Chapter 2: Marry None But Her

Hearing Jun Zimo’s words, Huang Feiyu’s delicate face instantly turned pale. She hadn’t expected him to be so direct. Even Huang Aotian’s expression changed—someone saying “I will marry no one but her” was not a phrase to be uttered lightly, especially coming from Jun Zimo, a man who meant every word he spoke.

The pavilion suddenly fell into silence, save for the faint rustling of the wind. After a long moment, Huang Feiyu’s voice trembled as she said, “You’re lying. I’ve never heard you have any dealings with a girl from any family. How could you already have someone you like? You’re deceiving me, aren’t you?”

Jun Zimo sighed silently, a smiling little face flashing through his mind. Suddenly, he raised his head and looked toward Huang Aotian. “Your Majesty, are you familiar with Mu Ming Town?”

At Jun Zimo’s question, Huang Feiyu quickly turned to look at Huang Aotian, eyes full of hope, silently praying not to hear an answer that would dash her hopes.

“Of course I know it. Mu Ming Town is considered a rare place of peace. You seemed to have visited it personally last month. Could it be—” Huang Aotian’s words trailed off, but the implication was clear.

Jun Zimo lifted his gaze toward the distance, a reminiscent smile playing on his handsome face. “In any case, Your Majesty, I ask that you retract your decree.”

Initially, Huang Aotian was still half in doubt, but seeing the smile on Jun Zimo’s face, he was already mostly convinced.

“No, I don’t believe you. You’re lying,” Huang Feiyu took a step back, staring at Jun Zimo’s profile as she murmured. Her brother Zimo could only belong to her. How could he possibly have someone he liked? How could that be...

Jun Zimo sighed silently, turning to look at Huang Feiyu and spoke gently, “Feiyu, why do you trouble yourself so?”

“I don’t care. As long as you haven’t married her, I won’t believe it,” Huang Feiyu said stubbornly, glaring at Jun Zimo and shouting hoarsely.

Jun Zimo fixed his gaze on Huang Feiyu for a moment, then sighed and said, “We had agreed to wait a few months before I went to marry her, but since the princess insists on seeing me wed her before letting go, I will marry her in a few days.”

Jun Zimo’s words hit Huang Feiyu’s heart like a bolt from the blue. She hadn’t expected this to be true, and worse, she herself had unwittingly pushed her brother into this beforehand. Hurt, she stared at Jun Zimo for a long while before suddenly saying nothing and running out of the pavilion.

Watching Huang Feiyu’s retreating figure, Huang Aotian shook his head. “I’ve never understood why you don’t favor Feiyu.”

Jun Zimo shook his head. “Matters of the heart cannot be forced.”

Huang Aotian no longer pressed the matter. The two spoke a while longer before parting ways.

After separating from Huang Aotian, Jun Zimo wasted no time heading to Mu Ming Town. Although he had sounded so certain earlier, it was merely an excuse to evade the emperor’s command, no longer a matter of political advantage.

The thought of those calculating eyes always looming over his wallet gave him a headache.

One month ago.

“This is the season to pick wild orchids. A single orchid sells for ten taels of silver. Hoo… if I can pick ten or so, I won’t have to worry about this month’s expenses,” a young girl carrying a basket muttered to herself as she walked down a forest path.

The girl was delicate and pretty, her large eyes sparkling with lively light. Her cheeks were slightly chubby, making her look exceptionally adorable. Her hair was tied in a simple ponytail as she bounced and skipped deeper into the mountains.