Chapter 3, Protecting You, for a Lifetime.

Sun Hao is the eldest son of my maternal uncle, three years my senior. He earnestly advised me, "Rong'er, marrying into the palace does not necessarily guarantee happiness. You have always been wise; how could you not know that marrying His Majesty..."

The Yang family is a prominent aristocratic lineage of this dynasty, with its origins tracing back to Yang Xu, who served as the governor of Nanyang during the Eastern Han period, and has since held official positions for generations. The paternal cousin of Yang Jin, the grandfather, Yang Hu, was highly esteemed and favored by Emperor Wu; Yang Jin himself rose to the position of Right Minister of the Secretariat, and other descendants of the Yang family also held official posts in the court

"On what grounds do you strike me?" Sun Hao retorted defiantly, his eyes glinting with ferocity; I had never seen him so fierce.

"How do you know I won't be happy?" I said with a cold smile, "Cousin, there's no need to say more..."

Although he has never confessed his feelings, I know that he has affection for me

I am the eldest daughter of the Yang family, my father is Yang Xuanzhi, my mother is a daughter of the Sun family, my maternal grandfather is Sun Qi, and my uncle is Sun Bi. I represent the glory and prosperity of both the Sun and Yang clans; how could they easily allow me to leave the palace gates

"Rong'er, are you truly willing to spend your entire life as the... Empress of His Majesty?" Sun Hao questioned in exasperation

"However, Your Majesty is not... you know, King Zhao has seized control of the court's power, and Your Majesty is merely a puppet"

"A queen of a nation, embodying maternal grace, enjoying glory and wealth, what could be wrong with that?" I smiled deeply

Sun Hao, with a face full of worry, gasped and asked: "Rong'er, are you alright?"

Cousin is truly too naive

Cousin, be careful of the trouble that comes from your words. I admonished him seriously, saying, "Go back, the Zhaoyang Hall is not a place for men from the outer court to tread."

With a loud "slap," Sun Xiu struck Sun Hao across the face

Sun Xiuman's face was filled with anger as he scolded, "How dare you! Is this Zhaoyang Palace a place you can come to? Get out of here!"

Cousin, I am already the queen. I broke free from his hand and looked at him coldly

Sun Hao's face flushed red as he exclaimed, "I want to take Rong'er away; I cannot allow Rong'er's lifelong happiness to be ruined like this"

"No!" he gritted his teeth, his pure eyes becoming complicated, "I will take you away!"

Only he and I remained in the palace. He held my hand tightly, "Rong'er, I know you are unwilling to marry. It is the Sun family and the Yang family who are forcing you to marry that puppet emperor"

"Sun Hao!" A furious shout came from the palace gate

Father walked over step by step, his expression dark and somber

"Rong'er..." He looked at me in shock and anger, seemingly unable to believe it. After a long pause, he said firmly, "As long as you come with me, I will protect you for a lifetime."

It is my own choice, and I do not blame anyone." I said淡淡.

The Sun family has also held official positions for generations. A member of the family, Sun Xiu, was a trusted confidant of Sima Lun, the King of Zhao, providing strategies that led to the deposing of the crown prince and the assassination of Empress Jia. Subsequently, Sima Lun, under the guise of an imperial edict, proclaimed himself as the Grand General and Commander of all military affairs, thus seizing control of the central government. Sun Xiu became a favored figure by Sima Lun, and the power of the Sun family in Luoyang rose to an unparalleled prominence overnight

Approaching swiftly are Sun Xiu and Yang Xuanzhi

I looked at the more than ten palace attendants and guards and said coldly, "Step back."

To be sent into the palace and become the queen of the puppet emperor Sima Zhong is the wish of the people. The Sun and Yang families would thus become the noble descendants and relatives of the great Jin dynasty, relying on Prince Zhao Sima Lun, wielding immense power in the city of Luoyang. How could those uncles, cousins, and members of the Yang family allow me, as the queen, to escape the palace? How could they let their power be affected?

Although there were palace maids obstructing him, he still broke through numerous barriers and rushed to my side, holding a precious sword in his hand, his usually gentle brows unexpectedly surrounded by an aura of sternness