Chapter 678 - Only You Cannot Cry

“Master!” The fifth princess finally came to her senses, not daring to believe her own eyes.

It had been almost half a year that there wasn’t any news of Ling Chuxi, and everyone thought that something bad had happened to her. She never would have thought that Ling Chuxi would return, and at such a crucial time too!

“Master, it really is you! You’ve returned! I thought that I would never see you again. I knew that nothing could ever happen to you…” The fifth princess sobbed. As she stared at Ling Chuxi, the fifth princess was overwhelmed by her emotions. All the pain, grievances, worries, and anxiety within that half a year all flooded into her heart, and she hugged Ling Chuxi as she cried without restraint.

No matter how determined or optimistic she was, she was ultimately only a young lady who had just grown up. During these few months, the things she had to endure were truly too much.

When her imperial father was assassinated and when he died, she did not cry. When the great army of Ding Lin Country approached the borders, she did not cry. Even just now, when facing Fu Chengxing’s despicable shamelessness, and knowing that she had no hope of survival, she did not cry. However, at this moment, when she met Ling Chuxi again, her tears kept rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably.

After crying, her heart once again calmed down. There was no longer the hesitance or worries of the past. As long as Ling Chuxi was there, all difficulties could be easily overcome, and there was no longer any need for her to face them alone.

“Shut up! Stop crying,” Ling Chuxi suddenly snarled.

The fifth princess’ crying instantly stopped as she stared at Ling Chuxi in a daze.

“At such times, even if everyone cries, only you cannot cry. Remember your identity and your responsibility.” Ling Chuxi could understand the fifth princess’ feelings. Within this half a year, she had experienced and endured so much. If it were anyone else, perhaps that person would have already crumbled under the pressure or would have chosen to betray the country like Fu Chengxing did. However, the fifth princess was still painfully holding on.

Ling Chuxi felt how much the princess relied on her when she hugged her, as if she was putting all her hope in Ling Chuxi.

However, this was not what Ling Chuxi wanted. Nan Xia Country was not hers to protect forever. She still had her own path to walk, and her future paths were still long. Nan Xia could only rely on the fifth princess herself.

“If you don’t want your Imperial Father to carry regrets to the afterworld, and if you really want Nan Xia Country to be wealthy and its people strong, then be stronger. Carry the responsibilities that belong to you, and don’t put your all your hopes on another person,” Ling Chuxi told the fifth princess solemnly.

“Master, I understand. I will become stronger and will carry the responsibilities that belong to me.” The fifth princess understood the meaning of Ling Chuxi’s words. With things as they were today, wanting to count on other princes was not realistic anymore. Fu Chengxing was the best example of that. Also, Fu Chengyu’s character had long determined that he was not the best candidate to succeed the throne. Thus, if she wanted to keep Nan Xia Country safe, peaceful, and prosperous, she only had herself to rely on.

Seeing the fifth princess’ small, tear-stained face fill with determination, Ling Chuxi nodded in satisfaction.

“Master, how should we deal with these people?” Although she had just said she wanted to be strong, the fifth princess asked Ling Chuxi, out of habit.

“You decide on your own. Wanting to be a great monarch of a country means that when it is time to make decisions, you have to make them on your own.” This time, Ling Chuxi did not rebuke her, as she herself admitted that the fifth princess had grown a lot. From what Ling Chuxi had seen earlier, the princess’ mental fortitude and skills were much better, so Ling Chuxi could not be overly harsh in her demands of the young girl.