CHAPTER 1273: CHAPTER 1273: DAQIAN’S CROWN PRINCE, FUTURE EMPEROR

Huo Yuning watched the subtle movements of the person beside her, silently waiting.

Xiao Jun’an slowly lowered his eyes, the dense lashes casting a fan-shaped shadow on his eye skin.

After a while, he spoke up, asking, "Empress, when do you plan to leave?"

Having witnessed Huo Yuning’s bizarre abilities at Qing Building, and having overheard her conversation with her two brothers at the Ancestral Temple, Xiao Jun’an was acutely aware that his Empress was no ordinary person.

From her words, he also knew that Huo Yuning was determined to leave Daqian.

Speaking of this matter, Huo Yuning’s expression grew a tad desolate.

She leaned lazily against the red pillar, carelessly saying, "Who knows? The Huns have been repelled, the refugees in the north have been shattered, and the floods in the south have almost been resolved by the Grand Tutor, but still, I cannot leave."

Huo Yuning had not ceased attempting to leave through the barriers between Daqian and the present world these days.

Unfortunately, not once had she succeeded.

It seemed as if something in the universe was keeping her here; it was not yet time to depart.

Huo Yuning was, however, resigned to her fate, slowly waiting in Weiyang Palace.

Thinking of her father in the Netherworld, who loved her dearly, and her mother who had kicked her here, displaying heartache unintentionally, she believed she would leave this place one day.

Xiao Jun’an’s lips slightly curled, lifting into a lazy smile, "Since that is so, I would like to ask the Empress for a favor."

Huo Yuning proudly tilted her chin, "Speak."

She knew this man had a favor to ask.

Xiao Jun’an spoke unhurriedly, his pace neither too fast nor too slow: "In the coming days, a child will be brought into the palace, I would ask the Empress to look after him."

Huo Yuning stared at the handsome face before her, feeling unexplainably annoyed.

Narrowing her eyes, her voice slightly deep, she asked, "Your illegitimate child from outside the palace?"

At her shocking question, Xiao Jun’an gently shook his head.

Resting his fist against his lips, suppressing a cough in his throat, his voice hoarse, "That is Daqian’s Crown Prince, future Emperor, but not my child."

"Scoff!" Huo Yuning scoffed sarcastically.

Suppressing a slight relief rising in her heart, her tone was impatient, "I’m still a child myself, why should I help you raise a child? Send him to another palace, I think Consort Su would be a good choice."

Facing Huo Yuning’s refusal, Xiao Jun’an did not show any surprise.

His gentle eyes fixed on the young girl beside him, his pale lips slightly curved, he continued to persuade, "The Empress has extraordinary abilities; I believe under your protection, the Crown Prince will surely survive."

Huo Yuning’s eyes darkened slightly, her brows lightly furrowed, she scoffed, "But why should I? What’s in it for me to help you raise this child?"

Xiao Jun’an leaned closer, whispering in her ear, the small delicate earlobe slowly turning red.

He pursed his lips and chuckled lightly, "Perhaps I know a way to get you out of Daqian."

"..." Huo Yuning’s eyes widened.

Confused, she stared at Xiao Jun’an, furrowing her brows as she realized something, "Are you about to die?"

"Bang!"

Xiao Jun’an remained composed, but nearby, Eunuch Anjin, frightened, knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

"Cough, cough—" Xiao Jun’an, his truth revealed, no longer suppressed the cough in his throat.

He coughed violently several times, his handsome face looking increasingly pale.

Xiao Jun’an took a handkerchief from his sleeve, touched the corner of his lips where blood was barely visible in the night.

He clasped his hands together, bowing slightly to Huo Yuning, "The State Preceptor said my days are numbered. As the mother of Daqian Kingdom, with you here, you could protect Daqian’s millennium foundation. Please, Empress, grant me this dying request to secure the young Crown Prince’s throne."

Huo Yuning did not agree, instead, she waved her hand in front of Xiao Jun’an’s face.

Golden Nether Power enveloped him, quickly dissipating soon after.