"It's said to be for... for the eldest son of the Pei family and Hehe..." Tan Yonglin hadn't finished speaking when he felt an invisible pressure. He hadn't expected that the Empress Dowager's repeated bestowals of marriage were aimed at His Majesty.

His Majesty treats Shen Fengmo differently, yet the Empress Dowager wants to bestow Shen Fengmo upon another man. What will His Majesty think of this?

The atmosphere in the study was strange; no one dared to be the first to speak.

Meanwhile, Eunuch Fu, who had come from Cixi Hall with the imperial edict, waited and waited, but no one came out to receive the edict. He was so anxious that he was covered in sweat!

Shen Mingzhuang quickly calmed down. Jiang Wang showed that he valued her, so she had become a human target for Jiang Wang. If the Empress Dowager wanted to attack the Emperor, she would naturally be unable to escape.

She had just returned from seeing Shen Bochun when the Empress Dowager's decree of marriage arrived. She wondered if it was just a coincidence or if there was something else going on.

"go out."

Jiang Wang's tone was flat, yet it carried an air of impending storm. Tan Yonglin quickly stood up and retreated as if granted a pardon. Shen Mingzhuang bowed slightly, preparing to follow him out, but before she could turn around, Jiang Wang stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his embrace.

"Ah..." The sudden feeling of weightlessness made Shen Mingzhuang gasp softly. The eunuchs who were retreating from the study were all stunned for a moment, then smiled knowingly.

It seems that the eldest son of the Pei family will not be able to marry Shen Fengmo, unless he is not afraid of death.

Do you want to marry him?

He knew that the woman he loved had known Pei Jingzhou since childhood and had never lost contact with him over the years. The two had even met in the Imperial Garden a few days ago. Just thinking about it made him want to order Pei Jingzhou to die.

But if I did that, she would probably be heartbroken again. He had already hurt her once, how could he bear to hurt her again?

Jiang Wang tightened his arms involuntarily, as if trying to embed her into his body. Shen Mingzhuang breathed heavily and whispered angrily, "What are you doing? Let me go! I can't breathe!"

Jiang Wang loosened his grip slightly, but showed no intention of letting her leave.

Seeing this, Shen Mingzhuang broke free and turned to leave. She didn't want to marry anyone. Women had to be appendages of men and couldn't live on their own!

She was also somewhat confused. Marrying Pei Jingzhou was originally part of her plan, but after seeing Pei Jingzhou's indecisiveness about her, she regretted it.

What she once longed for but could not obtain has returned to her, but she no longer feels the same urgency as before.

The Empress Dowager arranged her marriage to Pei Jingzhou in order to attack Jiang Wang. In the past, she might have agreed without hesitation, but after spending time together these days, she wavered.

Shen Mingzhuang's mind was in turmoil. If only Jiang Wang weren't so good to her, she could have turned and left without hesitation. But he was no longer just a name; thinking of him brought to mind Jiang Wang's joys and sorrows, his doting expression, the way he jealously asked her to stay and serve him all night, and how he would eagerly bring her anything good...

Those past experiences cannot be erased, and she cannot deny that her feelings for Jiang Wang had changed over time as they spent every day together.

"Don't cry... I'm here."

The girl's long eyelashes trembled, and crystal tears slid down her eyelids. Jiang Wang felt as if a piece of his heart had been ripped out. He tenderly pinched the cuff of his brocade robe and gently wiped away her tears. His somewhat clumsy movements and concerned expression suddenly made her feel much better.

“Jiang Wang…” Shen Mingzhuang pursed her lips, wanting to smile, but her eyes seemed to fall as if a broken string had been cut. She stepped forward and hugged him, facing his feelings for the first time.

She also had feelings for him.

Jiang Wang froze abruptly; the girl's sweet fragrance and soft warmth made him feel somewhat unreal.

After a few breaths, he came to his senses. He gently stroked the girl's back with his large hand, as if coaxing a child, in a slow and rhythmic manner. Shen Mingzhuang smelled the faint scent of pine and cypress emanating from Jiang Wang, which was somewhat bitter, somewhat cold, and somewhat lonely.

It tastes like ginger.

"I don't want to marry Young Master Pei." She spoke with a hint of shyness, tugging at his clothes like a child asking for candy. "How about I stay in the palace to keep you company?"

Perhaps she had already had this idea in her heart, which is why she didn't use the secrets of the study to exchange for a chance to leave when she met her uncle. She believed that as long as her uncle agreed, this matter could definitely be accomplished, and she knew far more than he imagined.

Jiang Wang was very happy, but as an emperor, he was used to not showing his emotions in front of others, and would only reveal his true feelings to his closest and most private people.

He held the person in his arms tightly and took a deep breath. "No, we won't get married."

After saying that, he bent down and picked her up in his arms. Shen Mingzhuang panicked a little when he picked her up, because Jiang Wang was striding towards the bed where they were resting.

“Jiang Wang…”

She buried her head in Jiang Wang's arms, her voice a little nervous.

"Only you in this world are so bold as to call me by my name." Jiang Wangyu said with a smile, but his voice was already a little hoarse. Shen Mingzhuang knew in his heart what might happen next.

She closed her eyes, clinging to his strong arm, not daring to look at Jiang Wang for even a second.

Whether she leaves or stays, it's a desperate gamble. Here, Jiang Wang is the only one who stands by her. She's willing to gamble everything on her lover.

With her clothes removed, the atmosphere in the room gradually rose. The bright yellow dragon-draped bed curtains swayed rhythmically. This was the first time Shen Mingzhuang had been so open with a man in a room. Her heart felt like it was being gnawed by ants, a sour and swollen feeling, her emotions complex and subtle.

Sweat dripped onto her fair skin. She forced herself to look up shyly, only to see that Jiang Wang's ears were red and sweat dripped down his forehead, soaking her skin.

She couldn't help but let out a soft groan, her teeth clenched, and as she stroked the dragon's spine, she said in a trembling voice, "There's no need to endure..."

A hint of heartache flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes, "You won't be able to handle it."

...

Upon learning that his men had gone to the Imperial Study to deliver the imperial decree but had not even seen Shen Fengmo's men, Yin Rong's face darkened, and he twirled the prayer beads in his hand even more frequently.

Aunt Shuangxi quietly went to change the calming incense. "Your Majesty, please calm down. This matter is beyond your control. Perhaps His Majesty has something on his mind to cause this."

Yes, a son is no longer under his mother's control once he grows up. Especially when he's not even her own son!

However, since the imperial decree of marriage had already been issued, if Jiang Wang disobeyed it and forcibly kept Shen Mingzhuang by his side, then she wouldn't blame her for accusing him of being disobedient and unfilial.

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Yin's expression softened slightly. She held her teacup and let out a soft sigh, then asked, "Has there been any movement from the Cold Palace these past few days?"