In the evening, the Grand Palace Maid by the Emperor An's side came to invite Anning for dinner.
Rong Cui wanted to give her a stunning appearance, but she refused.
In the end, she chose a long dress of water-sky color and simply styled her hair into a double flat bun. Later, Rong Cui insisted on inserting a pair of pearl flowers, which complemented each other.
Dinner was set in the Imperial Consort's palace, Ping'an Palace. Upon arrival, everyone was already there.
There were many people, and she recognized only a few.
Emperor An stood up, walked in front of her, smiled, and stroked her head, "How have you been these past few days?"
"Father Emperor, please don't worry, Anning is very well," she replied softly.
Emperor An's eyes turned slightly red, "Good, good, if your mother were still here, she would be very happy."
"Father Emperor, today is a joyous occasion..."
Emperor An was slightly startled, then smiled, "You are right, my little Anning waking up is a blessing from heaven to me."
Looking at the man before her who hid no affection for her, she felt a pang of melancholy. If not for this affection, she wouldn't have been pushed into the lake.
"Anning younger sister, you've finally woken up. Do you know how worried I was about you?" A young lady walked out, took her hand, and said with a slight sob.
She looked up and saw the young lady before her. She was dignified and beautiful, exuding the grace befitting a princess.
She slowly withdrew her hand from the young lady's and curtsied slightly, "Anping elder sister."
"Anning younger sister, we are sisters, no need for such formality." Anping stepped forward to support her arm, showing great care.
"Elder sister, I am fine, I can walk myself..."
Anping shook her head, "No, you've just recovered from a serious illness, your body is still weak. Let elder sister support you!"
Emperor An also spoke, "Anping was very worried about you. For all these years you were unconscious, she visited you every day."
She felt the hand supporting her arm by Anping move slightly. Though very subtle, she still felt it.
"Who knows if it was kindness or malice?" someone suddenly spoke.
She looked up and saw Princess Anru. She gave her a glare, as if calling her an idiot.
"Can't eating stuff your mouth shut?" Consort Shu, standing beside her, angrily shoved a chicken leg into Anru's mouth.
Anru was so angry she wanted to spit it out, but Consort Shu's strength was immense. The chicken leg got stuck in Anru's mouth, and Anru could only bite it forcefully.
Anping said indifferently, "Second sister is straightforward, it's nothing."
"Who...who is straightforward? I..."
Consort Shu pinched Anru fiercely and said angrily, "Eat your..."
Anru looked at Consort Shu's fierce gaze and said no more.
Anning sat down, and Anping served her a bowl of white fungus soup, saying, "Younger sister, you've just recovered from an illness, eat something soft."
She nodded, "Thank you, Anping elder sister."
Emperor An watched this scene, smiling even more gently. He looked at the young lady beside him and said with an even softer tone, "Anning, you must take good care of yourself in the future."
Her whole body trembled, and she looked up. Emperor An's gaze was so gentle it didn't seem like that of an imperial emperor, but rather like that of a father in an ordinary family.
"I will," she said.
Emperor An smiled and pointed to a dish, instructing the palace maid behind him, "Take this dish to my little Anning. She likes this dish the most."
"Father Emperor, please leave it there, so everyone can eat from it," she said.
In the past, it was precisely because she was so doted upon that she suffered an experience that almost cost her life.
Now, she did not want to be the center of attention anymore.
Emperor An smiled, "My little Anning has become sensible."
"Father Emperor, Anning has grown up and wants to share your worries."
Emperor An laughed a few times and extended his large hand to stroke her head, "Then little Anning must grow up quickly."
"I will, Father Emperor."
Emperor An sighed, "What a pity, you are a daughter, and you will have to get married when you grow up."
She looked at Emperor An and said, "Father Emperor, Anning can choose not to marry."
"Nonsense, how can you not marry? But don't worry, Father Emperor will definitely find a good husband for you. Next month, on your coming-of-age ceremony, princes and crown princes from all nations will come to celebrate. Tell me which one you fancy."
"Your Majesty, Anping and Anru are also not young anymore. Why not look for them together?" the Imperial Consort, who had been silent, interjected.
Anru, who had finally managed to eat the chicken leg Consort Shu had shoved into her mouth, was about to speak when Consort Shu preempted her, "Imperial Consort, Anning Princess is older than Anru. Let's arrange Princess Anqing's marriage first!"
Anru looked at Consort Shu, feeling a little surprised. When did her mother consort know what she was thinking and saying?
The Imperial Consort's expression changed slightly. At this moment, Anping spoke, "Mother Consort, my marriage is not urgent. I am only seventeen, and I still want to fulfill my filial duty to Father Emperor and Mother Consort."
Emperor An was startled and looked at Anping, "Anping, you are seventeen?"
Anping's eyes flickered, "Yes, Father Emperor. I turned seventeen just last month."
Emperor An rubbed his hands and said apologetically, "I didn't realize you were already seventeen. Indeed, it is time for you to consider marriage."
Anping lowered her gaze, "Father Emperor is busy with state affairs, and these minor matters should not bother you."
"How could it be a bother? You are my daughter, and as your father, it is only right." Emperor An looked at Anping with much softer eyes, feeling somewhat apologetic.
"Your Majesty, since that is the case, next month during Anning's coming-of-age ceremony, perhaps you could also select a consort for Anping?" the Imperial Consort said lightly.
Emperor An nodded and looked at Anping, "Anping, if you have anyone in mind, you can tell Father Emperor. Father Emperor will certainly make the decision for you."
Anping's eyes flickered, and she curtsied, "Thank you, Father Emperor."
Emperor An looked at Anru, who had been indifferent to worldly affairs, and said coldly, "You also keep an eye out, see if there is anyone you fancy."
Anru was about to say it wasn't necessary, but Consort Shu had already spoken, "Yes, Your Majesty. This concubine will keep an eye out for Princess Anru."
Anru was stunned and signaled to Consort Shu. She didn't want to get married so soon; she hadn't had enough fun yet.
Consort Shu snorted and stopped looking at Anru.
After dinner, Anning excused herself, citing indisposition, and wanted to leave. Anping volunteered to escort her back to her sleeping quarters.
Such sisterly harmony was what Emperor An most wished to see, so Anning no longer refused.
Leaving Ping'an Palace, the two walked side by side.
Anping said, "Father Emperor is very happy that you could wake up."
"And you, elder sister? Are you happy?"
Anping was slightly taken aback and smiled, "Of course, I am delighted."
"Is that so?" Anping saw the maiden's eyes were bright and clear, more radiant than the moon overhead.
"Yes," Anping replied.
The maiden chuckled softly, a hint of a smile crossing her fair face, light, faint, and devoid of any warmth.
"I thought elder sister would hope I would never wake up."
Anping's body trembled, and she looked at the maiden, "Anning, you..."
The maiden giggled, "Elder sister, I was just joking with you."
"Younger sister, that joke is not funny," Anping said.