"You reminded me, Duan Hai. Very well, I will help you," Consort Yun said.
Yun Duan Hai unfolded the imperial edict and wrote Xue Zi Ning's name. As he finished, he felt his face flush, burning hot.
Looking at the name Xue Zi Ning, Consort Yun found it familiar but could not recall where she had heard it for a moment.
She assumed there must be someone else with the same name.
Consort Yun sent the imperial edict for the arranged marriage to the Ministry of Rites for issuance, as it was an imperial decree.
The imperial edict arrived at Anning Palace. Xue Zi Ning and Rong Cui knelt to receive it. "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees... Yun Duan Hai, the heir of Duke Yun's estate, and Xue Zi Ning are destined for each other. Henceforth, a marriage alliance is granted."
Rong Cui was startled. An imperial edict for an arranged marriage?
Xue Zi Ning's gaze shifted slightly. She feigned great surprise. "An arranged marriage?"
"Miss Xue, are you not going to receive the decree?" the official from the Ministry of Rites inquired.
"No, this is impossible," Rong Cui shook her head.
The eunuch heard this and looked coldly at Rong Cui. "What, are you saying the imperial edict issued by the Ministry of Rites is fake? Aunt Rong Cui, you will have to take responsibility for your words."
Rong Cui was taken aback and quickly explained, "This servant did not mean that, it's just..."
"Whatever you mean, if you have doubts, go speak to the people at the Ministry of Rites. This eunuch is only here to read it."
Handing the imperial edict to Xue Zi Ning, the eunuch departed.
Rong Cui helped Xue Zi Ning up and said, "Your Majesty, this servant has some matters to attend to and needs to leave for a moment."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Alright." She knew Rong Cui would likely go to inform Prince An.
Although she didn't know how Yun Duan Hai obtained this imperial edict, it certainly wasn't given by Prince An willingly.
"A Ning..."
She looked up and saw Yun Duan Hai rushing over. "Young Master Yun..."
Before she could finish speaking, Yun Duan Hai stepped forward and took her wrist, saying, "Come with me..."
After a few steps, Yun Duan Hai realized in his haste that he had touched her hand.
He quickly let go and explained, "I... I did not intend to offend you..."
"Where are we going?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Yun Duan Hai replied, "Outside the palace, I have prepared a carriage. Get into the carriage. The driver is very familiar with An Cheng. He can take you away from An Cheng tonight."
Xue Zi Ning was stunned. She looked up at Yun Duan Hai, his eyes brighter than ever at this moment. "Young Master Yun, how can I thank you?"
Yun Duan Hai smiled. "I did this willingly, you don't need to thank me."
Xue Zi Ning was about to speak again when Yun Duan Hai interrupted her. "Hurry, if we delay any longer, we won't be able to leave."
"If I leave, what about you?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Yun Duan Hai feigned nonchalance. "My aunt is Consort Yun. His Majesty dotes on her greatly. My aunt will surely protect my life, so you don't need to worry about my safety. Besides, the imperial edict was truly given to me by His Majesty. Your safe departure is what's most important now."
Xue Zi Ning thought about it and agreed. Consort Yun was so favored; Yun Duan Hai should be fine.
With Yun Duan Hai's guidance, she successfully left the palace and indeed saw the carriage not far away.
Yun Duan Hai said, "Hurry and go!"
Xue Zi Ning looked at him and said, "Thank you, Young Master Yun. I will always remember your life-saving kindness. My grievances with An Ping are now settled. When I return to the capital, I will let her go."
Yun Duan Hai was stunned. "You..."
"I know you know my identity. This is my promise to you."
Yun Duan Hai knelt on the ground with a thud. "This subject bids farewell to Your Majesty!"
Be sure to take care!
Farewell, the dream he once held!
Watching the figure enter the carriage and the carriage drive away, he kowtowed once. Standing up, he saw two guards approaching him. One of the guards cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Yun, under His Majesty's orders, we are here to apprehend you."
Yun Duan Hai showed no resistance and extended his hands. "Let's go!"
In Anping Palace, Prince An, in a rage, grabbed Consort Yun's hair. "Is this your doing?"
Consort Yun looked desperate. She never imagined that the person who had set her up was her own nephew.
"Your Majesty, please spare the Consort. The Consort was completely unaware," Madam Duke Yun pleaded, quickly kneeling to beg for mercy.
Prince An glared at Madam Duke Yun and said coldly, "If not her, then who?"
"It was me..." a voice came from outside the door.
Madam Duke Yun trembled all over and looked behind her. She saw her son walking in step by step. She almost fainted from anger. Why had he returned?
"You've returned? Good, good..." Prince An shoved Consort Yun aside and went before Yun Duan Hai, striking him.
Yun Duan Hai's face was slapped askew, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "Your Majesty, don't hit him. He's just a child who doesn't know any better... Direct your anger at this consort. I beg you..."
Madam Duke Yun scrambled forward, begging for mercy and kowtowing.
Prince An, impatient, kicked Madam Duke Yun in the shoulder with enough force to send the Duchess flying to the side.
"Your Majesty, I did everything. I take full responsibility. Why do you have to take it out on Consort Yun and my mother?" Yun Duan Hai said indignantly.
"Fine, fine. Then I'll have you dragged out and beheaded," Prince An roared.
Upon hearing this, Yun Duan Hai suddenly laughed. Prince An frowned, growing even more furious. "What are you laughing at?"
"You gave me the imperial edict, and you also told me to write it myself. You never said I couldn't write anyone's name. Are you going back on your word now?" Yun Duan Hai asked, word by word.
Prince An was furious. "You dare to say you did it on purpose?"
Yun Duan Hai, hearing this, looked up at Prince An and said, word by word, "Then I ask you, is the imperial edict real or fake?"
Prince An gritted his teeth, enraged. "Yun Duan Hai, do you wish to die?"
Yun Duan Hai laughed heartily. "You didn't want me to live either, did you? After all..."
He suddenly leaned closer and whispered, "I know you are holding the Empress captive. Your Majesty, are you planning to rebel?"
Prince An sneered. "Are you sure you want to say that? Not only is your aunt here, but your mother is too."
Yun Duan Hai shook his head. "If I wanted to say it, I would have said it long ago. By trading my own life, what about my aunt and my mother?"
Prince An looked at Yun Duan Hai, recalling that this Yun Duan Hai used to be a dissolute young man. How had he become so different after these few years?
"Agreed," Prince An said.
No one was allowed to know that Xue Zi Ning was in An Cheng.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yun Duan Hai said.
Prince An waved his hand. "Yun Duan Hai has committed treason and rebellion, his crime is unforgivable. Drag him out and behead him."
Madam Duke Yun fainted upon hearing this.
Consort Yun shook her head, crawled over, grabbed a corner of Prince An's robe, and cried, shaking her head. "Your Majesty, I beg you to show mercy. We watched Duan Hai grow up from a child. What courage would he have to commit treason? I beg you..."
Prince An squatted down, looked at Consort Yun, and said coldly, "He is willing to die for all of you."
"Duan Hai..." Consort Yun looked up at Yun Duan Hai.
"Aunt, please take good care of mother and father for me. I will repay your kindness of nurturing me in the future." Yun Duan Hai said.
"No..." Consort Yun cried out loudly.
"Drag him out..." Prince An waved his hand, and two guards entered, dragging Yun Duan Hai out.