In the following days, Tian Yu went to the princess's residence every day. The emperor and empress also learned the reason for the princess's illness. When they learned that Li Xingyun was also disabled, no matter how much Princess Renping pleaded, she did not get a chance. The empress asked the princess to choose a consort and arrange a marriage for her as soon as possible, so as to put an end to the princess's thoughts. At the same time, outsiders were forbidden from entering the princess's residence. Tian Yu was also refused entry, and the princess was placed under house arrest.

When Tian Yu returned to Qinyuan, she saw Li Xingyun and Zhao Moyan drinking tea and chatting. She was furious. She walked up to them, drank their tea, and said loudly, "This is all the work of you stinking men! The princess is under house arrest now, and you still have the mood to drink tea here."

“Tian Yu, this is a matter for the royal family, and we cannot interfere.” Zhao Moyan poured another cup of tea for Tian Yu and handed it to her.

“A princess has her own life. Her status is different from ours, so her fate is naturally different too. You’re making a big fuss over nothing,” Li Xingyun added.

"What's the big deal? The princess is about to get engaged and married to someone she doesn't like. How can this be a small matter? You men want power and status, so you exchange them for the happiness of us women. Is this a small matter?"

“It’s always been like this here,” Li Xingyun said calmly.

Tian Yu looked at them, while Zhao Moyan remained silent. Tian Yu put down her teacup, pointed at them, and said, "I understand now. Sure enough, you old fogies are willing to give up anything for power and status, even trading your daughter's happiness for the throne. Disgusting!"

"Tian Yu, don't talk nonsense!" Zhao Moyan scolded Tian Yu.

“I’m going to say it: the Emperor doesn’t like my brother because he has no status or position and is disabled. To prevent the princess from associating with him, he’s now looking for a husband everywhere. Brother, you’re happy now, because the princess won’t bother you anymore.”

"Tian Yu!" Zhao Moyan called out!

“I think this prince consort is a waste of time. That princess is probably too deeply in love with you. She might die before she even gets married,” Tian Yu said loudly.

"Tian Yu! What's wrong with you? This is a perfectly normal thing, I don't care at all, why are you so agitated!" Li Xingyun said angrily.

"Normal?! A perfectly normal girl, only a teenager, has to spend her whole life with someone she doesn't like, and you think that's normal!"

“Yes! Everyone here is like that. Didn’t you not know each other when you married the Marquis? Don’t forget that you were the same age as the princess back then! And now you’re still together.” Li Xingyun reminded him loudly.

"At that time, I was desperate, and besides..." Tian Yu wanted to say something more, but seeing the way Zhao Moyan looked at her, she swallowed her words.

"That's the same. It's perfectly normal for a woman to get married. A princess of noble status should naturally be betrothed to someone of equal nobility. That's perfectly normal."

"But the princess loves you!"

"But I don't like her! And I could never marry her!"

Don't you like princesses at all?

"I have absolutely no improper thoughts!"

"I think you can't let go of the eldest daughter of the Tang family! The princess's life is truly tragic, she can't have the love she desires!"

"Say what you will!" Li Xingyun said and left without looking at Tian Yu again.

"Even if you don't like the princess, you can't just stand by and watch her die, considering we've known each other!" Tian Yu said loudly from behind.

"Tian Yu, it's best if we don't get involved in this matter," Zhao Moyan said.

"No! I have to intervene. The princess is my best friend. I must save her. I can't just stand by and watch her be ruined."

"So how do you plan to save them?"

"I haven't thought of anything yet. Do you have any ideas?" Tian Yu said, resting her chin on her hand as she pondered.

"No!"

"Why don't you marry the princess?" Tian Yu suddenly said.

Zhao Moyan looked at Tian Yu in disbelief, and Tian Yu quickly explained, "It's temporary! We'll think of another way once things have calmed down."

"Is marriage just a game to you? Do you really think I should marry a princess?"

"No, listen to me, only if you marry the princess will she not have to marry anyone else."

"I disagree!"

"Then do you have a better idea?"

"No!"

"That's settled then. Besides, letting you marry the princess is just a delaying tactic. We can get a divorce when the opportunity arises."

Zhao Moyan glared angrily at Tian Yu. Tian Yu, feeling guilty under Zhao Moyan's gaze, shrank back and took a step back. Helpless, Zhao Moyan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "You don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it."

"How did you handle it?"

"In short, you're not allowed to interfere again." Zhao Moyan said, turning to walk forward. After a few steps, he suddenly turned back and strode up to Tian Yu. Before Tian Yu could react, he kissed her. Tian Yu's eyes widened. Zhao Moyan bit Tian Yu's lip hard before releasing her, warning, "Remember, don't even think about that again!" Seeing Tian Yu nod, he left satisfied. Tian Yu touched her lip, which had been bitten by Zhao Moyan, speechless. Was this guy a dog? Why did he bite when he got angry?!

In the princess's residence, the empress sat by the princess's bedside and said softly, "Ling'er, why can't you think straight? You are a princess, and your marriage is not something you can decide, not to mention that the person you love is disabled. Your father will never agree to it."

"Whether he agrees or not is the same, anyway he has never had Ling'er in his heart. But Mother, Ling'er doesn't want to marry someone she doesn't like. Mother, please don't make me marry. I want to stay by your side."

"Good boy! Listen to your father and forget about him. Your mother has already sent someone to find you a few young men from noble families. Take a look and see which one you like." The Empress had a servant present the list.

The princess knocked the list out of the queen's hand and cried angrily, "Mother, I don't want to get married! I don't want to get married!"

"Ling'er! Why are you doing this to yourself? If you still want to marry the Marquis of Zhenbei, your mother will go and beg your father right now. What do you think?"

"No! I won't marry anyone! I beg you, Mother!"

The Empress, holding the weeping princess, said sadly, "Your mother also hoped that you could stay in the capital, which is why I agreed to Consort Li's suggestion to let you marry the Marquis of Zhenbei. However, the Marquis of Zhenbei already has a family. If you delay any longer, you may have no choice but to marry far away."

"Marrying far away!? Where to?"

"Chen State!"

"No, I don't want to. My second sister was married off to the Chen Kingdom, and her fate is now unknown. Why does Father want me to marry her off as well?"

"Ling'er, if you don't want to marry far away, listen to your mother. Your mother will definitely help you."

"But I don't want to get married, I don't want to marry anyone. Mother, wouldn't it be better if you just let me stay by your side?"

"Silly child, marriage is inevitable. Your father doesn't want you to marry far away, which is why he's in a hurry to have your mother choose a suitable person for you."

"Mother! Mother!"

"Child, just accept your fate!"

"I won't marry him!"

The princess's cries continued unabated from the room, and her condition worsened, but none of this could change the emperor's decision.