"Luming, it’s really not about the length of time; it’s just that I truly only have sibling feelings towards you." Anqi shook her head as she spoke, her eyes not daring to meet Luming’s.

She feared that her actions would indeed make Luming very sad and disappointed.

For so many years, Luming had always treated her well.

But matters of the heart are difficult to control; she didn’t even know when she started to fall for that gentle and considerate man.

Once she liked him, she liked him for many years...

Xiao Luming’s eyes remained fixed on Anqi.

He knew about Anqi’s feelings for the Imperial Uncle, but he didn’t pay too much attention. Although he did feel somewhat annoyed, he forced himself to endure, rationally believing that it was because he spent too little time with Anqi, which led her to fall for another.

Luming thought that as long as he made some changes and took the initiative with Anqi, she would change her perception of him, and her feelings would be directed towards him. After all, the Imperial Uncle married Princess Chaoyang, and Anqi, apart from being heartbroken on the first day, showed no abnormalities thereafter. He thus concluded that Anqi’s feelings for the Imperial Uncle weren’t deep.

He never expected Anqi would refuse so completely.

He was left momentarily speechless.

Deep inside, he didn’t want to force Anqi, but he couldn’t accept that she only had sibling feelings for him.

The depression in his heart made Xiao Luming’s expression increasingly unsightly, his facial lines turning harder.

This stalemate.

Anqi whispered, "Luming, I’m sorry."

After this apology, Anqi left from Luming’s sight.

Xiao Luming’s Adam’s apple moved.

The intense suppression made his tightly clenched fist turn white at the knuckles.

"Your Majesty." Fu Gonggong quickly spoke, "Princess Anqi may not have accepted it for now, but given time, she will surely understand Your Majesty’s intentions. Moreover, Prince Jing has indeed married, and someone as noble as Princess Anqi could never be a concubine. So eventually, Princess Anqi will accept Your Majesty, you just need to be a little more patient with her."

Xiao Luming’s eyes shifted slightly. He glanced at the Chief Eunuch beside him and finally stepped away.

He internally accepted Fu Gonggong’s words.

There is a long future ahead.

...

Cang Kingdom.

An Youyou followed the Imperial Physician and was escorted by several Imperial Guards, reaching Phoenix City of Cang Kingdom’s capital safely at the fastest speed. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

In Phoenix City, there were almost no people walking outside, a city that once flourished seemed desolate and forlorn; war was truly too cruel.

And because the streets were sparsely populated, their sudden appearance seemed extraordinarily conspicuous, should they encounter...

"Drive!"

An Youyou’s heart tightened.

Suddenly, she saw a squad of cavalry rapidly approaching from a distance.

"Who are you!" the cavalry leader asked coldly.

A guard driving the carriage quickly replied, "To the officer, we are medicine merchants from the Yang family."

Yang family?

The cavalry seemed to have no impression.

Yet there were so many merchants in Phoenix City, a place with so many individuals doing business, selling medicine—he couldn’t possibly know everyone.

"Why are you out when Phoenix City is so unstable?"

"We’ve transported a shipment of medicine and are preparing to return to the residence, then we won’t go out," the guard answered again.

The explanation was prepared on the way.

The cavalry glanced at the carriage.

Inside the carriage sat the Imperial Physician and An Youyou.

Both looked somewhat nervous.

"During the emperor’s suppression of the rebellion, soldiers have been frequently wounded, and medicine is increasingly scarce and valuable, the official supplies are not even enough, and you dare to embezzle! People, seize all their medicine and confiscate it!" The leader directly issued the command.

It was as if openly robbing the people’s possessions had become commonplace.

"Yes!"

The cavalry received the order and didn’t pause, directly heading towards the carriage.

"Officer, we only have a small amount of medicine, and many patients at home are waiting for it..." The Imperial Guard pretended to protest.

The leader was completely unmoved.

The cavalry had already lifted the curtain.

Seeing An Youyou and the Imperial Physician, they shouted, "If you don’t want to die, get down!"

An Youyou and the Imperial Physician hurriedly descended from the carriage.

As soon as they got off,

The cavalry charged up, finding a box of medicine and a bag filled with silver and silver notes inside the carriage.

After searching, the cavalry quickly took them to the leader.