Seeing him silenced by his own words.
Jun Shen then added: “I’d give up my life for Jiang Yan, do you think there’s room for anyone else in my heart? If you truly consider me a friend, don’t bring this up again. When Jiang Yan and I get married, come for a drink if you want, or don’t if you don’t.”
With those words.
Ouyang Siyun had nothing more to say. He stood up and said, “I understand. You’re busy, I’ll leave now!”
Watching him leave.
Jun Shen turned back to find Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan and her sisters were still exploring.
Seeing Jun Shen approach.
Jiang Yan walked towards him: “Ouyang Siyun left? Did he come to see you about something?”
“Nothing important, just some casual chat.”
Jun Shen didn’t tell Jiang Yan about the earlier conversation.
…
The next day, after morning court, Jun Shen went to the palace to request the marriage decree.
The Emperor was aware that Long Tingsnow liked Jun Shen but also knew Jun Shen did not reciprocate those feelings.
Still, he asked again: “Jun Shen, are you really set on marrying Jiang Yan? She’s from a common family, not a match for your status.”
“Your Majesty, I’ve risked my life for her, do you think I haven’t thought this through?”
Jun Shen used these words to counter the Emperor’s concerns.
The Emperor, unaware of these events, sighed upon hearing of Jun Shen’s deep affection for Jiang Yan: “Very well, since you’re determined, let it be.”
The Emperor wrote the marriage decree and sealed it.
He didn’t send anyone to proclaim the decree but handed it directly to Jun Shen.
Jun Shen thanked him and left.
Long Tingsnow, aware that Jun Shen had entered the palace, rushed over just in time to see him leaving the Imperial Study with the decree in hand.
“Jun Shen!”
Although Jun Shen had been back for some time, he hadn’t seen her, which made her heart ache.
Jun Shen did not stop.
Long Tingsnow called out sternly: “Jun Shen, I order you to stop!”
Jun Shen stopped, bowed when she approached.
Long Tingsnow clenched her fists, looking down at him: “Do I disgust you that much?”
Jun Shen remained silent.
Long Tingsnow’s gaze fell on the decree in his hand, and she asked: “What does the decree say?”
“A marriage decree.”
Jun Shen stood up.
Long Tingsnow was shocked and shouted: “Did I tell you to stand up?”
Jun Shen ignored her and turned to leave.
Long Tingsnow chased after him, trying to grab the decree.
Jun Shen quickly evaded, leaping forward.
Long Tingsnow, with her clumsy martial skills, couldn’t catch up. She immediately returned to the palace, got into a carriage, and went to Ouyang Siyun’s residence.
Ouyang Siyun, upon learning she was looking for him, paused his game of chess.
Putting down the chess piece.
Ouyang Siyun went out to greet her.
Before he could speak.
Long Tingsnow interrogated him: “Who is Jun Shen marrying?”
“Jiang Yan.”
Ouyang Siyun answered her. Long Tingxue glared at him with anger: “So you knew all along, and you didn’t tell me! Ouyang Siyun, I misjudged you!”
She stormed out in a huff.
Ouyang Siyun quickly stepped forward to block her: “Calm down. Do you think I didn’t want to tell you? But would it have made a difference? Your father has already promised to betroth you to Jun Shen.”
“Even so, you should have told me! Everyone knew except me, making me look like a fool!” Tears streamed down Long Tingxue’s face as she spoke.
Seeing her like this, Ouyang Siyun felt a pang of guilt.
“Stop crying.”
Ouyang Siyun stepped forward to wipe her tears.
Long Tingxue became even more upset.
Ouyang Siyun wanted to hug her to comfort her.
As he reached out, Long Tingxue pushed him away: “Do you think I’m still the same person from back then? A hug won’t make me stop crying.”
Ouyang Siyun was at a loss for what to do next.
After crying for a while without any comfort from him, Long Tingxue glared at him and said, “Even you’ve changed. You don’t even comfort me anymore, wah…”
Ouyang Siyun: “…”
Didn’t he try to comfort her?
