A Wish 4

The procession for their return was anything but humble. The road of Capital City was showered with flowers as the citizens cheered for the victory of their mission. Ouyang Xueqing's name was gaining fame rapidly thanks to her heroic act of sacrificing herself to save the citizens of Ghost Town.

Wang Ze had waited for them the whole day, along with Ouyang Xueqing's mother, Xia Wei and her grandfather, Ouyang Feiyang.

As soon as she alighted, she was greeted by her mother's hug. "Welcome back, dear. You did great!"

Warmth spread through her chest as she embraced her back. "I'm home, mother."

She greeted her grandfather and Imperial Father each with a hug before they proceeded toward the main hall with Ren Yupei and An Zhengnan trudging behind her back as usual. Ling Xiaochen had been dropped off at her residence earlier because Uncle Ling had almost burned his beard out of worries for his daughter.

"Qing'er, you must be tired." Wang Ze said worriedly yet the proud look on his eyes couldn't be hidden.

She laughed lightly. "It's okay, Imperial Father. The people in Valley Town had ensured us the greatest journey so Qing'er didn't feel any discomfort."

"That's great."

Ouyang Feiyang grabbed her hands as he exclaimed excitedly. "That's my granddaughter, you truly have the blood of general running through your veins like me!"

She giggled and hugged Ouyang Feiyang's arms in a spoiled manner. "Grandpa, you flatter me ah! How can I compare to you?"

"Aiyoh this sweet little mouth." He cooed. "Who fed you honey huh?"

She pouted at the treatment she received. "Grandpa, Qing'er is not a child anymore!"

Xia Wei chuckled. "Well, as long as you haven't undergo the heavenly tribulation, you are still a child."

"But it is a mere one year away!"

"That's true." They sighed. "Time really flew so fast huh?"

Before they could drown themselves in nostalgia, she hurriedly cut them off. "Well, Qing'er had something to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

"Imperial Father, do you still remember Qing'er's request?"

Of course, he did. How can he forget his dear daughter's request that she would go as far as making him swear an oath on it? "Your wish? Say it, This Lord will grant whatever you want."

Xia Wei nodded. "Qing'er, what do you want? Just say it and mother will give it to you."

"Grandpa too!"

She truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. At last, she rose up from her seat and kneeled abruptly in front of Wang Ze, catching them all off guard.

"Qing'er, what—"

"Imperial Father, please grant Qing'er wish!" She kowtowed solemnly.

Wang Ze's outstretched hand froze as he sighed. "Okay, say it, no need to kneel to this Lord."

"No." She shook her head firmly. "I need to. Not only Imperial Father, but I will also ask for mother's and grandpa's permission. Please let Qing'er roam the world for a year at most! Qing'er will make sure to return before the adulthood ceremony!"

"Huh?" Wang Ze blinked. "Only that? Well, you have This Lord's permission. Just take Ren Yupei or An Zhengnan with you."

She shook her head again. "Qing'er decided to go on this journey alone!"

"What?!" They cried out in shock. "Qing'er, what do you mean?"

She sighed and clutched the hem of her robes tightly. Her expression was melancholic as she explained. "All this time, Qing'er knows that she is a sheltered Princess who doesn't know anything of the world." Before they could cut her off, she pressed out. "That's why, please let Qing'er remove her identity as a Princess for a while to live as how the citizens does, Qing'er really wishes to experience their life!"

"But…" Wang Ze frowned. "But why do you have to do it alone?" She had only returned, and now she wanted to go out again? And this time, for one year at most?!

"Imperial Father, Mother, Grandpa, please understand!" She kowtowed three times to express her sincerity.

"Qing'er." Wang Ze pursed his lips, his gaze was stern and hard. "What will you do if you meet a dangerous situation outside? Moreover, your luck…"

"Imperial Father, I know that it's selfish of me to ask you not to worry. But as a Princess, it's Qing'er's role to be responsible to whatever she had done. Qing'er wishes to gain experience outside and returned to you all as the qualified Princess of the Beast Mainland!"

She delivered her speech she had prepared beforehand passionately. She knew that sooner or later, Imperial Father would comply with her wishes. She didn't need to worry about Ren Yupei or An Zhengnan because if Imperial Father ordered them to stay put, they had to obey without fail.

That's why, she focused her gaze on Wang Ze so intensely that he could clearly see her determination and resolve. Moreover, it was not uncommon for a beast to venture to the outside world. It was only because she was Ouyang Xueqing that it was a bit difficult to ask.

The first to concede was surprisingly Ouyang Feiyang. He laughed out loud, his voice booming full of vigor. "Good! Good! This is my, Ouyang Feiyang's granddaughter! She really resembled her late grandmother!" He stunned Ouyang Xueqing when he kneeled beside her and pleaded on her behalf. "My Lord, this subordinate beg you to agree to Qing'er wish!"

"Grandpa…" Ouyang Xueqing felt her eyes burn at the sight of the man kneeling beside her whilst squeezing her hand in reassurance. She felt a twinge of guilt inside for lying, but she forced them down. She couldn't waver now! Not when she had reached this step!

"Fine, fine." Wang Ze sighed and waved his arm. "This Lord permits. After all, This Lord had sworn on heaven's name to grant your wish. This had all been your plan, right?"

She beamed brightly.

Xia Wei's eyes reddened as she hugged her daughter tightly. "Aiyoh, my daughter has grown up. If your father saw this, he would surely be proud of you."

"Mother." She patted the woman's back. "Seems like I can't wait until Father return from his expedition. Please send my regards to him and tell him not to worry about me."

"Okay, okay you silly girl." She pinched Ouyang Xueqing's nose in adoration. "But do you have to go so fast?"

Ouyang Xueqing's eyes turned crescent as her lips curled into a wide smile. "Of course! Qing'er will depart in two days!"