"Forget it, Jingrui, we...can't go back."
Shangguan Wanning's voice was very soft, but it was like a sharp blade piercing Mu Jingrui's heart.
"What do you mean you can't go back?" Mu Jingrui grabbed Shangguan Wanning and forced her to look at him face to face. "Shangguan Wanning, tell me why you can't go back?"
"Because... the dead cannot be resurrected."
Mu Jingrui was startled suddenly, and the hand that he was holding on Shangguan Wanning slowly dropped.
"You should know that those were all forced by the situation. In my subjective consciousness, I never thought of hurting your family."
"I understand. I can only say that there is just a little bit of fate between you and me. It is impossible to defy fate and force it."
Shangguan Wanning no longer avoided Mu Jingrui's gaze, because she didn't know if she would have the chance to stare at him so closely again in the future.
"I hope even more that in the future... no matter what happens, please don't hurt my family again."
Mu Jingrui's clenched fists gradually loosened. He looked at Shangguan Wanning and his eyes gradually became cold.
"Shangguan Wanning, listen carefully. I never believe in destiny. I only know that I must get the woman I want. You said I can't force it, but I will force it. You can only be mine in this life."
After Mu Jingrui finished speaking, he left angrily.
Shangguan Wanning seemed to be exhausted and slowly squatted down against the rockery.
She had a premonition that the days ahead would never be peaceful.
After the dinner, Shangguan Wanning was in a bad mood. She went home and fell asleep immediately. When she woke up the next morning, she saw Lutong wandering anxiously outside the door.
"What's wrong?" Shangguan Wanning sat in front of the dressing mirror and combed her hair. "It's rare that you weren't on duty last night, and you didn't even sleep in."
"Miss, I heard a piece of news, but I don't know whether it is true or not." Lu Tong dismissed the two maids and took the comb from Shangguan Wanning.
Shangguan Wanning laughed out loud. "Girl, you get gossip all day long. I'm curious who told you all these."
"Oh, Miss, I have something serious to tell you. I heard that during the morning court session today, the King of Qi, Qi Yanbei, wrote to the Emperor, hoping to marry the princess of the Celestial Empire and return to the Southwest Qi together."
"What?"
Shangguan Wanning's body stiffened, and she turned to look at Lu Tong. "Where did you hear that? Is it true or false?"
"I don't know who spread the news, but now everyone in the streets is talking about it."
Shangguan Wanning's heart was inevitably shrouded in a layer of gloom.
Several of the current emperor's princesses have already married, and there are no princesses of marriageable age. Even if there were, the emperor probably would not be willing to let his daughters marry far away.
Since ancient times, how many of those who went to marry were real princesses?
In this way, the one chosen to marry must be the daughter of a prince or a noble or a princess who has been awarded a title.
And she just happened to have the title of a princess, and because of the favor of the empress dowager, she also enjoyed the treatment of a first-rank princess.
Shangguan Wanning suddenly remembered Qi Yanbei's meaningful smile last night and couldn't help but shudder.
"Miss?" Lu Tong gently patted Shangguan Wan Ning's shoulder and asked with concern, "Are you okay? Actually, you don't have to worry too much. The master has great influence in the court and will not let you suffer any grievances."
Shangguan Wanning forced a smile.
I am afraid that when the time comes, there will be too many things that are beyond my control.
Sure enough, after returning home, my father was frowning and was obviously worried about this matter.
Shangguan Wanning was invited to drink tea and discuss poetry with several young ladies who were waiting to be married. Qi Yanbei was also mentioned. Everyone was worried that they would be chosen by the emperor. In order to avoid marrying far away, several girls' families hastily arranged marriages for them and they got married within a short period of time.
Shangguan Wanning returned home with a heavy heart. As soon as she got off the carriage, the housekeeper came to greet her.
"Miss, there are guests at home. The master has ordered you to go directly back to your room through the back door."
"back door?"
Shangguan Wanning frowned and asked dissatisfiedly: "What kind of guest came that I have to go through the back door?"
"Yes..." The butler hesitated to speak.
Shangguan Wanning became even more displeased. She bypassed the housekeeper and walked in. When she was about to reach the hall, she seemed to realize something and gradually slowed down her pace.
But it was too late to turn back now.
In the hall, Mu Jingrui was sitting below Shangguan Yue. Neither of them spoke and the atmosphere seemed a little tense.
"Dad." Shangguan Wanning walked in with gritted teeth.
Mu Jingrui stood up, his eyes fixed on her.
"Sir Shangguan, shouldn't you listen to Ning'er's own opinion and ask whether she is willing to marry me?"
Shangguan Wanning was a little surprised. She thought that what Mu Jingrui said that day about "I insist on forcing you" was just a momentary angry remark. Why did he come to force a marriage today?
Shangguan Yue lowered his head and remained silent.
Mu Jingrui came to ask to marry Shangguan Wanning now, which was simply taking advantage of someone's misfortune, but he was helpless.
Today in the court, the emperor has hinted to three court officials to go home and do a good job of appeasing the people, and that their daughters will be chosen by Qi Yanbei.
Unfortunately, Shangguan Wanning is one of them.
"Since ancient times, marriage has always been decided by parents and matchmakers. It is not her turn to decide for herself."
Madam Shangguan came over with the help of her maid, and Shangguan Yue stood up to greet her.
"Ma'am, you are not feeling well, so don't go out everywhere. It's cold today, what if you catch a cold?"
Mrs. Shangguan ignored her husband's concern. When she saw Mu Jingrui and Shangguan Wanning looking at each other, a nameless anger surged in her heart.
"Ning'er, come here."
Shangguan Wanning walked to her mother and called out softly, "Mom."
"Master Mu, you and Ning'er did have an engagement before, but we have already returned the token, and your engagement has long been cancelled. If you think we did something wrong, you can go to Jingzhao Prefecture, the Ministry of Justice, or even sue us in front of the emperor."
Whenever Mrs. Shangguan saw Mu Jingrui, she would think of the misery and tragedy of the Zheng family. The tragic deaths of her father and brother always bothered her.
"You came here today to ask for Ning'er's hand in marriage, simply because you felt that we were reluctant to let her marry far away. You guessed it right, we are reluctant. However, if getting married can avoid this disaster, then let her get married. However, there are so many good men in the world, and you are not the only one."
Mu Jingrui didn't want to conflict with Mrs. Shangguan, he knew that Shangguan Wanning cared about her mother the most.
But how could he remain indifferent when he had to watch his sweetheart get married?
"Really?" Mu Jingrui smiled coldly, "I really want to know, in the entire capital, besides me, who else dares to marry your daughter."
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