Chapter 688: Chapter 689 Extra Marriage_1 Chapter 688: Chapter 689 Extra Marriage_1 “Sure, I’m dying for that!”

Gao Xiang smiled slyly, “If I hadn’t come, would you have seen this?” As he spoke, he brought out a stuffed doll from his embrace and presented it in front of Nangong Anan.

Nangong Anan’s eyes lit up, “Where did you find this? Wasn’t it lost a long time ago?” She joyfully took the doll, thrilled beyond measure.

“Exactly, it was lost, and it took me quite an effort to find it back. I know it’s your favorite,” Gao Xiang said with a tone that was not without a hint of showing off.

This doll was a special gift from the old emperor for Nangong Anan’s childhood birthday. It had been lost somehow, and at that time, Nangong Anan had even cried for a while. Gao Xiang made a special effort to find it, actually because he didn’t want to see Nangong Anan continue to be so downhearted. He wanted to bring her a bit of joy, and sure enough, this seemingly inconspicuous stuffed doll still served some purpose.

Nangong Anan, holding the doll, smiled and said, “Xiang, thank you.”

Gao Xiang replied casually, “What’s there to thank between us! What’s mine is yours!”

Xiao Yu couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “The princess hasn’t even married over yet.”

“But isn’t that just a matter of time,” Gao Xiang muttered, then he carefully observed Nangong Anan’s expression, afraid she would immediately get angry and want to make it clear that they had no such relationship.

Nangong Anan just smiled and did not deny it. Gao Xiang, feeling cheerful, grabbed her hand and prompted, “Shall we go out and play today? You’re always cooped up at home, and now that you’re finally in the mood to go out, let’s enjoy ourselves! With me guiding you, you definitely won’t be shortchanged!”

Nangong Anan did not refuse, letting Gao Xiang lead her away, but suddenly she heard a noise and instinctively turned back, “Who’s there!”

Xiao Yu also shouted sternly, “Who is it!”

Nangong Anan looked suspiciously toward the rockery behind her, only to see an elderly man slowly emerging from within, who gave them a bow but said nothing.

Xiao Yu chuckled, “He is Chai, the wood chopper from the kitchen. He was born mute, unable to speak. He probably didn’t expect the princess and the heir to wander over here, so he had to step aside for a while. Little did he know he would still be discovered by the princess.”

Nangong Anan stepped forward to look at the old man and for some reason, despite his usually old and withered appearance, she felt a sense of familiarity.

Gao Xiang, pulling her along, said, “Are we going or not? It’ll be too late if we delay any longer, let’s go!”

Nangong Anan let Gao Xiang pull her a few steps and looked back once more, then she felt she was really confused. When had she known a mute old man? She then put the matter out of her mind and simply followed Gao Xiang.

Underneath the old man’s aged face, a pair of cold eyes followed Anan’s departing figure closely, filled with too much reluctance and attachment, yet unable to be expressed in words.

Three years flashed by, and Anan had fully grown into a young lady, revealing an unusual maturity.

The night had grown deep when Nangong Anan finally drifted off to sleep. Three years had changed a lot, and the seeds of sorrow once buried in her heart gradually became less distinct. But she was still not happy, or perhaps, not as happy as before. It seemed that there was always a knot in her heart, or perhaps a person lodged inside, someone she dared not think about or love anymore.

Some say there’s nothing time can’t erase, but even after three years, she could not forget the young man who had once dazzled her. It was only now that Anan understood some love lasts a lifetime.

The next morning, Xiao Yu came to check on her and, unsurprisingly, saw that Anan was already sitting on the bed, lost in thought. She sighed helplessly, “Princess, you sleep so late every day, yet wake up so early. If you keep having such poor sleep, how will your body withstand it?”

“Haven’t I been getting by like this for the past three years? There’s nothing I can’t endure,” Anan said in a muted voice, before getting out of bed to wash up.

Xiao Yu muttered, “The princess didn’t use to be like this in the past, she could sleep until noon…”

But she quickly felt it was inappropriate to mention that and promptly closed her mouth. However, her heart was filled with sorrow for the princess who once had been so carefree, never burdened by worries. But now, alas, it was better left unsaid.

“Princess, it’s been three years, what can’t you let go of? Why always seem so melancholy? The Pingnan Prince Heir tries so hard to make you happy every day, and you only occasionally give a smile. I can tell there’s a heaviness in your heart, but so much time has passed, shouldn’t the sorrow be gone by now?” Xiao Yu said in a subdued voice.

Nangong Anan didn’t speak and just looked down at the wooden comb in her hand, lost in thought.

Xiao Yu knew deep down that it wasn’t about a sorrow that couldn’t be overcome, but about a person one couldn’t let go. But that person was no longer a possibility. Could it be that the princess was truly going to mourn for him her entire life? Xiao Yu had never loved someone like that, so she couldn’t understand why endure such pain?

Left with no choice, Xiao Yu changed the subject and said softly, “Speaking of which, these three years of mourning are almost at an end. Next month, you’ll be out of mourning. The Pingnan Prince Heir even mentioned marriage arrangements the last time he was here, it seems he can’t wait to take you as his bride.”

Nangong Anan was momentarily stunned. There was no ripple of emotion on her face: “Oh.”

“Princess, next month when you move away from the imperial mausoleum, you may have to stay in the palace for a while. However, the Pingnan Prince Heir has already started preparing for the wedding. It won’t be long before he can take you as his bride. I know you don’t want to stay in the palace for long, so this time we’ll only be there for at most three months, there’s no need to worry,” Xiao Yu reassured.

“Hmm, alright.”

“Anan! Anan!”

Xiao Yu said with a smile, “The prince is here. I’d better help you with your washing quickly, otherwise he’ll make a fuss.”

Nangong Anan nodded, quickly finished washing up, and went out to see him, no doubt to talk about the marriage.

“What’s the matter? Do you have to be so spirited first thing in the morning?”

Gao Xiang smiled slyly, “How can I not be spirited? Have you ever seen a groom who isn’t spirited? Hehe.”

Nangong Anan gave him a disdainful look: “Shameless!”

“Anan, my mother has already started preparing your wedding dress, but she doesn’t know what style you’d like. Maybe you should go and have a look yourself next time?”

“I’m fine with whatever, it doesn’t need to be such a hassle,” Nangong Anan replied.

“It can’t be that casual. It’s our big day, it must be a hassle!” Gao Xiang declared assertively.

Nangong Anan, feeling helpless, could only ask, “Where should I go to have a look?”

Gao Xiang said with a smile, “I’ll take you to see after a while. Also, do you have any particular friends you want to invite to the wedding? Tell me now, and I’ll send them an invitation!”

Nangong Anan’s expression stiffened slightly, and she forced a smile: “No.”