Chapter Sixty-Eight: Forced Marriage

"Molin, how bold you are! For the sake of your own family, you would drive all the people of Nanming to the brink of despair. What a truly benevolent regent you are, sacrificing for the nation and its people!"
The emperor's voice dripped with ridicule, tinged with a secret delight.
He almost wished the regent would turn against Nanming for the sake of Moye Nian.
The regent replied with just one sentence, "If you want to take Nian away, you’ll have to step over my dead body!"
"Guards! The regent disregards the people and intends to commit treason—seize him for me!"
The door behind creaked open, and Mo Nian Nian emerged.
"What a lively scene."
"Nian Nian, go back!" the regent whispered urgently to her.
The emperor felt a twinge of regret, but quickly rearranged his expression. "Nian Nian, don’t blame me. Mo Hu specifically asked for you—he was brought here by you, so I doubt he’ll make things difficult for you."
With a subtle signal, the surrounding guards encircled Mo Nian Nian.
"What’s all this? Even the palace guards are involved," Mo Nian Nian seemed puzzled. "Father, weren’t we discussing my marriage? What is this?"
She glanced at the courtyard filled with guards. "Could it be that Your Majesty wants to send them as my wedding gifts?"
The regent, anxious, tried to say something, but Mo Nian Nian discreetly patted his hand, urging him to stay calm.
The emperor’s face became a palette of colors, only returning to normal after a long moment.
"Since Nian Nian is aware, let’s start the preparations. I’ll take my leave."
The emperor departed in defeat, his expression grim.
It was truly humiliating for him; he didn’t dare act directly against this father and daughter.
Once the emperor left, the regent couldn’t hold back, firing words like a machine gun: "Nian Nian, what do you mean? I told you I’d handle it—I won’t hand you over to that bastard!"
"I’m doing this willingly."
The regent stared at Mo Nian Nian, then embraced her, sobbing bitterly.
"It’s all my fault, I can’t beat that scoundrel Mo Hu. Oh, Nian Nian, I can’t bear to see you suffer."
This burly man, nearly six feet tall, wept like a child.
For a moment, Mo Nian Nian was moved, but she felt helpless. "Father, I truly am doing this of my own free will."
The system was equally terrified. [Host, you’re not planning to die together with the male lead, are you?]
Mo Nian Nian rolled her eyes. [No, I’ve decided to complete this task properly.]
The system was even more alarmed. [Has the brainwashing from above been so effective, or was the host swapped out altogether?]
Mo Nian Nian smiled. [Would you like to try the mute package?]

The system was certain—this was its host, but why had she suddenly changed her mind?
Mo Nian Nian marched confidently. [Isn’t it just a task? A small matter, I can definitely handle it.]
After all, the bait given by the Heavenly Dao was too tempting; it bumped the task up to an S rating.
With this, wouldn’t she finish the task in no time?
The more she thought about it, the more she felt she had struck gold—and so Mo Nian Nian cheerfully returned to continue her mission.
The news of Mo Nian Nian’s decision to marry Jiang Hu spread through the capital in an instant.
The citizens of the capital were overjoyed, as if they had survived a calamity.
Jiang Hu had declared that if Mo Nian Nian were married to him, he would withdraw his troops, and all the previously occupied cities would be returned.
As soon as Mo Nian Nian’s consent reached Jiang Hu’s ears, he immediately pulled his army back ten miles, demonstrating his sincerity.
The people of Nanming wept with joy; thinking of Mo Nian Nian’s "sacrifice" for their sake, they were filled with both guilt and gratitude.
Her reputation soared to an unimaginable height in an instant.
All past mistakes were wiped clean, and everyone praised her virtue.
Mo Nian Nian wanted to say… there was really no need for all this.
She stayed at home, preparing for her wedding.
Jiang Hu granted three days, and the whole Mo residence was thrown into chaos, everyone busy beyond measure.
Mo Nian Nian became the only idle person in the manor.
Before she even married, the regent had already hugged her and cried three times.
Lady Mo, upon hearing the news, first scolded the regent, then silently shed tears as she looked at Mo Nian Nian.
Mo Nian Nian had no choice but to tell them it was all her own decision.
She forced herself to fabricate a story so cringe-worthy she wished she could dig a three-room apartment with her toes.
She claimed she had long been attracted to Jiang Hu, but had been too young and reckless to confront her feelings.
When Jiang Hu confessed, she was shocked and angry, said hurtful things, and drove him away.
Now, she had thought it through and wanted to marry him.
After delivering this speech, she was thoroughly disgusted with herself—it was unbearably cheesy.
Still, her words managed to convince the regent and his wife, who began earnestly preparing her wedding.
"Nian Nian, look at these two fabrics—which do you prefer?" Lady Mo held up the cloths, waiting for Mo Nian Nian’s choice.

Mo Nian Nian glanced at them. "Either is fine."
"This bright red one is quite nice, but the gold thread is a bit gaudy. I’ll have someone take another look."
Lady Mo hurried off.
"Miss!" Bai Shao began her usual fussing.
Before she could finish, Mo Nian Nian’s room was pushed open—the newcomer stood against the light, indistinguishable.
"What’s Bai Shao excited about now?" Mo Nian Nian sighed.
"Master, it’s me."
Jiang Hu’s voice rang out, startling Mo Nian Nian upright.
She patted her startled heart. "Why are you here?"
Honestly, even the male lead should obey the laws of nature, shouldn’t he?
His army was at the gates; with a command, he could destroy Nanming.
Countless in Nanming hated him to the bone, and yet he strolled in without a care?
Was he rubbing the faces of all Nanming’s people in the dirt?
"I missed you, master." Jiang Hu strode in, the light in his eyes burning brighter.
He sat beside Mo Nian Nian in a single step, his gaze shining. "Master."
Although Mo Nian Nian was determined to complete her task, Jiang Hu was now so close she felt nervous, and edged away.
Jiang Hu clung to her like a stubborn patch, his gaze so fervent it seemed he might consume her.
"I heard master has feelings for me."
If she truly wanted to finish the task, she could easily deceive Jiang Hu—given his tendency to imagine things, it would be simple to lower his hostility.
Then she could withdraw gracefully.
But… when Mo Nian Nian met Jiang Hu’s eyes—so bright, so open, shining like stars—her last scrap of conscience grew restless.
She fell silent.
The light in Jiang Hu’s eyes dimmed a little. He looked up, still smiling. "It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s you, nothing else matters."
He had once been filthy, sensitive, and shrouded in darkness; it was natural that she didn’t like him. He had a lifetime to wait.
"I’ll wait for you," he said, taking her hand and pressing a devout kiss upon it.