A life of ups and downs is pure joy

Chapter 301 Cold Arrow

Inside the official inn, the tranquil atmosphere was broken by a touch of bright red.

Ning Anruo gently stroked the wedding dress that had just been delivered, her fingertips sliding across the delicate silk fabric, feeling the exquisite embroidery and gorgeous decorations on it.

However, these supposedly delightful touches could not conceal the anxiety and uneasiness deep in her heart.

These days, Ning Anruo had trouble sleeping almost every night. She tossed and turned in bed, and her mind kept echoing with Ning Sijue's speculation about the identity of the young prince.

Every word struck her heart like a heavy hammer, causing huge waves in her originally peaceful life.

These maids stood quietly by, with their heads lowered and their hands folded respectfully in front of them.

One of the maids whispered, "Princess, the prince said that if you are not satisfied with any of these things, you can replace them at any time."

Ning Anruo slowly raised her head, moved her eyes away from the wedding dress, and glanced at the mountains of brocades, silks, satins, and jewelry piled up in the room.

All of these items are of top quality, shining with brilliant light, as if to illuminate the entire room.

As a princess of a country, she was already accustomed to such luxurious scenes, but she could only see such scenes in the Queen's palace or her sister Ning Xiaoqi's palace.

Now that all this is about to become a part of her daily life, she can't help but feel a complicated emotion in her heart.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her chaotic thoughts, and then responded calmly: "No need to change, just this set."

Although the voice was soft, it carried an unquestionable firmness.

Ning Anruo looked around again, and the gorgeous clothes and precious jewels seemed to tell her about the possibilities of the future.

However, behind this seemingly glamorous life, how much helplessness and power struggles are hidden? She knows that she is just a victim of political marriage, but in order for her mother to enjoy her old age, she must stay in Dayan.

Thinking of this, Ning Anruo's eyes gradually became profound.

"Royal brother, if you choose to stay, it will firstly make Mother feel relieved and happy, and secondly, it will ensure that Mother can enjoy her old age. Today, I will just assume that you are here to visit my sister. I hope that if your wish is fulfilled one day, I hope you will treat my Mother well."

"As for An Ruo, since you've been dragged into this game against your will, if you can be of use to me, my brother, I will do my best to help you. After all, we are blood-related siblings..."

Ning Sijue sat quietly in the quiet and peaceful courtyard of Tailai Villa, gazing leisurely into the distance.

Not far away, the agile Hong Qi was practicing martial arts with full concentration, and each move he made was filled with fierceness.

However, Ning Sijue's mind was not completely focused here. His thoughts had already drifted away, and he was immersed in the words that Ning Anruo said to him, which lingered in his mind for a long time.

Ever since Ning Jinyang's sudden death, the Xiao family and the Queen Mother have placed all their earnest hopes of succeeding the throne on his shoulders.

He, who was once accustomed to a free and easy life, was involuntarily drawn into the fierce and cruel battle for the throne.

During his time in Dayan, he had had long conversations with his closest friend Gong Heyu several times.

Every time he looked at Gong Heyu's familiar and slightly tired face, he couldn't help but feel an indescribable emotion in his heart.

He was a man who loved freedom and unfetteredness, but now he was trapped in the palace, a place that looked magnificent but was actually like a cage, unable to escape.

The supreme throne was like an invisible shackle that trapped him tightly; and the vast Kingdom of Dayan was like a huge cage that tightly imprisoned his heart that yearned for freedom.

Thinking of this, Ning Sijue couldn't help but sigh inwardly: If he could really ascend to the throne of the emperor that everyone is paying attention to in the future, would he end up with the same fate as Gong Heyu?

However, no one has ever really cared about or asked whether they are willing to bear this extremely heavy responsibility and pressure deep down in their hearts.

Just as Ning Sijue was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a clear and pleasant voice calling out.

"Sixth brother, what are you doing here?"

Xiao Qiannan walked over with light steps and hummed a tune. She casually placed the sword at her waist on the stone table beside her, and then stared at Ning Sijue with a smile.

Ning Sijue slowly came back to his senses, glanced at Xiao Qiannan with a dazed look, and said softly.

"Three days later, the wedding will be held as scheduled."

