A flash of disbelief crossed his eyes, followed by uncontrollable joy. Shen Zhou's voice trembled slightly.
"Tell me," he said.
"I want to see A Yuan," Yun Xi said directly. "I know you can arrange it."
"Since I'm going to marry you, as my betrothed, A Yuan should be informed."
Shen Zhou replied readily, "No problem. Even if you didn't mention it, I was going to do so. Since we're so in tune, I'll go back and make arrangements right away. Then we'll go together."
As he spoke, he stood up, unable to hide his elation. "The time is a bit tight, but don't worry, Yingying. I won't let you suffer any grievances."
"You've just woken up. Don't worry about other things. I'll take care of all the wedding arrangements. You just focus on getting well and wait for me to come and marry you in a grand sedan chair."
With that, he bowed to Liu Jingyue, said "Farewell," and then strode away.
"Xiao Xi," Yun Qi said with distress and anxiety, gripping Yun Xi's wrist tightly. "Why did you agree to him? Your brother is here."
"I'll take care of everything. I can protect you, Father, and the Yun family."
Yun Xi forced a smile and patted Yun Qi's hand with her other hand. "I know."
"Brother, now we're in the open while the Shen family is in the dark. We don't know what they've been up to with the Ying State. The Emperor has been deceived by their scheme, imprisoned A Yuan, and suspected the Yun family. He's determined to arrange a marriage alliance with the Ying State."
"We're at a disadvantage now. If we remain passive, we'll only be at their mercy."
"Rather than waiting for doom, we should take the initiative. Only by entering the Shen family's lair can we get what we want. So, I have to marry Shen Zhou."
Yun Qi stared blankly at Yun Xi. His lips parted and closed several times, but he finally stopped dissuading her.
Back at the Shen Mansion, Shen Zhou immediately informed Shen Zhai of the matter.
After all, hosting a banquet at the Shen Mansion required Shen Zhai's approval on various matters, such as the arrangements, the scale, and the guests to be invited.
Hearing that Shen Zhou had convinced Yun Xi, even Shen Zhai, a man who had experienced many ups and downs, couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.
"Are you sure? Not only did the Yun family agree, but Yun Xi also promised you herself?"
Shen Zhai still thought there was something fishy about it.
It was no wonder he was suspicious. After all, he had met Yun Xi, a girl with strong opinions, quite different from other young ladies in the boudoir.
Everyone in the capital knew about her relationship with Yi Yuan, and their affection for each other was obvious to all.
Shen Zhai couldn't believe that Yun Xi would so easily agree to marry his stupid grandson, especially since his grandson was the one who had deceived her trust and framed Yi Yuan.
Noticing Shen Zhai's doubt, Shen Zhou explained, "It's true. At first, she refused and even slapped me hard. But..."
With a sinister smile, Shen Zhou said complacently, "Grandson has the evidence that the Yun family is close to Yi Yuan. Threatening the entire Yun family, how could she dare to refuse?"
This explanation seemed reasonable.
Shen Zhai nodded, then suddenly frowned. "Wait... According to what you said, you're not going to make another impulsive decision regarding the plan about Yun Weisheng, are you?"
Shen Zhou quickly glanced at Shen Zhai, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Grandson thinks that all we need is for Yun Weisheng not to lead the troops. Spare his life..."
"Shut up!" Shen Zhai slapped the table angrily. He really wanted to slap his good-for-nothing grandson. "I thought you were finally on the right track and starting to act like a descendant of the Shen family. But you're still so useless!"
Not wanting to talk to Shen Zhou anymore, Shen Zhai told him to make his own decisions as long as he didn't attract too much attention. Then he waved his hand impatiently and sent Shen Zhou away.
Shen Zhou didn't dare to say more. Since he had obtained Shen Zhai's approval, he didn't dwell on the matter of Yun Weisheng and happily went to make preparations.
As soon as he left, a pale and sinister man emerged from behind the large screen behind Shen Zhai.
It was none other than the Holy Master.
"You heard it," Shen Zhai said, calming his anger and changing the topic. "I said I would make the Yun family offer Yun Xi to me. See, here she comes."
"What about what you promised me?"
The Holy Master's green eyes stared eerily at the courtyard outside. The bright spring sun was blinding, making him close his eyes involuntarily.
"Don't worry," the Holy Master's voice was no longer as clear and clean as when he entered the palace with Zongzheng Fengyi. It was rough and hoarse, even more unpleasant than that of Shen Zhai, a half-gray-haired old man. It was extremely strange and absurd, considering his young face in his twenties.
"After Shen Zhou marries her in, when Yun Xi is in my hands, I'll give you that thing in person."
Shen Zhai nodded and didn't press further. He just changed the subject. "That's natural. But..."
His shrewd eyes scanned the Holy Master, and Shen Zhai said with a smile, "You've seen my sincerity. Shouldn't the Holy Master also show me some of his?"
The Holy Master glanced at Shen Zhai from the corner of his eye. Without hesitation, he took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom and held it out in front of Shen Zhai. "Here. You can find someone to test it first."
"The effect is better than that of fourteen years ago. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
"Hahaha..." Shen Zhai laughed heartily and took it without hesitation. "Thank you. I never thought that after so many years, I'd still have the opportunity to cooperate with the Holy Master. What a coincidence..."
A strange smile flashed across the Holy Master's clear green eyes. He didn't respond but simply said, "Then... I hope this cooperation will go smoothly."
With that, he disappeared in a flash.
The arrangement to meet Yi Yuan was made quickly.
After Shen Zhou came to propose marriage, he immediately took Yun Xi to the prison.
Yi Yuan was imprisoned for the crime of treason. Although the Liu, Yun families, and Su Zhongjie had tried their best to intervene, the cell where he was held was not very clean. It could only be said that it smelled less offensive than the cells where Mian Xiao Lin'an and Xie Huaiyue were held.
At the sight of Yi Yuan's thin but still straight figure, Yun Xi suddenly felt as if a lifetime had passed.
"A Yuan..." She ran a few steps closer, her voice choking with sobs.
"Xiao Xi?" Yi Yuan was extremely surprised. "Why are you here?"
The next moment, as if realizing something, his voice suddenly sank. "No, how did you get in?"
Just then, he saw Shen Zhou smiling and following behind.
A bad premonition welled up in his heart. Just as he was about to ask, Shen Zhou spoke casually and proudly. "Of course, I brought her in."
"Oh, right," Shen Zhou tapped his forehead lightly, smiling wickedly and innocently. "Your Highness may not know that Yingying and I are going to get married soon. We just exchanged betrothal gifts."
"Although it has nothing to do with Your Highness. But... After all, we used to have some acquaintance. Yingying thought she should inform you. So... I brought her here."
Yi Yuan's phoenix eyes darkened. His gaze swept across the smug Shen Zhou and landed on Yun Xi. "Is what he said true?"
Unable to meet Yi Yuan's eyes, Yun Xi lowered her eyelids. After a moment of silence, she replied softly, "Yes, it's true."