Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

It’s Ning Yunxiao.

At this time, Ning Yunxiao had already changed into a disheveled outfit.

He jumped down from the pear tree and came over with fallen petals all over the ground. He had thin lips, a straight nose, sword-like eyebrows, and wore brocade clothes and a jade belt. He looked clean and elegant, yet he also had a proud character.

Jiang Lige came back to his senses from his surprise, "Why is the prince here?"

"Of course I came to ask the princess for an explanation."

Jiang Lige choked and remembered his excuses during the day. He scratched his neck awkwardly and was struggling to figure out how to make up his lie when he met Ning Yunxiao's almost scrutinizing gaze.

Jiang Lige has a problem. When he gets nervous, he starts to act freely.

Therefore, someone purses his lips and opens his mouth to speak.

"Yesterday's incident was truly a misunderstanding. I originally instructed Cui'e to bring food to the Crown Prince, but I didn't expect her to be so audacious as to accept bribes and go around slandering my reputation. Your Highness, consider this: what reputation could be worse than one that despises the poor and favors the rich, and undermines diplomatic relations?"

Having said that, Jiang Lige sighed with some regret.

"I'm a princess from a foreign country, and my foundation in Shengling is still shallow. It's not the first time that the people below me have been hypocritical for the sake of their own interests."

Ning Yunxiao did not comment. He looked at Jiang Lige carefully and saw nothing unusual on his face, so he asked.

"Princess, did you recognize me when we were in the dense forest?"

Jiang Lige nodded shyly, "Yes, I met the prince once by chance at the annual banquet."

"I see."

Ning Yunxiao responded, seemingly accepting Jiang Lige's explanation. He paused and asked again, "No matter what, the princess will never forget her kindness. As for that maidservant, what does the princess wish to do with her?"

What he meant was that he took Lvliu away today according to Jiang Lige's wishes, and now how to punish him would naturally also depend on Jiang Lige's wishes.

Jiang Lige pretended not to understand the testing tone in Ning Yunxiao's words, and asked with a smile, tilting his head.

"That was Nan Chu's apology gift to the prince, but the prince turned around and gave it to me as a thank-you gift. How can that be justified?"

Which of the noble ladies in the capital doesn't have a delicate heart?

Jiang Lige was so quick-witted that he had to say a sentence in a roundabout way, which made Ning Yunxiao unable to respond for a while.

"The princess is of noble status, so I think she has nothing to lack. It is not easy for me to repay the princess's kindness."

"But if you ask me, it's very simple."

"Appreciate further details."

"The imperial decree has been issued, the wedding date has been set, and the best way for you to repay me, Your Highness, is to promise never to take a concubine."

Ning Yunxiao was stunned when he heard this, his ears turned red, but he still had a serious face.

"Princess, this is inappropriate."

In past and present lives, Jiang Lige had no idea how many times he had seen Ning Yunxiao. Every time, he always gave the impression of someone who remained calm even when faced with a crisis. It was rare to see Ning Yunxiao almost unable to respond to a word, which made Jiang Lige want to tease him for a moment.

"The emperor has already issued an edict, so what's inappropriate about it?" Jiang Lige smiled and moved closer to Ning Yunxiao. "Sir, is it true or not?"

The girl's sudden approach filled Ning Yunxiao's nose with an unknown faint fragrance. The fragrance seemed to be bewitching, making his heart burn and beat fast.

"Princess, please respect yourself!"

Ning Yunxiao almost subconsciously dodged Jiang Lige's approach, left this sentence behind, and fled.

In a panic, he almost tripped over the threshold.

Jiang Lige pretended to be concerned and called out "Prince" again, and only burst into laughter after the people left.

so fun!

……

After Ning Yunxiao left, Jiang Lige called someone into the house to apply the medicine. After waiting for a while, Jiang Chuchu came limping.

As soon as she entered the house, Jiang Chuchu went straight to the inner room, pretending to be concerned about Jiang Lige's injury.

"It's okay now, don't worry."

After saying this, Jiang Lige's face turned indignant. "Empress Xiao saw that I was unwell and wasted her time on you. How cruel! If I were better, I would definitely have a duel with her!"

Isn’t it just pretending to be weak? Who can’t do that?

Jiang Lige's move of using his own method to retaliate against Jiang Chuchu made her so angry that she fell backwards and cursed Jiang Lige in her heart.

