The Whole Dynasty Spoils the Tyrant's Beloved Youngest Daughter-Chapter 399: We Can Force Them to Acknowledge Him

Chapter 399: Chapter 399: We Can Force Them to Acknowledge Him
"I am not joking, what I said is true..." said the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia, "As for killing Qi Qin, I didn’t want to do it either, but I had no choice."
The Emperor of Bei Xia threatened him, if he didn’t kill Qi Qin, he would have to choose suicide.
In this way, the Emperor of Bei Xia could pretend that he never had this useless son who couldn’t bring glory to the country.
He didn’t want to die, nor did he want to be seen as useless by the Emperor of Bei Xia, so he could only kill Qi Qin.
"Hehe, who has so many difficulties without a choice... It all comes down to you," said Emperor Yongning, not fooled by the excuses of the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia.
"No, Father..."
The prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia still wanted to say something when suddenly, an arrow shot from behind, piercing into the right side of his back.
His grip on Jun Ning’s right hand suddenly loosened.
Jun Ning felt the hand that was like an iron clamp around her throat start to loosen. Without much thought, she pulled out the hairpin from her head and stabbed it into the chest of the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia.
Quick, precise, fierce...
The prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia hadn’t shown any mercy to her earlier, choking her so much that she almost couldn’t breathe. Now that she had a chance to retaliate, she didn’t show any mercy to him either.
Her strike was vicious, and half of the hairpin plunged into the chest of the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia.
Beset on all sides, the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead. Despite his strong physique, he couldn’t withstand such an attack and went down on one knee.
Jun Ning took the opportunity to walk over to Jun Yu, who had just shot the arrow at the Prince of Bei Xia.
Jun Yu saw Jun Ning approaching and quickly pulled her behind him for protection, then took another arrow and stood ready.
The Imperial Guard at the entrance of the Imperial Assembly Hall weren’t just idlers. When Jun Ning was grabbed by the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia, they rushed in.
The situation had now reversed. The prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia was overwhelmed, without any leverage left, unable to stir up any storm. They rushed forward and apprehended him.
Emperor Yongning and all the ministers breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ah Ning, come over here..." Emperor Yongning, ignoring the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia, only had eyes for Jun Ning, deeply worried about her.
Jun Ning lifted her skirt and walked in front of Emperor Yongning. Before she could open her mouth to say she was fine, Emperor Yongning took her hand and carefully checked her all over. Not seeing any signs of injury or bleeding on her dress, Emperor Yongning finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Ah Ning, you scared Father to death just now," Emperor Yongning said, gripping Jun Ning’s hand tightly, shaken.
The strength with which he held Jun Ning’s hand showed his fear and tension, not yet dissipated even though the disaster had passed.
Jun Ning looked at Emperor Yongning’s large hand tightly gripping hers, wanting to jump into his arms like when she was a child, to reassure him that she was fine and not to worry.
But the old mammas in the palace had long taught her that as a grown woman, she must avoid her father, and couldn’t casually throw herself into Emperor Yongning’s arms anymore.
Through the years, Emperor Yongning had been loving but also formal and courteous. When worried or when discussing important matters with her, he merely held her hand, no longer embracing her freely like when she was a child.
Yet, Jun Ning felt that at this moment, Emperor Yongning’s concern for her truly needed a hug to ease it.
Ignoring all else, she threw herself into Emperor Yongning’s arms, "Father, I’m fine, don’t worry about me."
Emperor Yongning did not adhere to protocol and etiquette by pushing Jun Ning away but embraced her. Once his mind calmed down a bit, he gently patted her back, "Ah Ning, it’s good that you’re alright, it’s good..."
Releasing Jun Ning, Emperor Yongning sat on the imperial chair, while Jun Ning instinctively stood behind him.
With the crisis resolved, it was time to handle serious matters.
All the crimes committed by the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia in the Kingdom of Eastern Chu had evidence in the letters brought by Jun Ning. The private seal of the prospective Crown Prince and those of the ministers of Bei Xia on the letters made them the most compelling evidence.
His recent attempt to coerce people to flee also proved this was not false, but a solid fact.
The evidence was very conclusive, meriting an immediate death sentence.
However, Emperor Yongning did not immediately sentence the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia to death.
Instead, he ordered him to be hanged at the gate of the Imperial City, sending a message to Bei Xia demanding the exchange of their prospective Crown Prince for seven cities.
If Eastern Chu could truly take down the seven cities of Bei Xia, it could ensure several more years of survival for the country, now hanging by a thread once again.
Emperor Yongning was failing, often unable to walk, coughing incessantly. Worse still, his reactions were now slow, and his mind somewhat dull, often forgetting important matters. On occasions requiring his decisions, he often didn’t know what to decide for a long time.
Therefore, even if he does not die, after this matter is resolved, he will have to abdicate.
The transition between the old emperor and the new is often the easiest time for war and chaos to arise.
But if they could acquire seven cities from Bei Xia, the surrounding countries would fear the power of the Kingdom of Eastern Chu and would not dare to attack easily, allowing Eastern Chu to rejuvenate its military might.
It could be said that the benefits brought by one prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia were immeasurable.
How could Emperor Yongning pass up such a trade opportunity? To easily kill the prospective Crown Prince of Bei Xia? Certainly not.
However...
Would Bei Xia be willing to give up seven cities?
Those are seven cities, after all, not just seven meals.
If Bei Xia were to prioritize protecting its cities and refuse to acknowledge their prospective Crown Prince, choosing to sacrifice him instead, it could indeed happen.
With such uneasy feelings, Emperor Yongning sent out the message about the city exchange. But several days passed without any reply from Bei Xia, making it seem as though they were indeed ready to abandon their prospective Crown Prince.
This troubled Emperor Yongning, keeping him up night after night.
One noon, Jun Ning came to join Emperor Yongning for lunch.
Seeing him eat very little and refusing his usual medicinal soup, appearing preoccupied, Jun Ning also put down her chopsticks and said, "Father, if Bei Xia does not recognize their Crown Prince, we can force them to!"
"Force them to recognize? What do you mean?" Emperor Yongning’s interest piqued immediately, "Ah Ning, do you have a good idea? Speak in detail!"
Jun Ning playfully kept him in suspense, "Father, finish your meal first, and then we’ll talk."