Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Chapter 284 Forced to Break Off the Engagement

When General Ren heard this, he was certain that Ning Yunxiao was protecting Jiang Lige. He clenched his fists and said angrily with a red face.

"Since Your Highness says this matter has nothing to do with Princess Zhaohua, you should write to His Majesty and cancel the engagement to prove your innocence! Otherwise, how will Your Highness make the people of Nanchu feel? The man who sits securely in the Eastern Palace, enjoying the people's support and a life of luxury, is actually the one who killed their fathers and brothers and destroyed their homes! How can the people truly remain free of resentment when they think of this?!"

After General Ren finished speaking, several other generals followed suit and advised him.

"Yes, Your Highness! If the engagement is not broken, the bond will only deepen in the future. If one day Nanchu really raises its army to invade again, can you really bring yourself to kill Princess Zhaohua's brother? If you insist on not fighting now, the only way is to break off the engagement with Princess Zhaohua. Only then can the people of Shengling rest in peace!"

"Your Highness, the general is absolutely right! As military commanders, we, the sons of Sheng Ling, should take the fate of our country as our own responsibility and not fear a single battle! Your Highness's marriage is not just a family matter, but a national one, one that concerns Sheng Ling's prestige and the hearts of the people. If Your Highness insists on not canceling the engagement, the people will surely lose faith in you and the entire royal family. How can we expect long-term peace and stability then?"

"As long as this engagement remains unbroken, it will only unravel the court and chill the hearts of the people. We will never allow such a hidden danger to remain with Your Highness. Please consider the greater good and reconsider your decision!"

"enough!"

Doubts and complaints were intertwined. Ning Yunxiao finally couldn't bear it anymore. He shouted loudly, his voice as cold as ice, instantly silencing everyone's noise.

"I don't deny that our marriage is indeed not based on simple personal feelings, and it is not something I can easily decide alone. But for me, the position of Crown Princess is by no means a means to consolidate power. Our marriage is not only a symbol of peace between our two countries, but also a decision made by me after careful consideration. Generals, as commanders of Sheng Ling, should understand the interests of the country and not let personal feelings sway the overall situation at this moment. I admire your loyalty and your kindness in considering the people, but your words and actions today are truly biased. My engagement with Princess Zhaohua will not change, but I will not take today's incident to heart. However, I do not want to hear similar remarks a second time!"

After Ning Yunxiao finished speaking, everyone looked at each other in surprise. For a moment, the surroundings were so quiet that only the howling sound of the desert wind could be heard.

General Ren's expression became even more uncertain. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly and bowed. "That's all I have to say. I'll take my leave!"

After saying this, he snorted and turned away. Seeing this, the other generals also bowed and took their leave.

Ning Yunxiao looked at the backs of everyone leaving, feeling mixed emotions. He sighed and turned back to the tent.

After all, he knew better than anyone that even though the words of those people just now were indeed extreme, what they said was all true.

He chose the most difficult path, but he has no regrets.

Whether it is for Jiang Lige or for this peaceful and prosperous era.

It is difficult to avoid danger on the road, and you will not be free when things happen.

If everyone is afraid of difficulties and refuses to move forward, it will be difficult to see a bright and peaceful world in this world.

So, even if people in the world stop because of fear of difficulties, Ning Yunxiao will still set sail just to pursue that glimmer of possibility.

The dispute ended with everyone leaving on bad terms.

Jiang Lige, who had no intention of seeing this secret, hid behind a huge rock on a narrow path. The fierce argument in front of the tent just now echoed in his ears, and he did not move for a long time.

It was not until the crowd had dispersed that he suddenly came to his senses, bit his lip, and ultimately did not take a step forward, but returned to his tent the same way.

After the Emperor of Southern Chu agreed to abdicate, Jiang Lige was only glad that the matter was resolved without bloodshed, but he never thought from Sheng Ling's perspective that the change of the throne of Southern Chu was only a temporary solution for Sheng Ling.

This war initiated by the Emperor of Southern Chu inevitably damaged the friendship between the two countries that had been carefully maintained for many years. Once this relationship was broken, it would be difficult to repair.

Now, his existence has become a shackle for Ning Yunxiao.

Such a change is really ridiculous.

However, since Ning Yunxiao suppressed the matter so forcefully, he probably didn't want her to know about it.

In this case, instead of going over and saying some clumsy words of comfort, it would be better to fulfill Ning Yunxiao's good intentions.

Jiang Lige thought so and did so. He stayed in the tent obediently for the next few days and did not go anywhere, so as not to make those Sheng Ling generals feel uncomfortable.

When Jiang Lige was about to grow mushrooms in the tent, Dunzhu, who was previously responsible for escorting the Xu family back to the Chi tribe, finally arrived in Longcheng slowly.

As soon as Dunzhu entered the room, he lazily lay down in the armchair, and the benevolent attitude on his face was too obvious to be true.

"The Xu family members have settled down in the valley. It just so happens that our Chi clan is in need of someone to take care of the clan's miscellaneous affairs. We decided to give them a try, and surprisingly, they've adapted quite well."

Jiang Lige nodded absentmindedly, "That's good."

Dunzhu had originally prepared a bunch of words to stop Jiang Lige's endless questioning, but she didn't expect that she would just say this one sentence and then stop. So she looked over suspiciously.

"Who has upset you again?"

Jiang Lige was stunned. He had been holding back words for a long time but had no one to say them. Now that he finally met an old acquaintance, all the grievances he had been holding back poured out like beans.

Jiang Lige did not hide the fact that Ning Yunxiao was in trouble because of him, and the guilt on his face was visible to the naked eye.

After pouring out his grievances, Jiang Lige concluded.

“If only I weren’t Princess Nanchu.”

If she were not Princess Nanchu, she would not have so many responsibilities.

She can be herself and live the free life that a teenage girl should have, instead of being trapped in a square city and looking up at her homeland.

If she were not Princess Nanchu, she and Ning Yunxiao would not be born enemies.

Their innate positions are clearly defined, because behind their positions are the interests of their country and family. Once principles are touched upon, they will not give in even a little.

If she were not Princess Nanchu, she and Ning Yunxiao might have been a good match.

She is his bright moon and he is her bright sun. There is no criticism from the world and no national hatred or family feuds. They can walk hand in hand to the ends of the earth, with the sky as their blanket and the earth as their mat, and be a pair of fairy lovers.

Compared to Jiang Lige's deep hatred and resentment, Dunzhu's attitude on the opposite side can be said to be very calm. He sneered and responded indifferently.

"What's so difficult about that? If you don't want to be the Princess of Nanchu, you can still be the Young Master of our Chi Clan. In Youyuan Valley, everyone is eagerly awaiting the Young Master's return. Life there is simple, without the headaches of being surrounded by enemies like you."