"I never expected that my second son would have such a good relationship with Fu'an."

After exchanging greetings and talking for a while, the two left the imperial study together. By the window, Jiang Mingyun watched Xu Nian and Jiang Yuanqing's retreating figures and said something meaningful.

Without asking for Gu Zhan's opinion, His Majesty the Emperor suddenly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, Gu Qing, your engagement with Miss Su has been arranged for quite some time now. Have you thought about when you will get married?"

Gu Zhan's heart tightened, and he immediately knelt down. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Miss Su is a woman of unparalleled beauty and talent. I am only skilled in martial arts and have no affection for her whatsoever. I fear that I have delayed Miss Su's life, so I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree and allow me to annul our engagement."

Jiang Mingyun really didn't expect that he had only made a casual joke.

Then he saw that General Gu, who was usually calm and composed, was so eager to get rid of the relationship that had been arranged for him and Miss Su to get married back then.

Firstly, it was to win over Gu Zhan, preventing him from siding with any of the princes. Secondly, it was to suppress the Crown Prince's arrogance during that period.

Several years have passed, and Gu Zhan has lived up to expectations and become a General of the Cavalry.

At such a young age, his future is limitless! If such a talented person were to marry the daughter of the Prime Minister, he would hold military power, and his in-laws would have a significant influence in the court.

I wonder how many princes there are; this old minister has to consider them.

But words spoken are like water spilled; they cannot be taken back. Jiang Mingyun had been racking his brains for a good way to cancel the marriage, and now that Gu Zhan had brought it up himself, it suited his wishes perfectly.

However, he still hesitated for a moment, "Gu Qing, have you thought it through? This is a major life event. If you miss it, there will be no going back."

Once Gu Zhan made up his mind, he glanced at the door out of the corner of his eye, his clenched fist tightening slightly. "I have been thinking about this for a long time. It is precisely because marriage is a major event that I dare not be negligent. Moreover, I already have someone in my heart. The Princess of Fu'an and I shared life and death on the way to provide disaster relief. I cannot be a fickle person."

This was something Jiang Mingyun hadn't expected. She looked surprised, but then smiled.

Whether Gu Zhan did it intentionally or unintentionally, this move suited him perfectly. Xu Nian, a commoner, was granted the title of county princess, not only because of her exceptional skills.

She held neither real power nor connections. Even if she were on good terms with the Prime Minister's daughter, the officials wouldn't take her too seriously. She was the kind of woman no ambitious family in the capital would seek to marry.

Gu Zhan is something else; he comes out and declares his love for someone else right away. No matter how outstanding his military achievements become, he'll have no one left in the court besides his master.

Jiang Mingyun had no reason not to agree. He helped the person up, still looking troubled. "You child, why didn't you tell me sooner? It was my fault for arranging this marriage back then. It's all because you've been fighting on the front lines all these years."

Seeing that his thoughts from back then had been seen through, Gu Zhan didn't feel anything was wrong.

He lowered his head slightly, and the tips of his ears were still visibly flushed. Jiang Mingyun smiled and patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, after I discuss this matter with the Prime Minister, I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."

In fact, there was no need for much discussion; the Prime Minister's residence had known about their daughter's thoughts all along.

Although they didn't side with the crown prince, they wouldn't risk their daughter's lifelong happiness to gain the emperor's trust. But they still had to put on an act.

Lord Su remained silent for a moment before sighing and saying, "Since General Gu has made up his mind, then it can only be that my daughter and he are not destined to be together. Even if we force it, there will be no good outcome. As for this marriage, it is entirely up to His Majesty to decide."

Five days after the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, news of Gu Zhan and Su Wanting's annulment of their engagement spread throughout the capital.

Upon hearing this, the young masters and ladies of the various families were all eager to make their move. Liu Qingmei lifted her skirt and was about to go find her mother. The ministers' families were all discussing finding matchmakers to arrange marriages once the storm had passed.

However, some people acted even faster than them.

Xu Nian had only been in the capital for three months, and this was already the third time she had knelt on the ground to receive an imperial edict.

This time, it was Eunuch Wang, who was by the emperor's side, who came back this time. A whisk was held by a little eunuch behind him, and his face was full of joy.

A shrill voice pierced the eardrums of everyone present, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The General of the Cavalry and the Princess of Fu'an are a perfect match, a match made in heaven. Therefore, I hereby bestow marriage upon them, and a date shall be chosen for their wedding. May they support each other in the future, as harmonious as the playing of a zither and lute. So be it!"

[This... this is a marriage decree?!]

[I told you the general and the streamer would get together! Look, look!]

[Wow, the Emperor is definitely the biggest fan of the streamer and the general's pairing! He even brought the Civil Affairs Bureau here!]

Unlike the clamor of comments on the screen, Xu Nian was completely stunned. The tiny bit of hope she had when she heard that Gu Zhan and Su Wanting had broken off their engagement was quickly dispelled.

Unexpectedly...

Unexpectedly, the emperor actually bestowed this marriage upon him!

Does Gu Zhan know about this? The Emperor must have discussed it with him.

In a daze, he accepted the imperial decree and led the eunuch and others inside for tea. Following the custom, he took out several amulets and some loose silver from his sleeve.

After seeing everyone off, Xu Nian finally had time to lock herself in her room and reflect on her current situation!

Judging from Eunuch Wang's cheerful expression and what he said, it was Gu Zhan who brought up the matter, and the Emperor only agreed to it afterward.

Why would he marry me? Doesn't he love Liu Qingmei?

What about me?

Xu Nian asked herself honestly, and she couldn't deceive herself. Every time she looked back at Zhanlai, every time the two of them got close, her heart would pound uncontrollably.

Often, just because of someone's action or intimate gesture, my cheeks would feel like they were on fire.

There is indeed such a person in my heart.

Holding the imperial edict, she recalled her feelings upon receiving it. There was worry that refusing would mean execution, but mostly she felt joy.

Those who understood stopped worrying. After all, with the imperial decree in effect, she was now Gu Zhan's rightful fiancée.

Knock knock!

There was a knock on the door, and you could tell who it was just by looking at their figure.

Xu Nian opened the door and saw that General Gu's expression was not good. She asked in an annoyed tone, "What are you doing here?"

Seeing that she didn't react excessively, Gu Zhan breathed a sigh of relief and strode past Xu Nian into the room. "I'm here to see my fiancée, is that not allowed?"

He was quite pleased with himself for acting first and informing the authorities later.

The county princess puffed out her cheeks in anger, her hands on her hips looking incredibly cute to Gu Zhan. He pushed her to sit down, ignoring Xu Nian's struggles and pulling her into his arms. "Alright, don't be angry. It was wrong of me not to tell you beforehand, okay? I apologize."