Xiao Chen almost thought he had misheard.
But the young lady's clear and firm voice rang out again: "Your Highness, if you are a man, break off the engagement soon."
Jin Ning knew that Empress Xu targeted her in every way, all because she did not want her son to marry a concubine-born daughter, yet was unwilling to bear the infamy of defying an imperial decree to break the engagement.
If she could provoke Xiao Chen to break off the engagement himself.
It would also be a way to disgust Empress Xu.
Most importantly, she truly did not want any further connection with Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen did not expect Jin Ning to say such a thing.
He turned around, looked at Jin Ning, and said coldly, "What tantrum are you throwing now?"
"I am not throwing a tantrum; your subject is sincerely considering Your Highness's best interests. Whomever Your Highness likes, whom you deem pure and kind, go marry them! Why give the position of Crown Princess to a scheming woman like your subject?" Jin Ning said very calmly.
Xiao Chen said coldly, "I don't have time to fool around with you here!"
With that, Xiao Chen snorted coldly and walked out.
However, although he left Jin Ning's room, the scene from just now kept replaying in his mind.
Jin Ning, she was truly audacious, daring to speak of breaking the engagement!
He didn't need to say anything more; he just had to wait. Within a day, Jin Ning would surely regret it and beg for reconciliation!
...
Haitang came in from outside and asked cautiously, "Young Lady, did you quarrel with His Highness?"
Jin Ning lowered her eyebrows and did not speak.
Haitang looked at Jin Ning, wanting to speak but hesitating. After a while, she said, "Young Lady, if His Highness really breaks off the engagement, what will you do?"
Haitang had heard the conversation between Jin Ning and Xiao Chen just now.
This made her unable to help but worry.
At this moment, Jin Ning looked up at Haitang. Seeing the genuine worry in Haitang's expression, she thought that Haitang must hope she would marry the Crown Prince.
If that were the case, Haitang was not an agent of the Empress or Madam Song.
It made sense.
If Haitang were truly Empress Xu or Madam Song's person, why would they need to send another servant, Shiliu, to cause trouble for her?
Although she was suspicious of Haitang, in her heart, she still hoped that she was just being overly suspicious.
"However, Young Lady, you don't need to worry too much. This marriage was personally decreed by the Old Marquis! Now that the Old Marquis is gone, His Majesty cannot change the decree!" Haitang's tone became a bit more firm as she thought of this.
Jin Ning, however, was thinking.
This engagement was difficult to break, but it would be much easier to get rid of her.
But this time, they would not succeed in making her disappear without a trace.
She was unwilling and would not resign herself to fate.
Haitang had been talking for a while. Seeing that Jin Ning was not responding, she said, "Then... Young Lady, you should rest well. This servant will take her leave."
She always felt that these past few days, the Young Lady's temperament had become increasingly strange and unlike her former self.
It made sense. With the arrival of Miss Mingyue in the manor, the Young Lady's status was bound to be awkward, wasn't it? It would be strange if her mood were good.
But no matter how favored that Second Young Lady might be, she would never snatch the position of Crown Princess that belonged to the Young Lady. She would absolutely not allow anyone to block the Eldest Daughter's path!
Because that was not just the Eldest Daughter's path, but her own path as well.
How could Jin Ning know that Haitang was thinking like this in her heart?
...
Jin Ning rested in bed for the entire day. Although no medicine was used, as Jin Ning had predicted, her condition had greatly improved.
As for the people of Yong'an Marquis Manor, they seemed to have forgotten Jin Ning; no one came to visit her.
Until the next morning.
Pei Jingchuan arrived.
Today, he had abandoned his usual demeanor of a noble young master and was instead wearing a thick coat with a fur collar and carrying a bow and arrows on his back. His attire clearly indicated he was going hunting.
After entering, Pei Jingchuan saw Jin Ning lying in bed, her complexion still somewhat pale.
"Ning Ning, your complexion looks much better. I can finally rest easy now," Pei Jingchuan breathed a sigh of relief.
He still felt a bit scared thinking about Jin Ning's fever.
He was afraid Jin Ning would truly die from the illness.
Jin Ning covered her mouth and coughed twice, still appearing very weak.
Before she could even say a word, the sound of Zhenzhu's announcement came from outside.
"Second Young Master, my Young Lady asks if you are departing now?" Zhenzhu was a maidservant by Pei Mingyue's side.
Upon hearing this, Pei Jingchuan quickly said, "Tell your Young Lady to wait for me a moment; I'll be right there."
With that, Pei Jingchuan looked at Jin Ning and said gently, "It's cold outside, so don't go out and about. Rest well in your room. His Majesty is organizing a hunting expedition. Wait for me to win first prize, and I'll bring the prize back for you!"
Jin Ning looked at Pei Jingchuan before her, her expression slightly stunned.
His appearance at this moment reminded her of her second brother from before, who used to cherish her and always gave her the best things.
While Jin Ning was lost in thought, Pei Jingchuan had already walked out.
Then, Pei Jingchuan's voice came from outside: "Alright, you don't need to visit her. Be careful not to catch the sickness."
Although Jin Ning couldn't hear what Pei Mingyue said, Pei Jingchuan's voice carried into the room, allowing her to hear it clearly.
The nostalgic look on Jin Ning's face instantly vanished, and a coldness gradually appeared in her eyes.
However, Jin Ning did not dwell on this matter for too long.
Because she suddenly remembered another extremely important matter.
What did Pei Jingchuan say he was going to do just now? His Majesty was organizing a hunting expedition? The prize?
The prize itself was not important, nor did she care about it. The key point was that His Majesty was organizing a hunting expedition.
Three years ago, after she had an accident in the snow forest and was being forced to her death.
Xiao Yi was not in the imperial palace. It was likely Empress Xu who wanted to get rid of her during that time.
After she died and became a ghost, she finally understood.
It turned out that during the hunting expedition, Xiao Yi had been led into the deep mountains by a mad horse and lost track of.
With the heavy snow sealing the mountains, the Emperor was lost in the wilderness for several days without a trace. Everyone feared the worst.
Fortunately, after a scare, the search party eventually found Xiao Yi, who was severely injured, in a snow cave.
Jin Ning had originally intended to continue feigning illness and stay indoors, allowing Empress Xu to lower her guard.
After all, if she could be left to die of illness, no one would bother targeting her anymore.
But she did not intend to miss such a good opportunity as the hunting expedition.
Whether she could use this opportunity to cultivate a relationship with the Emperor or become the Emperor's savior, it would bring her nothing but benefits.
The Emperor being in danger was, in fact, a tremendous opportunity for her.
Therefore, she could not continue to feign illness for the time being.
Jin Ning got out of bed, deliberately made her eye circles look more haggard, changed her clothes, then took a white fox fur coat, wrapped herself up completely, and then got up to go out.
Haitang came in from outside and bumped right into Jin Ning. She asked doubtfully, "Young Lady, where are you going?"
Jin Ning's clear voice replied, "To the hunting expedition."
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