At the same time, in Yong'an Palace, Ding Xinwan was sitting beside Li Shurou's couch, comforting her in a soft voice.

Li Shurou's mood has stabilized a lot, but the loss and unwillingness in her eyes are still difficult to conceal.

"Xinwan, I really don't know what to do. I only like Zhongfu, but my royal brother has betrothed me to Ji Yan. What should I do?" Li Shurou's voice was filled with endless sorrow.

"Shurou, I just found out today that Xue Jiyan and I were betrothed since childhood. My grandfather and the old marquis arranged this marriage for us before they died, and I came to the palace today to discuss this matter."

Ding Xinwan's voice was gentle and low, as if it had a magical power that could gradually calm Li Shurou's heart.

When Li Shurou first heard this, she couldn't fully understand it for a moment. She was stunned for a moment. When she finally understood the meaning, a look of joy appeared on her face.

"Sister Wan, you've been engaged to the Third Young Master Xue since childhood. This is really... great."

She almost laughed out loud, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her. "In this case, how can I compete for your marriage? I will go find my brother and explain this matter clearly."

As she spoke, she was about to stand up, but Ding Xinwan gently held her down, "Sister Shurou, don't worry, there's still blood on your clothes."

Li Shurou finally came to her senses and looked down. She saw bloodstains on her sleeves and felt a faint pain in her wrists. She sat back on the couch and sighed helplessly.

Ding Xinwan softly consoled him, "You are His Majesty's biological sister. He will certainly not let you suffer any injustice. Besides, there is my aunt here. How could she let both of us marry Xue Jiyan?"

Hearing these words, Li Shurou couldn't help but burst into laughter, and the haze in her heart dissipated for the most part.

She suddenly thought that if she could marry Xue Zhongfu as she wished, she and Ding Xinwan would become sisters-in-law. The two of them were originally close friends, which made her previous thoughts of seeking death disappear instantly.

"Sister Wan, you're right. I was too impulsive." Li Shurou gently stroked the wound on her wrist, a determined light flashing in her eyes. "I will patiently wait for my brother's arrangements, and I believe he will give me a proper solution."

…

Xue Zhongfu was busy in the Ministry of Works when suddenly the eunuch came hurriedly and conveyed the emperor's summons, asking him to go to the Qianqing Palace immediately. Although he was confused, he did not dare to delay and immediately dressed and went there.

Before he even entered the imperial inner courtyard, Xue Zhongfu saw his third brother, Xue Jiyan, approaching from the Ministry of Revenue's meeting hall. They both called out to each other in unison, their voices revealing deep surprise.

"Second brother!" Xue Jiyan walked over quickly.

"Third brother!" Xue Zhongfu also went to meet him.

The eunuch urged, "Master Xue, His Majesty is waiting. Please go as soon as possible."

The two brothers looked at each other, their hearts full of doubts. They whispered a few words and shook their heads. It was obvious that they didn't know why the emperor summoned them this time.

However, the emperor's order was difficult to disobey, so they could only temporarily suppress their doubts and quickly go to the Qianqing Palace to meet the emperor.

In the Qianqing Palace, Li Longze sat on the dragon throne with a calm expression. When he saw the Xue brothers arriving together, a glimmer of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I, Xue Zhongfu (Xue Jiyan), pay my respects to you." The two men saluted in unison.

"Stand up." Li Longze's voice was calm and dignified. "I summoned you two here today because I have something to discuss with you."

The two men stood up and waited respectfully for the emperor's next words.

Li Longze looked embarrassed, wondering how to begin. After all, he had already taken the initiative and delivered the imperial edict to the Xingyuan Marquis's residence. At this moment, the two brothers were probably still in the dark, unaware that their marriages had been seriously altered.

Finally, he made up his mind and announced bluntly: "I have issued an edict. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory has calculated that there will be a change in Princess Ning'an's marriage. It is now decided to grant her a marriage with Xue Zhongfu, the second son of the Xingyuan Marquisate, in accordance with Heaven's will."

The Xue brothers were stunned when these words came out. Xue Zhongfu's eyes widened, and he could hardly believe his ears. After all these twists and turns, Princess Ning'an would actually marry him.

Xue Jiyan couldn't help but smile, his excitement was uncontrollable. He no longer had to worry about the awkwardness of being neither a husband nor a subject.

"Brother, congratulations!" Xue Jiyan was the first to break the silence, stepped forward and patted Xue Zhongfu on the shoulder, "I never thought you would finally get the princess."

Xue Zhongfu came back to his senses and gave a wry smile: "This is really beyond my expectations. However, since it is destiny, I can only do my best."

Li Longze continued, "In addition, I have conferred upon Ding Xinwan, the only daughter of General Weiyuan Ding Dayong, the title of Princess of Xing'an County, and have granted her marriage to Xue Jiyan, the third son of the Xingyuan Marquisate. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory will select an auspicious date, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will fully assist in arranging your wedding."

Hearing this, Xue Jiyan's smile became even brighter. He bowed and said, "I thank you for your grace! I will definitely live up to your expectations."

Xue Zhongfu also expressed his gratitude: "I am also deeply grateful and will definitely live up to the emperor's grace and serve the court loyally."

Li Longze nodded with satisfaction: "Alright! I hope that you two brothers can work together and serve the court with all your strength."

The two brothers left the Qianqing Palace together, their hearts filled with complicated emotions.

Xue Jiyan was extremely excited. He had always had a good impression of Ding Xinwan, and now that he could marry her, he was naturally overjoyed.

He couldn't help but show off to Xue Zhongfu: "Second brother, look, we two brothers are really having a double celebration!"

Xue Zhongfu, however, felt somewhat uneasy, as he knew very well that royal marriages were never simply a happy union, and were often accompanied by numerous entanglements of power and interests.

So he advised in a deep voice: "Third brother, this matter concerns the reputation of the entire Xue family and the court. Don't get carried away and show too much joy."

Xue Jiyan's smile faded slightly upon hearing this, and he nodded solemnly, "Second brother is right. I will keep it in mind."

"Well, I'll go back to the Ministry of Works to explain some things, and you too, should go back early today." Xue Zhongfu patted Xue Jiyan's shoulder, turned around and walked towards the Ministry of Works.

Xue Jiyan watched Xue Zhongfu's departing back, and the joy in his heart was gradually replaced by an inexplicable emotion.

He understood that Xue Zhongfu's worries were not groundless. It was still difficult to predict what impact this sudden arranged marriage would have on the two brothers and even the entire Xue family.

However, he also knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there were ahead, he had to move forward side by side with Xue Zhongfu and face them together, because they were brothers and more importantly, a family.