite.

"Princess, please eat a little, don’t starve yourself," her maid, Hui Xiang, pleaded anxiously.

"I’m not hungry," Mingyu replied stubbornly.

"But princess, you haven’t eaten since the banquet. If you starve, His Majesty and the Empress will be worried."

"If I starve to death, maybe he’ll feel sorry for me."

Hui Xiang grew more anxious. "Princess, you mustn’t think like that! Maybe General Qiao has his own difficulties. You can ask him another day, there’s no need to torment yourself."

Mingyu just smiled bitterly. She and Qiao Muqing had grown up together and were once inseparable. But as they matured, he had grown distant, always repeating ‘men and women should keep their distance,’ and eventually went off to the army.

Yesterday, she’d swallowed her pride to confess her feelings, but he remained cold.

"What difficulties could he have? He simply doesn’t love me. Fine, if he despises me so much, I’ll stop bothering him." As Mingyu spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Giving up so quickly? That’s not the Mingyu I know."

Song Moci entered from the door, motioned Hui Xiang to leave, then sat beside Mingyu, gently wiping away her tears.

"Look at you, crying like a little kitten—who would like that?"

"Third brother, wuwu…" Mingyu, seeing him, burst into tears again.

"Alright, enough. Look at your brother—I’ve been rejected so many times. Have I given up? If you persist, there’ll be results."

"Really?" Mingyu asked, teary-eyed. But she’d persisted so long, and he still refused her.

"You must trust your third brother. Let me tell you, Qiao Muqing probably feels he’s not good enough for you, that’s why he keeps his distance. Here, let me teach you a method…" Song Moci leaned in, whispering in her ear.

"Will that really work?" Mingyu dried her tears, but was still uncertain.

"It’s absolutely reliable!"

Seeing Song Moci’s confident gaze, Mingyu finally smiled.