I rushed to the zhèngtīng, where they were discussing the marriage. "MOM! MOM!" I rushed in calling out to mom, I panting as I approached her chair. "Is it true you are arranging a marriage for me?" I asked panting as I held her hand, hoping it was all made up. "My apologies in laws. My daughter has always been the type to be anxious when it comes to such things. Go on and greet your fiance and future mother-in-law." she replied stretching the hand I was holding forward, telling me to greet them. I turned and looked at my dad and saw no reaction,all the hopes I had was shattered. I turned around and face the brat I was supposed to marry and his mom to greet them. I overlapped my hands, arms placed in front, slightly lower than the chest, my body bent slightly forward. After I was done, mom gestured me to sit next to her. I went over and sat next to her without uttering a word. They continued their discussion about the marriage. I was quiet all the time until they were done. My thoughts conflicted with each other as I made my way to my room and locked myself for days without eating.
My brother was away by that time, he was summoned to the capital on behalf of the general's manor to receive military merits. It was the 5th day since the discussion had happened. Ever since that day, my insomnia had been acting up so I can only sleep 2 hours during the day. I was fast asleep when my sleep was disturbed by a knock on my door. "Nán Nán, its brother. Please open up the door." A familiar voice came from the door. I stood up and went to open the door. There he was holding a basket full of my favorite fruit and cakes. I rushed into his arms and started crying as I remembered everything from that day. We went in and sat down. I told him everything that happened hoping he would stand by me, but instead he support their decision. "So you also support them? I should have known not to expect anything better from someone who is not even related to me. I mean after all the thing you needed me for was now over, I'm useless to you now so why would you keep me around?" I replied, tears falling from my reddish eyes, everything felt overwhelming. I stood up and threw everything on the table, as I screamed with fury.
My parents came running to my room, they stood beside Lǐ Xùyáng, their eyes full of shock. I picked up the fruit knife and an apple from the basket that had fell, and started peeling. "Oh! You are also here to enjoy the show? I have to give it to all of you, cause you really had me fooled but don't worry. I won't mess up your alliance plans, I'll get married like you had planned, but you should know after that we are done. I will no longer have anything to do with the general's manor. All of you will be dead to me from that day on." I said forcing a smile as I tried to hiding the pain I was feeling. I was busy peeling the apple when Lǐ Xùyáng suddenly rushed to me. I wasn't sure if he was trying to coax me or he was trying to use my weak moment to seal my powers away. I looked into his eyes, then looked down to where the knife had pierced into his flesh when suddenly the memory of when I told him about sealing my powers.
---------- The second day after returning to the general's manor -----------
"So Nán Nán, is the a limit to how long you can use your powers or a seal that can be place on them?" he asked turning to look at me. "Well, the crimson said they will get sealed away one day if I ever hurt the one that I love the most." I replied as I poked the stick I was holding into a hole of ants.
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I closed my eyes, enduring the pain that surged through my body as my powers were being sealed away. Everything went blank, I couldn't even feel myself thinking. I fell down to the ground, everyone ran towards me with tearful eyes. My father carried me to my bed to rest while my brother got his wound cleaned. It wasn't that serious so he came back to accompany me. I slightly opened my eyes. It was like I felt his presence by my side. They all rushed to my side when they saw me open my eyes. I opened my mouth and uttered words that left them in shock. "I will marry the Earl's son in three weeks time like you have planned, so please now leave me alone and never appear on my side until I leave the general's manor." They were the only words I said before I fell unconscious again. They stood up and left in teary eyes.