Zhou Beichen was heartbroken when he heard his daughter's slight sobs. He rolled his eyes in dissatisfaction but did not attack the Queen Mother. As for Shen Nian'an, he knew that her original intention was the same as the Queen Mother's, and she just wanted her daughter to live a peaceful and stable life.
But since ancient times, which princess in the royal family has truly lived a peaceful life?
A marriage alliance? A prince consort taking a concubine? After her husband dies, she marries her brother and serves three generations of his family?
When Zhou Beichen thought of this, he was afraid that all this would happen to his daughter. It was for this reason that he instilled in his daughter the idea that as long as she was excellent, a daughter could do anything a boy could do.
No one answered her, not even her father. Zhou Zhaonuan thought that Zhou Beichen had taken the Queen Mother's words to heart, and from now on, he would take away her token and let her learn needlework.
Nuannuan sniffed and got out of Zhou Beichen's arms without any hesitation. She looked at the Queen Mother and Shen Nian'an steadily, and finally, she knelt down in front of Zhou Beichen.
Nuannuan wiped away her tears, kowtowed, and straightened her back. She held her little head high, her eyes bright, and her face serious.
"Daddy, I remember everything you've said to me since I was little. If Mother and the Imperial Grandmother were to trap Nuannuan in the palace for the rest of her life because she was anxious and led troops to attack the Prime Minister's residence, I would never do that. Although Nuannuan is young, I have my own pride. I will never give up what I want to learn or do because of anyone or anything. I beg Father to grant my wish."
Zhou Zhaonuan kowtowed again, which made Zhou Beichen feel very uncomfortable. He raised his hand and wanted to help his daughter up, but Nuannuan dodged his hand and showed a determined smile.
"Daddy, Nuannuan admits that I was wrong about Prime Minister Li, but I don't regret it. If Daddy, Mommy, and the Empress Dowager are still angry, then please spank Nuannuan. I promise you again that I will think twice before doing anything in the future. I will never act rashly like I did this time. But, Daddy, if you're done spanking her, you must go against everyone's advice and let Nuannuan live like a boy, riding a horse, shooting arrows, learning martial arts, and leaving the palace. I beg you, Daddy."
Every word his daughter said was sincere and went straight into Zhou Beichen's heart. He couldn't help but glare at Shen Nian'an and the Queen Mother, his heartache evident in his expression.
Over there, Shen Nian'an and the Queen Mother looked at each other, and suddenly felt that with such a big devil around, what they had just said became nonsense.
Shen Nian'an opened his mouth, stepped forward, helped his daughter who was kneeling on the ground up, and rubbed Zhou Zhaonuan's messy hair with a gentle look.
"Nuannuan, that's not what Mother meant. You know, since ancient times, daughters have always been different from boys. If you break common sense and do what men do, Mother is afraid that you will encounter something uncontrollable in the future. By then, even if your father is the emperor, Mother will be useless."
What Shen Nian'an said was true. After traveling through time for more than ten years, time had already smoothed out her edges. When she first traveled to this dynasty, she also had her own thoughts. She wanted to look at everything from a modern perspective.
But the reality dealt her a heavy blow, because she was framed and ran to the dragon bed, where she stayed in the cold palace for five years.
Therefore, Shen Nian'an knew even more how terrifying the emperor was and how deep the water in the court was.
When Zhou Zhaonuan heard this, she pursed her lips and looked at Shen Nian'an, her big eyes bright and clear.
"Mom, Nuannuan is not afraid. She is already a big kid. No matter what happens in the future, she can handle it herself."
Zhou Beichen was amazed at his daughter's clear mind. Just as he was about to say something, De Shun came in from outside and spoke hurriedly.
"Your Majesty, spies have reported that a large number of merchants have recently arrived at the southwestern border. Although they are disguised, they are obviously different from those who have practiced martial arts."
"The King of Wu feared delaying the progress of the matter, so he came to the capital without being summoned. He is now kneeling in front of the main hall, apologizing. He said he had other matters to report to the Emperor."
Zhou Beichen's eyes immediately became sharp. He casually touched his daughter's head and comforted her.
"Nuannuan, let's talk about your matter after father comes back."
He then greeted the empress dowager and nodded to Shen Nian'an. After that, he flicked his sleeves and strode away.
Seeing the biggest obstacle gone, Shen Nian'an and the Queen Mother breathed a sigh of relief. The two pairs of eyes looked at each other, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law both agreed that Zhou Beichen's approach was not advisable. This incident was an example. If Zhou Beichen had not arrived in time today, then tomorrow would surely cause an uproar in the court, and be publicized by officials and people. By then, how would Zhou Zhaonuan deal with it?
Thinking of this, Shen Nian'an squatted down, trying to keep her eyes level with Zhou Zhaonuan. She held the little girl's hand and spoke earnestly and patiently, giving her the utmost.
"Nuannuan, listen to what mother said. This woman really shouldn't show her face in public..."
However, Zhou Zhaonuan didn't listen to a single word he said. Finally, the little girl covered her ears stubbornly and refused to listen to anything he said.
The Queen Mother sighed as she watched.
Shen Nian'an immediately lowered her voice, and she reached out and tapped Zhou Zhaonuan's fair and tender forehead.
"Why are you so stubborn, child? Mother has tried to persuade you, but you just won't listen, right? Mother and your grandmother have both been through this, so why don't you believe me?"
"Yes, Nuannuan, will the Empress Dowager harm you?"
The Queen Mother suppressed her anger and advised in a good-tempered manner.
Zhou Zhaonuan immediately pouted and changed her expression, staring at the Queen Mother and Shen Nian'an with a pair of unwilling eyes.
"I know that neither the Empress Dowager nor Mother would harm me, but I have my own thoughts. If I were the daughter of an ordinary family, it would be fine, but I am not. Daddy said that as long as what Nuannuan thinks is wrong is just, she can do it, without having to consider worldly opinions."
"I don't deny that Mother and the Imperial Grandmother are right, but you can't deny that my ideas are wrong either."
"you......"
Shen Nian'an was startled and looked at her daughter again. Her eyes were filled with anger. The Queen Mother was also shocked. Her granddaughter's aura was so similar to that of her son when he was young, almost exactly the same.
After the Queen Mother left, her daughter kept arguing with her. She said one thing, and her daughter would talk back three times. Shen Nian'an, who was really thinking about her, could not hold back her anger. Finally, she picked up the stick that Zhou Beichen had just held and hit her daughter hard, whom she had held in her hands since she was a child.
"Pah~"
As the board came down, Nuannuan couldn't help but tremble. Zhou Zhaonuan never thought that she would be so unlucky today. It would be fine if her father wanted to beat her, but she didn't expect her mother to hit her so hard. It hurt more than every time her father beat her.
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