Chapter 690: Chapter 691: Extra – The Last Trump Card_1 Chapter 690: Chapter 691: Extra – The Last Trump Card_1 Nangong Anan’s eyes became sharper, and her tone was filled with more hostility. “There’s nothing for Sister to hesitate about. The past is just youthful folly, already forgotten by Sister.”

She clearly understood what Nangong Qian meant by his words; he was simply inquiring about Yu Jin in a roundabout way. Ha! Sure enough, he was still so utilitarian, even now he had not given up on using her!

Nangong Qian’s eyes darkened. “Is that so? You might think it was just youthful folly, but others may not see it that way. Has Yu Jin never come looking for you?”

“Why would he come looking for me? We have long since severed ties. Besides, all that happened so many years ago, who remembers? What is Brother trying to imply by bringing up an old flame now? Does Brother think the marriage with Pingnan Marquis’s Son is ill-suited?” Nangong Anan said coldly.

Nangong Qian smiled. “Indeed, Anan has grown up. I’ve never seen you talk to me like this before; I thought you would always remain a child.”

Nangong Anan stood up. “There are no eternal children. If I were still the foolish child of before, I probably wouldn’t have realized that Brother now wishes to use me as well. I would advise Brother to save his efforts. Didn’t we suffer enough losses in the defeat three years ago?”

Nangong Qian’s face changed, becoming somewhat gloomy. The events of that year were his taboo — it wasn’t that he, Nangong Qian, couldn’t afford to lose a battle, but he was unwilling to lose before Yu Ze!

Nangong Anan spoke sternly, “My marriage to Pingnan Marquis’s Son was arranged by the late Emperor, and there won’t be any changes. Even Brother cannot alter it now! I hope Brother will not erase the last bit of kinship I still hold for him.”

Nangong Qian curled his lips. “Are you threatening me?”

“If you insist on seeing it that way, then I must say yes. Brother’s deep and far-reaching plans are beyond my understanding as a mere girl, but do not count on me in your calculations. I am not that foolish!” Nangong Anan spoke calmly, “Sister is feeling a bit tired today, I shall take my leave now.”

With that, she didn’t wait for Nangong Qian to respond and walked straight out. She could now completely disregard him; the wedding arrangements couldn’t be changed, and in three months she would be married off, so naturally, she had nothing to worry about.

Nangong Qian, fuming with rage, smashed his fist onto the table. Nangong Anan was his last trump card in this place, and he had long noticed Yu Jin’s affection for her — how could Yu Jin possibly not have come to see her?

The news of Nangong Anan’s impending marriage to Pingnan Marquis’s Son had already spread far and wide; as the most esteemed princess of Qilian Kingdom was to wed, other nations were bound to know. Yet strangely enough, there was no response from Marquis Chen Mansion.

How could he seize the opportunity to capture Yu Jin without this? What could he use to provoke Yu Ze? How would he snatch back Qiao Muniang?

Thinking of that cunning woman, Nangong Qian’s hand hidden in his sleeve suddenly clenched into a fist, his eyes filled with blood-red anger. She had played him three years ago; how could he be content with that? But now, as the national power of Qilian Kingdom had not yet fully recovered and the Daqian Dynasty grew stronger under the new emperor, there would be no more opportunities.

Originally, he thought that by holding Nangong Anan, it would be inevitable for Yu Jin to come knocking. When Nangong Anan impulsively followed him, he would have been able to capture them — the crime of eloping with a princess was no small matter. Yet, he didn’t expect that not only did Yu Jin not return, but Nangong Anan had truly forgotten him completely?

Nangong Qian really didn’t like it when things slipped out of his control, especially since he now had no other leverage left.

“Qiao Muniang, in this life, am I truly fated never to have you?” Nangong Qian sat dejected on the jade steps beneath the high throne, feeling a chill in his bones. Ascending this imperial seat, he had gained honor as high as the heavens, only to bear loneliness just as vast. But if she were by his side, he would never feel this way.

The imperial harem boasts three thousand beauties, yet none can be compared to her.

Nangong Qian let out a long sigh. It seems that even the heavens couldn’t grant perfection; he had attained the throne but was fated never to be with her. Yu Ze had her by his side but idled in the countryside. Nangong Qian often pondered what he would have chosen between the two; nevertheless, he chose the empire. Perhaps that was where Yu Ze bested him.

Three months later, Nangong Anan’s grand wedding day finally arrived. Adorned with a phoenix crown and draped in a brocade of red, the most esteemed princess of Qilian Kingdom was to marry, inevitably causing a national sensation. Furthermore, the childhood romance between Nangong Anan and the Pingnan Marquis’s Son was well-known throughout the streets, and anticipation for this grand marriage ran high among the people.

“Princess, you look stunning today. The Pingnan Prince Heir is truly blessed to marry such a beauty like you,” Xiao Yu said jubilantly.

By this time, Nangong Anan had finished dressing up and was only waiting for Gao Xiang to come to escort her. Sitting idly felt dull, but she couldn’t help laughing at Xiao Yu’s words: “Aren’t you exaggerating a bit? I know my own looks well.”

Yu Jin never showed any sign of amazement whenever she dressed up. She could never catch his eye, no matter how hard she tried.

Thinking of this, Nangong Anan felt a pang of sadness once more.

Xiao Yu, oblivious, continued, “Not at all, Princess. You are truly beautiful. It’s the talk of the town, they say the princess and the prince heir are a match made in heaven, and many are envious. With this wedding, who knows how many people are eagerly waiting? They all say it’s a match of talent and beauty, truly a golden boy and a jade girl!”

Xiao Yu’s words were delivered so earnestly that they brought a smile to Nangong Anan’s face. She lifted her eyes to the bronze mirror and saw her reflection, which seemed like a dream. She was finally clad in the attire of a bride, but not for him. She had never thought of marrying any man other than him. Yet now, she felt that marrying any man would not make her his bride.

Nangong Anan’s lips curled into a bitter smile. Past and present, what irony. Jin, after today, I will be someone else’s bride. Do you know? Will it sadden you, or have you long forgotten me?

Just as Nangong Anan was lost in thought, the Happy Old Lady outside began to announce, “The groom has arrived!”

The departure of a princess for marriage is not like that of a commoner’s daughter, with countless more royal rites to adhere to. First, the groom leads the way to the Golden Luo Temple for an audience with the emperor, to express gratitude. Afterward follows a series of ceremonial procedures. Passing through one palace gate after another made Nangong Anan somewhat weary, with fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

Gao Xiang tightened his hold on her hand and whispered, “Are you tired?”

Anan gently shook her head, “I’m fine, let’s continue.”

“Okay.”

Having crossed the final palace gate, the eunuch proclaimed loudly, “The ceremony is complete!”

Gao Xiang’s lips curled into a smile as the grand eight-bearer palanquin awaited them at the gate.