Si Yao, Jiang Lin, Jiang Yi and others exclaimed and rushed towards Jiang Li, but it was too late as the distance was too far.

Just as Jiang Li was about to lie on the brazier, at the critical moment, a black shadow flashed by, grabbed Jiang Li's waist from behind, and directly turned her whole body half a circle, holding her steadily in his arms.

Jiang Li subconsciously hooked her arms around the man's neck, her face pale and her heart pounding.

"Ali, don't be afraid."

Xiao Heng held Jiang Li in his arms and looked at the guard beside him with a cold expression. The moment the guard's back stiffened, and he quickly stepped forward to clean up the brazier.

The competition was intense when the brazier fell down just now, and the guards didn't step forward to clean it up for fear of affecting their competition. Who knew that it almost caused a disaster!

"Ali, Ali, are you okay? Let your brother take a look."

Jiang Lin and Jiang Yi's expressions were not much better. They looked nervously at Jiang Li who was held in Xiao Heng's arms.

Jiang Li shook her head, "Big Brother, Second Brother, I'm fine."

"Ali, I was really scared just now. Fortunately, Xiao Heng acted in time!"

Si Yao patted his chest with a pale face and breathed a sigh of relief.

Everyone gathered around. Jiang Zhong and Qin Fengwan in the audience had already stood up from their seats, their hearts in their throats! Seeing that Jiang Li was fine, they sat back down.

"Put me down."

Jiang Li calmed herself down and looked at Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng looked at her with worried eyes, "Are you really okay? Did you sprain your ankle?"

"Don't worry, it's okay."

After making sure that she was not injured, Xiao Heng let her go.

"I'm fine, everyone continue."

Jiang Li gave everyone a reassuring smile and followed them back to the arena.

The game continues.

However, what no one expected was that one crisis after another would arise.

Princess Changning originally wanted to kick the Cuju that the opponent was shooting into the goal, but she was accidentally bumped into by someone. The Cuju instantly changed direction and rushed straight towards the emperor on the dragon throne!

"Protect the emperor!"

Everyone gasped. This sudden situation caught them off guard and they had no time to react.

Princess Changning's eyes widened, and her legs went limp with fear! However, the tragedy did not happen. Xiao Yan reacted immediately and flew over to stop the galloping Cuju.

He was dressed in a white robe, and his jade-like face now looked a bit fierce. The fox fur on his body was blown up by the wind. He stood alone in front of the emperor, with the Cuju held in his palm with one hand.

"Emperor Chu, Emperor Chu, are you okay?"

The envoy from the Kingdom of Jialan was the first to react. He quickly stood up from his seat and knelt before the emperor.

Princess Changning also strode over and knelt beside the envoy.

"Changning did not mean it, I hope the Emperor of Chu will forgive me!"

The emperor also came back to his senses at this time, and slowly loosened his clenched fists under his long sleeves.

"I am fine. There is no mercy on the battlefield. Princess, don't blame yourself. Everyone, get up."

"Thank you, Emperor Chu!"

Several messengers were sweating in their hearts, and even their voices became louder.

"Lord Xiao, you have done a great job in protecting the emperor, you deserve a reward!"

The emperor's gaze fell on Xiao Yan who was standing on the side, and his expression returned to normal.

Xiao Yan leaned forward and saluted, "This is my responsibility, I don't deserve it."

Seeing that he was neither humble nor arrogant, the emperor laughed out loud, "My dear minister, there is no need to shirk your responsibility. I say you deserve it, and you deserve it. Reward!"

After saying this, Princess Changning, who had just stood up, suddenly knelt down again.

The emperor looked at her in confusion: "Princess Changning, what do you mean by this?"

"In reply to the King of Chu, Changning has found his ideal lover. I beg Your Majesty to grant Changning marriage!"

When everyone heard this, they all looked towards Princess Changning. The emperor also raised his eyebrows with interest, "Oh? Who is the person Princess Changning likes?"

"he."

Princess Changning raised her hand and pointed. Looking in the direction of her finger, it was none other than Xiao Yan.

"Why... is this Master Xiao?"

After learning that the man Princess Changning liked was his future son-in-law, Jiang Zhong could no longer sit still, "Princess Changning, you don't know that Master Xiao is already married."

"It doesn't matter. You can still get divorced after getting married. What's more, now you just have an engagement but haven't gotten married yet? Just call it off."

In this regard, Princess Changning's values ​​are consistent with Xiao Heng's.

"you!"

"Princess Changning, please be careful with your words. It is an honor for me to be favored by you. However, I have been engaged since I was a child. I am not a good match for you. I hope you will take back your feelings."

Xiao Yan stepped forward to defend the General's Mansion and refuted Princess Changning's words.

