After her encounter with the second prince, Ning Shu felt an even stronger resolve not to be married off. It wasn't just the weight of her task; the visceral reaction of this body to the second prince—fear and despair—was a painful reminder of her predecessor's trauma.
There was no trace of resistance, just a paralyzing terror akin to a lamb facing slaughter.
Ning Shu took a moment to gather herself before heading to the imperial study to find Li Wen. As she approached, she sensed that he had been expecting her; the eunuch ushered her in without delay.
She inhaled deeply, steeling herself before stepping inside. Li Wen was absorbed in reading through memorials, only lifting his head to regard her after she curtsied. "Have you had dinner?" he asked.
"I haven't," Ning Shu replied honestly. "This sister-subject is troubled and has no appetite."
Li Wen nodded and straightforwardly asked, "The second prince of North Mongolia, He Lianying, wishes to marry you. The marriage will mend relations between our nations. What do you think?"
Ning Shu sneered inwardly. Barbarians were still barbarians, regardless of how they dressed up their identities as the "people of North Mongolia."
"Does Imperial Older Brother wish to hear the truth or lies?" Ning Shu met his gaze with defiance.
Li Wen raised an eyebrow. "Just say what you think."
Ning Shu knelt, her heart racing as she bit her lip. "This sister-subject does not support the peace marriage."
"Oh? And why is that?" Li Wen's expression remained indifferent, as though he anticipated her refusal.
"This sister-subject has already exchanged blows with He Lianying. He is formidable, and there's an even stronger elder prince above him," she gritted out, recalling the original host's memories of the tumultuous relationship that followed her marriage. "After marrying, the two princes began to fight frequently."
"Exchanged blows? Did you injure him?" Li Wen's gaze softened, curiosity glinting in his eyes.
"Imperial Older Brother, bandits are bandits. The Huns have been raiding the borders of Great Yong, killing many of its people. This kind of conduct does not deserve forgiveness. I have enjoyed the honor of being part of the imperial family and am willing to agree to this peace marriage to repay the imperial family, but it will only encourage their actions."
She continued passionately, "Moreover, the Huns do not just seek to claim Great Yong's princess; they want to seize the wealth that is the result of our people's blood, sweat, and tears. If we allow this once, they will come again."
Ning Shu's tone resonated with grief and indignation, no longer merely attempting to persuade Li Wen; these were the original host's true feelings. She had witnessed the horrors at the borders—citizens captured and enslaved. In her own hellish existence, her pain had often felt more profound than those who suffered as captives.
Li Wen's expression hardened, his aura growing colder, leaving Ning Shu struggling to breathe beneath the weight of his imposing presence.
Gritting her teeth, she declared resolutely, "Imperial Older Brother, I am willing to be your sword, ensuring that this dynasty never agrees to peace marriages, pays reparations, loses territory, or offers tributes. I will help forge a Great Yong where the rightful emperor—the Son of Heaven—protects the nation's doors, and the sovereign king faithfully serves the state; a place where all surrounding nations come to pay their respects!"
Li Wen looked taken aback, a swirl of emotions flickering in his eyes. "What do you want to do?"
"To sever the hands that reach into Great Yong and to beat the Huns until they understand fear, I am willing to take command and lead our forces into battle until death!" she declared, her conviction shining through despite the slight tremor in her body.
A smile broke across Li Wen's face as he walked around his desk to help her up. He chuckled softly, "When in history has there ever been a woman in command?"
"Plenty," she retorted, thinking of legends like Hua Mulan and Mu Guiying, though she knew they had no precedents in this world.
"We will not agree to the peace marriage. As for your proposal, allow us to consider it. You should go eat," he said warmly, finally showing a glimpse of the older brother she longed for. "Jiahui, you've grown up."
Every time she heard him say that, Ning Shu felt a sweat drop down her back.