Chapter 685: Chapter 286 Extra Yu Jin_1 Chapter 685: Chapter 286 Extra Yu Jin_1 Nangong Anan glared and said, “What are you going to do? Just stay put in the Marquis Mansion, you’re the Pingnan Prince Heir, your father is counting on you, what business do you have accompanying me to the imperial mausoleum?”

“Alright, alright, if you say it can’t be done, then that’s that. At the very least, I can often visit you, that should be fine, right?” Gao Xiang said with a smile.

“Hmm.”

When Nangong Anan sought permission from Nangong Qian to go to the imperial mausoleum, Nangong Qian didn’t mind at all. He knew she was suffering, but victors become kings and losers bandits. If his methods were not harsh enough, those who once fought with him for the throne would sooner or later show their sharp claws and come at him again.

Guarding the spirit in the mausoleum was a request that was not at all excessive, and Nangong Qian agreed at once. Nangong Anan didn’t want to stay a moment longer, and the very next day, she moved to the imperial mausoleum.

She had thought that the conditions there would be poor, but upon arrival, she found everything arranged to her liking. While it could not compare to the extravagance of the palace, it was still very cozy. Without thinking, she knew whose handiwork it was. Gao Xiang had done all this, and though Nangong Anan was moved, it seemed that things in this world were always hard to clarify, much like the matters of the heart.

How could what she had done for Yu Jin compare to He Suxue? Yet still, she seemed to weigh nothing in his heart.

Nangong Anan no longer wanted to dwell on these thoughts. Now that she was keeping vigil in the mausoleum, the clamor had lessened, allowing her to calm her mind more easily. Xiao Yu, the maid in attendance, looked on with a heavy heart. The princess, who had once been so bold and assertive, had now become this way. Was it joy or sorrow?

It wasn’t until the political situation took a sudden turn that Nangong Qian, unable to contain his impatience, extended his claws toward the Daqian Dynasty. He colluded with Louxi to send beauties skilled in the Bewitching Technique as tributes. Nangong Anan, far in the imperial mausoleum, naturally knew nothing of these events.

By the time she learned of it, Nangong Qian had already personally led troops to the border to attack the Daqian Dynasty.

After hearing such news, Nangong Anan wasn’t very worried. Nangong Qian, with his cunning and sharp mind, surely wouldn’t suffer a major loss. The Daqian Dynasty wasn’t a pushover, and besides, they had Yu Ze to strategize. Certainly, they would not be easily defeated, Yu Jin wouldn’t be implicated, and Nangong Qian wouldn’t be in mortal danger, so she was not concerned.

Spending her days at ease in the mausoleum, the conflicts of the outside world seemed to have nothing to do with her. In this time, she even gained insight into some Buddhist scriptures. An old abbot even said, “Your Highness possesses great wisdom. If you were in the monastery, you surely could attain some level of cultivation.”

Nangong Anan was taken aback, thinking that the abbot must have seen her lack of attachment to the mortal world to make such a comment. Becoming a nun might not be a bad idea, but then she thought of Gao Xiang, of her father’s last words, and of her brothers suffering amidst turmoil. Nangong Anan still smiled and shook her head, “The master is too kind. Someone like me, tainted by the worldly dust for so long, would probably not do well if truly joining the monastery.”

The old abbot laughed, “It was presumptuous of me. Judging by Your Highness’s appearance, your earthly ties have not yet ended. To speak of shaving your head and becoming a nun would be inappropriate.”

Nangong Anan thought he was referring to Gao Xiang and chuckled lightly but said nothing.

After seeing off the old abbot, Nangong Anan lay back on her soft couch, browsing through some books to alleviate her boredom. Just as she was thoroughly engrossed, she saw a stone hit the window with a clack.

Nangong Anan said irritably, “Can’t you stop being so childish? How old are you, still playing these little games?”

There was another noise at the window, and Xiao Yu, who had been serving Nangong Anan, chuckled lightly, “This slave should step back, so as not to dampen the Pingnan Prince Heir and the princess’s mood.”

Nangong Anan glared at her, “You seem to be ever more considerate on his behalf. How many favors did you receive?”

“This slave wouldn’t dare,” Xiao Yu replied with a sly smile, and then she turned around to leave. Now that she saw the princess gradually emerging from her gloom, Xiao Yu finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief. No matter what, it was best for the princess to be happy. It seems that moving to the quiet imperial mausoleum was beneficial. In three years, the princess would marry the Pingnan Prince Heir, and her life would be content. Sorrow would eventually pass, and the princess would no longer need to worry about others.

After Xiao Yu left, Nangong Anan finally said, “Aren’t you coming out? Don’t you get tired of lying on the roof?”

A figure swiftly flipped in from the window, and when Nangong Anan saw the face of the newcomer, the smile on her face immediately stiffened there, and the book in her hand slipped to the ground.

“Anan,” Yu Jin’s voice was somewhat hoarse, his face couldn’t hide the weariness. He had rushed here from the Capital to the Qilian Kingdom overnight, not having slept properly for three months.

From the moment the Emperor of Qilian Nation passed away, he couldn’t stay still. Having spent years in Qilian Kingdom, he knew all too well how important the late emperor of Qilian was to Nangong Anan, let alone the fact that Nangong Qian’s succession inevitably meant the tragic fate of the other princes of the Qilian Kingdom. He feared she couldn’t take it, feared her impulsiveness. In that moment, Yu Jin finally understood what she meant to him. She was never someone without feelings; she had slowly made her way into his heart, keeping him constantly concerned.

Nangong Anan stood up in a panic, “What are you doing here? My brother despises the Daqian Dynasty deeply and is even more enraged at the people of Marquis Chen Mansion. If he finds out that you’ve come here, he will surely kill you!”

Muniang had played a trick on Nangong Qian; the person who came to seek marriage was not her, but Rong Suqing. The moment Nangong Qian lifted her veil, he was furious and sent his troops without a second word. He hated Yu Ze to the extreme, hated Marquis Chen Mansion, and even more so hated the Daqian Dynasty. To come here at this critical moment, wasn’t it suicidal?!

Yu Jin said softly, “I came to see if you were alright.” Even though he knew the immense danger, even though he understood it was like seeking death to come here, he still insisted on coming. Because he feared, feared that if he missed this chance, it would mean a final farewell. He feared she could not withstand the blow and seek death, and he feared even more that after her dear brothers were dealt with by Nangong Qian, she would openly confront Nangong Qian, like an egg striking a stone, seeking her own death.

He was afraid of losing her, too afraid. Therefore, he came to see her regardless of everything.

But now, she seemed to be well, and there was even another “him” in her mouth. Did she not love him anymore?

Thinking of this, Yu Jin immediately felt panicked, simply at a loss about what to do. He now deeply regretted, had confidently left her, so sure of himself that he would have not an ounce of longing for her. But now, everything was wrong. He found that he had fallen in love with her, to the very marrow of his bones. But had she already gone?

Nangong Anan was even more anxious. She had never thought Yu Jin would come back to find her again. He had always been cold and indifferent towards her, never excessively passionate. He was now free, could leave her to find the woman he loved. But why would he return without regard for anything, just to ask if she was alright?