Sacred love

fore the Empress,

ss, I kowtow

said warmly. "Has the prin

ated. "No, Y

. "How insolent. Do not wor

ess recognized her, it was only a matter o

ew days had been the best she ha

ad always treated her like an outsider, even handed her the pocket money her father ha

ded to indulge

t's go buy

my l

moment Li Meng stepped inside, her gaze landed on an exquisite fabric draped elegantly across a wooden rack

asked, unable to mask the

ely spared her a g

beyond her reach. She only had 100 taels-barely e

he turned to the cheaper fabrics.

ed. "I'm afraid not.

d. "Then what's the che

ta

ut it was still within reach. "L

nearly as extravagant as the first one, but it had a certain understated eleganc

. Make two dr

, the shopkeeper signaled his apprentice to begin work

ter, the dress

arments and turned to Su Wan w

asped. "

e she had suggested earlier. She had assumed it was for

s," Su Wan stammered, te

mall laugh. "Actually, I take that back-I'll accept it!" Without

patting her back g

r way back to the Li household, their spirits high. Howev

iting for them-both seething

you done enough?!"

sed her voice at Li Meng since th

wned. "What

st received a letter from Third Prince Ming's subordinates regarding the betroth

rying to seduce Third Prince Ming

with Prince Ming in my life. Our meeting was a coincidence. I

get dressed. We're already l

t had a dress made for 100 taels. I can't wear it to such an occa

ked at her as though

Li Meng said,

pised Li Meng, she couldn't allow her to show up in rags. That would only reflect poorly on

. I'll give you the

f we're so late, then give me

her purse open and counted out 100 taels. With a sh

hurried to her room. After taking a quick

ped in awe. "My lady... you look m

ng her sleeves. "Thank

ht, my

all conversation in the ha

iffened, their expressions

as st

stun

led into fists. "Y

assengers toward the palace. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the e

till for my sake," the

is mother had summoned him only to suggest something so ridiculous. However, s

bowed deeply before two imposin

ful daughter. It is evident, considering your own b

n, Your Grace," Madam Li r

Meng. His piercing eyes remained locked onto her, and when she sensed

is beauty was so striking that words failed her. But she knew bet

eautiful than any woman he had ever encountered. Her face was exquisite, her features finely sculpted. Her deep black eyes were mesm

voice cut thro

g as the servants began to serve their meal. "I was thinking that the wedding should be held in five da

race," Madam Li re

t is se

hile, the empress's gaze flickered toward Li Meng,

is your name

pectfully. "Li Me

you should assist with the preparations. It is onl

rstanding the empress's hidden message. She

g with satisfaction. The empress had deliberately placed Li

ed in the discussion, spoke up. "Mother

wait outside. Madam Li and I have

girls replied in unison before

he courage to approach Third Prince Ming. Th

High

" he ordered coldly. His

d until she was a considerable distance away. She was

His heart surged with an unfamiliar warmth. Perhaps

tly. "But... if I may, I would like to plead with you to tak

t has nothing to do with

ur princess consort so

final. "If that is all

ould step away, a voice he despi

he First

his gaze lingering on Li Meng. She was alluring, unli

te daughter of the Li

on the First

he asked, his tone l

and bowed deeply. "I am

rovingly. "Are you

ess," she answe

His voice dripped

ckle inter

was laced with mockery. "Can't you think

"Chen Ming, I wasn't speaking to y

ing smirked. "

ve to do with you? Or are you now coveting another wom

your

being with her because I will never allow it," Third Prince Ming de

t Prince sneered. He loathed his brother-h

to test me," Third Pr

he Crown Prince. The soon-to-be e

Then I suppose I should start by kil

ce stiffened,

ugh he held no love for his princes

let he

s, seething in silent rage. He had no choice. He turned

bowed slightly. "Thank you f

" Third Prince

ousy. Had the prince not intervened, Li Meng would have already been c

ness, I beg you to grant me even a sliver of recognition. People mock me because you refuse to spare me a single glance."

efore her. His sharp, unfeeling ga

ackmail,"

d strode toward his pavilion, his

ken sheath, playing the part of an innocent victim. Did she truly think he would be d