415: Prejudice in people's hearts

"If you don't support it, fine, but to actually try and stop it? Is this how you act as a father?" Beggar Clan Leader couldn't help but speak up to support Huang Rong.

"Seventh Master, this is a family matter. It would be best if you did not interfere," Evil Old Man Huang said with a dark expression as he looked at Beggar Clan Leader.

"You..."

Beggar Clan Leader hadn't expected Evil Old Man Huang to show him so little Face, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.

"Seventh Master, there's no need for you to concern yourself with this matter. After all, what Island Master Huang says is true. This is his family affair. As the saying goes, even an honest official finds it hard to settle family disputes."

"No matter what choice Ronger makes, I will respect her decision."

"In this matter, I will not make things difficult for her."

"If she is willing, no one can force her. If she is unwilling, similarly, no one can force her—not even her own father," Duan Zhengchun said calmly, his tone filled with an undeniable air of dominance.

Hearing Duan Zhengchun's words, Evil Old Man Huang's expression grew even more unpleasant.

Huang Rong, however, looked at Duan Zhengchun with a beaming smile, her eyes brimming with deep affection.

If the situation weren't so inappropriate, she would have already thrown herself into Duan Zhengchun's arms.

"Hmph, arrogant! Brat, today this old man insists on stopping you from being together. What are you going to do about it?" Evil Old Man Huang snorted coldly.

He had never been one to yield to threats. In all these years, Duan Zhengchun was the first who dared to threaten him.

"Your opinion doesn't count. This matter is for Ronger to decide," Duan Zhengchun said calmly, looking at Evil Old Man Huang.

This was Huang Rong's family affair. Ultimately, it depended on Huang Rong's attitude.

If Huang Rong persisted, he would not interfere. Of course, if Huang Rong was unwilling, he naturally would not allow anyone to threaten her either.

"My Prince, rest assured. In this life, I, Huang Rong, will have only you as my man. I am already your woman now. In this life, I belong to you. In life, I am yours; in death, I am your ghost."

"However, if my father does not agree, I will not cause him heartache either. I will care for him in his old age, fulfill my filial duties, and stay by his side."

Huang Rong did not finish her last sentence, but the meaning was clear.

That was, after her father, Evil Old Man Huang, passed away, she would choose to return to Duan Zhengchun's side.

It's just that she feared by then, with her youth faded, whether Duan Zhengchun would still want her.

"Don't worry. I respect your choice, as long as you don't feel wronged."

"After you have fulfilled your filial duties by his side, this Prince will bring you back to the Kingdom."

"This Prince's woman cannot have a second man in this lifetime," Duan Zhengchun said with a nod.

"But... what if by then I have grown old? Would you still want me?" Huang Rong looked at Duan Zhengchun with some trepidation.

"Beauty is but skin deep. If this Prince wishes it, you can remain eighteen forever," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"My Prince, don't try to comfort me. No one can remain eighteen forever," Huang Rong said, her Face flushed with shyness, not daring to meet Duan Zhengchun's eyes.

That look in his eyes made her feel as if she were melting.

"You will understand in time. This Prince's woman will never grow old," Duan Zhengchun said, looking at Huang Rong with a smile.

Evil Old Man Huang hadn't expected his daughter, at a time like this, to be flirting with another man right in front of him, completely disregarding him, her father.

"Enough! Do you have any respect for this old man at all?" Evil Old Man Huang roared angrily.

"Father, what do you want? Since you don't agree to me being with the Prince, I'll go back with you," Huang Rong said anxiously, stepping in front of Duan Zhengchun.

Duan Zhengchun, however, gave a gentle tug, pulling Huang Rong directly behind him.

"This Prince is not accustomed to being protected by a woman. As this Prince's woman, you only need to stand behind me," Duan Zhengchun declared domineeringly.

"Mmm..."

Huang Rong gazed at Duan Zhengchun's profile, her eyes sparkling with little stars, her heart melting.

This was the man she had set her heart on. Truly domineering and powerful enough.

Never yielding, no matter who he faced.

"Brat, this old man knows you are powerful. I am no match for you. But as long as I do not agree, Ronger cannot be with you," Evil Old Man Huang snorted coldly.

"So then? You want your daughter to grow old alone? To stay by the side of an old codger like you every day?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Evil Old Man Huang with a mocking expression.

"What did you say?" Evil Old Man Huang glared furiously at Duan Zhengchun.

"Did I say anything wrong? Ronger respects you because you are her elder."

"For your sake, she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness to stay with you."

"But you? Is this how you act as an elder?"

"Even this Prince is not good enough in your eyes? Then who, in your view, is worthy?"

"The reigning emperor? The Martial Forest Alliance Leader? Or perhaps some mediocre fellow content to just stay by Ronger's side?" Duan Zhengchun's words were laced with sarcasm.

"That's right. What this old man needs is a son-in-law who will be faithful in love."

"You, Prince Duan, have a noble status. This old man is but a common martial artist, unworthy of such a high match. Therefore, I beg Prince Duan to let Ronger go," Evil Old Man Huang said, looking at Duan Zhengchun with a gloomy expression.

"This matter is not for you to decide. I respect Ronger's choice."

"As long as she is unwilling, no one can force her," Duan Zhengchun said calmly, looking at Evil Old Man Huang.

"Father, don't be angry. Since you don't agree to me being with the Prince, I promise I won't be with him."

"But, don't force me to find another man either," Huang Rong said, forcing a smile as she looked at her father.

However, the sorrow in her eyes was difficult to conceal.

Her father was her only family. She had finally found a man who stirred her heart and had given him her most precious self.

And now, her father disagreed. This placed her in a very difficult position.

Forced to choose between love and family, her heart ached for her man, but it ached even more for her father. She knew very well how much her father had doted on her all these years.

Naturally, she did not want to cause her father heartache. Therefore, she could only make this choice.

"You..."

Evil Old Man Huang hadn't expected his daughter to say such a thing. What should he do now? Could he really let her stay by his side for the rest of her life?

"Father, I have already made a concession. If you push me further, I will kill myself in front of you," Huang Rong said with a resolute look at her father.

Evil Old Man Huang opened his mouth, then lowered his raised hand powerlessly.

"Don't worry. I won't force you anymore. Do whatever you want. Just don't regret today's decision," Evil Old Man Huang said with a helpless expression.

"Father, why can't you believe me? My judgment of people is never wrong."

"Moreover, I believe the Prince will not disappoint me."

"Rest assured. This Prince's women are all treated equally. As long as you remain faithful to me, I will naturally not let you down," Duan Zhengchun said, looking at Huang Rong with a gentle smile.

Evil Old Man Huang hadn't expected his daughter to be so devoted to Duan Zhengchun, even to the point of considering growing old alone.

If he truly forced such an outcome, he would have no Face to see his deceased wife in the afterlife.

"Enough, enough. Since you insist, I will say no more. I only hope you will not regret this decision in the future," Evil Old Man Huang said with a desolate expression as he stood up and looked at his daughter.