126. Refusing the Proposal

"Handle it properly. You were privy to this. How could you only think of yourself... to actually resort to such methods," Le Yongcheng said. "You know full well what kind of person he is. Do you still remember the scar on your wrist?"

Le Yongcheng was furious. Le Qianxue had acted without regard for the consequences.

Le Qianxue sighed. "I know that, naturally. But I..."

"But what? But you haven't forgotten him, have you?" Le Yongcheng frowned. He took a frustrated sip of his tea and continued, "I simply don't want you to choose the wrong person. What kind of man is Zhan Lianjing? Is he someone to whom you can entrust your life?"

Le Qianxue lowered her eyes and said, "Father, sometimes, you just cannot break an attachment to someone. I clearly had my mind made up, but... but the moment I saw him injured, I couldn't help myself. My entire heart ached."

Le Yongcheng looked dazed for a moment. He let out a heavy sigh, unsure of what else to say. It seemed that some feelings were impossible to sever. If they could be broken, he would not be with Tong Xianxian either.

He waved his hand, his anger having dissipated. "Very well. You said you would choose your own marriage, so I shall say no more."

Le Qianxue nodded. "That is only natural."

Le Yongcheng looked her up and down. "Then... then, are you... last night..."

"Last night? Nothing happened last night," Le Qianxue said, pulling up her sleeve. "The vermilion mark of chastity is still here. Father, how could I lack such judgment?"

Le Yongcheng smiled at this. "Thank goodness, thank goodness. It is good that you know how to think this way. It would not be worth it to let Zhan Lianjing take advantage of you."

Le Qianxue smiled. "Indeed. However, the Crown Prince came to see me earlier, and I managed to pry some information out of him."

Le Yongcheng turned serious. "What did you find out?"

"I suspect that Mother really is a descendant of the Four Great Families," Le Qianxue said. "That is why the Crown Prince wants to marry me."

Le Yongcheng frowned. "How certain are you?"

"About seventy percent. Although the Crown Prince did not say it outright, I have a feeling..." Le Qianxue replied.

Le Yongcheng rubbed his chin and muttered, "Then your mother is truly... she didn't even tell me, and I shared a bed with her for years."

Le Qianxue couldn't help but laugh. "Mother must have had her reasons for keeping it a secret. Perhaps she simply wanted a peaceful life. Who would have thought the Crown Prince would investigate it and then set his sights on me?"

Le Yongcheng grunted. "Your mother certainly thought that way. Otherwise, she would have become Empress long ago."

"Empress?" Le Qianxue was intrigued and wanted to ask for details, but Le Yongcheng interrupted, "Do not ask about such trifles. Since this is the case, you must be even more cautious."

"I understand," Le Qianxue said. "Now, we just wait for the Emperor to annul the engagement."

"Do not be so confident. If the Emperor refuses to give Zhan Lianjing face, you will be in trouble."

"He won't," Le Qianxue said. "Zi Ye has ascended the throne of the Liangjin Kingdom. The Emperor must show him respect."

Le Yongcheng was taken aback. "Zi Ye has ascended the throne?"

Le Qianxue nodded. Le Yongcheng's expression turned peculiar. "Well... that is indeed the case. I have business to attend to; I must go." Without waiting for a reply, he left.

Le Qianxue found his reaction strange. A day later, the old Emperor issued an imperial decree annulling the engagement and selecting Yang Ning'er as the Crown Princess instead.

Le Qianxue had anticipated this. There was no punishment for her, and the rumors surrounding the incident were suppressed within a single day. Now, no one in the capital spoke of it anymore. This was exactly as she had expected, and she was pleased. Having rid herself of Yu Guhan, and with her seventeenth birthday approaching, life felt quite complete.

Yuan Tianci had already returned to the Medicine King Valley and sent her a carrier pigeon with a letter. She was reading his note of safety and preparing to write back when Hua Tao rushed in, panting. "Miss! The... the Prince of Zhan is here..."

Le Qianxue glanced at her. "What is it? He's here, so he's here. Why are you so surprised?"

"It... it seems the Prince of Zhan is here to propose marriage," Hua Tao said. "Miss, please go out quickly! The Master is talking with him right now."

Le Qianxue nodded. "Bring the box with you. Hold it carefully." Hua Tao quickly grabbed it and urged Le Qianxue to hurry.

Before they even reached the main hall, they saw several trunks outside, clearly filled with betrothal gifts. Le Qianxue frowned slightly; Zhan Lianjing was serious. She paused, unsure whether to continue.

