Chapter 1258: Chapter 764: Complicated Emotions (Second Update)

Though the Cang Kingdom cannot defeat Daxuan, it isn’t a threat, but ultimately, its reputation has fallen.

"Since the Great Khan is so thoughtful, the marriage between Princess Chaoyang and Prince Jing is thus decided." Xiao Luming agreed readily.

Gao Ziyue, seeing Xiao Luming nod, lost his anger, "Now that Cang Kingdom and Daxuan are united again through marriage, the relations will naturally reach a new height."

"Indeed." Xiao Luming instructed, "I toast to the Great Khan."

"Drink, drink, drink."

The banquet then returned to its former atmosphere.

Only.

Anqi kept secretly bathing in tears.

Xiao Jinyu was also deeply grieved.

But because they were at the banquet, they dared not show it, only able to endure.

It was hard to wait until the palace feast ended.

The Emperor of Cang’s entourage was sent to the residence palace.

Only then did Xiao Luming summon Xiao Jinyu to Qiankun Hall, where An Ji was also present.

"Little Imperial Uncle, the marriage I promised today was because of sudden circumstances, and I had no choice but to agree. I know you have your reasons for not marrying for so many years, but today, your marriage concerns the political alliance between two countries. Please, Little Imperial Uncle, consider the bigger picture." Xiao Luming spoke straightforwardly, placing everything out in the open.

He gave Xiao Jinyu no chance to refuse.

The tone wasn’t heavy, but the feeling was that it was decided, and more words would only hurt their sentiments.

Xiao Jinyu, of course, knew the marriage agreement was a reality and he could not change it.

Yet the discomfort in his heart was immense.

For Anqi, he waited so many years, only to be exchanged for another marriage.

"Little Imperial Uncle, you may leave." Xiao Luming sighed slightly.

Seeing Xiao Jinyu so upset, he couldn’t comfort him and could only let him digest it quickly on his own.

As Xiao Jinyu bowed and prepared to leave...

"Sister Anqi!"

From the entrance of the hall came An Youyou’s somewhat excited voice.

The next moment, Anqi rushed into the hall hurriedly, An Youyou following behind, out of breath.

Xiao Luming looked at Anqi, his expression visibly softening.

Since childhood, he habitually kept a cold face, as governing the country from a young age required him to be stern against old courtiers. But his face always changed visibly when he saw Anqi.

"Anqi, is there anything?" At some point, Luming started calling Anqi by her name directly.

Anqi’s eyes were fully red, even swollen at the moment.

She looked at Xiao Luming, tears instantly flooding her eyes.

Xiao Luming felt a pain in his heart.

From childhood till adulthood, Anqi had always played the role of an elder sister, providing protection, rarely exposing her own emotions.

Luming didn’t know what happened to her to suddenly be so aggrieved.

His fingers moved slightly, wanting to step forward and inquire, yet due to the presence of others around, he maintained his status.

"You all may leave first." Xiao Luming instructed.

Others hadn’t left yet.

"Your Majesty." Anqi directly spoke, choking with some sobs, "Is it necessary for Little Imperial Uncle to marry Princess Chaoyang?"

An Ji’s face slightly changed.

Chaoyang?!

The one Xiao Jinyu would marry is Chaoyang?!

An Ji’s body clearly trembled.

Xiao Luming’s eyes slightly tightened.

With the Emperor of Cang coming to Daxuan, Luming naturally knew An Ji’s identity and wouldn’t let them meet.

A meeting would trigger conflict between the two countries.

Xiao Luming glanced back at An Ji.

An Ji tried to maintain calm and showed no excessive behavior.

An Youyou noticed An Ji’s expression at that moment, but didn’t pay much attention.

"Anqi, the marriage between Imperial Uncle and Princess Chaoyang concerns the alliance between the two countries. Besides, I have already promised in front of both nations’ civil and military officials. Changing it would lose my face." Xiao Luming explained clearly. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Is there no room at all?" Anqi asked, tears falling one by one.

Xiao Luming’s eyes slightly tightened.

Anqi’s questioning about Xiao Jinyu’s marriage made him a bit suspicious, but he didn’t delve deeply, only thinking Anqi was compassionate and didn’t want Xiao Jinyu to marry someone he didn’t love. Yet, Anqi’s current behavior seemed...

Xiao Luming’s expression noticeably hardened.

"None." Xiao Luming said coldly.

Anqi nearly fell to the ground.

An Youyou quickly supported Anqi, "Sister Anqi, Little Imperial Uncle’s marriage was also a sudden affair. My brother cannot change it; asking him is useless. We might as well go back and think if there’s another way to make the Emperor of Cang dismiss this idea."

"His sole intention is to seek marriage. It’s impossible to dismiss it." Xiao Luming stated bluntly.

An Youyou knew this as well.

Just trying to comfort Anqi.

Even not wanting Anqi and Xiao Jinyu’s situation to be exposed.

If their feelings were to end here, it should aim at minimizing harm to others.

"Regardless, let’s calm down first." An Youyou persuaded again, then helped Anqi out.

Anqi was not someone to make a fuss; she was just too sad and lost her manners. Slightly calming down, she wouldn’t act so rashly.

She left with An Youyou.

Xiao Jinyu also departed.

The hall was left only with Xiao Luming and An Ji.

Xiao Luming’s fists clenched at this moment, lips slightly moving, "Between Anqi and Prince Jing..."

An Ji did not respond.

Xiao Luming turned to look at An Ji.

An Ji appeared to be lost in thought.

"An Ji." Xiao Luming raised his voice.

An Ji regained focus, quickly showing respect, "Your Majesty."

"What were you thinking about?!" Xiao Luming’s face slightly sank.

An Ji pressed his lips, slowly speaking, "I was merely disturbed by the Emperor of Cang’s arrival."

Xiao Luming nodded slightly.

Concerning the enemy who murdered his father, he certainly couldn’t remain indifferent.

"I was asking you about Anqi and Prince Jing earlier." Xiao Luming repeated.

An Ji slowly said, "I dare not assert rashly."

Xiao Luming scrutinized An Ji.

An Ji’s intelligence was very clear to him.

He couldn’t possibly not see.

Just dared not say.

"Forget it." Xiao Luming suddenly chose not to speak.

To Xiao Luming, he surpassed Xiao Jinyu in everything. If he expressed his feelings to Anqi, there was no reason for Anqi to be interested in another man.

But because he hadn’t expressed anything over the years, Anqi could have developed feelings for someone else.

Thinking about it here, Xiao Luming still felt a bit aggrieved.

How could Anqi be interested in others...

Xiao Luming took a deep breath, as expected, was he too reserved?!

...

An Youyou left Xiaoxiang Palace.

She couldn’t quite comfort Anqi, and such matters were beyond her experience, truly failing to console.

Yet seeing Anqi cry so miserably pained her heart.

Walking inside the Imperial Palace, she was pondering about seeking her father and mother for advice.

"Ah!"

An Youyou suddenly covered her forehead.

How often she bumped into people.

She looked up, seeing An Ji.

An Ji was also brought back to his senses by the collision.

Only then did he slowly greet, "Greetings, Princess."

An Youyou looked at An Ji, somewhat exasperated, "I wasn’t walking fast just now!"

So she hadn’t looked at the road.

Didn’t An Ji look at the road either?!

And judging his appearance, he seemed lost in thought.

"What happened to you?" An Youyou asked him.

An Ji shook his head, "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I am fine, I shall take my leave."

"An Ji." An Youyou called out to his departing back, "Do you know Chaoyang?!"