591 The Secret About the Past 209 (1/2)
However, An Xiaoning felt like Bai Zhi was one to keep her thoughts to herself, based on her appearance.
”Since you want Bai Zhi instead, I'll let Mu Ning continue staying by my side.”
Tuoba Gucheng seemed to be extremely pleased with the arrangement. An Xiaoning had never seen such a genuine smile on his face before.
However, she was not at all interested to know just what he was elated about since it was not important to her at all.
Yet, what he said next caught her by surprise.
”Mu Ning, from tomorrow onwards, you don't have to be on duty at night anymore. Let someone else do that instead. You shall take the day shift because I want you to be around me at all times on the day of my wedding.”
This was what An Xiaoning absolutely dreaded.
If she had to be around him at all times during his wedding, she would definitely let the cat out of the bag the moment she starts to speak.
Besides, not only will Jin Qingyan, Ye Xiaotian, the Jin family, and the Lin family be present, but the Xu family will definitely show up at the wedding as well.
If she blew her own cover, clearly…
But then again, she was in no place to refuse his orders.
”Yes, Your Highness.”
An Xiaoning was filled with uneasiness and dismay. After racking her brains for an appropriate excuse, she decided to feign losing her voice and keep mum on that day.
That was the only way she could appear normal while refusing to speak.
Once Tuoba Gucheng and Lin Shishi get married, the chances of her getting exposed would increase significantly since she would be in close proximity to Lin Shishi. Hence, she ought to step on it and find out the truth about her mother as soon as possible. Otherwise, she would risk exposing her true identity the longer she stayed in the palace.
”Mu Ning?”
She snapped out of her thoughts and answered, ”Yes, Your Highness?”
”I'm going out now, let's go.”
”Yes.”
—
”Madam, this is the gown you'll be wearing to attend the wedding,” said the butler, handing her a Qipao dress.
Madam Xu took a look and said, ”Leave it here.”
”Alright.”
The butler then left. Not long after, Military Commander Xu returned with Xu Youran, who was following closely behind him.
”How did you two end up coming home together?”
”I bumped into her at the door.” Military Commander Xu sat down and continued, ”His Highness's wedding is going to bring the Lin family more authoritative power. If His Highness becomes the next president, we can only imagine…”
Madam Xu nodded and said, ”Furthermore, Her Highness is going to marry into the Commander-in-chief's family. Both the Jin and Lin families are only going to benefit from the marriages.”
”That's not the most important bit. An Xiaoning may have divorced Jin Qingyan, but the Jin and Lin families are still her godparents. I really hope she'll be magnanimous and bury the hatchet with Youran and the Xu family. I hope she won't hold it against us for all the misdeeds we've done to her in the past. But, I read on the news that An Xiaoning won't be able to attend the wedding because she sustained a major injury overseas, though her name is on the guest list,” said Military Commander Xu.
”I really wonder what tricks An Xiaoning used to get the Jin and Lin families to acknowledge her as their goddaughter. If the Jin and Lin families are enticed by her fortune-telling abilities, there are actually several other fortune-tellers in this world. Any other psychic medium could have easily saved Lin Shishi's life too,” Xu Youran remarked.
”Timing is crucial, there's no use being a genius in retrospect. An Xiaoning is no ordinary person. If it weren't because of the trouble and mess you created back then, would the Xu family have offended her?” Military Commander Xu rebuked.
”I married way too early. If I wasn't married yet, I might just be the one marrying into the Tuoba family. Who knows? Isn't that Tuoba Hancheng still a bachelor?” Xu Youran said with a sigh.
”Even if you're not married now, it might not necessarily be you.” Military Commander Xu then turned to his wife and said, ”Didn't we agree to go over today? Shall we set off now?”
”Alright.”
”Father, Mother, where are you guys going?” Xu Youran frantically asked.
”We have something to attend to,” Madam brushed her off briefly, refraining from explaining to her in detail.