She was the one who pushed him away!
And now she’s blaming him!
Ouyang Siyun hugged Long Tingxue, led her to sit in the pavilion, and gave her some snacks.
After eating a piece of snack, Long Tingxue’s mood improved considerably. She asked with tear-streaked eyes, “Who is Jiang Yan? Where is she from? What does her family do?”
He had anticipated she would ask this. Ouyang Siyun told her the truth.
Long Tingxue had assumed Jiang Yan came from a good family, but was surprised to learn she was just a farmer’s daughter.
“A farmer’s daughter? What does he see in her?!”
She was quite indignant.
Ouyang Siyun knew his next words would upset Long Tingxue, but he said them anyway.
“Jiang Yan is not your average farmer’s daughter. The pork floss you’ve eaten was made in her workshop.”
“The soap used for washing clothes in the palace was also made by Jiang Yan’s workshop. She came up with these ideas.”
“Not only that, she opened her own stores.”
“Moreover…”
Although Jiang Yan was impressive, she was still a merchant’s daughter.
Long Tingxue interrupted him: “She’s just good at business, what’s so great about that? You’re speaking up for her so much, do you fancy her too?”
How blind could she be? Wasn’t it obvious what he felt?
“I don’t like her, I like…”
Before Ouyang Siyun could finish, Long Tingxue stood up abruptly: “I don’t care who you like. Tell me, where is Jiang Yan now?”
Chapter 116: Are You Crazy, Marrying Such a Woman
Ouyang Siyun didn’t answer but asked Long Tingxue: “Why do you want to know this?”
He didn’t tell her directly, fearing she might do something rash.
If she upset Jun Shen, things might not end well.
Long Tingxue shot Ouyang Siyun a look and said, “Jiang Yan took the person I like, what do you think I want to know? I’m going to meet her, to see just how great she is!”
“She’s at Jun Shen’s place. Do you think you can see her?”
Ouyang Siyun explained.
Long Tingxue pulled Ouyang Siyun towards the exit: “You’re coming with me. I must see her today, or I’ll never speak to you again.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll go with you, but can you not pull me like this?”
Ouyang Siyun was almost bent over by her pulling.
Long Tingxue then let him go.
They arrived at Jun Shen’s house by carriage in no time.
The gates were tightly shut. Just as Ouyang Siyun was about to knock, Long Tingxue stopped him: “Take me, fly in.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Ouyang Siyun did so.
At that moment, Jun Shen and Jiang Yan were in the pavilion discussing their wedding plans.
When Long Tingxue saw them laughing and chatting, she felt a surge of bitterness. She rushed towards them.
Ouyang Siyun couldn’t stop her in time.
“Are you Jiang Yan?”
Long Tingxue scrutinized Jiang Yan as she asked.
Seeing Long Tingxue’s hostile approach, Jiang Yan hadn’t yet responded when Jun Shen pulled her aside, confronting Long Tingxue: “What do you want?”
Ouyang Siyun hurried over, laughing: “She doesn’t want anything, just came to see the woman Jun Shen is marrying.”
He doubted his own words.
Jun Shen was about to send them away when Jiang Yan spoke up: “I am Jiang Yan, and you are?”
Seeing Jiang Yan’s composed and confident demeanor, Long Tingxue raised her chin and said, “I am the current twelfth princess, Long Tingxue.”
Jiang Yan immediately curtsied to her.
Jun Shen, seeing Long Tingxue didn’t tell Jiang Yan to stand up, pulled her up himself: “You’ve done the courtesy, no need to kneel anymore!”
“Jun Shen!”
Long Tingxue raised her voice.
Jun Shen calmly said, “No need to shout, I can hear you. This isn’t your palace, if you want to exert your princess rights, go back to your palace!”
“You…”
Long Tingxue was furious with Jun Shen.
Ouyang Siyun stepped in to mediate: “What are you two doing? Can’t you talk nicely?”
