Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Chapter 285 I have no choice

Jiang Lige sneered and shook his head when he heard this, not knowing for a moment whether he felt more mocking or relieved.

"But I was born a princess of Nanchu, supported by the people and worshipped by them. Nanchu is my country and even more so my home. Protecting their peace and happiness is my lifelong responsibility and obligation."

After saying this, Jiang Lige lowered her head and took a sip of tea. The mist from the tea obscured her expression, making it impossible to see the loneliness that flashed across her eyes.

Then she said, "Manju, I don't have a choice."

She was born like this and she never had a choice.

She can only fight for everything she should protect in her own way, even if she is covered in wounds, she has to safeguard the peaceful and prosperous world behind her.

Manzhu didn't say anything after hearing this. She wanted to laugh at Jiang Lige for being a fool, but then she thought, wasn't she the same?

It’s just that behind Jiang Lige is Nan Chu, and behind her is the Chi tribe.

As her thoughts raced, Manzhu couldn't help but sigh.

"Yeah, we... don't have a choice."

An unpleasant conversation came to an end, and on the other side of Longcheng, someone was also feeling upset.

"This letter must be delivered to Princess Zhaohua. Do you understand?"

In the tent, Ning Luyang handed a letter to his attendant and gave repeated instructions.

The attendant took the letter and asked cautiously.

"Your Highness, are you trying to persuade Princess Zhaohua to...renew your relationship?"

The attendant was Ning Luyang's close friend, so he didn't hide anything and nodded calmly.

"Exactly."

The attendant looked a bit embarrassed and carefully advised, "Princess Zhaohua is a direct descendant of the royal family and is currently engaged to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I don't think she would accept your invitation. In that case, why is your Highness going to such trouble?"

"What do you know? Ahri has feelings for this king!"

The attendant had only recently been with Ning Luyang, so he asked, "Since Princess Zhaohua has feelings for the prince, why is she engaged to the Crown Prince?"

Ning Luyang sighed, feeling both regretful and sad.

"She always gets jealous and throws a tantrum when she sees me and Chuchu together. Back then, I wasn't yet crowned king, powerless and without money, and it was always she who came to my rescue, always trying to save my face. She was also the one who painted my portrait, each stroke delicate and lively, with utmost care. She had me in her heart... but it was difficult to disobey the emperor's orders, and after that incident in the garden that went wrong, she had no choice but to bury her feelings deep within her heart. But now things are different. Her engagement to Ning Yunxiao..."

Ning Luyang glanced at the attendant unhappily and snorted coldly when he said this.

"It seems there's still room for reconciliation between the two countries, but everyone knows it was Nanchu who was unjust first, and it was Nanchu who begged us, Sheng Ling, to do it. Ning Yunxiao has been pushing for peace talks between the two countries, and many in the court are dissatisfied with his actions, saying he's motivated by selfish motives. Impeachment memorials have piled up like a mountain recently. The one on the throne has always been protective of Ning Yunxiao. If we want to suppress this matter this time, the best way is to cancel their engagement, or to accept Zhaohua as a concubine. Only in this way can the matter be settled. After all, she's a concubine, and she has feelings for me. Who's going to win or lose? Is there any need to say?"

The attendant then carefully reminded, "But Your Majesty, Princess Zhaohua is the Concubine's sister after all. If the Concubine knew about this, I'm afraid it would only wear away the affection between you two."

Ning Luyang said indifferently, "Chu Chu has always been in favor of this matter, so she shouldn't mind it. Besides, if she hadn't suffered repeated failures before, Zhao Hua would have been in my pocket long ago. This move of mine is just to get everything back on track."

The attendant continued, "What about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? Everyone says that Princess Zhaohua is the most precious person in His Royal Highness's heart. I'm afraid His Royal Highness the Crown Prince won't let her go easily, right?"

"Love is as deep as the sea? Oh, that's just for show."

Ning Luyang sneered when he heard this, showing great disdain.

"Ning Yunxiao's current behavior is simply a desperate attempt to gain favor with the people of Nanchu. It's a pity he was so clever all his life, but so foolish for a moment. The people of Shengling, not Nanchu, are the ones who truly determine the security of his position as crown prince. Once he understands this, do you really think he'll still be steadfast in his choice of Zhaohua? When he was in humble circumstances, he was willing to marry Zhaohua simply to leverage her influence. Now, Zhaohua's existence will become a stumbling block on his path to becoming crown prince. By then, no one needs to say anything; I'm afraid he'll be eager to avoid Zhaohua."

The attendant wanted to persuade him again, but Ning Luyang waved his hand impatiently and started to drive him away.

"Okay, don't say anything more, and quickly hand this letter to Zhaohua."

Upon hearing this, the attendant had no choice but to bow his head and responded. After paying his respects, he left the tent in such a hurry that he didn't even notice the figure that flashed by the tent.

"Snapped--"

Jiang Chuchu returned to her tent in anger. Her emotions, which were erupting like a volcano, could not be suppressed at all. She swept her arms across the table, and the exquisite teacup shattered to the ground.

"Jiang Lige, that bitch!"

The maid Luzhu rushed over when she heard the noise, and saw Jiang Chuchu was losing her temper. She paused, hesitated for a moment, and finally went into the tent.

"What's wrong with you, Princess? Anger is harmful to your health. You must take care of yourself."

Although Jiang Chuchu married into Prince Xu's mansion as a concubine, she never allowed her subordinates to call her concubine, so everyone tacitly called her princess.

Although the serious Princess Xiao of Prince Xu was very angry about this matter, Ning Luyang's protective attitude made it impossible for her to vent her anger. In the end, she could only turn a blind eye and let everyone shout like this, and at the same time, cause trouble for Jiang Chuchu from time to time.

Whenever Jiang Chuchu got angry with Xiao, she would always go back to the house and overturn everything. Luzhu was used to it and knew how to persuade her so as not to get hurt.

But Jiang Chuchu today was obviously not as easy to coax as usual, and she scolded with a frown.

"I see that you all wish I were dead, so that you can give Jiang Lige your place!"

Lu Zhu lowered her head. "What are you talking about, Princess? How can Princess Zhaohua be compared to you?"

Hearing this, Jiang Chuchu finally relaxed and snorted, "Yeah, why should Jiang Lige be compared with me? Men, what they can't have is the best, what a scumbag. But it doesn't matter, I will let them see clearly who is destined to be worshipped by everyone."

……

That night, a guest dressed in white arrived at the tent of the Emperor of Southern Chu.

Ever since Emperor Nanchu had agreed to abdicate with Jiang Lige and Ning Yunxiao, he had been sitting listlessly on the high throne, as if his backbone had been pulled out. He didn't even bat an eyelid when he heard the sound of someone lifting the curtain to enter.