"Your Majesty, I understand. I will surely ascend the throne, and Your Majesty will be the most honorable Empress Dowager in the future of this country."

Even if his mother has secrets, so what? As long as it helps him ascend to that position, what does it matter if she's a human or a ghost? Besides, she's his own mother.

"Good! Good! Good! Xiao'er has grown up!"

Empress Dowager Chen held Yue Zhixiao's hand and praised her repeatedly, saying that she had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Go back early. Tomorrow we are to marry Minister Liu's daughter. Try your best to give me a grandson as soon as possible."

"Very well, then I shall take my leave." Yue Zhixiao felt an irresistible urge to get closer to Liu Xuening, wondering if his two attempts had yielded any results.

Yue Zhixiao left Yanfu Palace and returned to Xiaowang Mansion.

"Your Highness, this is the wedding dress you will wear on your wedding day tomorrow. Would you like to try it on?"

Zebin took the clothes made by the tailor in the mansion and hung them on the clothes rack for Yue Zhixiao.

"I'm tired, I'm not trying anymore, let's go down."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zebin returned to his room. Ever since he started following Yue Zhixiao, he had always known that there was no way he could have anything with Yue Zhixiao, but tomorrow was Yue Zhixiao's wedding day, and his heart felt like it was being squeezed by something, a dull ache.

Zebin sat blankly in the chair. As Yue Zhixiao's personal bodyguard, he couldn't show any emotion, and he sat there for the whole night.

In the past, Yue Zhixiao would never have taken Liu Youlin seriously, but now that he has made his decision, he needs Liu Youlin's help. Therefore, he still has to give Liu Youlin some face at today's wedding.

Yue Zhixiao, dressed in a wedding robe, wearing a silver crown and a jade pendant, looked quite like a dashing young gentleman as he lightly mounted his horse.

With gongs and drums, and red lanterns leading the way, the wedding procession arrived at its destination amidst a cacophony of music and celebration.

Although the scene didn't look like a prince's wedding at all, it was much better than the scene on the day of the betrothal, and it did save Liu Youlin's face to some extent.

Seeing this scene, Liu Youlin, who was waiting at the door, barely swallowed his anger. Although she didn't receive the treatment of a principal wife, it was still quite difficult for a concubine to be formally married. Just based on the several boxes of things she brought that day, he was really afraid that Yue Zhixiao would come empty-handed today.

"Your subject greets Prince Xiao."

"Father-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. A few days ago, I mentioned that I was too busy to prepare the betrothal gifts, but that's all been done now. I hope you won't take offense."

With a wave of his hand, Yue Zhixiao had over a dozen boxes carried in by servants, one box at a time.

"Your Highness, what are you saying? From now on, we'll be family."

Liu Youlin naturally understood what Yue Zhixiao meant. Moreover, he was right. With this marriage, the emperor would no longer give him important positions. Besides, after all these years, Liu Youlin wasn't stupid. Yue Zhixiao still had some ability, and perhaps one day he could really become the ruler of a country.

Yue Zhixiao smiled gently, a slight curve appearing on his lips. Knowing that Liu Youlin should choose to stand on his side, he was quite sensible.

"One comb, comb to the end; two combs, white hair to the eyebrows; three combs, children and grandchildren all over the ground."

Zhao took a comb and gently combed Liu Xuening's hair.

"Xue Ning, from today onwards, you belong to Prince Xiao. Even if you are unwilling, you can only grit your teeth and swallow your anger. In this life, you can only belong to Prince Xiao."

While combing her hair, Zhao accidentally bumped into Liu Xuening's right shoulder, causing Liu Xuening to twitch violently as if she had been hurt.

Although the scars on Liu Xuening's body have started to scab over in the past few days, they are still very painful for some reason.

This is a poison specially developed by Yan An for Yue Zhixiao. At first, the wounds will slowly heal on the surface, but the pain will not be reduced at all. When her body can no longer hold on, all the wounds on her body will be exposed, and then she can keep Liu Ruyan company.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you? Let me be gentle."

"Madam, Prince Xiao has arrived. The auspicious time has come. Let's put the veil on the young lady's head."

Zhao gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, "On this joyous day, your mother is truly pathetic."

A red veil covered Liu Xuening's face. "My daughter is so beautiful! Alright, let's go!"

Before the dressing table draped in red gauze, a bronze mirror in the shape of a Kui reflects the beauty's image. Adorned with a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, with red lips and white teeth, and a bright red veil, she can conceal the tears streaming down her face, but she cannot conceal the heartache that is entwined like silk threads.

Zhao took Liu Xuening's hand and placed it in Yue Zhixiao's. Liu Xuening felt the warmth of Yue Zhixiao's hand and suddenly felt unable to breathe. Her face under the veil turned pale, and before she could react, she tried to pull her hand away.

Yue Zhixiao sensed Liu Xuening's fear and, just as she was about to pull away, he gripped her hand even tighter. "My good concubine, come home with me."

As he touched Liu Xuening, he could clearly feel his intense desire to tear her apart. Seeing how afraid she was of him, he was overjoyed.

Yue Zhixiao laughed heartily, his cheerful laughter echoing throughout the Liu residence. The people who had come to join in the fun all thought that Yue Zhixiao was so happy because he was marrying Liu Xuening.

"It seems that Prince Xiao and Consort Xiao are truly in love."

"Yes, yes, I think it's because they were deeply in love that they did this. Now that they're married, it's a wonderful thing!"

"The two of them are truly a perfect match, a match made in heaven!"

...

"Consort Xiao? Not bad, it seems the people of the capital have high praise for the two of us."

Yue Zhixiao couldn't control his desires the moment he touched Liu Xuening. Now, he didn't allow Liu Xuening to resist. He grabbed her with both hands, picked her up, and placed her in the sedan chair.

"Lift the sedan chair!"

...

Aside from eating, feeding the horses, and resting, Yan An and the others spent the rest of their time traveling, and finally arrived at the southern branch of Beiming Manor early this morning.

"Master, you've finally arrived."

"This is my sworn sister, and also the owner of Beiming Manor. This is Manager Zhang, who is in charge of the southern border. They are our own people."

Mo Zichen introduced Yan An and Manager Zhang to each other.

"Greetings, Miss."

After Mo Zichen dealt with Mo Yu, Qian Feng called him back. He was even happier to learn that the manor lord was well. As Mo Zichen's father's former subordinate and the manager in charge of the southern branch, he knew more or less about what had happened.

"How are Uncle Xiao and Nianxia?"

"Miss Xu is currently unconscious, and the doctors are at a loss. She is not in immediate danger, but Uncle Xiao's condition is quite serious, and I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left."

"What?"

Upon hearing what Manager Zhang said, Mo Zichen hurriedly ran towards the backyard.

Uncle Xiao was by his father's side even before Mo Zichen was born. You could say that Mo Zichen was raised in Uncle Xiao's arms. Uncle Xiao... can't be hurt!