"Why did you come?" Gu Shengyin looked at the man who had suddenly appeared before her with wide eyes. Shouldn't he be in the Imperial Palace at this time?
Ji Yu smiled softly. "I can go to the Imperial Palace at any time, but I cannot see Ah Zhen whenever I wish."
Gu Shengyin felt that this person's ability to speak words of love was improving with each passing moment.
When the eldest prince returned to the palace, the Emperor held a grand feast and invited all the influential officials and families. Such an extravagant event left people speechless. Everyone knew that the Emperor was doing this to celebrate the eldest prince's return to the palace.
Gu Shengyin was attending this grand feast with her parents.
All eyes fell on Ji Yu when he appeared alongside the Emperor.
So, this is the eldest prince who had lived in the temple for over a decade? Many people were surprised. They thought the eldest prince would be nervous and lack the demeanor of an Imperial family member. But they hadn't expected Ji Yu to be this impressive.
Could it be that the Imperial family's bloodline was so strong? Was the eldest prince's regal air innate?
Gu Shengyin gazed at Ji Yu, sitting across from the Emperor. Today, he wore a dark purple robe that outlined his slender figure. His long hair was tied up with a jade crown, and his exquisite features were on full display. He was handsome enough to be part of a painting.
As if he had noticed her gaze, Ji Yu suddenly turned his head and their eyes met. He slowly smiled at her.
Gu Shengyin blinked at him.
"Siii." She heard someone inhale sharply beside her.
"Oh my goodness! His Highness the Eldest Prince is so handsome!" The young lady next to her, clearly captivated by Ji Yu's smile, whispered in her ear.
Gu Shengyin secretly felt a bit proud. This handsome man was already spoken for—by Gu Shengyin herself.
The end of the palace feast marked the most important part. The Emperor personally took Ji Yu's hand and granted him the title of Yu Wang.
Once these words were spoken, the group of officials loudly called out the title. This was an exclusive title, and now the Emperor had granted it to the eldest prince. The Emperor's intentions were clear to everyone present.
Furthermore, the Empress and Crown Prince were absent from the feast, indirectly showing the Emperor's favor toward Ji Yu.
The eyes of those present toward Ji Yu began to change. Many young women, of marriageable age, started considering how they could win his favor.
After the feast, Gu Shengyin returned to the Jiang residence with her parents, without any opportunity to speak with him.
The glory and favor of Yu Wang were visible to all.
The Emperor even built a new palace for him. After Ji Yu was granted the title of Wang, all the other princes were sent to their respective residences. Only one person remained in the Imperial Palace—the apparent heir to the throne.
The Emperor proposed to grant him an Imperial concubine, but Ji Yu stopped him.
Ji Yu's face flushed. "I already have a favored woman."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Oh, which family's young lady? If her identity is suitable, I can bestow your marriage with her. If her identity is not suitable, I'm afraid I'll have to wrong her."
Ji Yu hesitated. "It's the young lady sitting beside Aunt Wencheng that day."
The Emperor pondered for a moment and then smiled. "Ah, I see! You mean your Aunt Wencheng's daughter, the Qingyang County Lord, Ah Zhen. I've watched her grow up since she was a child, and she has good character. If you wish, I can consider arranging a marriage between you two."
Ji Yu shook his head. "Father, she doesn't know me yet. A marriage proposal at this stage would be too sudden. I hope she can come to have a good opinion of me."
The Emperor looked at Ji Yu's flushed face, which resembled his late mother's, and suddenly recalled the days he had spent with Ah Yue.
The Emperor laughed. "Alright, alright. You young people are fond of courting each other. I'll issue a decree allowing you to study the art of war with General Jiang. That way, you'll have many opportunities to meet Ah Zhen. You're such an outstanding young man—you'll surely win her heart."
Just a moment ago, the Emperor was testing Ji Yu, for General Jiang held great military power. If Ji Yu and General Jiang joined forces...
However, Ji Yu's words dispelled the last trace of the Emperor's doubt. The Emperor assumed Ji Yu was a young man infatuated after seeing Ah Zhen's celestial beauty, causing his heart to stir.
Ji Yu lowered his head to hide the cold light in his eyes. "Thank you, Father."