Chapter 1288: Chapter 778: An Ji Ascends the Throne, Seeking Romance on a Journey (Part 2)
An Youyou wandered aimlessly within the Imperial Palace.
No one knew how long it would be before An Ji could personally visit Daxuan.
Since ascending the throne, she had hardly seen An Ji, who was relentlessly busy. Sometimes, when she was utterly bored, she couldn’t help but go to find him, only to see him sitting on the Dragon Throne in his radiant Dragon Robe, with furrowed brows reviewing memorials, focused and attentive. She couldn’t bear to interrupt him. Occasionally, she overheard the little eunuchs by An Ji’s side say that An Ji slept less than three hours a day. With such tireless dedication to governance, she had even less reason to go find An Ji for leisure.
"Divine Doctor Ali." A little eunuch, panting, ran up to her.
"Hm?" An Youyou looked at the little eunuch.
"His Majesty summons you to the main hall."
An Youyou was a bit puzzled, "Isn’t His Majesty very busy?"
The little eunuch was also at a loss for words.
He was only ordered to invite Divine Doctor Ali over.
An Youyou didn’t ask much further and followed the little eunuch to the main hall.
This time, rare as it was, coming to see An Ji, he was not holding a memorial but sat upright on the Dragon Throne, radiating charm and elegance.
"You were looking for me?" An Youyou asked An Ji.
Since she was not from Beiyuan, she didn’t have as many etiquettes to adhere to and was more informal with An Ji.
"The day after tomorrow, we depart for Daxuan." An Ji said straightforwardly.
An Youyou was somewhat excited, "Really?"
The smile on her face was unapologetic.
An Ji had anticipated Ali’s excitement, knowing that during this time, Ali was bored in the palace. He also knew Ali had come to find him several times. Each time, he didn’t ignore him nor overlook his disappointed little face. He didn’t pay attention to him not because he was too busy to spare even a word, but simply because he wanted to straighten out the affairs of state quickly, stabilize the situation in Beiyuan Country, and then spare some time to accompany Ali and send him back to Daxuan Kingdom.
At this moment seeing Ali’s joy, An Ji felt a strange emotion in his heart.
Ali was utterly without nostalgia towards him.
"Really." An Ji nodded.
"Then I’ll go pack my things."
"Ali." An Ji called him.
"Hm?" An Youyou, with a beaming smile, was in a good mood.
What An Ji wanted to say got swallowed back, and he only said, "You’ve been in Beiyuan Country for so long, never truly had a chance to sightsee due to the wars. After leaving this time, who knows when you’ll be back in Beiyuan again. Do you want to explore Phoenix City before departing?"
"Of course!" An Youyou didn’t hesitate or refuse and agreed immediately.
She had actually requested to go out before, but An Ji had stopped her due to Beiyuan not being completely peaceful. Now suddenly saying he would take her out, she was elated to the point of flying.
"Tomorrow morning, I’ll accompany you out."
"Will there be many people?" An Youyou asked.
She really didn’t like being stared at by too many.
"A private visit in disguise."
"Then I’ll be waiting for you!" An Youyou was extremely excited.
An Ji’s lips slightly lifted, "Alright."
An Youyou left in high spirits.
Watching Ali’s back, An Ji felt that this joyful Ali seemed familiar.
He couldn’t help but sigh.
For the first time, he felt inexplicably sentimental about their separation.
Back in Daxuan Kingdom, saying goodbye to Gao Chaoyang didn’t seem as melancholic as it does now.
...
The following day.
An Youyou woke up early, changed clothes, and waited.
Not long after, the little eunuch led him to the palace gate, where he saw An Ji from a distance, dressed in a dark green casual outfit, standing handsomely and gracefully waiting for her.
An Youyou excitedly ran over, and greeted ceremoniously, "Your Majesty."
"Call me... An Ji," An Ji abruptly instructed An Youyou to change, "While we’re out, we cannot expose our identities."
"An Ji." An Youyou did not refuse.
After all, these two words rolled off her tongue more smoothly.
Upon hearing Ali’s new address for him, An Ji’s heart skipped suddenly.
It was like being hit by something, feeling that this "An Ji" stirred an inexplicable thrill.
Even as his heart continued to waiver, he saw Ali had already climbed into the carriage, impatiently ready to go and explore.
This spirit made An Ji feel familiar again.
In his memories, someone was just as playful, hiding nothing.
An Ji also boarded the carriage.
All the way, An Youyou was excited, occasionally lifting the curtain to observe the bustling scenery outside.
In merely two months, Phoenix City felt entirely renewed from when she first arrived.
