Chapter 1264: Chapter 767: Reunion (First Update)

He also paced slightly at the moment, clearly a bit restless.

"An Ji." An Youyou called out to him.

An Ji noticeably flinched.

An Youyou actually had rarely seen An Ji so nervous.

Maybe it’s because he grew up with her steady brother; in any case, he always remained unfazed in the face of any situation.

Today, however, he seemed noticeably out of control because of Gao Chaoyang.

Gao Chaoyang looked at the back of the man ahead, knowing that An Youyou had brought her here to meet him.

But without seeing his face, she truly had no idea who he was.

She remained silent.

Slowly.

She saw the man turn around.

In splendid attire, tall and upright. His features were elegant, his presence captivating.

Gao Chaoyang’s eyes instantly reddened.

She couldn’t believe she could see Du Zhimiao again.

Just like she remembered, yet somehow entirely different.

The present Du Zhimiao had transformed from a youth into a tall and handsome man, no longer the fragile scholarly figure.

"Chaoyang."

An Ji’s deep, magnetic voice gently called out to her.

His eyes seemed slightly red as well, even though his mouth carried a gentle smile.

Gao Chaoyang finally broke down.

The moment when scenes from her dreams turned into reality, she found herself unsure of how to face it.

All she could do was throw herself into An Ji’s embrace.

An Ji immediately hugged Gao Chaoyang tightly.

The two clung to each other closely.

Reunited after a long separation, having experienced life and death, this happiness should not be disturbed by others.

An Youyou silently retreated.

Leaving the hall to them.

Leaving it to the two of them.

Neither An Ji nor Gao Chaoyang knew how long they embraced.

An Ji’s chest was soaked with Gao Chaoyang’s tears, and only then did they reluctantly part.

"Zhimiao, you’re really alive?" Gao Chaoyang asked in a choked voice, unbelieving.

"Yes." An Ji replied assuredly, "I’m still alive."

"Weren’t you already executed by your father..."

"I escaped." An Ji explained, "Before the annihilation of our family, my father asked General Yuan to smuggle me out of Cang Kingdom."

"Did you come to Daxuan? Have you been in Daxuan all these years?" Gao Chaoyang asked eagerly, "Why would Daxuan keep you?"

"Back when Daxuan and Cang Kingdom battled in Mobei, Cang Kingdom’s forces were crushed. My father, seeking to minimize innocent casualties, made a deal with the Daxuan Empress, sparking a connection. When our family was sentenced to death, my father instructed me to seek out the Empress Dowager, who then took me in and raised me at the side of Emperor Daxuan."

Listening, Gao Chaoyang’s tears continued to fall.

It was truly a blessing that Du Zhimiao was still alive.

Back then, when her father ordered the annihilation of the Du family, she was heartbroken, even going as far as to beg her father for mercy, to spare the innocent Du Zhimiao, only to get slapped and implicate her mother, making her life in the Imperial Palace unbearable.

"Chaoyang, I have something important to discuss with you today." An Ji calmed down.

Though excited after years apart, he wasn’t completely overwhelmed.

He understood that his time with Chaoyang was limited.

What merit did he have, to warrant Princess Daxuan’s protection?

Thus he should not delay unnecessarily.

"Okay." Gao Chaoyang also became serious.

She was well aware that both of them were living at others’ mercy now.

"In a few days, I’ll leave Daxuan and return to Cang Kingdom. You surely know my reason for going back." An Ji got straight to the point.

Gao Chaoyang bit her lip heavily, nodding.

"Chaoyang, I don’t want to deceive you." An Ji looked deeply at her, "I promised you I’d take care of you forever, get you out of the palace, bring you a free life; that promise still stands. But if you cannot accept what I’m about to do, I won’t force you."

Gao Chaoyang shook her head, "I can accept. I have no feelings for my father, moreover, under his tyrannical rule, the people of Cang Kingdom suffer greatly. Cang Kingdom is not peaceful; forces opposing my father grow more numerous, which is why my father arranged my marriage alliance, hoping Daxuan would lend military aid to suppress internal chaos!"

An Ji wasn’t surprised either.

Cang Kingdom always favored violent rule, and Gao Ziyue was even more brutal than his father. Under his reign, the people would surely suffer.

"But I hope you can save my mother." Gao Chaoyang pleaded, "If it truly comes to that, please show leniency to my mother."

"Alright." An Ji readily agreed.

"Thank you, Zhimiao." Gao Chaoyang was grateful.

"Chaoyang, besides my return to Cang Kingdom, there’s something else I need to tell you."

"You mean my marriage to Prince Jing?"

"Yes. Prince Jing has someone he likes..."

"I know, Princess Youyou told me on the way here." Gao Chaoyang quickly responded.

An Ji was momentarily stunned.

Thinking about An Youyou’s personality, it wasn’t surprising she couldn’t keep a secret; he didn’t mind.

He said, "Since you already know, I’ll be brief. Your engagement to Prince Jing is just to appease your father. Marrying into Prince Jing Mansion is merely changing where you stay; Prince Jing will respect you and treat you well. Once I avenge my family, I’ll return to Daxuan and bring you back. In short, from now on, rest assured and wait for me in Daxuan."

"Okay." Gao Chaoyang nodded.

She had no feelings for Prince Jing and had no desire to marry him; simply posing as a couple was perfectly fine.

Moreover, she believed An Ji would keep his promise.

"If I don’t return until..." An Ji hesitated.

Gao Chaoyang deeply looked at him.

"Even if you can’t stay with Prince Jing, the Empress Dowager promised me she’ll treat you well."

"Zhimiao, you mustn’t let anything happen..."

"Chaoyang, listen to me, everything is uncertain. I won’t give up easily, but if that day comes, you must promise me you’ll live well."

Gao Chaoyang cried again.

She dared not imagine such a day.

"Promise me." An Ji’s expression was firm.

Gao Chaoyang nodded.

She nodded silently.

She didn’t want An Ji to worry about her before he left.

An Ji smiled slightly, gently caressing Gao Chaoyang’s hair, with a touch of reluctance, still said, "I’ll go."

"Zhimiao." Gao Chaoyang called him excitedly.

Unexpectedly, after reuniting for such a short time, he had to leave.

"Can’t you stay a bit longer?"

"Given our current status, we’re not permitted to be seen alone. The palace is full of people and rumors; if word gets out, it won’t be good for either of us, and would implicate others."

Gao Chaoyang knew as well.

But she truly didn’t want him to leave like this.

"When everything is over, it’ll be alright." An Ji comforted.

Gao Chaoyang looked at him longing.

"Take care of yourself, Chaoyang." Ultimately, An Ji’s rationality triumphed over emotion.

He let go of Gao Chaoyang and turned to leave.

Gao Chaoyang watched An Ji’s back, eyes brimmed with tears that wouldn’t stop.

An Ji walked out of the hall, took a deep breath, adjusting his emotions.

He turned.

Saw An Youyou at the moment in the courtyard, idly kicking small stones, seemingly passing time.

"Princess." An Ji approached, saluting.

An Youyou looked up, smiled slightly, "Out so soon? After all these years, shouldn’t you linger a bit?"