A chilling glint flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes; she probably realized something, but she insisted on asking, her face remaining as calm as still water.

"Since there was a marriage decree, why did no one come to the Shen family to announce it when the marriage was granted?"

Father Gu's face flushed red: "My son was still young at the time... The late Emperor said that my son should choose a suitable person, so the Emperor let my son decide who the woman was. My son admired Miss Shen and had the encouragement of the late Emperor, so he shamelessly asked to marry Miss Shen."

Those present understood immediately and looked at Gu's father with a hint of disdain.

How shameless!

Why did she have to propose marriage so soon, or so late, just when the Shen family was at its peak, and then she was chosen to marry the fourth young lady of the Shen family? What love? She must have been in love with power!

Mr. Gu knew what others thought, but he didn't care.

They also knew that the Empress Dowager at the head of the table was extremely furious.

But the ladder to heaven is right here at home, we can't just let it go to waste!

That was the late emperor's decree, and even the empress dowager had to obey it!

If the Empress Dowager does not acknowledge it, she is handing over her secrets to the old guard like Grand Tutor Gao.

The reason he chose to bring it out now was because he was afraid that after the imperial edict was presented, the Empress Dowager would put it away and change her mind.

Empress Dowager Shen, seated at the head of the table, said indifferently, "Oh? Academician of the Hanlin Academy, check the imperial edicts from the late emperor's time."

The Hanlin Academy scholar quickly cupped his hands in greeting and led several attendants out.

After a long two quarters of an hour, the Hanlin Academy scholar finally returned, carrying a copy of the imperial edict from that year:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the late Emperor did indeed bestow a marriage upon the heir of the Marquis of Ningguo. The current heir of the Marquis of Ningguo is... Gu Yang."

The emperor issued countless imperial edicts, large and small, throughout the year.

Sixteen years ago, the late emperor did indeed bestow a marriage upon the heir of the Marquis of Ningguo, issuing a blank imperial edict. The Hanlin Academy scholar finally began to recall it.

Because the name and wedding date were both blank, which was somewhat unusual, he had a vague recollection of them.

Empress Dowager Shen said, "Oh, since it's true, then obey the decree. Yu Kang, read it."

Everyone present, whether officials or their families, knelt down.

Eunuch Yu stepped forward, took the imperial edict, and began to read it aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Gu Yang, the heir of the Marquis of Ningguo, is both talented and virtuous, and of impeccable character; Shen Manman, the daughter of the Marquis of Dingguo, is gentle, virtuous, beautiful and intelligent. The two are a match made in heaven, and I am delighted. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon them marriage, to be completed on the 26th day of the first month of the fifth year of the Mingxuan reign. There shall be no delay. This is my decree."

Father Gu, his expression excited, said, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

He then raised both hands and took back the imperial edict.

Everyone looked at him, impressed! Some looked at him with disdain, but most were envious, and some even shook their heads.

We got married on the 26th of the first lunar month, and today is Lunar New Year's Eve. There's less than a month left!

They want to finish this quickly!

That's exactly what Gu's father thought.

He feared that if things dragged on too long, the Empress Dowager and the Shen family would devise a plan to punish them.

The New Year is just around the corner, and there's a ton of things to do. After the New Year, there will be another ton of things to do, so that the Shen family and the Empress Dowager won't have time to deal with them.

Moreover, even if they were free to do something, they wouldn't dare to do anything to the Gu family.

So many eyes are watching!

The marriage was just arranged, and the Gu family is already in trouble. Isn't it obvious that the Shen family is behind this?

Although the Empress Dowager seems to be in a stable position now, Grand Tutor Gao and Grand Commandant Zhang have always been resentful of her being a woman in power. They are constantly looking for ways to find fault with her!

Now he was her ready-made leverage, and Grand Tutor Gao and the other man would definitely keep a close eye on him.

If she dares to cause trouble, it will be endless trouble! She might even lose her right to rule from behind the scenes.

Father Gu looked excited, while Gu Yang, standing to the side, had a smug look on his face and glanced at Shen Manman across from him.

Mei was beaming and glanced at Ye Caiping.

Shen Manman is the apple of the Shen family's eye. As long as you keep Shen Manman in your hands, the entire Shen family will treat her with utmost respect.

The peasant woman was a stepmother; if you didn't treat her well, she wouldn't have a good life in the Shen family.

Empress Dowager Shen, sitting at the head of the table, chuckled. What's the big deal about this?

It was just a matter of losing her husband first and then her entire clan being wiped out, it happened little by little.

As long as she's there, no matter if Manman is married for the second, third, or fourth time, she'll be able to marry a wealthy and noble man.

Empress Dowager Shen looked down and smiled, "Where is the heir of the Marquis of Ningguo?"

Gu Yang immediately stood up and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, I have met you. Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Shen raised an eyebrow: "He is indeed a handsome man. Actually, I don't have high requirements for Manman's husband. As long as he is good-looking and has a good character, that's enough. Since it was bestowed by the late emperor, I am naturally happy."

Gu Yang: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your praise."

The Gu family of three was even more delighted.

It seems that the Empress Dowager is still prioritizing the overall situation. No matter how noble Shen Manman is, she is still just a girl. In addition, given that the late emperor had arranged the marriage, the Empress Dowager will swallow this bitter pill in order to consolidate her power.

Mr. Gu breathed a silent sigh of relief, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

He was betting on the Empress Dowager's clear-headedness!

Empress Dowager Shen changed the subject: "Since Manman is getting married, I will give Manman a proper ceremony, Shen Manman."

Shen Manman walked out listlessly.

Empress Dowager Shen said, "Shen Manman of the Marquis of Dingguo's residence is hereby granted the title of Princess Changyi, a first-rank official."

Shen Manman was slightly taken aback, then knelt down to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Gu's father and Gu Yang were even more surprised and delighted. They were even granted the title of Princess, which would make their family even more prestigious!

Grand Tutor Gao and others had no objection to bestowing the title of Princess upon Shen Manman, as it was merely an honorary title.

Empress Dowager Shen smiled and said, "Let the banquet continue."

The musicians nearby immediately continued playing.

Mr. Gu returned to his seat with a beaming smile, and the person sitting next to him quickly raised a wine glass to congratulate him.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!