Yun Xiangye and Su Zhan arrived under the magnolia tree, and Su Zhan asked, "Cousin, word has spread today that the Crown Prince has chosen a Crown Princess. Who is this Wei Zhenzhu? I've been asking around, but I didn't even know the Duke of Wei actually had an eldest daughter."

Yun Xiangye said, "This Wei Zhenzhu is Sister He. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants Sister He to acknowledge Duke Wei as her father and become the Crown Princess as the daughter of the Wei family."

Su Zhan forced a smile upon hearing this and said, "It is a blessing for her that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is willing to give her a title."

Yun Xiangye did not tell Su Zhan much about her sister's unwillingness to marry the daughter of the Wei family. If one more person knew about this, it would only make one more person feel helpless.

Su Zhan said, "Now that she has a legitimate status, I can finally rest assured. I was worried about the details of the daughter of the Wei family whom I had never heard of, but now I can finally rest assured..."

"master."

The servant beside Su Zhan came hurriedly and said, "Master, a few eunuchs came from the West Street Yahang and said that His Majesty has issued an imperial decree to grant you a marriage."

Su Zhan was bewildered. "Grant me a marriage?"

Yun Xiangye said to Su Zhan, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said some time ago that he would grant you a marriage with the daughter of the Xu family of the Zhenbei Marquisate."

Su Zhan couldn't help but frown, but because it was an imperial decree from the palace granting marriage, he didn't dare to be negligent and hurried back to the pawnshop to receive the decree.

Yun Xiangye also followed Su Zhan to the pharmacy.

In the yamen, Yun Xiangye looked at the eunuch who came to announce the imperial edict, and hurriedly knelt down with Su Zhan to receive the order.

"By the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Su Zhan, the head of the Su dental shop, is young and successful, having made great contributions to the trade between Dasheng merchants and the Western Regions. Xu Mengqi, the eldest daughter of the Zhenbei Marquisate, is beautiful, intelligent, and virtuous. They are a match made in heaven, made for each other. I hereby grant them marriage, wishing them eternal love and auspicious wedding dates. I decree this."

After Su Zhan finished listening to the eunuch's reading, his thoughts seemed to be on the distant river.

Thirteen-year-old Ye Wanhe leaned on the deck, looking at him with a sweet smile: "Brother Zhan, I promise you, when I am twenty-five and can leave the palace, if you have not married yet, I will be your wife."

At that time, he thought it was just an ordinary joke, but in the past ten years, Su Zhan has never forgotten it.

Now, there is no possibility for the two of them.

"Cousin." Seeing that Su Zhan was stunned and did not respond for a long time, Yun Xiangye reminded Su Zhan.

Su Zhan quickly stretched out his hands to receive the imperial edict and said, "I accept the edict and thank you for your grace."

--

Inside the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion.

There was a chessboard in Xu Mengqi's boudoir. She was playing with her left and right hands. When she saw the maid rushing in, she asked, "What are you running for in such a hurry?"

The maid panted and said, "Miss, the Crown Princess has been chosen. She is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Wei."

"Wei Xi?" Xu Mengqi frowned slightly, "How could it be Wei Xi?"

"It's not Wei Xi, it's Wei Zhenzhu, the eldest daughter of Duke Wei who was left among the people."

Xu Mengqi couldn't help but frown and said, "Dad and the Duke of Wei have been good friends since childhood. How come I have never heard that the Duke of Wei has another eldest daughter?"

The maid said, "Now it has spread all over the outside world..."

Xu Mengqi couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. She had always aspired to marry the most powerful man since she was a child. Now with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, there was no hope. However, she was not discouraged.

And what about Gu Yan? Although Gu Yan is married, his status as a Crown Prince's Consort is too low, and being her concubine is a blessing for her...

"Girl, girl..."

Another maid ran in hurriedly. Xu Mengqi couldn't help but frown and said, "Si Liu, how could even you be so reckless?"

"My lady, the imperial decree granting your marriage has arrived. Please go to the main gate to receive it."

Xu Mengqi was in a daze for a while, "Imperial decree granting marriage?"

Xu Mengqi hurried to the gate to receive the order.

As Xu Mengqi listened to the eunuchs reading the imperial edict, her face became increasingly darker.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting the marriage." The Marquis of Zhenbei accepted the imperial edict with both hands for his daughter, who was stunned and looked humiliated.

Xu Mengqi waited for the eunuch to leave. Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke, "Father, why did His Majesty suddenly issue such an imperial decree? How could His Majesty allow your daughter to marry a merchant? You have been His Majesty's study companion since childhood. Please go and beg His Majesty to revoke this marriage decree. My daughter cannot endure this humiliation."

Xu Mengqi, who has always been strong-willed, thought that even if she could not marry the prince, Gu Yan.

There are other royal relatives and noble sons she can marry, so why does she have to fall to marrying a merchant as lowly as dust?

The Marquis of Zhenbei said slowly, "Your Majesty has discussed this marriage decree with me. Now that the world is at peace and there are no wars in the Western Regions, it is a good time for Dasheng to trade with the countries in the Western Regions.

Su Zhan's pawnshop has done a lot of business with the Western Regions over the years. Medicines, silks, porcelains, and tea have been exchanged for many horses for Dasheng, and the cavalry and military horses are thriving. The two hundred new war horses acquired by our Zhenbei Marquis Mansion are the result of business facilitated by Su's pawnshop. If you marry him, it will show that His Majesty values ​​trade with the Western Regions.

The most rare thing is that Su Zhan was neither humble nor arrogant at a young age. He built up this huge family fortune with his own abilities. Except for his humble background, everything else about him was impeccable.

I have also inquired about his parents. They have been in business for many years and have a very good reputation in Luoyang. The family is harmonious. Although you are marrying down, if you really compare the assets of our Marquis Mansion and the Su family, it is possible that the Su family is richer. You will have a good life after marrying into their family.

Your family is wealthy, your husband is capable, and your parents-in-law are harmonious. You are marrying down, so your father will naturally not let Su Zhan take a concubine, so you won't have to worry about anything. He is seven years older than you and will take good care of you. Your father is very satisfied with this son-in-law."

Xu Mengqi frowned and said, "If you are very satisfied, you can marry me. I won't marry you!"