Xie Chang'an took a deep breath to control the urge to smile.

Originally, his greatest expectation was that he could marry Ye Jingchen, obtain the status of a crown princess, and be with Ye Jingchen openly.

As for anything else, he dared not think about it.

But now his ancestor is telling him that he needs to discuss the betrothal ceremony with the emperor. Can he still look forward to their wedding?

"Since we are going to use marriage to break the curse, we should hold a grand wedding in front of the people of the capital and receive the blessings of all the people. Only in this way can we achieve the best results," Xie Chang'an said to the old lady in a deep voice, suppressing his excitement.

Xu Jingjing's forehead veins throbbed; that brat really dared to say that!

The old lady's gaze towards Xie Chang'an suddenly became deep and complex. After a moment, she sighed and said earnestly, "Chang'an, never be too greedy!"

Xie Chang'an did not stop thinking about this. It was inappropriate for the ancestor to make the suggestion, but it was more appropriate for the Director of the Imperial Observatory to make it.

Anyway, the supervisor has recently repeatedly offended the emperor and displeased him. He could be dismissed at any time under some pretext. It would be better to let him continue to contribute before he is dismissed.

“Mother, how can you let Chang’an do whatever he wants? He is still young and doesn’t understand the power of gossip. It’s not a glorious thing for him to marry the Crown Prince. And what’s with all the formalities of marriage? Wouldn’t that just make him a laughingstock?” the Duchess said disapprovingly.

The old lady glanced at her daughter-in-law, but didn't want to say anything.

Xu Jingjing explained, "Mother, Chang'an sacrificed himself for Dayuan. The more grand and magnificent the wedding ceremony, the more people will be grateful to Chang'an. Anyone who dares to laugh at it is showing contempt for imperial power and the majesty of the emperor!"

“That’s right, so Grandmother doesn’t need to worry about me,” Xie Chang’an said to the Duchess.

"Sister-in-law, why do I feel that Chang'an isn't particularly opposed to this?" the Third Young Mistress quietly asked Xu Jingjing.

Xu Jingjing felt exhausted.

"It's probably because he has a deep friendship with His Highness the Crown Prince and is eager to help him overcome this difficulty!" she said self-deprecatingly.

"Is our Chang'an such a warm-hearted person?" the Third Young Madam asked.

"Hehe..." Xu Jingjing could only respond with a dry laugh.

At the morning court session the following day, the emperor announced the selection of the Crown Princess with a displeased expression.

According to custom, all officials should congratulate the emperor and the crown prince, but seeing the emperor's unpleasant expression, even the most stubborn censor dared not utter a word.

After the court session, the Dowager Lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion and the Minister of Rites requested an audience.

Ye Jingchen had already received a message from Xie Chang'an in advance that the old lady's visit to the palace was to discuss marriage matters with the emperor.

However, the emperor was unaware of this. He only thought that the old lady was causing him trouble because of his decision to make Xie Chang'an the crown princess. So he immediately ordered Zhang Shunde to bring Ye Jingchen over as well, and asked Ye Jingchen to come with him to see the old lady.

Ye Jingchen used to be unafraid of the old lady; in fact, he greatly admired her.

But this time he was also a little guilty.

Although Xie Chang'an didn't say it, Ye Jingchen guessed from the old lady's purpose that she probably already knew about his relationship with Xie Chang'an.

His different status made him feel several times more pressured when facing the matriarch.

Upon meeting the old lady, he almost simultaneously bowed to her, but she calmly returned the greeting.

"Can't you be a little more sensible?" the emperor scolded in a low voice, his face full of black lines.

"Father, what right do you have to talk to me like that?" Ye Jingchen retorted in a low voice.

Although the emperor wasn't exactly moving in unison, he was very tense, and anyone could tell he was nervous.

The emperor glared fiercely at his rebellious son.

There was no way around it. When he was a child, the late emperor often took him to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. The old lady was just as strict with the late emperor as she was with the Duke of Zhenguo. Even the late emperor was afraid of the old lady, so how could he not be afraid?

Later, the late emperor even bestowed upon the old lady a dragon-headed cane that could be used to "beat down a tyrannical emperor above and a treacherous minister below," which made him even more afraid to see the old lady.

For example, right now, he always feels that this old lady, who is already in her twilight years, might hit him with her dragon-headed cane at any time.

"Your Highness, I have come today to discuss your marriage with Chang'an with His Majesty. You should avoid any appearance of impropriety in this matter!" the old lady said directly to Ye Jingchen.

Although the old lady was very old, her voice was still deep and powerful. Even though she was leaning on a dragon-headed cane, her back was not hunched at all, giving people a strong sense of pressure.

Ye Jingchen stole a glance at the emperor, ignored his pleading look, bowed, and fled to the side hall as if escaping.

This discussion lasted for an hour.

Ye Jingchen waited in the side hall until the Dowager Empress and the Minister of Rites left before daring to go to the Chongzheng Hall to find the Emperor.

"You unfilial son, you're quick to run away when disaster strikes!" The emperor was so angry when he saw him that he threw the memorial in his hand at his face.

Before the memorial could come into close contact with his face, Ye Jingchen caught it and respectfully handed it back to the emperor.

"Father, did the Dowager really come to the palace to discuss the marriage? Does the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion have no objections whatsoever?" Ye Jingchen asked with an awkward smile.

"Yes! No objection! The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has always been known for its righteousness, how could there be any objection?!" the emperor said sarcastically.

"The Dowager Madam is not only here to discuss the marriage, but also demands that the wedding be a grand affair, with all the traditional betrothal and marriage arrangements required. Xie Chang'an's status as Crown Princess must be recorded in the imperial genealogy, and the wedding day must be announced to the world to receive the blessings of all people!"

Ye Jingchen looked surprised. "Isn't this just like marrying the real Crown Princess? Father, have you agreed?"

"Since she has brought it up, do I have any other choice? If I don't agree, she can spread the word and accuse the royal family of being insincere. If you still can't see the sun after your marriage, the people will surely be in uproar!" the emperor said through gritted teeth.

Ye Jingchen looked thoughtful. "Father, do you think the Dowager is using the people's hearts to coerce you? The Dowager shouldn't be that kind of person, right? Is the reason she made that suggestion to remind Father that since we have already compromised, we should make this marriage as grand as possible, so as to silence the gossip of the people!"

The emperor, somewhat embarrassed by Ye Jingchen's question, looked displeased and said irritably, "Do you think I don't understand such a simple principle? Do I need her to remind me?!"

Seeing that the emperor was very unhappy, Ye Jingchen began to skillfully smooth things over again, "Perhaps she also had a little bit of selfishness involved. After all, the biggest victim in this matter is Xie Chang'an. It is only natural for her to ask for some benefits on behalf of her great-grandson. If she can ask for benefits, we can also use this matter to demonstrate the benevolence and love for the people of the royal family to all the people of the world. Everyone gets what they want."

(Looking for some electricity!)