Your marriage… must be called off?

Minister Zhu said these words with great difficulty as well.

Because he knew his daughter’s feelings for Li Shiyan.

When Zhu Yao heard these words, her pupils dilated in shock. Her brow furrowed deeply, unable to believe her own ears. After being slightly stunned, she asked in disbelief, “Father, what did you just… say? What do you mean by… calling off the marriage?”

Her voice trembled!

It also carried a trace of choking sobs.

Minister Zhu didn’t want to speak so absolutely either, but given the current situation, even if Li Shiyan truly wasn’t guilty, the Kangding Marquis Manor would definitely be affected. And once the Marquis Manor was affected, his Zhu family naturally couldn’t escape either. The position they had worked so hard to establish in the court couldn’t be ruined by this matter. So after careful consideration, Minister Zhu made this decision—dissolving the marriage agreement between the two families was the best solution.

Only this way could they protect themselves wisely!

He looked at his pitiful daughter. “Yao’er, Father knows your feelings for the heir, but this is no longer just your matter alone, nor is it a matter between you and the heir—it’s a matter for our entire Zhu family. Can you understand?”

Hmph!

Zhu Yao said emotionally, “Your daughter doesn’t understand and doesn’t wish to understand. If Shiyan is innocent in this matter, why must you cancel my engagement with him? Father, you can’t do this.”

“You child, why are you so stubborn? This marriage isn’t something that works just because you like him.” Minister Zhu stood up. Though his words carried a trace of reproach, they also held heartache and reluctance.

Zhu Yao took two steps back, her eyes brimming with tears. Looking at her father with disappointment, she shook her head and said, “Father, no matter what you say, your daughter’s heart holds only Shiyan. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but him. If Father intends to cancel this marriage, it would be taking your daughter’s life!”

Taking her life!

Zhu Yao had spoken such serious words.

One could see that her love for Li Shiyan had already penetrated to her very bones.

Minister Zhu sighed. “Don’t make things difficult for Father. This is also unavoidable—think of our Zhu family, Yao’er.”

“Your daughter only knows the bond between us, not what constitutes righteousness! If Father insists on doing this, your daughter can only defy you.”

Zhu Yao had always been obedient.

She never talked back to her elders even once, and she was very filial toward her parents. For her to say such words now truly shocked Minister Zhu immensely. For a long while he didn’t know what to say. He opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a single word.

Zhu Yao’s mind was made up and would not be changed in any way. She continued, “Your daughter knows that speaking these words is unfilial and that I shouldn’t defy Father’s wishes. But Father, your daughter’s heart is entirely with Shiyan. No matter what happens, no matter what obstacles arise, my feelings for him will remain unchanged—they absolutely will not change in any way.”

“You… are you trying to anger me to death?”

“Father!” Zhu Yao suddenly knelt down, tears streaming as she said, “Please take pity on your daughter. Your daughter truly loves Shiyan with all her heart. Two years ago, your daughter was boating on the lake. At that time I accidentally fell into the water. It was thanks to Shiyan’s rescue that my life was preserved. And last time, because my mind wandered and I became distracted for a moment, I fell into the water again. It was still Shiyan who saved me. Otherwise, your daughter would have died long ago. Your daughter’s life belongs to him!”

Minister Zhu was very surprised. His steps staggered backward several times. He bent down and quickly helped his daughter up from the ground, asking with heartache, “What did you say? You fell into the water two years ago?”

Zhu Yao nodded. “Cai’er knows about this matter. Fortunately your daughter was unharmed at the time, so I concealed the matter to avoid worrying you and Mother. It was also at that time that your daughter developed feelings for Shiyan. Perhaps Heaven took pity on your daughter and knew your daughter’s heart, which is why fate arranged for our two families to unite through marriage. Your daughter was overjoyed and made up her mind early on—these feelings will never change in this lifetime. I can accept no one but him. Father, please fulfill your daughter’s wish.”

She begged earnestly.

This version of her was both stubborn and devoted.

Hearing this, Minister Zhu felt very conflicted inside. On one hand, Li Shiyan had saved his daughter twice—that was an enormous debt of gratitude that could never be fully repaid! But after this incident occurred, he had discussed the marriage between the two families with his wife, and they unanimously decided to dissolve this engagement! However, now wasn’t the right time yet. They planned to wait until returning to the capital before speaking with Marquis Kangding face to face to call off the marriage alliance between the two families. But now… after hearing his daughter speak such words, his heart felt unsettled, torn between difficulties, thoroughly uncomfortable.

