Chapter 40: Princess Anyang (1/2)

Translator: Storm in a Teacup

Being slightly touched, An Rushuang let out a long sigh. “Of course, Mister Zhu’s wife is still waiting at home. We shouldn’t waste time here. Even if you can’t take the purple peony back, you mother would also be happy after knowing your affection for her. We shouldn’t be so obsessed with worldly things.”

Upon hearing An Rushuang’s words with a profound meaning, Haya was in a daze before she nodded in understanding. “Exactly. The purple peony, as well as Mount Baer, are worldly things. Why don’t I choose one which can make my mum happy?”

She turned to look at Mister Zhu in a glamorous smile with two dimples on her cheeks. “I can give you Mount Baer! But...”

As soon as Haya finished speaking, all the people were thrown into a panic, fearing she might have some tough conditions.

With three pairs of eyes fixed upon her, Haya smiled and said, “The purple peony mustn’t be hurt!”

All the people let out a sigh of relief. A wisp of grin appeared on Mister Zhu’s pallid face.

“Please set your mind at ease.” A gleam of smile rippled Princess Anyang’s cherry lips.

With the agreement being officially sealed by Princess Haya and signed by the two sides, Dongyi Kingdom could no longer revoke their commitment. Princess Anyang ordered Qing Lu to fetch the purple peony. Holding the flower in her arms, Haya’s maid was as upset as she was holding a big mountain.

Princess Anyang also promised to send a gardener to Haya’s manor. A few days later when she was leaving for Dongyi Kingdom, Princess Anyang would appoint several guards to protect the peony on their way back home. Haya left the Changting Pavilion happily, totally having no idea she had been plotted against. Since both parties had got what they wanted, it was really a happy ending.

As soon as Haya left, the gentleman clad in purple robe let out a long sigh of great relief. He slammed the folding fan on the desk. “My heart was nearly coughed out.”

There suddenly came a low-pitched and august sound behind the jade wall. “As playful as you are, why don’t you cough your tongue out?”

The gentleman in purple robe straightened himself immediately, emitting a totally different aura, before shouted, “My respect to Your Majesty!”

Following him, Princess Anyang and An Rushuang slightly lowered their heads before they shouted, “My respect to Your Majesty!”

With a flurry of rumble not so loud, the jade wall separated slowly, from which a middle-aged man in bright yellow robe walked slowly toward them in solemnity and stateliness. He, wearing a skullcap and a golden belt dotted with black silk embroidery, though, not tall or strong, always stood uprightly and set his feet upon the ground very firmly while walking. His hair, as well as beard, had turned gray, but his eyes, as sparkling as always, seemed to have seen through everyone’s heart.

There was another man wearing the same robe as Mister Zhu behind the emperor. Given his firm and steady step and glistening eyes, he was obviously a practitioner of martial arts.

“Get up. Are you Princess Anyang?” The emperor asked in low-pitched voice.

Princess Anyang thanked the emperor before raising her head. “I haven’t met your majesty for so long. It’s beyond my expectation that your majesty still remembers me.”