The emperor also looked embarrassed. "Princess Changning, you don't know that Xiao Aiqing has been engaged to the daughter of the general's mansion since he was a child. He is not a good match for you. How about you look at other people? There are many good men in my Chu country. I believe there will be someone who can catch your eye."

"Thank you for your kindness, Emperor Chu. However, Changning is stubborn and will not change her mind easily. She will not give up until she has given it a try. Changning is willing to fight for her own happiness. If Master Xiao still has no interest in Changning after fighting for her, Changning will not pester him. Please grant her permission, Emperor Chu!"

The emperor subconsciously looked at Xiao Yan, and agreed after he nodded.

Jiang Zhong and Qin Fengwan also breathed a sigh of relief. They knew that Xiao Yan was a sensible man and would handle the matter properly.

When the timer incense burned out, the game ended with the red team's victory.

After the Cuju game ended, everyone moved to the welcoming banquet set by the emperor for the envoys from the Jialan Kingdom. The banquet lasted until sunset.

After the banquet, everyone headed towards the palace gate.

"Ali, I'll be waiting for you on the Songyue Lake Bridge at 12:00 tonight. I have something to tell you."

The carriage of the general's mansion was next to the carriage of the Xiao's mansion. Before getting on the carriage, Xiao Heng finally found an opportunity and whispered these words to Jiang Li. Then he lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and got on the carriage, as if he was going to escape.

The last ray of sunset glowed and the moon quietly emerged from the clouds.

Xiao Yan went to the general's mansion to visit Jiang Zhong and Qin Fengwan, and they had a very pleasant conversation.

After sitting in the general's mansion for a while, Xiao Yan took Jiang Li to the street. This was the first time they went shopping alone.

The fiery red lanterns hung high, casting a soft glow over the entire Kyoto.

The two walked side by side on the street. Xiao Yan was very careful and kept paying attention to his side, fearing that someone would bump into Jiang Li.

I bought her her favorite snacks, took her to visit famous theaters in Kyoto, and watched a circus with her on the street... I took her to all the interesting places in Kyoto.

Time passed minute by minute. At first, Jiang Li could still talk to Xiao Yan one sentence after another, but as the hour of Xu arrived and time went by little by little, she began to become absent-minded.

Whatever Xiao Yan said went in one ear and out the other, and he lowered his head in anxiety.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Did I hit you?"

The pedestrians on the road were in a hurry and almost bumped into Jiang Li. Xiao Yan quickly pulled her and avoided the problem.

"Ali, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so bad? Are you feeling unwell?"

Jiang Li shook her head. "I'm fine. What did you say?"

"I said if you..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Li couldn't help herself.

"I'm sorry, Brother Xiao, I have something else to do and I have to leave first. We can talk about it tomorrow!"

After she finished speaking, she turned and ran through the crowd towards Songyue Lake.

Watching her leaving, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, "If I don't force you, I don't know how long you will keep it a secret."

…

On the other side, Xiao Heng waited on the bridge for a long time. After learning that his brother had gone to the general's mansion, he came to Songyue Lake.

At first he had expectations, but as time passed, his expectations gradually fell through. Finally, he smiled at himself, turned around and left, clutching the hairpin he had bought for Jiang Li last time.

He lowered his eyes, his face looked lonely, his chest ached, and his heart, which had been filled, became empty bit by bit.

Just as he walked down the steps of the bridge and merged into the crowd, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Wait a moment."

Xiao Heng was stunned for a moment, then he raised his head, and his lonely eyes instantly lit up.

He turned around in surprise and joy, and saw Jiang Li bending over, holding her stomach, looking at him breathlessly.

"Ali!"

A smile spread across Xiao Heng's lips, and he strode towards her. Without caring about anything else, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

Jiang Li raised her hands and hugged his tight waist and abdomen, pretending to be angry, "It's not even past the hour of Xu yet, why are you leaving first?"

Xiao Heng hugged her tightly, his whole body filled with joy of regaining what he had lost, "I thought you wouldn't come."

"Ahem, let go, are you trying to strangle me to death?"

As he increased the strength of his arms, Jiang Li's face turned red and she quickly hit his back.

Xiao Heng quickly let go and looked at her nervously, "S-sorry, A-Li, are you okay?"

Seeing his helpless look, Jiang Li chuckled, "Don't you have something to say to me? What is it?"

"A-Li, I, I like you. I really like you. I... I know you and your brother have been engaged since childhood, but I still like you. I..."

Just when Xiao Heng was so nervous that he stammered and couldn't speak, Jiang Li stood on tiptoe and pecked the corner of his mouth.

Xiao Heng was stunned for a moment, his pupils suddenly shrank, and his expression became stunned for a moment.

Jiang Li stopped there and looked up at him with a smile.

"I know, I like you too."

Finally I've expressed my feelings! This is a long one, it's fun to watch! Also, it's finished this week! Thank you for your support along the way~