The two exchanged a puzzled look, then spoke in perfect unison, "Master? What's going on?"
Yongqi strode up to Ertai and asked with a forced smile, "Ertai, when did you meet my cousin?"
Qing'er quickly walked to An Ke's side. "What's going on here? Are you Ertai's master?" Qing'er really needed an explanation from An Ke, otherwise she felt like her brain was about to explode.
An Ke smiled faintly, "To say how long we've known each other, it's really been a long time. Do you remember when I told you about shooting arrows at the training camp when I was a kid in Wutai Mountain?"
Qing'er nodded blankly. An'an had told her about this, but what did it have to do with how long she had known Ertai?
"I just remembered it myself. When I was a kid, I was shooting arrows at a training camp and I met a chubby little boy. I taught him a few moves. When I saw Ertai's little movements just now, I remembered it." An Ke didn't expect that the chubby little boy from back then was actually Ertai.
The gears of fate had already begun to turn, carrying them towards a distant future. Their destiny was sealed from that moment.
"Little chubby boy?" Qing'er said softly, glancing at Ertai "inadvertently".
Qing'er expressed her shock somewhat subtly, while Yongqi burst into laughter.
Hearing the nickname "Little Fatty," he knew it was a nickname his cousin had given him, even though Ertai was indeed quite chubby as a child. But that was all in the past. Since Anke could even recall Ertai's childhood chubbyness, it meant they had known each other for a long time.
"I didn't expect you two to have known each other for so long. What a coincidence! But An'an, you didn't recognize him, did you?" Yongqi teased playfully, waiting to watch the show unfold.
"I really didn't recognize him. Even you wouldn't recognize him then. He didn't look like this when he was little. If he still looked like he did when he was a child, I definitely would have recognized him," An Ke said guiltily, trying to defend herself. Actually, even if Ertai looked like he did when he was a child, she probably wouldn't have recognized him immediately. Since sending him back to the banquet hall, An Ke had focused solely on her own academic and martial achievements; she hadn't had time to think about anything else. She had completely forgotten about the chubby little boy from back then.
If she hadn't witnessed Ertai's little gesture today, she probably wouldn't have remembered that in her dull childhood, there was a chubby, crying little boy. And yet, the little boy secretly admired her, and she quietly entered Ertai's heart.
When Ertai returned to his residence, he had already inquired with his mother and father. The outcome, of course, was unsatisfactory; no one could have imagined that the person who helped Ertai at the training ground was Princess Yong'an.
Ever since Princess Yong'an returned to the palace, Ertai's gaze had frequently fallen upon her. From the moment she returned, he felt that she might be the little girl from his childhood. However, he wasn't entirely certain until he observed the young princess's actions, after which he became certain that she was indeed the little girl who taught him archery.
"Oh, really?" Yongqi's tone became exaggeratedly convoluted after hearing Anke's words. "That's true, after all, cousin, your memory is truly known throughout the palace."
He then patted Ertai on the shoulder, quite moved, "It's really not easy for you to remember her for so long. From the moment she returned to the palace, did you know she was your childhood teacher?" No wonder his gaze kept falling on his cousin. He had initially thought Ertai had ulterior motives towards his cousin, but it turned out he had already recognized his teacher.
I have to say, Yongqi, you've hit the nail on the head. But now you're a step further away from the truth.
Ertai: Of course, we must plan carefully; better safe than sorry.
Qing'er quietly tried to make herself inconspicuous, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she stared wide-eyed in disbelief. The couple she shipped was destined to be together from the very beginning. No wonder Ertai always seemed to look at An'an with such deep affection.
"No way?" Anke also found it incredible. She hadn't even recognized him at first glance, yet he had recognized her so quickly? Her heart started pounding irregularly again.
Ertai was a little embarrassed when he was exposed, and his ears gradually turned red. But in order not to be misunderstood by the little princess, he nodded with his bright red ears.
"So this can be considered a long-awaited reunion for you two?" Yongqi acted like a lively atmosphere-maker, enlivening the entire room.
