“In Your Majesty's opinion, what title should be bestowed upon Yan'er?”
Xie Qianmo said casually, "Miss Miao's marriage to Jing'an is not yet settled, is it? Would it be too early to grant her a title now?"
"Besides, an unsettled marriage is bound to have variables!"
The Empress Dowager hastily smoothed things over. "What variables could there be? Yan'er and Jing'an are of similar ages; them being together is a foregone conclusion!"
Xie Qianmo ignored the Empress Dowager and looked at Miao Yan'er. "Miss Miao, I admire you greatly. I will ask you one more time: is Jing'an truly the one you wish to marry?"
Miao Yan'er nodded. "Your Majesty, Yan'er has liked her cousin since childhood. I beg Your Majesty to grant our wish!"
Miao Yan'er trembled all over at this moment!
Was she being impudent by rejecting the Emperor's admiration?
She had heard that the Emperor was a tyrant. Although she hadn't directly acknowledged his affections, she had politely refused him!
She truly feared he might lose his temper and have her beheaded!
The Emperor had certainly not been stingy with executions!
"It is clear Miss Miao is very fond of Jing'an! It seems I am to live the life of a solitary man once more!"
All the women present sighed in their hearts: Your Majesty, you are simply picky. If you truly wished to escape loneliness, you have so many women in your harem, all eager to serve you! Why must you vie for a woman with the Second Prince!
"Your Majesty, you are hardly a solitary man. The women in your harem are all great beauties; as long as you desire them, they are willing to serve you every night!"
"What use is beauty if it lacks an interesting soul? I still won't like it!" Xie Qianmo said this while looking at Miao Yan'er, causing her to lower her head, her face flushed.
She wasn't blushing, merely feeling embarrassed!
What kind of uncle snatched his nephew's woman?
"Since Miss Miao's heart is already taken, I will not force you! However, regarding your marriage to Jing'an...?" Xie Qianmo turned to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager quickly said, "Your Majesty, issue the decree today and finalize their union. We can then select a propitious date for the wedding."
Xie Qianmo said with a hint of grievance, "So soon? Shouldn't we consider it? What if Jing'an disagrees?"
"What does that boy matter? Yan'er is so wonderful; marrying her would be his good fortune!"
Xie Qianmo said with evident reluctance, "Very well! I will issue the decree upon my return!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Miao Yan'er's eyes gleamed with joy.
Her cousin had been avoiding her these past few days!
But thankfully, she would still marry the man she loved in the end!
She believed that as long as she was sincere enough, genuine enough, and treated her cousin well enough, he would eventually come to like her!
Xie Qianmo did not linger.
Having achieved his objective, he soon left Ci'an Palace.
On this day!
Xie Qianmo issued two imperial edicts!
The first edict was sent to Ci'an Palace, conferring upon Miao Yan'er the title of Commandery Princess, and bestowing upon her the name Xi'an! The meaning was clear, derived from Miao Yan'er's affection for Xie Jing'an.
Inside Ci'an Palace, Miao Yan'er was beaming with happiness!
Not only would she marry the man she loved, but she also received the title of Commandery Princess, and the bestowed name Xi'an, which she also cherished deeply!
The second edict was sent to Xie Jing'an's An Tang Palace. The moment Xie Jing'an received the imperial edict of marriage, his heart and body turned cold!
He immediately intended to go out and confront Xie Qianmo!
But how could he contend against more than ten elite guards? As soon as he made a move, he was subdued within minutes!
This news was announced at the morning court the following day!
The civil and military officials of the court offered their congratulations one after another!
Upon hearing this news, Qin Yun felt a sudden sense of relief!
That jinx was finally betrothed!
While Miss Miao was a bit on the plump side, her two encounters with her revealed that Miao Yan'er truly loved that jinx Xie Jing'an deeply!
If Xie Jing'an missed out on Miao Yan'er in this lifetime, he probably wouldn't find another woman who loved him so profoundly!
She believed that after their marriage, Xie Jing'an would slowly discover Miao Yan'er's good qualities.
She also wished Miao Yan'er good fortune, that she would persevere through the mists and see the clouds part.
Qin Yun sincerely blessed the couple in her heart!
She had initially thought that only the marriage between Xie Jing'an and Princess Xi'an would be announced today!
Unexpectedly, Xie Qianmo then looked at the calm Ouyang Siqing.
"Master Ouyang visited me a few days ago and mentioned that the marriage between Lord Ouyang and Miss Shan is already set!"
"The date seems to be in two days!" Xie Qianmo said with a smile.
Ouyang Siqing's wedding was the happiest event for him!
Upon hearing that the wedding was in two days, Ouyang Siqing's face showed no joy; he merely responded with customary polite words.
At this moment, hearing the news of Ouyang Siqing's impending marriage, Qin Yun remained unfazed.
She admitted that she had indeed liked Ouyang Siqing a lot before.
But that was merely liking.
Some people are destined to have fate without a future. Why should she dwell on it?
Time passed quickly.
Two days later!
Ouyang Mansion was filled with festive cheer!
Red lanterns, double happiness stickers, and red carpets adorned the grounds.
Right Prime Minister's Estate!
Shan Xiaoyu rose early to dress and groom herself.
Wearing a wedding crown and a red bridal gown, she appeared even more stunning than usual today.
The thought of her wedding day with Ouyang Siqing filled her face with an irrepressible smile!
She had finally achieved her wish of marrying the man she adored!
"Miss, look at how happy you are! You haven't stopped smiling since you woke up!" a nearby maid teased.
"Today is my wedding day, can I not be happy?" Shan Xiaoyu readily admitted.
"Miss, when the groom arrives later, you must compose yourself a little. If you appear so desperate now, you'll surely scare him!"
Shan Xiaoyu pulled the maid closer and tickled her. "You little imp, how dare you be so impertinent! Let me show you how I'll deal with you!"
"Hahaha, Miss, I'm just speaking the truth. Madam always tells us that a woman should be reserved and not rash!"
"Where am I not reserved? I'm just happy!"
As they chased each other playfully, the room door opened.
Shan Xiaoyu's mother, Madam Yan, entered the room.
Madam Yan, only in her early thirties, was wearing a dark red, lace-trimmed dress today. Already beautiful and graceful for her age, she was now even more radiant.
"You're about to become a married woman, yet you're still so undisciplined!" Madam Yan said sternly.
Shan Xiaoyu and the maid immediately stopped chasing and stood obediently, heads bowed.
"Mother, why have you come?" Shan Xiaoyu asked softly.
Madam Yan looked at the maid. "You may go out now. I have something to say to Miss."
"Yes!"
After the maid left, Madam Yan approached Shan Xiaoyu and took her fair hand. "Time truly flies! In the blink of an eye, Xiaoyu has grown into a young woman. Now that you are about to be married, Mother is truly reluctant to part with you!"
"Mother, your daughter will visit you often!" Shan Xiaoyu embraced Madam Yan.
"After marriage, life is not the same as in your own home. You must be filial to your in-laws, and love your husband dearly! Although you will be a concubine, as long as you hold your husband's heart, you will have a place in the household!"
"I understand, Mother!"
Then, Madam Yan took a small booklet from her sleeve.
"Take this!"
Shan Xiaoyu took it curiously. "Mother, what is this?" she said, preparing to open it.
Madam Yan quickly stopped her. "Don't open it!"
"Mother, then why have you given it to me?"
Madam Yan said awkwardly, "Open it when you are alone. Remember, you must look at this secretly!"