Anqi looked at An Youyou with tearful eyes, truly on the verge of breaking down, "Youyou, I’ve really had enough. I really don’t want to keep this unresolved entanglement with Luming; I’m really tired..."

An Youyou pressed her lips together.

There were many things she wanted to say.

Like why didn’t she listen to her advice, and insist on provoking her brother?

Like why couldn’t she be a bit more forgiving for the sake of the sibling bond between them?

Like why couldn’t she give her brother a little more time?

Perhaps, maybe he would agree in a few days.

But ultimately, what’s done is done, and blaming won’t help, it will only hurt each other’s feelings.

After all, she has always treated Anqi as her own sister.

Anqi is upset, and she doesn’t have the heart to make her feel worse.

"Don’t cry." An Youyou comforted, "After what happened today between you and my brother, there shouldn’t be any follow-up between you two."

Anqi looked at An Youyou, somewhat incredulous, shaking her head, "Would Luming really let go? I feel more and more like I don’t understand Luming anymore. I always thought he’d listen to whatever I said, but now I feel powerless in front of him. I don’t know what Luming is really thinking?"

"It’s not that you don’t know, it’s just that you’re no longer putting your heart into him." An Youyou stated bluntly.

Anqi was slightly taken aback.

She looked at An Youyou, able to sense a hint of emotion in Youyou’s tone.

She bit her lip, "Youyou, do you also think I’m being too harsh on Luming?"

An Youyou remained silent.

Silence meant consent.

"Do you know what it feels like to love someone? To love someone is to want to be with them forever, and not accept anyone trying to ruin that relationship." Anqi explained, somewhat agitated.

"I know." An Youyou answered, "It’s the same with An Ji and me. I know very well how much I love him, but I didn’t rush to follow him to Beiyuan, because I know my father and mother won’t accept our relationship."

Anqi looked at An Youyou, for the first time feeling that this girl who had always been unruly and mischievous, always needing her care and protection, seemed to have suddenly grown up.

"What I’m thinking now is how to get my father and mother to accept me going to Beiyuan, how to balance the relationship between them and An Ji, how to prevent truly loving parents from being heartbroken or utterly disappointed, rather than forcing them to accept my feelings in the most extreme way! I know very well, if I threatened with my life, they would have no choice but to give in! But I can’t do it." An Youyou looked at Anqi, "Because family love is the greatest and most selfless existence in this world, and I should not repay their love with resentment."

Anqi felt uncomfortable after being spoken to by An Youyou.

She naturally knew that An Youyou’s words were disapproving of her actions today, even blaming her.

But she didn’t feel that she was wrong.

Luming is different from her father and mother.

Luming’s feelings for her are just selfishness on his part.

"Youyou, you’re still on Luming’s side." Anqi said, "After all, you are siblings..."

An Youyou looked at Anqi, dazed.

She felt a wave of emotion.

She had never considered Anqi an outsider, never.

After learning about Anqi’s feelings for the Imperial Uncle, her primary concern was Anqi, not her brother.

It’s just that what Anqi did today was truly inappropriate, that’s why she stood on neutral ground and said a few things.

"Sister Anqi, do you know why you can’t trust my brother, can’t trust that he’d voluntarily fulfill your wishes with the Imperial Uncle? Or even trust that our whole family would help you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have acted so extremely today." An Youyou said, "Deep down, you never really considered yourself part of our family."

Anqi bit her lip.

She didn’t exclude them as family.

She had always been grateful that the Empress brought her back and gave her everything she has now. She stayed in the Imperial Palace for Luming to contribute to the family, if she didn’t truly integrate into this family, why would she go to such lengths?!

"You’re just repaying a debt of gratitude." An Youyou said.

As if seeing through Anqi’s thoughts.

"But our whole family truly considers you as part of the family." An Youyou finished, standing up from the bed, "And I hope you truly see us as family. I won’t disturb Sister Anqi’s rest any longer."