Shi Lingqiao also believed that Huo Jiwen was the only son of the Duke of Zhenguo and the Princess. Even if he was stripped of his title as heir apparent now, he could still become the Duke of Zhenguo in the future.

This was nothing more than a show of force from the old hag and the emperor, intended to force Huo Jiwen to give up on marrying her.

But she wouldn't do as they wished; she insisted on having Huo Jiwen marry her to infuriate that old hag.

As expected, Huo Jiwen was moved.

He couldn't help but grasp Shi Lingqiao's hand. "Don't think like that. I said I would marry you no matter the cost."

“My mother once made me choose between the position of heir apparent and you, and I chose you without hesitation.”

He looked at her with tender eyes and said, "Now, it's impossible for me to give you up for the sake of the crown prince position."

He had already paid such a high price to obtain it, so naturally he couldn't give up Shi Lingqiao.

Shi Lingqiao then declined again, but Huo Jiwen insisted on marrying her, and their marriage was arranged without any problems.

Seeing Huo Jiwen and his companion like this, the young men from prominent families couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

They simply couldn't understand Huo Jiwen, who would give up his position as heir to the Duke's mansion for a woman of low status, bad reputation, and who was pretty but nothing special.

With the status of being the heir to a duke's mansion, what kind of woman couldn't he have?

Even if he was madly in love with Shi Lingqiao, he could have just taken her in as a concubine and favored her more. Why go against his own mother and insist on marrying her as his wife?

Now things have gotten much better; the eldest princess and the emperor have gone straight for the ruthless one.

Even with all this, Huo Jiwen is still determined to marry Shi Lingqiao, and give up his position as heir apparent...

They thought Huo Jiwen was really as the rumors suggested—that he'd lost his mind.