Despite the scolding, he still acted like a peacemaker.

"Sister, you treat Chuchu well. I know that, but Empress Xiao is unreasonable. Sister, there is no need to argue with her."

Jiang Lige snorted lightly, still looking as domineering as usual, "That's all!"

After persuading her, Jiang Chuchu changed the subject and asked, "Sister, what do you think of the Prince Zhao?"

Jiang Lige's answer was brief and concise, "Not bad."

"Chu Chu actually feels that Prince Zhao is not a good match."

"Oh? Why?"

Jiang Chuchu sighed and told the story slowly.

"Prince Zhao's mother died in childbirth, leaving him motherless since childhood. He has many character flaws and is not a caring person. Furthermore, the current Princess Zhao is the Crown Prince's stepmother and has children of her own. Prince Zhao, in turn, treats his stepmother's children well.

Let’s not talk about the distant past, let’s talk about the recent past. Princess Zhao’s own son had already married, but the Crown Prince’s marriage has not been settled yet. It can be seen that the Crown Prince’s life in the mansion is very difficult.

I also heard that if it weren't for His Majesty, the throne of the Crown Prince would have almost fallen to the one born to the second wife! To be honest, apart from Ning Yunxiao, he is the only outsider in the Zhao Palace."

Jiang Lige sighed after hearing this, "I didn't expect the prince to have such a miserable life."

Jiang Chuchu immediately became anxious when she heard this, fearing that Jiang Lige would be soft-hearted, and said hurriedly.

"I know you have a kind heart, but don't misuse it! Think about it, the situation at Prince Zhao's mansion is complicated. The father-in-law is partial, and the mother-in-law is difficult to get along with. If I become their daughter-in-law, not only will it be detrimental to the marriage with Nanchu, but I will also suffer and be looked down upon! You are a daughter-in-law of a rich family, how can you endure such hardship?"

Jiang Lige smiled bitterly, "The imperial decree has been issued, how can I not endure this hardship?"

"That's not right, sister!"

Jiang Chuchu pressed on, "The Queen Mother has always loved you. If you don't want to get married, who can force you?"

Jiang Lige was a little hesitant, but still shook her head, "Regardless of whether it was forced or not, if I don't marry Ning Yunxiao, who else can I marry?"

"There are thousands of good men in Shengling, and Ning Yunxiao is not the only one." Jiang Chuchu continued to whisper, "I heard that the current emperor's younger brother, the eighth prince Ning Luyang, is a good one."

When Jiang Chuchu heard Ning Luyang's name, Jiang Lige almost couldn't hold back his anger. He clenched his fists under his sleeves and repeated it calmly.

"Ning Luyang?"

"Yes, Ning Luyang. Not only is he very handsome, he also has no parents-in-law to serve. The relationships and social customs in the mansion are simple. In addition, he is also capable. The future princess will definitely not suffer."

Jiang Lige nodded and stopped talking at the right time, "This is a serious matter. Let me think about it again."

"There's no rush for important things. Just take your time to think about it."

Jiang Chuchu smiled, looking gentle and sensible. "The Spring Hunt will be held in a few days. Prince Zhao's Mansion and the Eighth Prince are both members of the royal family, so they will definitely be there. Sister, you might as well try them out. You'll naturally be able to tell the good from the bad."

"I understand." Jiang Lige agreed, and said a few other words to Jiang Chuchu, then used the excuse of feeling dizzy to send the guest away.

The door closed, and Jiang Lige's straight waist slowly bent down, and his thoughts were gradually pulled into memories.

It turns out that Ning Luyang and Jiang Chuchu had been colluding for a long time!

From persuading the cancellation of the engagement to the accident during the spring hunt, Jiang Lige in his previous life was completely unprepared. Every step he took accurately fell into the trap set by the two. One wrong step led to another, and he embarked on a path of no return.

Thinking of this, Jiang Lige couldn't help but snort and called the maid in the yard into the house.

The person who entered the room was Jiang Lige's maid, Fengquan, who was assigned by Empress Dowager Jiang to serve her. "Did you hear everything just now?"

"Please explain clearly, Princess."

Jiang Lige pursed his lips and smiled harmlessly, "Chu Chu said that Empress Xiao is unreasonable."