The princess regretted it.

Chapter 235 Marriage Decree

Leaving Concubine Cen's palace, Jin An silently followed his father, pacing slowly, his mind replaying Concubine Cen's earlier words. He hadn't expected Concubine Cen to ever doubt him, even demanding Ming Yue apologize. Jin An had a vague suspicion that Concubine Cen might have guessed who was behind the incident. In fact, she had a vague suspicion, but seeing Concubine Cen's sincerity and recognizing the debt her father felt towards her, she didn't want to dwell on Ming Yue's offense. After a brief rebuke, Ming Yue accepted the apology, believing less trouble was better than more.

However, if this matter is really as she guessed, maybe she can take this opportunity to arrange for Lin Qian to enter the palace.

She lowered her head and walked forward, lost in thought. She didn't even notice that the emperor's grandson Hongze was talking to her.

"Jin'an!?" The emperor raised his voice and called her.

She then suddenly raised her head and looked at the emperor, with a bewildered look on her face, "Father, what's wrong?"

"What are you thinking about? Are you still unhappy about what happened before?" The emperor turned his head to stare at her and asked in a gentle tone.

"Your Majesty, I'm not unhappy. I was just wondering who could be so cruel as to target Concubine Cen? And even plotting against me. What good could they possibly gain by harming Concubine Cen and me?" She seemed to say this unintentionally, but it was actually intentional. She suspected this incident was most likely related to the confinement of Zhang and her daughter, and she spoke this knowingly that her father would understand the possibility.

Zhang Sun Hongze listened to these words and indeed had some vague suspicions in his mind, but his face remained calm. He said, "Alright, don't dwell on it anymore. Didn't the emperor promise you to investigate thoroughly?" He then changed the subject, "You need to worry about your own affairs now. When Chu Zhou returns from the northern border, we can put your marriage on the agenda."

"The Northern Territory? Father knows that he went to the Northern Territory?" Jin An learned where Zhong Chuzhou was going from Changsun Hongze's words, and asked in surprise.

"Ah?" The emperor realized he had let something slip. He had assumed Jin'an knew, given her frequent visits to Prime Minister Mu's residence. He'd assumed she knew about Mu Zixuan and the others' departure for the northern border. Seeing Jin'an's reaction, he realized she wasn't. While he hadn't expected Prime Minister Mu to withhold information, he secretly suspected it might be a decision made after consultation with the old Duke. The news the old Duke had brought to the palace not long ago had alarmed him, and to prevent any leaks, he felt it was inappropriate to disclose their whereabouts at this time.

At this moment, in order to prevent Jin'an from asking further questions, the emperor immediately warned with a serious expression, "This matter is confidential, you must not make it public."

"Yes, I understand." Jin An agreed quickly without any suspicion.

"Okay, you go back and prepare first. I will ask Fuquan to announce the decree later." The emperor said slowly.

Jinan's face turned red all of a sudden. She bowed quickly and left quickly.

When Jin'an returned to Feiyu Palace, she called over Nanny Zhao, Ziyun, and the others, asking them to prepare, as her father's imperial edict would be arriving shortly. Then she asked Hongyu to go with her into the inner chamber and help her dress up again.

Soon, Eunuch Fuquan arrived. When the imperial edict was read out, Han Shuang and Jin An remained calm. Madam Zhao, Ziyun, Hongyu, and the others were all stunned and stunned. Madam Zhao and Ziyun had always been certain that their princess would marry Young Master Mu, after all, General Mu had previously mentioned this in a letter.

Seeing only a hint of shyness on her princess's face, Zhao Ma accepted the imperial edict with a calm demeanor. She immediately recalled the "great joy" Eunuch Fuquan had mentioned when he had invited the princess to the Health Preservation Palace. Now she realized that "joy" must have been this marriage, and judging by the princess's expression, she probably had no objection.

She finally came to her senses, and the shock on her face instantly turned into joy and congratulations. She quickly knelt and bowed, and was the first to speak: "Congratulations, Princess, on your happy marriage!"

Ziyun, Hongyu, Hanshuang, Qingli, and the other servants in the courtyard all followed Zhao Ma's words and bowed in congratulations. "Congratulations, Princess! Congratulations, Princess!"

Jin An pretended to be calm and said softly, "Everyone, stand up! Madam Zhao, give orders to give a reward of silver to everyone in the courtyard." Although he tried his best to keep his tone steady, the slightly trembling ending of his voice still revealed the waves in his heart.

When Madam Zhao and the others heard this, their faces were filled with unconcealable joy. They hurriedly bowed and thanked him repeatedly.

Jin An, holding the imperial edict, slowly turned and walked into the house. The imperial edict seemed to weigh a thousand pounds in her hand, and she placed it in an exquisite brocade box.

Looking at the bright yellow color that stood out in the box, her mood was a little complicated, with shyness, anticipation, and a hint of uneasiness about the unknown future.

Soon, Eunuch Fuquan and his men arrived at the Protectorate's residence with great fanfare. All preparations for the imperial edict had already been made. Curious people rushed outside to inquire. After Eunuch Fuquan finished reading the edict, Protectorate Duke Zhong Jing stepped forward and accepted it on behalf of his son.

The nanny beside Qin Susu understood and stepped forward to give a purse to Eunuch Fuquan.

Upon seeing this, Eunuch Fuquan quickly waved his hands, repeatedly saying, "No, no. It's our duty. How dare we accept such a gift?"

Qin Susu knew what he was worried about. She stepped forward and said gently, "Today is a great day for the Duke of Huguo's Mansion. Eunuch Fu has been traveling all the way and must be very tired. Please do not refuse. This is a small gift, just as a cup of tea to soothe your throat."

When Eunuch Fuquan heard Qin Susu's words, a smile immediately spread across his face. He took the purse and thanked her repeatedly, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I will take this opportunity to share in the joy of the whole palace." Then he led his men back to the palace.

Shortly after the imperial decree was issued, news of the marriage between Princess Jin'an and the Crown Prince of the Protectorate spread like wildfire throughout the palace and beyond. Reactions varied: shock, jealousy, resentment, and confusion. Ultimately, the news of the marriage came so suddenly, without any prior warning.

For example, when the wind blew to Cuiyuxuan, the silver chopsticks in Changsun Wuwang's hand fell. "What did you say just now? Who did the emperor marry?" Changsun Wuwang looked at Xiao Xizi in disbelief and asked again, feeling it was not real.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has granted marriage to Princess Jin'an and Prince Zhong." Eunuch Xiao Xizi replied respectfully again.