Chapter 295: How Could You Treat Me This Way?

Chapter 295: How Could You Treat Me This Way?

Behind the screen in the room, Princess Jianing, though foreseeing the outcome, felt her eyes moisten. She took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the screen. Seeing the Old Duchess of Liguo wiping her tears, she approached and sat beside her.

"Grandmother, do not worry, I have a way to make him consent," she said.

Dabbing her tears with a handkerchief, the Old Duchess replied, "With the command of parents and the word of matchmakers, what can you possibly do?"

Holding her grandmother's hand, Princess Jianing reassured, "Rest assured, I won't be manipulated by him."

Seeing her reluctance to divulge more, the Old Duchess didn't press further. After more conversation, Princess Jianing rose to take her leave. She met her brother, Li Jinghao, in the front courtyard, and the siblings returned to their residence together.

On the way, Li Jinghao asked Princess Jianing, "Sister, have you been keeping something from me these past few days?"

Princess Jianing smiled at him and recounted the entire situation. Clenching his fists tightly, Li Jinghao exclaimed, "How did we end up with such a father?"

Patting his head, Princess Jianing advised, "Since we can't choose, we must face it with effort."

"Sister, do you have a plan?" Li Jinghao asked.

Princess Jianing smiled faintly, "Even if Father is oblivious, he still cares about face."

Then, she leaned closer to Li Jinghao and whispered a few words to him. His eyes lit up upon hearing them, "That's a brilliant idea."

Princess Jianing looked at him and asked, "Don't you think I'm being too harsh?"

Li Jinghao countered, "Isn't he even harsher to us?"

Princess Jianing smiled; as long as the people she cared about understood her, nothing else mattered.

The siblings chatted as they made their way home. Princess Jianing headed straight to Prince Duan's courtyard. Li Jinghao wanted to follow, but Princess Jianing refused, opting to save their father some dignity.

Upon reaching Prince Duan's courtyard, he was indulging in wine and watching a few dancers perform. Princess Jianing stepped in, observing her father reveling in pleasures. She thought of her mother, who had toiled for the royal residence and passed away early. Sometimes, it's better to be selfish. Look, how comfortably those who are selfish and self-serving live.

Approaching Prince Duan, Princess Jianing glanced at the slightly tipsy man and then waved to the dancers, "You may all leave now."

The musicians and dancers halted, and the room fell silent. Prince Duan sat askew on the brocaded couch, looking up at Princess Jianing standing before him, and frowned, "What do you want?"

"Your daughter has something to discuss with you, Father," Princess Jianing said.

Prince Duan frowned, then waved the musicians and dancers away, leaving just the two of them. Princess Jianing sat down on a chair to the side, her gaze steady yet sharp, making Prince Duan somewhat uncomfortable. He frowned and said, "The heir of Duke Dingguo is not a suitable match."

"How is he unsuitable?" Princess Jianing inquired.

Prince Duan furrowed his brow in thought before saying, "That heir of Duke Dingguo is too handsome, prettier than most women. Such a man will certainly attract many women. You have a strong personality; how could you tolerate that?"

Princess Jianing lowered her gaze, then looked up at Prince Duan and said, "With my background, I could never marry into an ordinary family. Even if a man from a noble family is unattractive, many women would still flock to him. Since that is the case, why shouldn't I choose someone handsome? At the very least, it would be pleasing to my own eyes."

Prince Duan: "……"

He picked up a cup of wine, drank it down in one gulp, and then said, "Regardless, I will not agree to this match."

Unable to find a rebuttal, he resorted to obstinacy. Seeing this, Princess Jianing laughed lightly and said, "If Father does not wish for his daughter's happiness, why should the daughter accommodate Father's wishes?"

"What do you mean by that?" Prince Duan asked with a furrowed brow.

Princess Jianing lowered her gaze to adjust the hem of her dress and said, "If Father insists on opposing this marriage, then I shall have no choice but to reveal the matter of him being cuckolded."

"You... you ungrateful daughter!" Duke Duan stood up abruptly, pointing at Princess Jianing as he exclaimed, "I am your father, how can you treat me this way?"

Princess Jianing retorted, "I am your daughter, yet how can you treat me this way?"

Duke Duan fell silent, his eyes burning with anger as he stared at his daughter. He couldn't fathom when she had become so sharp-tongued.

At that moment, Princess Jianing added, "I've heard that Father has been rather close with a certain lady recently."

"How... how did you know?" Duke Duan asked, believing he had been discreet in his affairs.

Princess Jianing didn't answer him directly but continued, "What would be the consequences if news of Father's indiscretions with a married woman were to leak out?"

"You... you dare to threaten your own father," Duke Duan said through gritted teeth. He stepped forward and raised his hand as if to slap her.

"Father!"

Princess Jianing stood up and, looking Duke Duan in the eyes, she said, "If you dare to strike me, all of your shameful secrets will be known throughout the capital by tomorrow."

Duke Duan, panting heavily and grinding his teeth, looked at his daughter and slowly lowered his arm. "Well done, indeed! I never knew the daughter I raised had such capability."

Princess Jianing sat down and spoke indifferently, "Father seems to have forgotten that it wasn't you who raised me. Before I was four, I was with Mother, and after she passed, I hardly saw Father even a few times a year."

Duke Duan collapsed onto the couch, and after a long silence, he conceded, "Fine, have it your way. Marry whomever you wish."

Princess Jianing stood up, "Thank you, Father."

With that, she turned and walked towards the door. Pausing at the threshold, she added, "Father, you should sever ties with that woman soon. There are no secrets that time does not reveal."

"I know, now get out," Duke Duan said irritably.

Princess Jianing was unaffected by his words; her heart had long been shattered. She stepped out of the door, looked up at the warm sun hanging high in the sky, and smiled faintly.

Truth be told, she didn't know much about Xiao Yuchen, nor was she certain about her decision. But having made her choice, she was determined to see it through wholeheartedly.

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