“Yes, I’ve only ever seen scenes like this in storybooks. I never imagined I’d have someone like that in my life,” Qing’er immediately chimed in.
"I think we should drink as much as we can with kindred spirits and drink to our hearts' content." Yongqi was also a little tipsy from this atmosphere.
An Ke, however, soberly reminded us, "If we get completely drunk, how are we going to get back to the palace? Don't forget, the Empress Dowager has sent guards to watch over us. If we don't go back to the palace, are we just letting the Empress Dowager worry about us for nothing?"
Since it concerned the Empress Dowager, Qing'er instantly realized what was happening and almost nodded in agreement. Ashamed, her face flushed crimson. "It's getting late," she said, "I think we should head back to the palace soon, lest the gates be locked."
The palace has its own rules, and the palace gates close at a set time. In truth, given their status, getting the guards to open the gates would have been an easy task. However, these masters didn't want to break the palace rules. After all, the etiquette they had learned since childhood wouldn't allow them to do so.
Even Yongqi, without the Emperor's tacit approval, rarely made the kind of casual entry and exit from the palace gates depicted in the drama. It seems Xiaoyanzi's influence was quite significant, capable of affecting even a once-promising and promising heir apparent like that.
Now, Xiao Yanzi is under house arrest, and the four guards of Shufangzhai have been dismissed, as if the wise and sagacious Fifth Brother has returned.
"Very well, let's go back as soon as possible to report to the Empress Dowager." Yongqi looked at the magnificent sunset in the distance and sighed at how quickly time had passed. Was it already this late? Time really did fly by outside the palace.
Ertai naturally agreed with everything Anke said and nodded in agreement. Besides, it was getting late, and it was time to return to the Fu residence.
Since no one raised any objections, the four-person team decided to split into two groups: those returning to the palace and those going home.
Upon reaching the bustling main street, the crowds were still quite lively. The calls of vendors from the roadside were incessant, and the aroma of food, along with the laughter of children playing by the roadside, all drifted into the carriage.
The carriage stopped shortly afterward. They had reached a fork in the road, where the two groups parted ways.
Ertai silently rode his horse, watching their carriage head towards the magnificent palace. Satisfied, he strolled along the street, leisurely making his way back to his residence. He had had a very pleasant conversation with the princess today, and she had recognized him; now, he could begin to pursue his next objective.
Not for any other reason than so that I can stand shoulder to shoulder with her in the future. This is a path I must eventually walk myself.
His gaze, which had been somewhat affectionate and profound, instantly became firm, then softened, and even the corners of his mouth curved into a slight smile.
With the setting sun overhead and a smile on his face, the young man walks towards his glorious future.
——
Cining Palace
"I had so much fun riding horses today," Qing'er said out of the blue.
“Indeed, the air in the suburbs is much fresher than in this magnificent palace. But if I had to give up this life of being waited on hand and foot, I’d hesitate.” Anke knew exactly what she wanted. Although she also loved the vast sky and the carefree life, it was definitely not about giving up her privileged life. And even in the palace, Anke firmly believed she could live a magnificent life of her own.
Qing'er smiled slightly and said nothing. Actually, back at Mount Wutai, An'an had already expressed her wishes and aspirations. At the time, Qing'er greatly admired those hermits who lived a carefree life, but after An'an's persuasion, Qing'er also felt that her ideas were quite impractical.
Putting everything else aside, if she really became one of those hermits, could she truly live a life of quiet detachment? Would she truly be free after leaving the palace? Was this what she wanted? Qing'er couldn't help but ask herself these questions. After thinking about it all night, the answer was, of course, no. Leaving aside whether she could give up this life of luxury, she felt she couldn't sever her bond with the Empress Dowager. How could she possibly abandon the Empress Dowager and wander alone?
