The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Li Lingxuan smiled and said, "Later, instead of getting angry, he patiently taught me how to hold the bow and how to aim. Under his guidance, my archery skills improved by leaps and bounds. Before long, my archery skills also improved by leaps and bounds."

"Wow! So sweet! It would be unjust if you two don't get married!" Cen Jiexiao looked at Li Lingxuan with a silly smile on her face.

Li Lingxuan smiled modestly and continued, "He also taught me how to ride a horse. I was timid since I was a child and didn't dare to ride a horse, but he was very patient and taught me over and over again until I dared to ride a horse on my own."

"Did he take you to see the most beautiful scenery in the capital Qifeng?" Cen Jiexiao asked curiously.

"Of course!" Li Lingxuan smiled sweetly. "He took me to see the highest mountain, the clearest lake, and the busiest street market in Qifeng..."

She was immersed in beautiful memories, her voice becoming softer and softer, as if she had returned to that carefree girlhood.

"Ahem..." Sister Cen Xiao deliberately cleared her throat, interrupting Li Lingxuan's memories.

Li Lingxuan finally realized she had lost her composure. Her pretty face flushed as she scolded, "Cen Jiexiao, you're so annoying! You interrupted me on purpose!"

Cen Jiexiao smiled slyly and jokingly said, "I'm just afraid that the princess will recall those sweet pasts and get too absorbed in them. If she doesn't know the secret in her heart, she'll accidentally tell it to you. Then you'll kill me."

Li Lingxuan rolled her eyes at her and said angrily, "You...you...you are really becoming more and more disrespectful. How dare you make fun of me!"

Cen Jiexiao did not refute, but just looked at her with a smile.

Li Lingxuan sighed softly and said quietly, "Actually, there's no earth-shattering love story between him and me."

Cen Jiexiao nodded to show her understanding and waited quietly for Li Lingxuan's next words.

"He was like my brother, my friend, and my teacher," Li Lingxuan said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Even though we didn't meet, his letters kept me company as I grew up."

"Exchange of letters? That's quite romantic." Cen Jiexiao interjected, trying to liven up the atmosphere.

Li Lingxuan smiled slightly and continued, "Yes, he would tell me about the customs and practices of Xixiang in his letters, tell me about his academic progress, and also care about my life and ask about my preferences."

"Did he ever express his admiration for you in his letters..." Cen Jiexiao lowered her voice and made a face.

Li Lingxuan shook her head and said softly, "No, he is like a gentle brother, silently guarding and protecting me."

"Then what happened to you later..." Cen Jiexiao hesitated, realizing that her question was a bit abrupt.

Li Lingxuan understood what she meant and continued, "Until that year, a conflict broke out on the border between Xixiang and Dazhou. As the crown prince of Xixiang, he had no choice but to go into battle. My connection with him was cut off because of that."

"Border conflict? That must be very dangerous, right?" Cen Jiexiao asked worriedly.

Li Lingxuan nodded, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes: "Yes, I was very worried about him at the time. I prayed for him every day, hoping that he would return safely."

"What happened to him later..." Cen Jiexiao asked cautiously.

Li Lingxuan was silent for a moment, as if recalling that unforgettable past, and then she slowly said, "The day he left, I secretly ran to the city wall and watched his team gradually disappear into the distance. Suddenly, a strong sense of reluctance and...love welled up in my heart."

"I finally understood that his kindness to me over the years had already planted the seeds of love in my heart." Li Lingxuan's voice choked with emotion. "I want to marry him and stay by his side forever. Even if it means marrying far away, I will cherish it."

When Li Lingxuan said this, her eyes became red again, but she tried hard not to let the tears flow.

Cen Jiexiao listened quietly, feeling a mixture of emotions. She didn't know what to say to comfort Li Lingxuan, because she knew some things couldn't be explained in a few words. Moreover, when it came to relationships, she herself was an idiot.

Li Lingxuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised her head, looked at Cen Jiexiao with burning eyes, and asked, "Cen Jiexiao, tell me, am I stupid for doing this?"

Cen Jiexiao shook her head and said softly, "Princess, there's no logic to love. Now that you've made your choice, then bravely pursue your own happiness!"

Li Lingxuan smiled bitterly and said, "But, my aunt...she is determined to use my marriage with Xi Xiang to consolidate her position in the Great Zhou. I am worried that my marriage will eventually become a pawn in her hands...I want to marry him, but not like this."

Cen Jiexiao sighed softly, carefully considered her words, and said, "Princess, forgive me for being frank, but it has been over a month since Prince Xixiang came to visit and proposed a marriage, but we haven't seen any movement from him. Moreover, based on the intelligence analysis obtained by the Qiming Group, could this be..." She paused and did not continue, but the meaning was self-evident.

Li Lingxuan frowned slightly, a hint of confusion showing in her expression: "What do you mean? Could it be...could it be that he doesn't really want to marry me?"

Cen Jiexiao quickly waved her hands and explained, "Princess, that's not what I meant. I just think this matter is of great importance. Perhaps Prince Xixiang is also biding his time, or..."

"Or what?" Li Lingxuan asked, with a hint of anxiety in her tone.

Cen Jiexiao bit her lip, as if she had made up her mind, and said, "Princess, think about it. The border war between Xixiang and Dazhou is tense now. Prince Xixiang is proposing a marriage at this critical juncture. Could it be that he has some ulterior motive to alleviate Xixiang's urgent needs through marriage?"

Cen Jiexiao finally said what was in her mind, but she still carefully observed Li Lingxuan's expression.

Li Lingxuan's heartbeat suddenly quickened, and a bad premonition came to her mind.

"Impossible!" Li Lingxuan's face suddenly changed. She stood up abruptly and interrupted Cen Jiexiao. "He's not that kind of person! He was willing to sacrifice his life for me back then. How could he possibly use me?"

She staggered back a few steps, the image of the young man who risked his life for her constantly appearing in her mind, her heart aching.

"Princess, calm down!" Cen Jiexiao was startled by Li Lingxuan's reaction. She quickly stood up and supported her, gently comforting her, "I just said it's possible, I didn't say he must be like that!"

"No, you don't have to say anymore." Li Lingxuan pushed Cen Jiexiao's hand away weakly, her eyes red and tears welling up in them. "I know, I know."

She fell onto the stone bench, covering her face with her hands, tears sliding through her fingers and wetting her clothes.

Cen Jiexiao stood aside, looking at Li Lingxuan's sad appearance, her heart full of self-blame and worry.

"Princess, don't be like this, I just..." She wanted to explain, but didn't know what to say.

Li Lingxuan suddenly raised her head, looked at Cen Jiexiao with tearful eyes, and said in a choked voice, "Don't say anymore. I know you're doing this for my own good, but...but I just don't want to believe that he will become that kind of person."

She took a deep breath and tried to calm her emotions, but the tears still flowed down her face.

Cen Jiexiao looked at Li Lingxuan with heartache. She wanted to reach out to comfort her, but was afraid of touching her sad story. She could only stand by silently and accompany her in her sadness.

"I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me. I just want to be alone." Li Lingxuan wiped her tears and said in a hoarse voice.

After saying that, she ran out of the pavilion regardless of everything, leaving Cen Jiexiao standing there alone, staring blankly at her receding back, her heart filled with worry and a hint of indescribable uneasiness.