The Eighth Prince saw Zhao Jian was still hung up on the matter and smiled. "After you're married, the Ministry of Works will take over the bridge-building project.
His Majesty is a benevolent ruler. With these plans in hand, he'll surely urge every region to build bridges and improve transportation. Your dream can still be realized with his help."
Seeing that Zhao Jian was still angry, he quickly explained, "Yuanzhen, I won't hide it from you. I really am ill. Every so often, I feel my heart flutter and my head grow dizzy. The physicians in our household have examined me, and all they can do is shake their heads helplessly. So I truly do want to see you married.
But it seems that apart from the King of Northern Liang, there isn't another man you think highly of. That's why I had no choice but to agree."
Zhao Jian was aghast when she heard the Eighth Prince describe his condition. She quickly called in the household physician and questioned him closely about the prince's illness.
The physician looked rather unhappy. His conclusion was that if the Eighth Prince took good care of himself, he might live a few more years. That finally made Zhao Jian give up hope.
Still, remembering that she was a disciple of the academy, Zhao Jian sighed. "Father, if it were anyone else, I'd marry him if you told me to. But the King of Northern Liang is my master. Surely it's not quite proper for me to marry my own teacher?"
Seeing Zhao Jian give in, the Eighth Prince couldn't help smiling. "You, my dear, have already been granted this marriage by His Majesty, haven't you? So you'll soon be marrying the King of Northern Liang, and you won't be a disciple of the