Hua Tao asked curiously, "Miss, why have you stopped?"

On the other side, Haoyue had already spotted her. "Miss Le, please come over. The Prince is waiting for you." Haoyue was delighted; this was the first time he had seen Zhan Lianjing so earnest. It seemed he was truly determined to marry her.

Le Qianxue took a deep breath and entered. Zhan Lianjing watched her approach. Her attire at home was casual, and her hair was styled simply, yet she was captivating enough to hold anyone's gaze.

The matchmaker smiled as she entered. "Oh, Miss Le is here! Now we can discuss the real business. Today, the Prince of Zhan has brought the betrothal gifts to propose to General Le for the hand of his eldest daughter."

Le Yongcheng looked at Le Qianxue; the decision rested with her. Zhan Lianjing also looked at her, feeling an unexpected nervousness. He had made up his mind, but her contemplative expression made him hesitant.

The matchmaker continued, "General Le, do you agree? The people of the city know that the Prince and the young lady are in love. Finalizing this union would bring joy to everyone. Besides, Miss Le is nearly seventeen; she is at a mature age."

Le Yongcheng asked, "Xue'er, what is your intention..."

"Is this not a matter of 'orders of the parents and words of the matchmaker'? As long as the General agrees, it is settled," the matchmaker coaxed.

Le Yongcheng shook his head slightly. "I leave this to my daughter. If she wishes to marry, she shall. I will not force her."

The matchmaker had never seen such an enlightened father, but she asked with a smile, "Then, Miss Le, what do you say?"

Le Qianxue's voice was cold and clear. "I do not agree."

At these words, Zhan Lianjing's expression changed. He stared at her, his eyes filled with a trace of despair. The matchmaker was stunned. The Prince of Zhan had come to propose in person—a gesture of utmost respect—and yet Le Qianxue had refused.

The matchmaker laughed awkwardly. "Miss Le, have you... have you considered this clearly? You must be joking."

Le Qianxue shook her head gently. "I have thought about it very clearly. Hua Tao, return the box to the Prince."

Hua Tao stepped forward and handed over the box. Haoyue opened it to find the ceremonial robes and hairpins of a Princess Consort. Zhan Lianjing saw this, and the rejection was clear. Anyone else would have left in a fit of rage, but Zhan Lianjing remained calm. "Why?"

Le Qianxue looked at him without a hint of jest. "Because you are the Prince of Zhan. You are accustomed to being overbearing and set in your ways; you never considered me at all. Or perhaps, I simply want something different from other women."

She was not a person of this era, and her mindset was beyond the understanding of most. Although she liked Zhan Lianjing, liking someone did not necessarily mean they were suited for marriage. She was not the type to blindly obey others, yet Zhan Lianjing clearly made decisions for everyone around him. Two such different personalities would inevitably clash.

Zhan Lianjing pondered her words for a moment. "Then what is it that you want?"

Le Qianxue gave a faint, calm smile. "That is for the Prince to figure out himself. Now, I am tired. Please show yourself out, Your Highness."

She stood up to leave, but Haoyue blocked her path. "Miss Le, the Prince has gone to such lengths. What more do you want? Can you not forgive him?"

Le Qianxue glanced at Haoyue. "Why don't you ask him what he meant by putting me in this position today? He made a decision without consulting me. In your eyes, he is a God of War, a Prince. In my eyes, he is just an ordinary man. And as it happens, I have no need for such a man."

She walked away without a hint of regret. Haoyue's face turned pale. Le Qianxue was truly unique; her words were harsh, yet they carried a certain logic. He looked at Zhan Lianjing, whose expression was dark as he pondered.

"Your Highness, what now?" Haoyue asked.

Zhan Lianjing regained his composure. "Have everyone return. I will go find her myself."

Le Yongcheng was stunned. He had never expected the Prince of Zhan, a man who never begged or catered to anyone, to chase after his daughter. Truth be told, he felt a sense of pride. Seeing the men prepare to carry the betrothal gifts away, he quickly said, "No, no, leave these here. The Prince doesn't care about them, and if they do marry later, there will be no need to bring more gifts."

The matchmaker quickly chimed in, "Exactly! The General is right. Leave the gifts. The Prince and the young lady are destined to be together. It will save trouble later. The General is truly thoughtful."

Le Yongcheng nodded, satisfied with the matchmaker's words.