kvmb Chapter 260 Thoughtful
Chapter 260 Thoughtful
Luo An asked, "What did you just say about being well-informed?"
“I thought you came down from Heaven on Earth after hearing the news.” An Liangchen sighed. “We destroyed Bei Rou, and Nan Fei and Yuan Feng sacrificed themselves. I didn’t expect this either.”
Luo An's pupils widened slightly, clearly shocked. He thought for a moment, then asked, "Where is Her Highness the Crown Princess?"
An Liangchen was somewhat surprised that Luo An asked about Nan Hua: "At Wanshou Palace. She's not feeling well."
Luo An said, "Go ask your uncle about Xu Sheng's matter. I'm going to check on Nan Fei."
When Luo An arrived at Wanshou Palace, Nan Hua was no longer there. The two magnificent coffins were a shocking sight.
Luo An had always felt that he wasn't particularly moved by life and death. After all, he didn't seem to feel much when his father passed away.
But right now, he did feel a stinging sensation in his nose. The time he spent with Nanfei flashed before his eyes, so vivid as if it were just yesterday.
Life and death are inevitable on the battlefield; that's perfectly normal. But he never imagined it would happen to Nan Fei, such a bright and intelligent young man!
Yuan Feng's father and Master Luo were both Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in the same batch. When Yuan Feng was little, her father even took her to Heaven on Earth. She was truly a steady and quiet girl.
An Liangchen came to find him and exclaimed in surprise, "You really are here! I couldn't find you in the warm pavilion, and I've been looking for you everywhere."
Luo An felt like he hadn't been sitting for long, but two hours had passed. He sat with his knees bent and his head resting on his knees. After sitting in this position for a while, his legs and feet were a little numb, and he couldn't get up for a while.
An Liangchen forcefully pulled him to his feet: "Where have all the palace servants been? Leaving you here all alone?"
Luo An said, "I was the one who told them to leave. I don't like being disturbed."
An Liangchen said, "Are you hungry? Let's go eat."
When An Liangchen mentioned eating, Luo An realized he was starving.
Luo An silently accepted An Liangchen's arrangements. By the time they returned to the warm pavilion, the food was already on the table. Luo An thought An Liangchen's arrangements were truly thoughtful.
Luo An took a couple of bites before realizing something was wrong: "Aren't you going to eat?"
An Liangchen said, "I'm not hungry."
Luo An said, "Man is made of iron, food is made of steel, have something to eat."
An Liangchen picked up his chopsticks but put them down again: "I really can't eat anymore."
Luo Anben thought An Liangchen was too calm about Nanfei and Yuan Feng's deaths, but now it seems that's not the case.
As the crown prince, he was supposed to be adept at ruling and not show his emotions. In addition, An Liangchen had many things to deal with and simply did not have the time or energy to indulge in these feelings.
Luo An asked, "Uncle, you don't know anything about Xu Sheng's matter either?"
An Liangchen nodded: "He said he didn't know, and he didn't know who knew. Adopting a child is a big deal; there needs to be someone to handle the handover and someone to keep watch. Once the child is brought to the manor, there will definitely be people asking and inquiring. How come Bianjing Gossips overlooked this one thing?"
Luo An also found it unbelievable. If no one really knew, he asked, "If Xu Sheng were to send troops, how much impact would it have on Dongyang?"
“We have suffered heavy losses, and Xu Sheng is quite capable in commanding troops. If a real war breaks out…” An Liangchen hesitated slightly, “we may not necessarily lose.”
Luo An raised an eyebrow: What does this mean?
An Liangchen explained, "When Xu Sheng destroyed Xiling, he didn't really fight; he used unconventional and skillful tactics. That approach definitely wouldn't work against Dongyang."
Over the years, Dongyang has accumulated rich practical experience against both the Northern Desert and the Northern Rou. In a real battle, Xu Sheng might not necessarily have the advantage. The Northern Rou has been destroyed, and their forces have all returned; we are not afraid of them.”
