Looking at the bright yellow imperial edict and noticing the subtle glint in Xiao Yan's eyes, Shen Qiyin began to make some guesses.
Her lips parted slightly, and she was about to speak when a voice rang out before she could.
"Xiao Yan".
Princess Shouchang stepped forward, her eyes shining as she looked at him, her radiant smile a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor when facing Shen Xiyin.
Shen Qiyin stood right in front of Xiao Yan. Due to the distance, she could clearly see that his face darkened the moment Princess Shouchang's voice rang out, and he visibly became displeased.
He turned to Princess Shouchang, Yuanzi, and gave a slight bow as a greeting.
Yuan Zi wasn't annoyed; she just looked at him with bright, sparkling eyes.
“I came to find you as soon as I returned to the capital.” Yuan Zi said, reaching out her hand as if to take his arm.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan immediately took a large step back, increasing the distance between them.
He even reached out and pulled Shen Qiyin over when he saw her still standing there in a daze.
Yuan Zi's face turned green upon seeing this.
But Xiao Yan acted as if he hadn't seen it, and said, "I hope the princess will respect herself. I am a married man now, and I beg the princess not to ruin my reputation."
His simple sentence stunned everyone present.
Chen Bao thought to himself, reputation? When have his family ever cared about that?
On another note, didn't you just hold Miss Shen's hand? Weren't you worried about ruining your reputation then?
The difference is that Yuan Zi focuses on the first half of Xiao Yan's sentence.
"Family?!" She frowned, both shocked and angry: "You've already gotten married while I was away from the capital?"
That's impossible! How come she didn't get any news about something this big?
Xiao Yan: "We're not married yet, but..."
He raised his hand, allowing Yuan Zi to clearly see the imperial edict he held.
Then, he continued slowly, "Soon."
Yuan Zi snatched the imperial edict from his hand and read it word by word from beginning to end. The expression on her face changed from initial shock to anger.
—Heaven, in its benevolence, has brought about the union of all. Now, the daughter of the Shen family, respectful and compliant, is to be promoted to a higher position, her virtue shining forth. She is of virtuous character, and conducts herself with prudence and caution. Gentle and virtuous, she possesses a subtle and tender nature, her gentle wisdom and righteous beauty radiating from her very being. Therefore, she is hereby betrothed to Xiao Yan, the heir apparent of the Duke of Ningguo. The officials hereby decree an auspicious day for this marriage, so that we may enjoy a harmonious union and find solace in Your Majesty's heart.
“The daughter of the Shen family, the daughter of the Shen family…” Yuan Zi kept repeating these words. After a moment, she suddenly looked up and glared at Shen Qiyin: “It’s you! The person Father bestowed the marriage upon is you, isn’t that right?”
“Right… right?” Shen Qiyin wasn’t sure either, since her name wasn’t written on the imperial edict.
She looked at Xiao Yan as if seeking confirmation, while the latter rubbed his fingers, wanting to flick her on the head and then ask her, who else could it be but her!
Yuan Zi looked on in disbelief: "How could this be? Why would Father bestow a marriage upon you?"
"She's just a commoner girl, how could she be worthy of you!"
“I am a princess of a nation. In terms of family background and status, I am more worthy of you. Why did you choose her alone?”
Yuan Zi, Chen Bao, and even Shen Qiyin all thought that Xiao Yan would say that he wanted to marry Shen Qiyin because he liked her as a person and didn't care about her status at all, or something like that.
Who knew—
The young master seemed to think for a moment, then replied with a serious expression, "She's beautiful, and I like beautiful people."
"What a joke!" Yuan Zi scoffed. "Am I not beautiful?"
"Um."
"..."
Yuan Zi was almost furious.
She was about to speak again when Xiao Yan suddenly said meaningfully, "Didn't His Majesty warn the princess to stay far away from me?"
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