She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

Meanwhile, Shen Man arrived at the study only to realize she had left an important file behind. She went back to retrieve it, and as she passed the dining room, she overheard their conversation.

She was deeply moved, never expecting her mother to be so considerate of her.

She gently pushed the door open and entered. Meng Zhuo and Lan Xiang both looked at her in surprise and asked in unison, "Man'er, why are you back again?"

Shen Man's eyes reddened slightly as she stepped forward and took Lanxiang's hand, saying, "Mother, I understand your feelings. Actually, I also hope that you can be with Uncle Meng soon. I'm all grown up now and can take care of myself."

And I believe that even if you marry Uncle Meng, I will always be your child, and you will always have a warm home.”

Lanxiang and Mengzhuo were both deeply moved by Shen Man's words.

Meng Zhuo's eyes reddened as he said, "Man'er, you are such a sensible child."

Lanxiang hugged Shen Man tightly, tears welling up in her eyes: "Man'er, Mother is not in a hurry. Mother wants to prepare your dowry herself and watch you get married with her own eyes..."

Shen Man gently patted Lanxiang's back and comforted her, "Mother, don't worry about me. As for you and Uncle Meng, you've supported each other for so many years, it's time for you to have a good outcome."

Lanxiang released Shen Man, wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, and said, "Man'er, I know you are sensible, but I always feel that I owe you something."

Shen Man smiled and shook her head: "Mom, please don't say that. You raised me with such hardship all by yourself, I'm more than grateful to you."

Meng Zhuo quickly chimed in, "Man'er, whatever your mother says goes, don't worry about me."

"In that case, all the pressure will be on me! I need to find a way to get married as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing this, Lanxiang stopped crying and started laughing, gently tapping Shen Man's forehead with her finger and scolding, "You little rascal..."

Silent all night.

The next morning, after breakfast, Lanxiang brought up the matter of returning to her hometown with Mengzhuo.

Shen Man knew that she was worried about the family's weaving workshop, so she did not stop her.

After seeing the two off to their carriage, Shen Man returned to her study, but she couldn't calm down.

She recalled what Lanxiang had said last night and couldn't help but feel uneasy. If she didn't get married, wouldn't her mother also never be able to get married? What should she do?

What is that person, who is thousands of miles away and keeps saying he wants to marry me, doing?

In the capital city, Chu Zhiyi was sitting in the imperial study. He had just finished dealing with the pile of memorials on his desk when he sneezed loudly.

Startled, the eunuch serving beside him hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, have you caught a cold? Should I fetch a physician to examine you?"

"No need, I'm fine, you may leave!"

As soon as the eunuch left, Chu Zhiyi saw Zhao Ling, the leader of the Golden Armor Guard, appear at the door.

"What is it?" Chu Zhiyi asked directly.

"Your Highness, this is a message just sent back by our brothers in the border town. Please take a look!" Zhao Ling said, handing over a secret letter.

Chu Zhiyi took the letter from Zhao Ling, and the candlelight on the gilded table suddenly crackled and burst into a flame.

His fingertips trembled slightly as he unfolded the letter. When his gaze swept over the words, "Zhu Jing has been drunk for days, muttering incantations, all of which are the name of Lord Ding," his Adam's apple bobbed heavily, and his jade thumb ring clattered against the table.

"Your Highness, what has happened?" Zhao Ling asked.

"Step back." His voice was as cold as ice. Once he was alone in the hall, he suddenly crumpled the letter into a ball.

Chu Zhiyi knew that Zhu Jing was from the same hometown as Shen Man, and they had known each other since they were very young. Moreover, he had special feelings for Shen Man, and even broke off his engagement with the Lu family and gave up the academic achievements he had worked so hard to obtain for her sake.

"This Zhu Jing, did he resign from his official post and return to his hometown just to take advantage of his proximity to the water? That's absolutely unacceptable! Man'er is mine, and I will not allow anyone else to lay a finger on her!" Chu Zhiyi said angrily.

Chu Zhiyi threw the crumpled secret letter into the brazier, and the flames instantly flared up, illuminating his handsome face with a sinister look.

He strode to the window, gazing at the cold moon hanging high in the night sky, his chest surging with uncontrollable anger.

“That Zhu Jing, he can even abandon fame and marriage. If I had been a step later…” A bitter taste rose in his throat, and the image of Zhu Jing leading Shen Man on horseback with a whip flashed before his eyes. The veins on his hand gripping the window frame bulged.

If he cannot marry Man'er in this life, he fears he will regret it for the rest of his life. He must hurry to the border town to finalize their marriage.

But what's going on in the court...

Chu Zhiyi leaned against the carved window frame, moonlight filtering through the glazed tiles and casting dappled shadows on his dark robe.

The memorials on his desk still smelled of ink, but at this moment, those tiny characters transformed into Shen Man's smiling face in his eyes.

A moment later, Chu Zhiyi straightened his clothes, strode out of the palace, and rode his horse at full speed towards the Kang Prince's residence.

The Kang Prince's residence was quiet late at night. The Kang Prince was preparing to undress and rest when he heard that Chu Zhiyi had come to visit, which surprised him greatly.

"Quickly lead His Highness the Crown Prince to the flower hall, I will be there shortly!" After instructing the servants, Prince Kang, with the help of the Princess, tidied his clothes and strode towards the flower hall.

"Your Highness, what brings you here so late at night?" When Prince Kang arrived at the flower hall and saw Chu Zhiyi's solemn expression, he couldn't help but ask.

Chu Zhiyi didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "Grand Uncle, I would like to ask you to act as regent for a period of time. I must go to the border town in person."

King Kang was slightly taken aback, then laughed and said, "What's the matter that's causing you such a rush, to the point that you're neglecting state affairs?"

Chu Zhiyi's eyes were firm: "I'm going to the border town to propose to Man'er. If I'm too late, she'll be betrothed to someone else!"

Upon hearing this, King Kang's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Do you know that you are the Crown Prince? Your marriage is not something you can decide for yourself."

"If I can't even decide which woman I'll marry, what use am I as the crown prince?"

Looking at Chu Zhiyi's anxious yet determined appearance, King Kang sighed helplessly: "You look just like me when I was young! Then you can go with peace of mind. Man'er is a beautiful and capable girl. If you can really marry her, she can be a great help to you!"

Chu Zhiyi nodded repeatedly, "That's right. If Man'er marries someone else, I will regret it for the rest of my life. Grand Uncle, I entrust the affairs of the court to you."

Having received King Kang's permission, Chu Zhiyi was unwilling to linger for even a moment longer and arranged his itinerary overnight.

He personally selected the finest horses, prepared generous betrothal gifts, and brought along a team of elite guards.

As dawn broke, Chu Zhiyi rode a tall horse and led his entourage out of the capital in a grand procession.

He gazed at the road ahead and secretly vowed in his heart: "Man'er, wait for me. I will definitely bring you back to the palace in a grand and glorious manner. No one will be able to take you away from me!"

The sound of horses' hooves shattered the morning mist, raising a trail of dust.