"We're good?" "I suppose so!" Xue Zi Ning said, merely good for now.
The Empress was about to speak when General Yan, accompanied by Yan Zhao, entered. General Yan knelt on one knee, "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty, long live His Majesty!"
The Emperor quickly rose and stepped forward to help General Yan up, "Quickly, rise. You are truly a great contributor to this empire."
"This humble subject dares not accept such praise. I was merely doing what a subject ought to do."
The Emperor laughed heartily and helped General Yan to his feet, "General Yan, you are as polite as ever. No matter what you say, I will reward you handsomely this time."
"Your Majesty, this old subject wishes to offer this opportunity to the soldiers of the three armies behind me."
"What is yours is yours, and what belongs to the soldiers of the three armies is theirs."
Seeing that his refusal was futile, General Yan could only kneel and express his gratitude, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace!"
"General Yan, how old is your son this year?" The Emperor suddenly looked at Yan Zhao standing behind General Yan.
General Yan paused slightly at the Emperor's question and replied, "Your subject's son will reach the age of twenty in two years."
"Good, good." The Emperor said "good" twice in succession.
General Yan felt a sense of unease. The Emperor then continued, "My Chang Ning has just come of age. I believe she is a good match for your son. How about I issue a decree of marriage?"
Xue Zi Ning's gaze flickered slightly upon hearing this. She hadn't expected her father to proceed with this plan.
"Your Majesty, this subject is naturally rough and lacks gentleness and consideration. Princess Chang Ning is a golden branch and jade leaf. I fear she would suffer hardship with me. I humbly request Your Majesty to withdraw this decree!" Yan Zhao stepped forward and knelt, speaking each word with powerful resonance.
Xue Zi Ning was stunned. She remembered that in her previous life, Yan Zhao had not refused the Emperor's arranged marriage. What was happening now?
"Chang Ning, Yan Zhao actually refused this marriage?" Xue Chang An exclaimed in disbelief. She had very much hoped for Xue Zi Ning and Yan Zhao to be together. Yan Zhao's refusal of this marriage was not a good omen.
"Yes, what should we do? Shall I try to force Young Master Hua then?" Xue Zi Ning looked at Xue Chang An with amusement.
Xue Chang An was displeased, "No, absolutely not. Young Master Hua is mine."
"General Yan, what is the meaning of this?" The Emperor was displeased. Although General Yan had made great contributions, it did not give him the right to casually refuse a marriage he decreed, especially one involving his most beloved Princess Chang Ning?
General Yan turned to look at his son, Yan Zhao. He knew the Emperor was very unhappy. Refusing a royal princess in court was something no one could be pleased about.
His own son, this foolish boy, was so smitten with Princess Chang Ning. What was he doing now? Was it a ploy to catch a bird by allowing it to fly away first?
But this was hardly the time for such tactics! General Yan felt a pang of exasperation. His son seemed truly a bit foolish.
"Your Majesty, this boy is overcome with joy and speaking out of turn. He is longing to marry Princess Chang Ning." General Yan quickly tried to smooth things over.
To his surprise, his foolish son straightened his neck and said, "Father, I did not speak incorrectly..."
General Yan slapped him. "Wasn't it you who was begging to marry Princess Chang Ning? And now you're acting coy?"
Yan Zhao looked at his father and then knelt, kowtowing, "Father, in the past, I only knew that if I liked something, I had to obtain it. But now I understand that liking does not equate to possession."
General Yan's beard trembled with anger. "What kind of ridiculous logic is this? What good is liking something if you can't have it?"
Yan Zhao shook his head, "It's different, Father."
The Emperor was displeased. "General Yan, you can discipline your son at home. Tell me, does your Yan family agree to this marriage or not?"
"Agree..."
"Disagree..."
General Yan kicked Yan Zhao in the chest with such force that Yan Zhao immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.
The Emperor was utterly enraged. How dare someone show disdain for his princess? This was intolerable! "Yan Zhao, do you know that refusing to marry a princess is a crime worthy of double punishment?"
"Your Majesty, my actions are merely to reduce the losses the Princess would suffer after marriage."
"Nonsense!" The Emperor exploded, no longer caring if he swore.
As the tension escalated, Xue Zi Ning, who had been seated all this time, spoke up, "Father, since Young General Yan has no intention towards me, I, the dignified Princess of Huang Ze, need not lower my status. There are so many fine men in the world; he is not the only one."
The Emperor nodded upon hearing his precious daughter speak, "Chang Ning is right. My daughter will not lack suitors."
General Yan wished he could kick this foolish boy back to the general's mansion. "Your Majesty, your humble subject has erred."
"You are not at fault. It is Yan Zhao who is at fault. I will not unfairly blame a loyal subject who has served me faithfully. General Yan, please do not trouble yourself."
General Yan said, "My foolish son has offended the Princess. How about letting him guard the city gates?"
The Emperor nodded, "That is a good suggestion. I approve."
To dare refuse his princess was truly a death wish.
Yan Zhao walked out.
The Empress beside him was also displeased, "Chang Ning, it's good that you aren't marrying this kind of boorish soldier. He actually dared to disdain my Chang Ning!"
"Mother, perhaps he simply doesn't like me anymore?"
"My Chang Ning is clever and beautiful, why wouldn't he fancy her?" The Empress was displeased with Xue Zi Ning speaking about herself this way.
Xue Zi Ning fell silent. She didn't understand why Yan Zhao's disposition had suddenly changed.
Did he really not like her anymore?
She had never doubted Yan Zhao's feelings for her, but this time, she felt a sudden uncertainty.
The banquet that followed was far from pleasant. The Emperor was unhappy, the Empress was unhappy, and General Yan's face was grim.
Upon leaving the palace, General Yan punished Yan Zhao by making him kneel outside. No plea for mercy would be accepted.
It was not until Old Madam Yan intervened that General Yan called Yan Zhao inside, "Tell me the truth, why did you refuse the marriage?"
Yan Zhao lowered his eyes, "Father, the Princess does not favor me. Why should I force myself upon the Princess then?"
"But you like the Princess?" General Yan was confused.
"Father, I do like her, but more importantly, I wish for the Princess's happiness."
General Yan frowned, "So you refused the marriage because you knew Princess Chang Ning had someone else in her heart?"
"Yes, Father." Yan Zhao did not conceal it.
General Yan sighed, "But you have already offended His Majesty. I fear the Emperor will not look upon you favorably in the future."
"Father need not worry. Did you not make a decision for me?"
General Yan was torn between laughter and tears. "Guarding the city gates isn't a lifelong sentence, is it?"
"Father, this is enough."