"Marriage for women has rarely ever gone according to their wishes throughout history. Parental consent and the matchmaker's word have always been the norm. If the emperor approves, then it means this marriage has a reason for existence. Why are you so resistant?"

Bai Qingqing felt as if the blood had drained from her body, but strangely, she didn’t feel anger or despair. Instead, she was disturbingly calm and composed.

"Just because something has always been the case, does it make it right?"

Her hands, hidden within her sleeves, balled into fists. "Why can’t a woman control her own marriage and her future? Why must it be decided by power, benefits, or whatever else? And when the suffering comes, it is the woman who must bear the consequences?"

Bai Qingqing felt this was wrong. If she acted recklessly, she would accept the consequences, but no one should force her, no one should try to control her marriage. "Just because I am a woman, does that mean I can’t control my own life? This should not be the case."

After she spoke, the room fell into complete silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Bai Qingqing closed her eyes, feeling that she might have ruined Ning Yan’s good intentions. She had likely messed things up.

No matter how kind and gentle the person in front of her was, she was still the royal family’s most esteemed Grand Princess. How could she have spoken such rebellious words in a moment of impulse? Surely, her image in Huaifu’s eyes had collapsed.

Yet, Bai Qingqing had no regrets, because she didn’t think she had said anything wrong.

She silently stood up and bowed. "Today, I was reckless and disturbed Your Highness. Please consider that I never came."

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Bai Qingqing took a step back, and Huaifu, who had kept her head lowered, finally looked up, setting down the teacup in her hand. Her fingertips were flushed red.

"I always thought that women in this world were bound by virtue and propriety, striving for a good reputation, becoming women who no one could fault. I never expected that someone would dare to say such words in front of me."

Huaifu’s expression became strange, and Bai Qingqing couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but it was clear that her gaze toward her had changed. If before it had been one of admiration and affection, now it was one of relief and approval.

"I've always wondered if I’d ever meet someone with the same thoughts as mine, even just a little. I’ve been waiting year after year in this palace, and I had already given up."

Grand Princess Huaifu showed a hint of weariness. She was so lonely. Born into the royal family, she had been pampered and revered since childhood, above all others, but what did that matter?

Bai Qingqing stood there, unsure, not understanding what Huaifu meant.

Huaifu smiled at her. "The ladies of the officials should be entering the palace soon. You should go as well. I understand the matter now."

After Bai Qingqing left, Pu Ming entered the room and saw Huaifu leaning by the window. The book she had been reading was set aside, untouched. He stepped forward and brought her a new cup of tea.

"Your Highness, it’s almost time to go to the Temple of Heaven."

Huaifu came back to herself and smiled at him. "What was Bai Qingqing’s expression when she left?"

"She looked troubled, her brow furrowed, as if she had something weighing on her mind."

"It is indeed troubling. Anyone in her place would be troubled."

The smile on Huaifu's face became more genuine, and she appeared much more alive. "Change my clothes, I’m going to visit my brother, the Emperor."

"Your Highness?"

"I’ve always sighed over the unfairness of the world, lamenting how no one can truly understand. Now, at last, there’s someone who does. I should be happy about that."

Pu Ming immediately went to prepare, whispering, "Your Highness, you truly like Miss Bai."

Huaifu's eyes curved into a smile. "Yes, I do. She’s the second person, after you, who said she would help me. How could I not like her..."