amaotonovel Chapter 215 Running in both directions
Chapter 215 Running in both directions
The meal was enjoyed by both the host and guests, except for Li Anran and Dongfang Jinxuan, who were completely unaware of what they were eating. They were like eating machines, consuming whatever was added to their food, their minds not on the meal at all.
After finishing their meal, the rain stopped, and Dongfang Jincheng and Dongfang Jinxuan had no reason to stay, so they said goodbye and left.
As soon as the two left, the old general and General Li couldn't wait to ask Li Anran what he thought.
General Li: "Ran'er, what do you mean by this?"
Li Anran: "Dad, I, I..."
Seeing Li Anran's shy expression, Shangguan Wanyun said, "Alright, husband, how can you ask so directly?"
General Li said somewhat hesitantly, "Well, I have to find out the details. The Emperor will definitely inquire about this matter after court tomorrow. How can I give the Emperor a reply if I don't find out the details?"
Shangguan Wanyun already knew what Li Anran meant. Seeing Li Anran blush and lower her head, she knew the girl was embarrassed, so she quickly said, "Alright, if the Emperor asks about it tomorrow, just agree. I think that Prince Xian is a good person. We feel at ease entrusting Anran to him. Besides, it's just an engagement. It will be several years before the wedding."
General Li was at a loss for words. He watched as the little girl he had raised with all his might, whom he cherished and protected, was about to become someone else's daughter. What's worse, the other party was a second-generation prince whom everyone was very satisfied with. He really didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
This is probably the hurdle that every father has to go through.
Back in her courtyard, Li Muxia wondered whether she should go find Long Ziheng, since she planned to set off for Jishi Manor in the next couple of days.
As if by telepathy, Long Ziheng appeared outside Li Muxia's window.
"Why are you here?" Li Muxia looked at the person outside the window with delight.
Long Ziheng felt somewhat lost after returning home today. On one hand, he hoped that Li Muxia would fall in love with him as Prince Rui, but on the other hand, he was afraid that Li Muxia would fall in love with Dongfang Jincheng instead. He didn't know what he was feeling right now. Although he had both identities, he was very conflicted.
He couldn't figure it out, so he came.
When he saw the light in Li Muxia's eyes when she saw him, he suddenly felt ashamed.
Such a beautiful woman, isn't my current behavior just a mockery?
Thinking about this, he suddenly felt an urge to confess and receive leniency.
"Mu Xia, actually I am..."
Unfortunately, I always get disturbed at the most important moments.
"Miss, who are you talking to?"
It was Cui'er's voice. Li Muxia thought everyone was asleep. Moreover, she was so surprised to see Long Ziheng that she couldn't control her voice. She didn't expect Cui'er to still be awake.
As soon as Cui'er's voice rang out, Long Ziheng vanished in a flash.
Li Muxia sighed somewhat dejectedly, then replied to Cui'er, "It's nothing, I was just talking in my sleep, you go to sleep."
Cui'er then said "Oh" and returned to her own little house.
Li Muxia thought that Long Ziheng hadn't finished speaking and would definitely come back later, but she waited and waited, and even fell asleep, but no one came.
The next day, Li Muxia unsurprisingly appeared before everyone with a pair of panda eyes.
"Sister, what's wrong with you? Didn't you get enough rest yesterday?" Li Anran asked, looking at Li Muxia's tired face with some confusion.
Li Muxia said weakly, "It's nothing."
Li Anran didn't pursue the matter further. She was also preoccupied with her own thoughts today, so the two sisters chatted idly all morning. Even the four maids around them could tell that the two were distracted.
In the palace, the old general, General Li, Dongfang Jincheng, and Dongfang Jinxuan all gathered in the imperial study.
The Emperor: "General, can you give me an answer today?"
Although the Emperor had already learned the general outline from the Dragon Shadow Guards and had a rough idea of the outcome, he was a wise ruler and still wanted to find out the truth before making a decision.
The old general glanced at Dongfang Jinxuan and said, "I wonder if His Highness the Prince has any thoughts?"
Dongfang Jinxuan had already figured it out last night. Since he liked Li Anran, he should boldly pursue her and not end up like his third brother, who still hadn't won her heart.
Therefore, upon hearing the old general's question, he generously replied, "Generals, I am in love with Miss Li San. Please grant my request."
No one present expected Dongfang Jinxuan to express his love so directly, and for a moment the Imperial Study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
A moment later, it was the Emperor who reacted first, stood up, and said loudly, "Good, good, as expected of my son, commendable courage and responsibility. General, what do you say?"
The old general also greatly admired Dongfang Jinxuan's frankness and straightforwardness, and such a person was indeed more suitable for Li Anran, who was not cunning.
The old general said, "Since His Highness the Prince has said so, I'm sure he will treat Anran well after the marriage. This old minister will naturally not be the one to break up the couple. Everything is up to His Majesty to decide."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was overjoyed and said "good" three times: "Good, good, good. In that case, I will issue an edict to grant the marriage. We will discuss the marriage leave after Anran and the memorial service."
Dongfang Jinxuan knelt down happily and said, "Thank you, Father, for bestowing this marriage upon me."
The old general and General Li also kowtowed to express their gratitude.
The Emperor smiled indulgently and said, "I didn't expect you to get married before the third prince."
After saying that, he seemed to remember something and sighed again.
Seeing this, the others knew that the Emperor was thinking of the late Empress, so they did not disturb him any further and took their leave.
After leaving the Imperial Study, Dongfang Jincheng felt somewhat heavy-hearted. Yesterday, he was almost about to reveal his identity to Li Muxia, but he was interrupted. After that, he could no longer muster the courage to stand in front of Li Muxia.
When Dongfang Jincheng couldn't figure something out, he would go to Jun Mochen; it was a habit he had developed since childhood.
"Senior brother, what do you think I should do?" Dongfang Jincheng briefly explained his conflicted feelings.
Jun Mochen roughly understood what he meant. Looking at this junior brother who had grown up with him, the two of them were closer than blood brothers.
Jun Mochen thought for a long time before speaking: "Jincheng, you're really in love. If you want to be with Li Muxia openly under your own identity, I suggest you find an opportunity to make Long Ziheng disappear, preferably in front of Li Muxia. That way, she'll be convinced. When she's heartbroken and lost, you can then approach her as Dongfang Jincheng, treat her well, and heal her wounds. Women are very emotional. If you can win her heart once, you can succeed twice."