From then on, Rong Ning's status in the hearts of the people of the Southern Dynasty became unparalleled.

If she were to go to Dajing for a political marriage, it would likely cause quite a stir and trouble.

The emperor was well aware that he had not obtained the throne legitimately.

Although the late emperor was extremely incompetent and weak, he was also arrogant and nearly pushed the Southern Dynasty into an abyss of no return. At this critical moment of life and death, he was forced to launch a palace coup and seize the throne, which can be considered legitimate.

However, a usurpation is still a usurpation, and it is difficult to wash away this stain no matter what.

In the imperial court and in the marketplace, there will always be some treacherous individuals who are eyeing opportunities and waiting to take advantage of any weakness.

Now, the emperor is only focused on restoring peace to the borders as soon as possible, so that he can then free up his hands to rectify the administration of the court.

At present, the most effective solution is to select a princess of exceptional beauty, gentle temperament, and noble birth to marry far away as a peace treaty.

The war between the Southern Dynasty and the Great Jing Dynasty has been going on for far too long... The Southern Dynasty is already overburdened and on the verge of collapse!

He frowned as he thought about it, and spoke softly to soothe him, "A'Ning, this is a matter of great importance between our two countries, we must not act recklessly! Quickly, let Minister Jin get up!"

However, Rong Ning merely snorted coldly. She lowered her foot from Jin Shangshu's body, and just when everyone thought she would give up and let Jin Shangshu stand up, she suddenly kicked out with lightning speed and power, sending Jin Shangshu flying all the way outside the main hall.

“This kind of scum is of no use in the court! He’s better off dying sooner so that his position can be made up for someone who is truly useful!” Rong Ning’s tone was full of disdain and anger.

The kicked Minister Kim let out a painful cry, but soon fell silent, as if he had fainted.

The emperor had long harbored resentment towards Minister Jin, but seeing Rong Ning kick him unconscious in front of everyone, he couldn't help but feel that she had gone too far.

So the emperor said helplessly, "Ah Ning, don't be so presumptuous and rude!"

Then he ordered the chief eunuch beside him to have Minister Jin carried away.

After this back and forth, the ministers didn't dare to breathe and stood silently in the hall.

The emperor sighed, "A'ning, no one but your elder sister is suitable for the marriage alliance. This is a matter of life and death for the Southern Dynasty. Don't cause any more trouble!"

"Father!" Rong Ning was furious at the stupid Minister Jin. She knelt down again and said in a humble but not arrogant manner, "My elder sister is gentle and weak. If she goes to Da Jing alone for a political marriage, her life and death will be uncertain for the long years to come."

And when has the life and death of this nation ever been solely dependent on this one woman?

If that's the case, what use are the thousands of men of the Southern Dynasty? What use are these ministers? How can Father Emperor face his millions of subjects?

"presumptuous!!"

The emperor immediately stood up. "Rong Ning, do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill you?!"

“Father, kill me if you wish!” Rong Ning said firmly. “Everyone dies eventually. If killing me can change Father’s mind, I am willing!”

"You! You!!"

The emperor was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged, and he could not utter a complete sentence as he pointed at Rong Ning.

"Guards! Guards!" he shouted, "The Third Princess has behaved improperly before the palace. Take her away and give her thirty strokes of the cane!"

Everyone gasped. Even a grown man might not be able to withstand thirty strokes of the cane, let alone a fourteen-year-old girl.

It seems the emperor was truly angry.

That's right. The Third Princess's words just now were like trampling on the Emperor's face. How could he not be angry?

If she weren't his own daughter, and had distinguished military achievements, she would probably have been dragged away and beheaded long ago.

However, no one present pleaded for her, since Rong Ning's words had just offended them.

The guards outside the palace came to arrest Rong Ning, but she shook them off and stood up on her own. "Your subject is willing to accept punishment, but your subject has done nothing wrong."

Rong Ning never thought that peace talks were a good option. It wasn't that the Southern Dynasty lacked talented generals, but that civil officials had controlled the court for too long, and talented generals often had no chance to rise to prominence.

The Southern Dynasty was not without the strength to fight. If they launched a full-scale attack, the outcome would be uncertain.

However, after the Southern Dynasty repelled the Great Jing army and had a brief respite, everyone from top to bottom advocated for peace talks.

The reason given was that the people of the Southern Dynasties could no longer endure the suffering caused by war.

Although Rong Ning led the Southern Dynasty army to a great victory over the Great Jing army, boosting morale, she ultimately had no say in this matter.

At the time, the idea was to negotiate peace... which preserved the foundation of the Southern Dynasty for hundreds of years.

But who could have imagined that when Da Jing requested a marriage alliance, everyone agreed without a second thought, wanting to push her eldest sister into this fire pit.

Rong Ning's eyes reddened as she coldly glanced at the emperor on his high throne. "Father, it is wrong, terribly wrong, to use my elder sister to seek temporary peace!"