With the imperial decree, she couldn’t escape even if she wanted to; no matter how much she loathed that person, she had to marry them without any room for negotiation.
No matter how unwilling or dissatisfied, she had to accept this marriage.
To continue living in mutual displeasure and torment, with no room for choice.
Jun Ning dared not imagine such days. Dıscover more novels at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Father," Jun Ning saw that being firm wouldn’t work, so she changed her approach and coyly said: "My dear father, please spare me. I don’t want to be arranged for marriage so early and then have no choice left."
"I don’t want to marry; I want to always, always stay with you."
Emperor Yongning sighed deeply, stroked Jun Ning’s head, and said with a heavy heart, "But father cannot always, always stay with you!"
"But even so, father, you shouldn’t hastily arrange Bao’er’s marriage." Jun Ning said, "Bao’er wants to choose her own husband in the future."
"You better put an end to that thought; it’s impossible," Emperor Yongning said coldly, "I will choose your husband now so that I can have peace of mind after I’m gone."
"... Humph, it won’t end," Jun Ning said, puffing her cheeks.
"If you don’t end it, your father will." Emperor Yongning had been pondering this for some time and had even written to Master Daoji at Huguo Temple for advice. Now, he had almost confirmed the person to be Jun Ning’s Prince Consort. He said, "The son of the National Guardian General will be born soon; he is your destined Prince Consort, the most suitable person for you, no discussion allowed."
So her Prince Consort hadn’t even been born yet? Her father was already eager to arrange it for her?
Jun Ning said defiantly: "Father, how can you guarantee that the National Guardian General will have a son and not a daughter? What if he has a daughter? Will you marry me off to his daughter then?"
"Of course not," Emperor Yongning said with certainty, "The General will definitely have a son."
Emperor Yongning could be so certain after consulting a reliable imperial physician, confirming it’s indeed a son.
Jun Ning’s betrothal object couldn’t escape now.
It was decided to be the son of the National Guardian General.
Although the General’s son hadn’t been born yet, Jun Ning had occasionally heard from palace attendants that the General’s wife would give birth in two or three months.
Which meant that this unborn brat would be about three years younger than her.
Jun Ning couldn’t accept someone younger; she liked them older.
"Father, I refuse," Jun Ning jumped out of Emperor Yongning’s arms, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed to him, "I beseech you to retract the decree?"
Since acknowledging her as daughter, whether real or fake, Emperor Yongning had never required Jun Ning to kowtow to him.
Today was the first time, and he felt very uncomfortable. His dear one shouldn’t have to make such a grand gesture to ask him for something; he could fulfill any of her requests except for the engagement.
Emperor Yongning was unwavering on this matter. No matter what Jun Ning said, he turned a blind eye. Even when she cried from anxiety, he didn’t comfort her, let alone give in.
Just as the father and daughter both stood firm, tensions mounting, Xiao Lizi entered to announce, "Your Majesty, Princess Yao Yao and Lady Liu have arrived."
Emperor Yongning initially didn’t want to see them, but considering that their presence might restrain Jun Ning, who would then get up from her kneeling position, he consented to see the two.
When Yao Yao came in, she quickly ran to the kneeling Jun Ning, grabbed her arm, and said worriedly, "Sister, why are you kneeling here? Get up quickly, or your knees will hurt."
Jun Ning shook her off, "Let go."
She would not get up.
As long as her father didn’t retract the decree, she would not stand.
"Sister," Yao Yao said, "I won’t let go."
After Lady Liu paid her respects, she concernedly asked Emperor Yongning what exactly was going on. Weren’t the father and daughter always on good terms? Why did things turn out all of a sudden? Was there some conflict?
Lady Liu came intending to mediate, thinking she could reconcile the father and daughter back to their old harmony.
After all, this matter would soon be known throughout the court, and Emperor Yongning had no intention of hiding it. He glanced at Xiao Lizi, who then explained the cause of the conflict between the father and daughter.
After listening, Lady Liu found it somewhat difficult to mediate this kind of issue.
Since Emperor Yongning had made up his mind to set Jun Ning’s childhood betrothal, even choosing the candidate, he was unlikely to change his mind.
Thus, persuading Emperor Yongning seemed unrealistic.
The only approach was to convince Jun Ning to accept Emperor Yongning’s arrangement.
Thinking that children were typically easier to persuade, Lady Liu knelt beside Jun Ning, hugged her frail shoulders, and said, "Ah Ning, be good, listen to your father, and get engaged when the General’s son is born."
She paused and added, "Lady Liu doesn’t know why your father is doing this, but she knows your father treasures you the most. Whatever he decides, he won’t harm you; it’s definitely for your good."
Regardless of whether it was for her good, Jun Ning couldn’t listen to any persuasion at that moment.
She covered her ears, unwilling to listen.
Lady Liu pulled off Jun Ning’s hands from her ears and advised, "Be good, listen to Lady Liu, don’t go against your father. Apologize properly to him and then accept, okay?"
Jun Ning squirmed, breaking free from Lady Liu’s grasp on her shoulders.
She refused to apologize or accept.
Then, Yao Yao used a delicate and sarcastic tone to say, "Sister, why would you refuse the marriage father arranged for you? Just listening to it makes me fond of it. Aren’t you intentionally angering father? Let me give you some advice, just accept it!"
A National Guardian General’s son as a Prince Consort!
What a great honor that is?
Others could only dream of it!
Yao Yao wanted it herself, but father might not arrange such a good marriage for her.
"If you like it, I’ll give it to you," Jun Ning gave Yao Yao a cold glance, "Do you want it? If so, I’ll help you persuade father."
Of course Yao Yao wanted it!
Her childhood dream was to marry a high-ranking official.
Her mother even said that marrying someone in high office would ensure a life of luxury.
But wanting was one thing; Yao Yao dared not voice her true thoughts directly.
She said, "Sister, don’t tease me."
Jun Ning sneered, "I’m not teasing you; I’m serious. This is a one-time opportunity; once missed, it’s gone. Do you want it or not? I’ll give you one more chance; you’d better think carefully before you say anything."