Chapter 253: Chapter 253

Previously, she had used this token to enter and exit the palace without any issues. Why is it that today it’s suddenly not working?

Evidently, it has abruptly become ineffective.

"Your Highness, please don’t make it difficult for me." The guard was also quite helpless! He was simply acting on orders from above and frankly had no choice in the matter.

Upon hearing this, Jun Ning decided not to trouble the guard any further and instructed him to let her in.

She glanced at the four Imperial Guards standing behind her.

These four were highly skilled, the cream of the crop among the palace’s Imperial Guards.

Her father had specifically selected them to protect her safety, and to follow her commands.

They were her people.

She could command them at will.

"You guys, go ahead and tie up those two guards at the palace gate for me." By doing this, she could enter the palace, and the guards would no longer feel troubled by her.

"Yes, Your Highness." The four Imperial Guards immediately stepped forward to restrain the men.

The two guards never expected Jun Ning to be so bold as to openly defy the Emperor’s orders and have them tied up. This was utterly disregarding the Emperor’s command!

"Your Highness, the Emperor has forbidden you from entering the palace, yet you insist on doing so. Aren’t you afraid of being suspected of plotting rebellion?" one of the guards exclaimed in a rush, hoping to intimidate her.

He reckoned that the princess was so young and naive that she would believe whatever he said.

He expected she would be scared off.

But Jun Ning wasn’t frightened at all, in fact, she even found it laughable.

"Rebellion? Haha..." Jun Ning glanced at her four Imperial Guards, "Four people can overthrow the throne?"

Did these two guards overly esteem her four Imperial Guards? Or did they underestimate the palace’s guards, thinking that those hand-picked individuals couldn’t handle just four people? New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝗇𝗲𝘵

The guard who had spoken realized this line of reasoning too.

He blushed in embarrassment after being questioned by Jun Ning, but stubbornly refused to acknowledge his fault, daringly saying, "Why not?"

"......" Jun Ning couldn’t be bothered to listen to him any longer. She glanced at the dawdling guards, "What are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear me say go?"

The guards dared not remain idle any longer and stopped listening to the two guards. They advanced and engaged them in combat.

Two fists were no match for four hands.

The two guards at the palace gate were soon brought down by Jun Ning’s men, unable to rise again.

Seeing this, Jun Ning gave a few cold chuckles and strode into the palace with swagger.

But as she reached the gate, out of nowhere, four or five dozen Imperial Guards suddenly surged forward to surround her. She was now stuck, unable to advance or retreat.

And her four guards also found themselves encircled by the suddenly appearing Imperial Guards.

Now it was Jun Ning’s turn to find herself in a passive and difficult position.

The lead Imperial Guard spoke expressionlessly, "Your Highness, those who forcefully enter the palace are subject to the death penalty!"

Jun Ning was tempted to retort, "Would you dare kill me?" but she stopped herself before the words left her mouth.

What was the point in saying that?

Even if she was forcefully entering the palace, these Imperial Guards definitely wouldn’t dare to kill her. But they would block her.

With their numbers, she couldn’t possibly break through.

So, speaking was futile, and pushing forward would be wasted effort.

She might as well go back and think of another way to help her mother.

Jun Ning said, "It’s fine if I’m not allowed in, I’ll leave. But please inform the Emperor that if he won’t let me into the palace this time, even if he asks me to come in the future, I won’t."

Jun Ning left with her stern words, taking her Imperial Guards with her.

Being turned away , not to mention losing face, which Jun Ning didn’t care about, but the hurtful part was her father stopping her from entering the palace!

How was she to feel about that?

He treated her with the harshness reserved for enemies, and that deeply upset her.

Even if he meant well for her, even if he had other considerations, even if he had his own difficulties... did he really need to go to such lengths?

They could have discussed the matter amicably. But her father chose not to discuss it with her, and instead used such a harsh and hurtful method to make her yield.

Jun Ning was very saddened and disappointed.

At the highest point of the palace.

Upon hearing the news that Qiong Hua had sent a message to the National Guardian General Mansion that Jun Ning was about to enter the palace, Emperor Yongning stood at the highest pavilion of the palace, holding a telescope, using it to observe the situation at the palace gate.

He saw Jun Ning return, and had not been pleased for a moment before he saw her leave angrily shortly thereafter.

She was so proud, with not a hint of submission or pleading.

Emperor Yongning closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and instructed Xiao Lizi to bring him the Imperial Guards and the gate guards who had spoken with Jun Ning so he could interrogate them. To find out exactly what the princess had said to them.

After he listened, Emperor Yongning’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.

To not even address him as ’Father’ was one thing, but to threaten him with harsh words? Saying nonsense like she wouldn’t come even if he asked her?

Among all the children he had raised, he had never encountered one so disobedient, someone defying him so directly.

"If she doesn’t want to come back, fine. Let’s see if she can rely solely on the National Guardian General Mansion." Emperor Yongning scoffed, "I refuse to believe the National Guardian General Mansion would be willing to take on such a foolish burden, to lavishly care for her as before without my favor."

Supporting a princess was no small expenditure!

The National Guardian General, thrifty as he was, especially after having a son, would already need to spend a lot for his upbringing. Emperor Yongning doubted he would have so much money left to continually support a princess?

"But Your Majesty, shall we simply ignore Imperial Concubine Hua’s unstable condition during her pregnancy?" Xiao Lizi reminded, "Without Princess Anle by her side, Imperial Concubine Hua might feel anxious for the Princess, which could worsen her condition!"

Although Xiao Lizi was stern with Jun Ning before, this time he was speaking on behalf of Qiong Hua and Jun Ning, "For the sake of the Imperial Concubine’s pregnancy, perhaps you should allow Princess Anle to return to the palace?"

Xiao Lizi was afraid something would truly go wrong, causing Emperor Yongning to regret in the future.

After all, Xiao Lizi was considering Emperor Yongning’s best interests.

He truly was Emperor Yongning’s loyal servant!

But Emperor Yongning, still fuming, couldn’t hear any reasoning. Even his last bit of sense was overridden by anger. He stated, "Do you really believe Qiong Hua’s claims? It’s not an unstable pregnancy; she just wants Princess Anle back in the palace, saying that on purpose."

"Hmph..." Emperor Yongning tossed his telescope to Xiao Lizi, "I will not be deceived by her!"