More than the gift, Shen Wan was curious about something else. Since no one was around, she asked directly, "Did you see Princess Huai'an when you went to Huaizhou, brother?"

“I saw him,” Shen Du said.

"Then you..."

Before Shen Wan could ask her question, a servant ran over and interrupted her, "Your Highness, someone from the palace has come to deliver an imperial decree."

Shen Du exclaimed in surprise, "This reward came way too fast!"

Xie Jingyan said, "Go and receive the imperial decree."

Shen Du was genuinely curious about what the Emperor had bestowed upon him, and immediately headed towards the main hall.

Upon seeing that it was Eunuch Yuan who came to deliver the imperial decree, he was even more surprised.

Although he made contributions in the Meizhou earthquake, the main credit did not go to him, so there was no need for Eunuch Yuan to personally announce the reward.

The Emperor decreed that almost all the masters of the Marquis's residence, except for the old lady who was bedridden, should be present.

Led by Shen Jing, a large group of people knelt in the main hall.

Eunuch Yuan opened the imperial edict and read it aloud, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Shen Du, son of the Marquis of Pingyang, is exceptionally talented and elegant, possessing both literary and military prowess and extraordinary courage. He has rendered great service in the recent earthquake in Meizhou, which greatly pleases me. The Prince of An has a daughter, the Princess of Huai'an, who is both beautiful and talented, respectful and virtuous. She is of marriageable age and is a perfect match for him. Therefore, I hereby bestow marriage upon the two of them and set an auspicious date for their wedding, which will be the eighteenth of the following month."

All ceremonies shall be handled by the Minister of Rites. A proclamation shall be made throughout the land so that all may know of it.

Eunuch Yuan finished reading the imperial edict in one breath, then closed it. He then caught a glimpse of Shen Du kneeling on the ground, looking as if he had been struck by lightning.

Eunuch Yuan, "...???"

Why do you look so unhappy?

Wasn't the heir of the Marquis of Pingyang in love with the Princess of Huai'an and determined to marry no one else?

This doesn't look like it.

Eunuch Yuan said, "Young Master Pingyang, receive the imperial decree."