USWHC -Chapter 449 How Could You Forget Me? (Part 9)

The sky was a clear, endless blue. A lone eagle soared high, wings outstretched toward the sun. A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers.

Princess Lanqin gazed upward at the sky, but for some reason, her brows furrowed slightly.

“Eighth sister, don’t be troubled. Come, have a seat!” Princess Lanxin called from behind with a warm smile.

Before Lanqin could turn around, Princess Lanyi giggled, “What’s there to be worried about, Jinghan? I think you’re the happiest in this palace. You snuck out for a bit, and Father didn’t even scold you—who else could be so lucky?”

“Not scolded? Father actually had me under house arrest for over a month!” Lanxin said with a pained look.

“Fourth sister is just biased. She’s always protected you since childhood!” Lanyi pouted adorably, though the gesture only made her cuter.

Lanqin suddenly reached out, gently poking Lanyi’s chubby little cheek. “Look at you, still envious? I only have Fourth Sister protecting me, but you have your mother watching over you. That’s something even we can’t envy!” She then warmly linked arms with Lanxin, and the two shared a soft smile.

“Tch, no matter how good Mother is, she can’t compare to Father’s care!” Lanyi continued pouting.

Lanxin spoke softly, “At least you have Mother to protect you. You won’t be married off carelessly.” Her voice carried a faint sorrow.

“Fourth sister… is Fourth brother still unkind to you?” Lanqin asked quietly.

“Still the same… I just treat it as my debt to him,” Lanxin sighed.

Lanqin felt a pang of sadness. She squeezed her sister’s hand tightly and said, “Fourth sister, you’ve had it hard. Why don’t I go to your residence and stay with you for a few days?”

“Ah… having a sister like you who knows my heart so well is wonderful!” Lanxin choked back tears. “I just don’t know how long these good days will last.”

Lanqin didn’t respond. She lowered her head, pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently placed it into Lanxin’s hand. Only when Lanxin saw it did she realize she had been crying.

She hurriedly lifted the handkerchief to hide her face, her voice hoarse, “Are you really going to marry into the Qi Kingdom? Is there no other way?”

“I’m not going. Do you want Lanyi to go instead?” Lanqin said, glancing at Lanyi beside her.

Startled that her name was mentioned, Lanyi stammered, “Jinghan, please don’t say such things. I’m still young!”

“Compared to a forty-six-year-old, we’re all young!” Lanxin snapped irritably. “I heard he’s on his last legs!”

“Ah? Who said that?” Lanyi blinked, her big eyes both curious and anxious.

“Who else but that person!” Lanxin sneered. “He’s at home every day wishing that the old man in Qi would hurry up and die!”

“Eh… Fourth brother! That can’t be true!” Lanyi said, disappointed.

Lanxin continued firmly, “It’s hard to say. I heard that Qi’s administration has been changing rapidly, but they’re keeping it under wraps.”

“He’s only forty-six… it can’t be that serious!” Lanyi muttered under her breath.

“I also heard the old man in Qi is sick,” Lanqin suddenly said. “Even if he’s sick, he won’t just stay put!”

Clearly, she wasn’t as happy as she had claimed in front of the late emperor; she was likely anticipating something.

“Hehe, then it should happen soon! Don’t let Jinghan just marry off and—” Lanyi suddenly covered her mouth, laughing nervously. “Oh, I shouldn’t have said that. Don’t take me seriously!” But even covering her mouth, she couldn’t stop the soft giggles.

Lanxin immediately frowned, displeased. “Don’t listen to her! Chatterbox!”

Lanqin, however, suddenly smiled. “What’s so bad about it?”

Hearing this, Lanxin widened her eyes, but when she saw Lanqin’s face filled with melancholy, she realized how much her younger sister had changed in just half a year—she seemed to be hiding a secret!