Just as Zhang Wan handed half of the jade pendant to Zhao Zhi, Zhao Yun rushed over in a huff.
"Mother, you're being unfair!" she angrily pointed at Zhang Wan.
Zhang Wan angrily rebuked, "What kind of behavior is this, shouting and yelling like that!"
Zhao Yun plopped down on a chair nearby, feeling wronged, and said that she had just encountered Baozhu, who must have brought some kind of treasure to Lanfang Courtyard.
"My mother has never given me anything!" she said, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice filled with grievance.
"Sister, this is just half a jade pendant, nothing special. If you like it, I'll give it to you." Zhao Zhi said, about to give the half jade pendant to Zhao Yun.
"No!" Zhang Wan shouted angrily. "That's you. Your sworn brother asked me to give it to you," she hurriedly explained.
"Oh." Zhao Zhi carefully put the jade pendant away again, then turned to Zhao Yun and said, "Sister, if you like the jade pendant, I'll accompany you to Baozhenlou—"
Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Yun interrupted her, "Zhao Zhi, I finally see you for who you are. I don't know what tricks you used to fool Mother and Father. I don't have your abilities. You have Prince Rui as your fiancé and Young Master Cui as your sworn brother. What are you showing off in front of me?"
Zhao Yun snorted coldly, "Father has already resigned from his official post, and you've been jilted by Prince Rui. Let's see who will marry you in the future! We'll see!"
After saying that, she got up and left.
Zhang Wan was so angry with her that she almost fainted.
Zhao Zhi helped her calm down, "Sister just can't accept Father's resignation all at once. What she said just now was just said in anger. Mother, don't take it to heart, and I didn't take it to heart either."
Zhang Wan held her hand with relief and said with emotion, "If only Yun'er were half as sensible as you."
Zhao Yun, who had just reached the door, overheard these words and became even more furious.
Yu Ming, clutching her swollen cheek, followed cautiously behind her, no longer daring to offer any more advice. She felt that her young mistress's personality was becoming increasingly eccentric.
After Zhao Yun left, Zhang Wan told Zhao Zhi the origin of the jade pendant.
"The half you hold is called Qingxuan, and the half that Young Master Cui holds is called Zhuju... As for the details, I don't know. Perhaps you can find out when you go to Yunchao this time. But, Zhizhi, I'm worried about whether your body can handle it."
Zhang Wan then mentioned that she planned to settle in Chaoyang County, far away from Lingyang, thinking that since Zhao Zhi was unfamiliar with the area, she could give birth to the child in peace.
But now, Zhao Zhi has changed her mind.
To be precise, it was a piece of news that Cui Shenghe received that changed her mind.
After Cui Mi learned of Zhao Zhi's identity that day, she secretly returned to Yun Dynasty. Not long ago, she sent someone with a message saying that the emperor of Yun Dynasty intended to marry the eldest princess of Da Xuan Dynasty.
Cui Mi's plan was to poison the princess at Yun Shu's wedding, thereby provoking a war between Da Xuan and Yun Chao, and then reap the benefits.
Cui Mi did not know that Princess Zhao Chunhua was her niece Zhao Zhi, but Cui Shenghe did.
He immediately told Zhao Zhi the news.
“The child is Shen Hanshan’s; why don’t you marry Prince Rui?” This was Cui Shenghe’s suggestion to Zhao Zhi.
Zhao Zhi thought about it for two days and felt that the suggestion was feasible.
Before Yun Chao proposed to marry the eldest princess, she asked her brother, the emperor, to bestow a marriage upon her and Shen Hanshan.
The following day, in the imperial study, Zhao Yi listened to Zhao Zhi's plan, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Is this news true?"
“Your Majesty, I have reliable sources, and this news is 90% true.” Zhao Zhi bowed gracefully. “To be honest, Your Majesty, I am actually carrying Prince Rui’s child.”
Zhao Yi stared at Zhao Zhi in shock.
Zhao Zhi sighed and, to make a long story short, recounted the twists of fate that led to her and Shen Hanshan's meeting. "However, Your Majesty, I hope you can help me keep this a secret. I don't want Shen Hanshan to know my identity as the Eldest Princess."
Seeing the playfulness and cunning in her eyes, Zhao Yi guessed that she probably had other plans, so he nodded and agreed to the matter.
The next day, in the Golden Palace, Li An suddenly stepped forward, his shrill voice suddenly ringing out in the hall.
"Prince Rui, receive the imperial decree—"
Shen Hanshan was unaware of what had happened, so he had no choice but to step forward, prostrate himself on the ground, and kneel to receive the imperial decree.
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
My younger sister, Princess Chaoyang, is dignified, virtuous, talented, intelligent, and wise, and is deeply loved by me. Now that she has come of age, it is time for her to choose a good husband and form a harmonious union.
I have heard that Prince Rui, Shen Hanshan, is of noble character, exceptionally talented, and loyal to the country, truly a model for the imperial family. I deeply feel that the two are well-matched in character and appearance, and are a perfect match. Therefore, I hereby issue this edict to marry Princess Chaoyang to Prince Rui, Shen Hanshan.
I hereby order the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Household Department, and other relevant departments to begin preparations for the wedding immediately, ensuring it is solemn and elegant, reflecting the dignity of the imperial family, and also embodying the harmonious and happy union of the princess and Prince Rui.
After Princess Chaoyang's marriage, she remains a treasure of the royal family. Prince Rui, Shen Hanshan, should treat her with sincerity. The couple should be deeply in love, jointly safeguard their family and country, and enjoy lasting blessings.
So be it!
"Prince Rui, quickly receive the imperial decree!"
It wasn't until a colleague reminded him that Shen Hanshan seemed to wake from a dream, suddenly reacting, stepping forward, taking the imperial edict in his hand, and loudly proclaiming, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
As soon as he left the court, his colleagues congratulated Shen Hanshan and surrounded him.
"Congratulations, Prince Rui! Fortunately, you broke off your engagement with Zhao Shouzhen's second daughter. Otherwise, you wouldn't have had to marry the princess, would you?"
"Congratulations, Prince Rui! From now on, you are a true member of the imperial family!"
Hearing these hypocritical words, Shen Hanshan was furious. He took the imperial edict and went straight to the imperial study.
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