Chapter 1334: Chapter 789: Youyou’s Long Road Ahead, Luming’s Compromise_4
"Your Majesty." The Palace Attendant quickly stepped forward, trembling as they blocked the Emperor’s path, "The Princess is a light sleeper, and only just managed to lie down. Please, Your Majesty, do not disturb her rest..."
"I will be careful."
"But..."
"Audacious servant!" the eunuch scolded from the side, "How dare you block the Emperor? Do you want to lose your head?!"
The Palace Attendant shook with fear, "Have mercy, Your Majesty, have mercy!"
Xiao Luming glanced at the Palace Attendant and strode into the back hall.
Within the back hall, there were two palace maids attending to Anqi.
Upon seeing the Emperor arrive, they hurriedly bowed in greeting.
Their bodies trembled involuntarily.
Xiao Luming approached Anqi’s bed.
Anqi clutched the quilt.
"How can you sleep under a quilt in this hot weather?" Xiao Luming frowned, reaching out to lift Anqi’s quilt.
Under the quilt, the person trembled, continuously shaking their head.
Xiao Luming frowned but did not force her when he saw Anqi’s reluctance.
"I brought you some chilled watermelon. Get up and have some; it will make you feel better in this heat," Xiao Luming spoke gently.
The person under the quilt continued to shake their head.
"What exactly is wrong?" Xiao Luming asked worriedly, a hint of suppressed emotion in his tone, "Or is it that you don’t want to see me at all?"
The person under the quilt remained silent.
Not speaking is an admission, isn’t it?!
A shadow flickered in Xiao Luming’s eyes.
"All this time, do you really have no feelings for me at all?" Xiao Luming asked.
Still, there was no response.
"Are you still determined to be with the Imperial Uncle?" Xiao Luming’s Adam’s apple bobbed; ultimately, there was some discomfort in his heart.
In fact, he was beginning to slowly accept Anqi’s "betrayal" of his affections.
During this period of time spent with Anqi, he could feel her going through the motions with him and sense her low spirits.
In his heart, Anqi was always that cheerful girl, warm, considerate, and kind.
He couldn’t bear for her to live so unhappily.
His mother was right.
To truly like someone is to wish for their happiness rather than satisfy one’s own selfish desires.
He decided to let Anqi go.
And also to let himself go.
"You can come out now; I have agreed to your marriage arrangement with the Imperial Uncle." Xiao Luming finally uttered.
After having lunch with Anqi today, he intended to say it when he left.
But seeing Anqi’s back, that thread of pride in his heart made him choose silence.
At this moment.
He decided to let go.
The person inside the quilt still showed no reaction.
Xiao Luming was somewhat surprised.
By rights, Anqi shouldn’t be so calm.
Could it really be a physical problem?!
Xiao Luming got up and directly went to lift Anqi’s quilt.
He felt as if the person under the quilt had been trembling the entire time.
What on earth is going on?!
The quilt was tightly clutched.
Xiao Luming exerted a force.
A shadow suddenly rolled off the bed.
"Your Majesty, be careful." the eunuch exclaimed in fright.
The person who rolled onto the floor quickly kowtowed, "Have mercy, Your Majesty, have mercy!"
Xiao Luming also stood up at this moment, looking at the palace maid on the floor.
So the person who had been listening to him wasn’t Anqi at all!
"Where is Anqi?!" Xiao Luming’s anger was evident.
Everyone in the inner hall was terrified and knelt on the ground.
"The Princess... has left the palace..."
...
At dusk.
Anqi successfully returned to the Imperial Palace from outside.
She walked into her Xiaoxiang Palace with a cheerful mood.
Though parting with Xiao Jinyu was difficult, deep inside, she still cherished their sweet moments together, recalling them with a smile.
She entered the main hall.
Seeing Xiao Luming sitting on a chair in the hall, the sweetness on her face instantly faded.
At that moment, she instinctively turned to leave.
"Is Princess Anqi heading to Prince Jing Mansion again?" Xiao Luming’s voice sounded cold and low.
Anqi’s heart trembled slightly.
For so long, Luming had never come to her chamber at this hour.
Luming was always strict and meticulous, never indulging himself.
He would only follow his schedule and would not come to her place at an unscheduled hour.
That’s why she dared to sneak out of the Imperial Palace to meet Jinyu.
But now she’s caught red-handed.
Anqi turned back to look at Luming.
Seeing his face full of darkness and gloom.
"Does the Princess think I really dare not kill Prince Jing?" Xiao Luming coldly questioned her.
Anqi’s face paled, and fear gripped her heart.
She hurriedly stepped forward and knelt on the ground.
Xiao Luming’s face grew more and more unsightly.
"Your Majesty, Xiao Jinyu and I are in love with each other. I implore Your Majesty to grant us your blessing."
"Blessing?" Xiao Luming’s voice was cold to the extreme, "I bless you, but who will bless me?!"
"I only have sibling-like feelings for Your Majesty; a forced union is not sweet."
"Forced?" Xiao Luming clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white, "As the ruler of a nation, even if forced, so what? This entire kingdom is mine; whatever I desire, I shall have!"
"Your Majesty! If you truly insist, I..." Anqi’s eyes turned red, a look of resignation in her eyes, "I will die before Your Majesty!"
As the words fell.
Anqi pulled out a dagger from her clothes.
This was for her self-defense when leaving the palace.
Xiao Luming’s expression turned to extreme coldness.
He watched, bloody and terrifying, as Anqi placed the sharp dagger against her throat, using the threat of death to escape from him!
