mtlumby2d Chapter 287 Hongchang and Ageqi
Chapter 287 Hongchang and Ageqi
Chapter 287 Hongchang and Ageqi
Since both parties had already made an agreement, Ageqi would do her utmost to show the hospitality that a host should have. As long as Hongchang was free and willing to play and have fun on this vast grassland, Ageqi would accompany him from beginning to end.
Not only that, because Doroberle secretly instructed them, for a long period of time, the two of them were almost inseparable, and most of the time they acted together.
It was during this period of daily interaction that they gradually became familiar with each other. Through daily communication, Ageqi learned that Hongchang was the third child in the family, his older siblings were all outstanding and talented, and his three younger brothers were also innocent and lovable.
As for Hongchang himself, he is a person who advocates self-disciplined life very much, has lofty ideals and ambitions in his heart, and is full of enthusiasm and love for the work he does.
When talking about work, Hongchang openly asked Ageqi for advice. It turned out that he had previously met a woman who had made his heart flutter, and at that time he even began to look forward to their future development prospects.
Unexpectedly, he later learned that the beautiful woman only wanted to indulge herself in the beauty of nature and live a carefree life. This life pursuit was obviously very different from Hongchang's carefully planned long-term blueprint, so the two had no choice but to part ways.
However, the girl before him, Ageqi, won Hongchang's heart in every way. Of course, it wasn't just her beautiful face that attracted Hongchang, but also her gentle and virtuous personality and understanding nature. In short, Hongchang felt that no matter how you looked at her, Ageqi was perfect, and she was exactly the partner he had always dreamed of!
Ageqi has always regarded Hongchang as a trustworthy and reliable partner in the future. Therefore, when faced with his questions, she naturally spoke frankly and directly expressed her true feelings.
Ageqi smiled and said, "In my opinion, this is nothing. If everyone can work hard for their ideals wholeheartedly and not be affected by the disturbances of the outside world, isn't this a great thing? Speaking of which, I really envy you from the bottom of my heart! Look at you, you have already clearly defined your life goals and are pursuing them unremittingly. However, looking at me, I still haven't found the path forward for my future."
Hearing this, Hongchang couldn't help but nod slightly, agreeing with what Ageqi said. Then, he asked with concern, "So, Ageqi, what are your plans next?"
For a moment, Ageqi remained silent, seemingly lost in deep thought. After much deliberation, she finally made up her mind to open up to Hongchang: "In fact, I'm sure you know that I'm A'abu's eldest daughter, and the daughter of his previous wife. This matter, on our grassland, isn't exactly a top secret. It's just that I rarely show up in public, so relatively few people have actually seen my true appearance." After saying this, Ageqi sighed softly, her gaze cast into the distance, as if reminiscing about those little-known years in the past.
Ageqi opened her red lips and said slowly, "To be honest, my life story is not particularly complicated, but the family I live in is incredibly complicated. Back then, less than a hundred days after my mother's unfortunate death, my father's step-wife couldn't wait to enter the house.
Back then, I was still a tiny, crying baby, held tightly in the arms of my wet nurse. Naturally, I have no memory of that time. But, she told me, if it weren't for my kind-hearted grandmother, Emoge Eji, who took me in and raised me with loving care, I'm afraid my little life would have long been lost in the vast grasslands, gone without a trace!
At this point, Ageqi paused, tears glistening in her eyes. She took a deep breath and continued, "Time flies, and before I knew it, I had quietly grown to fourteen. However, that same year, another important pillar of my life—Emoge Eji—passed away."
Since then, I've lived alone. Fortunately, I have these loyal guards by my side. They are all former servants of Eji and Emoge. Because of them, although I still haven't gained complete freedom, I can still go out for walks and hunt occasionally.
Ageqi sighed softly and continued her story. "Looking back on my short and uneventful life, I've always been under Abu's tight control. Just recently, Abu even considered marrying me off to Dalhan from the tribe, hoping to consolidate his power and position."
But I was so reluctant! I really didn't want to spend the rest of my life at the mercy of Abu, subject to his every command. Just then, luck favored me and I met you, Hongchang. At that moment, I saw the dawn of a new life, a chance to break free from my constraints. I knew this was my chance to finally break free from Abu.
Hongchang gazed at the seemingly carefree and free-spirited Ageqi, and an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart. He had never imagined that beneath that outward appearance of strength and optimism lay such a rough and tumble life experience.
Hongchang was well aware that many aristocratic families had numerous wives and concubines, with clear distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children, constant disputes, and a difficult life. However, when he truly faced this cruel reality, especially when facing Ageqi, the woman he cared about most, his heart was filled with compassion like a surging tide.
