True Extreme had lost, not just twenty thousand warhorses, but the ability to raise another army in ten years.
With the agreement written in black and white, and the seal of the King of Zhen Ji, there was no way Zhen Ji could go back on its word.
Most importantly, Great Xia was the strongest country in the world. If anyone dared to go back on their word, the 200,000 Black Feather Army soldiers of the Marquis of Buyi would not just be guarding the city.
The rest of the work was done by the various officials of Great Xia. Most of the Martial Marquises of Great Xia were stationed outside, and the only ones left in the Imperial City were some civilian generals and Confucian officials. However, it was enough to deal with these matters.
Ning Chen had completed his own matters. Other than cultivating, he was waiting for Emperor Xia's decree.
Finally, on the third day, Emperor Xia's decree was issued. Xia Miaoyu, the daughter of Prince Hua, was named Princess Miaoyu. She was to enter the State of True Extremity through a marriage alliance. Ning Chen's name was written on the list of people who were to send the bride off.
Both Zhangsun and Qingning were stunned when they heard the imperial edict, especially Zhangsun. He was furious and shocked at the same time!
After staying in the palace for so long, how could she not guess what the reason was? Ning Chen's name was obviously added at the last minute and was dispensable. The Xia Emperor had added this name because someone was begging for mercy.
In this palace, the only person Ning Chen could come into contact with and influence Emperor Xia was the Ninth Princess.
"Very good, very good!"
In the main hall of Weiyang Palace, Zhangsun stood in the hall. His face was green with anger as he shouted," Men, bring Ning Chen here!"
" I'll go," Qing Ning pleaded worriedly.
" You stay here!" Zhangsun was furious, and even his tone towards Xiaoning became much harsher. She knew that Ning Chen and Xiaoning were very close, so she could not let him go.
Not long after, Ning Chen slowly came over. His expression was calm, without the shy smile he usually had, nor was he afraid.
"Empress!"
Ning Chen knelt down for the first time and kowtowed respectfully.
Seeing Ning Chen arrive, Zhangsun became even angrier. He slammed the table and said angrily," Are you so eager to leave?"
Ning Chen raised his head and calmly said," Empress, I believe you are also clear that my personality is not suitable for the palace. As long as I stay here, I will sooner or later get into trouble."
"This Queen is the Empress of the Great Xia, how can I not protect you! What are you afraid of?!" The more Zhangsun thought about it, the angrier he got. He wished he could smash the teacup on the table onto the former's face.
" I'm afraid that one day, if I get into big trouble, the first person to chop off my head would be you, Empress." Ning Chen sighed softly and said.
"Bang!" Zhangsun could not stand it anymore. He grabbed the teacup and threw it at Ning Chen. With a bang, the teacup hit his forehead, splattering blood.
"You disappoint BenGong too much."
Looking at Ning Chen's face covered in blood but still unwilling to lower his head, Zhangsun was so angry that his entire body trembled. He closed his eyes and said in disappointment.
"The Ninth Princess has arrived!"
Right at this moment, Xia Xinyu walked over. The moment she entered the hall, she was shocked to see this scene.
She thought that her mother would be angry, but she didn't expect her mother to be so furious.
"Kneel down!"
Zhangsun's eyes widened as he glared at Xia Xinyu.
Xia Xinyu's expression changed slightly, and she obediently knelt down. She was shocked. This was the first time she had seen her mother so angry.
In this palace, everyone put on a disguise and rarely showed their true emotions. Mother's feelings meant that she was truly angry.
"How dare you. Mother has nurtured you for so many years. I didn't expect that your schemes would move to Mother."
Zhangsun looked at Xia Xinyu with anger. The people around her were really good!
When anger reached its peak, it became hatred. Zhangsun hated the two of them, but he also hated himself. He hated them for not fighting, and he hated himself for not knowing.
However, what was done was done, and the imperial edict had been issued. Even if she stepped in, Emperor Xia could not take back the imperial edict. A ruler's words were not a joke, and they would not change because of anyone.
