Forced to die for his loyalty, he was reborn in the arms of the cold and cruel regent!

Shen Mengyao's tone was full of determination and unquestionable. She gently broke free from the eldest prince's hand, took a step back, and looked clear and firm: "I am lucky that the eldest prince has shown me favor. But marriage is a matter of honor and disgrace for both families, and requires mutual affection. How can it be a joke?

I know that I am of humble status and unworthy of the eldest prince's noble body. I hope the eldest prince will think twice before acting and not let the queen mother and the officials misunderstand me."

The eldest prince's expression slightly withered when he heard this, but the light in his eyes was not completely extinguished. The corners of his mouth curled up with a complicated expression: "Princess Shen refuses like this, I'm afraid you don't think highly of this prince!"

"The eldest prince has misunderstood." Shen Mengyao's face changed. In such a place, she didn't want to conflict with the man in front of her.

But the eldest prince still held her tightly and said, "In that case, let's..."

His tone became charming and ambiguous, and there was danger in his eyes, the look of a hunter looking at his prey.

Shen Mengyao was shocked!

She quickly looked around, hoping to find a chance to escape, but the surrounding woods were so dense that even though she could faintly hear the sound of horse hooves in the distance, it was difficult to get close.

Shen Mengyao took a deep breath and forced herself to stay calm. She knew that in this situation, any extreme reaction might make the situation worse.

"Your Highness, this is not the place to discuss marriage. If you are really interested, you might as well wait until the time is right to discuss it." Shen Mengyao tried her best to make her voice sound calm and sincere, attempting to divert the prince's attention with words.

The eldest prince heard this and smiled playfully, as if he was not going to let go easily. But at this moment, a burst of rapid horse hoof sounds came from far away, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Shen Mengyao was delighted and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a complete stranger who looked like the eldest prince's attendant. The smile on her face gradually froze!

She just felt that the person in the lead looked familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him.

The young man looked very weak. He coughed slightly while riding the horse, and his steps were a little shaky when he jumped off the horse.

"Royal brother." The man came hurriedly, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.

When Shen Mengyao heard his name, she suddenly remembered that this should be the Fifth Prince. It was said that he had been recuperating from illness and had never participated in court affairs. The Emperor was also more concerned about him because of his poor health.

The fifth prince coughed and said, "Brother, at the hunting ground, the nobles and princesses are training here under the order of the Queen Mother. Please do not cause any trouble. It is said that the regent is the one who protects everyone's safety!"

It would have been better if the eldest prince didn't listen. When he heard it, he became even more angry.

"It's him, so what? Even if he is the regent, he is a king of a different surname and can't cause any trouble."

There was obvious disdain and provocation in the eldest prince's tone, and his eyes moved between Shen Mengyao and the fifth prince, as if he was weighing something.

The Fifth Prince frowned upon seeing this. Although he was frail and sickly, he was thoughtful and had a clear understanding of the intrigues in the palace.

He gently pulled the eldest prince's sleeve and whispered, "Brother, the Queen Mother's birthday banquet is coming, so we shouldn't cause any more trouble. Princess Shen is the apple of the Queen Mother's eye. If anything goes wrong, you and I will both be blamed."

The eldest prince's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he obviously realized this. He snorted coldly and let go of Shen Mengyao's hand, but his eyes were still full of reluctance and threats: "Princess Shen, I will remember what happened today. I hope you will take care of yourself and don't let me down."

Shen Mengyao's heart trembled, but she maintained a proper smile on the surface, bowed slightly and said: "Thank you for your teachings, Your Highness. I will definitely keep it in mind."

The eldest prince snorted coldly and rode away, leaving Shen Mengyao and the fifth prince there.

The Fifth Prince looked at the First Prince's receding back, sighed softly, then turned to Shen Mengyao and asked with concern: "Is Princess Shen okay? Is she injured?"

Shen Mengyao shook her head and said gratefully, "Thank you for your concern, Fifth Prince. I'm fine. But the horse is frightened and injured, and needs proper treatment."

The fifth prince laughed and said, "It's okay. Just have someone take him out and give him some medicine. Don't worry too much."

Shen Mengyao calmed down and suddenly realized what was happening. Before she could say thank you, she immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for saving my life, Fifth Prince. The eldest prince was arrogant and domineering, and you offended him for me."

"It's worth it." The Fifth Prince smiled gently, as peaceful as a spring breeze. He coughed softly again and asked with a little disappointment: "Don't you remember me?"

Shen Mengyao was stunned by the question!

She tried hard to find clues from her memory. At first she thought it was the memory of her previous life that she had forgotten because it had been too long. But then she thought about it and realized that the Fifth Prince had been recuperating and she had never even met him. How could there be any intersection between them?

"Last time, by the lake in the temple, I accidentally drowned. You and your brother saved me, but I forgot so quickly." Seeing that she really couldn't remember, the Fifth Prince took the initiative to remind her. After the reminder, he sighed, looking quite hurt.

Shen Mengyao suddenly had an idea and remembered: "Yes, I remember. I sent you back to the capital at that time. I didn't expect it was you."

Although the Fifth Prince looked weak, he smiled gently: "I have always remembered your life-saving grace, but I didn't know your identity. Now it is just a coincidence."

When Shen Mengyao heard this, a warm feeling surged in her heart. She had never expected that after their hasty farewell that day, the Fifth Prince would remember her so clearly and even lend a helping hand when she was in trouble.

She quickly bowed, her voice soft and sincere: "The situation was urgent that day, and I was not able to ask for your name in detail. I was really rude. Today, the Fifth Prince is here to save me, and I am very grateful."

The fifth prince waved his hand gently and said with a smile: "Princess Shen, you are too polite. When I see injustice, I should help. What’s more, it’s the person who saved my life." His words revealed a gentle and elegant temperament, which was completely different from the eldest prince's tyranny just now.

The two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere instantly became harmonious.

The fifth prince coughed and whispered, "Let me take you back to the hunting ground. It's too dangerous in this dense forest."

Shen Mengyao nodded: "Thank you!"

The two of them walked out quickly together. Lin Youwei had already gone back and told Qi Suian the news of her disappearance. Now she rode over and saw her coming out, immediately pounced on her and hugged her.

"You scared me to death, I hope you're okay."

Qi Sui'an rode over and glanced at the Fifth Prince: "Why is the Fifth Prince here?"

The Fifth Prince's tone sounded quite familiar with Qi Suian: "I accompanied the First Prince to hunt, and happened to run into Princess Shen, so I sent her out."