"Alas! Even if you are unwilling, it is too late, because my father has most likely already sent someone to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to deliver the imperial decree." Ye Jingchen sighed deeply and said in a sympathetic tone.
Xie Chang'an gave up struggling with his facial expression and simply kept a straight face, remaining silent.
Ye Jingchen said nothing more, and the two returned to the East Palace in silence, going to the study together.
After dismissing all the palace servants, Ye Jingchen closed the doors and windows, sat down at his desk, and couldn't help but smile at Xie Chang'an, who was sitting opposite him.
Everything is proceeding according to Xie Chang'an's plan. As long as the emperor announces it at the morning court tomorrow, the matter will be settled.
Xie Chang'an's lips curled up into a smile.
"You're going back to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion soon. Have you thought about how you're going to face your family?" Ye Jingchen asked with a smile.
Xie Chang'an nodded.
“This time you come home, we may not see each other again until our wedding day. Don’t do anything dangerous. I don’t want my bride to marry me with injuries,” Ye Jingchen said to Xie Chang’an with a smile.
He knew that the Zhenguo Duke's family had strict rules, and if Xie Chang'an's actions were discovered by the Old Madam or the Zhenguo Duke, he would definitely be punished according to the family rules. However, he hoped that when Xie Chang'an was punished, he could face it together with him.
"I'll be careful," Xie Chang'an said, his gaze unwilling to leave Ye Jingchen.
He didn't want to be separated from Ye Jingchen; they had never been apart for such a long time since they were children.
But this separation is for the sake of being together forever; even if we don't want to, we have no choice but to part ways.
"The Emperor's decree should have arrived at the Duke of Zhenguo's residence by now. You should go back." After staying in the study for a long time, Ye Jingchen said to Xie Chang'an.
If Xie Chang'an, the person in question, doesn't show up, the old lady might have to go to the palace to meet the emperor.
Before leaving, Xie Chang'an and Ye Jingchen hugged goodbye in a corner of the study. Then Xie Chang'an left the study alone, while Ye Jingchen stayed in the study for a long time before leaving.
The emperor's edict was personally delivered by Zhang Shunde to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. When Xie Chang'an returned home, Zhang Shunde had just finished delivering the edict and they met at the main gate.
Zhang Shunde was hesitating whether to bow to the future Crown Princess when Xie Chang'an strode past him like a gust of wind with a cold face, not even glancing at him.
Since becoming the emperor's chief eunuch, Zhang Shunde had never been treated with such indifference except when facing His Majesty and the Fifth Prince.
But thinking about the imperial edict he had come to proclaim, he felt that Xie Chang'an's attitude was quite normal.
What grown man would willingly become another man's wife? Even in name only, even if his husband is the crown prince, it would be a great disgrace to him!
Xie Chang'an strode into the main hall, where all the elders of the family were gathered. The atmosphere was heavy, and his grandmother was still wiping away tears.
"Oh, our future Crown Princess has finally decided to come back. I thought you had already made the Eastern Palace your home!" Xu Jingjing said sarcastically, her anger rising at the sight of Xie Chang'an.
"How dare you speak like that, Madam Xu? This is His Majesty's decree. You don't care about Chang'an, and you're going to blame him too? You're too heartless as a mother!" The Duchess was still wiping away tears when she heard Xu Jingjing's words and immediately scolded her with a stern face.
Xu Jingjing looked at her mother-in-law, who seemed hesitant to speak. If it weren't for the many people and things involved, she really wanted to tell her mother-in-law everything and let her know how rebellious her precious grandson was!
"Chang'an, even if His Majesty issues an imperial decree, don't worry. Your mother said she would exchange your father's and her military merits for your freedom. If that's not enough, she would even offer the hereditary title of Duke of Zhenguo. Your grandmother would not let you suffer such humiliation!" The Duchess comforted Xie Chang'an with red eyes.
“Grandmother, His Majesty’s decree has been issued. The Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion certainly has the right to disobey the decree, but how can we explain this to the people of the world?”
"His Highness the Crown Prince is marrying a man with a pure Yang birth chart in order to break the curse that keeps the Great Abyss from seeing the sun. Millions of people in the Great Abyss are watching this marriage closely. If the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion refuses, it will not only be refusing His Majesty's decree, but also the hopes of millions of people!"
"In this way, our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion will become the sinners of Dayuan. Can you bear to let the reputation that our ancestors, grandfathers, fathers, mothers and uncles have worked hard to build up over decades be destroyed in an instant?" Xie Chang'an asked in a deep voice.
"Reputation is nothing but an external thing, how can it be more important than your life? There are more than just you in Dayuan with pure Yang in your birth chart, why should you be the one to sacrifice yourself? Four generations of the Duke of Zhenguo's family have devoted themselves to the peace of Dayuan's borders, and this is how His Majesty repays us? I would like to go to the palace and ask His Majesty what the reasoning is!" the Duchess said excitedly.
"Enough! How can a subject presume to repay the emperor's favor? Never again utter such disobedient and rebellious words!" the old lady said sternly.
After reprimanding the Duchess, the old lady looked at Xie Chang'an again. Her eyes were clear and bright, filled only with wisdom that saw through everything.
"Chang'an, you are willing to be the Crown Princess, are you?"
“Grand Ancestor, His Majesty did not give me a choice,” Xie Chang’an said.
"As long as you strive, there will be opportunities. The key is whether you are willing to try," the old lady said, looking at Xie Chang'an.
At this moment, Xie Chang'an felt that the pressure from his ancestor was much greater than that from the emperor.
“Mother, is there even a need to ask? Of course Chang’an wouldn’t agree!” the Duchess hurriedly said.
"I'm asking Chang'an. Chang'an, answer me yourself. Are you willing?" The old lady simply looked at Xie Chang'an and asked.
Xu Jingjing looked at Xie Chang'an with some pity.
That arrogant brat, relying on his extra life, dares to act recklessly and scheme against everyone in the world. He doesn't understand the principle that there are always people more capable than you.
No matter how long he lives, can he live as long as his ancestors?
His little tricks might fool others, but did he really think he could fool the old lady?
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is my only friend, and I am willing!" After staring at the old ancestor for a long time, Xie Chang'an looked away first, not looking at the old ancestor, but his tone was very firm.
"Chang'an, you're confused! No matter how good your relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince is—"
"I understand. I will go to the palace to see His Majesty tomorrow." The old lady interrupted the Duchess before she could finish speaking.
Xie Chang'an's heart tightened immediately, and he hurriedly asked, "Grand Ancestor, why do you still need to go to the palace to see the Emperor?"
"Although your wedding with His Highness the Crown Prince was a reluctant move forced by circumstances, since you are getting married, you must naturally follow the etiquette and rules of marriage. The three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts must not be ambiguous. Naturally, I will have to discuss it with His Majesty." The old lady glanced at the nervous Xie Chang'an and said meaningfully.
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