Chapter 2: Leaving the Air

The Jade Emperor Pavilion stands in the night, perched on a cliff, with the corridor built on the edge swaying and creaking in the wild mountain wind.

Mingzhu stood on the corridor and looked down to see a bottomless abyss.

The strong mountain wind blew her dress wildly, as if it could sweep her away at any moment.

She, however, was not afraid at all, staring absentmindedly at the void of darkness.

Sulan quickly caught up and was startled by the sight. She threw the lantern and rushed forward to desperately hold onto Mingzhu's legs, pleading, "Miss, let's go back. If Geng Mama finds out you're not here, she'll come looking for you."

"It's even better if she comes. I'll invite them to enjoy the scenery, maybe we can have tea and chat," Mingzhu replied.

Mingzhu knew what Sulan was worried about. She probably thought that she might impulsively jump from the edge of the corridor due to her unhappiness with the Prince of Lin'an.

But after regaining her life so hard, how could she easily give it up?

The enemies who killed their family members were still alive and well. Why should she die in vain?

Have tea? What tea to have here?

It's truly madness.

Sulan's nose, palms, and soles were covered in cold sweat, and she stammered, "Miss, please don't tease your servant. You know I'm very afraid of heights."

Mingzhu, instead of ignoring the topic, seized Sulan's arm and pulled her forward, saying, "What are you afraid of? There's a railing. Look, I'm not afraid even like this."

Sulan, naturally afraid of heights, screamed in terror.

Mingzhu released her arm uninterestedly. To prove her fearlessness, she spontaneously performed a pirouette.

Spinning rapidly, her dainty feet stomped on the corridor, making a clanging sound. Finally, she leaned against the railing, bent over, and hung down, laughing at the sky, "See, nothing to worry about."

Sulan collapsed on the ground, crying uncontrollably, "Miss, I know you're upset about the Prince of Lin'an, but it shouldn't come to this. If you regret it and don't want to part with him, we can talk to the Marquis and the Empress Dowager, and the marriage can continue, okay?"

"Nonsense, I've made up my mind about this marriage, and there's no turning back," Mingzhu remained unmoved, gazing at the starry sky, feeling a sudden heartache, tears welling up in her eyes.

Discovering that she had wasted her life and made foolish mistakes was truly heart-wrenching.

Sulan crawled over and hugged her legs again, crying even more sorrowfully than if she had lost her parents, "Miss, let's go back, please?"

"You're too noisy. I came up to the mountain for peace and quiet, but you're not letting me have that," Mingzhu stood up, sat on the ground, and angrily kicked off her satin shoes, gazing at the horizon.

The sky was beginning to lighten, and the morning bell at the Jade Emperor Pavilion began to ring. Dawn was approaching.

The once heavenly scenery now accentuated her desolation.

Whenever she thought of her past life, she felt a sense of living in misery, forcing herself to die, to be stabbed, to be desecrated. It was truly pathetic.

She couldn't help but wonder if after her death, did Yuwen You also succumb to poison?

What happened to her mother and nephew afterwards?

Thinking about it was distressing and inconclusive. She quickly pushed it aside, comforting herself that everything was starting anew, and perhaps there was still time.

However, the future was so formidable and unpredictable that she suddenly felt worried and couldn't help but ask Sulan, "Do you think this marriage can be called off?"

Although Sulan was still sweating, she confidently replied, "Since the Marquis has agreed to it, it can certainly be done. Even if the Marquis doesn't agree, there's still the Empress Dowager, right?"

Mingzhu straightened her back instantly.

Her cousin, Emperor Gan, died young, and the current Emperor was still a child who had to listen to his aunt and father. Empress Fu held immense power. Cancelling the marriage shouldn't be a big deal.

Even if Yuwen You was a prince, he was just a fallen noble. How could he resist her father and aunt's influence?

Otherwise, he wouldn't have reluctantly agreed to this marriage in the first place.

Moreover, her father and aunt were never in favor of this marriage. It was just her persistent pleading and desperate struggle that made them agree.

But Sulan whispered, "I'm worried about the Prince of Lin'an's temperament."

Yuwen You, the Prince of Lin'an, was the son of the late Emperor Wenzong's beloved concubine, Zhou Guifei. He was exceptionally handsome, intelligent, and capable. Emperor Wenzong adored him and personally raised him since childhood.

There were even rumors in court and among the people that Emperor Wenzong intended to make Yuwen You his heir.

Fortunately, Zhou Guifei fell seriously ill and never recovered, and the Crown Prince's position was secure, otherwise, things might have been different.

At this time, Fu Mingzhu set her sights on the Prince of Lin'an.

Spoiled and unaware of the world, at the age of twelve, she boldly declared at a palace banquet upon seeing Yuwen You, "I will marry this man in the future."

Regardless of the surrounding people's reactions, she had her maid send the precious jade bottle given to her by the Empress to the Prince of Lin'an.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Wenzong called her and after a few questions, he laughed and agreed to the marriage.

This marriage is certainly beneficial for Yuwen You. He and his birth mother, Empress Zhou, have deeply offended Empress Fu and the Crown Prince. By marrying into the Fu family, it can only bring him benefits without any drawbacks.

Everyone knows how favored Fu Mingzhu is. By becoming her husband, at the very least, he can ensure his safety after Emperor Wen's passing and the Crown Prince's ascension, and live as a leisurely nobleman.

However, Yuwen You is not satisfied. He has been spoiled by Emperor Wen's favoritism, and his temperament has long been established. How could he endure such humiliation?

Of course, he has tried every means to get out of this marriage, but as a fallen and unfavored son of the former emperor, how could he possibly compete with the Fu family, especially after being abandoned by Empress Fu?

So, this marriage naturally became a certainty, and it is set to be finalized in just ten days.

Now, everything is prepared, the wedding invitations have been sent out, and guests from afar have arrived. However, Mingzhu suddenly says she won't marry and wants to call off the engagement, seeking refuge here at the Jade Emperor Temple.

It's likely that no man could endure such humiliation, let alone the proud and arrogant Prince of Lin'an.

If Yuwen You stubbornly refuses, it will undoubtedly cause an unsightly and unpleasant uproar throughout the court and the people.

It seems this marriage cannot be easily salvaged.

Mingzhu, thinking of Yuwen You's stubborn and unyielding nature, also feels a headache. She firmly says, "I don't care, under no circumstances will this marriage happen."

In this quiet and secluded place, with no one to disturb them, Sulan retreats while using both hands and feet, and asks the question on her mind, "Why did you suddenly change your mind, Miss?"

Having served Mingzhu since childhood, she understands her the best, and is therefore acutely aware of just how much Mingzhu likes Yuwen You. She likes him so much that she won't allow anyone to say a bad word about him.

So, when Mingzhu suddenly refused to marry, she was the most surprised.