The noble families' plans all fell through. They racked their brains but never imagined that Xie Chong would be the final choice for the imperial consort. After all, given Rong Ning's current status, Xie Chong being the imperial consort would be an incredibly high achievement.
They couldn't understand it and wanted to find out what the emperor was thinking. The emperor was direct and said at the court meeting that making Xie Chong the imperial son-in-law was firstly a reward for his righteous act of putting aside his own family, and secondly to stabilize the people's hearts.
In short, it's all beneficial and without any harm, except that it makes my daughter feel wronged.
Anyone who has objections should just offer their own daughter to Xie Chong in marriage!
Since the emperor had said so, the ministers could not say anything more.
With Prime Minister Xie's downfall, Lord Chu became the emperor's most valued and loyal subordinate. Knowing what the emperor wanted, he suggested that Princess Ningding had rendered meritorious service to the country and should be rewarded!
Therefore, how to appreciate Rong Ning became a topic of debate again.
Moreover, this issue cannot be resolved in the short term.
Haste makes waste, and Rong Ning didn't expect to resolve everything in just a day or two. After receiving the imperial decree, she followed the rules, tidied herself up, and went to the palace to express her gratitude.
In the past, she hadn't been so serious about etiquette when dealing with the emperor, but this time, her gratitude was genuine.
Genuine sincerity!
The emperor was a smart man and could see through her attitude. After thinking about it carefully, he felt very uncomfortable and asked her directly, "Are you so happy to be able to make Xie Chong your consort? So happy that you gave me a few more pleasant looks!"
Tsk...
What kind of talk is that!
Rong Ning feigned an obedient demeanor, "Father, I have always held you in the highest esteem, so you must not say such things again. I cannot bear the blame."
"You've said both good and bad things, and in the end it's all my fault!" The emperor rolled his eyes at her, clearly disgusted.
Seeing this, Rong Ning quickly resorted to acting cute and charming. She was flexible and adaptable, so she did this without any burden. The emperor couldn't do anything about it and pried off the hands that were grabbing his arm. "Speak properly!"
“Oh…” Rong Ning obediently sat back down.
The emperor glanced at her and continued, "The imperial decree for the marriage has been issued; now it's up to you when you want to get married!"
"The sooner the better!"
The emperor frowned. "So soon?"
"It's not urgent. This is for everyone's good, Father. To be honest, there's really no need to delay. The world is watching. Once the marriage is done, it will show the court and the people that you are not someone who abandons those who have served their purpose. Everyone will feel more at ease!"
Her main reason was that she wanted to take her family to the North after getting married, so that she wouldn't be called back to get married later when she was doing well there.
Seeing that she remained silent, Rong Ning, fearing that he might be overthinking things, quickly said, "Father, if this drags on, something bad is bound to happen, don't you think?!"
"Are you really sure?"
Upon hearing this, Rong Ning smiled slightly and said, "Father, I am your daughter. You should know me. Every decision I have made since I was a child has been carefully considered."
"In that case... let's get it done as soon as possible..." the emperor sighed. "I'll have the Imperial Observatory look for a few auspicious days later, and you can choose one you like!"
Hearing that he had finally made up his mind, Rong Ning quickly knelt down and performed a deep bow, "Your subject... thanks Your Majesty!"
"Alright, get up! A daughter is too young to stay at home!"
"Father, what are you saying!" Rong Ning said with a grin. "I've been running around outside since I was little. When have you ever kept me here?"
The emperor nodded. "Yes! As your father, I was powerless to keep you here!"
His three eldest children are all capable in their own way, and he, as their father, can't really keep any of them.
There was no other way; this was the only option.
The emperor was somewhat tired, so he kept Rong Ning for a while and then let her go.
Rong Ning thought that since she was already in the palace, she might as well go and see Xie Chong. After all, he had become her consort in a rather muddled way, so she should at least go and check on him.
After leaving the emperor's residence, they had only walked a few steps when they encountered Luo Chuan.
He wasn't wearing armor, just a gray outfit. When Rong Ning saw him, he was leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed, swinging his legs idly.
Judging from his relaxed demeanor, he must have finished his shift and was waiting for someone.
Rong Ning didn't avoid him, walking straight over and casually asking, "Commander Luo, are you waiting for someone?"
Luo Chuan remained as courteous as ever, bowing respectfully and replying, "Your Highness, this humble subject has been waiting for you!"
Waiting for her?
This surprised Rong Ning. "Has something serious happened?"
"No, it's not that..." Luo Chuan straightened his back, "It's that I have something I'm very curious about!"
"Oh? Tell me about it!"
Luo Chuan cleared his throat. "The matter that I am curious about is neither a big deal nor a small one. Your Highness must agree to my request first and not get angry with me!"
Upon hearing this, Rong Ning snorted, "Since you've put it that way, then what you're curious about must not be anything good. Just don't ask, it's a waste of time!"
As Rong Ning spoke, she walked past him, deliberately bumping her shoulder into Luo Chuan. Caught off guard, he stumbled back a step.
"Your Highness..." Luo Chuan hurried after him, "Your Highness...why are you so angry!"
"It's you who's being so indecisive!" Rong Ning said, too lazy to pay him any attention. "Just say what you have to say, or shut up. Why did you tell me not to get angry first? Are you sick in the head? Don't you think you're so well-mannered?"
Well......
Luo Chuan was choked half to death.
After a quick thought, he blurted out, as if he had made up his mind, "Your Highness is just curious, why did you choose Xie Chong? Logically speaking, it shouldn't have been him no matter what."
As soon as he finished speaking, Rong Ning abruptly stopped, turned around, and looked him up and down. "Why are you curious about this? Are you dissatisfied and want to become this princess's consort too? If so, I can discuss it with Father Emperor, after all, we're not married yet..."
"Ah...no, no, no, Your Highness..."
Luo Chuan quickly waved his hand...
"Your Majesty is truly just curious. You are both a scholar and a warrior, and the apple of His Majesty's and the Crown Prince's eye. So your husband should naturally be the most outstanding young man in Nanyang City in terms of family background, appearance, and knowledge. Xie Chong is like a stray dog now, so it shouldn't be him!"
"Your Highness is puzzled... Your Highness cannot understand... Therefore, I wish to ask for your guidance!"
Is Xie Chong a homeless dog?
Oh...that seems to make sense!
Fortunately, Rong Ning didn't have very deep feelings for Xie Chong, otherwise she would have slapped Luo Chuan twice to vent her anger for Xie Chong!
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