0p0 Chapter 238 The Prince is Under House Arrest
Chapter 238 The Prince is Under House Arrest
"I already have someone I truly love, and I will not marry anyone else in this life!" Zhao Haoxuan's words were loud and clear, with unquestionable determination.
Hearing this, Zhao Guoan became furious.
His eyes widened, he slammed the table hard, and roared, "Ridiculous! You are the Crown Prince of a country, how can you make the decision on your own about the selection of the Crown Princess?"
"No matter who you like, your Crown Princess can only be the Miao princess. This marriage is an important alliance between the two countries, and you cannot act recklessly!" Zhao Guoan said without allowing any rebuttal.
However, facing Zhao Guoan's anger, Zhao Haoxuan did not retreat a single step. He straightened his body and looked directly into Zhao Guoan's eyes.
He responded fearlessly, "Father, I understand the importance of this marriage to the country, but how can we force matters of the heart?"
"She and I are deeply in love. If we are forced to separate, not only will it cause me a lifetime of pain, it may also lead to my inability to recover from this tragedy!"
Zhao Haoxuan knelt down and said, "Please grant me your blessing, Father!"
"You bastard, how dare you threaten me!" Zhao Guoan shouted loudly with his eyes wide open and veins bulging on his forehead.
Before he finished speaking, he picked up a heavy book at hand and smashed it hard at Zhao Haoxuan who was kneeling on the ground without hesitation!
The book flew straight towards Zhao Haoxuan with a sharp sound of wind.
However, facing this sudden attack, Zhao Haoxuan seemed unaware of it and continued to kneel straight, motionless.
He bit his lips tightly, his eyes were firm and persistent, and he kept muttering: "Please grant me your blessing, Father!"
Seeing this, Zhao Guoan became even more angry.
He stared at the stubborn son in front of him, and scenes from his youth emerged involuntarily in his mind.
At that time, he had knelt down and begged his father desperately for a woman who now seemed unworthy.
Memories flooded back into his mind, causing him to let out a long sigh.
After calming down his excited emotions a little, Zhao Guoan spoke slowly.
Although his voice was low, the majesty contained in it was unquestionable: "Xuan'er, I can agree to everything else you ask for, but this matter is absolutely non-negotiable."
"You must know that as the crown prince, you shoulder an extremely heavy responsibility and mission."
"This marriage with the Miao Kingdom is related to the peace and stability between the two countries, and will also affect the future development of the country."
"When faced with such a major event, you must prioritize the overall situation and put aside your personal feelings for the time being."
After saying that, he stared at Zhao Haoxuan with burning eyes, hoping to see a hint of relief in his son's eyes.
Unfortunately, Zhao Haoxuan showed no sign of backing down. Instead, he stiffened his neck and shouted, "No, I will never marry the Miao princess!"
His attitude was extremely firm, as if even the collapse of heaven and earth could not shake his determination.
Zhao Guoan was so angry at Zhao Haoxuan's disobedient words that he trembled all over.
He said sternly, "If you insist on not obeying my orders, then I have no choice but to confine you until you change your mind!"
Zhao Haoxuan widened his eyes, looking at his father in disbelief at his resolute attitude, and stood there in a daze for a moment.
However, just a moment later, he came to his senses and his eyes became extremely firm.
Without hesitation, he said, "Father, even if you imprison me for the rest of my life, I will never change my mind or go against my true thoughts!"
Hearing this, Zhao Guoan was so angry that he trembled all over and cursed furiously: "Asshole!"
After saying that, he suddenly waved his sleeves, turned around and walked away.
Immediately afterwards, an imperial decree was quickly issued, and Zhao Haoxuan was confined to the palace, and no one was allowed to visit him.
The news spread throughout the palace at an astonishing speed.
Whether it was concubines, palace maids or eunuchs, they were all whispering and talking to each other.
Queen Yang Wanqing and Princess Zhao Yuwei were in the cold palace and had no idea what was happening in the outside world.
They still lived a peaceful and slightly lonely life, and had no idea that Zhao Haoxuan had returned to the palace and encountered an accident.
In comparison, Queen Mother Luo Lan could not sit still.
When she heard the news that her beloved grandson Zhao Haoxuan was under house arrest as soon as he entered the palace, she became extremely anxious.
Although it was late at night, she didn't care about all these. She immediately gathered a group of palace maids and hurried towards the imperial study.
After a while, the Queen Mother and her entourage arrived at the door of the Imperial Study.
Seeing the Queen Mother's sudden visit, Zhao Guoan quickly stood up and walked forward quickly.
He extended his hands and carefully supported the Empress Dowager, and asked with concern, "My Queen Mother, why did you come here in person at this late hour? If you have anything to say, just send someone to pass on the message."
Luo Lan ignored him and sat down, dismissing the palace maids and eunuchs. Only Zhao Guoan and the empress dowager were left in the imperial study.
Queen Mother Luo Lan's face was filled with worry. She didn't bother to answer Zhao Guoan's question and asked directly:
"An'er, has my beloved grandson returned? What have you done to him?"
"Why can't I even get in to see him when I want to? Why are you so cruel to confine him? He went through so much hardship to get back!"
Speaking of this, Luo Lan's face showed regret!
Zhao Guoan had a worried look on his face and sighed deeply. That heavy sigh seemed to be carrying a heavy burden.
In the end, he slowly opened his mouth and told Queen Mother Luo Lan the whole story in detail.
Empress Dowager Luo Lan listened quietly to Zhao Guoan's narration, frowned slightly, and fell into a brief contemplation.
After a while, she raised her head, looked at Zhao Guoan gently, and said softly:
"An'er, I know full well that this marriage is of great significance and concerns the interests of the imperial court."
"However, Xuan'er is also a sentimental person. He values friendship, just like you did back then."
"Thinking back then, you were so desperate and persistent for what you called love. I can still vividly remember you."
"Could it be that now, you really have the heart to let Xuan'er suffer the same unforgettable pain that you went through back then?"
Hearing what Queen Mother Luo Lan said, Zhao Guoan was stunned and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Just like that, the hall fell into silence, with only the occasional sound of breathing being heard.
After a long time, Zhao Guoan raised his head again. A hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
He took a deep breath and said slowly, "Empress Dowager, Xuan'er has just returned. Let's put this matter aside for a few days before discussing it again!
For now, putting him under house arrest can be considered a disguised form of protection for him.
As for that woman...if Xuan'er is truly in love with her and can't let go of this feeling, then let her enter the palace as a concubine."