There seemed to be a hint of helplessness and melancholy in his words.

Xiao Qiannan nodded slightly, expressing her understanding, and comforted him.

"Sixth brother, you've done your best. An Ruo... naturally, she has her own plans and decisions. We just need to respect her."

"You also said that Gong Kou Shi is very likely a girl, so how should An Ruo deal with it?"

Ning Sijue frowned and asked with a worried look on his face.

Xiao Qiannan, who was standing by, was slightly startled, then replied calmly.

"As long as everyone in the world believes that Gong Kou Shi is the young prince of Dayan, it will be enough. In this way, An Ruo will naturally become a highly respected princess. And this marriage between Dasheng and Dayan will surely promote peace between the two countries, eliminating the need for tensions."

Ever since following Lin Ancai to guard Tianmen County, Xiao Qiannan has shed her former pampering and willfulness.

Today, she is more concerned with how to comfort the local people and do her utmost to avoid war and conflict between the two countries. For her, the overall situation should be the most important thing, and personal gains and losses have been placed in a secondary position.

Hearing this, Ning Sijue was silent for a moment, then cast his gaze into the distance again and asked softly, "Then...what about her?"

His words were filled with indescribable concern.

Xiao Qiannan was stunned at first, then she followed Ning Sijue's gaze and asked in confusion.

"Who, Hongqi?"

Ning Sijue seemed to have not heard anything at this moment, and just murmured to himself: "If she is really Princess Changping, how should we deal with it..."

"Sixth brother, An Ruo has the right to choose, and sister-in-law has even more. Hong Qi is right. Most of the grievances sister-in-law has suffered are because of me, so this time I will not force her to make any choice she doesn't want to make."

Xiao Qiannan said after thinking for a moment as if she had made a great decision.

"She is your sister-in-law." Ning Sijue frowned slightly, staring at the graceful woman in front of him with surprise, and spoke slowly.

The woman's delicate body trembled slightly upon hearing this, and a flash of surprise flashed across her beautiful eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and replied softly, "But she is An Cai's biological sister. I came here to seek medical advice for my elder brother."

Ning Sijue was silent for a moment, then nodded and said in a deep voice, "Well, in that case, take this." He pulled out an exquisite brocade box from his bosom and handed it to the woman, adding, "Remember to bring this to Hong Qi at the wedding banquet in three days."

Ning Sijue's gaze shifted again to the nearby female warrior, wielding twin swords and dancing with grace. Meanwhile, Xiao Qiannan silently lowered her head, seemingly burdened by a deep worry. After a moment, she raised her head, her red lips parted, and asked in a slightly lowered voice, "After this is over, will Sixth Brother and Brother Fan return to Jinhan?" Her voice trembled slightly at the mention of the place she couldn't return to.

"Well... time to go back..." Ning Sijue hadn't finished his words when his expression suddenly changed. He reached out and pulled Xiao Qiannan into his arms. At the same time, a sharp "whoosh" sound was heard, and an extremely sharp arrow came hurtling towards him like lightning, piercing the redwood pillar behind Xiao Qiannan!

Instantly, sawdust flew everywhere. The sharp arrow embedded itself deeply in the pillar, its tail feathers still trembling. At this critical moment, a red figure darted past the two men like a ghost. It was Hong Qi, who had arrived just in time. She clutched her two swords, holding them across her chest. Her beautiful eyes were wide, and her face was filled with anger as she scanned the surroundings, her alertness evident.

"Check her carefully for injuries." Ning Sijue didn't have time to say anything more. He flashed like an arrow, sprinting towards the direction of the arrow. Xiao Fan and Jia Xu, hearing the commotion outside, also hurried out of the house. However, they only saw Ning Sijue's figure gradually disappearing over the rooftop.

"Hurry! Let's catch up and see what happened!" Xiao Fan made a prompt decision and called Jia Xu to rush towards the direction where Ning Sijue left.

Seeing Lin Mo also coming out of the house in small steps with a medicine box in his arms, Xiao Fan spoke to Jia Xu.

"They're in your hands."

Jia Xu looked at Hong Qi, and then he and Xiao Fan flew to the roof and chased in the direction where Ning Sijue disappeared.