Zhao Ming closed her eyes while holding onto the hairpin and closed her eyes. The doors of the chambers were closed and it was still afternoon when she went to sleep. The hairpin she was holding onto, sparkled as an eye-blinding light spread inside the room, causing her to fall into sleep, a long sleep.

  The pitch-black darkness changed into a picture of a young girl wearing the same hairpin as she was holding onto, carrying the anxious and scared expressions on her face.

  **

  Tan Xiu was standing in the study of her father who is also the Emperor of the Tan Dynasty and looked at him with wronged expressions. Her body trembled as she tried to keep herself steady in front of him.

  A tear rolled out from her eye as she faced him and said, " Father, I am your daughter before the Princess of Tan Dynasty. I told you that I don't want to marry that perverted Emperor. Then why are you forcing me to marry him? Huh?" she sobbed while trying to make him understand her feelings.

  " Tan Xiu! How dare you use inappropriate words for your future husband? He is the Emperor of the Yang Dynasty. It's normal for him to have numerous concubines. But he only has one royal consort. And second, will be you. I have talked to him, he has agreed to take you as his consort. So be good and prepare for the wedding." He said indifferently.

  She bit her lower lip as she stared at him in disbelief. Her father, whom she loves so much and respect him, was not understanding her words. She loves Commander Yuan and she had confessed to him the other day. Not only that, he had accepted her confession and even……kissed her. She still can't forget that sweetness lingering on her lips and here her father was saying that she has to marry that Emperor of the Yang Dynasty.

  Previously she thought that everything will get fine with time and he will understand if she throws some tantrums and won't talk to him for days. Since that day, she has stopped talking to him, however rather than trying to pacify her, he has tightened the security and she couldn't even meet Yuan Song since that day when she confessed to him.

  She was dying to see him, but not only she can't go out, but it's also difficult for her to roam in the palace itself. She was now confined inside her chamber and even her windows have been locked, while her doors are being guarded.

  He has always been a loving father to her and has pampered her like no other. But this time, he was not backing out. She couldn't understand why he was treating her like this.

  " But father……I don't like him. I don't want to marry him. Please. I will do anything, just….don't marry me off to him. Huh? I will learn martial arts as you said earlier, I will learn all the house chores with determination but just…… don't ask me to marry him." she kneeled in front of him while sobbing.

  Tears flowed from her eyes uncontrollably. Her face was pale and her hair was in a mess. Since the day, she has been grounded, she wasn't eating properly and was using it as a way of protest. Because of that, she got a chance to meet him and talk to him.

  Tan Jiahao looked at his daughter's vulnerable condition who was kneeling and crying in front of him. His chest tightened seeing her crying like this but he turned his head away.

  Tan Xiu has always been his weakness. Since the day she was born, he promised his wife that he will not take any concubines nor any other consorts in the future. He doesn't want to divide his love between others which she deserves. People complained when his wife gave birth to a daughter and not a son. People suggested having another consort who can give him a boy who can become his successor and carry his name. But he didn't listen to those words. For him, his daughter was everything.

  He adored her with all the ornaments and gems, gave her whatever she demanded, and spoiled her until his Royal Consort, her mother was tired of seeing his hopeless love for his daughter. However, along with a loving father, he is also an Emperor. He does not only have a daughter but also have hundreds of people to look after. There are times when the biggest Emperor can become weak, the reign of an Emperor is not definite and always under danger, full of insecurity.

  This was the time for his political insecurity. The only thing he could do to save this Empire to have a marriage alliance with Yang Empire, whose Emperor has shown interest in his daughter, or else he will join hands with the enemies and will attack his territory.

  Now he has only two options, either accept this marriage alliance or……war. He was not even given the chance to surrender, the ruthless Emperor Yang Hanying has brought death note for him.

  Marriage or war.

  He knows that marrying Tan Xiu in that house means pushing her into the furnace, but he does not have any option. To save the lives of those hundreds of people, he has to take this step. A title comes with a price, and in his case, he has to pay a hefty price with her precious daughter.

  Tan Xiu, who was oblivious of the politics going on and the danger hovering over her father's life and position, was crying about this marriage alliance.

  Tan Jiahao took a deep breath, controlling his emotions, and said, " Tan Xiu, I have let you do whatever you want all these years. Unlike other people, I didn't marry you off early because you said that doesn't want to marry. But now you're 18 years old. You're the Princess of Tan Dynasty, and you have a duty towards our people as well. You need to understand, you can't be stubborn like before."

  "Also, Emperor Yang Hanying is very kind and he likes you a lot. He has shown interest in you and that's our honor. Tan Xiu, don't be stubborn and prepare for this marriage happily."

  Tan Xiu cried harder hearing his words. She doesn't want to marry, she can't. How can she be with a person, whom she doesn't even like? She loves Yuan Song, how can she marry a guy who is not him? Dying will be an easier option than getting married to that pervert.

  " No father! I am not marrying him. I will rather die than marry him." she shouted back.

  " Tan Xiu! Don't you dare spout nonsense. Yu Ju took her to her room and locked her inside the chamber. Tan Xiu, you are getting married in two weeks. Emperor Yang will reach here by next week. I was trying to persuade you but if you don't want to accept this proposal happily, then I have no choice but to use force." He said firmly.

  " Father! Two weeks? How……how can you do this to me? Huh? Father……I am your daughter. Your princess. How can you push me in front of the fire? Ah……leave me. I said leave me. Father…" she wailed while Yu Ju, her maid held onto her and dragged her out of the room while sobbing.

  Her heart ached for her Miss. She has seen how much she loves Commander Yuan and marrying someone else……she can't even imagine her pain. It was her first time seeing her Miss in this condition.

  What happened to their happiness?

  [ Read this novel on W e b n o v e l . c o m ( remove spaces). If you are reading this elsewhere, other than w e b n o v e l then this novel has been stolen. Support the original author, not the thieves, and get the latest updates. Follow the author on Instagram: kamlyn_love. Regards Kamlyn]