"So it is Princess Anping. What business do you have?" Xue Jingyun asked with a cold gaze.
Anping looked up and said, "I came to admire the Crown Prince's demeanor. Now, it seems he is indeed as the rumors describe."
Xue Jingyun's eyes flickered slightly. He had never encountered such a bold woman.
Anping chuckled, "Does Your Highness think I am too impudent?"
Xue Jingyun withdrew his gaze and said faintly, "No."
Anping continued, "Before, I only heard of how valiantly Crown Prince fought, driving the invaders out of Xue Country. At that time, I wondered if the Crown Prince of Xue Country was a tall and burly man, otherwise, where would he get the strength to drive away the people of Han Country who lived on horseback? Later, I realized all my thoughts were wrong. The Crown Prince of Xue Country is a gentle and jade-like person with a stunning appearance."
Xue Jingyun replied calmly, "Thank you for your praise, Princess. I merely carried the burden of national hatred and did not wish for my people to suffer. I did what most rulers would do. My country is not to be trampled by anyone, and my kin are not to be harmed by anyone."
"What Crown Prince says is true. Therefore, I am fond of Crown Prince. May I ask if Crown Prince would consider me?" Princess Anping looked up and said solemnly.
Xue Jingyun simply looked at her calmly and said slowly, "Princess Anping, thank you for your affection, but I already have someone in my heart, so I cannot accept your feelings."
Anping heard this and chuckled, "It's fine. I, Anping, am not someone who doesn't know what's important. However, you cannot stop me from liking you."
Xue Jingyun nodded, "I will not."
"Anping shall take her leave now!" Princess Anping curtsied slightly and departed.
Behind her, Xue Song emerged and watched Anping's receding figure. "This Princess Anping is quite forthright."
Xue Jingyun remained silent, deep in thought.
However, Xue Yan, who had followed Xue Song out, was displeased. She grabbed Xue Song's ear and said coldly, "Does that mean you quite admire this Princess Anping?"
Xue Song inwardly cursed his bad luck and quickly corrected himself, "Xue Yan, you misunderstand. I did not say I admired her; I merely said she is forthright."
"Is it that my Empress is not forthright, or that I am not?" Xue Yan pressed on, unyielding.
Xue Song regretted his careless words. He quickly apologized and appeased Xue Yan before she calmed down.
Anping returned to Ping'an Palace and summoned Baoli. "Go and find out which of my sisters the Crown Prince of Xue Country is closest to."
After Baoli left, Anping went to her study and opened a scroll. The painting depicted a man in silver armor, riding a horse with a whip.
She caressed the man in the painting, her expression full of adoration. "Xue Jingyun, you will be mine eventually."
In the evening, a banquet was held in the palace to entertain the Crown Princes and Princes from various countries.
Anning Palace
Rong Cui looked at Princess Anning, whose attire was rather understated, and couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, appearing like this will allow the other two princesses to overshadow you."
Anning was indifferent. "If they overshadow me, so be it!"
Rong Cui shook her head helplessly. However, considering that Emperor An doted on Princess Anning the most, she said no more.
When Anning arrived at the banquet, most guests were already present. As expected, An Ru and Anping were dressed more vibrantly than her.
An Ru turned her face away, not looking at Anning, seeming somewhat embarrassed, or perhaps unwilling to see her.
Anning sat next to An Ru of her own accord. An Ru frowned and said stiffly, "Why are you sitting here? Aren't you afraid I'll make you cry with anger later?"
In the past, Anning had always clung to Anping. Now, sitting beside her, although her heart felt a touch of joy, it was mostly a feeling of unfamiliarity.
As expected, wherever Anning was, she would attract the Emperor's attention. Emperor An looked at Anning and said, "Little Anning, sit beside me."
Only Anning received such favor from Emperor An. Even the First Prince, An Yi, who was considered the heir by court officials, had to stand behind her.
An Yi, born to Imperial Consort, had previously been training in the military camps and was only summoned back by Emperor An yesterday.
"Anping, I recall Anning used to be closest to you," An Yi asked, looking at Anning, whose temperament seemed to have changed significantly since she woke up.
Anping glanced at Anning, who had stood up and walked towards her father. "As people grow older, their minds become more complex."
An Yi did not quite understand and was about to inquire further when Imperial Consort said faintly, "It's a matter concerning daughters, you shouldn't interfere."
An Yi replied, "Yes, Mother Consort," and asked no more.
"My little Anning, who do you think would be a suitable consort for you?" Emperor An asked in a low voice.
Anning surveyed the guests and suddenly pointed at someone. "This person is handsome. I'll have him then!"
Emperor An was stunned. Anning was pointing at none other than Xue Jingyun, the Crown Prince of Xue Country.
Emperor An's mouth twitched. He persuaded, "Anning, the Crown Prince of Xue Country already has someone he likes. How about choosing someone else?"
Anning nodded, then thought for a moment. "Father, why don't I take them all into my harem?"
Emperor An almost fell off his chair. His little Anning must have some misunderstanding of him, her father. He had tried his best for her; to take all of them would be asking him for his life!
"No?" Anning asked.
Emperor An replied, "Can't one suffice?"
"Alright!" Anning said with some disappointment.
Emperor An felt a pang of guilt. He was unhappy that he couldn't satisfy his little Anning.
"But Father doesn't like who I like, and if I want them all, Father cannot afford it. Father, you are making things difficult for Anning," Anning said with a wronged expression.
Emperor An felt his heart breaking. "Anning, whoever you like, Father will absolutely not stop you."
What if the Crown Prince of Xue Country had someone else in his heart? As long as his little Anning liked him, that was enough.
Anning stood up and walked towards the lower section. Suddenly, Anping also stepped forward and knelt in the center of the hall. "Father, Anping has something to request. I hope Father will grant it."
"What is it?" Emperor An asked.
Anping raised her head, looked at Anning descending, and said slowly, "Your daughter is fond of the Crown Prince of Xue Country. I implore Father to grant my wish."
Everyone was shocked. Imperial Consort immediately stood up, her face a mask of astonishment. She could tolerate Anping inviting the Crown Prince of Xue Country, or even seeing him privately at Qingfeng Hall, but she could not tolerate such shameless words spoken publicly.
"Anping, what nonsense are you talking about?" An Yi was also stunned. How could his usually dignified and graceful sister do such a thing?
Anping kowtowed. "I implore Father to grant my wish."
Everyone was astonished, but Emperor An laughed heartily. He stood up and said, "Anping, get up and speak."
Seeing that Emperor An was not enraged, Imperial Consort sat down. An Yi looked at his silent Imperial Consort and questioned with his eyes.
Imperial Consort shook her head at him, signaling him to remain calm. Anping stood up. Emperor An walked down, took Anping's hand, and brought her before Xue Jingyun. "Crown Prince, my daughter wishes to be betrothed to you. Is she a suitable match?"