Chapter 1256: Chapter 763: Political Marriage (First Update)

Anqi gently reminded her to eat slowly while using a handkerchief to tenderly wipe the corners of her mouth.

After An Youyou had eaten several, she drank two cups of tea and then spoke, "I’m here for something."

"What’s the matter?" Anqi seriously wiped Youyou’s mouth clean.

"Are you involved with the Imperial Uncle..."

She didn’t finish her sentence.

Anqi’s face immediately flushed red.

As a girl, such things naturally made her very shy.

"I just happened to come across it," An Youyou, being straightforward, wasn’t so concerned.

Anqi was so embarrassed that she wanted to dig a hole to hide in.

"The Imperial Uncle has a good character, I’m not actually against you two," An Youyou said, "But do you know how my brother feels about you?"

Anqi was slightly startled.

She looked at An Youyou.

Then, she nodded, "I didn’t realize it at first, and I thought Luming didn’t like me since we were young. You know how I’d give him butterflies and such when we were kids, but he wouldn’t accept them. Later, after Father, Mother, and you left the Imperial Palace, it was just Luming and me. Luming grew closer to me. Initially, I thought it was because he was lonely and depended on me, but as time went by..."

An Youyou naturally understood.

After spending so much time together, many feelings slowly revealed themselves.

"I’ve actually wanted to explain things to Luming many times, but every time I saw his face, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I was afraid he’d be genuinely hurt," Anqi said with reluctance. "Originally, I planned to marry Jinyu when I came of age. You know Jinyu is much older than me, and Concubine Li was very anxious for us. But I was worried about Luming being alone in the palace, still so young. I was afraid he couldn’t handle my marriage, so I kept putting it off. Now that Luming is about to ascend the throne, I plan to tell him about Jinyu once the ceremony is over."

An Youyou understood Anqi’s concerns.

Anqi was too kind, always afraid of hurting others, so she kept it all in.

But she didn’t realize, the more she tried to avoid hurting others, the more likely she was to hurt them.

But with things as they are now.

An Youyou couldn’t say much.

"Then wait until my brother’s ascension ceremony is over and be upfront with him. Now that he’s an Emperor, he shouldn’t be so petty. Fortunately, Father, Mother, and I are all in the Imperial Palace and can talk to him."

"It’s good that you’re back," Anqi said heavily, "Otherwise, I really wouldn’t know how to face Luming."

An Youyou comforted Anqi, "It’s late, you should rest early. I’m heading back. Tomorrow we have guests from neighboring vassal states coming to congratulate, and we have to get up early to greet them. Just thinking about it makes me feel tired."

"You’re still not used to life in the palace," Anqi said helplessly.

"Even Mother, at her age, isn’t used to it. I have a feeling tomorrow morning it’ll be Father who wakes me up, lifting me out of bed. She’s become fussier than I am over the years," An Youyou complained.

Thinking of those two being so loving usually made An Youyou feel truly bitter.

She used to think Father treasured her, but after seeing how he doted on Mother, she felt like she was just another part of the furniture.

Anqi chuckled, and after chatting with An Youyou for a while longer, she had a Palace Attendant escort Youyou back to her chambers.

After a bath, she lay in bed.

An Youyou was originally extremely tired but for some reason, suddenly couldn’t sleep.

Her mind inexplicably flashed with the image of An Ji...

An Youyou turned over.

As if possessed!

...

The next day.

Before dawn, An Youyou was yawning while being helped out of bed by the Palace Attendants, changing into her princess attire to welcome the foreign guests.

If she could choose, she truly didn’t want to return to the palace.

She followed many others to personally greet them at the front of the grand hall.

While waiting, she kept yawning relentlessly.

Anqi looked at An Youyou, smiling indulgently, "Still not awake?"

"No," An Youyou yawned uncontrollably again, "I barely slept last night."

"What’s wrong?"

An Youyou paused, "Maybe, it’s just that I’m a bit unused to it."

Anqi didn’t question further.

"I told you, Mother is fussier than I am," An Youyou said, looking around, unable to spot Mother anywhere.

Anqi had noticed long before and said, "Father sent word that Mother isn’t well and won’t be attending the state affairs. Besides, Luming is now the ruler, and he should bear the responsibility for the Daxuan Kingdom."

An Youyou wrinkled her little nose, muttering, "The truth is, Mother couldn’t get out of bed, and Father couldn’t bear to leave her, so they’ve canceled all engagements. I’m used to such things from outside the palace."

Anqi couldn’t help but laugh.

The affection between Father and Mother was something they all envied.

In her heart, a sudden warmth arose.

She thought of Xiao Jinyu.

The relationship between them was also very good.

She believed that Xiao Jinyu would treat her just as Father treats Mother.

Anqi couldn’t resist glancing towards Xiao Jinyu.

Xiao Jinyu had already been subtly watching Anqi; sensing her gaze, he quickly looked back.

Their eyes met.

The sweetness on their faces was unhidden.

An Youyou, standing by Anqi’s side, witnessed everything clearly.

She couldn’t help but sigh.

Even though she felt her brother surpassed the Imperial Uncle in every aspect, everyone has their own preferences. Luming’s aloofness when young hurt Anqi’s heart, causing her to redirect her affections...

At that moment.

A grand procession approached from outside the hall.

The people of the Cang Kingdom had arrived.

Leading them was the current Emperor of Cang, Gao Ziyue, accompanied by his ministers, princes, and princesses.

Xiao Luming led the royal family and ministers to welcome them.

"Greetings to Emperor Daxuan," Gao Ziyue said respectfully.

After all, between the two nations, Daxuan held the upper hand.

"The Emperor of Cang has traveled far to Daxuan, the journey must have been taxing, there’s no need for formalities," Xiao Luming adeptly received them.

Even at just fifteen, facing a man older than his father, his demeanor was not lacking in any bit of presence, mature and composed to the point that, if not for his youthful and handsome appearance, one might think he had the wisdom of years.

"Back during the battle with your Father and Mother against Mobei, I heard rumors of a young you governing the country, it was truly astonishing and unbelievable. Now, meeting in person, I must admit that the Daxuan Kingdom is truly endowed with talent, and Emperor Daxuan is a dragon among men, unparalleled. You are this way, and your Father was as well."

"Your praise is overwhelming," Xiao Luming replied humbly, "Father has also frequently mentioned the heroic deeds of the Emperor of Cang, which I deeply admire."

"Last time, I was defeated by your Father and Mother, it’s quite embarrassing. Still, it’s good that out of the battle, we forged strong relations between our nations."

"Indeed. Emperor of Cang, your journey was arduous, a banquet has been prepared, please follow me."

"No need to be so formal."

People from both countries left the front of the grand hall together.

An Youyou was in the crowd, looking around, "I didn’t see An Ji?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

It seemed only now she realized An Ji was not by Xiao Luming’s side.

Anqi also looked around, finding it a bit surprising.

For years, the closest person to Luming had been An Ji, always by his side. How could An Ji be missing on such a momentous occasion?!

At the banquet hall.

Xiao Luming and Gao Ziyue sat in the central seats.

Others sat according to their positions.

The banquet was lively and harmonious.

In truth, the Cang Kingdom had visited Daxuan multiple times in recent years, but this time was more formal due to the Emperor’s personal visit.

"By the way, Your Majesty. Apart from congratulating you on your ascension, there is another matter for this visit," Gao Ziyue suddenly spoke, "To establish better relations between our two countries, I wish to propose a political marriage alliance with your esteemed nation. What do you think, Your Majesty?"