"What? You two have decided to get married?" Yan Wan said in surprise. They're moving really fast.

Jing Xi held Jiang Bai's hand and nodded in agreement. Yan Wan asked again uncertainly, "Jing Xi, didn't you say before that you would only consider marriage after returning to the capital?" How come they are already considering marriage while they are still in the Northwest?

"Yes, Wan'er, after things are settled in the Northwest, Jiang Bai and I will get married after we return to the capital." Jing Xi said happily. She and Jiang Bai had been through many things, big and small. She was a decisive person. Once she decided on someone, she wouldn't hesitate. She felt that Jiang Bai and she were quite suitable for each other. Moreover, she wasn't without feelings for Jiang Bai.

As soon as Jing Xi finished speaking, the voice of Crown Prince Ji Mosheng came from behind her. His cold voice said, "Miss Jing, since ancient times, marriages have always been arranged by parents and matchmakers. I wonder if Lord Jing agrees to you and Young Master Jiang being together?"

Ji Mosheng knew that his words would upset Jing Xi, but he still blurted them out like a madman. From the bottom of his heart, he did not want Jing Xi to marry Jiang Bai. He always felt that Jing Xi and he were a match made in heaven.

Upon hearing Ji Mosheng's words, Jing Xi was about to retort when Jiang Bai spoke faster. Jiang Bai said, "Your Highness, Jing Xi won first place at the Hundred Flowers Banquet. His Majesty personally promised that Jing Xi's marriage would be her own decision. Therefore, the so-called 'parents' orders and matchmaker's words' that Your Highness speaks of do not apply to Jing Xi."

Jiang Bai and Ji Mosheng were locked in a silent contest. As men, they could both see the possessiveness and emotions in each other's eyes.

Looking at the two people who were locked in a fierce argument, Jing Xi said helplessly, "Your Highness, Jiang Bai is right. Moreover, as I have already said before, I am not worthy of Your Highness. I would like Your Highness to find another beautiful woman."

Ji Mosheng clenched his fists tightly. He looked at Jing Xi for a long while before turning away. In the instant he turned, Ji Mosheng's eyes were filled with an unfathomable darkness. No, Jing Xi was his. The two of them could not get married.

When Yan Wan saw Ji Mosheng leave, something seemed off. He didn't seem like the gentle and refined Crown Prince he usually was. She gently tugged at Jing Xi and reminded her, "Jing Xi, I just saw that His Highness's expression was a little... uh, not quite normal."

Jing Xi shrugged helplessly, indicating that she was also helpless. Anyway, she had said everything she needed to say. If anything else happened, she could only deal with it as it came.

Jiang Bai held Jing Xi's hand, looking at her with unwavering determination; he was determined to marry her.

He would never let go of Jing Xi's hand in this lifetime unless he died.

Watching the scene of two men vying for one woman, Yan Wan sighed, "It seems that some unimportant parts of the plot can be changed, but the important characters and the story will ultimately follow the predetermined trajectory in the book."

Seeing Yan Wan's bitter and resentful expression, Jing Xi easily changed the subject, saying, "Wan'er, yesterday the shopkeeper from Yunzhou City wrote to say that the hot pot restaurant in Yunzhou has been renovated and can open at any time. The two of us can find an auspicious day and open for business."

"That's great, Jingxi. Let's open for business after the New Year when the weather is warmer," Yan Wan suggested happily. She thought she could wait until the new store opened.

"Okay, then we'll make lots of money, and then we'll travel to every city together and go on vacation," Jing Xi said longingly. That kind of life wasn't far away for them.

“Okay.” Yan Wan said, looking at Jing Xi who was looking forward to a new life. Even though she didn’t know if she could live that kind of life, she hoped that Jing Xi could live freely.

——

"Your Majesty, a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day. It is too dangerous for you to set off for the Northwest. You must not!"

“That’s right, Your Majesty. Prince An of the Northwest is currently hoarding weapons and raising an army. We don’t know the exact size of his troops, so you can’t go!”

"Your Majesty, please reconsider."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

When the ministers arrived at court, they were terrified to hear their emperor announce that he would personally lead troops to the northwest. They tried to persuade him to rescind the order. To be honest, the emperor had been incompetent for so many years; even if he went, it wouldn't make a difference. What if he died on the journey due to the arduous travel?

Looking at the ministers below who were contradicting him, the old emperor thought with dissatisfaction, "My mind is made up. Anyone who says another word will be dragged away and beheaded." The old emperor was stubborn and believed that all the ministers were going against him. He insisted on personally leading the troops to show the people who the real king was and who their guardian was.

After hearing the old emperor's final words, the ministers had no choice but to give up trying to dissuade him. In his youth, His Majesty was not such a stubborn person. On the contrary, he was diligent in governing and caring for the people. However, after entering middle age, His Majesty became paranoid and no longer listened to the advice of his ministers. He could not distinguish between loyalty and treachery. If it weren't for His Highness the Crown Prince holding the reins of the government and His Highness Prince Han guarding the border, the Yin Kingdom would probably have ceased to exist long ago.

"Father, I am willing to go to the Northwest with you to kill the enemy and do my part for the people and the court," said the Fourth Prince, Ji Moting, with heartfelt sincerity.

Seeing that someone finally supported him and thought the same way, the old emperor looked at his fourth son, who was usually like an invisible man, and now stood up to support him. He couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect and praised his fourth son, whom he usually didn't pay much attention to, before finally granting his request.

"Your Majesty, I thank you sincerely," the Fourth Prince said.

After the morning court session ended, the Third Prince, Ji Mochen, walked up to Ji Moting and asked in confusion, "Fourth Brother, aren't you usually uninterested in these things? Why do you want to go to the Northwest with Father now?"

"Third brother, I'm just getting a little bored in the palace and want to go out for a walk. Besides, the Crown Prince is in the Northwest, and I haven't seen him in a long time. I want to go see him," said the Fourth Prince, Ji Moting, in a simple and honest manner.

The Third Prince replied knowingly, "Then when you see the Crown Prince, remember to give him my regards."

"Yes, Third Brother, I will definitely pass on your message," Ji Moting patted his chest and assured him.

Ji Mochen patted Ji Moting on the shoulder and left. As soon as he turned around, the Fourth Prince, who had just been all honest and kind, no longer had that honest look on his face. Instead, his face had become somewhat gloomy.

They were all princes; anyone could have fought for that position, right?

Why would he give such a good opportunity to someone else? It would have been better if the Crown Prince and that jinx had died in the Northwest, as that would have increased his chances of winning.

And that old codger, let's take care of him this time too.

The throne is his now.