CHAPTER 518: 469 CHERISH THE PERSON BEFORE YOU

The news of Song Xiangqiao’s death in the hospital spread, like a stone of unremarkable size tossed into the originally tranquil lake surface, causing a spray of ripples that quickly returned to calm.

Prince Chiluo had stayed at the President Mansion for three days.

On the first day, he witnessed Song Xiangqiao taking Wen Qichen hostage and jumping from a building. On the second day, Song Xiangqiao was transferred to the ICU, a topic he and Song Lili had discussed during their conversation. On the third day, he received news of Song Xiangqiao’s death.

"Please accept my condolences, President’s wife."

Chiluo had already packed his belongings and was ready to leave Country G.

"Thank you for your concern, Prince Chiluo. I’m fine."

Song Lili and Wen Nian escorted Prince Chiluo out of the President Mansion.

Prince Chiluo’s entourage and vehicles were already prepared.

"Sir, regarding the alliance and mutual assistance treaty between Country G and Country M, I hope we can actively communicate."

Wen Nian nodded,

"Don’t worry."

"Once the treaty is entirely clear, I will present it to our Mr. President. At that time, I will certainly return to Country G as a representative to sign the treaty with you."

After Prince Chiluo spoke seriously, his expression showed hesitation and evasion. Song Lili noticed this subtle expression on his face and couldn’t help but ask another question,

"Your Highness Chiluo, is there anything else?"

"No, there’s nothing else."

Chiluo said and then smiled at Song Lili, "Thank you for your concern, then Chiluo will take his leave first—"

"I heard that your President is holding people accountable for the civil war. Since Qing Luo is a member of your Royal Family, I assume your President is giving the Royal Family a hard time?"

Wen Nian spoke straightforwardly.

Chiluo replied awkwardly, "Mr. President indeed has a well-informed network."

"Have you encountered any difficulties that I can help you with?"

"..."

"Chiluo, we are in the process of signing a mutual assistance treaty. You are facing difficulties now and yet are unwilling to ask for my help, I truly don’t know..."

"Sir."

Chiluo took a deep breath and interrupted Wen Nian, speaking directly,

"You say it’s a mutual assistance treaty between two countries, but I, Chiluo, know that at this moment, while Country M is affected by the civil war, this treaty is solely in favor of Country M. Thus...for matters of state, I can unabashedly make requests, but for personal affairs, I really cannot..."

"Personal affairs?"

Song Lili paused, somewhat confused.

"Now that the President is holding the Royal Family accountable, every member feels at risk. Neither the King nor the Queen is likely to gain much favor in the face of the President’s reproach."

"..."

"The President and our Royal Family have never been very harmonious to begin with. Since the rebellion started with Qing Luo, the Royal Family truly cannot escape responsibility."

Wen Nian nodded,

"Chiluo, just tell me what help you need. If I can help, I will certainly not refuse."

"The President will hold people accountable; he won’t completely disregard the Royal Family’s face, but...since he’s prepared to hold us accountable, he naturally won’t let this issue pass easily. I personally might have little to worry about, but... I have a younger sister whom I cannot stop worrying about."

"Are you talking about Princess Chinian?"

"..."

Song Lili raised her eyebrows and looked at Wen Nian.

"Prince Chiluo only has this one sister of the same parents, named Chinian. This much I am aware of."

Wen Nian explained to Song Lili.

Song Lili appeared somewhat uneasy and said, "You don’t have to explain to me..."

Wen Nian chuckled gently.

Chiluo continued, "Chinian cannot speak and was born with a disability, but she is kind-hearted, shy, and lovely. She is very young, just having turned twenty today. I gathered from my father’s intentions that he might have already begun to consider...arranging for my sister to get married."

"Arrange a marriage?"

Song Lili was truly dumbfounded. One second they were discussing the trouble of accountability for the Royal Family, and the next second it had shifted to the thorny issue of his sister’s marriage.

"If the President really wants to use the rebellion issue to make a move, I believe your father will not passively await his fate. If necessary, he’ll use a political marriage to secure his own position."

Wen Nian pierced through the mystery with a single comment.

Song Lili pursed her lips and remained silent.

"What help do you seek from me, Prince Chiluo?"

Wen Nian asked again.

"This truly is an unseemly request. I want my sister Chinian to come to Country G. Even if it’s just to keep the President’s wife company, I hope during this time, she can be far away from the strife of the Royal Family."

Chiluo bowed deeply, ninety degrees.

"Your sister is named Chinian?"

Song Lili asked again.

Chiluo nodded, "Yes, Chinian. Her nickname is Niannian."

"She has... a congenital language impairment?"

"Yes, but she can hear and understand. She knows sign language and can read lips. She can write and recognizes your country’s language, so..."

Chiluo was aware that what he was asking for was unseemly.