"I do." Yan Zhao blurted out without hesitation.
He thought about it in his dreams.
Xue Zining turned to look at him. She saw that on her beautiful and refined face, her eyes were exceptionally clear, like a mountain spring that had accidentally entered the forest, so transparent and pure.
She turned her head, knowing she would soon leave this place. This marriage was likely her compensation to him.
"Yan Zhao, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?"
Yan Zhao was slightly stunned. "Unfulfilled wishes?"
"Yes," Xue Zining said.
Yan Zhao's eyes flickered with panic, and he looked away. "To be able to marry Your Highness is my wish."
"Your wish will soon be fulfilled."
Yan Zhao lowered his gaze. Being able to caress Her Highness's face was also his wish.
But he could not say such a thing.
On the palace walls of the Imperial Palace stood two women. "Now that you see this, you are still unmoved?"
"Xue Changan, you brought me here just to show me this?" Xue Changyi tilted her head and looked at Xue Changan.
Xue Changan chuckled softly. "I show you this to tell you that your enemy is not me."
"Xue Changan, you don't need to tell me these things. Xue Changning is not my enemy either."
Although Xue Changning was the Empress's legitimate daughter, she was not the legitimate son. Even if she was favored, what of it?
It was merely the Emperor's favor to the Empress. In truth, she and Xue Changan were the enemies.
After all, Xue Changan had the Third Prince, her imperial brother, while she had Prince Jing, her imperial brother. This struggle for the throne was a struggle between Prince Jing and the Third Prince, and it was also a struggle between her and Xue Changan.
Therefore, securing the support of the Sun family, which was the Empress's support, would make it easy for her to get what she wanted once her imperial brother ascended the throne.
In fact, she did not particularly like Yan Zhao. It was just unwillingness, but now even that unwillingness was gone.
There were so many men; why fight desperately for one? She did not need to.
"Xue Changyi, you don't think that you and I are enemies, do you?" Xue Changan turned to look at Xue Changyi.
Xue Changyi chuckled softly. "I wouldn't dare. If Imperial Sister says so, it seems you regard me as a hypothetical enemy."
Xue Changan frowned, then sneered. "I never knew Changyi was so sharp-tongued."
"Thank you for your praise, Imperial Sister," Xue Changyi said with a forced smile.
In fact, Xue Changan was the one who had truly snatched away her man. Hua Yunjin was the only man she had ever liked, but now Hua Yunjin had been taken by her.
And now she was standing here speaking such righteous words, it made her feel somewhat nauseated.
Seeing that Xue Changyi was not listening at all, Xue Changan found it tiresome and turned to leave.
"Imperial Sister isn't going to stay here and enjoy the breeze?" Xue Changyi asked from behind her.
"No need," Xue Changan said coldly.
Xue Changyi looked at Xue Changan's retreating figure and sneered. To try to sow discord between her and Changning, she underestimated her too much. To reap the benefits of their conflict, she would never let Xue Changan succeed.
She was no longer as foolish as before. If she wanted to use her, she had to agree.
When Xue Changyi returned to Shu Palace, Consort Yi informed her that her father had agreed to the marriage. Perhaps feeling guilty, he had bestowed a generous dowry, which would be her foundation when she went to the Sun family.
"Changyi, Mother Consort knows that you are doing all this for your imperial brother. Rest assured, your imperial brother will not disappoint you. By then, you will be the most esteemed Princess in this Wasteland," Consort Yi said word by word.
She saw all the sacrifices her daughter had made.
But she was also helpless. After all, Prince Jing needed such support. Her family did not have the same influence as Noble Consort Yan's family. Since her family could not help much, she could only let her daughter make sacrifices.
"Mother Consort, please don't say that. When I marry into the Sun family, my word will be law. Moreover, I have the Empress Dowager's care. I will not live poorly. I also heard that Young Master Sun is elegant and well-mannered. Where can I find such a consort?"
Consort Yi heard this and shed tears. "You... you could have had better."
"Mother Consort, please don't say that. This is quite good, and it can help my imperial brother."
Consort Yi nodded. "Changyi, rest assured, your imperial brother will be your support in your future lives."
"Mother Consort, please stop crying. This is a joyous occasion, don't be so sad. If others see this, they will think Shu Palace is displeased with this marriage."
Consort Yi quickly wiped away her tears. "What you say is correct."
"Mother Consort, I'll go to Father Emperor and the Empress Dowager to express my gratitude," Xue Changyi said.
Consort Yi nodded. "You should. Go!"
The Emperor of the Wasteland summoned the Sun family in the Imperial Study. Xue Changyi turned and went to Feng Palace to thank the Empress.
Xue Changyi was led in by the head palace maid beside the Empress. This was one of the few places she had visited before.
"Changyi pays her respects to the Empress Dowager," Xue Changyi curtsied.
"Changyi, come here quickly," the Empress said.
Xue Changyi rose and walked to the Empress's side. Only then did she notice a woman sitting beside the Empress. She guessed that this must be the matriarch of the Sun family.
Indeed, as she approached, the Empress spoke. "This is your mother-in-law from now on."
Xue Changyi curtsied slightly. "Greetings, Madam Sun."
Madam Sun quickly stood up and said, "Your Highness honors this humble woman. It is I who should be paying my respects to you."
Xue Changyi smiled and helped Madam Sun up. "Madam Sun, we are family now, so it is proper for me to pay my respects to you."
Madam Sun smiled. "Your Highness is truly kind. Empress Dowager, I have some matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave."
The Empress nodded. Madam Sun cast a glance at Xue Changyi and left with satisfaction.
Now, only Xue Changyi and the Empress remained.
The Empress pointed to the seat beside her. "Sit down."
Xue Changyi sat down. The Empress sized her up. "Although Zihan currently holds no official post, he plans to take the imperial examinations this year. I believe he will have an official position by then."
"The Empress Dowager is correct," Xue Changyi said.
"When you marry into the Sun family, whatever you say goes. If you are wronged, you can tell me, and I will speak to them."
"Empress Dowager, I found Madam Sun to be a kind and approachable person. She will not be that kind of person."
"Changyi, although I have not met you often, I like you. You can visit Feng Palace more often in the future."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Xue Changyi said.
After a few more words, Xue Changyi sensed that the Empress was tired and took her leave under that pretense.
As she walked out of Feng Palace, she let out a sigh of relief.
Thinking that her father's business should be finished soon, she headed to the Imperial Study. However, before she could get close, she heard her father's angry voice, "You dare to look down upon my princess?"
A moment later, a gentle and refined voice came from inside. "This humble subject dares not. It is just that this humble subject has heard that Princess Changyi did not admire this humble subject originally, and this humble subject does not wish to force oneself."
"Presumptuous..."
"People can change. Perhaps she did not fancy Young Master Sun before, but that does not mean she does not fancy him now."