NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 158
Lu XuanNing quickly said, "Uncle, you're too kind. Not only am I already engaged to your second daughter, but Li Hui and I are also close friends."
"I'll head back first," Li Ming said, feeling more satisfied with Lu XuanNing. He left the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South and returned to Qingyue Street.
Mrs. Lu was worried and, seeing only Li Ming return, she stepped forward to ask, "Where's Hui?"
"He's staying the night at XuanNing's place. He'll be back tomorrow," Li Ming explained.
Hearing that Li Hui was at Lu XuanNing's, Mrs. Lu felt slightly relieved. She sighed, knowing they could only be happy about this matter and couldn't say much else.
Li Hui had a drinking session with Lu XuanNing and calmly accepted the situation. The next day, he returned home with a normal demeanor.
To foster a relationship between Li Hui and Chang'an, the Empress decreed that Li Hui should enter the palace.
Chang'an paced back and forth nervously, worried that Li Hui might be unhappy. Then, thinking about their future together, raising children, a happy smile appeared on her face. Her alternating expressions of worry and joy made the palace maids and eunuchs around her smile knowingly, sighing that the little princess had grown up.
When Li Hui entered the courtyard and saw the young girl, he was stunned. "An'an, is that you?"
"Brother Hui, it's me," Chang'an hummed twice, carefully observing his expression, seemingly afraid he might be angry with her.
Li Hui hadn't expected An'an to be Chang'an, which explained why Chang'an wanted to be with him. To repay the life-saving debt, he said, "Princess, you don't need to..."
Hearing Li Hui's implication, Princess Chang'an shook her head, indicating it wasn't because of the life-saving debt. But truthfully, it was partly because of that. After thinking for a while, Chang'an said,
"Brother Hui, it wouldn't be right to say it's not because of your previous rescue. But that's not the only reason. I really like you as a person." By the end, Chang'an's voice was very low, and her cheeks were flushed.
Li Hui, who had been listening carefully, understood. He looked at Chang'an in silence for a while, then calmly said, "This marriage arrangement surprises me."
"Brother Hui, I'm sorry. I should have told you earlier," Chang'an said, somewhat regretfully.
"Let me finish," Li Hui continued, explaining that he would adjust to seeing her as his fiancée. He said they should communicate and adjust if there were any issues in their relationship. If one day Chang'an didn't want to marry him, she should tell him.
"I won't. I'm certain I want to be your wife," Chang'an hurriedly said, then felt she had been too forward.
This Chang'an reminded Li Hui of their first meeting when she had rushed towards him in ill-fitting, tattered clothes, as if grasping at her only hope. freewebnoveℓ.com
"What does the Princess usually do?" Since he was to consider her his fiancée, he started by asking about her daily life and interests.
"I don't do much normally, just attend classes, do needlework, and keep my father and mother company. In my spare time, I also read travelogues," Chang'an listed her usual activities.
"The Princess also loves reading travelogues," Li Hui smiled, noting how similar she was to Li Xia in this respect.
"Yes, I was born into the royal family and can only see this small part of the world. I really want to know what it's like outside," she explained, which was also why she had been kidnapped before.
Knowing what she was thinking, Li Hui said, "Xia also likes reading travelogues."
"I know, Sister Xia has many travelogues in her bookstore. Cousin bought quite a few for me," Chang'an said, feeling a bit embarrassed, as reading travelogues wasn't considered proper for a young lady.
"Hmm, next time I'll take you to the bookstore to have a look," Li Hui said, feeling a bit sorry for the young girl as he thought of Li Xia.
"Really? That's great! I'll tell Father and Mother. When can we go?" Chang'an asked eagerly, looking forward to going out with Li Hui.
"There's a day off in five days. I'll come to pick you up from the palace then," Li Hui said after some thought.
Li Hui left the palace and took a carriage home. His family was worried about his first visit to the palace. Seeing Li Hui return safely, Mrs. Lu breathed a sigh of relief but didn't ask for details. She just told Li Hui to go rest. fгeewebnovёl.com
Li Hui went to find Li Xia, asking which travelogues would be suitable for a young girl to read.
"Brother, you must have a reason for asking," Li Xia understood who Li Hui wanted to borrow the books for. She got up and took three books from the shelf, handing them to Li Hui. "These three are quite authentic and interesting. They're worth a read."
Li Hui took them, saying, "Hmm, I'll read them first. I want to bring An'an to your bookstore."
"So it really is An'an. When she was clinging to you back then, I wondered if she might offer herself in marriage. I didn't expect the little girl to be so bold," Li Xia laughed heartily, but stopped when she saw Li Hui's look.
"Congratulations, brother. I'll give you a jade ornament for a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons," she teased.
"You're getting more and more frivolous. What has Lu XuanNing been telling you?" Li Hui knew that Lu XuanNing and Li Xia often met.
"Nothing. Oh, by the way, brother. We had planned to go horse riding with An'an twice before, but it was postponed both times. Next time you go to the palace, ask An'an when she can leave the palace. Let's go horse riding, have an autumn outing," Li Xia said, feeling bored at home lately and wanting to go out.
Li Hui thought going out together would be nice. "Alright, let's invite XuanNing and Fugui to join us."
Princess Chang'an was delighted to go on an outing, especially with Li Hui. The group left the city and arrived at the suburbs to ride horses. Li Xin was still riding the same horse she had ridden on her way to the capital over two years ago. Having not ridden for so long, she was a bit worried.
This was Cao Fugui's chance to shine. He stood beside her, gently instructing, "Don't be afraid. I'm here, aren't I? I'll protect you. Just relax."
Under Cao Fugui's reassurance, Li Xin gradually relaxed and regained her previous riding skills. Cao Fugui accompanied Li Xin as they slowly circled the riding grounds, feeling quite at ease.
Since his injury, Lu XuanNing hadn't ridden Wu Hen. This time, not only was Lu XuanNing excited, but Wu Hen also seemed very enthused.
Lu XuanNing rode Wu Hen around the grounds once. He told Wu Hen to calm down a bit as they approached Li Xia.
Although Li Xia also hadn't ridden for two years, she started galloping as soon as she mounted her horse. After two laps, she stopped to wait for Lu XuanNing. "Let's see who can reach that spot first," she said, pointing to a small grove not far away.
Li Xia wanted to race with Lu XuanNing. Her attitude made Lu XuanNing like her even more. He knew that when he came to the riding grounds, Old Madam Lu was always worried he might feel uncomfortable. When he mounted his horse, the people around him were extra careful due to Old Madam Lu's instructions. This made Lu XuanNing feel as if he wasn't just lame, but completely useless. Li Xia's behavior made Lu XuanNing feel more comfortable, and he agreed, "Alright."
The two raced towards the small grove. Wu Hen arrived first.
"I concede," Li Xia admitted defeat gracefully, looking at Wu Hen with admiration in her eyes.
Lu XuanNing felt a stirring in his heart. "Do you want to ride Wu Hen?"
"May I?" Li Xia knew that Wu Hen was a war horse, a steed capable of covering a thousand miles. Moreover, it had always been Lu XuanNing's partner.
"Of course," Lu XuanNing said, patting Wu Hen. Wu Hen came to a halt, and Lu XuanNing dismounted. He held the reins, waiting for Li Xia to come over. Li Xia got off her horse and approached Wu Hen. She took the reins and swung herself onto the horse's back. Wu Hen let out a neigh and began to gallop.
The sound of the horse's neigh drew the attention of others, and they saw Li Xia riding Wu Hen at full speed. The Li siblings were unfazed, not finding it surprising at all.