Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 666 - 566: A Glance from a Beauty Like a Startled Swan (Second Update)
Emperor Haotian glanced at Long Che and Tong Airui in the audience. Seeing their faces darken, he slightly curled the corners of his lips.
"They should be the third and fourth successors to Haotian’s throne. However, as the eldest sons and grandsons of the Xiawu Audrich family, I cannot yet announce their succession order without the consent of Prime Minister Long Che and Duke Airui."
Yi Luowa let out a long sigh of relief.
The members of the Audrich family also breathed a sigh of relief.
As soon as Emperor Haotian finished speaking, cheers erupted from the audience once again.
Amidst the jubilant cheers, Emperor Haotian and his wife placed the crown upon their daughter’s head.
A young woman holding a wreath stepped onto the stage. Tong Airui noticed her peculiar gait, frowned slightly, and nudged Youyou beside him.
Youyou understood and quickly chased after her. "Miss, let me take the wreath."
The woman paused, surprised. "Your Highness, Princess, I should carry this instead."
Youyou chuckled softly and grabbed her hand, "Do you know who I am?"
"You are Princess Luo You. Everyone knows that," the woman replied in a slightly husky voice.
Youyou sneered, "Good that you know. Hand me the wreath."
The woman frowned and tried to twist Youyou’s wrist. Youyou moved faster, locking her wrist with force. Hmm! These bones are hard—not something a regular woman would have!
Emperor Haotian froze, hurriedly shielding his wife and daughter behind him. "There’s definitely something suspicious about this person. Otherwise, Youyou wouldn’t have confronted her at this moment."
Queen Haotian stepped forward from behind Emperor Haotian, "Youyou, I arranged for her to be here. Let her proceed."
Youyou hesitated, glancing back at Tong Airui.
Tong Airui gave a subtle nod.
Youyou pouted and released the woman.
Queen Haotian gave Tong Airui an apologetic smile, "With so much going on, I forgot to inform you. I’ve arranged many people here to prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from exploiting loopholes."
Tong Airui smirked faintly. His mother-in-law indeed had thought everything through. However, he intuitively felt she hadn’t simply forgotten to inform them; rather, she was testing their ability to respond to emergencies.
The woman placed the wreath on Yi Luowa’s head and stepped back with her hands clasped in salute.
Yi Luowa looked at her mother, intrigued, "What did she do that made Youyou raise suspicion?"
Queen Haotian laughed, "The first to notice wasn’t Youyou—it was Airui. That was no woman but a man skilled in martial arts. Men and women walk differently. Airui’s keen eyes are truly impressive. With him by your side, I can fully set my worries to rest."
Yi Luowa smiled playfully, "You were testing him?"
"You could say that." Queen Haotian laughed and patted her daughter’s hand, "Soon, you’ll ride the parade float and accept the homage from the citizens. I’ve arranged guards disguised as women amidst the crowd. Female operatives are less likely to attract attention."
Feeling a warm surge in her heart, Yi Luowa gently hugged her mother. "Mom, thank you for everything."
"You are my daughter. If I don’t care for you, who else would I care for? Even though the capital has been thoroughly secured, we can’t let our guard down."
Emperor Haotian turned back and smiled at his wife and daughter, "It’s time. Talk later when you’re back. Danton, accompany your sister on the float and let Haotian’s citizens see their Prince and Princess."
Danton smiled and took his sister’s hand. The two descended from the stage gracefully, climbing onto the enormous float pulled by eight white horses. The float began its journey from the Grand Temple, circling the city before returning to the palace.
Emperor Haotian originally wanted his grandchildren to join his son and daughter in receiving the people’s homage. However, considering they were too young and potential risks, he opted to ride the RV at the back with Long Che and his family, holding the children.
Ten escort vehicles led the procession, followed by the float and a fourteen-meter-long RV. Dozens more escort vehicles brought up the rear as the grand convoy slowly moved through the capital’s streets.
Sitting on the float, Yi Luowa and Danton waved continuously at the citizens, greeting them with warm smiles that made the siblings’ astonishing beauty seem approachable.
Within the crowd stood a medium-built middle-aged man who smiled and remarked to the towering man beside him, "Emperor Randy truly has good fortune—not only marrying a beautiful wife but also having such strikingly handsome children."
The tall man smirked, "Indeed, Emperor Randy’s luck is extraordinary. And beyond his wife and children, you forgot to mention someone!"
The medium-built man grinned, "His son-in-law!"
