Chapter 542 The Heartless Top Scholar 16

The third prince understood; after all, they had been husband and wife for over a year.

His wife was telling him that the matter was over and he shouldn't dwell on it. She also told him not to go out because she was worried that his second sister might do something desperate.

Then he really stopped going anywhere and just kept pestering Yuan Xihua every day. To be honest, coaxing the little bun was quite fun. Occasionally he would play the piano or recite poetry for the little bun, and the days passed by quickly.

...

As soon as September arrived, Ning Yan asked the Emperor for leave because the Third Prince's due date was approaching.

On the fifth day of the month, the Third Prince gave birth to a daughter safely, and Ning Yan now has both a son and a daughter.

The Emperor specially granted Ning Yan a month's leave so that she could stay at home with her son during his postpartum confinement period.

Ning Yan was overjoyed. Paid leave! The ultimate dream for working people.

This made it convenient for her to be affectionate with the two men.

On the day of the full moon celebration, the Crown Princess called Ning Yan aside and asked, "Tell me, what does the Empress mean by her feelings for the Second Princess?"

So much evidence was laid out on the Queen Mother's desk, yet...

Ning Yan laughed. The Crown Princess was in a hurry; otherwise, she wouldn't have asked such a brainless question.

"The Crown Princess is now a mother herself, and you love your eldest legitimate daughter very much. But what would you do if your illegitimate daughter took something from your eldest legitimate daughter?"

The Crown Princess pursed her lips; how could she not understand this principle?

That's clearly not what she was asking.

"Arrange for someone to be by the Second Princess's side. This person must be eloquent and able to amplify the Second Princess's ambitions."

After that, the princess should just focus on her work and not worry about anything else. Even if she obtains evidence of the second princess's rebellion, she should simply pretend she knows nothing about it.

"It's that simple?"

Ning Yan: "It's that simple."

All emperors are the same; they panic when their children grow up.

The emperor may never have intended to pass the throne to any of his other daughters, but she would unconsciously create obstacles for the crown princess—or rather, tests.

She also wondered how her daughter, on whom she had placed so much hope, would treat her children.

If the Crown Princess continues to press her, the Emperor will definitely be disappointed in her.

The saying "There are no mothers and daughters in the imperial family" is not just an empty phrase.

Fortunately, the emperor doesn't have many years left to live, and some things will pass if you just endure them.

...

A year later, encouraged by her advisors, the second princess actually led her 50,000-strong private army in rebellion.

Having already known the news, Ning Yan led the National Protection Army to the palace at a leisurely pace. At that time, the Second Princess was holding a sword to the Emperor's neck, forcing her to write the abdication edict.

Ning Yan shouted at the Second Princess, "Second Princess, you are surrounded! Put down your weapons and surrender!"

The Second Princess felt an urge to kill Ning Yan whenever she saw her. She didn't know why she hated Ning Yan so much. Perhaps it was because she had tried to scheme against Ning Yan several times but failed to harm her at all.

"Commander Ning, you've arrived! That's wonderful!"

"So you want to save my dear mother, is that it? If you obediently commit suicide, I'll release them, how about that?"

The Crown Princess cried out urgently, "No! Second Princess, release Mother immediately! She won't blame you. Don't commit any more murders!"

Ning Yan: ...You want to kill me, huh? Heh.

She gently moved her fingers, and a sharp arrow shot towards the Second Princess's arm. With a clang, the Second Princess's longsword fell to the ground.

She gasped in surprise, and as she tried to grab the Empress again, the Crown Princess had already shielded the Emperor behind her and kicked the Second Princess in the face.

The vanguard quickly swarmed forward and subdued the Second Princess!

Ning Yan exchanged a glance with the Crown Princess before going to deal with the other rebels.

That day, chaos reigned in the palace.

The emperor was greatly shocked and the next day ordered the second princess to be imprisoned, and the second princess's biological father was banished to the cold palace.

Less than half a month later, she suddenly fell ill, and then issued an imperial edict to abdicate, and the Crown Princess ascended the throne.

...

Over the next decade, the new emperor vigorously developed commerce and continuously improved military strength. Ning Yan was sent by the new emperor to fight on the border. She led her vanguard battalion and was invincible wherever she went.

In ten years, four small countries were recovered, and the country's territory increased by two-thirds.

After another great victory, Ning Yan returned to the capital in triumph. Just as the new emperor was about to bestow upon her a high official rank and generous rewards, Ning Yan resigned from her post right there in the main hall.

Not to mention the new emperor, all the court officials in the hall were astonished and their mouths dropped open.

"I hereby bestow upon you the title of Duke of Ningguo, and grant you a Duke's mansion, ten thousand taels of gold, and ten chests of jewels..."

Ning Yan was already a first-rank general who stabilized the country.

Now it's just another title.

Ning Yan cupped her hands again, "Your Majesty, I also wish to continue fighting for the Phoenix Feather Kingdom on the battlefield, expanding its territory, and planting the Phoenix Feather Kingdom's flag on every piece of land within sight."

However, I have suffered too many injuries in the past ten years. These injuries make me feel unwell all over when it is cloudy or rainy, with sore waist and knees, and sometimes I also have splitting headaches.

In particular, during the battle with Yang State, I was stabbed in the waist. The wound was about seven inches long and deep, and the bone was visible. This stab almost cost me my life.

Although I recovered after several months of recuperation, I can hardly stand on this hall for more than a quarter of an hour now. I am truly no longer fit to be an official.

"I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to resign. I have neglected my family too much over the past ten years, and it is time to spend more time with them."

The hall was completely silent.

Outsiders only see the glory of General Dingguo after winning battles, but they don't know the suffering she endured. Every victory was earned with her life.

The emperor on his high throne twitched his lips. He knew his sister-in-law all too well. None of what she said before mattered. What mattered was her last sentence.

She just wants a man.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, I am truly no longer fit to serve as an official in the court. I beg Your Majesty's understanding."

Finally, the Emperor had no choice but to end the morning court session early and summon Ning Yan to the Qian Yuan Hall.

"Someone, summon all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to take the pulse of the Duke of Ningguo and give him a full-body check-up."

Ning Yan was immediately startled. "Your Majesty, there's no need for that. People who don't know better will think you're going to take liberties with me."

The emperor accidentally choked on his own saliva and started coughing incessantly.

"You, you, you, do you even remember who you are?"

"Of course I remember who I am, but does Your Majesty still remember who I am?"

I am the wife of your younger brother, but because of your imperial edicts, I have been separated from Ayan for many years. He has to live in constant fear that I will not be able to come back alive.

"Your Majesty, I owe A-Yan, and you owe him too!"

After saying that, Ning Yan put her tiger tally on the imperial desk and stood aside without saying a word.

The Emperor took the tiger tally and played with it in his palm. "You're right. I have indeed owed you three a debt over the past ten years."

I can also make it up to you.

But I don't believe you'll resign because of this.

You were afraid I would say your achievements were too great and threatened my position, so you handed over the tiger tally as soon as you returned, and you even came up with so many lame excuses, right?

Ning Yan: ...Your Majesty, you know what's going on, there's no need to say it out loud.

"Don't worry, I know your heart is with me. I would suspect anyone else of having disloyal intentions, but I would never suspect you. Just be a good Duke of Ningguo and a first-rank general. If you think the title of Duke of Ningguo is too low..."

When discussing Ning Yan's title with her subordinates, she proposed making her a queen.

However, the old fogies below disagreed, which is why he became the Duke of Ningguo.

Based on her achievements, Ning Yan deserves a throne.

Ning Yan quickly knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please spare me! I truly wish to resign!"

(End of this chapter)