Chapter 1318: Chapter 785: An Ji Makes a Choice (Part 4)

Xiao Luming looked coldly at An Ji.

His expression was grim.

An Ji tightened his lips, refusing to compromise.

"So, where’s my sister?" Xiao Luming asked slowly, his voice icy.

An Ji’s heart stirred slightly.

He looked up at Xiao Luming, somewhat speechless.

"Promises to Chaoyang, and what about my sister?" Xiao Luming questioned him.

An Ji’s fingers involuntarily curled into a fist.

"An Ji, think it through and then tell me what you really want!" Xiao Luming threw out these words, then lowered his head to pick up the brush and ink, reviewing the memorials.

An Ji stood for a long while in the grand hall, watching Xiao Luming review the memorials.

The two said no more words.

Yet many thoughts were unspoken but understood.

An Ji walked out of Qiankun Hall, aimlessly wandering within the Imperial Palace.

He stood by the lake, silently gazing at the water, lost in thought.

"Brother Du."

Behind him, Gao Chaoyang’s voice sounded.

An Ji returned to his senses and looked towards Gao Chaoyang.

Seeing him in the Imperial Palace, Gao Chaoyang appeared very excited.

She quickly ran over, standing in front of him, "Brother Du, why are you alone by the lake? Are you troubled?"

An Ji nodded slightly.

"What’s wrong, are you worried about Prince Jing and Princess Anqi?" Gao Chaoyang asked, "Although I’m not familiar with the Emperor, I think the Emperor won’t act for Prince Jing. Besides, there’s Empress Dowager, and I always feel she’s a sensible person who will solve this issue satisfactorily, you needn’t worry."

"Chaoyang." An Ji suddenly called her name. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Hmm?" Gao Chaoyang smiled broadly.

Seeing An Ji seemed to be a delight.

"If I told you, following me back, I can only give you wealth, freedom, even status but can’t fulfill other desires, would you still leave with me?" An Ji asked.

"What do you mean?" Gao Chaoyang was somewhat puzzled.

But looking at An Ji’s serious expression, her heart trembled slightly.

"I..." An Ji was about to speak.

Suddenly, the nearby sounds of frolicking interrupted.

The two turned their heads to look.

Seeing Wu Huahao and An Youyou walking inside the palace, arguing and bickering as they walked.

"It’s Princess Youyou and Master Wu," Gao Chaoyang said.

Of course, An Ji saw them too.

"At Luming’s place earlier, I heard the elder princess talking about Master Wu and Princess Youyou’s future betrothal, saying that once Master Wu turns sixteen, he will propose to the Emperor," Gao Chaoyang said casually, "It was said their relationship has always been good since childhood, surely they’ll be happy together. Now it seems, bickering like that, they indeed seem close."

An Ji’s Adam’s apple moved as his jaw clenched.

"Oh, what was Brother Du going to say?" Gao Chaoyang came back to herself.

She saw An Youyou and Wu Huahao moving away.

An Ji withdrew his gaze and, word by word, slowly said, "Chaoyang, perhaps I don’t have romantic feelings for you."

Gao Chaoyang’s broad smile faded instantly.

She looked at An Ji, her eyes slightly reddening.

An Ji always felt a sense of pity towards Gao Chaoyang, which often made him reluctant to hurt her.

But he believed explaining things was better.

Not wanting to end up like Xiao Luming and Princess Anqi.

"Does Brother Du have someone he likes?" Gao Chaoyang asked tearfully.

An Ji hesitated.

Then he nodded, "Yes."

"May I know who it is?"

An Ji shook his head, currently not wishing to tell anyone.

"It’s okay," Gao Chaoyang’s tears fell, "The one Brother Du likes must be excellent. Now Brother Du’s status has changed, liking other girls is only natural."

"I’m sorry, Chaoyang," An Ji apologized, "I once thought I liked you, only later realizing that the feeling of liking is very different."

Perhaps for Gao Chaoyang, it was just a childhood playmate’s emotional reliance.

After all, in youth, recognizing true feelings is difficult.

"It’s okay," Gao Chaoyang said magnanimously again, "Liking should be mutual. When you went back to Beiyuan Country, Princess Youyou worried I’d be uncomfortable in Daxuan, and she took me around Xun City. She often told me that emotions must be reciprocated to be perfect. If it’s one-sided, it won’t bring happiness. Like the Emperor and Princess Anqi. She said her brother was destined to be disappointed."

An Ji’s Adam’s apple moved.

Was An Youyou thinking that way?!

"I’ll answer your earlier question now, I want to go back," Gao Chaoyang said firmly, "After all, Daxuan isn’t my home; even though Cang Kingdom is no more, everything there is still my homeland. I want to go back. Besides, my mother’s tomb is in Beiyuan, I want to go back to visit it. Brother Du, please take me back."

"Alright." An Ji agreed readily, "I will definitely take you back."

"Thank you, Brother Du." Gao Chaoyang was grateful, her eyes turning red.

An Ji, unable to bear it, helped Gao Chaoyang wipe away a tear.

After speaking, he felt much relieved.

Not far away,

An Youyou and Wu Huahao were heading towards Luming’s quarters.

"That Gao Chaoyang, my little emperor isn’t even dead yet, and she’s already thinking of remarrying, isn’t she?!" Wu Huahao turned back to look at the two by the lake, clenching his teeth in anger.