An Liangchen's explanation is reasonable, but Dongyang may or may not lose; the most likely outcome is that both sides will suffer heavy losses.
Luo An ate half a bowl of rice, then stood up, wanting to return to Xi Zhai.
An Liangchen said, "You can stay here. Nanhua isn't in a good mood. Talk to her tomorrow. She trusts you a lot, considering how you've taken care of Nanfei all these years."
Seeing the exhaustion on An Liangchen's face, Luo An couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder: "Okay. You're tired, you should get some rest too."
An Liangchen twitched the corner of his mouth, muttered something under his breath, and left before Luo An could react.
Luo An returned to his room and stood there for a while; the autumn night was chilly. As he closed the window, he suddenly came to his senses.
An Liangchen said, "I really envy you."
Envy him? What is there to envy about him? He clearly has parents, yet he lives like an orphan; he clearly can speak, yet he has always been mute.
As Luo An leaned against the window, a thought suddenly popped into his head: "If Dongyang wins, will he be happy?"
Luo An is a member of the Dongyang royal family and will not stand idly by while Nan Yue destroys Dongyang. Conversely, what if Dongyang wins?
If he were still on Chongming Island, he would surely respond with indifference and disdain: "What does it have to do with me?"
But now, when it might actually happen, Luo An suddenly became uncertain: that was Nan Yue, which his mother had abandoned her husband and children and endured countless hardships to obtain.
Then there's Nianyao. The Xue family didn't really show up much during her childhood. But Nianyao inexplicably favored Nanyue.
Time flies; it's been a long time since they last saw each other. I wonder how she's doing on Chongming Island? Doesn't she plan to come to Dongyang to find him?
An Liangchen stood outside Fanghua Tower for a long time, feeling as if her legs weighed a ton. Family matters, national affairs... there were countless things to deal with every day, seemingly never stopping.
An Liangchen had known about Nanfei and Yuan Feng's affair for a long time. These days, he dared not see Nanhua.
There were even rumors in the palace that he would avoid Nanhua whenever he saw her. Now that it's out in the open, he should feel relieved, but instead, he feels exhausted.
There had been difficult times before, but An Liangchen had never felt as tired as he did now. He wondered if he was getting old.
Seeing that An Liangchen had been standing for quite some time, Dexi advised, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess should rest now. Why don't you come again tomorrow..."
An Liangchen took a deep breath, as if to gather his courage, before stepping inside.
Jun Xinyue sat on the edge of the bed, propping her chin up with her hand, looking at Nanhua on the bed. Nanhua was sleeping restlessly, occasionally muttering in his sleep, and Jun Xinyue would gently pat him twice.
An Liangchen watched for a while, then quietly slipped out. When Jun Xinyue turned around in surprise, he was already outside.
Jun Xinyue chased after him: "Your Highness!"
An Liangchen said, "Thank you for your hard work, sister-in-law. You should rest early too. The deceased are gone, but the living must go on. We must all live well so as not to let Nanfei and Yuanfeng down."
Jun Xinyue nodded: "Your Highness is too kind. We are all family. Your Highness should also get some rest and not overwork yourself."
Jun Xinyue watched An Liangchen leave, thinking to herself: I heard that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess's relationship has not been good since the Crown Prince took a concubine, but it seems that this is not the case.
An Liangchen was a light sleeper and woke up at the slightest noise outside. He sat up before his eyes were fully open and asked, "What's wrong?"
The palace servant on night duty immediately announced, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess has arrived."
Before dawn, Nan Hua's face was as cold as the night air before the palace gates. Jun Xin Yue stood behind Nan Hua, carrying a lantern.
An Liangchen walked out barefoot, wearing only a thin undergarment.
A palace maid, clutching his clothes and shoes, followed behind him, saying, "Your Highness, be careful not to catch a cold."
Nan Hua's heart softened instantly. They had known each other for many years, but this was the first time he had seen An Liangchen in such a hurried and rushed manner.