AEKMEM chapter 55

The new prophecy about the elves—”His Highness the Crown Prince will soon meet the real elf”—has had a far greater impact than An Qiao anticipated.

Previously, the prophecy only said that the elf was in Blue Star City. Though some found it hard to believe, they couldn’t help but pay attention.

Now, the prophecy states that His Highness the Crown Prince will soon meet the real elf—and Crown Prince Chu Heng is in Blue Star City right now. Doesn’t that seem to match up?

Furthermore, both prophecies indicate that the elf is in Blue Star City, which makes the prophecy much more credible.

With the presence of Chu Heng, the “Crown Prince,” the prophecy seems even more credible. With his aura, it seems unsurprising that he would meet an elf.

Many secretly marveled at the incredible luck of Crown Prince Chu Heng, who was about to meet an elf. Although Chu Heng could secure his position as crown prince without the elf’s support, meeting and befriending an elf would undoubtedly be a bonus.

After all, elves hold a very high status in the empire, and their abilities are quite wondrous. Befriending an elf would definitely be worthwhile. Even just meeting an elf inspired envy and jealousy.

After all, that was an elf!

The Empire hasn’t seen any elves for many years!

Of course, some people find this prophecy unbelievable—or rather, are unwilling to believe it. If Chu Heng truly has the elves’ support, what can they compete with?

Ironically, despite deceiving themselves into believing the prophecy was unbelievable, they still sent people to Blue Star City.

An Qiao originally thought few people would believe such a dubious prophecy.

But, in those few days, he saw more and more people clearly there for the elves flooding into Blue Star City.

Truthfully, An Qiao somewhat underestimated the importance of the elves to the Empire and to any faction.

Driven by personal motives and Emperor Chu Zhengming’s orders, Adjutant Jiang Qi would frequently and subtly remind Chu Heng to go out more and try his luck at encountering an elf.

If he didn’t want to go out and stumble upon an elf, was he supposed to wait for one to fall from the sky and come to him?

He even secretly approached An Qiao, saying, “An Qiao, why don’t you help persuade His Highness the Crown Prince? He listens to you.”

An Qiao: “… ”

Regarding the prophecy, An Qiao asked Chu Heng, “What are your thoughts on the prophecy that you will see a real elf?”

As far as he knew, Emperor Chu Zhengming had ordered Chu Heng to search for the elf. Many in Chu Heng’s camp, including his adjutant Jiang Qi, harbored high hopes that he would find the elf first and gain its support.

If Chu Heng really wanted to find the elf…

An Qiao’s thick, curled eyelashes drooped slightly, obscuring the emotions in his eyes.

Chu Heng: “… ”

He almost thought An Qiao had seen through something.

Seeing An Qiao in his elf form was what he longed for, of course.

After all, he had only ever seen An Qiao’s elf form from afar, never up close.

However, the thought of An Qiao knowing that he had long seen through his elf identity but was hiding it from him maliciously—

—made him somewhat hesitant.

After hesitating for a while, he answered, “If the elf is willing, seeing the elf would be wonderful. However, given this prophecy, it would be too conspicuous to see the elf now.”

He still wanted to see the elf. But for now, he’d better not.

What if An Qiao found out that he had seen through his disguise but was hiding it from him on purpose? What if he ignored him in a fit of anger? How would he win him back?

He should wait until he formally confesses and their relationship deepens before letting An Qiao know.

An Qiao was somewhat surprised.

Chu Heng is fearless and rebellious. When did he become afraid of being in the spotlight?

Since Chu Heng said so, however, the idea of creating a separate “elf identity” has been temporarily shelved.

**

That evening at six o’clock, Yin Que and Shen You hosted a dinner at the prestigious Lanting Garden in Blue Star City.

After disembarking from the aircraft, they walked through flower-lined corridors. They were about to enter the agreed-upon courtyard when Chu Heng, eager for this moment, quietly reached out to take An Qiao’s hand.

It was the first time he had officially held Qiao Qiao’s hand.

He really wanted to hold hands like this forever.

When he met An Qiao’s sidelong glance, he felt a little uneasy but smiled out loud. “Qiao Qiao, we’re about to meet my friend. We can’t act too distant, right?”

“But we haven’t met him yet.” An Qiao raised an eyebrow slightly.

Chu Heng’s scorching-hot hand grasped his slightly cool wrist, making his heart tremble.

This unfamiliar feeling made him uncomfortable.

However, he didn’t pull away.

“Waiting until after we meet to act would give us away.” Chu Heng held his hand without letting go, gripping it tighter.

Pushing open the courtyard gate revealed a garden full of greenery and flowers.

“…Tsk. We agreed that whoever got a partner first would be a dog, but this guy, Chu Heng…” Yin Que complained about Chu Heng to Shen You in the corridor. Suddenly, his hand trembled and his voice stopped the moment his eyes caught sight of Chu Heng.

How did Chu Heng manage to come? He hadn’t said anything he wasn’t supposed to, had he?

Seeing Chu Heng and An Qiao holding hands as they approached, Yin Que thought to himself, They’re holding hands, yet they say they haven’t expressed their feelings. If they don’t have feelings for each other, then they’re acting too professionally.

