"Yes, Empress Dowager." An Ji replied respectfully.
Everyone else left.
An Youyou paused for a mont.
"What’s the matter?" Anqi asked with concern, noticing An Youyou looking sowhat absent-minded.
"Nothing, I’m just curious why Mother wanted An Ji to stay behind."
"Naturally, it’s because she has sothing to say to An Ji privately."
"Hmm." An Youyou nodded and then smiled, "Since Little Imperial Uncle has finally co to the palace, you all gather together; I’ll leave first."
"Youyou..." Anqi’s face flushed a bit.
An Youyou had already left swiftly.
Anqi turned back to look at Xiao Jinyu.
The two gazed into each other’s eyes, filled with affection.
An Youyou turned back to look once more, couldn’t help but sigh.
Her brother, it seems, has no hope!
...
Inside the hall.
An Ning looked at the well-behaved An Ji.
Over the years, placing An Ji in the Imperial Palace to be by Luming’s side, claiming it was to learn the art of politics, in fact, he indeed supported Luming. Luming was able to maneuver smoothly in court partly thanks to An Ji’s contributions.
"An Ji, just now I told Prince Jing that we could restore things to their rightful owners, and this timing depends on you." An Ning spoke frankly.
An Ji, being clever, understood imdiately.
He replied respectfully, "Empress Dowager, in fact, I was planning on this."
An Ning raised her eyebrows.
"Originally, I wanted to stay longer with the Emperor. We’ve had years of ruler-subject bond, which deeply moves ; if possible, I’d like to always stay beside the Emperor. But with my vengeance unfulfilled, I ultimately cannot rest easy. Today, with the Emperor of Cang visiting Daxuan, my emotions are quite mixed, and I’ve been contemplating whether it’s ti to return to the Cang Kingdom. Uncertain, I heard that Chaoyang is to marry Prince Jing, and I must admit, I couldn’t help but be unsettled. I made a promise to Princess Chaoyang, and I do not wish to break my word."
An Ning nodded and said, "You are eighteen this year, and have been in Daxuan for nine years, during which you stayed by the Emperor’s side learning the art of politics. During this ti, Luming helped you secretly return to the Cang Kingdom several tis to build connections; now that your wings are fully grown, both Xiao Jinxing and I feel that it is ti for you to leave. With the Emperor of Cang now in Daxuan, it is an opportune ti for action."
"Yes." An Ji understood.
"These years, Daxuan doesn’t wish for war and hopes for peace and prosperity. Thus, in your quest for vengeance, Daxuan will not intervene; it’s a matter for you to solve internally. When you leave, I’ll arrange for Luming to provide you with so skilled protection." An Ning spoke earnestly to An Ji, "When you triumphantly return, you can bring Chaoyang back to the Cang Kingdom, and by then, everyone will be pleased."
"An Ji thanks the Supre Emperor and Empress Dowager for their grace." An Ji knelt, giving a heavy kowtow. "If An Ji should not return, I only hope that you will care for Chaoyang, so she does not marry Prince Jing, and instead finds a good family."
"Rest assured, I will treat Chaoyang well."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager." An Ji kowtowed again and said, "Before leaving, I wish to et Chaoyang and tell her so things personally, so as to avoid any misunderstanding that might affect Princess Anqi’s relationship with Prince Jing."
"I will find a way to arrange it for you."
An Ji gave several more heavy kowtows.
For him, An Ning and Xiao Jinxing were like second parents, for which he harbored imnse gratitude.
...
In Qiankun Hall.
An Youyou, finding herself very bored, decided to visit her brother.
Xiao Luming was reviewing mos and, seeing her, his usually low voice beca noticeably gentler, "What made you co here? Don’t you dislike seeing review mos because I can’t play with you?"
An Youyou sat herself down on the couch beside Xiao Luming, crossing her legs to watch him.
Xiao Luming beca uneasy under An Youyou’s gaze.
