Emperor Mingyang admired Xue Huai'an; he was indeed talented and intelligent, and also had a debt of gratitude to the royal family. Da'an needed young people like him.

However, what happened today greatly displeased Emperor Mingyang.

How could an official appointed by the imperial court do such a thing?

That's really undignified.

The door to the warm pavilion closed, and Emperor Mingyang tossed the governor aside, his expression clearly displeased.

"Does Minister Xue know why I have kept you here?"

Xue Huai'an shook his head, indicating he truly didn't know.

Emperor Mingyang didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Is the second daughter of the Chen family in your villa?"

Xue Huai'an was immediately stunned. Were those officials impeaching him last night?

Why was there no activity during the morning court session?

Xue Huai'an thought about it seriously and remained silent for a while.

"I'm asking you a question."

"Yes." Xue Huai'an would not lie at this time; Emperor Mingyang had clearly already received the news.

If he is lying, then he is guilty of deceiving the emperor.

Even though he had saved the emperor's life, he dared not offend the emperor's authority.

Who impeached him? Xue Huai'an didn't know. He carefully recalled the people from last night, but ultimately still couldn't determine who it was.

Mr. Zhou?

Seeing his absent-minded look, Emperor Mingyang said irritably, "Do you know that your actions are damaging to your reputation?"

Xue Huai'an immediately knelt down and said with utmost sincerity, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. But, but Miss Chen and I have some affection for each other, and I do not wish for her to remain in the prison forever."

Moreover, the fact that he was able to bring Chen Yirou out of the prison was with the tacit approval of Emperor Mingyang; otherwise, how could he have had such an ability?

At this moment, Xue Huai'an could not possibly blame Emperor Mingyang. All the blame lay with the ministers; how could His Majesty be at fault?

Emperor Mingyang sneered, "It seems the rumors in the capital were true. You and... had an affair with another woman before you were even married."

Upon hearing this, Xue Huai'an immediately replied, "No, this humble servant and Miss Chen Er have never crossed any lines before."

Emperor Mingyang, however, did not believe it. He said in a deep voice, "If you and the second daughter of the Chen family are completely innocent, why didn't you send her home after you brought her out of the prison? Could it be that Minister Chen cannot tolerate a daughter?"

Xue Huai'an explained, "Your Majesty is unaware that Miss Chen is a concubine's daughter in her family. She has never been well-liked, and after what she did before, the Chen family can no longer tolerate her."

"You seem to know a lot about the Chen family."

The ambiguous words immediately sent a chill down Xue Huai'an's spine.

He was inwardly panicking, but tried to remain calm on the surface. "This humble subject also heard it from Miss Chen. She..."

Emperor Mingyang didn't want to know too much about Xue Huai'an and Chen Yirou's affair. He only cared about the officials' reputation and didn't want to hear him say any more. He simply raised his hand to interrupt, "Enough. Since you and the second daughter of the Chen family have feelings for each other, I will bestow a marriage upon you two. From now on, live a good life together."

"Your Majesty." Xue Huai'an looked up, wanting to deny the decision.

But when he looked up, he met Emperor Mingyang's cold, deep eyes, and he instantly understood.

Emperor Mingyang was not consulting with him, but merely informing him.

Did Emperor Mingyang know his plans?

The thought of this possibility sent chills down Xue Huai'an's spine, and he felt increasingly uncertain.

He cannot let His Majesty know of his ambitions, absolutely not.

At this point, he could only agree; he had no right to disagree.

"Yes, thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

He kowtowed to express his gratitude, but his heart was filled with immense sorrow and grief.

He schemed and plotted, all to reserve the position of wife for the most useful person, but in the end, he still gave it to Chen Yirou.

He was willing at one time, but only after he gained power.

It's too late, it's all too late.

Xue Huai'an left the palace clutching the bright yellow imperial edict. At the palace gate, he saw a group of officials watching the spectacle, including the gloating Lord Zhou.

He immediately gripped the imperial edict tightly, suppressing his anger as he questioned, "Did Your Excellency impeach me?"

Lord Zhou stepped forward and patted Xue Huai'an on the shoulder, laughing, "How can this be called an impeachment? I was clearly doing someone a favor." His gaze fell on the bright yellow imperial edict, and he smiled again, "This is an imperial edict bestowing a marriage, isn't it? Young Master Xue, you must invite us when you get married."

Xue Huai'an scoffed at Lord Zhou's hand and said coldly, "How can you be so sure this is an imperial decree of marriage? Are you trying to guess the Emperor's intentions?"

Lord Zhou's smug smile vanished instantly. He stepped forward and coldly warned Xue Huai'an, "Young Master Xue had better know his place. What future can a fallen Duke's son have? His merit in saving the Emperor has already been replaced by the Censor-in-Chief. Can he still climb the ranks?"

"If you want to climb up the ranks, you have to please us, otherwise, you won't even know how you died."

Xue Huai'an brushed past him without paying any attention to him.

What should one be aware of when a person is dying?

He personally went to Minister Chen's residence to announce the imperial edict, and then went to the outskirts of the capital to pick up Chen Yirou and send her back to the Chen residence. It was on this journey that he heard the discussions in the capital.

Some say he and Chen Yirou had an affair, others say he kept a mistress, and still others say Chen Yirou, a perfectly respectable daughter of an official, chose to become someone else's mistress.

That's really embarrassing.

In the Da'an aristocratic families, if a young man keeps a mistress before marriage, his reputation is already ruined.

At least it will be impossible for him to marry into a wealthy and noble family again, unless he resorts to some dirty tricks.

...

Qin Su learned this news from Princess Cheng'an, who fiercely cursed Xue Huai'an in front of Qin Su and said that she had long known that he was no good.

Qin Su simply listened to her complaints while taking a leisurely stroll in the courtyard.

She will be able to see her daughter in just over two months.

His eyes filled with a happy smile whenever he thought of his daughter, Qin Su.

They are all doing well now.

"It's said their wedding is set for this month," Cheng An said, his mouth full of fruit, then swallowed and added, "Perhaps they're afraid Chen Yirou will get pregnant and won't be able to hide her belly then."

Chen Yirou is no match for Qin Su. She's so delicate. If she were to get pregnant and remain unmarried, the Chen family could force her to her death.

Qin Su shook her head. "She's not pregnant. At least she can't be pregnant before Xue Huai'an's legitimate son is born."

Cheng An blinked. "Wait a minute, isn't the child she gave birth to a legitimate son?"

Qin Su was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and shook her head, "The princess is right." She had forgotten that the marriage bestowed by His Majesty was that of a principal wife.

The child she gave birth to was naturally the legitimate heir.

But Chen Yirou is such a weak and delicate mother, would Xue Huai'an really want such a legitimate son?

She thought it was impossible.

Xue Huai'an is not someone who gives up so easily; he probably has other methods.

Qin Su was almost certain who Xue Huai'an would target in the future, but that person hadn't arrived in Kyoto yet, so there was no need to rush. Right now, she just needed to take good care of her pregnancy and wait for her baby to be born.

"Alright, these things are none of our business. In any case, I won't be going to his house to give him a congratulatory gift."