Chapter 81: Luo Jin’an Expresses His Feelings, Xu Nian Faces Her Inner Struggles

Zheng Shi looked up and held back a smile, signaling Xiao Wang Shi to look at the two figures. Both of them couldn’t help but find the scene amusing.

“Actually, if we disregard the status of the County Prince, he and our Nian’er are quite a good match.”

Zheng Shi felt she had finally found a like-minded person and nodded repeatedly, lowering her voice to say, “A girl as opinionated as Nian’er would truly suffer if she married into a small household. Look at how well the County Prince treats her…”

“What are you two talking about so happily?”

Seeing her sister-in-law approaching, Zheng Shi quickly shut her mouth. She hadn’t forgotten how much her sister-in-law cared about this matter. Xiao Wang Shi smiled and said, “We were just saying that Nian’er’s cooking skills have improved even more.”

Tian Shi smiled with pride. Her daughter truly excelled in every way. But when she thought about how such a wonderful daughter would belong to someone else’s family in just two years, she couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

Xu Nian had no idea that her mother was already thinking so far ahead. She led Luo Jin’an aside and handed him a freshly grilled skewer.

“You’ve worked hard all afternoon. Hurry and taste your own cooking, or else Xiao Liuzi will eat it all.”

Luo Jin’an took a bite, his eyes lighting up in surprise. This was even better than what the imperial chefs in the prince’s residence made. In fact, he had never had a large appetite, but tonight, he found himself unable to stop eating. Eventually, Xu Nian had to stop him from reaching for another skewer.

“It’s too late. Eating too much now won’t be good for digestion.”

“Maybe your cooking is just too good, and I forgot myself while eating.”

Seeing that Luo Jin’an looked slightly embarrassed, Xu Nian explained, “I’m just worried that your body won’t be able to handle it. Come on, let’s go for a walk.”

Noticing that the people in Shouzhu Courtyard were still enjoying themselves with no intention of leaving, Xu Nian informed Tian Shi before taking Luo Jin’an for a walk to help with digestion.

Two attendants carrying lanterns walked ahead, while Xiu’er followed closely behind Xu Nian. Luo Jin’an, walking side by side with her, suddenly felt a sense of happiness.

“Don’t eat so indulgently in the future. If you like it, I can make it for you again.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

For some reason, when Xu Nian heard those words—”I’ll listen to you”—her heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath before continuing, “The jade pendant you left with me before—I’ve been meaning to return it, but I never got the chance.”

As she spoke, she took out the jade pendant from her sleeve, intending to hand it back to Luo Jin’an, but he didn’t take it.

“Nian Nian, why don’t I tell you the story behind this jade pendant?”

Looking at the boy beside her, who suddenly seemed filled with sorrow, Xu Nian withdrew her hand and softly replied, “Alright.”

“The late emperor had only three sons in his lifetime. The eldest was mediocre and controlled by his maternal family. The second, though exceptionally talented, passed away at the age of thirteen. The third had the ability to lead troops but lacked the skills to govern a country. As a result, the late emperor spent his final years in constant anxiety…”

The Imperial Astronomer observed an unusual celestial phenomenon one night and reported a prophecy to the late emperor: the child in the Third Prince’s Consort’s womb was a Purple Star destined to bring a century of prosperity to the dynasty.

The late emperor was overjoyed. To avoid suspicion, he quickly appointed his eldest son as the Crown Prince, planning to make further arrangements after the Third Prince’s Consort successfully gave birth. However, he never expected that when she was five months pregnant, she would be poisoned with Tianshan Snow Poison.

This poison, true to its name, did not take life immediately, but during its attacks, it made the Third Prince’s Consort feel as if she were trapped in an icy abyss. She grew weaker day by day until she finally lost the strength to give birth, resulting in both mother and child’s death.

But fate did not seem to favor those who had poisoned her. A wandering monk knocked on the gates of the Third Prince’s residence late at night, claiming he had a way to cure the poison. Desperate to save his wife, the Third Prince agreed without hesitation. However, the cost of this method was that the child in her womb would never live past the age of twenty.

Xu Nian listened carefully, but her heart ached. She knew that child was Luo Jin’an.

“When the late emperor heard of this, he fell seriously ill. Even so, he still issued three imperial decrees. The first granted his third son the title of King of Zhenbei and command of the ten-thousand-strong Zhenbei Army in the northern borderlands. The second gave the unborn child of the Third Prince’s Consort the title of Prince of Chang and a fief of ten thousand households. The third elevated the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle to the rank of Duke of Weiguo, appointing him as regent to assist the new emperor.

This jade pendant was a gift from the late emperor during his last court session. On the surface, it was a token of favor, but in reality, it carried a secret decree—if the Prince of Chang could live to the age of twenty, he would be eligible to inherit the throne.”

Xu Nian’s hands trembled as she held the jade pendant. She had never imagined that Luo Jin’an carried such a heavy burden.

Sensing her unease, Luo Jin’an gently squeezed her hand before letting go and continued, “Nian Nian, I’m telling you this because I want you to know me better. I want you to hear everything about me from me, not from someone else.”

“Luo Jin’an, if this jade pendant is so important, why did you give it to me?”

Lowering his head, Luo Jin’an spoke softly, “That day, when you came to Ling Shan Temple to see me, I was playing chess with Master Yunxin. He told me that I still wouldn’t be able to pass my twenty-third birthday. At that moment, I thought… I shouldn’t selfishly drag you into my fate.

Nian Nian, I once thought about staying away from you, but I couldn’t accept it. What if… just what if?

So before I left, I gave you the jade pendant. My plan was that if I remained healthy in the future, I would use this pendant as a token to propose to you and make you my princess consort.

And even if something happened to me, even if the world fell into chaos, this jade pendant could command thirty thousand soldiers to protect you and keep you safe.”

“And now?” Xu Nian gently rubbed the pendant in her hand and asked softly.

“Now I…”

“Nian’er, are you and the prince still out for a walk? You’ve been busy all day, hurry back and rest,” Tian Shi called out. She and Xu Yaozu had just returned to the main courtyard when they noticed candlelight in the distance. When they got closer, they saw their daughter with the prince.

Xu Nian quickly adjusted her expression and walked over. “Has everyone in Shouzhu Courtyard left?”

“They have. Your grandfather and grandmother are getting older and can’t stay up too late. Xiao Liuzi made a fuss about it, but your third aunt scolded him, and he finally calmed down…”

Watching Xu Nian leave with her mother, Luo Jin’an felt a little disappointed. He hadn’t finished saying what was on his mind. But thinking about it, today had already been a step forward in their relationship. There was still time. He could wait.

“Your Highness, let me escort you back,” Xu Yaozu said.

Luo Jin’an nodded slightly and followed Xu Yaozu toward the small courtyard.

Back in Qingteng Courtyard, Xu Nian soaked in the wooden bathtub, turning the jade pendant over and over in her hands. Her mind repeated Luo Jin’an’s words—“to keep you safe.”

Slowly, she let herself sink under the water. In both her lives, she had never felt such strong emotions before. Could someone really care for her this much?

“Miss, miss, what’s wrong?” Xiu’er panicked, leaning over the tub before jumping straight into the water.

Splash!

Cough, cough—

Xu Nian patted Xiu’er’s back to help her breathe. “Silly girl, you can’t even hold your breath, yet you jumped in.”

“Cough… I was afraid something happened to you… I didn’t have time to think…”

Xu Nian’s hand paused for a moment before she laughed. “Xiu’er, what if I promised to protect you for the rest of your life?”

“Huh?”