Chapter 171 Invitation

Chapter 171: The Invitation

Early in the morning, Liu Qingci arrived at the Hanlin Academy on time and checked in.

There had been no major affairs at court recently, and the duties at the academy were considerably lighter than usual.

After finishing the pressing matters in the morning, he took an invitation letter from a brocade box on his shelf, held it in his hand, and walked out.

He walked through two covered walkways to where the editors worked.

Liu Qingci scanned the hall and quickly spotted someone by the window.

Chen Huaian was hunched over a pile of open old books and notes, his brows slightly furrowed.

Liu Qingci called him out.

Once they reached the corridor, Chen Huaian was about to bow: “Lord Liu…”

“No need for formalities when it’s just us.”

Chen Huaian lowered his hand, smiled, and asked, “Qingci, what’s going on?”

Liu Qingci handed him the elegant red invitation in his hand.

He cleared his throat, his voice a little awkward: “I’ve come to deliver an invitation. Next month, on the fifteenth… I’m getting married.”

“Getting married?” Chen Huaian’s eyes went wide as saucers, and the invitation shook in his hand.

Like he hadn’t heard right, or couldn’t believe his ears, he stared incredulously at Liu Qingci’s overly calm face, his voice getting louder without him realizing as he repeated, every word full of shock: “Getting married?!!!”

“Qingci?!” Chen Huaian stammered, leaning in like he was looking for any sign of a joke, “Are you serious? Not joking? You’re getting married? When was the betrothal arranged? How come I didn’t hear a single word about this?!”

“Ahem… well… this is really sudden,” Liu Qingci said.

Chen Huaian fell into thought.

Liu Qingci? Getting married?

That man who was always aloof and self-restrained, wasn’t interested in women, had never been known to associate with any young lady, and even his family hadn’t even pressured him about it—Liu Qingci?!

As Chen Huaian thought, it suddenly hit him.

“Oh, right!” A lightbulb went off. “Is this from that time I covered for you? You said you were staying at my place, but you were actually sneaking off to meet someone?!”

Liu Qingci: “…”

He never knew Chen Huaian talked this much.

“Then you’d better marry the girl fast…” Chen Huaian muttered.

As he spoke, he gave him a pretty reproachful look.

Like, “I never took you for that kinda guy!”

Liu Qingci: “…”

He took a deep breath: “Huai'an, please stop imagining things.”

Chen Huaian quickly shook his head and waved his hand: “I’m not thinking anything.”

“But Qingci, your marriage is a wonderful thing! Congratulations! So, which noble lady caught your eye? She must be talented, gorgeous, and really classy, huh?”

Liu Qingci thought for a moment: “I guess so.”

In his heart, Xiao Yan fully deserved the titles of “talented and beautiful” and “noble character.” Except he wasn’t a lady—he was a prince, way more high-class than any noble family.

Chen Huaian began to speculate excitedly, quickly going through all the eligible daughters of good families in the capital who might be a match for Liu Qingci.

The more he thought, the more he felt that, given Liu Qingci’s standards and the Liu family’s status, the other person had to be really something special.

Seeing how worked up Chen Huaian was, Liu Qingci decided it was better to tell him the truth now.

That way, he wouldn’t be so shocked at the wedding he’d drop his jaw.

“Huai'an, actually, the person I’m marrying is Xiao Yan,” Liu Qingci said, taking a breath and saying honestly.

Chen Huaian blinked curiously: “Oh! Xiao…”

As the word “Xiao” left his mouth, his first thought was: Did Qingci just tell me his fiancée’s first name?

That seemed a bit improper, didn’t it? After all, men and women had distinctions; you don’t just throw around a girl’s name, especially before she was married.

He decided to pretend he didn’t hear the name.

“Is she a Miss Xiao from a noble family?” he pondered. “Which big family in the capital has the surname Xiao…”

“Wait, isn’t Xiao the imperial surname?!” Chen Huaian finally reacted and asked again, “What did you say the name is again?”

Liu Qingci repeated patiently: “Xiao Yan.”

Chen Huaian gasped, frozen in place as if struck by lightning.

It was dead silent in the corridor, only the rustle of bamboo leaves in the wind, which now seemed exceptionally clear and even somewhat jarring.

The name Xiao Yan was familiar—too familiar!

Prince Yu, Xiao Yan—whether in the capital or at court, in the past or the present, he was an extremely prominent figure.

Even though Chen Huaian was just a minor official, the prince’s name was like thunder in his ears; it was impossible not to know it!

He barely found his voice, but each word came out with great difficulty, with a last shred of desperate hope: “Qingci, did you just say… His Highness Prince Yu? Xiao Yan? Same name? Or did I hear wrong? How is that possible… Haha, this isn’t funny, haha…”

But Liu Qingci simply looked at him calmly and offered a smile.

Chen Huaian: “…”

For the entire afternoon, Chen Huaian remained in a state of extreme shock, absentmindedly turning the wedding invitation over and over.

No mistake—the names Xiao Yan and Liu Qingci were side by side on the red invitation, followed by the four characters “Date of the Wedding Ceremony.”

By late afternoon, Chen Huaian was ready to pack up and go home.

He drifted out of the Hanlin Academy gate, still dazed.

The setting sun’s afterglow stung his eyes, and he instinctively raised his hand to shield them, his gaze unconsciously sweeping across the relatively open space in front of the gate.

In the open area stood a carriage from the Prince Yu’s mansion, and beside the carriage, two figures stood side by side.

It's Brother Qingci, and... Prince Yu, Xiao Yan.

Chen Huaian had never seen Prince Yu before, but he had heard of him.

According to popular rumors, Prince Yu was a ruthless figure who made people tremble at the mention of his name.

In short, he was supposed to look terrifying.

But at this moment, the Prince Yu, dressed in his princely robes, exuded nothing but an imposing air of refined nobility, his features gentle.

He was with his head slightly bowed, as if speaking softly to Liu Qingci beside him, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips.

Liu Qingci, in turn, tilted his face slightly upward, listening to Xiao Yan, the warm glow of the sunset reflected in his eyes—that look was no longer his usual cool detachment, but one of complete ease, even carrying a hint of soft dependence.

Xiao Yan finished speaking, then raised his hand, naturally using his fingertips to tuck a stray strand of Liu Qingci's hair, blown by the evening breeze, behind his ear—a gesture of practiced intimacy.

Liu Qingci seemed to be tickled by the subtle touch; he tilted his head slightly, looked up, and pressed his lips together as he gazed at Xiao Yan.

That expression... held an indescribable trace of adorable meekness.

Xiao Yan seemed captivated by the sight of Liu Qingci like this; his Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes locked onto him, staring intently.

Without a second thought, he lowered his head and planted a quick kiss on Liu Qingci's lips.

Chen Huaian, standing not far away: It felt like he'd gone blind!