Chapter 263

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

At this moment, An Wangfei just happened to lift the carriage curtain and was about to step down. Seeing this, the Crown Prince hurriedly called out in a loud voice: "Imperial Aunt!"

The voice was clear and resounding, echoing through the air. Hearing the call, An Wangfei couldn't help but start slightly; upon seeing who had arrived, a look of surprise immediately surfaced on her face, and she said softly: "It is actually the Crown Prince himself who has come; this truly makes this concubine feel most unexpected."

The Crown Prince walked forward with a smile, extending a hand to carefully support An Wangfei, while explaining: "Imperial Aunt, do not be alarmed. This visit is by Imperial Father's command. Hearing that the Dongying Princess and Prince are about to arrive in the capital, Imperial Father worried there might be oversights, so he specially instructed this palace to come pay a visit as well, to also demonstrate our court's regard for them."

An Wangfei was seen smiling and waving her hand repeatedly, saying: "Oh my, such a trivial matter, just have the servants handle it; how could we trouble the noble Crown Prince!"

However, the Crown Prince smiled and replied unconcernedly: "What trouble is there? Those servants always do things clumsily; I coming personally is even more reassuring." As they spoke, An Wangfei had already nimbly alighted from the carriage.

Just then, a delicate figure also slowly emerged from the carriage — it was none other than Yan Shuang'er. She spotted the Crown Prince at a glance and immediately called out joyfully: "Crown Prince Cousin!"

Hearing the voice, the Crown Prince looked over, a flash of pleasant surprise in his eyes, and hurriedly responded: "Cousin Shuang'er has actually come too." With that, he extended his hand, carefully helping Yan Shuang'er down from the carriage.

Yan Shuang'er had just gotten down when the three began greeting and exchanging pleasantries with one another. For a moment, laughter and cheerful voices were incessant, the atmosphere harmonious and warm.

Before long, everyone suddenly heard a burst of clear hoofbeats approaching from afar. Looking toward the sound, they saw a fine horse galloping over, and on its back sat a heroic, dashing woman — Qianqian.

As it turned out, Qianqian had long since spotted An Wangfei from afar, her heart overflowing with joy; she immediately clamped her legs against the horse's flanks, urging it to speed forward. At the same time, she called out loudly: "Mother~"

An Wangfei, not far away, heard her daughter's call; though her heart was equally stirred, constrained by her noble status and dignified image, she could not make an overly undignified display in public.

Therefore, she merely held a smile at the corners of her mouth, gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, and kept her gentle, loving gaze fixed on the ever-nearer Qianqian, as if wishing to convey all her care and longing to her beloved daughter through her eyes alone.

Finally, Qianqian arrived before everyone like the wind and lightning, then nimbly flipped off the horse; that lively, adorable girl, like a joyful fawn, sprinted straight toward An Wangfei and threw herself into An Wangfei's warm embrace, still calling out sweetly: "Mother~"

An Wangfei, a helpless look on her face, reached out and gently stroked the silky soft hair of the girl in her arms, looking tenderly at this daughter who stood tall and graceful, nearly as tall as herself, and said softly: "You're already this grown, yet still act like a little child."

Hearing her mother's slightly reproachful words, the girl mischievously chuckled, revealing a row of neat white teeth, then slowly raised her head; her bright, lively eyes suddenly caught sight of the Crown Prince standing imposingly to the side, and she immediately cried out in delighted surprise: "Crown Prince Cousin!"

Seeing his cousin return, the Crown Prince's face also bloomed with a gentle smile, and he replied softly: "Qianqian's back; this journey must have worn you out, right? Today Imperial Father was still mentioning that it's been a very long time since he last saw you."

Qianqian scratched the back of her head somewhat embarrassedly and said in a coquettish voice: "I played a few extra days over in Dongying; the scenery there is truly too beautiful, and I unknowingly delayed a bit of time."

Hearing this, An Wangfei couldn't help but lightly tap her daughter's forehead, feigning anger as she scolded: "Look at you, already such a grown person, yet still so playful."

At this time, Yan Shuang'er, who had been standing quietly to the side, smiled and spoke up in Qianqian's defense: "Qianqian Younger Sister has not yet reached the age of hair-pinning; she is originally an innocent, carefree child — being a bit playful is perfectly normal."

Hearing this, An Wangfei glared at Yan Shuang'er with a helpless expression, laughing as she scolded: "You — every time I say something about her, you always protect her like this."

Qianqian then laughed cheerfully and walked quickly to Yan Shuang'er's side, affectionately linking her arm, and said coquettishly: "Still, my Third Elder Sister treats me the best!"

Just as the group was chatting and laughing merrily, a cloud of dust rose on the road not far ahead, and a magnificently decorated carriage came galloping over, arriving before everyone in the blink of an eye.

One saw the lively, adorable Qianqian, the dignified, tranquil An Wangfei, the gentle, lovely Yan Shuang'er, and the imposing Crown Prince all step forward together, coming to the carriage's side.

Just then, a slender yet powerful foot stepped out of the carriage door first; immediately after, a graceful, handsome young man appeared before everyone — this person was precisely Shangguan Xingyan.

Shangguan Xingyan nimbly jumped down from the carriage; he had sword brows and starry eyes, a face like crown jade, and a faint smile hung at the corner of his mouth. Facing the crowd, he first bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince and declared in a clear voice: "Crown Prince, may you be well!"

He then turned his gaze to the others; since they were all family, he merely gave a slight nod of acknowledgment and did not perform a grand salute — no one minded this in the least.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince hurriedly smiled and replied: "Xingyan, this journey was distant; it has truly been hard on you two siblings." Shangguan Xingyan replied modestly: "Many thanks for the Crown Prince's concern; it's not too tiring, just that the road was indeed a bit long."

As they spoke, he had already directed his gaze into the carriage interior, simultaneously extending his right hand, preparing to receive his sister down.

At this moment, Shangguan Xingyu, sitting inside the carriage, had already heard the conversation outside clearly; learning that the Crown Prince had come in person, she paid even more attention to her own bearing.

She lightly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, carefully poked her lovely head out, her beautiful eyes glancing about; only after seeing everyone clearly did she slowly rise. She was dressed in a pale pink gauze skirt, its hem fluttering in the wind, like a fairy descending to the mortal world.

Shangguan Xingyu first lightly held the hand Shangguan Xingyan extended, then elegantly alighted from the carriage. Steadying herself, she curtsied gracefully to the Crown Prince and greeted softly: "Crown Prince, may you be well; An Wangfei, may you be well; Shuang'er Younger Sister, may you be well." Her voice was clear and melodious, like an oriole emerging from the valley, captivating the heart of anyone who heard it.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince hurriedly stepped forward, his face full of concern, and said: "Today you have all endured the toil of travel; you must be somewhat weary. How about this evening this Crown Prince hosts, and invites everyone to dine together at Pin Ge?"