Chapter 428: Naranru Song 02

Name：The Girl Who Struggled Through Palace Intrigues to Become the Empress Author：
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Chapter 428

Seeing her young mistress hurry away, Xiao Liu'er followed along closely behind, nagging,

"Miss, what are you running from? It's been two months since Prince An last visited our manor. Even if you're shy, you should still go greet him."

She chattered on as she pushed open the boudoir door.

There, Ru Ge was putting finishing touches to her makeup in front of the vanity mirror, fixing her hair bun.

In her flustered state, she still turned to ask Xiao Liu'er,

"Xiao Liu'er, do I look presentable?"

Xiao Liu'er stared at Ru Ge, momentarily dazed.

"Miss, you look so beautiful! As pretty as a fairy!"

Ru Ge blushed and said, "You flatter me."

After finishing her makeup, Ru Ge hurried to the main hall.

As soon as she entered, Nalan Cuo smiled at her,

"Rongrong is here."

Rongrong was Nalan Ruge's pet name.

Normally, Nalan Cuo wouldn't address her so informally in front of outsiders.

But for the Nalan family, Xiao Jingyan was never considered an outsider.

Ru Ge's face flushed like a peach blossom. She first softly called out "Father", then curtseyed to Xiao Jingyan, sweetly saying,

"Greetings, Prince An."

At that moment, Xiao Jingyan was admiring a new painting by Nalan Cuo.

Upon Ru Ge's greeting, he merely glanced at her politely and smiled, dismissively saying,

She stood on tiptoe, glancing wistfully toward the hall once more before reluctantly walking away, full of anticipation.

Back in the hall, however, Xiao Jingyan was telling Nalan Cuo,

"With Ru Ge's beauty and talents, she is sure to be chosen in the palace selection. Brother Nalan need not worry."

The already troubled Nalan Cuo looked even more despondent upon hearing this.

"What the Prince says is not what this subject hopes, but rather fears. Forgive my blunt words, but if the young miss is chosen, the consorts in the palace... I've heard enough rumors to be wary. My daughter has been sheltered since young, naive to human conduct. If she offends someone unintentionally in the palace, what then?"

"Brother Nalan need not worry over this," Xiao Jingyan reassured him. "The Empress currently rules the harem with benevolence and discipline, having purged the palace's improper practices. With her in charge, she would never let Ru Ge be wronged."

"Alas..."

Nalan Cuo didn't respond, only sighing deeply, as if burdened by some unspeakable troubles.

Xiao Jingyan had never seen him so tongue-tied before, so he asked,

"Brother Nalan seems to have encountered difficulties? We are close friends - if there are troubles, feel free to speak plainly. Let me see if I can offer any assistance."

Nalan Cuo seemed to struggle with how to voice his request. After hesitating, he steeled himself and said,

"This subject has an audacious request... I wish to ask the Prince to take Ru Ge as a spouse!"

"Me?" Xiao Jingyan was astonished, thinking it was merely a jest. He couldn't help but laugh. "Brother Nalan jests with me?"

But Nalan Cuo maintained a solemn expression.

"This matter concerning my daughter's future is no jesting issue. To be frank with the Prince, my wife suffers from a grave illness with not many months left. We have kept this from Ru Ge, but now the palace selection draws near. If she is chosen to remain in the palace, it may be the last we see of each other... As a contingency, the only way to prevent my wife from dying without seeing our daughter again is for the Prince to take Ru Ge as a spouse."

He spoke through tears, even preparing to kneel before Xiao Jingyan.

Xiao Jingyan quickly helped Nalan Cuo up, saying sternly,

"Brother Nalan must not do this. If you worry about Mrs. Nalan passing without seeing Ru Ge again, that need not concern you. Should Mrs. Nalan's condition worsen, I can request the Emperor to allow Ru Ge leave to visit. But to ask me to take her as a spouse..."

Xiao Jingyan shook his head firmly.

"I have someone else in my heart, and have vowed to myself never to marry another. Moreover, I am nine years Ru Ge's senior and have watched her grow up, seeing her as a younger relation. For me to take her as a spouse would truly be a disservice to her future."