Chapter 294: Have I Ever Wronged You?

Chapter 294: Have I Ever Wronged You?

After breakfast, Princess Jianing, accompanied by her younger brother, set out for the Duke of Liguo's residence. Arriving at the main gate, they happened upon Prince Duan, who was about to leave for a hunting expedition. Spotting the siblings, he inquired, "Where are you two headed?"

Princess Jianing offered a respectful bow and replied, "My brother and I are going to pay our respects to our grandmother."

Prince Duan snorted upon hearing this. "You're always running off to the Duke of Liguo's residence. Where exactly do you consider home?"

Princess Jianing was long accustomed to his attitude and replied with composure, "Naturally, the Prince Duan's residence is my home."

Prince Duan huffed heavily, "You're always by your grandmother's side, performing your filial duties. Why do I never see you doing the same by my side?"

Princess Jianing remained silent. What could she say? At this moment, Li Jinghao spoke up, "Father, you're hardly ever home. How can my sister and I perform our filial duties in your presence?"

Prince Duan huffed again, his mind seemingly alighting upon a thought. He looked at Princess Jianing and asked, "Your grandmother isn't planning to marry you off to the Duke of Liguo's household, is she?"

Princess Jianing: "...No."

"Hmph, that's for the best. A declining duke's residence shouldn't even dream of marrying my daughter," Prince Duan declared, harboring considerable resentment toward the Duke of Liguo's household due to past grievances.

Neither Princess Jianing nor Li Jinghao wished to engage further in conversation with him. After offering their respects, they boarded the carriage and set off for the Duke of Liguo's residence. Prince Duan watched the carriage's receding figure, squinting his eyes. Under no circumstances would he permit Jianing to marry into the Duke of Liguo's family.

Meanwhile, Princess Jianing and Li Jinghao arrived at the Duke of Liguo's residence and met with the elderly Duchess. Princess Jianing relayed the events that had transpired the previous day at Lakeview Pavilion to the old Duchess.

After listening, the old Duchess inquired, "Will the Emperor still grant a marriage between Princess Huixin and Xiao Yuchen?"

Princess Jianing pondered for a moment before replying, "The Duchess of Dingguo visited yesterday, presumably having heard the news beforehand. She and the Duke of Dingguo went to the palace yesterday, but no imperial decree has been issued yet, suggesting that the matter has been resolved."

The old Duchess nodded and then asked, "When should we reply to the Duchess of Dingguo's letter? Wouldn't it seem a bit eager if we respond too quickly, as if we're too anxious?"

Princess Jianing smiled, "You should speak to my father first. I'm afraid he might not agree."

"Such a favorable match, why wouldn't he agree?" The old Duchess felt irritated at the mere mention of Prince Duan.

Princess Jianing fell silent for a moment, "Naturally, he wouldn't want my brother and me to have strong support."

Angered, the old Duchess's hands trembled slightly. "Who has ever seen a father act in such a way?"

Princess Jianing lowered her gaze and after a while said, "Even if he disagrees, I must still marry. Grandmother, please speak to him."

The old Duchess wiped away her tears, regretting her decision. Had she known the kind of man Prince Duan was, she would never have allowed her daughter to marry him, but it was too late for regrets now.

"Very well, I'll send someone to invite him immediately," she said.

"He has gone hunting and is not expected to return to the estate until noon," Princess Jianing informed.

"I shall have someone wait for him," the Old Duchess of Liguo stated.

Princess Jianing nodded in agreement.

True to Princess Jianing's estimation, Prince Duan returned to his estate around noon. As he approached the mansion gates, the steward from the Duke of Liguo's residence intercepted him. After bowing respectfully, the steward said, "Your Highness, the Old Duchess requests your presence at our residence."

"What for?" inquired Prince Duan.

Bending forward, the steward replied, "I am not privy to the details, Your Highness."

Prince Duan snorted. What else could it be but to discuss Jianing's betrothal? He was adamantly opposed to the idea of marrying Jianing into the Duke of Liguo's family.

Without entering his own mansion, he turned his horse around and headed straight for the Duke of Liguo's residence. Upon arrival and encountering the Old Duchess, he still offered her a respectful bow.

The Old Duchess, maintaining a neutral expression, gestured for him to take a seat. She got straight to the point, "I have asked you here today to discuss Jianing's matrimonial prospects."

A look of 'I knew it' flashed across Prince Duan's face, yet he inquired, "Has someone proposed for her hand?"

The Old Duchess nodded, "Indeed."

"Which family?" asked Prince Duan, reaching for a cup of tea.

The Old Duchess stated plainly, "The Duke of Dingguo's household."

Prince Duan spat out a mouthful of tea in shock, forgetting all decorum. He turned to the Old Duchess in astonishment, "Which household did you say?"

The Old Duchess repeated, "The Duke of Dingguo's household."

Prince Duan erupted into a fit of coughing, utterly taken aback.

The Old Duchess looked at him with a tinge of contempt, thinking to herself how unbecoming it was for someone of royal descent to exhibit such a lack of composure.

After a bout of coughing, Prince Duan took another sip of tea to steady his nerves before asking, "Mother-in-law, are you in earnest?"

The Old Duchess huffed, "Why would I not be serious? My Jianing is unmatched in beauty, pedigree, and character. She is more than worthy of the Crown Prince of Dingguo."

Convinced of the truth, Prince Duan sat in silence for a moment before declaring, "I do not consent."

Although the Old Duchess of Liguo had anticipated his stance, his outright refusal still infuriated her. She demanded, "Why do you disapprove?"

Prince Duan pondered over Xiao Yuchen, a vague figure due to their lack of acquaintance. However, his memories of Duke Xiao Huai were vivid, especially recalling the moment when he pointed in the Emperor's direction and loudly commanded his arrest.

At that time, the Emperor had been so frightened that he fell to the ground, and Prince Duan wasn't faring much better. Standing beside the Emperor, he had lifted his robe to flee at the sight of Xiao Huai's two generals charging forward. Fortunately, their swift action subdued the Grand Tutor, or he would have indeed fled.

To become in-laws with such a man would surely mean being suppressed at every turn. Furthermore, Jianing and Jing Hao were already butting heads with him, having grown too self-assured. If Jianing were to marry into the Duke of Dingguo's family, wouldn't they both dominate over him, their own father?

Therefore, he could not consent, not even if it killed him.

"I simply do not consent, and I urge you, Mother-in-law, to speak no further on this matter." Unable to find a reason for refusal, he decided not to search for one.

The Old Duchess of Liguo, eyes reddening with anger, pointed shakily at Prince Duan and exclaimed, "What parent doesn't wish the best for their children? Why must you suppress them at every turn?"

Prince Duan remained silent as the Old Duchess continued, "After marrying you, my daughter has managed the household, borne and raised children. Tell me truthfully, has she ever wronged you? Have the children ever wronged you?"

Her words made Prince Duan lose face, but he still could not consent to the marriage. Standing up, he firmly stated, "Mother-in-law, my stance remains unchanged. I will never consent. With that, I must take my leave."

He strode out, feeling uneasy. After all, Jianing was his flesh and blood. If it were possible, he too wished for her to marry well. But if this marriage would compromise his ease with his children in the future, then he must follow his feelings.

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