"You're willing to stay here?" Ning Hong raised an eyebrow. "Did I hear you wrong? You said you were willing to stay in our home."

“Brother, that’s not what I meant,” Long Yuan laughed. “I didn’t mean to become a live-in son-in-law. What I meant was that Qiao’er and I could stay in Hu County indefinitely.”

"I have money; I can support Qiao'er," Long Yuan added after thinking for a moment.

In Long Yuan's view, since he was going to marry Ning Qiao'er, he naturally wanted to give her a good life.

Although he doesn't yet know exactly how much he has, it shouldn't be bad.

“My family is also wealthy,” Ning Hong said coldly. His meaning was simple: his family was not short of money.

"Don't be like that. Since you can consider those ill-intentioned scholars, please consider me as well. I'm really not bad."

"But you refused last time." He refused so decisively last time, and in front of so many people. If Ning Qiao'er were to marry him, she would definitely be ridiculed.

Even if those people last time were considered 'one of our own'.

"Last time, back then, I hadn't thought it through yet." He was used to being carefree and unrestrained, and suddenly having to get married felt somewhat unsatisfying.

"Are you kidding me? You didn't think it through last time, and now you've figured it out in such a short time?" Don't joke about his sister.

"I've really thought it through." Even if he's unwilling, what can he do? Once Ning Qiao'er marries someone else, there will be no possibility for him and her in the future.

He didn't want this to happen.

Since they were unwilling, the only option was to simply marry Ning Qiao'er.

In this way, the woman would be his, and he could openly control her, ensuring she wouldn't suffer any grievances and preventing any other man from getting close to her.

“If you want to marry her, it’s not impossible to discuss it.” Ning Hong suddenly changed her mind. “If you can get your family’s consent and personally bring your parents to propose marriage, I will marry my sister to you.”

Ning Hong looked down on Ning Qiao'er.

However, people from aristocratic families are generally unwilling to marry someone who has been married before.

Unless Qiao'er is of noble status.

However, Qiao'er was just an ordinary person, and she was a bit chubby. Generally, wealthy young men would not choose a woman like her.

Even if they themselves like someone, their parents won't allow it.

He would never allow his sister to become a concubine or a mistress.

"It's impossible for my parents to come in person, but I will definitely get proof of their consent." Long Yuan immediately mounted his horse and rode straight to the capital.

The capital city?

Is this guy some kind of royal relative?

Ning Hong thought to herself.

What if they really are royalty?

Ning Hongze's brows were tightly furrowed.

I suddenly regretted my loose tongue and speaking so quickly.

Ning Hong's guess was correct.

Longyuan, whose original name was Zhao Longyuan, was the youngest son of the current emperor and empress, and also their most beloved child.

He, the Crown Prince, and the Second Prince were all born to the Empress, and the three of them had a deep bond.

However, as the emperor grew older, his health deteriorated, and the crown prince had already held the position for many years.

Many people have already begun to urge him to compete with the crown prince for the throne.

Do you really think he's a fool? He doesn't want to be emperor.

Although it feels good to rule the world and have everything under your control, being an emperor is exhausting. He would much rather be a carefree prince who doesn't concern himself with anything. Besides, the power of a prince is not bad either.

The emperor was his own brother, so what did he have to fear? He could do whatever he wanted in the world.

Unlike his father, who even had his ministers interfere when he slept with a woman, he was completely different. If he really became emperor, he certainly wouldn't be able to marry that chubby girl.

"Father, Mother." Long Yuan had already changed into his princely robes, washing away the dust and grime of his journey.

He had barely seen the Emperor and Empress when he lifted his robe and knelt down, saying, "Your subject greets Father and Mother."

"Oh, Yuan'er, you're finally back."

Upon seeing Long Yuan, the Empress could no longer contain her emotions. She stepped down and helped Long Yuan up.

"Mother, I'm back." Long Yuan scratched his hair sheepishly, then suddenly realized that he had indeed gone too far. Even if he was going to leave, he should have left them a few words so that they wouldn't worry about him too much.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back, Mother is not angry anymore."

The Empress blinked her reddened eyes and stared intently at Long Yuan. "You've been away for so long, you look a bit thinner."

"I haven't lost weight; I'm exceptionally strong." Long Yuan patted his chest. As a martial artist, he was naturally robust, much stronger than the other princes in the palace.

"Mother, don't worry, Yuan'er's health has always been better than his other brothers'," the Crown Prince said with a smile.

That's absolutely true.

"Brother Crown Prince, you should exercise more too." The Crown Prince's face seemed a little pale and he didn't look very healthy, which made Long Yuan frown.

"Yuan'er, don't worry about me, your brother is fine."

The prince laughed.

Of all his younger siblings, only Long Yuan truly cared about him.

Long Yuan nodded. Since his elder brother, the Crown Prince, knew what he was doing, he couldn't say too much. Sometimes, saying too much could easily damage the bond between them.

"What brings you back this time?" The emperor narrowed his eyes.

Of all the children, this was his favorite.

Excellent and loyal. Just a little too lazy.

He'd been wandering around outside for so long without ever thinking of coming back. This sudden return must be for some ulterior motive. The emperor considered himself to know his son quite well.

"Father is wise and mighty." Long Yuan gave him a thumbs up and winked.

"Stop flattering me, just say what you need to say."

Although he was very happy, he was the emperor and had to maintain his composure. The emperor coughed lightly and spoke.

"Father, Mother, Crown Prince, I have taken a liking to a girl."

Long Yuan lowered his head in embarrassment.

"Really?" The Empress was overjoyed. She thought her son would be a bachelor for life, but unexpectedly, he had found someone he loved.

"Whose daughter is she?" A girl who could catch the eye of his younger brother must be no ordinary girl.

“You don’t know this girl,” Long Yuan said with a smile. “She’s from Hu County in Nanning Prefecture, the daughter of a small landlord.”

"A minor landowner?" The Empress's voice was light and mocking. Although she had once said that he could decide his own marriage, the status of a minor landowner was simply too low.