Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Chapter 150 Dissolution of Engagement

After reporting the business in a businesslike manner, Ning Yunxiao knelt side by side with Jiang Lige and the others. The distance was so close that Jiang Lige could see his distinct eyelashes trembling slightly under the drizzle.

Seeing such a lively person, Jiang Lige's heart, which had been hanging for a long time, finally settled down.

After all, it was in front of the emperor, and there were many things to pay attention to. Everyone had their own thoughts, but no one said a word.

But in a moment, a eunuch came to deliver the order on behalf of Emperor Shengwu.

"Announce, Prince Zhao, Ning Yunxiao, and the others to enter the palace to report. Princess Zhaohua and Lord Xiao should also come inside to avoid the rain."

"Yes." The three of them answered together, and then the eunuchs who served in front of the emperor came forward and helped them into the hall.

Ning Yunxiao was arranged to answer questions in the main hall, while Jiang Lige and Xiao Xingrong rested in the tea room separated by a wall, waiting to be summoned.

When he saw Ning Yunxiao's figure appear before him, Emperor Shengwu could hardly suppress his inner excitement. His brows were raised with joy, and even his voice trembled slightly.

"Xiao'er has lost weight," Emperor Shengwu said with concern, then realized there was something wrong with his words. He quickly added, "Since you fell off the cliff, there has been no good news from the front lines. I'm deeply worried! How come you've arrived in the capital in the blink of an eye?"

"Due to external and internal troubles, I had no choice but to act first and report later. I am sorry that this has caused Your Majesty concern. I hope you will forgive me."

As Ning Yunxiao spoke, he knelt down again. Emperor Shengwu couldn't bear to see him like this, so he quickly walked down the stairs and helped him up personally.

"You've suffered so much this time, why are you still being so polite to me? Come, please take a seat!"

The eunuch quickly brought the armchair over and fetched some clean towels for Ning Yunxiao, "Prince, wipe it off."

"Thank you." Ning Yunxiao politely took the towel, wiped it a few times, and then reported the business to Emperor Shengwu.

According to Ning Yunxiao, during this trip to Guangzhanggou, the bandits probably wanted to lure them into a trap and wipe them out in one fell swoop, so things went quite smoothly at first.

It was not until the day Ning Yunxiao fell off the cliff that the team suffered the biggest blow of this trip. Fortunately, Ning Yunxiao reacted as soon as the team entered the ambush area and acted decisively to save the large army. However, he was forced into a desperate situation by the bandits and fell off the cliff after being shot by an arrow.

Ning Yunxiao was able to save his life thanks to Jiang Lige. Before Ning Yunxiao left Beijing to suppress the bandits, Jiang Lige gave him a sachet.

The sachet is filled with herbs that repel insects and snakes, and in addition, there is a hard iron piece.

Before the arrow pierced his body, it was blocked by the iron sheet and buffered for a bit. Therefore, the injury Ning Yunxiao suffered was much lighter than others saw.

But even so, Ning Yunxiao, who fell off the cliff, still narrowly escaped death. It took him two full days to recover before he was able to move.

Although Ning Yunxiao could not move during the two days he lay in the cave, his mind was never idle for a moment, and he analyzed many strange things.

The first time he led an army, Ning Yunxiao did not use the conventional methods in the military camp, and eliminated the possibility of information leakage to the greatest extent. However, even so, the bandits were able to grasp their marching direction so accurately, which only meant that there was an insider in the team, and this traitor also played a very important role in the army.

It was also for this reason that Ning Yunxiao did not dare to pass on information to the army and the capital, but secretly contacted a few trustworthy people to lead the troops to act secretly.

Then, find another way and win with one strike.

Ning Yunxiao spoke calmly, concealing many details, but even so, Emperor Shengwu was frightened and extremely angry.

"My dear, do you know who is causing trouble?"

Ning Yunxiao decisively threw out a name, "Luo Chenglou."

When Emperor Shengwu heard this name, he had already come to a conclusion in his mind.

Shengling has been peaceful for many years. It would have been fine if these military generals had been just sitting there doing nothing but working in vain in the capital, but when facing the enemy, they actually colluded with the bandits for their own selfish desires. They were really rebellious!

Although he was furious in his heart, Emperor Shengwu remained calm. He simply nodded calmly and said in a deep voice, "I understand. I will give you an explanation on this matter."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ning Yunxiao nodded slightly and respectfully presented a memorial. "These are the items seized in Guangzhanggou. They have all been recorded. Please review them."

"Good." Emperor Shengwu nodded and asked with a smile, "My dear minister, you have achieved such great merit this time. What should I reward you with?"

Ning Yunxiao stood up and bowed respectfully, his attitude humble. "To be honest, there is a matter that I hope Your Majesty can make a decision for me."

"But it doesn't matter."

"Princess Zhaohua and I have no feelings for each other. Forcing us together would only make us a couple of enemies." Ning Yunxiao's eyelashes narrowed slightly, their long lashes obscuring his eyes, making it impossible for anyone to discern the true expression hidden within. "I, with all my military achievements, dare to ask Your Majesty for a favor. Allow... Princess Zhaohua and I to dissolve our engagement and marry freely."

Emperor Shengwu seemed a little surprised. "Ordinarily, Zhaohua could be considered your savior this time. How could the first thing you did after returning was to cancel your engagement?"

"Yes."

"Go and invite Princess Zhaohua." Emperor Shengwu pondered for a moment, then waved to the eunuch. After giving the order, he continued, "You young people have your own ideas, and I can't control them. Since you have asked today, I can comply. However, Zhaohua is also a good girl. She knelt outside for you for most of the day. Even if it is out of friendship, you should explain it clearly to her."

Ning Yunxiao was silent for a moment and replied softly, "Yes." While he was hesitating, Jiang Lige had changed into fresh clothes and had tidied up her hair a little. It was no longer as messy as before, but it was still wet.

Jiang Lige probably already knew what Ning Yunxiao wanted on the way here. She was always impatient and did not hide her anger at all. Her pretty face showed embarrassment and sadness.

"Ning Yunxiao, do you want to cancel your engagement with me?"

"Yes."

Ning Yunxiao's expression remained unchanged. He only responded briefly without even saying a word of explanation.

Jiang Lige, who was always proud, couldn't say a word to try to keep him. She just stood there in a daze, staring at Ning Yunxiao's silent face. Tears rolled around in her eyes for several times, but she stubbornly refused to fall.

"Okay, then... as the prince wishes."

She bit her lip as she said this, lifted her robe, turned around and walked out of the Yangxin Palace neatly, leaving Ning Yunxiao with only a graceful back.

Watching Jiang Lige's figure gradually disappearing in the rain, Ning Yunxiao withdrew his gaze empty-headedly. For a moment, he didn't know what he felt in his heart. It couldn't be said that he was sad, but he didn't seem to be relieved as he had imagined. He just felt as if something in his chest was suddenly taken away, leaving it empty.

Emperor Shengwu sighed softly and was about to speak when he saw the tall figure sway, and then...

Falling down!

Then, Emperor Shengwu roared in panic, "Xiao'er! Imperial Physician! Please call for the Imperial Physician!"