"Exactly. Without Duke Airui, we might still be living in hardship. Without him, our Prince Danton likely wouldn’t have survived."
"Truly remarkable fortune!"
As they chatted, the float passed before them. Yi Luowa unintentionally glanced in their direction while waving.
The tall man was momentarily dazed, unsure whether the beauty on the float was Princess Luowa or a younger Queen Haotian.
"A beauty’s fleeting glimpse rivals the descent of celestial maidens from heaven and the grace of Chang’e leaving her moonlit palace!"
Hidden among the crowd, Dapeng caught sight of the man, smirked slightly, and led his group quickly through the crowd, following the float’s direction.
The medium-built man laughed, "So many unfamiliar faces—it shows how much King Randy and Queen Zhi Lan value these two siblings."
The tall man chuckled, shaking his head, "Not all here belong to Haotian. At least half are from Xiawu. The Audrich family’s status there is second only to the Xiawu King. And from what I know, Princess Luowa is incredibly cherished within their family."
"Such a stunning bride—if she married into my family, we’d treat her like royalty!"
"Haha... dreaming again, are you? Let’s go grab a drink and visit the palace tomorrow to extend our congratulations."
The two disappeared laughing into the crowd.
The float completed its city circuit and approached the palace gates. Yi Luowa raised her hand to rub her stiff cheeks, "Danton, my face is numb from smiling."
"Halfway through, mine went numb too." Danton chuckled and gently massaged his sister’s face—this tender scene promptly captured by a photographer.
Realizing they were still in public, Yi Luowa whispered to Danton with a smile, "Let’s keep pretending for now. Once we reach the palace, I’ll massage your face."
Danton looked at his sister with mock sorrow, "Sis, if you had to live this life every day, wouldn’t you grow tired of it?"
"I’m relieved I don’t have to endure this daily. It’s only you and our parents I feel sorry for."
Danton shrugged, "At least I spent years being sick."
"You’re better now, and you promised me—you’d help lighten the load for Mom and Dad."
Danton chuckled mischievously, "I promised I’d travel the world first. Only when I return will I help them."
"Danton!"
"Sis, while Mom and Dad are still young, I want to fulfill this dream. If they grow old, I wouldn’t have the heart to leave them."
Yi Luowa’s heart softened instantly, "How long do you plan to be away?"
"A year? Ten years? Sis, it’s hard to say. If I like a place, I might stay longer; if I don’t, I’ll leave quickly."
"You should discuss this carefully with Mom and Dad before deciding."
"I will, for sure."
The float finally pulled into the palace. Danton helped Yi Luowa with her lengthy gown as she gracefully descended.
Tong Airui also stepped out from the RV, draping his coat over Yi Luowa’s shoulders. "Feeling cold?"
Yi Luowa smiled and patted her waist, "Not really. Mom added a small cotton vest beneath my gown."
Tong Airui grinned affectionately, gently pulling her into his arms, "I was so worried along the way. Thank goodness you made it back safely."
"I wasn’t worried. I spotted many of our people among the crowd. Seeing them reassured me that Danton and I were safe."
Emperor Haotian stood at the RV door and called out to his son, "Danton, Sang Yu wants to ride the float. Ask them not to leave yet."
Danton quickly stopped the driver, and moments later, Queen Haotian and Emperor Haotian emerged from the RV, carrying Sang Yu and Zi Yan.
Sang Yu pointed to the crown on her mother’s head and then to her own head.
"Haha... you certainly want everything! But Mommy’s crown is too heavy for you. Grandma specially ordered a small one made for you." Queen Haotian said, motioning to a servant.
The servant promptly fetched a small crown and handed it to Queen Haotian.
Long Che and the others also disembarked, watching as Queen Haotian placed the small crown on her granddaughter’s head. Smiling, he remarked, "Zhi Lan, this shouldn’t be worn casually. Sang Yu is Haotian’s little princess, not a successor."
"This one is different from Luowa’s. It doesn’t have the Imperial Star embedded in the center. Actually, the crown is ready and just awaits your command to have the star set. But..." Queen Haotian smiled and left the rest unsaid. After placing the small crown on her granddaughter, she carried her onto the float.
Zi Yan and Sang Yu sat on the float, circling within the palace. The two little ones mimicked their uncle and mother, waving their tiny hands to everyone.
The spectators laughed at the antics of the two little ones. Though the day had been exhausting for all, not a single person wished to retire to their chambers; instead, they remained on the lawn, captivated by the playful gestures of the children on the float.