The betrothal ceremony was set at the end of the month, which was less than 20 days away from now. This meant that Ning Chen had left the palace less than 20 days ago.
A hint of exhaustion flashed across Zhangsun's heart, but he did not want to pursue the matter any further. He sat on the main seat and waved his hand." Since you have chosen to help him leave the palace, you will be grounded for the remaining five months. You may leave."
" Mother!" Xia Xinyu exclaimed in shock.
"Retreat!" Zhangsun slammed the table and said sternly.
" Yes." Xia Xinyu bowed unwillingly before standing up and leaving.
This time, she had miscalculated.
After Xia Xinyu left, Ning Chen was the only one left kneeling. Qing Ning stood at the side, but she did not dare to plead for mercy. She knew that the Empress was disappointed, and even she could not understand Ning Chen's actions.
Even if he wanted to leave the palace, with the Empress's grace towards him, it was not impossible to succeed if he begged too many times. There was really no need to rush out of the palace so desperately.
Looking at Ning Chen who was kneeling in front of him with blood flowing from his face, Zhangsun recalled everything that had happened since he entered the palace. He forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart and said in a deep voice," I'll give you one last chance. If you admit your mistake and come back obediently after sending off the bride, I can pretend that nothing has happened."
Ning Chen sighed deeply and did not say a word. Since things had come to this, how could he turn back?
If he did not want to die in the palace, he had to leave the palace as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, he couldn't tell Zhangsun about this and could only keep it a secret.
"Good, very good!"
Zhangsun stood up angrily and walked out of the hall with a livid face.
Qing Ning looked at Ning Chen, who was kneeling on the ground, with a complicated expression. Without saying a word, she left with Zhangsun.
Ning Chen kneeled on the ground without saying a word. He just kept kneeling like this. His heart was bitter, guilty, and sad.
As the sun set and the moon rose, the lights in Zhangsun's bedroom were still lit. In Weiyang's main hall, Ning Chen still hadn't gotten up. The palace maids came several times and left in a hurry after changing the candles. No one dared to stay for a moment.
Neither of them were willing to take a step back. Zhangsun was waiting for Ning Chen to admit his mistake, but in return, he was disappointed again and again.
It wasn't that Ning Chen didn't want to admit his mistake, but he couldn't. It was because he really couldn't come back. He could lie to the world, but he didn't want to lie to his eldest grandson.
In front of the backyard, Qing Ning stood in her room and looked at the brightly lit main hall and Zhangsun's bedroom with mixed feelings. She knew that both the Empress and Ning Chen were stubborn people. This time, there was no turning back.
She didn't understand why Ning Chen would choose this path with his personality.
Not only was Qing Ning confused, but even the eldest grandson in the bedroom was also wondering why Ning Chen was still an easy-to-understand person who had just entered the palace. He was smart, arrogant, and grateful. Sometimes, he was even stubborn and a little silly.
However, why was he so eager to leave the palace?
As time passed, Zhangsun and Xiaoning did not sleep for the entire night. Ning Chen also knelt in the main hall of Weiyang Palace for the entire night. Those who did not understand could not figure out why, but those who understood could never say it.
At dawn, Zhangsun had something to deal with. He left Weiyang Palace with Xiaoning. When they passed by the main hall of Weiyang Palace, Zhangsun stopped in his tracks but did not stop.
News of what had happened in Weiyang Palace quickly spread. Everyone in the palace knew that the Empress had flown into a rage yesterday and that the young eunuch who had been in the limelight recently had knelt in the main hall of Weiyang Palace for an entire night. However, no one knew the reason.
Other than that, another matter had also attracted a lot of attention. It was said that the person to be married was not personally appointed by Emperor Xia, but requested by the daughter of Prince Hua, Xia Miaoyu. Prince Hua could not refuse and could only agree helplessly.
Xia Miaoyu had already been conferred the title of princess, and the marriage had to be done according to the rules of the royal family. Zhangsun was the empress of Xia, the head of the harem, and he had to personally look over all the dowry and clothes. He was so busy that he had no time to care about other things.
