Chu Zhixia allowed Yun Chu to support her.

After walking a few steps, she said slowly: “I heard Miss Yun has an older brother?”

Having just cried, her voice was very hoarse.

“Yes, I have an elder brother.” The young maiden’s face showed a bright smile. “My elder brother is amazing!”

Chu Zhixia smiled: “I’ve also heard of Young Master Yun’s excellence.”

In truth, she lived deep within the palace and rarely went out, so she hadn’t actually heard of the Yun family’s eldest young master’s achievements. But she knew the Yun family was a first-rank general’s household.

A first-rank general’s household shouldn’t be inferior to the Lu family, right?

Since she couldn’t marry the one she loved, then perhaps she should change her approach.

The Empress Dowager dreamed day and night of restoring the realm that belonged to Father, and had been secretly plotting. If the Yun family could be used by the Empress Dowager…

Thinking of this, Chu Zhixia felt somewhat sad.

Actually, she didn’t approve of what the Empress Dowager was doing.

But now, aside from this matter, she seemed not to know what else she could do.

She said slowly: “Miss Yun, this direction leads to the Buddhist hall…”

She chuckled softly, “Miss Yun probably isn’t familiar with the palace routes. Let me escort Miss Yun to rejoin the Yun family members.”

Yun Chu couldn’t help but stick out her tongue.

Although she often entered the palace, she only went to a few specific places. Walking around, she got confused.

Chu Zhixia led Yun Chu back. She wanted to go see the Yun family’s eldest young master. If possible, she was willing to create an accident that would force the Yun family’s eldest young master to take responsibility and marry her…

All along the way, she beat around the bush asking about Yun Ze.

When they were nearly at the banquet entrance, a woman approached from the opposite direction, wearing a light pink dress, gentle yet dignified.

Yun Chu leaned close to Chu Zhixia and said in a low voice: “Princess, do you see this lady? She’s my future sister-in-law, my elder brother’s beloved. They’re about to get engaged.”

“Is… is that so?” Chu Zhixia’s face froze. “That’s wonderful, truly wonderful…”

Lovers finally becoming married—that was the best thing in the world.

How could she bear to destroy someone else’s marriage?

“Chu’er, your elder brother has been looking everywhere for you. Where did you go? Don’t get lost.” Liu Qianqian came over and looked at the woman beside Yun Chu. After looking for a while, she finally reacted. “Paying respects to Princess Fukang.”

Chu Zhixia waved her hand: “As long as Miss Yun has found her family, that’s good. I’ll leave first.”

She turned and walked away, her figure somewhat fleeing in panic.

Just a little more and she would have made a terrible mistake…

After the New Year, the court issued an edict granting marriage between the Lu family’s eldest young master and a noble lady of the capital. The engagement would be in the third month, with the wedding set for the sixth month.

Chu Zhixia’s marriage was also arranged—it was personally selected by Empress Dowager Feng.

“After you marry into them, you’ll be the household matriarch.” The Empress Dowager was talking with Chu Zhixia. “The Xie family is a proper second-rank household holding great power. This marriage is not bad at all.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Rui walked in with furrowed brows: “The Xie family has three legitimate sons, but all three are already married. Is elder sister marrying a concubine-born son of the Xie family?”

The room suddenly fell quiet.

This silence gave Chu Rui an ominous premonition: “Elder sister?”

Chu Zhixia lowered her head, her tone calm: “I’m marrying the head of the Xie family, Lord Xie, to become the matriarch of the Xie household.”

“Wh-what?” Chu Rui’s body swayed violently. He supported himself on the table, saying in disbelief, “Empress Dowager, Grandmother, is what elder sister said true?”

Empress Dowager Feng’s voice was indifferent: “The horoscope documents have already been exchanged. The wedding will be in the sixth month.”

“No!” Chu Rui cried out. “He’s over forty years old—old enough to be our father! Why marry elder sister to someone of such advanced age! Moreover, he’s married three wives, and they all died. His fate is to bring death to his wives!”

“Rui’er, your words are somewhat laughable.” Empress Dowager Feng pulled at the corners of her lips. “Since ancient times, marriage is a major matter—by parents’ arrangement and matchmaker’s words. I and the Xie family both agree, and both the man and woman have nodded their consent. Where does your disagreement come into it? Don’t speak such childish words.”

Chu Rui looked at Chu Zhixia: “Elder sister, did you really agree?”

Chu Zhixia raised her head and met his gaze directly: “Yes, I’m willing to marry into them.”

Chu Rui took a deep breath.

He forcefully grabbed Chu Zhixia’s arm and dragged her outside Kangning Palace.

Because he used too much force, his stamina gave out. He covered his chest, gasping continuously.

“Elder sister, is the Empress Dowager forcing you to marry into the Xie family?” He said through gritted teeth. “For the throne, the Empress Dowager would actually do such a thing. I’m so disappointed in her! Elder sister, I’ll arrange for someone to escort you out of the palace. Hide for a while first. I’ll maneuver with the Empress Dowager in the palace. Once the engagement is broken, elder sister can return to the capital.”

“Rui’er, no one is forcing me.” Chu Zhixia smiled gently. “I’m already twenty-one years old. I’m getting older, making it difficult to arrange marriages. Lord Xie is already the best marriage prospect within my range of choices. Moreover, because Lord Xie has had several wives, His Majesty won’t interfere too much… This marriage is truly already quite good…”

“No, it’s not good.” Chu Rui hugged Chu Zhixia tightly. “Marrying such a person—it would be better not to marry at all. Sister, let’s escape from the palace together.”

“What foolish talk.” Chu Zhixia still smiled gently. “A woman’s lifelong destination is to marry and bear children. Rui’er, I want your blessing. Is that possible?”

She held Chu Rui’s hand and led him toward Jinying Palace.

The two were just like when they were young—elder sister holding younger brother’s hand, relying on each other…

In the following days, Chu Zhixia embroidered her wedding dress every day.

Chu Rui became busy. He went everywhere building connections and relationships, wanting to destroy this marriage.

But he was too weak. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t shake this marriage. In the blink of an eye, it was the sixth month.

The Lu family’s eldest young master married.

Lord Xie, the head of the Xie family, also took a wife.

Chu Rui carried Chu Zhixia on his back into the bridal sedan. He rode a tall horse, personally escorting elder sister to the Xie family.

The Xie family was a proper second-rank household. Even though this was Lord Xie’s fourth marriage, guests coming to offer congratulations streamed in endlessly. People were everywhere, and joy filled the air.

The wedding attendant led Chu Zhixia out of the bridal sedan and handed the large red flower to Lord Xie. The newlywed couple walked to the great hall and began bowing to heaven and earth.

Chu Rui stood among the guests, his eyes silently watching Chu Zhixia.

Soon, the bride was sent to the bridal chamber.

Chu Rui mixed in with the crowd and also silently followed toward the bridal chamber.

He saw that the new room was very large, even larger than elder sister’s bedchamber in the palace. Ice blocks were placed everywhere, dispelling the summer heat. The quantity of ice blocks was even more than the palace allocation.

He thought that although elder sister hadn’t married the one she loved, at least her future days would be comfortable and stable.

Moreover, Lord Xie’s parents had all passed away. With no elders above her, elder sister would be in charge. She should… would be quite content, right?

It was just those three legitimate sons…

Chu Rui’s eyes turned cold as he looked at three men standing together in the distance—the Xie family’s legitimate sons.

Over these past months, he had already thought of a method—how to create some trouble for these three people, to make them disappear forever.

That way, the child elder sister bore would be the Xie family’s only legitimate son.