"Grandmother..." Huo Lin's face was filled with signs of illness, looking extremely disheveled.

When she saw Li Yong, her eyes lit up, and she immediately got up from the bed, saying, "Empress Dowager... Please help me persuade the Emperor to... to release Lou Ling."

Li Yong remained silent and took two steps closer, sitting down at the edge of the bed. His gaze swept over the bandaged hand, and he shook his head, sighing.

"Why do you have to do this to yourself again..."

Huolin grew up without a mother and was doted on by her. Therefore, she indulged his every whim and allowed him to do as he pleased.

His imperial father, Huo Xuan, was always distant from his blood relatives, and being born into the royal family made him even colder in temperament.

Huolin had a stubborn and irritable personality, unlike the other princes who knew how to please people. Because of this, Huoxuan always ignored him and never cared about his actions.

This marriage arrangement from the Ming Prefecture does indeed feel abrupt.

When Huo Lin saw Li Yong asking in such a manner, his heart suddenly sank: "Could it be... Could it be that there is no room for maneuver in the matter of Lou Ling?"

He stood up as he spoke, saying, "I'm going to find my father right now and argue with him...!"

Li Yong quickly pressed him down and said, "My little ancestor, please save some worry for Empress Nanny... It's freezing cold out here, and you haven't even seen your father, the emperor. You might freeze to death outside..."

Her voice trembled slightly as she tightly grasped Huo Lin's sleeve, saying, "If anything were to happen to you, how could the Empress Dowager live on?"

Huolin's expression froze for a moment, and a hint of sorrow and indignation flashed in his eyes. He usually regarded others with contempt and was rebellious by nature. Only in the presence of Li Yong would he reveal a slight vulnerability.

As the Royal Unicorn Prince of the Qilin Kingdom, how could I possibly...how could I possibly marry into the General's Mansion...and moreover...moreover, marry a fool."

Through gritted teeth, he said with each word emphasized, "This...this makes it...impossible for me to bear..."

Huolin's eyes turned blood red. "Moreover, father is using Lou Ling's life as leverage... Empress Grandmother knows me best... How can I let others manipulate me!"

Under Huo Xuan's rule, there were four sons and one daughter. The other three princes had not been bestowed with titles yet, and they had not yet constructed their own mansions.

Only Huo Lin, due to the excessive favor shown by Empress Li Yong, was bestowed with the title of the Auspicious Unicorn Prince at the age of sixteen. He was granted a residence outside the palace. In all the land, he was the only one who had the honor of having his title named after the country, which was enough to indicate his esteemed status.

"I understand... Being by your side for so many years, I am well aware of your temperament..."

Li Yong looked at his sickly appearance, his face full of illness, but still burning with anger, which made her heart ache.

"But your father, he has an even more stubborn temperament. The more you defy him, the more you will suffer..."

"You father and son have similar personalities."

Huolin was taken aback, tightly gripping her hand. "What did the Empress Dowager tell her grandson about what I should do?"

After contemplating for a moment, Li Yong replied, "If you truly wish to save the life of that actor, go and apologize to your father tomorrow, and agree to this marriage proposal."

"As for that actor, I, your humble servant, will personally go and take care of him."

"Huang Nainai wants me to agree to this marriage...?" Huo Lin's voice was strained as she repeated the words.

"Yes." Li Yong looked at him firmly, with a tired expression on his face.

"When you were still not awake, this humble woman had already discussed with your father emperor. As long as you agree, we can spare the life of that actor..."

She spoke before Huo Lin could even respond, earnestly advising him once again, "Ruilin, just listen to the Empress Dowager's advice... As long as there are mountains left, there will always be firewood to burn."

"A real man knows when to yield and when to stand tall. By agreeing to this now, you still have a long way to go. Once you enter the Ming Residence, everything will remain as usual. No one foolish enough will dare to obstruct your path. If you choose to continue favoring that actress, who would dare to say anything more?"