"Young Master Sun, you shouldn't be so self-deprecating. You are also very good. Now, this Palace fancies you."
A voice suddenly came from outside the door, and both people in the imperial study were startled.
Sun Zihan looked towards the door and saw a slender figure walking in.
She was clad in a light purple gown, her face delicate and beautiful, like the bright moon in the night sky, high and unreachable.
Sun Zihan's heart thumped. Initially, he hadn't strongly opposed marrying the ninth princess, and now he had even fewer reasons to object.
Xue Changyi also saw the tall figure in the imperial study. Although the young man appeared somewhat slender, he was gentle and refined, with politeness evident in his demeanor and speech.
This was the consort she dreamed of. Just based on his appearance, much of her previous displeasure vanished.
"Changyi has arrived," Emperor Huangze smiled, seeing Xue Changyi after a long time.
"Father, I, your daughter, have come to receive the imperial decree and express my gratitude," Xue Changyi said, curtsying.
"I know," Emperor Huangze nodded.
In truth, he had paid the least attention to this princess. Xue Chang'an was his first princess, and naturally, he cherished her. When Changning was the Empress's only child, he both cherished and doted on her. Only the ninth princess, by then he already had too many princes and princesses, so his affection was divided very thinly.
"Father... I, your daughter, will take my leave first." Xue Changyi rarely faced her father alone, so she was somewhat timid.
"Changyi, since you are here, sit down and keep your father company."
Xue Changyi was taken aback, looking at her father with surprise. This was probably the first time her father had asked her to stay.
"Father..."
"Servants, prepare a seat for the Ninth Princess!"
The eunuch quickly brought a chair, and Xue Changyi felt an indescribable emotion as she looked at it.
"Sit, Changyi,"
Xue Changyi sat down. "Zihan, you sit as well," Emperor Huangze said with a smile.
Sun Zihan nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Seeing you two together makes me gratified."
After leaving the imperial study, Sun Zihan looked at Xue Changyi walking ahead and said, "Princess Changyi."
Xue Changyi was startled. She stopped and turned to look at Sun Zihan. "Young Master Sun, is there something?"
Sun Zihan stepped forward and bowed. "This humble one has yet to pay my respects to the Princess."
Xue Changyi was surprised. "Young Master Sun, you..."
"Princess Changyi, this humble one did not know why the Princess changed her mind, but since the Princess has agreed to the imperial marriage, it means you know you will spend your life with this humble one."
Xue Changyi was taken aback. She hadn't expected Sun Zihan to bring the matter out into the open.
"Since you know, you should also understand that I do not like you."
"This humble one knows," Sun Zihan looked up at Xue Changyi.
Xue Changyi was surprised. Sun Zihan's frankness didn't anger her at all; instead, it garnered a bit of goodwill.
"Since you know, you also know that even if I marry into the Sun family, I might be merely going through the motions with you. I know this is unfair to you, but I am not a spoiled and arrogant person. After half a year, Young Master Sun can take a concubine or remarry."
Sun Zihan smiled and looked at Xue Changyi, slowly saying, "Ninth Princess, you may not know, but the descendants of the Sun family are only allowed to marry one woman in their lifetime and are forbidden to take concubines."
Xue Changyi trembled. "How can this be?"
"Replying to Your Highness the Princess, it is indeed so," Sun Zihan said.
"Then... then wouldn't I be ruining you? No, I must go find Father and ask him to cancel the imperial marriage."
"Princess Changyi, do you not believe in this humble one, do you not believe in yourself?"
Xue Changyi was stunned. She looked at Sun Zihan. Sun Zihan stepped forward and said, "Since the Princess cannot be with the person you have in your heart, why not try to accept this humble one? Perhaps this humble one is not worse than that person?"
Xue Changyi remained silent for a long time before saying, "Young Master Sun is willing to try with me?"
"Yes," Sun Zihan replied.
"Young Master Sun, although I have not forgotten that person, I will be a good daughter-in-law to the Sun family from now on and will try to accept you."
"Yes, Your Highness," Sun Zihan said, bowing.
"Young Master Sun, I will not disappoint you, and you will not disappoint me."
Xue Changyi left.
Sun Zihan gazed at the slender retreating figure, the corners of his mouth curving upwards.
"Young Master, Old Madam asks why you agreed to marry the Ninth Princess again?"
"Go back and tell Mother that the Sun family should prepare for the wedding."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Young Master Sun, the Empress wishes to see you."
Sun Zihan was startled. "Very well, lead the way!"
Sun Zihan arrived at the Phoenix Palace and bowed to the Empress. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Zihan, rise quickly!" The Empress stood up and walked towards Sun Zihan.
"Your Majesty, are you here to inquire about the marriage between this humble one and the Ninth Princess?"
The Empress nodded. "When the imperial marriage was first decreed, your mother came to see me. To be honest, I feel very guilty. The Sun family has helped me greatly, yet I have nothing to repay them with. Instead, I ask the Sun family's only legitimate son to make a sacrifice for me. I feel ashamed."
"Your Majesty, this is this humble one's willing sacrifice. Without Your Majesty's entry into the palace back then, there would be no peace for the Sun family today. Your Majesty entered this lonely deep palace for the Sun family, and the entire Sun family is immensely grateful. If this humble one can do anything for Your Majesty, this humble one is willing."
"Rise, good child," the Empress's voice choked slightly.
"Your Majesty, the Ninth Princess is a good person," Sun Zihan said.
The Empress smiled knowingly. "It seems Zihan finds Changyi to be good."
Sun Zihan said no more.
Consort Yan learned that Xue Changyi and Sun Zihan were engaged and was very unwilling. With the Sun family's support, this would only benefit Prince Jing.
However, her eldest son had not received any assistance, and she was unwilling, truly unwilling.
It was a pity that Chang'an refused to make any sacrifice for her eldest son; otherwise, Prince Jing would surely not be a match for her eldest son.
"Mother, are you still angry about Changyi marrying into the Sun family?"
Consort Yan looked up at the approaching young man and sighed. "Prince Jing has a good sister, unlike Chang'an, who is selfish and self-serving and completely disregards us, mother and son."
Upon hearing this, Xue Changjun said, "Mother, even without Eldest Sister's assistance, I can still manage."
"But with Chang'an's help, your path to the throne would surely be smooth."
"Mother, let Eldest Sister walk her own path!"
Consort Yan knew that it could only be this way. Since Chang'an refused to help her eldest son, she could only plan for her eldest son herself.
"Changjun, do not worry, this throne can only be yours, no one else can snatch it away."
Consort Yan looked into the distance, her gaze becoming exceptionally determined.