A Cutie Spoiled by Her Seven Uncles-Chapter 749 - 698: Your Worries are Unnecessary
Dafeng lowered her head, then gently nuzzled Xie Pan’Er’s face. With Ji Youzhi on her back, she soared skyward, heading towards the sea.
Xie Pan’Er stood below, gazing steadily as Dafeng carried Ji Youzhi away. She remained rooted to the spot for a long time.
"You... can’t bear for him to leave, can you?"
A familiar voice suddenly sounded beside her. Xie Pan’Er was startled and quickly turned to curtsy. "Your Majesty!"
"I’ve said it before; there’s no need for such formalities when we are outside."
The early winter air was growing colder, yet the folding fan never left the Emperor’s hand. He was fanning himself with it now, seemingly unaffected by the cold.
"You have developed feelings for Youzhi!"
The Emperor’s voice was low, but Xie Pan’Er heard every word clearly.
She did not respond. Instead, she stared at her toes, her handkerchief clutched so tightly in her hands that her knuckles had turned white.
"If we return safely to the Capital City this time, I will ascertain his feelings. If he also has intentions towards you, I will personally decree your marriage!"
The Emperor’s voice was gentle as he gazed into the distance.
Xie Pan’Er looked up at him, a whirl of emotions—surprise, panic, doubt—surging through her. Her expression changed several times before she finally lowered her gaze to her toes again!
"Don’t take the words of the National Master and the old Island Master to heart!"
"Ah..."
Xie Pan’Er was so taken aback by his sudden mention of this that her mouth fell open in her nervousness, leaving her completely stunned.
"Rest assured. Although I am the Emperor and deeply understand the importance of harmony between the Emperor and Empress, and even though you possess the Phoenix Destiny, which by rights means you should enter the Inner Palace to govern the world alongside me, I will not force you if you are unwilling. I can see that the person your heart desires is Youzhi."
Xie Pan’Er’s mouth fell slightly open, her eyes widening. She spoke in a low voice, "Did I... did I really make it that obvious?"
The Emperor turned to her, a slight smile playing on his lips as he let out a soft chuckle.
"Don’t forget, I am the Emperor. I grew up in the deep confines of the Palace and have seen countless gazes like yours—from Palace Maids and young ladies of Noble Families—secretly falling upon me. Most of the time, your thoughts are written plainly on your face. It would be difficult for me not to notice, even if I wished to!"
"I... You!"
Xie Pan’Er was stunned speechless for a moment. After a long while, she said in a low voice, "If even Your Majesty could discern my feelings, yet he remains so oblivious... it must be that he does not feel the same way about me!"
Having said this, Xie Pan’Er curtsied to the Emperor. "This commoner has other matters to attend to. Please excuse my departure, Your Majesty!"
Then she walked away, her footsteps looking very heavy.
The Emperor slowly turned, watching Xie Pan’Er’s small, delicate figure recede into the distance, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
Was my choice right or wrong? She is born with the Phoenix Destiny, yet her heart is set on one of my subjects, a man who is also like a brother to me. I could use force, but he is my capable assistant, and even more so, a brother with whom I’ve shared life-and-death experiences since childhood. But if I don’t use force, I can only watch as the one destined by her Phoenix Fate becomes entangled with him, and it’s even possible they might end up as a couple in the future!
The Emperor sighed softly, closed his folding fan, and turned his head. He then saw the National Master, dressed in moon-white robes, standing not far away and nodding slightly at him.
"National Master! When did you arrive?"
The Emperor frowned and asked Feng Wushang.
"Just when Your Majesty was about to decree a marriage for Divine Hunter Ji and Miss Xie."
The Emperor turned, continued to gaze up at the sky, and narrowed his eyes slightly. "National Master, do you think my action is improper?"
The National Master replied truthfully, "Extremely improper!"
"The other young lady from the Xie Family in the Capital City—isn’t she also born with the Phoenix Destiny?"
The National Master frowned, then shook his head. "There must be some hidden circumstances involved. I’m afraid this matter is not that simple. This subject has already decided that after returning to the Capital City, I will personally visit the Xie Family to get to the bottom of all this."
The National Master was very displeased at being manipulated. Since there were suspicious aspects to this matter, he was determined to find an answer!
"Then I shall await the National Master’s news."
"Your Majesty! This subject wishes to ask one thing: if the investigation reveals that, of the two young ladies from the Xie Family, only this Xie Pan’Er is the one truly destined to be Empress, would you still bestow marriage upon her and Ji Youzhi?"
