Chapter 687: Chapter 688 Extras Can’t Wait_1 Chapter 687: Chapter 688 Extras Can’t Wait_1 Xiao Yu’s eyes widened: “It’s really like that! How could His Majesty knows Mr. Yu would return?”

Nangong Anan gave a bitter smile: “That’s where Brother’s ability stands out. Some things, no one can see through, including Jin himself, yet Brother foreseen it long ago. He despises Yu Ze and Muniang to the bone. Why would he kindly use me to capture Jin if he had any good intentions? If I had really agreed to leave with Jin at this moment, I’m afraid we wouldn’t even have made it out of the royal mausoleum before the guards would have caught us and Jin’s life would be even less guaranteed.”

Xiao Yu was also frightened, not expecting that under such circumstances, the Princess could still think so thoroughly. The Princess had really grown up.

“So what should the Princess do now?”

“Pretend he never came,” replied Nangong Anan. “The defense of the royal mausoleum isn’t strict—it’s just an illusion Brother wanted to create. They are all watching my every move. I might be alright inside this room, but once I step outside, many eyes will undoubtedly follow me. Do you think it would be safe for Jin to take me away? Now I have no other thoughts; I only wish him to live well, to leave this place of strife, return to the Daqian Dynasty to live a comfortable and respected life, the free life he’s pursued his whole life. It won’t be long before he forgets about me,” Nangong Anan said, but her words became more and more bitter as she spoke.

“How can the Princess be so certain that Mr. Yu will leave this time? What if…”

Nangong Anan shook her head: “You don’t understand him at all. He’s a very proud man. After the harsh words I said to him earlier, do you think he would shamelessly stay? He’s probably already on his way back to the Daqian Dynasty by now.”

Xiao Yu said with sympathy: “The Princess always thinks of him and never for herself. The Princess has been chasing him for so many years, just wanting to occupy some place in his heart. Now that Mr. Yu has finally become aware, the Princess pushes him away instead. Once he leaves this time, I’m afraid it’ll be for a lifetime…”

“If it’s for a lifetime, then so be it,” Nangong Anan sighed. “I’ve long seen that there’s no destiny between us in this life. It’s okay, Xiao Yu, you needn’t worry. My heartache is only temporary. Look, I’m alright now, aren’t I?” Nangong Anan forced a smile.

Xiao Yu helplessly said: “Princess, please don’t deceive me. Enough said, there’s no reason for a servant to question the Princess’s decision. Moreover, things are already set, and it’s useless to say more. I’ll go fetch some water to wash your face. You should lie down and rest.”

Nangong Anan gently nodded, looking out the window at the melting snow. With the departure of winter comes spring—everything changes. She already considered herself fortunate enough in this life; having the man she yearned for all her life might make even the heavens jealous. That must be why, Nangong Anan comforted herself, her eyes growing moist. The heavens surely knew that, if possible, she would rather trade all her lifetime’s luck for his companionship.

She could live without being a princess, without power or prestige, perhaps even as an ordinary country girl like Muniang, just wanting to be with him for a lifetime. But such a longing ultimately could not be realized.

Nangong Anan exhaled a long sigh. Time can’t be turned back; what remains are only the sour memories.

Half a year later, Nangong Qian returned with his troops. Because he had been outmaneuvered by Yu Ze, the reserve camps suffered heavy losses; a hundred thousand strong soldiers were whittled down to thirty thousand, and several cities were lost. Nangong Qian had no time to resent Yu Ze’s cunning because, in a survival of the fittest world, the Qilian Kingdom had been greatly weakened by this battle, and other nations began to stir, seeking to take advantage of the situation and conquer Qilian Kingdom.

Nangong Qian finally lost the drive to deal with the Daqian Dynasty, since the current Daqian Dynasty was no longer the same as before. With a new emperor ascended, their national strength grew more robust day by day. Nangong Qian had his own concerns to worry about.

For some reason, Nangong Anan felt relieved. Muniang was her friend, and she didn’t want her country to suffer. Deep down, Nangong Anan disliked aggression, but she was now worried about Nangong Qian. She wasn’t concerned about his ability to protect Qilian Kingdom, but rather she feared that his excessive exertion and worries might lead to illness; after all, he was her dear brother.

Yet, confined within the royal mausoleum, she had no desire to return, nor could she alleviate his worries about the country’s affairs. All she could do was to chant prayers and wish for good fortune for Qilian Kingdom every day.

“The Princess should get out more often. It’s spring now, the best season of the year. If you wait a few more days and summer comes, the hot weather will make it impossible to enjoy walks outside. Then you’d really have to lie inside all day,” Xiao Yu advised.

Nangong Anan seldom came out for a walk, and Xiao Yu was following beside her, incessantly babbling.

Nangong Anan helplessly said, “How come you talk more and more these days.”

“Isn’t it because the Princess talks less and less? In the past, it was the Princess who kept me talking non-stop,” Xiao Yu said with a sense of grievance.

Nangong Anan spoke indifferently, “What’s the point of mentioning the old days now?”

“It’s alright, as long as the Princess is happy. The Princess has been cooped up in the room for so long, it’s rare for you to feel like going out to clear your mind. I won’t disturb your good spirits anymore.”

Ever since Yu Jin had left, the Princess had been so sullen, staying in her room for half a year. Xiao Yu was still glad she finally felt like going out for a walk.

However, Nangong Anan suddenly asked, “Have you found out any news about him?” It had been half a year since Yu Jin left, and he should have definitely reached the Daqian Dynasty by now. She couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

Xiao Yu shook her head, “It’s strange, there really hasn’t been a bit of news. I’m wondering if it’s because my sources are too limited.”

Nangong Anan sighed, ‘Why is it like this? There has been no news at all. Is Marquis Chen Mansion deliberately concealing something, or is it something else?’

“The Princess should rest assured, nothing bad must have happened. If His Majesty did catch him, everyone would definitely know. It makes no sense for His Majesty to secretly kill him. So you see, no news is good news.”

Xiao Yu’s words made sense, and Nangong Anan felt somewhat relieved, without overthinking it.

“Hey!” Gao Xiang suddenly somersaulted and appeared in front of Nangong Anan with a playful and smiling face, startling Xiao Yu, who was following along, and nearly causing her to fall.

Nangong Anan remained calm and said with annoyance, “Can’t you make an appearance like a normal person? You’re always causing a commotion!”

Xiao Yu also patted her chest and said, “Exactly, every time the prince scares me half to death!”

Gao Xiang felt a distinct lack of accomplishment and complained, “How come you’re not even flustered? You make me lose face.”

Nangong Anan gave him a blank look, “Cut it out, why are you here again? Do you have that much free time every day?”

“What do you mean ‘again’? I clearly haven’t visited in several days. I’ll tell you what, Nangong Anan, you really dismiss me too much! You must wish I wouldn’t come, right?!”