Xiao Yi had not expected Jin Ning to say such a thing to him.
As the Emperor.
Women have always been desperate to enter the palace.
It was truly the first time that he had actively brought up a position, only to be refused.
Jin Ning sensed the Emperor's displeasure.
But her expression was exceptionally firm.
She needed to let Xiao Yi know that she did not want any connection with him.
She understood the principle of "playing hard to get."
Temporary distance was also a way to pique this Emperor's interest.
Thinking this, Jin Ning knelt on the ground and sincerely pleaded, "Your Majesty..."
Xiao Yi looked at the slender girl with thin shoulders kneeling on the ground with a stern expression and coldly interrupted the words she was about to speak, "Speak only after you've thought it through."
"This is your only chance," Xiao Yi said in a deep voice.
Jin Ning pursed her lips and looked at Xiao Yi with clear, determined eyes, "This commoner woman has thought it through. I ask Your Majesty to forget that day and pretend you never met me."
Xiao Yi scrutinized Jin Ning for a long time before coldly saying, "If that is the case, then get out."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's grace."
With that, Jin Ning walked out without hesitation.
Seeing Jin Ning leave so decisively and without any lingering, the Emperor was once again amused to the point of anger.
Good, truly very good!
He told her to get out, and she actually left?
He stared at Jin Ning's retreating back for a long time, a half-smile on his face.
Pretend to have never met?
Hmph!
...
After leaving the side hall, Jin Ning quickly found the hood and cloak she had hidden, then gathered the hair ornaments and jewels she had placed there into her arms, and hurried down the mountain towards her bedroom.
When Jin Ning pushed open the door.
Shiliu was in Jin Ning's room. Her expression was furtive and flustered, seemingly not expecting Jin Ning to return so quickly.
"Mis... Miss, why have you returned?" Shiliu asked.
Jin Ning gave Shiliu a deep glance and then said, "Go and make me a cup of hot tea."
Now was not the time to argue with Shiliu, but rather... she did not want Shiliu to see her attire under the cloak.
For now, it was not yet time to reveal her future identity as the Crown Princess.
Shiliu, seeing that Jin Ning did not question why she was in the bedroom, breathed a sigh of relief as if a great burden had been lifted. Not daring to linger, she walked out.
After Jin Ning had tidied everything up and quieted down, she realized she was terribly cold.
She glanced at the charcoal fire burning in the room and couldn't help but shiver.
She knew it wasn't that the room wasn't warm... those people at the Yong'an Marquis Manor wouldn't openly withhold necessities, especially regarding charcoal fires, and moreover, this was an imperial palace, everything was under the Son of Heaven's watchful eye.
It was she herself who was ill.
It made sense. Earlier, to gamble that Xiao Yi would walk towards a secluded area, she had waited there for two quarters of an hour.
It was during a time of biting cold wind and heavy snow.
She had hidden her cloak and was only wearing a thin dress; how could she not be freezing?
...
The banquet dispersed.
Empress Xu returned to her Qifeng Palace.
After Huanxi dismissed everyone else, the dignified and elegant expression on Empress Xu's face instantly vanished.
She had a stern face and said coldly, "I didn't expect that one from the Yong'an Marquis Manor to be so cunning!"
"Today, His Majesty arrived, and everyone paid their respects. Yet she stood there motionless, waiting for His Majesty to ask about her! So impatient to gain His Majesty's attention, hoping he would bring up the engagement soon?" Empress Xu was somewhat annoyed.
Granny Zhao chimed in, "Your Ladyship sees clearly. How could that Eldest Miss Pei, who has studied ritual regulations since childhood, not know she must pay respects to His Majesty? Today was definitely deliberate!"
Huanxi brought over a cup of tea and advised, "Your Ladyship, have some tea and don't let yourself get too angry and harm your health."
Empress Xu took the tea and drank it, her mood calming slightly.
She continued with a stern face, "This time, I used the excuse of her needing to fulfill filial piety to put off the wedding."
"But this is not a long-term solution."
"Then what does Your Ladyship plan to do?" Granny Zhao, hearing this, knew her mistress must have an idea, so she asked.
Empress Xu said in a deep voice, "Naturally, I will ensure she can never marry Chen'er! And... it must appear that everything was Jin Ning's own doing, and that Chen'er was wronged..."
No matter what, the reputation of breaking faith and looking down on Pei Jin Ning's background must not fall upon Chen'er!
As for that Pei Jin Ning.
Not to mention the prophecy of the phoenix destiny from the Imperial Observatory back then, Pei Mingyue was the true phoenix destiny.
Even so, the Yong'an Marquis Manor would not wholeheartedly support the Crown Prince for a mere concubine-born daughter like Pei Jin Ning.
If that Pei Mingyue married the Second Prince... the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although her son was already the Crown Prince, how many Crown Princes throughout history had ascended the throne smoothly? Until the day of his enthronement, there were still many variables.
She had to find a way to gain more support for her son!
Empress Xu felt that Jin Ning's refusal to pay respects to the Emperor was deliberate.
The people of the Yong'an Marquis Manor thought the same.
Jin Ning felt cold all over and had been lying down for quite some time.
Haitang came to announce, "Miss, the Marquis and Madam wish to see you."
Jin Ning opened her eyes and looked out through the window. It was already dark, and outside there was only the biting cold wind and heavy snow.
She said, "Please tell them I am feeling unwell and have retired for the night. I will pay my respects to Father and Mother tomorrow when I feel better."
Haitang respectfully replied, "Yes."
About a quarter of an hour after Haitang left.
Accompanied by an impatient scold, "Pei Jin Ning! Get out here! Don't think you can hide by pretending to be sick!"
With a bang, Jin Ning's door was pushed open.
Jin Ning knew who had arrived without even looking up; it was her boorish second brother.
She weakly opened her eyes, about to speak.
Pei Jingchuan had already rushed to her bedside in three quick steps, grabbed her wrist, and tried to pull her down, "Come with me to see Father and Mother! And explain clearly what happened at the palace banquet today!"
The moment Pei Jingchuan grabbed her wrist, a surge of anger suddenly rose within Jin Ning!
Did they really think she was an easy target, a soft persimmon? Again and again, they barged into her room to stand up for Pei Mingyue?
Before Pei Jingchuan could pull Jin Ning off the bed, Jin Ning's palm had already been raised.
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