Xue Chang'an learned of the news of Xue Changyi and Sun Zihan's betrothal several days later.
She hurried to Shu Palace and saw Noble Consort Yan, unable to help but ask, "Why did Father Emperor decree their marriage?"
Noble Consort Yan looked up at her and said, "Just because you don't want it doesn't mean others don't ask. Chang'an, you are too proud."
"They will not marry. Even if they do marry, I will not let them have an easy time of it."
Noble Consort Yan was taken aback and asked Xue Chang'an, "You... what do you intend to do?"
"Mother Consort need not worry. Continue dreaming of becoming Empress Dowager; perhaps it will come true one day?"
Noble Consort Yan felt an unprecedented sense of dread. She knew what Xue Chang'an was preparing to do.
"Chang'an, you... you must not act rashly. This concerns Prince Yi's palace and the Empress's side. They will not stand idly by. Do not be impulsive." Noble Consort Yan felt that if she didn't say these words, Xue Chang'an might truly plan something.
"Mother Consort, what are you afraid of? If it succeeds, you will be the beneficiary. If it fails, it is my affair. Mother Consort still has Changjun and can distance yourself completely."
"Chang'an, you are also flesh and blood from my body!" Noble Consort Yan couldn't help but roar.
"Is that so? I thought that after Changjun, Mother Consort would no longer consider me your only child."
Noble Consort Yan stood there stunned. She saw Xue Chang'an look at her mockingly before leaving.
Returning to Chang'an Palace, Xue Chang'an summoned someone and whispered, "Go to Princess Changyi's residence and find someone. Have her do something for me. If she succeeds, she will be rewarded with riches and honor. If she fails, she must bear the consequences herself."
In the evening, a servant came to report, "Your Highness, we have made contact. However, she said she does not want riches and honor. She only wishes for one of her desires to be fulfilled after the matter is concluded."
Xue Chang'an was slightly taken aback. Someone could refuse riches and honor? "What does she want?" Xue Chang'an asked.
The servant replied, "She said she wants the驸马 (fù mǎ)."
Xue Chang'an's eyes flickered, and she sneered, "What great ambition. However, I like it. Tell her I agree."
The marriage between Xue Changyi and Sun Zihan was set for that month. On the day of the wedding, the Empress sent many people, and Emperor Huangze also secretly dispatched many people for protection. No one dared to act during the wedding ceremony, and the marriage was successfully held.
Three days later, Xue Changyi and Consort Sun Zihan got into a carriage and returned to the Sun family.
Along the way, the journey was bumpy. Sun Zihan saw that Xue Changyi lacked energy and couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, if you are tired, take a nap. It will be a long time before we reach home."
Xue Changyi couldn't hold back and lay down in the carriage.
Not far from the Sun family's residence, the carriage stopped.
Beside the carriage, a man sat on a horse. He wore a jade crown, his hair tied up, his face handsome, and his slender figure stood independently on horseback.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a young maidservant alighted from the carriage. She walked up to the man. Seeing his handsome face, her cheeks flushed slightly. "Consort Sun."
The man turned and asked the maidservant, "Yun He, is Your Highness asleep?"
Yun He nodded, "Your Highness is already asleep."
"Good. Wait a moment. We will set off when Your Highness wakes up," the man said.
Yun He nodded, looking at the side profile of Consort Sun, her cheeks flushed with shyness. Now that Xue Changyi was not around, she could look at Consort Sun unscrupulously.
The sun slowly set, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast upon the man.
At this moment, Yun He seemed to see the most beautiful scene. The man's tall and straight figure sat on horseback motionlessly, like a towering pine.
"Yun He," the man suddenly said slowly.
Yun He was startled. She quickly lowered her head. Did Consort Sun discover her secretly looking at him?
"Consort... Consort Sun."
"Your Highness should be waking up soon. Go in and take a look."
Yun He was startled, only then remembering that she seemed to have forgotten her duty. She quickly curtsied slightly and got into the carriage.
Entering the carriage, she saw that Xue Changyi, who was supposed to be fast asleep, was now looking at her with open eyes, neither happy nor sad, neither cold nor warm.
Yun He trembled all over, as if her secret thoughts had been seen through. She lowered her gaze and said, "Your Highness."
Xue Changyi nodded slightly and then asked, "Yun He, how old are you this year?"
"Your servant is sixteen this year." Although Yun He did not know why Xue Changyi was asking her this question, she answered truthfully.
"After we return to the palace, I will find someone for you to marry, to fulfill your bond of master and servant with me," Xue Changyi said slowly, looking at Yun He.
Yun He's body stiffened, and she fell to her knees with a thud, quickly kowtowing, "Your Highness, please forgive me. If I have done anything wrong, Your Highness may punish me. I will not utter a single word of objection. I beg Your Highness not to marry me off carelessly, Your servant..."
"Carelessly?" Xue Changyi interrupted Yun He's words and asked.
Yun He pursed her lips tightly, but tears began to fall like pearls from a broken string, plip-plop. Seeing this, Xue Changyi said coldly, "You acting like this makes it seem as if I have wronged you. You have been by my side for eight years. Do you think I would marry you off to someone carelessly?"
Yun He remained silent, her hands tightly clenching a handkerchief.
Xue Changyi looked at Yun He. After a long while, she slowly said, "Yun He, I know you like Consort Sun."
Yun He trembled all over and bit her lower lip tightly.
"I know you must be very unwilling right now, aren't you?"
Yun He bit her lip and kowtowed fiercely to Xue Changyi several times. "I implore Your Highness to pity your servant and not send me away. Your servant is willing to work like an ox or a horse."
"Even if you ultimately become a governess, without status or title, you are willing?" Xue Changyi suddenly asked.
Yun He was slightly startled, then nodded, "Your servant is willing."
Xue Changyi looked at her and sighed faintly, saying, "Since you are willing, I will not say more. If you have the ability to climb into Consort Sun's bed, I will not interfere. However, what I want to tell you is that Consort Sun's heart belongs only to me. You cannot enter. Instead of wasting your time like this, it is better to find someone who truly cares for you."
Yun He raised her head and said, "Your Highness, why do you think I cannot enter?"
Xue Changyi smiled upon hearing this. "Since you have the intention, then I will not be the villain. However, from today onwards, you no longer need to serve me. Go and serve Consort Sun!"
Yun He trembled all over and looked at Xue Changyi with disbelief, asking, "Your Highness, is this true?"
Xue Changyi nodded, "Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, do you want me to personally send you over?"
Yun He quickly shook her head, "No... no need. Your servant believes Your Highness."
"Go!" Xue Changyi waved her hand, signaling Yun He to retreat.
Yun He excitedly alighted from the carriage. Xue Changyi gazed at Yun He's retreating back, lost in thought. "Since Your Highness cannot bear it, why did you push Yun He to Consort Sun's side so early?"
Xue Changyi was startled. She looked up and saw the person who had arrived. She lowered her gaze and said, "Yun Yan, do you think I am very foolish?"