“Miss Jiang?” Yu Jin smiled, “Alright, you may go. Don’t entertain such thoughts in the future.”
If such a fool had feelings for Asi, he could have crushed him with a single toe. To think he had once been jealous.
“Your subject takes his leave.”
After Xie Yinlou left, Yu Jin instructed the young eunuch, “Bring me the imperial edict from the third shelf of the bookcase. Have the imperial decree officials go to both households to bestow the marriage.”
The young eunuch’s eyes widened in surprise.
His Majesty was moving so quickly, without even consulting the Empress?
Though the young eunuch thought this, he didn’t dare say a word and hurried to make arrangements.
Xie Yinlou returned to his mansion and shut himself in his study, his mind in turmoil.
How did the Emperor learn of his feelings?
If the Emperor knew, then surely Fourth Sister Jiang knew as well.
Jiang Yi was unwilling to marry him, yet the Emperor and Empress knew about this. It would surely bring her much trouble…
An urgent knock came at the door, “My Lord, the imperial decree official has arrived.”
Xie Yinlou was startled and hurried out to receive the edict.
It was an imperial edict bestowing marriage.
Even after the official left, Xie Yinlou still stood holding the edict in a daze.
The Emperor had arranged his marriage to Jiang Yi.
The steward beside him cautiously asked, “My Lord?”
How could the Emperor match a widowed woman with the Marquis? He was worried the Marquis might defy the imperial edict!
Xie Yinlou suddenly stood up and ran out.
At the same time, the Jiang household received the same edict.
Jiang Ancheng glanced at his eldest daughter’s pale face, feeling somewhat heartbroken and more annoyed at his second son-in-law’s presumption, “Yi’er, don’t panic. Even the Emperor can’t force you. I’ll go to the palace right away!”
He would go complain to his youngest daughter!
Jiang Yi hurriedly held Jiang Ancheng back, her voice barely audible, “Father, it’s the Emperor’s decree. Let’s… let’s just accept it…”
“How can we—” Jiang Ancheng was indignant, but suddenly noticed his eldest daughter’s flushed cheeks. He abruptly changed his tone, “Ahem, it wouldn’t be right for the Emperor’s father-in-law to lead in defying an imperial edict. It would put your Fourth Sister in a difficult position. We can only trouble Yi’er then.”
So the Xie boy and his eldest daughter had mutual feelings. How did he not know?
He didn’t know!
Jiang Yi gazed towards the main gate with mixed emotions.
At this moment, the Xie family’s younger brother… no, Xie Yinlou should be just outside the gate, right?
Outside the gate was the bluestone path, long since washed pale by the rain, connecting the two households for many years.
She had never imagined that one day her home would be at both ends of this path.
This time, surely her wishes would be fulfilled?