Chapter 1255: Chapter 763: Political Marriage (Part 1)

An Youyou again scrutinized the man.

Ordinary people would never concern themselves with matters between the Emperor and the Princess.

The man seemed to notice An Youyou’s thoughts and respectfully said, "Princess, I am An Ji."

"An Ji?" An Youyou was visibly excited.

"Indeed." An Ji smiled.

In the few years since they’ve last met, An Youyou had changed quite a lot; her once chubby face and body had become slender, transforming from an adorable child into a graceful young lady with the elegance of a noblewoman, except for her rather bold personality.

Even so, An Ji recognized her at once.

But clearly, An Youyou did not recognize him.

He hadn’t changed much.

He’d grown taller and his facial features had become more pronounced, but his features hadn’t changed significantly.

"You’ve grown so much," An Youyou remarked with some surprise.

Back when An Ji was brought back to the Imperial Palace to stay with her brother, she had left the palace with her parents and they hadn’t seen each other since.

In her memory, he wasn’t much taller than she was, and was rather skinny. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Now he looked much taller and seemed much stronger, completely unlike the frail An Ji she remembered.

"The Princess has grown up too," An Ji responded warmly.

His voice carried the deep resonant tone characteristic of an adult man.

"Indeed. How long has it been since we’ve seen each other?" An Youyou pondered, "At least 6 or 7 years, right?"

"It has been."

"It’s amazing you can still recognize me. It’s not easy," An Youyou sighed.

An Ji gave a gentle smile.

"Where are you headed now?" An Youyou asked.

There was some surprise.

The banquet was still ongoing; An Ji should have been accompanying Luming.

"I’m not very good with alcohol. The Emperor allowed me to return to the palace to rest," An Ji explained, "On my way back, I happened to see Princess Anqi and Prince Jing, and stopped briefly before unexpectedly encountering the Princess."

"Oh," An Youyou nodded thoughtfully, "You’ve been by my brother’s side all these years, haven’t you?"

"Indeed."

"Does my brother still fancy Sister Anqi?" An Youyou asked.

An Ji was momentarily taken aback.

He hadn’t expected An Youyou to be aware of the Emperor’s feelings for Anqi.

An Youyou had been away from the palace for so many years; how could she know?!

Or had she sensed it since she was younger?!

Back then, An Youyou was even younger, wasn’t she?

The An Youyou he remembered was always innocent and naïve, seemingly oblivious to everything, yet perhaps her thoughts were more perceptive than most, just not shown.

"Yes," An Ji nodded.

"What should we do then?" An Youyou seemed quite anxious.

"Princess Anqi has always only had sibling affection for the Emperor."

"Does my brother know?" An Youyou asked.

An Ji shook his head, "Not yet."

An Youyou sighed, "My brother, despite seeming exceptionally smart, is so dull when it comes to feelings. Does he still believe Sister Anqi hasn’t married all these years because she’s been waiting for him?"

An Ji paused again.

An Youyou had already spoken the truth.

"I must think of a way; what if my brother obstructs their love?" An Youyou said, worried.

An Ji pursed his lips.

That was why, after discovering the relationship between Anqi and Prince Jing, he dared not rashly inform the Emperor; he feared the Emperor might react excessively.

All these years, he had believed Anqi felt the same way about him as he did about her.

After all, everyone else had left the Imperial Palace except for Anqi, who remained by his side.

But Anqi stayed only because of her duty as an elder sister, without any additional emotional attachment.

"I should go." An Youyou quickly said to An Ji, "We’ll have a proper gathering sometime."

With that, An Youyou departed from An Ji’s side.

An Ji watched An Youyou’s hurried manner.

Her appearance had changed, but her personality remained entirely unchanged.

He chuckled lightly and headed in another direction.

An Youyou went directly to Xiaoxiang Palace.

She went to find Anqi.

When she arrived, Anqi hadn’t returned yet.

After waiting for about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Anqi slowly returned to the palace and was pleasantly surprised to see An Youyou, "Youyou, you’re here."

The bond between the sisters had always been strong since childhood.

Even growing up apart, they remained deeply affectionate each time they met.

Anqi promptly reached forward to hold An Youyou’s hand, seated her on the soft chaise, and asked the Palace Attendant to bring exquisite pastries and fine tea.

An Youyou didn’t hold back, devouring the delicate pastries.