Chapter 101

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xingyan was instantly intrigued and hurriedly pressed, "Oh? What exactly happened? Do tell me quickly." Shangguan Xingyu pursed her lips in a smile, then vividly described to Shangguan Xingyan the scene she had just witnessed.

After listening to her younger sister's account, Shangguan Xingyan couldn't help but smile and remark, "This Young Master Yan is truly quite interesting. If we have leisure time another day, let's go meet him as well." Shangguan Xingyu nodded happily in agreement. The siblings thus agreed to go make the acquaintance of that rather interesting Yan Si when the time was right.

Time flew, and afternoon arrived. Ouyang Qianyu's restless heart began stirring again. This time, she actually set her sights on Yan Shuang'er. Her eyes rolled, a plan forming in her mind, and she immediately summoned the guard at her side, sending him to the An Wangfu to deliver a message.

The guard received the order and departed, reaching the An Wangfu before long. Following Ouyang Qianyu's instructions, he informed An Wang that his young miss had previously met Yan Shuang'er once at a teahouse and had a deep impression of her, so she hoped to invite Yan Shuang'er to go out shopping and sightseeing together.

Upon receiving the news, An Wang frowned deeply and couldn't help but let out a long sigh: "This Ouyang Princess really knows how to cause trouble!" He grumbled inwardly, but on second thought, he truly wasn't at ease letting Yan Shuang'er go alone to handle this matter.

After all, many things were involved here; if there was the slightest mishap, the consequences would be unimaginable. Thinking of this, An Wang fell into deep worry, momentarily at a loss as to what to do.

Just as An Wang was knitting his brows in distress, the Wangfei at his side said softly, "Your Highness, the two of us racking our brains like this may not yield a foolproof plan. Why not summon Shuang'er and hear her own thoughts? Perhaps this child already has a plan in mind."

Hearing this, An Wang pondered briefly, then nodded in agreement with the Wangfei's words. He hurriedly instructed the maid Chunxi at his side to quickly go to Wufangyuan and ask Yan Shuang'er to come discuss an important matter.

Chunxi received the order and left, jogging straight for Wufangyuan. Meanwhile, upon learning Chunxi's purpose, Yan Shuang'er already understood the general situation in her heart. She followed Chunxi toward the Wangfei's courtyard at an unhurried pace, while her mind raced through countermeasures.

Before long, Yan Shuang'er arrived at the entrance of the Wangfei's courtyard. The moment she stepped through the gate, she called out crisply, "Father King, Mother, I'm here!"

The Wangfei raised her eyes and saw her precious daughter walk in; a loving smile instantly appeared on her face, and she hurriedly beckoned, "Shuang'er's here, quickly sit and speak. Mother has something she wants to ask you." As she spoke, the Wangfei recounted the entire sequence of events to Yan Shuang'er in detail.

Yan Shuang'er listened quietly to her mother's narration, fell silent for a moment, then raised her head to look at An Wang and the Wangfei, saying firmly, "Father King, in your daughter's view, if this matter is handled improperly, it could very well affect the friendly relations between the two countries.

Your daughter can go accompany the Ouyang Princess." An Wang couldn't help but ask curiously, "Shuang'er, at this banquet you saw all those people from Xishang Kingdom and Dongying Guo. What do you think of them?" Yan Shuang'er answered honestly, "From appearances, they're not bad. As for character, I'm not too sure. However, that Xishang Kingdom princess is no easy sort; the carriage-blocking incident last time, your daughter and Qianqian and Jie'er all saw it — she feels hard to get along with." An Wang heard this but did not respond.

At this, the An Wangfei took up the conversation: "Shuang'er, Mother didn't bring you to that banquet last time; you surely know the reason. Mother simply doesn't want to see you marry far away into another country, leaving your homeland behind.

Therefore, even if it's just accompanying that Xishang Kingdom princess to stroll the market or sightsee, you must absolutely not become entangled in the slightest with the Xishang Kingdom prince. Do you understand Mother's painstaking heart?"

Yan Shuang'er blurted out without a second thought: "Mother, how could your daughter not know your thoughts! Please set your heart at ease. Not to mention the young and adorable younger brother and sister at home whom I cannot bear to leave and worry about, just the fact that you want me to marry into a foreign land — your daughter is unwilling no matter what, so how could I possibly become involved with them?"

After she finished speaking, the Wangfei nodded slightly in agreement and said softly, "You may go." With permission granted, Yan Shuang'er nimbly boarded the exquisitely decorated carriage; the wheels rolled forward, heading straight for the Yizhan.

Before long, the carriage stopped steadily at the Yizhan entrance. Yan Shuang'er alighted gracefully. Sharp-eyed servants had already spotted her arrival and quickly went to report to Ouyang Qianyu inside. Learning Yan Shuang'er had arrived, Ouyang Qianyu was overjoyed and was about to call her elder brother Ouyang Qianqiu to go out and welcome her together.

Shangguan Xingyu and Shangguan Xingyan, who happened to be about to go out, saw Yan Shuang'er standing at the gate.

Shangguan Xingyu's gaze was sharp; she recognized Yan Shuang'er at a glance, hurried forward with quick steps, and greeted her warmly: "You're Yan Shuang'er, right?" Yan Shuang'er had an excellent memory; she instantly recalled that the person before her was the noble princess from Dongying Guo, and hastily bowed in salute, replying respectfully, "Greetings, Princess Shangguan!"

But before her words had finished, Shangguan Xingyu interrupted with a smile: "No need for such formality; we're friends, no need to be so distant! By the way, what important business brings you here this time?" Yan Shuang'er smiled and answered, "The Ouyang Princess said she wants to go out shopping and hopes to find a local peer to accompany her. My Father King learned of this and specially sent me to come accompany the Ouyang Princess on a tour and shopping trip."

Shangguan Xingyu lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, then the corner of her mouth lifted as she said slowly, "So that's how it is! What a coincidence — this Princess also happens to have plans to go shopping. Then wait a moment; once they come out, we'll all go together."

In truth, Shangguan Xingyu knew perfectly well in her heart; regarding the little schemes in Ouyang Qianyu's mind, she understood them clearly. Adhering to the principle of absolutely not letting the other party succeed, Shangguan Xingyu unhesitatingly pulled Shangguan Xingyan at her side, deciding to go shopping with them.

Hearing this, Yan Shuang'er at the side couldn't help but brighten, thinking secretly: That's a good idea. With more people, that Ouyang Princess won't be able to pull any tricks no matter how much she wants to. Moreover, everyone knows the Shangguan Princess and the Ouyang Princess have never gotten along; this way, I can also breathe a little easier and won't have to be constantly on edge.