Si Zhan, unaware of Ning Wanwan’s initiative for marriage, sensed something was amiss when he saw the Empress Dowager bring a woman into the hall. Anxiously, he asked, “Marriage? Which marriage is Imperial Brother talking about?”
“Don’t you know?
Si Suo looked surprised. “Yunxiang has requested to marry you as a wife.”
Hearing this, Si Zhan was shocked.
Ning Wanwan, afraid of being exposed, shyly explained, “Your Majesty, the King of Yi… he does not know that Yunxiang has already agreed.”
She had wanted to explain this to Si Zhan but didn’t expect Si Suo had already discussed it with the Empress Dowager, settling everything in just a few days.
Si Zhan turned to Ning Wanwan, and seeing her shy demeanor, his heart raced. He thought he had misheard.
“I see,” Si Suo nodded, then looked at Old Lady Ning. “The Empress Dowager and I have agreed to the marriage between my fifteenth brother and Yunxiang. What does Old Madam Ning think?”
Old Lady Ning replied respectfully, “This servant follows the imperial will.”
Si Zhan finally realized this was real. He never imagined Wanwan would take the initiative to ask his imperial brother for marriage.
The thought of Wanwan marrying him filled him with uncontrollable joy. He struggled to maintain a composed expression, lowering his head to hide the happiness in his eyes.
Si Suo announced, “The marriage between King Yi Si Zhan and Princess Yun Xiang is settled.” He then mentioned his mother’s adopted daughter, Xu Man Yao, who would be given as a concubine to his brother, adding to the happiness of the occasion.
Si Zhan’s expression froze. Si Suo called out, “Man Yao, come and pay respects to King Yi and his wife.” Xu Man Yao stepped forward and nervously greeted them.
Ning Wan Wan felt uneasy, realizing the Empress Dowager was positioning an informant. Si Zhan coldly responded to Si Suo, stating he did not want to burden Xu Man Yao due to his weak constitution and requested the order be rescinded.
Si Suo’s expression darkened, and the Empress Dowager exchanged a guarded look with him. The atmosphere in the hall grew tense.
After a moment, the Empress Dowager looked at Si Zhan with a half-smile, “Does this mean you don’t want to marry Princess Yun Xiang either?”