Ning Chen knelt in the main hall of Weiyang Palace, as if he had been gradually forgotten by others. Even the Imperial Palace no longer paid attention to this matter. Occasionally, when they talked about it, they would only sigh inwardly, feeling pity for this little eunuch who had once made people feel extremely beautiful.
It was said that the royal family was heartless. This was the best example. No matter how talented you were, once you made a mistake, you would be knocked down to the ground.
Three days later, Ning Chen, who had not drunk a drop of water, fainted in the hall. Zhangsun's hands trembled when he heard this, but his face did not show any emotion. He said indifferently,"Take good care of him" and did not say anything else.
However, from that day onwards, Zhangsun no longer allowed Qingning to follow her around, regardless of whether he was out or busy in Weiyang Palace.
Ning Chen woke up not long after he fainted. He was fine after taking some water and applying some medicine. Qing Ning came after him and looked at his pale face and cracked lips. She could not bear to see him like this and reprimanded him," Why are you doing this?"
Ning Chen grinned and said weakly," I had no choice. I'm sorry."
" I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. It's the Empress," said Qing Ning.
" Heh." Ning Chen shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"Must we leave?"
Seeing this, Qing Ning did not say anything else and sighed softly.
"You must leave!"
Ning Chen nodded and replied.
This was his only chance. If his guess was correct, after the marriage, this batch of young eunuchs who had just entered the palace would definitely be examined again.
At that time, no one could protect him, and even his eldest grandson's reputation would be affected.
Two days later, Ning Chen's body was almost fully recovered. After leaving the palace, Qing Ning returned with a strange-looking herb. When she opened the box, she could feel a faint chill.
" Take it," Qing Ning said seriously.
" What is it?" Ning Chen didn't suspect anything. When he heard it, he swallowed it. It was extremely bitter, and his whole body felt cold.
" The Skyfrost Grass," Qing Ning explained calmly," The essential Qi in your body is cold. This Skyfrost Grass will help you hone your foundation and speed up your cultivation."
Ning Chen didn't understand what she was saying and asked curiously," Is it expensive?”
" I don't want silver," Qing Ning replied calmly.
He didn't want silver, he wanted spiritual jade, but there was no need to tell him.
"From today onwards, I will teach you movement techniques. You better be mentally prepared."
As she spoke, she turned around and walked out of the door." Follow me."
Ning Chen followed them all the way to the back garden. It was already October, and the garden was full of flowers. The autumn wind blew, and the sky was filled with flowers.
"Watch carefully."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qing Ning's body moved. In an instant, her figure flew like snow and transformed into a swaying boat amidst the falling flowers. She danced in the wind without a single leaf touching her.
Ning Chen was dumbfounded.
They were all about the same age. How could the difference between people be so big?
A moment later, Qing Ning stopped in her tracks and looked at Ning Chen." Did you see the steps clearly?" she asked calmly.”
Ning Chen shook his head violently. It would be strange if he saw it clearly.
" How much did you see?" asked Qing Ning, who did not mind.”
"Haha!"
Ning Chen scratched his head in embarrassment. He took two steps forward and drew a big circle on the ground.
"Just this step."
Qing Ning's expression turned cold. She suppressed her anger and did not go up to hit him. This was where she had been standing at the beginning.
He walked forward and kicked the former's right leg away. He said angrily," One leg, stand still. Don't let me see you switch to the other leg for two hours."
Ning Chen was in so much pain that he couldn't help but open his mouth, but he didn't dare to make a sound. He inhaled a breath of cold air and stood on his left leg, his body constantly swaying left and right.
Fifteen minutes later, Ning Chen felt his left leg go numb and his body shook even more.
However, when he saw the cold expression on Qing Ning's face, his heart shuddered. He gritted his teeth and stood still.
After 15 minutes, Ning Chen could no longer feel his left leg. However, there was a burning pain in his knee. This was an old injury from kneeling earlier, and it had yet to recover.
Qing Ning stood there, unmoved. She could tell that Ning Chen's knee injury did not hurt his bones. Even if it hurt, he was the one who asked for it.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。