<div> Chapter 157: Chapter 156
 Chapter 156
 Ming Kai stared at the young woman in front of him with blazing eyes. This woman dared to say that he was not worthy to touch her?
 How arrogant!
 He was the Third Prince of the Yingjie Region, while she was merely the daughter of a second-rank official. Yet now she claimed he was not worthy of touching her. Did Young Miss Wan Ningtong think herself so exalted!?
 Wan Ningtong, seeing the flames of anger in his eyes, immediately sensed danger. Earlier, she had been in a foul mood, combining with the Third Prince’s disrespectful advances, she had forgotten herself and responded impulsively.
 Now she was just the daughter of a second-rank official, but he was the Third Prince of Yingjie. If he reported her behavior to the Emperor, the Emperor would likely side with him to maintain good relations between the regions.
 "I apologize for my disrespectful words, Your Highness. I hope you will be merciful and not take offense."
 Wan Ningtong curtsied in apology before turning to Jiao Fangniang, "Let’s go back. We’ve been out for quite a while, and our family might be worried."
 "Y...yes, let’s hurry back. I forgot I have some important matters to attend to,"
 Jiao Fangniang quickly agreed, sensing the tense situation. She hurriedly instructed her maid to pack up and prepare to leave.
 Ming Kai watched their actions with cold eyes. Just moments ago, Wan Ningtong had rebuked him for not being worthy of touching her, but now she was apologizing and trying to escape, as if to avoid him.
 Did she think she could insult him and then smooth things over so easily?
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 </div> Dream on!
 "Is Young Miss Wan leaving already? How about I escort you? Our paths seem to be the same, with your manor being on the way to the envoy’s residence," Ming Kai suppressed his displeasure and maintained a normal expression.
 "That won’t be necessary, Your Highness."
 Wan Ningtong stepped aside to avoid him, but he blocked her path again. Ming Kai inhaled the sweet fragrance from her body, his eyes filled with a lustful desire to possess her completely.
 "It’s no trouble at all. It’s more of a disturbance for you, Young Miss Wan. I don’t know the way very well myself. In a few days, I’ll be returning to Yingjie. Consider it helping me get acquainted with the capital’s attractions."
 "If Your Highness needs a guide, I’m sure there are many more suitable people. I must take my leave."
 Wan Ningtong struggled to suppress her revulsion towards the man before her. The more disrespect he showed, the harder it was for her to conceal her growing disgust.
 Ming Kai watched her struggle with amusement. The more she tried to escape, the more he wanted to get closer. The more she showed her disgust, the more he wanted to possess her!
 Just as he was about to say something, Jiao Fangniang interrupted, “Your Highness, I sincerely apologize that my friend and I cannot properly welcome and entertain you as guests from foreign land. However, we truly have important matters to attend to. I hope you understand.”
 With that, Jiao Fangniang grabbed Wan Ningtong’s hand and half-ran, half-walked away immediately, as if fleeing from a terrible demon. By the time Ming Kai snapped back to reality, the group had already run away from him.
 He turned to watch the direction they left. The sweet fragrance he had smelled was fading and eventually disappeared. As the scent dissipated, he felt an inexplicable heat within him. His blood surged, and the desire within his heart intensified.
 He wanted her!
 He wanted to be close to that woman!
 Without realizing it, Ming Kai’s eyes glazed over, lost in a trance. His subconscious kept reminding him of his strong desire for Wan Ningtong until he made a decision.
 No matter what, he would have this woman!
 Meanwhile, after Jiao Fangniang and Wan Ningtong boarded the carriage, they ordered it to return to the Wan Manor immediately. Both women panted for a moment from the exertion.
 “What’s wrong with that man!? He’s a prince, yet he behaves no differently from any other playboy!” Jiao Fangniang couldn’t help but complain.
 “Until this Third Prince returns to Yingjie, you must not leave the manor. Avoid meeting him at all costs. Someone as repulsive as him should be avoided whenever possible,”
 Wan Ningtong warned her friend. Besides the prince’s repulsiveness, she was well aware of his twisted mind. Jiao Fangniang replied immediately upon hearing this, “Ningtong, you’re the one who should be more careful. Didn’t the Third Prince show a lot of interest in you before? You’re the one who needs to be vigilant. This Third Prince is...too repulsive.”
 Hearing this, Wan Ningtong couldn’t help but recall Ming Kai’s previous actions and expressions. The thought of his apparent interest made her shudder. If she had to marry someone as twisted as him, she would rather become a nun!
 No!
 She would not let that happen!
 She must become the future empress!
 The Empress Dowager had promised her that after the New Year, she would take care of Mu Qingxuan. Then she would become the future empress!
 Now, all she could do was wait...
 Wan Ningtong bit her lip tightly, her eyes were icy cold. She would not let her past efforts go to waste.
 ...
 ..
 .
