The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Zheng Jiao smiled smugly: "But I gave up on that plan, so you won't have a chance to beat me."

"Oh? So you've decided what to do?"

"Think about it."

The emperor was curious, but Zheng Jiao remained mysterious and refused to speak.

Upon seeing the Empress, Zheng Jiao immediately knelt before her, hugged her leg, and began to cry.

She cried and threatened, "Mother, please let me go! I won't get up if you don't agree!"

emperor:?

Wow, this is the solution you came up with after thinking about it for so long?

The Empress tried to pull her leg outward with all her might, but she couldn't get it out.

She lowered her head, met Zheng Jiao's pleading eyes, and said sternly, "Get up."

"I do not!"

"I'll count to three. One...two..."

Zheng Jiao, being pragmatic, quickly stood up.

Although she's a coward, she's stubborn: "Fine, I'll get up!"

The Empress rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Sit down first."

After everyone was seated, she remained silent for a long time before asking, "Why do you want to go to Liaozhou?"

Zheng Jiao hesitated and pursed her lips. Seeing her mother's tolerant gaze, she suddenly felt that she could try to tell some truths.

Sincerity is the key to success; if you've said everything and still can't convince someone...

Then we'll make further plans.

"Mother, I am not content to be just a rich princess."

"Then what do you want to do?"

"To achieve great things and establish a career!"

"Others achieve great things for the wealth and status they desire. As the daughter of me and your father, you were born with these things. Why are you being foolish?"

Zheng Jiao frowned and denied it, saying, "It's different..."

"Oh? What's different?"

The Empress stared intently at Zheng Jiao, her gaze stern yet tinged with a hint of encouragement.

Under her probing, the seed that had just sprouted in Zheng Jiao's heart broke through the soil and grew tender shoots: "I want to make achievements with my own abilities, I want to protect my father's country, protect the people of Dayong, and I want to leave a glorious page in the history books!"

When she said this, her tone was full of ambition.

The Empress was both pleased and saddened.

I am gratified that she has grown up and has a goal to strive for; I am saddened that children will eventually leave their parents' side to travel far away and experience the storms of life.

Suppressing her emotions, she asked calmly, "Liaozhou is not a luxurious haven like the capital. It is a place of harsh winds and bitter cold, fraught with danger. The vicious army of the Brown Kingdom is always watching, eager to tear a piece of Dayong apart. Have you ever killed anyone? Have you ever suffered? Can you endure a life of coarse food and cold soup?"

She spoke very quickly, as if she were interrogating him, or as if she wanted to dispel Zheng Jiao's unrealistic ideas.

Each word struck Zheng Jiao's heart, and she fell into deep thought.

The emperor looked at the empress, genuinely curious as to why her attitude had changed so quickly.

However, fearing that asking a question would disturb Zheng Jiao's thoughts, he could only remain silent.

Half an hour passed, and Zheng Jiao looked at the Empress again.

She had lost some of her impetuousness, and her gaze had become more determined.

"Mother, I insist on my own opinion."

"No regrets?"

"No regrets."

The Empress was deeply moved and pulled her into her arms, tears streaming down her face.

This time, the tears were not a tool to bind the child's wings, but a mother's genuine love.

"Jiaojiao, your mother can't bear to part with you."

"Mother, your son is unfilial..."

The Empress released her, her eyes red-rimmed, but a smile played on her lips. She cupped her face in her hands, her gaze gentle and loving: "My darling, you must take good care of yourself out there. If anything happens to you, your mother will come to be with you..."

"Mother!" Zheng Jiao hurriedly interrupted her, "Don't say such things, your daughter will be fine, Mother, please take care of yourself too! Your daughter will definitely make you proud."

The Empress patted her on the shoulder and affirmed, "Good, Your Majesty will wait for that day."

Actually, she still felt reluctant to let go, but she didn't dare to speak. She was afraid that if she said another word, she would be reluctant to let her child leave.

Zheng Xun was a little full from eating the snacks, so he drank some tea to calm himself down.

A loving mother and filial son!

[Father and Mother are truly remarkable. Sending Zheng Jiao to such a dangerous place must have been an unbearable pain for them, but they chose to grant Zheng Jiao's wish.]

But why did the empress, who was so firmly refusing at the beginning, change her mind so quickly?

The emperor and Zheng Jiao immediately perked up their ears.

[It's Zheng Jin?!]

Although Zheng Jiao didn't tell Zheng Jin her thoughts, Zheng Jin guessed them.

Noticing the Empress's unusual mood, she took out a booklet.

That booklet was the Empress's notebook, which recorded some of the things she had experienced and the changes in her state of mind.

The diary states that the Empress longed to roam the world with a sword since childhood. She disliked being bound by constraints and did not want to be a proper noblewoman. However, her parents did not support her. They loved her, but they never understood what she truly wanted.

She was still young then, and after hearing so much talk from those around her, she began to doubt herself, wondering if she had gone too far and if she was really incapable.

Gradually, she gave up on her dreams.

Now, things have changed drastically, and she has become the elder she once was.

Is she going to let Zheng Jiao follow in her footsteps?

She asked herself the same question countless times, and the answer was always the same—she didn't want to, which is why she changed her attitude.

Zheng Jiao's heart was filled with emotion, and she asked the Empress in a low voice, "Mother, are you regretful?"

"Regret?" The Empress looked somewhat dazed. "I suppose so."

She glanced at the emperor, then smoothed the stray hairs from Zheng Jiao's forehead, and said calmly, "However, whatever Mother Empress does, she always does it to the best of her ability."

Therefore, those regrets have long since faded with time and as she has accumulated more and more possessions.

Regret is the most useless thing in the world. Who can say that the current choice is not a better or even the best choice?

[This booklet was lent to Zheng Jin shortly after she found it. When she gave her this notebook, her feelings were probably similar to entrusting everything to her daughter.]

Actually, the relationship between the eldest and second eldest sisters is quite awkward. No matter what the second eldest sister says or does in this matter, it seems very inappropriate.

Zheng Jin took out her notebook to persuade the Empress, because she understood Zheng Jiao's ambitions.

So, even knowing that she might be suspected or accused, she still did it.

Wow~ Such a touching sisterly bond!

Zheng Xun recalled the irreconcilable conflict between the two characters in the original book and couldn't help but sigh at the unpredictability of life.

However, this is actually quite good.

Zheng Jiao felt overwhelmed with emotion and joy.

At this moment, even she, who doesn't believe in gods or Buddhas, wanted to burn incense to thank God for the good fortune He had bestowed upon her.

How fortunate she is to have met such wonderful relatives.

However, with Zheng Jiao's departure, the Emperor and Empress Dowager will have to face countless rumors and gossip.