Chapter 681: Chapter 682 Extra Anan_1 Chapter 681: Chapter 682 Extra Anan_1 Uncle Cai laughed even more joyfully, and Zhao Jiangshui felt extremely relieved, for Tianniu spoke with such clarity!

“Uncle Cai, are you still hunting? You’re quite advanced in age now, so you should go into the mountains less. Don’t hurt yourself,” Tianniu said, not forgetting to express her concern.

Uncle Cai waved his hand: “No more, I’ve taught all my skills to my sons. Now I just look after the fur store, and my days are quite leisurely! Our original house was just a small corner in Qinghua City, but who knew that in the recent years, Qinghua City has become increasingly prosperous. The property value has been shooting up, and the city keeps expanding. What was once a house not too close to the center is now in a prime location. I’m planning to sell this house for a high price someday soon, and with that money, I can buy a bigger place further away, convenient for my sons to start their own families.”

Tianniu and Zhao Jiangshui exchanged smiles: “That’s wonderful. Uncle Cai, you’ll soon be holding your grandchildren and living out your days in peace.”

“Speaking of which, since Qinghua City has become so prosperous, the locals have all bulked up their wallets. The key is that the property values have all increased. The families in our little alley could make a fortune by selling their houses! Truly, we have to thank heaven and earth. Qinghua City must be blessed by the gods to enjoy such times,” Uncle Cai said reflectively.

Tianniu gave Zhao Jiangshui a meaningful look, obviously showing off that what she said earlier was correct.

“Ah, it’s rare to see you. Why not honor me with a visit to my home?” Uncle Cai said, smiling.

“There’s no need, as we have just returned. We’d like to visit some other old friends. Thank you for the meal offer, but you can go about your business, Uncle Cai,” Tianniu replied.

“I nearly forgot how well-connected you are in Qinghua City. Visiting all your old friends in one day would be difficult. All right then, this old man won’t trouble you any further, I’ll be off!”

“Goodbye, Uncle Cai!”

Tianniu and Zhao Jiangshui strolled through Qinghua City, feeling nostalgic for the familiar places. Although it was much more prosperous than before, Tian Niu’s heart still held deep attachment to this place, and her mood became much more cheerful.

“You know, we still need to visit someone,” Zhao Jiangshui said.

“Who?”

“Do you remember the first time we met, when we went to Fugui Mountain together?”

Tianniu laughed: “I know now, we’re going to see Mr. Mo, aren’t we?”

“Right, I’ve been corresponding with him for years. He’s like a mentor to me, and I should naturally pay him a visit. Besides, there are many perplexities I have about the court that I wish to discuss with him. Mr. Mo has always been sincere with me, and I wish to humbly seek his advice on some matters.”

Tianniu nodded: “Yes, Mr. Mo is a great literary figure. Many people fail to catch his eye, but he favors you because of your humility and talent. You must not disappoint him. I’ll accompany you on your visit.”

Zhao Jiangshui smiled. There was no other woman in the world who could take Tianniu’s place. He had never been particularly interested in women, but what attracted him to Tianniu was not only her carefree nature. She shared similar interests with him, possessed comparable knowledge, and held similar values. These were also significant reasons.

Tianniu used to always worry that she was holding him back or that he might accommodate another woman. What she didn’t know was that no other woman could ever take her place in his heart, nor match her significance to him.

As a couple for three years, they had come to see through each other quite clearly. Zhao Jiangshui, being the smart man he was, knew exactly what he truly needed. It was for this reason that Zhao Jiangshui took even greater pains to hold on to her. He understood the severe consequences of losing her. If possible, he would rather spend a lifetime of mediocrity in exchange for her presence by his side, for without her, what significance would his achievements have?

Zhao Jiangshui tightened his grip on Tianniu’s hand and suddenly felt at ease. Tianniu cocked her head and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, I just missed you.”

With a laugh, Tianniu said, “Missed me? Haven’t we been together all this time?”

“I miss you even when we’re together, all the time, every moment.”

Tianniu’s face turned red as she scolded playfully, “When did you learn to sweet-talk me like this? You bookworm!”

——

Three years earlier.

Qilian Kingdom, the palace.

“Princess, the weather is so cool, why are you just sitting there in your undergarments? Don’t catch a chill,” Xiao Yu, a palace maid, said in a hurry.

Nangong Anan, her long black hair scattered over her shoulders, sat motionlessly in front of the dressing table. Her delicate face seemed even paler against the backdrop of her snow-white undergarments.

Seeing her motionless, Xiao Yu personally fetched a fox fur cloak and draped it over her: “Outside the palace, the snow falls thickly and the north wind howls. Even with a brazier lit, the room can’t stay warm. Wearing only such thin undergarments, you’ll catch cold. How will that do? Look, your hands are already so cold. You must take good care of yourself, no matter what.”

Nangong Anan still said nothing, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror. Xiao Yu sighed, knowing her words were futile, and beckoned to another maid, “What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and get the princess a hand warmer.”

The maid quickly brought over a hand warmer, and Xiao Yu placed it into Nangong Anan’s hands: “I know the princess is suffering inside. Ever since the hostage from the Daqian Dynasty left the princess and returned alone, you’ve been like this, lost and dispirited every day. But he will never know nor care. Why should the princess demean herself for him?”

Nangong Anan slightly lowered her eyes, the warmth from the hand warmer unable to reach the depths of her heart. As Xiao Yu mentioned Yu Jin, her eyes immediately reddened, “Yes, he doesn’t care at all. Even if he knew, what then? He’s cold and heartless, and he doesn’t need me anymore. Why would he remember me? I once thought that I was at least somewhat special to him. Although he was aloof toward me, he was even less close to other women. But when he left me, he was just as decisive. He couldn’t even spare me a farewell.”

At this point, Nangong Anan couldn’t help but sob. She felt wronged; she was the most beloved princess of the Qilian Kingdom, pampered by the emperor and empress, and even though her brothers were locked in a power struggle, scheming against each other, they were all very kind to her. Her father had once said that he would pluck the moon from the sky for his Anan if she desired it.

Yet she wanted nothing but him, and he was like a bucket of ice water in the dead of winter, shattering all her dreams. In his eyes, she amounted to nothing, at most, a steppingstone. Why couldn’t she forget such a cruel and unfeeling man?