An Yuan'er became a county princess, and as was customary, she went to the palace to thank the Empress and received the imperial edict conferring her the title of county princess.
On the way back to the palace, they were blocked by a wall of people.
"Greetings, Fifth Prince." An Yuan'er bowed to him.
She looked at Yi Chenqi in front of her, the once sunny and straightforward boy, whose brows were now always shrouded in a trace of sorrow.
The eldest prince, taking advantage of the rise of Lan Jingtang, cured the emperor's illness and obtained an important position in the Imperial Observatory. Lan Jingtang was quite popular, and people would help him intentionally or unintentionally, which greatly impacted Yi Chenqi's original power, causing his years of efforts to collapse.
The Empress had high expectations for Yi Chenqi. Even after the prince finished his studies at the Royal Academy, she still privately hired many tutors for him. He studied politics, military affairs, and policy essays... nothing was neglected.
I heard from others that the Fifth Prince only goes to sleep in the early hours of the morning, but he starts a new round of studying before dawn the next day.
An Yuan'er couldn't bear it any longer and sighed softly, saying, "Yi Chenqi, while fulfilling the Empress's expectations, you also need to pay attention to rest. You've lost a lot of weight these past few years."
Yi Chenqi simply gazed deeply into An Yuan'er's eyes, unwilling to look away for even a moment.
“Xiao Yuan’er, when the rumors were spreading like wildfire, I never doubted your reputation. I only blame myself for not standing up and clearing your name.”
An Yuan'er shook her head: "It's all in the past. Besides, given our status, it's not appropriate for you to help me."
This is the imperial palace; we cannot linger here. After exchanging a few pleasantries, An Yuan'er prepared to leave.
But Yi Chenqi stubbornly held onto An Yuan'er's hand: "Little Yuan'er, I'm really so tired. Can you stay with me for a little while? Just a little while."
His tone even carried a hint of pleading, and An Yuan'er had no idea what he had gone through all these years.
He has changed a lot. Back in school, in front of his grandfather, he declared in front of everyone that he would be the person An Yuan'er liked the most. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye.
He is no longer the boy he once was. Now he carries too much on his shoulders.
An Yuan'er accompanied him for a while. It was a quiet walk, and neither of them spoke. But Yi Chenqi was very happy, with a smile on his face.
The road was clearly not short, but Yi Chenqi felt that it would be short before they arrived at Chenyang Palace.
Yi Chenqi spoke with difficulty: "Xiao Yuan'er, I will be getting married in three months. It is the Empress Dowager who has chosen the wife for me, Miss Liu from the family of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."
An Yuan'er was initially a little surprised, as this was somewhat sudden, since the eldest prince was not yet married, and Yi Chenqi had actually gotten ahead of him.
It seems the Empress is indeed anxious, eager to win over the Vice Minister of War in order to counter the Crown Prince and provide Yi Chenqi with a powerful backer.
The Ministry of War was an indispensable department, responsible for the mobilization of troops and provisions.
"Congratulations. I heard long ago that Miss Liu has been in love with the prince for many years, and now her wish has come true. You two will surely be happy in the future."
An Yuan'er sincerely wished Yi Chenqi well, but Yi Chenqi only felt an unbearable bitterness in his heart.
He once naively thought that even if An Yuan'er always liked Yi Chenli, he would not give up.
But reality is cruel; he never had the right to choose. His marriage was inextricably linked to interests, leaving him no room to make his own decisions.
Yi Chenli slipped something into An Yuan'er's hand. An Yuan'er opened it and found a candy inside.
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