Chapter 691: Chapter 692 Extra: Select_1 Chapter 691: Chapter 692 Extra: Select_1 The Happy Old Lady wanted to take Nangong Anan from Gao Xiang’s hands, but Gao Xiang waved his hand and said, “No need, I’ll do it myself.”

That Happy Old Lady, hiding behind her handkerchief, chuckled until she trembled, “Oh my, the prince already adores the princess so much even before entering the door.”

Anan was stunned, but Gao Xiang had already personally led her towards the palanquin. He helped her into it, making sure she sat steadily inside, yet he did not leave but squatted in front of her and gently lifted her red bridal veil a bit.

The Happy Old Lady hurriedly said, “Oh no, Your Highness, you can’t do this, the veil must not be lifted now; it’s inauspicious. It’s only appropriate after entering the bridal chamber!”

A cold look from Gao Xiang silenced the Happy Old Lady; after all, she could not afford to offend a Noble Lady.

Anan looked at Gao Xiang in surprise, “Xiang, what’s wrong?”

Gao Xiang touched her face and smiled, “Nothing, I just wanted to see you.”

Anan found it amusing, “You’ve seen me before, what’s so special that you need to look again?”

“I have never seen you in your wedding dress, so I wanted to see,” Gao Xiang said softly, “Anan, you are truly beautiful.”

Nangong Anan said somewhat shyly and annoyed, “Alright, that’s enough. It’s not like you won’t have the chance to see me later. Why embarrass ourselves here? Everyone is watching.”

A touch of sorrow flashed in Gao Xiang’s eyes, “Anan, I’ve said it before, I am very satisfied to have been with you these three years. Now that I can see you dressed in a bridal gown for me, I am even more content. My wish is simple; this is truly enough.”

Anan was baffled, “Xiang, what are you talking about?”

Gao Xiang’s lips curved into a smile, and he planted a fleeting kiss on her lips, “I hope you’re happy, my bride.”

After speaking, he let down the curtain of the grand palanquin and turned to mount his tall horse.

The Happy Old Lady hastily said, “Lift the palanquin!”

Before Nangong Anan could react, the grand procession had already set off. Anan lightly touched the warmth that lingered on her lips, feeling that Gao Xiang was acting strangely today. Why was he behaving out of character all of a sudden? What was the reason for it?

Just to take one look at her, to see her as his bride?

While Nangong Anan was caught up in her thoughts, the wedding procession had already entered the liveliest street. Onlookers from around and above the buildings were everywhere to witness the event. After all, it was the princess’s grand wedding, and with such a handsome couple, naturally, there were many who wished to catch a glimpse of their elegance.

Gao Xiang rode majestically on his tall horse, radiating joy, and the procession behind him stretched out over two streets, a testament to its grandeur.

Just as the grand palanquin reached a crossroads, suddenly, a strong wind arose, blowing the stalls of the vendors into disarray. The crowd erupted with various exclamations, and what had been a serene gathering instantly boiled into uproar, the incessant noise and bustling scene adding to the chaos.

No one noticed that in the midst of the turmoil, the grand palanquin in the procession had been swiftly replaced by another palanquin that had suddenly appeared at the crossroads, while the original one had been quickly whisked away by nimble hands down another street.

Nangong Anan had no idea what had happened outside; she assumed it was just a bumpy ride, but then she noticed that the surroundings seemed increasingly quiet. It was then that she felt something was amiss, lifted her veil, and poked her head out, “What’s going on?”

However, at this moment, the sedan chair had already been brought to a deserted area. Nangong Anan was utterly shocked, fearing it might be a kidnapping. She was terrified, her body going limp, but just then, an elderly person slowly entered her field of vision.

Step by step, he walked toward her sedan chair with heavy steps.

Nangong Anan’s heart, calm for so long, suddenly began to race. Clearly, he was a stranger, yet for some reason, his serene eyes felt so familiar, so… missed.

The “old man” approached the sedan chair and reached out to help her out, his voice a bit hoarse, as if his eyes had reddened, “Anan.”

Just this single call, and Nangong Anan’s eyes instantly filled with tears. This voice, the voice she had missed for so many years, the man she had longed for so many years, how could it be, how could it be.

“Jin!” Nangong Anan threw herself into his embrace, large tears rolling down. The separation of three years, at this moment, the moment she saw him, she could no longer restrain any emotion. She just wanted to hold him tight, feel his breath, feel his presence. She really wanted to throw caution to the winds and hold him forever.

Yu Jin wrapped his arms tightly around her, his hoarse voice barely hiding his excitement, “Anan, Anan, Anan.”

For three years, he had wanted to call her affectionately like this countless times, but he could only quietly wait on the sidelines, watching her joy, watching her sorrow. He could only call her like this in his dreams, but now, truly holding her and calling her name, he was almost afraid it was all a dream. Yu Jin could only hold her tight, ensuring that the person in his arms was not illusory. He was too afraid, afraid he would lose her in an instant.

Suddenly remembering something, Nangong Anan asked in a hurry, “Jin, how did you become like this? What exactly happened to you?”

But upon seeing his face clearly, she was stunned, “You, you, I seem to recognize you, you are, you are…”

Nangong Anan couldn’t remember, but she was certain she had seen this face in the Imperial Tombs.

“It’s Chai, the woodcutter.”

Nangong Anan’s eyes widened, “You have been in the Imperial Tombs all this time!”

No wonder there had been no news from him. Had he silently stood by her side like this for three years?!

Nangong Anan’s voice was tinged with tears, “How could you do this? How could you, for three years, have you lived under such an identity? You, so proud, how could you endure three years under the identity of a mute woodcutter?”

Yu Jin held Anan tight, “I am not wronged. Being able to see you every moment these past three years, I feel no grievance.”

Anan cried and pounded on Yu Jin, “How can you not be wronged?! You never bowed your head during your ten years as a hostage, you were so proud, so splendid, how could you, how could you…”

Yu Jin restrained her wrists and said softly, “Anan, we can’t stay here any longer, we must leave immediately, we can talk about the rest later.”

Anan paused, “Leave? But…”

Suddenly, Nangong Anan remembered something odd about Gao Xiang’s behavior today, and realization dawned on her, “Did you collude with Gao Xiang for today’s events?”

Yu Jin said earnestly, “Anan, are you willing to come with me?” But the hope in his eyes couldn’t be concealed. After three years of waiting, each day for him was like purgatory. Now, he just wanted to take her away from this place, he was so afraid, afraid she would shake her head and say no.