With the imperial edict in hand, Yue Xiyuan naturally had to return to prepare the betrothal gifts. Marrying Yan An was such a momentous occasion that it had to be done with utmost care. Moreover, during the days when the emperor was in a coma, Yue Xiyuan had already dealt with most of the government affairs, and it was time for him to rest.

These past two days, the Emperor hasn't been preoccupied with court affairs, but he's been exhausted by his upcoming wedding.

The Emperor looked at Yue Xiyuan, who had come and gone in a hurry, and couldn't help but shake his head. "My fourth brother has fallen into Yan An's hands."

The emperor still hasn't realized his own position, as if he wasn't the one begging for mercy every day these past few days.

The Emperor got up to rest for a while longer when he heard Eunuch Wang announce from outside, "Your Majesty, it is time for the morning court session."

"...Come in."

As soon as Yue Xiyuan returned to the manor, he summoned Qin Feng to his study and said, "Qin Feng, go and settle all the assets of the manor and bring me the account books."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Qin Feng didn't know why the prince suddenly wanted to see the account books, so he took all the account books from the accounting office with him.

"Your Highness, these are all the accounts of the Prince's residence. Please take a look."

Yue Xiyuan looked at the numbers in the ledger with a cold expression and a slight frown, as if he was somewhat displeased. "How come there are only these?"

But you know, his son An'an is a little money-loving guy, this is hardly enough for him.

Qin Feng was so frightened that his legs trembled. Wasn't this enough? The land deeds alone were for the most prosperous areas in the capital. All these assets combined were comparable to the national treasury. How could the prince still think it was too little?

The prince truly doesn't know the cost of firewood and rice when he's not in charge of the household...

"Your Highness, because you said that we cannot mistreat our servants, the daily expenses of the Prince's Mansion are a bit higher than those of other mansions."

Seeing that his master's displeasure hadn't eased much, Qin Feng felt uneasy and at a loss: Would the prince send him to the training grounds...?

"Didn't Linglong Pavilion, Xianrenzui, and Yirenxiao generate any revenue?"

"Your Highness, we do have quite a few Linglong Pavilion, Xianrenzui, and Yirenxiao, but they are all used to maintain the Dark Pavilion and to recruit soldiers, train troops, and pay military salaries for the court."

Under Yue Xiyuan's uncontrollable rage, Qin Feng dared not move. He knew that the prince's sudden inquiry about the accounts today was no good. Who could save him...?

"Oh, is that so... Then organize all the entries in these ledgers, and pack all the precious medicinal herbs from Linglong Pavilion together. When An'an comes of age, accompany me to propose marriage."

Although these valuables are insignificant, An'an should be very interested in the medicinal herbs from Linglong Pavilion, so she can take them all.

"Your subordinate obeys." Qin Feng nodded blankly, then suddenly remembered what Yue Xiyuan had said, "Does Your Highness mean that the Prince's residence is going to hold a celebration? Is Your Highness going to get married?"

At this moment, every hair on Qin Feng's body throbbed with triumphant joy. If it weren't for the coldness between Yue Xiyuan's brows, he would have been so happy that he would have been doing somersaults on the ground.

Looking at Qin Feng, who seemed so happy, as if he were the one about to get married, Yue Xiyuan said calmly, "You seem very happy?"

Qin Feng had been by Yue Xiyuan's side since childhood, and he understood his temper. He should just say more good things about the princess.

"I am naturally delighted that Your Highness will soon be able to marry Your Highness. I wish Your Highness and Your Highness a lifetime of love and happiness together."

Yue Xiyuan's brows were filled with boundless joy, and his bright eyes sparkled with ecstatic light. He was finally going to marry An'an. "Pass down the order: everyone's monthly salary will be doubled."

"Yes, Your Highness." Now that the prince is getting married, he has become more and more humane. What if the entire Regent's Palace is packed up? For their happy life, they would even give the Linglong Pavilion to the princess.

For a time, Yan An's prestige in the Regent's Palace was comparable to that of Yue Xiyuan, and all the servants were just as eager for Yan An to come and become their mistress as Yue Xiyuan.

After the morning court session, news of the Regent's wedding on June 26th spread throughout the capital. People on the streets praised the Regent and Princess Yue'an as a match made in heaven.

In Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager and Jiang Luo savored the Tianshan Snow Green wine that Yan An had given to the Empress Dowager. "This fourth prince is becoming more and more to my liking. Sister Luo, from now on, we sisters will be in-laws."

"Ran's sister-in-law?"

"Oh, Luo's mother-in-law."

"Hahahaha..." Joyful laughter echoed throughout the Shou Kang Palace, bringing happiness and pleasure to everyone.

"What has made Aunt and Mother so happy?" Yan An was wearing a translucent purple pleated skirt and a light purple gauze shawl. Her shoulders were like those of a sculpted figure, her waist was slender, her skin was like solidified cream, and her fragrance was like a delicate orchid.

"An'an doesn't know yet?" The Empress Dowager looked puzzled. The Fourth Prince clearly said that he would ask Yan'an's opinion before making any plans. Could something have gone wrong?

What is it that you're talking about, Aunt?

"This morning at court, the Emperor issued an edict bestowing a marriage upon you and the Fourth Prince, with the wedding date set for June 26th. An'an, were you unaware of this?"

The Empress Dowager was getting anxious. If An'an didn't know this was happening in front of Luo Meimei, wouldn't this be a slap in her face and an attempt to make An'an angry?

“Oh… Aunt and Mother were talking about this, An’an knows.”

The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that you know, it's good that you know." But she was terrified. "If the fourth prince bullies you, just tell me, and I'll teach him a lesson for you."

"Don't worry, Auntie, Yue Xiyuan treats me very well."

"That's good, that's good. After you and Lao Si get married, there's no need to rush to have children. You're still young, so play for a few years first. If you want to hold a child, just urge Yanan and Lao Si to have one."

The Empress Dowager pulled Yan An to her side. Jiang Luo sat on her right, and the Empress Dowager sat on her left. "An'an, your aunt is right. Don't rush things, child. Giving birth is no small matter, as you know. We can't be careless."

"Yes, yes, no! Girls are shy after all. We can't just tell An'an about this. We also need to tell the fourth brother. Rong Mama, go and call the fourth brother over to me."

"This old servant obeys the order."

Just as Granny Rong was about to go find Yue Xiyuan, Yue Xiyuan happened to be walking towards Shou Kang Palace. "Greetings, Regent. The Empress Dowager is about to send this old servant to summon the Regent."

Seeing that Yue Xiyuan had arrived so quickly, Yan An assumed that Yue Xiyuan had come straight to Shou Kang Palace and happened to run into Granny Rong. "Why are you here?"

“The servants at the Yan residence told me you had entered the palace, so I guessed you had come here and came over.”

As they spoke, the Emperor, leading Gu Yanan, arrived at Shou Kang Palace.

"Sister Ya Nan, you're here too. Have you been working yourself to the bone these past few days? You look so tired."

Yan An looked at Gu Yanan's indifferent expression, wondering if she would be like this on her wedding day. Was it too late to back out now...?

Little did they know that Gu Yanan was thinking the same thing. However, since Gu Yanan had already said it aloud, the Emperor punished her for a long time in a way that was self-evident. Sure enough, a lifelong single dog like Gu Yanan was not to be trifled with. Gu Yanan naturally surrendered and admitted defeat.