 After the incident in the plum blossom garden, Wan Ningtong stayed confined to her manor for three days, not stepping outside even once to avoid the chance of encountering the Third Prince of Yingjie. Until one evening, Wan Ningtong heard from a servant that her father had been summoned by the Emperor, causing him to return home later than usual.
 Wan Ningtong sat and pondered the possible reasons for her father’s summon, but she couldn’t figure it out. There were many possibilities, especially regarding court affairs. She would have to wait for her father to return home to gather more information.
 Although she didn’t know why her father had been summoned by the Emperor, she had an unsettling premonition deep in her heart.
 When Master Wan finally returned home, it was already late at night. He went straight to his study to finish the remaining work. Shortly after, the sound of knocking on the door caught his attention. When he gave permission to enter, he saw his daughter coming in with a tray of nourishing soup.
 "I heard you were coming home late today, Father, so I made some soup for you."
 Wan Ningtong carefully carried the tray to the table and set down the bowl of soup. She didn’t notice the fleeting look of sorrow in her father’s eyes. When she looked up, Master Wan’s expression had returned to normal.
 "Thank you, my dear. It’s still Tong’er who is most grateful to me,"
 Master Wan said with a smile, taking the soup and drinking it all in one go before setting the bowl back on the tray. "Why are you still up so late?"
 "I was worried about you, Father. You never come home this late, so I was concerned," Wan Ningtong replied with a gentle smile, her eyes showing genuine worry. She continued, "...I heard that you were summoned by His Majesty. Is everything alright?"
 Master Wan paused for a moment before laughing softly. "You’re too young to be worrying so much. There’s nothing to worry about; His Majesty just wanted to discuss some routine matters."
 Hearing this, the heavy feeling in Wan Ningtong’s heart dissipated immediately. She realized her strange premonition was probably just her overthinking, as her father had said.
 “I’m glad there’s nothing wrong. I was just worried about you, Father.”
 “I know you’re concerned,” Master Wan said, reaching out to gently stroke his daughter’s head. “Tong’er, you know I love you very much, right?”
 “Yes, I know,”
 Wan Ningtong replied with a smile, lowering her head slightly in embarrassment. She had grown into a young woman, and hearing her father express his love so openly made her feel shy.
 Master Wan looked at his daughter with a momentary sad gaze. “Go get some rest. It’s very late now. Tomorrow, our family will go out for a meal together.”
 “Really? Father, you don’t have work tomorrow?” Wan Ningtong looked up at her father in surprise.
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 </div> Her father had always been devoted to his work, leaving little time for family activities. Thus, when she heard that he was the one suggesting an outing, she couldn’t help but be shocked.
 “Really. I’ve taken a day off tomorrow. It’s been a long time since we’ve gone out together.”
 “You promised, Father. Then, I’ll go get some rest. Don’t overwork yourself.” Wan Ningtong revealed a cheerful smile, picking up the tray and heading back to her quarters.
𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖 As soon as Wan Ningtong left, the smile on Master Wan’s face disappeared, replaced by a deep sorrow. He closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh, his heart heavy with emotions.
 Tong’er...I’m sorry.
 Two days later
 While the Wan family was having breakfast together, the butler came in to report, "Wan Patriarch, Eunuch Fu has come to visit."
 Upon hearing this, Wan Ningtong, who was eating, looked up in shock. She knew that Eunuch Fu was the Emperor’s close eunuch. If he was visiting the Wan family, it must be by the Emperor’s command!
 Why was Eunuch Fu visiting?
 Could it be...
 Wan Ningtong remembered the Empress Dowager’s promise to handle the matter of the future empress herself. Her heart began to race with excitement. Could it be that the Empress Dowager had dealt with the matter, leading to Eunuch Fu’s visit to the Wan Manor?
 Besides the Empress Dowager’s promise to handle the matter of the future empress, Wan Ningtong couldn’t think of any other reason. Her eyes shone with unrestrained excitement and joy.
 However, Master Wan remained calm and composed as usual, showing no sign of anxiety or surprise, as if he had expected Eunuch Fu to visit the Wan family soon.
 "Let’s all go out to welcome our guest. It’s Eunuch Fu, the Emperor’s close attendant. We mustn’t be rude,"
 Master Wan reminded them before getting up to lead the family members out to greet their guest. When they reached the main hall, they saw Eunuch Fu already waiting inside, smiling warmly at Master Wan.
 "Apologies for not being able to welcome you properly, Eunuch Fu. We didn’t expect you to visit our humble home today," Master Wan said politely. Eunuch Fu quickly replied, "Master Wan, there’s no need to be so formal. I am merely here today on the Emperor’s orders."
 "First of all, I must congratulate Master Wan and the Wan family, especially Young Miss Wan Ningtong,"
 Eunuch Fu said with a smile as he took out an imperial decree. Upon hearing the congratulatory words and seeing the golden decree, Wan Ningtong’s heart raced violently as if it was going to jump out of her chest. She was even more convinced that Eunuch Fu’s visit was related to her appointment as the future empress.