An Ke: Phew~ That finally puts an end to Qing'er's envy of those cultivators. Even if Qing'er meets Xiao Jian later, she probably won't be captivated by him. Right, that's how Qing'er should think. With her status and position, why would she be betrothed to a prince or minister without becoming his principal wife? Why should she follow Xiao Jian to roam the martial world? And why would she abandon the Empress Dowager? If things had gone as depicted in the drama, Qing'er and the Empress Dowager's last meeting might have been that brief farewell in the Forbidden City.
Qing'er is a grateful person. The Empress Dowager is the one who saved her life, like family. After so many years together, Qing'er has long been inseparable from the Empress Dowager. How could she abandon the Empress Dowager for love like in the drama? Besides, how could years of getting along be less important than a few months of fate?
In this life, An Ke is determined to give Qing'er and the Empress Dowager a happy ending. As for Xiao Jian, he's better suited to his carefree, hermit-like life. Go somewhere cool and stay away; don't interfere in Qing'er's life.
However, what Anke didn't know was that because of her appearance, the chapters of history had already been silently rewritten.
The Empress Dowager already knew that the two of them had returned and was waiting for them in the main hall of Cining Palace so they could have dinner together.
The Empress Dowager gazed at the magnificent crimson sunset outside. She watched An'an and Qing'er, hand in hand, chatting and laughing. The two young girls were in the prime of their lives, their smiles sweetening the heart. The Empress Dowager couldn't help but feel a surge of pride; her granddaughters were both so beautiful and talented. She wondered which two rascals would end up with them. It seemed she should discuss this with the Emperor soon.
When the two entered, they saw the Empress Dowager sitting at the head of the table, smiling at them.
The two walked towards the Empress Dowager with perfect understanding. The Empress Dowager extended her hands, took one hand in each, and asked with a smile, "Did you have fun today? Did Qing'er learn to ride a horse?"
The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word. "Your Majesty, Qing'er had a wonderful time today. Not only did she learn to ride a horse, but she also went to Delong Manor with An'an. An'an's manor has a unique charm, very elegant. Qing'er is almost reluctant to leave."
"Is that so? I heard you even had an archery contest?" This was said to An Ke.
“Yes, there happens to be an archery target in An’an’s manor. Just horseback riding isn’t very interesting, so we thought we’d have a little competition, just for fun.” An Ke skillfully shook the Empress Dowager’s arm, gently resting her head on the Empress Dowager’s shoulder. “Does Grandmother not even intend to leave this little bit of pleasure for An’an?”
"Alright, alright, I didn't say anything. You little rascal, always trying to turn the tables." The Empress Dowager reached out and flicked An Ke's nose with her finger, her tone full of affection. "I was just asking a question, look at what you're saying. I was just worried that you weren't fully healed from that fall."
Anke: Grandmother is treating me like clay again! I'm not a porcelain doll. (￣￣￣)
“An’an naturally understands Grandmother’s good intentions. But An’an is really fully recovered and doesn’t want to drink that bitter medicine prescribed by Physician Hu anymore.” An’an said in a coquettish tone, “Can we stop drinking it starting today? Look, An’an was riding horses and shooting arrows today, and there are no problems anymore, which means An’an is fully recovered.”
How could the Empress Dowager not know her granddaughter? She reached out and poked Anke's forehead with her finger, unwilling to give up. "You, alright, fine, you don't have to drink anymore. But you should be more careful in the meantime. It takes 100 days to recover from a broken bone, and you've only been out for a short time, yet you're already running around like a madwoman. It terrifies me to hear that, and you don't seem to care at all."
"That means An'an is in good health and recovered so quickly." An Ke stood up, raised her arm, and indicated that she was healthy.
"Alright, alright. I've prepared your favorite sticky rice chicken for tonight. Let's see how much you can eat later. I've also instructed the kitchen to prepare a nourishing medicinal dish for you. Since you're not taking medicine anymore, you can have a couple more bowls of the medicinal dish." The Empress Dowager looked like she had no room for negotiation.
The Empress Dowager has already made concessions, so you should be content. An Ke nodded obediently; after all, medicinal cuisine would definitely taste much better than medicinal soup. An Ke wasn't the kind of person to be ungrateful.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com