"You cannot get engaged, but you can get married," Ji Rong said.
Zhan Tianye's expression changed abruptly. A spark ignited in his dark, somber eyes.
"But it must be a year later. I have already chosen several auspicious dates. As long as the marriage takes place within a specific timeframe, the General's manor will not be implicated. I told you, I cannot fathom the destinies of Yun Shu and the three children. Their original fates have been altered, but I can divine the fate of the General's manor. However, the King of Night needs to do one thing."
Ji Rong spoke slowly and deliberately.
He wanted to tell the King of Night privately, to ensure that the King of Night would never wrong Yun Shu in the future. Once Yun Shu married the King of Night, their fates would become intertwined. He cared not for the King of Night's life or death, but Yun Shu must be safe.
"What is it? Just say it," Zhan Tianye said in a deep voice. Though his tone remained grave, it had softened considerably, and his killing intent had subsided.
Many years ago, someone had told him he was destined to be a solitary star of misfortune. He had dismissed it then, and even more so after Xiao Li was born, considering it nonsense. Now, hearing Ji Rong's words, he realized it might actually be true.
"From now on, you must not betray Yun Shu, nor shall you take another wife, not even a concubine. Otherwise, you will bring harm to those three little ones, and perhaps to yourself. King of Night, please reconsider," Ji Rong urged with utmost solemnity.
These were not mere empty threats. They were the absolute truth. Even the wedding date had been meticulously calculated. From the moment he had seen the King of Night that day until he closed his eyes the previous night, he had been divining this matter.
"I have never considered having any other woman by my side," Zhan Tianye stated without hesitation, his resolve firm.
Ji Rong was slightly surprised but then felt his heavy heart ease. He no longer worried about Yun Shu being wronged in the future.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Yun Changfeng's heart was heavy with worry. Even without words, Yun Shu could see his concern.
"General Yun, please rest assured. I believe there will be a good resolution to this matter," Ruan Xi said, touching his nose. He felt a twinge of guilt. As a man, he understood men, and he could guess some of what Ji Rong was telling the King of Night. However, he wasn't sure if the King of Night would agree. And men's promises, he mused, could change over time, sometimes even forgotten by the promisor themselves.
"Yes, Ji Rong will surely find a way!" Qin Yiqing chimed in quickly.
Yun Changfeng's brow remained furrowed, his expression grave. "Shu'er, did you know all along that your fate and that of my three grandchildren were unusual?"
"Yes, for five years now, no one has been able to divine my fate. Xiao Jing and the others are the same," Yun Shu nodded slightly. She cast a glance at the tightly shut door not far away, then turned to Ruan Xi. "What did Ji Rong say to you?"
"Uh... heavenly secrets are not to be revealed!" Ruan Xi quickly covered his mouth, fearing he might let something slip. Ji Rong had instructed him not to speak.
Yun Shu did not press Ruan Xi further. Qin Yiqing, however, pouted. "What's this about heavenly secrets? As if you're more powerful than Ji Rong!"
"Qin Yiqing, stop picking on me. You might beg me one day!" Ruan Xi made a face at Qin Yiqing, striking a pose of aloofness.
"Never."
Amidst their bickering, Yun Changfeng felt his spirits gradually lift. Soon, the door opened. Ji Rong and Zhan Tianye emerged. Yun Shu looked back at them, and it seemed as if seven-colored divine light fell upon them. Zhan Tianye spoke, "A solution has been found."
...
The Imperial Palace.
After entering the palace, Zhan Ming went directly to the Empress Dowager's chambers, his steps unusually brisk. It seemed he had something to be happy about. Few in the palace had ever seen the Regent King so cheerful. After Zhan Ming had passed, some people gathered to gossip. But this was the Imperial Palace, after all. Despite their curiosity, they discussed briefly before returning to their duties.
Upon hearing that Zhan Ming had arrived, the Empress Dowager instinctively rose. "Quickly, invite the Regent King in," she said with some urgency.
"Luo Xi, it seems the plan has succeeded! A pincer movement is enough to disrupt the King of Night and Yun Shu. Next, it will be your turn to act." The Empress Dowager's tone was cheerful and confident, even smug. The attendant who had reported also mentioned the Regent King's excellent mood, which certainly suggested success.
Compared to the Empress Dowager's open display of emotion, Jiang Luo Xi remained unnervingly calm, showing no surprise or anxiety. The Empress Dowager suddenly felt that she could not fathom Jiang Luo Xi.
"Indeed, it is time for me to act. Your Highness, rest assured," Jiang Luo Xi said, confident. It seemed she had overestimated Yun Shu's position in Zhan Tianye's heart. A few words from the Master and Old Madam Yun, and Zhan Tianye was ready to abandon Yun Shu.
"The King of Night's feelings for Yun Shu are not that deep. If not for those three children, the King of Night would probably not have considered betrothing her, nor marrying her so readily," the Empress Dowager mused. She increasingly felt that even if they hadn't intervened, the King of Night might have eventually tired of Yun Shu.
Jiang Luo Xi's beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and the corner of her lips curved into a subtle smile, as if these words struck a chord. However, deep down, she sensed that things were not so simple. It shouldn't have been this easy. The King of Night shouldn't have given up on Yun Shu so quickly and readily.
As she pondered this, Zhan Ming entered. Before even sitting down, he announced loudly, "Even heaven is on our side!"
"Oh? Regent King, please elaborate," the Empress Dowager said, her interest piqued. Jiang Luo Xi looked at Zhan Ming. Sensing her gaze, Zhan Ming smiled somewhat ostentatiously. "Miss Jiang, prepare yourself. You will be going to the King of Night's manor at any moment!" He then turned to the Empress Dowager. "Miss Jiang's invited Master, originally intended to proceed as we agreed, but then he discovered..."
He recounted everything that had happened at the General's manor, word for word. As he spoke, the Empress Dowager's brow, clouded by recent events, cleared, and her expression became brighter.
"Excellent! Heaven truly is on our side!" The Empress Dowager slammed the table beside her, so excited she was nearly ready to host a celebratory banquet. Jiang Luo Xi was somewhat surprised. Such a coincidence?
"However, the Master said Zhan Tianye seems to have the fate of a solitary star of misfortune. He couldn't be certain because Zhan Tianye has three sons, and someone destined to be a solitary star of misfortune has no wife or children and is fated to die alone," Zhan Ming said, clearly puzzled by the situation.