 If it wasn’t something auspicious concerning her, why would Eunuch Fu specifically congratulate her?
 It must be.
 This decree must be her appointment!
 Unable to hide her overflowing joy, Wan Ningtong unknowingly smiled. Her eyes sparkled, and her usually cold face softened with gentleness.
 "Young Miss Wan and the Wan family, receive the imperial decree!"
 Eunuch Fu announced loudly as he opened the decree in his hands.
 Wan Ningtong and the Wan family knelt in unison. As she bowed her head to receive the decree, her smile widened further, hearing that she was the recipient of the decree.
 Finally...the day she had been waiting for had arrived!
 "Due to the exceptional beauty, unparalleled talents, and graceful manners of Young Miss Wan Ningtong, she is hereby appointed as Princess Qing Xian. She will undertake an important task of the nation, marrying to strengthen the ties with the Yingjie Region and is scheduled to depart in three days to marry the Third Prince at the Yingjie Region...End of the decree."
 The hall fell into silence after the announcement. Wan Ningtong, who had been waiting for the decree with joy, was stunned and speechless. The smile on her face froze like a statue.
 Did she...just mishear that?
 She must have misheard. The decree must have said that she was to marry the Emperor and become the Empress!
 "Eunuch Fu, did you make a mistake in your announcement?"
 Wan Ningtong asked with a hopeful smile, her eyes filled with expectation for the reply she wanted to hear.
 "No, I read everything exactly as it is written in the decree," Eunuch Fu replied with a smile and then repeated the contents of the decree once more.
 Listening to the decree again, Wan Ningtong felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. If she hadn’t misheard, then what did the decree mean?
 His Majesty...intended to send her to marry that Third Prince at the Yingjie Region?
 Impossible!
 She would never marry that perverted man!
 She was meant to marry the Emperor and become the Empress!
 This couldn’t be happening!
 "Eunuch Fu, is there a possibility that there is a mistake in the decree?"
 Wan Ningtong asked urgently, unable to accept the truth. However, Eunuch Fu’s face turned cold immediately. "Young Miss Wan, are you questioning His Majesty’s decree?"
 "N...no, of course not. I just...perhaps this decree is meant for someone else. Yes! This must be the decree for another family. Eunuch Fu, you must have come in the wrong manor!"
 Wan Ningtong desperately tried to convince herself, as if she had lost her mind. Seeing his daughter in such a state, Master Wan’s heart ached. He quickly stepped in to bring her to her senses.
 "Tong’er! Listen to me carefully. This decree is real, exactly as you heard. Accept the truth and do not disrespect His Majesty’s decree any further."
 "No! Impossible! This can’t be true! The Empress Dowager promised that I would become the Empress. So why is His Majesty sending me to marry another man in a distant land? This isn’t real!"
 Wan Ningtong shook her head rapidly, her eyes filled with utter despair. She murmured to herself as if she had gone mad. Despite Master Wan’s deep sympathy for his daughter, after he heard those words, he quickly tried to bring her back to reality, fearing she might utter further blasphemies against the throne.
 Being an Empress was not a matter to be taken lightly!
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 </div> "Tong’er! Listen to me! His Majesty himself told me about this. There is no changing it. You must accept the truth."
 At her father’s words, Wan Ningtong looked up at him with an expression of disbelief. Her lips quivered, and the light in her eyes was replaced with shock and disappointment.
 "F...Father, you knew about this all along?"
 Master Wan did not respond and instead looked down, avoiding his daughter’s gaze. It was true that he had known about this since the Emperor summoned him several days ago. However, he had decided to keep it a secret, letting his daughter find out for herself when the decree was announced.
 It wasn’t that he didn’t regret sending his daughter away to marry in a foreign region, but the Third Prince had personally pleaded with the Emperor, citing the importance of relations between the two regions to pressure the Emperor to agree with this marriage alliance. In the end, the Emperor agreed to the marriage alliance, sending Wan Ningtong to Yingjie.
 "Father, sob...how could you do this to me? Sob...How could you!?"
 Wan Ningtong collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down her face. She felt as if her world had turned upside down. Everyone around her had betrayed her—the Emperor, and now even her trusted father. Her father had known about this and instead of telling her so they could think of a way out,
 He had kept it from her, treating her like a fool!
 How could things turn out this way?
 Why!?
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Chapter 157 - 156

Chapter 157: Chapter 156 Chapter 156 Ming Kai stared at the young woman in front of him with blazing eyes. This woman dared to say that he was not worthy to touch her? How arrogant! He was the Third Prince of the Yingjie Region, while she was merely the daughter of a second-rank official. Yet now she claimed he was not worthy of touching her. Did Young Miss Wan Ningtong think herself so exalted!? Wan Ningtong, seeing the flames of anger in his eyes, immediately sensed danger. Earlier, she had...

The Return of the Seventh Young Lady

Chapter 157 - 156

The Return of the Seventh Young Lady - Chapter 157 - 156