Xiao Changyi’s cool lips curled into a smile that he could hardly suppress, and after he kissed An Jing on the lips again, Xiao Changyi finally withdrew his arms from around An Jing, picked up a brush, and with a bold and vigorous stroke, he wrote "To grow old together" in swirling characters.
That wasn’t all, beneath those words, Xiao Changyi also inscribed their names, An Jing’s and his own. Although their names were much smaller than the phrase "To grow old together," Xiao Changyi stamped his own thumbprint next to them.
The bright red thumbprint on the paper was exceptionally conspicuous.
An Jing watched her husband with a smile, dipped her thumb in the ink pad, and then pressed her own thumbprint next to Xiao Changyi’s.
On the paper, two crimson thumbprints symbolized you and me, growing old together and never to part.
Xiao Changyi wrapped his arms around An Jing’s waist from behind, and An Jing leaned back into his embrace as they both stood in front of the desk. One barely wore a smile on their lips, and the other’s face was bright with it. They first exchanged glances, and then both their gazes settled on the phrase on the desk that now bore both of their thumbprints.
In peaceful times, you and I find tranquility.
At that moment, the Chamberlain of Fenghua Palace reported from outside the door, "Prince, Princess, Prime Minister’s daughter Miss Li Wuyu has arrived."
Li Wuyu was invited to the palace by An Jing, who couldn’t miss the opportunity to see her disciple several times after having made the trip to the Capital.
Upon hearing Li Wuyu had come, An Jing pulled Xiao Changyi with her out of the study to meet Li Wuyu in the main hall of Fenghua Palace.
As soon as Li Wuyu saw them, she intended to perform a deep bow, following protocol, but An Jing prevented it. Thus, Li Wuyu naturally refrained and instead called out as informally as she had back in Hecheng County, "Master, Master Father."
The three of them took their seats.
After the palace maids brought tea, An Jing signaled for all the attendants to leave.
Once everyone had left, Li Wuyu whispered to An Jing with a hint of mystery, "Master, I heard that Princess Linghe has fallen ill, but I don’t know with what."
An Jing nonchalantly tossed a plum into her mouth, eating it while saying, "Whatever her illness might be, she just better not come to trouble me again. If she does, I’m sorry, but I won’t hesitate to deal with her harshly."
Li Wuyu expressed her admiration, "Master, you’re really domineering!"
An Jing smiled and replied, "With my husband’s status being so elevated, how could I not be domineering? How else could I be worthy of him?"
Before Li Wuyu could respond, Xiao Changyi spoke in a calm voice, "In this world, only you and I are worthy of each other."
An Jing instantly flashed a sweet smile, feeling even sweeter inside.
As she was unexpectedly showered with an affectionate display from her usually aloof Master Father, Li Wuyu, the single woman, felt both envy and as if she were a third wheel. It seemed as though the atmosphere belonged only to her master and her master father, as if she had no place there.
Just then, the Chamberlain of Fenghua Palace hurried back to report, "Reporting to the Prince, the Prince of Pingjun seeks an audience."
Xiao Changyi spoke without hesitation, "Deny him."
"Understood." The Chamberlain quickly retreated, diplomatically conveying the Prince’s message for the Prince of Pingjun, who was waiting at the door of Fenghua Palace, to leave.
Of course, this was done in a tactful manner.
As Li Wuyu watched the Chamberlain exit, she gave her Master Father a thumbs up.
But after a moment, Li Wuyu seemed to have a realization, extending not one but two thumbs up towards An Jing.
Her Master had managed to handle even the difficult King of Eternal Victory—truly worthy of being a master!
Watching Li Wuyu hold up two thumbs towards her, An Jing didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.