He was filled with resentment towards the Duoluo Beile. Not only was he fickle and completely unfaithful in his marriage, he even failed to fulfill his filial duty as a husband: protecting his wife. Even more despicable, as a father, he neglected his first wife's children. Once they grew up, he only considered using them as tools for his own gain, seeking further benefits through marriage alliances. Such behavior was truly despicable!
Hongchang's brows were furrowed, as if tied in countless knots, his face a tangled mess. Ageqi, on the other hand, watched him with amusement, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly, revealing a faint smile. Clearly, she had seen through the prince's kind and pure heart. So, Ageqi gently shook her head and said soothingly, "Alright, alright, let those unbearable pasts go with the wind. Now that I have the help of Lord Beile, I believe it won't be long before I can completely escape this sea of suffering. So, why bother worrying about such a heartless and ungrateful person?"
Although Hongchang took Ageqi's words to heart, the pity that had been buried deep in his heart surged up like a surging tide, unable to be contained. He flashed, quickly approached, and suddenly grabbed Ageqi's soft, boneless hand.
"Anyway, you don't have a clear goal in life now. You just want to get rid of your Abu's control over you. In this case, why don't you think about it seriously and become my wife sincerely? I long to give you a warm, harmonious and unrestrained family environment." Hongchang stared at Aqiqi with burning eyes and said affectionately.
Upon hearing this, Ageqi froze in place, frozen in place like a statue. As her gaze slowly shifted downward, catching sight of the two men's tightly clasped hands, a vibrant blush, like the blazing sunset glow at the horizon, gradually crept onto her pretty face. She subconsciously tried to pull her hand back, but in the next instant, as if Hongchang had already seen through her intentions, he exerted a slight force, gripping her hand tightly, leaving her with no way to escape.
"Ageqi, please believe me. What I say is no joke, but sincere words from the bottom of my heart! Although I am a descendant of the royal family, I have never had any interest in power struggles, let alone the throne. Furthermore, I have always respected my elder brother and would never embark on the bloody road of succession. Given my status and position, I can at least be granted the title of prince in the future.
And once you marry into our house, no one will be able to restrain you. In this huge mansion, you only have the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager's sister-in-law above you. Putting aside other aspects, just the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, they will definitely not deliberately make things difficult for you... " Hongchang continued to express his thoughts sincerely, as if he wanted to convey all his true feelings to Ageqi through these words.
"Wait until you marry me and become a princess. Not to mention a mere Doroberel, even the Prince of Khorchin won't be able to control you."
As Ageqi listened to Hongchang's words, she felt her cheeks grow hotter and hotter, as if two flames were burning. Gradually, her originally fair face turned as red as a ripe apple, and even her ears were stained a bright crimson.
She frantically tried to break free from Hongchang's tightly grasped hand, so as to cover her burning face, as if this could hide her inner shyness and embarrassment. However, Hongchang refused to let go easily, and the slight tug of war between them only added a bit of ambiguity to the atmosphere.
She was genuinely moved by Hongchang's proposal. She had to admit, the prince before her captivated her, both in appearance and temperament; he perfectly matched her ideal partner. She had never dared to entertain such thoughts before, simply because she considered herself of low status, unworthy of such a distinguished figure. But now, upon hearing Hongchang's proactive confession, her previously calm heart suddenly began to beat like a frightened deer, unable to stop.
After calming down a little, Ageqi said softly: "Can you give me some time to think about it? This matter is too sudden for me, I need to think about it seriously." After that, she raised her head and looked at Hongchang with a twinkling gaze, with both expectation and a hint of uneasiness in her eyes.
Upon hearing this, Hongchang immediately grinned, revealing a row of neat white teeth, and answered readily: "Of course! You can think about it slowly, but you must remember to return to the capital with me when the time comes." His tone was relaxed and cheerful, as if he was certain that Ageqi would eventually agree to his request.
Hearing this, Ageqi couldn't help but give Hongchang a sullen look. But far from being intimidating, this look was like the ripples on a clear autumn lake, shimmering and full of tenderness. The affection conveyed in her eyes was like a divine arrow shot by Yue Lao himself, piercing Hongchang's heart. For a moment, Hongchang was completely stunned, standing there stupidly, his smile growing ever wider, almost unable to close.
Seeing this, Ageqi felt embarrassed to continue looking at Hongchang. She lowered her head slightly and fiddled with the corner of her clothes shyly, but her heart was as sweet as if she had eaten honey.