559 The Secret About the Past 177 (1/2)
However, An Xiaoning knew that the Autumn Palace was different from her home.
It was where the ancient palace used to be and where many bloody incidents and deaths had taken place.
Thus, it was a dismal place full of spirits and unholy presences.
However, the large number of people within the palace helped suppress the negative energies.
She was supposedly allowed a day off that month, though she was not sure if Tuoba Gucheng would grant her request for leave.
During dinner, An Xiaoning pondered over the matter for a long while and decided to ask him after they had finished eating.
Unexpectedly, he had decided to go to Tuoba Danxue's place in the evening. Thinking that it would be difficult to pop the question with the other bodyguards around, An Xiaoning realized that it would be a better choice to ask him when they were back from Tuoba Danxue's mansion.
Tuoba Danxue and Jin Minxing's relationship took off rapidly, and they would chat with each other over the phone for hours daily. Tuoba Danxue was initially still greatly traumatized by Jiang Feng's death.
However, she was no longer bothered by the incident now, though she could never forget about it, deep down.
Tuoba Danxue was in the midst of a phone call with Jin Minxing when they reached her place. Noticing their arrival, she immediately ended the call.
”Brother, what brings you here?”
”I tried to call you so many times but your line was always engaged. I'm going hiking with Prince Byron tomorrow. Would you like to come along?”
”Sure, of course. It's such a great opportunity to take a breather. Why wouldn't I? But, Brother, can I ask Minxing along?”
Having already expected her to say that, Tuoba Gucheng conceded, ”Alright, if you want to. We'll meet him at the foot of the mountain.”
”Alright.” Tuoba Danxue looked at An Xiaoning and asked her brother, ”Is she doing fine over at your side?”
”She's alright. Come over to mine for breakfast tomorrow morning. Don't be late.”
”Brother, you could've just asked someone to relay the message to me. You didn't have to make a trip down here personally.”
”I obviously didn't come here to see you. I'm here to look for Uncle, he asked to see me.”
”Uncle? Why is he looking for you?”
”I don't know, I'm going over now.”
Tuoba Gucheng arrived at Tuoba Shuo's mansion to see that the latter was standing right at the door. Tuoba Shuo was staring in their direction and had both his hands by his side out of habit.
”Uncle.”
”You're here, Gucheng. Come in and have a seat,” said Tuoba Shuo, gesturing for him to enter. Tuoba Gucheng took the lead and entered while An Xiaoning went in last.
She was not surprised at all when Tuoba Shuo shoved a piece of paper into her hands. They made eye contact with each other and entered one after another.
”I heard that Prince Byron arrived here today. How did the discussion go?” Tuoba Shuo asked.
”Great. We even agreed to go mountain hiking tomorrow morning,” Tuoba Gucheng said with a smile.
”May I join in the fun with you young people?” he asked, also smiling.
”Of course you may.” Tuoba Gucheng thought it would be a great idea to let his uncle join in the crowd since the latter had always been by himself during the past few years. He must have felt lonely even though he was allowed to go out of the Autumn Palace as and when he pleased.
”I called you over simply because I'm too bored. So, I'd like to have a chat with you.” Tuoba Shuo then waved his hands and said, ”You guys may go out first. I'd like to have a private conversation with Gucheng.”
Tuoba Gucheng shot them a glance, hinting for them to leave.
An Xiaoning and the bodyguards exited accordingly and waited by the door.
She had been clutching the note given to her by Tuoba Shuo tightly in her hand and never once opened it to read.
She wondered what the two of them were chatting about in the room.
More than half an hour later, Tuoba Gucheng came out of the room.
Noticing that there was no change in his expression, An Xiaoning was certain that they did not chat about anything unusual.