Rong Ning also wanted to sound out her father, the Emperor, about how he planned to arrange Xie Chong, so she agreed without hesitation.

Zhaoqing Palace and Taiji Hall are close to each other, and we arrived in no time, only to find that the Crown Prince was also there.

The emperor was in a good mood, having finally managed to have his son and daughter together. He dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs who were serving him and enjoyed a comfortable dinner with the two of them.

With no outsiders present, Rong Ning spoke more directly, asking, "Father, you won't kill Xie Chong, will you?"

"No..." The emperor's lips curled slightly. "Today I summoned Prime Minister Xie. His intention was that if Xie Chong were spared and his life of wealth and honor were guaranteed, he would confess his crimes and be willing to let the people of the world accuse the late emperor of his crimes. Before his death, he would also appease his former students and officials to ensure that the court would not be too turbulent after his death."

Prime Minister Xie has served as an official for many years, and his protégés and former subordinates are everywhere. Not all of these people can participate in the evil deeds of the Prime Minister's mansion. They cannot all be killed. Therefore, appeasing them is the best option.

"Sparing Xie Chong with his life is also to reassure his protégés and former subordinates, to tell them that I will not go so far as to exterminate them."

Rong Ning listened and ate at the same time, and thought it made sense. She then asked, "Since we're not going to kill him, how should we arrange things? Prime Minister Xie wants him to have a life of glory and prosperity. Does he want to give him a title and an official position?"

The emperor shook his head. "That's impossible! There are many ways to guarantee someone a life of wealth and prosperity. I'll think of how to arrange things for him once things are settled."

After this incident, he would never allow anyone from the Xie family to enter officialdom again.

The emperor took a sip of soup, paused, looked at the crown prince, and said, "Once this matter is settled, your marriage to the Chu family girl should be put on the agenda. I have already instructed the Consort to make preparations. Don't cause any trouble for me."

The Crown Prince paused in his chopsticks, then resumed his normal movements, replying in a steady voice, "Father, rest assured, I know what's important."

"Um..."

The Emperor nodded, then looked at Rong Ning, "Your coming-of-age ceremony will be soon. I have already had the Consort send invitations to every family in Nanyang City, asking them to bring their best sons to the palace to witness the ceremony. When the time comes, you can see which family's son you like and tell your father. Your father will make the decision for you, and even if he is a high-ranking flower, I will pluck him down for you!"

Upon hearing this, Rong Ning was speechless. "Father, are you choosing a consort for me like you're choosing a concubine for yourself?"

"Hmm...isn't it good?"

“No…” Rong Ning shook her head, “I don’t want to take a consort right now!”

The emperor was not surprised by her words. He put down his chopsticks, looked at Rong Ning, and asked seriously, "Do you have someone you like?"

"No..."

Rong Ning felt that none of the men she had ever met in Nanyang City since childhood could compare to her. If that was the case, why should she find someone inferior to herself to make herself uncomfortable?

The emperor knew she looked down on the scions of noble families in Nanyang City. After thinking for a moment, he asked in a different way, "Do you think you would ever love a man to the point of obsession, marry no one but him, lose your mind for him, and be willing to give up everything you have for him?"

“No…” Rong Ning found the question absurd. “Everything I have is something I’ve worked hard to earn. Why should I give up what I’ve worked so hard for for someone else?”

The emperor nodded. "Hmm... In that case, I still advise you to arrange a marriage for your son-in-law as soon as possible."

Why?

The emperor explained in detail, “Given your current status, if you were to marry into the royal family, it would be tantamount to the prince marrying into the royal family. The crown prince and I would absolutely not allow your son-in-law to surpass you; he must respect you above all others.”

If you do not wish to remain in the capital in the future, you can take your consort to wherever you wish, and the consort's family will not dare to utter a word of objection.

But if you don't choose a husband or get married after you come of age, the court officials will use this issue to make trouble for you, causing you endless annoyance!

Even if you live a carefree life in the North, they will still call you back to find a husband and get married. As long as you don't get married, no matter what you do in the future, they will use this as an excuse to expand the problem and create obstacles for you.

Ah Ning, you are decisive and efficient, with the demeanor of a man, but I think you're overthinking things, especially when it comes to marriage.

Today, your father will explain it to you from a man's perspective: if marriage can solve some of the current thorny issues, then why not?

If you end up with a husband who doesn't please you at all, or if you meet someone you like in the future, you can get a divorce. At that time, the court officials will most likely stop pressuring you to find a husband.

"You are my daughter, and you are not bound by worldly views, so you can be more willful and capricious than other women in the world when it comes to marriage."

Rong Ning was stunned after hearing these words!

How shocking!

How shocking!

If these words had not come from her father, she would not have been so shocked by anyone else.

After the initial shock, I realized that what my father said made a lot of sense.

Just as her elder brother married Chu Pingyao to quickly win over the Chu family for the sake of the new policies and reforms, she could also find a suitable husband for herself.

She had been narrow-minded about marriage, but her father's words enlightened her.

“Of course…” the emperor continued, “I’m not saying this so that you can just marry anyone. After all, marriage is a major life event, and what matters most is whether you like or dislike someone. I have already sacrificed Yang’er, and I will never sacrifice your marriage again.”

But no matter who you end up marrying, remember this: men cannot be trusted!

My father is a man, and having lived to this age, he has seen all kinds of men in the world and knows that most of them are good at playing along.

Especially in the royal family, the complexities of relationships between men and women, often intertwined with interests and gains, make those feelings increasingly fragile.

Whether faced with sweet words or tender affection, you must remain seven-tenths clear-headed, or you will harm yourself.

Ah Ning, what I'm about to say goes far beyond the conventional expectations of a woman's virtues. If you weren't my daughter, or if you were an innocent, naive girl who needed your father and brothers to protect you, I wouldn't be saying these things to you.

The emperor spoke these words in a casual tone, as if he were casually remarking on the weather, but Rong Ning knew the weight of his words.

She didn't know when it started, but in her father's eyes, she was no longer a simple little girl, but someone who could do things for him and was of value to him.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have told her all this.

Rong Ning put down her chopsticks and said solemnly, "I understand Father's meaning. I will go down and give it serious consideration to the matter of choosing a consort."

"Hmm..."