"Half...months?" Wei Shuwan looked at Li Qingchen in shock, and for the first time, she also saw a deep sadness in his eyes that was beyond her control.
She lowered her head silently, feeling somewhat guilty. So today's actions not only failed to save Sister Pan, but also aroused suspicion from Awuge and the Emperor, accelerating the progress of the marriage alliance, which was four months earlier than in her previous life.
"Furthermore, Consort Wen also said that she had tried to see Pan Wenjun, but the Emperor had explicitly forbidden it. Now, no one can enter the palace where Pan Wenjun lives except for the matrons who teach her court etiquette." Li Qingchen simply told her the other disappointing news as well.
Wei Shuwan was even more desperate now: "So, so there's absolutely no way out?"
Li Qingchen was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "That's not the case. In fact, we still have one more chance."
Wei Shuwan suddenly looked up at him: "When?"
"When sending off the bride."
...
With the situation changing so drastically, Sun Xingjian couldn't remain calm and returned to the Wei family. After returning from Li Qingchen's place, Wei Shuwan found Sun Xingjian anxiously waiting at Fuquxuan.
"uncle……"
"Shuwan, what exactly is going on?"
So far, Sun Xingjian has only heard that the Emperor has issued an edict to bestow honors and to bring Pan Wenjun into the palace, but he does not know how things have progressed to this point, so he is extremely anxious at this moment.
Wei Shuwan first asked Sun Xingjian to sit down, and then told him everything that had happened that day. At the end, she lowered her head and said with some guilt, "Uncle, it's all my fault for not thinking things through."
Even though Sun Xingjian was extremely upset, he still comforted her, saying, "How can you blame yourself... Who could have predicted that those barbarian dogs would be monitoring Wenjun's movements all along..."
Wei Shuwan still felt a little sad. She was the one who first came up with the idea of helping Pan Wenjun escape her arranged marriage. She had personally brought together Pan's sister and uncle, and she even had the advantage of living an extra life. Yet, she still failed and couldn't rescue the person successfully.
Thinking that Pan Wenjun would be married off to the Ziyi Kingdom in half a month, Sun Xingjian finally couldn't help but bury his face in his hands and press his hands against the table. He didn't make a sound, but Wei Shuwan knew he must be crying.
Seeing her uncle's devastated state, Wei Shuwan added, "However, this matter is not yet settled. Li Qingchen said that when Sister Pan gets married in half a month, it will be our last chance to make a move again."
Upon hearing this, Sun Xingjian finally found a glimmer of hope and raised his head: "Yes, that's a good opportunity. I'll personally go and kidnap the bride!"
"No, Uncle, you can't kidnap the bride."
Why?
"Because Li Qingchen means that you should ask the Emperor for permission to take on the task of escorting the bride this time," Wei Shuwan explained softly.
Sun Xingjian suddenly realized, "Yes, how could I not have thought of that! This way we can coordinate from the inside and outside!" And he would also have the opportunity to accompany Pan Wenjun all the way.
This idea rekindled Sun Xingjian's hope and fighting spirit, and he immediately got up and made to go out.
"Where is Uncle going?"
"I will go to the palace immediately to see the Emperor and beg him to allow me to escort the princess to a marriage alliance!"
"But it's already early evening, the palace gates have been locked..."
Reminded by Wei Shuwan, Sun Xingjian finally realized what was happening. He chuckled self-deprecatingly, scratching his head, and said, "I... I was just confused by my concern. I lost my mind."
Wei Shuwan smiled along with him and advised, "Even if it's tomorrow, Uncle, you shouldn't go yet. Sister Pan was just brought into the palace today, and you are a former subordinate of Pan Jieshi. If you rush to ask for permission, it will inevitably arouse the Emperor's suspicion. Li Qingchen said he has his own way of persuading the Emperor to agree to this matter, so it's better for you not to show your face."
Sun Xingjian thought about it briefly and agreed that this arrangement was indeed more appropriate. He sighed and said, "Last time, when the Protector-General and I pleaded with the Emperor to rescind the imperial decree, the young prince stood by and reprimanded Pan Jieshi and me on the Emperor's behalf. At that time, I was still a little angry, but now it seems that he knows how to handle people. Knowing that the Emperor would not agree at the time, he simply stood on the Emperor's side to make a good impression. He can then help me plead with the Emperor, and the Emperor will not doubt his intentions."
Sun Xingjian's words clearly conveyed approval. Wei Shuwan smiled faintly, her gaze unfocused as she looked out the window: "That's just how he is."
Sun Xingjian snapped out of his daze and glanced at his niece. He was happy for her; with such a husband, both his sister and he, as her uncle, were relieved.
Next, Sun Xingjian and Wei Shuwan looked forward to Li Qingchen's visit to the palace to meet the emperor and finalize the marriage arrangements as soon as possible, since there were only fifteen days left.
But Li Qingchen remained calm and didn't rush to enter the palace. He was waiting for the emperor to summon him.
The less anxious he is, the less the emperor will suspect him, and the more weight his words will carry.
Sure enough, on the fifth day, Emperor Pingjia summoned Li Qingchen to the palace.
The marriage of the princess was arranged hastily and with limited time, but many old customs could not be omitted. Therefore, the palace had been making preparations intensively for the past few days. Emperor Pingjia summoned Li Qingchen at this time to ask him who would be the best person to send to escort the princess.
Emperor Pingjia gave two candidates: Du Chong, Vice Minister of Rites, and Zhang Zhe, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. In the past few days, he had consulted many people in the court, and their opinions were divided. The two sides were evenly matched. Today, he summoned Minister Li to the palace to hear his opinion.
After thinking about it carefully, Li Qingchen replied, "Father, I think neither Vice Minister Du nor Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies is suitable."
This answer surprised Emperor Pingjia quite a bit. "Oh, why?"
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