In truth, when An Youyou really quiets down, it can be quite unsettling.
"What’s wrong?" Xiao Luming set aside his brush, "Not feeling well?"
"No." An Youyou shook her head, "I’m just looking at you, wondering how you can be so handso!"
"..." Xiao Luming indeed was amused by An Youyou.
He always appeared mature and steady, scarcely smiling.
An Youyou suddenly sighed again.
"Your brother’s good looks are causing you discontent?" Xiao Luming gestured for a palace attendant to bring tea.
He also set aside his official duties to enjoy tea and snacks with An Youyou.
"It’s just a pity." An Youyou lanted.
A pity that Sister Anqi wasn’t interested.
Xiao Luming was bewildered by An Youyou’s cryptic words.
But being used to Youyou’s nature, he found nothing strange.
"Brother, we are indeed true siblings, sharing the sa fate!" An Youyou said seriously.
"Are you sure you’re not running a fever and talking nonsense?!" Xiao Luming was speechless.
"Once things are righted, you’ll understand." An Youyou muttered, "By then, it’ll be just the two of us siblings, crying on each other’s shoulders before drowning our sorrows in drink."
Xiao Luming didn’t pay much attention to An Youyou’s words.
The siblings drank tea and snacked together.
When An Ji entered and saw this scene, he was a bit stunned.
In this world, it seed only An Youyou had the power to make the Emperor set aside state affairs and drink tea with her.
An Youyou truly was the happiest person he knew, without a doubt.
"Where did you go?" Xiao Luming asked An Ji casually as he returned.
"Just went to get so fresh air, and it’s given clarity; I wish to report to Your Majesty." An Ji found an excuse, as calm as ever.
"Is it urgent?" Xiao Luming asked.
An Ji nodded slightly, "Yes."
Xiao Luming looked at An Youyou.
An Youyou gracefully took the hint and stood up, patting the dust from herself, "Then I’ll take my leave, brother; rember you owe a drink!"
"Hmm." Xiao Luming agreed.
An Youyou smiled, turned, and walked past An Ji.
An Ji looked at An Youyou.
He truly thought she lived a carefree life, untroubled by the world’s woes.
...
The next day.
An Youyou was ordered to bring Princess Chaoyang back to the palace from another residence.
As fellow princesses, claiming she wanted to play with Chaoyang was reasonable.
The Emperor of Cang readily agreed, plus, getting acquainted with the royal family of Daxuan before marrying Prince Jing was advantageous.
Thus, An Youyou smoothly brought Chaoyang along.
Riding the carriage back to the palace from the other residence.
Gao Chaoyang remained very reserved, hardly speaking, appearing very demure.
An Youyou, most afraid of awkward silences, started a topic, "Is Cang Kingdom fun?"
"Ah?" Gao Chaoyang was sowhat surprised.
She wasn’t quite used to An Youyou’s overwhelming enthusiasm.
"I an, are there fun taverns, gambling houses, scenic spots, and so on."
Gao Chaoyang was still a bit stunned, slowly explaining, "I’ve been in the palace all my life. This is my first trip, coming to Daxuan with my father, so I don’t know much about the fun places in Cang Kingdom..."
Her voice was a bit small, seemingly embarrassed.
"Then once you’re in Daxuan, I’ll take you out for fun." An Youyou offered, "Daxuan has many fun places, and Xun City is full of them."
"Hmm, okay." Gao Chaoyang smiled gently, appearing friendly.
"Except before that, I’ll take you to see soone." An Youyou smiled.
"Is it Prince Jing?" Gao Chaoyang asked softly.
She considered that after marrying, it made sense to et first.
"Do you want to et my Little Imperial Uncle?" An Youyou asked.
Gao Chaoyang shook her head, "The marriage was arranged by our parents through matchmakers. Whether or not we et, it remains unchanged."
What sounded like a proper response was simply a matter of resignation.
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