On one side was the Zhu family’s future prospects!

On the other side was his daughter’s true heart!

Both were his own flesh and blood—he couldn’t bear to sacrifice either!

Minister Zhu fell into deep distress.

He let out a heavy sigh.

Then looking at his daughter who had cried herself into a tearful mess, he said, “Yao’er, Father understands everything you’ve said and feels for you. The heir’s great kindness—Father is truly grateful. But… there are too many complications involved. It’s not as simple as you think!”

He was troubled!

Distressed!

Zhu Yao grabbed her father’s hand and said, “Father, Shiyan saved me twice. Such enormous grace and virtue—it’s something your daughter can never repay. If because of this matter Father wants to protect himself wisely and cancel my engagement with him, wouldn’t your daughter become an ungrateful person? Our Zhu family would also fall into inhumanity. At that time, how would others view us? How would Father establish himself in court afterward? And who would still be willing to marry your daughter? Father, please fulfill your daughter’s wish. Please don’t cancel the engagement!”

She pleaded earnestly!

For her, Li Shiyan was the great love of her life. If she had to give up her greatest love, it would be like someone taking a knife and cutting out her heart.

The pain of mangled flesh and blood!

Wouldn’t this be equivalent to taking her life?

After Minister Zhu heard these words, he was suddenly shocked, as if someone had struck his vulnerable spot!

Actually, Minister Zhu had thought about all these things Zhu Yao analyzed! And he was aware of them in his heart. It was just that hearing them spoken from his own daughter’s mouth at this moment, he couldn’t help feeling shocked.

Think about it—even a young woman who never stepped beyond her chamber doors could see the advantages and disadvantages involved. Others would understand the deeper meaning even more clearly!

Minister Zhu’s heart held concerns…

Finally he let out another heavy sigh.

He held his daughter’s hand and patted it gently, only able to comfort her by saying, “Yao’er, let’s not discuss this matter for now. We’ll talk about it after the heir’s situation is resolved! But you shouldn’t overthink things either—taking good care of your health is most important.”

Hope appeared in Zhu Yao’s eyes as she asked joyfully, “So Father’s meaning… is that you won’t break off the engagement?”

“We’ll discuss everything later! But Father promises you that I will carefully consider what you just said. However…”

“However what?”

“Father must also remind you of one thing—if the heir truly killed someone, then your marriage cannot be decided by you, nor can it be decided by Father. This marriage engagement must be broken off. But if the heir didn’t kill anyone, after we return home, I will discuss it properly with your mother before making a decision. It’s already so late now—you should go back and rest first. In any case, Father also promises you that I will definitely assist the Marquis in investigating this matter thoroughly.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Zhu Yao had at least won herself one opportunity. Although she hadn’t received a definite response from her father, her heart still settled somewhat.

Seeing that it was getting late, she left!

After coming out, she remained restless the entire time, tears continuously welling up in her eyes.

Her heart felt like it had a ball of fire burning inside!

Seeing her like this, Cai’er said, “Miss, don’t worry anymore. At least the heir is safe now and has returned safely. Once the Court of Judicial Review investigates clearly, they’ll release the heir.”

Zhu Yao remained silent. After a long while, she suddenly stopped, looked around, and asked, “Cai’er, where is Shiyan being held?”

“It seems to be at the Water Moon Pavilion in the South Garden.”

“Water Moon Pavilion?”

“Miss, there are people guarding outside—no one can enter.” Cai’er seemed to see through her young mistress’s thoughts and quickly said these words to interrupt her idea.

Zhu Yao sighed.

Cai’er continued to remind her, “Right now many eyes are watching. Miss should focus on taking care of your own health first—that’s most important.”

“I know I can’t see him right now, but…” Zhu Yao’s voice choked up a couple of times before she said weakly, “Never mind, let’s go back.”

“Yes!”

Cai’er then helped her return to rest.

But Zhu Yao couldn’t sleep at all. She sat in her room in a daze, her thoughts entirely focused on how to help Li Shiyan.

But what could she do? She couldn’t help at all!