Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

After Mu Hai left, Ling Yan summoned Yun Meng, who was making pastries for her.

Just then, the pastries from Yunmeng were also ready.

So she happily carried the plate of steaming, fragrant, and tempting pastries, and walked briskly to Lingyan, inviting her to taste them.

Lingyan sat at the table, looking at the fragrant and beautiful pastries, and smiled as she tasted one.

Instantly, the sweet and soft texture bursts on the tongue, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

After tasting it, she looked up at Yunmeng, her eyes full of admiration: "Yunmeng, your skills are getting more and more exquisite. This pastry tastes excellent."

Upon hearing this, Yunmeng's face blossomed into a radiant smile, like a flower blooming in spring.

She replied cheerfully, "I'm glad the Crown Princess likes it. It's what I should do."

Seeing her joyful smile, Lingyan then composed herself and explained seriously, "Just now, Mu Hai asked to see me and said that Xin Yue wanted me to help you two get together. I didn't agree because I didn't want to force you. Mu Hai is a very good catch in every way. If you're willing, I'll let you have a grand wedding. If you're not, I'll just refuse him."

Upon hearing this, Yunmeng's face turned pale instantly, and a look of panic and helplessness flashed in her eyes.

She clenched her hands nervously, her voice trembling as she asked, "Your Highness, you...you don't want Yunmeng anymore?"

Seeing her strong reaction, Lingyan sensed something was wrong.

So he comforted her, saying, "It's not that I don't want you, it's just that you're already seventeen. Although I don't want you to get married so early, that's how things are these days. I don't want you to be criticized. And I don't mean to force you against your will. It's up to you to choose."

Upon hearing this, Yunmeng calmed down a little.

Once she understood, she firmly refused, saying, "Your Highness, this servant is unwilling."

Ling Yan was not surprised to hear this.

Judging from her expression just now, she did indeed seem unwilling.

So she smiled and replied, "I understand. If you don't want to, then you don't want to. I'll find you someone better in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yunmeng became even more panicked.

She immediately shook her head and said urgently, "Your Highness, I do not want to get married, not in this lifetime, no matter how good the other person's conditions are. I do not want to get married or have children in this life, I only want to stay by your side."

Lingyan asked in confusion, "But even if you get married and have children, I won't abandon you. You can still stay by my side."

Upon hearing this, Yunmeng shook her head firmly once again.

Her eyes revealed an undeniable resolve: "It's different. If I get married and have children, then most of my attention will be on my husband, children, and household chores. I will no longer be able to devote myself wholeheartedly to you. I will only ever treat you with all my heart, and you will be the only one in my heart."

Her tone was so firm, and her expression so resolute.

It seems they had made up their minds a long time ago, and it wasn't a decision they made in a short time.

But Lingyan didn't want her to waste her whole life on her, so she asked again to confirm, "Are you really sure? Are you sure you won't regret it later?"

Upon hearing this, Yunmeng smiled and said firmly again, "Yunmeng will never regret it, Yunmeng is willing to remain unmarried for life!"

Lingyan looked at her and realized that she had made up her mind, so she said no more.

As long as she makes a choice and won't regret it, that's fine.

As for other rumors and gossip, she'll handle that for her.

Lingyan then smiled and replied, "Since that's the case, then I agree. From now on, we'll spend our lives together."

Upon hearing this, Yunmeng's eyes welled up with tears, and she replied with a choked smile, "Your Highness, you are so kind to me!"

Lingyan smiled at her again upon hearing this.

Then Yunmeng spoke again, "Your Highness, I will handle Mu Hai's matter myself. There's no need to trouble Your Highness with such trivial matters."

Lingyan agreed to the matter after hearing it.

After all, one has to tie the bell to untie it.

So Yunmeng left the room and went to find Mu Hai.

At this moment, Mu Hai was anxiously waiting for a reply in the courtyard.

Upon seeing Yunmeng arrive, he immediately went to greet her with great joy.

Yunmeng glanced at him, then said calmly, "Let's talk in your room."

She didn't want others in the mansion to hear and make him lose face.

But Mu Hai thought she had something to tell him in private, so he excitedly and nervously took her to his room.

After entering the room, Yunmeng closed the door behind her.

Then he looked at Mu Hai and asked, "Is there anyone else around here?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Hai immediately replied, "Don't worry, it's just the two of us."

After saying that, he was incredibly excited to hear what sweet words she was going to say to him next.

But she looked at him very seriously and said, "Mu Hai, I'm sorry, I can't accept your marriage proposal."

Upon hearing this, Mu Hai's face turned pale. He anxiously asked, "Why? Is there something I'm not good enough for? Or is there anything you're not satisfied with?"

Upon hearing this, Yunmeng looked at him and smiled, "No, you are very good, extremely good. I know that if I marry you, I will definitely live a very happy life, but I am unwilling. It's not that you are not good enough, but that it's my own problem. Even if I really like you, I will not marry you, because I made up my mind a long time ago that I will never get married in this life."

Seeing that he didn't understand, Yunmeng told him about her past, especially how Lingyan saved her from suffering on the street and all the little things they had done together over the years.

Seeing that he understood, Yunmeng continued, "Actually, the contract of sale was torn up the day the Crown Princess bought me. I am already free. It's just that I never want to leave the Crown Princess in this life, and I don't want anyone else to take up a place in my heart. She is my salvation, my faith, and my god. I will only live for her in this life. I think you can understand."

Mu Hai certainly understood.

Because His Highness the Crown Prince is equally important to him.

It's just that he and Yunmeng made different choices.

So it's not a matter of who's right or wrong; it's just that they were destined to be apart.

He didn't blame her; it wasn't her fault, nor was it his.

Although he is still very sad, he will try to let it go.

After all, there's no chance for them in this lifetime.

If it's just because she doesn't like him, then he can do everything he can to make her like him.

But it is precisely because of this reason that he can never overcome it.

That's why he realized that it was never going to be between them.

Then he must try to let her go.

But such a wonderful woman didn't even want others to know that she had rejected him, for fear of embarrassing him.

He really didn't want to let go.

However, he has always been carefree and is not someone who can't let go of things.

So he will try his best to forget her from now on.

He can only be thankful that his feelings for her haven't penetrated to the bone yet, otherwise he probably would never forget her for the rest of his life.

Thinking of this, he took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "I understand what you mean. Don't worry, I will never bother you again, and I won't blame you. Let's just continue as usual."

Yunmeng breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

As long as he understands and it doesn't affect his future actions, that's fine.

So she smiled and blessed him, saying, "Then it's settled. From now on, we will not affect the harmony of the household. You are a very, very good person and deserve a very, very good woman. So I wish you to meet a beautiful woman in the future and have a peaceful and happy life."

Hearing her blessing, Mu Hai felt a dull ache in his heart.

But she still forced herself to remain calm and showed no sign of distress, replying, "Thank you for your blessing, and I wish you all your wishes come true and a life of joy and health."