Having sat in the carriage for more than ten days in a row, Wei Lanxin wondered what kind of husband she was going to marry in the capital city of Luo.
Since she could remember, she had lived in the beautiful city of Hang. Although she didn't know what her father and mother looked like, she was surrounded by extremely loving maternal grandparents.
Especially when she felt lonely and scared, her dearest sixth brother Wei Jingmo was always there to comfort and accompany her, so she didn't feel so alone or afraid anymore.
"What did mom look like?"
As a child, whenever Wei Lanxin missed her mother, she would ask her sixth brother such a question.
"Mom was very beautiful, the most beautiful mother in the world." Her sixth brother would hold her in his arms, comforting her lovingly.
"What did dad look like?"
"Dad was very capable, the most loving dad in the world," said the sixth brother.
"Did dad and mom like me?"
"Of course they did!" her sixth brother firmly affirmed.
"Then why did they send us to Hang city?"
"Because our maternal grandparents live in Hang city. Our maternal grandfather is a distinguished gentleman in Hang city, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and medical skills, unmatched by ordinary people. Our grandmother, in her youth, was renowned for her exceptional dance skills. In Hang city, your brother can learn profound skills, and you can master amazing dance skills," her sixth brother seriously explained to her.
"Why have our parents never visited us?"
"Because...they don't have the time. When they are no longer busy, they will certainly come to take us back to Luo," the sixth brother comforted Wei Lanxin, but he often looked up and frowned, deep in thought.
Seeing the far-off look in her sixth brother's eyes, Wei Lanxin knew that, just like her, he too greatly missed their parents.
"In fact, I don't want to go to Luo City. I like Hang City, where my maternal grandparents live," expressed the deepest sentiment of Wei Lanxin.
"Mmm, then we won't go," Brother Liu would always answer, looking down at her with a gentle smile.
"But, Little Xin is to marry into Luo City in the future. Little Xin doesn't want to leave Brother Liu!" Thinking of her lifelong marriage arrangement in Luo City, agreed upon her birth, Wei Lanxin would always sob sorrowfully in Brother Liu's presence.
"Silly girl, don't cry! Look, you become even uglier when you cry... How about this, after you marry into Luo City, Brother Liu will come find you. Wherever silly girl goes, Brother Liu will follow!"
"Really? Will Brother Liu always stay with Little Xin?" Wei Lanxin asked, tearfully looking at Brother Liu.
"Yes, Brother Liu will always stay with the silly girl!"
"Silly Girl", is Brother Liu's special nickname for her and he called her that since they were young.
Everyone in Hang City speaks highly of Wei Lanxin's beauty, saying she must be a fairy who mistakenly entered the mortal world, otherwise how could she be so beautiful?
But in Brother Liu's eyes, she was just the "Silly Girl", who always cried, constantly wearing a pitiful expression.
Every time she cried, Brother Liu would raise a hand, lovingly using his thumb to gently wipe away her tears, and the backs of his remaining four fingers to gently wipe the other side of her face.
Wei Lanxin would then burst out laughing. With Brother Liu by her side, the world always seemed so warm, so reassuring.
Often, she would lean on Brother Liu, sweetly falling asleep. She'd have unshed tears on her eyelashes, yet her lips would curve in a happy smile...
However, at the moment, Wei Lanxin found it hard to sleep while leaning against the lightly shaking carriage wall, her heart filled with restlessness and anxiety.
It was already the third month of spring, a time when the grass grows and orioles sing.
On the mountain road, three horse carriages under the escort of more than 20 guards were driving urgently. Luo City, the capital of the East Emperor Kingdom, is slowly approaching.
"I've heard the Crown Prince's talents are legendary, not to mention his extraordinary good looks!" The words of Qianhong, who sat next to her, brought Wei Lanxin's thoughts back from her longing for the Sixth Brother and her grandparents.
The current Crown Prince, Xuanyuan Ming, was the man she was betrothed to.
"Miss, even if you cannot become the Crown Princess, being able to marry the Crown Prince is a huge blessing! Once the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, you'd be the Empress!" Danzi, the chatty companion at her side, exclaimed.
"Danzi, what nonsense are you talking about! Who said that the Miss can't become the Crown Princess? The Emperor himself arranged the marriage between the Miss and the Crown Prince!" Qianhong lightly reprimanded her.
"Betrothal doesn't necessarily mean she'll be the Crown Princess!" Danzi looked at Wei Lanxin and boldly retorted, "At the time of their betrothal, the Emperor was not yet the Emperor, and the Crown Prince was not yet the Crown Prince..."
"That's enough, can the two of you let me have some peace?"
Wei Lanxin softly cut in, putting an immediate stop to Qianhong and Danzi's unending argument.
Both of them stuck out their tongues and remained silent.
The carriage returned to quiet. Looking out at the slowly passing landscapes of green mountains and clear waters, Wei Lanxin fell into deep contemplation.
That's right, she was soon to marry the Crown Prince, but would she become the Crown Princess, or just a concubine? This was a question she had never considered in all her years.