He’d bet those two actually have feelings for each other. But Chu Heng is a love-struck idiot who hesitated and cautiously expressed his feelings, preventing the thin, almost transparent veil from being pierced.

Shen You also saw Chu Heng and An Qiao.

Yes, they came in hand in hand—

Their relationship must be quite good. No wonder they’re the empire’s famously loving couple.

Not long ago, Chu Heng had asked Shen You how to appease his partner after making them angry. Shen You had suggested, “A quarrel in bed is made up in bed.” Now it seems they’ve already made up.

However, he must admit that, although he knew Chu Heng and his partner had a good relationship, seeing them so affectionate still shocked him somewhat.

In his impression, Chu Heng had always been rather cold, unyielding, and rebellious. He had previously declared that he would never find a partner. He never expected that he would act so clingy after getting a partner.

An Qiao also saw Yin Que and Shen You.

Yin Que had arrogant red hair and looked somewhat unreliable. He had a fiery, passionate, and flamboyant personality—no wonder he had been so enthusiastic in his criticism of Chu Heng earlier.

Shen You, on the other hand, was a stark contrast to Yin Que. He was calm and reserved, exuding a gentle and refined aura. He didn’t seem like a businessman; he looked more like a scholar or researcher.

“Hello.” To prevent Chu Heng from dwelling on his earlier sarcastic remark, Yin Que smiled and addressed An Qiao first. “You must be An Qiao, whom Chu Heng has mentioned so many times.”

“Indeed, seeing is believing,” he said, lavishing praise. “Such an elegant and refined demeanor. No wonder our Crown Prince is captivated.”

Considering his effusive praise, Chu Heng decided to let bygones be bygones regarding his earlier complaint.

Of course, his praise was genuine.

Up close, An Qiao was even more breathtakingly beautiful.

He was truly worthy of having captured Chu Heng’s heart.

Chu Heng used to be so steadfast in his belief that “without love in one’s heart, battle is naturally divine!” He arrogantly declared that he would never find a partner.

Now, however, he longs to be with his wife every moment.

**

Of course, dinner and drinks are an essential part of any gathering.

After the introductions and pleasantries, the four of them began their dinner and chatted as they ate.

“Are you here in Blue Star City for your honeymoon? Have you thought about taking advantage of your honeymoon to visit a few more places?” Shen You, unaware of Chu Heng and An Qiao’s true relationship, suggested enthusiastically.

Seeing that Chu Heng, who seemed destined to be single forever, had finally found a partner he genuinely loved, Shen You naturally wanted to help.

Chu Heng’s eyes suddenly lit up.

That’s right! How had he not thought of a honeymoon?

Then, he looked at An Qiao expectantly. “Qiao Qiao, what do you think?”

An Qiao: “… ”

Wasn’t it a bit too early for Chu Heng to be thinking about a honeymoon? He realized that they hadn’t actually talked about it yet.

However, thinking about how they were currently playing the role of a loving married couple so diligently, An Qiao calmly and gracefully picked up a piece of shredded pork with garlic sauce. “I can consider this.”

“Anyway, it’s just talk for now.”

But Chu Heng clearly took it to heart and asked persistently and eagerly: “Then, Qiao Qiao, what kind of place do you like for our honeymoon?”

An Qiao met his bright, deep rose-colored eyes, which seemed to burn with intensity, and paused for a moment.

“We can’t just consider what I like,” he said.

“That’s right, that’s right!” Yin Que chimed in. “It’s a honeymoon. Of course, you both have to like the place.”

**

An Qiao realized belatedly that he might have drunk a bit too much.

He enjoyed fine wine, and while his tolerance wasn’t high, it wasn’t low, either. In the elven world, he could sip several glasses of wine leisurely and elegantly without appearing tipsy.

But now, after only one glass, he felt something was wrong.

The wine in this world seemed exceptionally mellow, quite different from the wine in the elven world.

Moreover, it wasn’t just the slight intoxication that was off.

He also had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to control himself if he turned back into an elf.

These past few days, in his eagerness to quickly regain his magic power, he had absorbed a large amount of energy crystal, which made his internal energy somewhat uncontrollable.

Now, on top of that, he was slightly drunk.

An Qiao closed his eyes in annoyance and took a deep breath.

He wished he hadn’t indulged in wine. He shouldn’t have been so confident when Chu Heng warned him that the wine was strong and told him to drink less. He insisted that he was the type of person who could drink a thousand cups and not get drunk!

He was just about to find an excuse to leave early.

“Qiao Qiao?” Chu Heng had been watching him closely and quickly noticed that something was wrong. He turned to look at An Qiao with concern and asked softly, “Are you a little drunk?”

“Yes,” An Qiao nodded.

He appeared as aloof and distant as ever, except for the faint redness at the corners of his eyes and his slightly drooping eyelashes, which concealed shimmering tears.

“I’ll go back first. You can continue with them…”

“I’ll go back with you,” Chu Heng interrupted. “They’re all friends. Yin Que and Shen You won’t mind.”

An Qiao: “… ”

An Qiao had a headache.

He only said that because he didn’t want Chu Heng to come along!

He was already on the verge of losing control and turning back into an elf.

What if Chu Heng came with him and he lost control and turned into an elf halfway through, exposing his true identity?

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