Wei Han couldn’t quite gauge Grand Commander Luo’s true meaning for a moment.

If there truly were many people coming to propose marriage and Grand Commander Luo wanted to select carefully, he could still understand. But at present, it seemed no one was competing with him…

Under these circumstances, for Grand Commander Luo to refuse without hesitation—did he think so poorly of him?

Yet Grand Commander Luo had once proactively hinted at forming a marriage alliance with him…

Since that year under the persimmon tree when he had proposed a lifelong pledge to Miss Luo, he had waited so long and finally received her nod of agreement. As for obstacles from others, he would overcome them no matter what.

Perhaps because he cared too much, at this moment of hitting a wall, Wei Han couldn’t help but overthink.

His cautious manner fell into Grand Commander Luo’s eyes, and panic arose in his heart: Oh no, Prince Kaiyang is thinking of backing out!

No matter what, he had to hold firm and not be the first to relent.

Grand Commander Luo soothed his anxious heart while maintaining a stern expression on his face.

At least one more request, and then he could agree.

The evening breeze blew, the persimmon tree’s branches and leaves swayed, and falling leaves drifted leisurely past Wei Han.

Wei Han’s thin lips pressed together slightly as he firmed his resolve: since he had already spoken, today he must obtain Grand Commander Luo’s agreement.

“Uncle Luo cherishes Miss Luo and wishes to select carefully—I can understand that. However, I assure you, even if countless people come seeking Miss Luo’s hand, I will be the most sincere among them—”

“I agree.”

Wei Han was stunned.

He hadn’t finished speaking yet.

Grand Commander Luo wore a solemn expression, yet inwardly sighed: How could he not be the most sincere? In all these years, counting fully, he was the only one who had come to propose…

Seeing Wei Han still hadn’t reacted, Grand Commander Luo coughed heavily. “In light of Your Highness’s complete sincerity, I’ll reluctantly agree.”

The corners of Wei Han’s mouth lifted. “Many thanks, Uncle Luo.”

Grand Commander Luo’s spirits soared, though he struggled to maintain composure. “I wonder what thoughts Your Highness has regarding an auspicious date?”

Wei Han ventured boldly, “What does Uncle Luo think of after the Frost Descent?”

The timing was indeed somewhat rushed, but he had already waited too long.

He wanted to embrace her to sleep as her husband on next year’s Lantern Festival, rather than being trapped in memories of his parents’ murder from childhood every Lantern Festival night, eyes open until dawn as in every previous year.

“Frost Descent?” Grand Commander Luo started, then rapidly calculated in his mind.

It was now the seventh month—only a little over two months until Frost Descent!

He hadn’t expected to marry off his daughter so soon!

Grand Commander Luo’s eyebrows lifted with joy. Seeing the earnestness in the young man’s eyes across from him, he hastily suppressed his rising smile and said thoughtfully, “That’s rather rushed—”

Wei Han nodded apologetically. “It is rather rushed…”

Grand Commander Luo nearly rolled his eyes.

Was this boy not eager to marry? Why was he agreeing?

Fearing delays might bring complications, Grand Commander Luo cleared his throat lightly. “Though it’s rushed, now that the realm has just been settled, it’s precisely suitable for celebrating happy occasions… Then let’s select an auspicious date after Frost Descent!”

Grand Commander Luo’s decisiveness left Wei Han momentarily frozen before he reacted. “Many thanks to Uncle Luo for making this possible.”

Grand Commander Luo maintained a dignified expression. “It’s mainly because Your Highness showed considerable sincerity.”

“Then I’ll return to my manor to begin preparations.” Wei Han stood up.

“Take care, Your Highness.”

Grand Commander Luo saw Wei Han off, then immediately instructed Hong Dou, who was going to the kitchen to fetch dishes, “Quickly call your young miss here.”

Shortly after, Luo Sheng entered the back courtyard and sat down across from Grand Commander Luo.

“Father summoned me.”

Grand Commander Luo looked at his daughter, growing more delighted the more he looked.

Sheng’er was eighteen years old—precisely the right age for marriage.

Never would he have imagined that among his four daughters, Sheng’er would be the most accomplished, the first to let him experience the feeling of being a father-in-law.

Father-in-law—

Just thinking of how during New Year’s, Prince Kaiyang would come to pay respects and properly address him as “father-in-law” made Grand Commander Luo’s heart sweet as honey.

Seeing Grand Commander Luo only grinning foolishly, Luo Sheng asked, “Did Father just discuss the marriage with His Highness?”

Grand Commander Luo’s smile vanished. “How does a young lady lead with such a question?”

Luo Sheng fell silent for a moment, then said frankly, “I saw Father was quite happy.”

Grand Commander Luo: “…” Was it that obvious?

Looking again at his daughter with the smile at the corners of her lips, he suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed.

“Ahem, the auspicious date is set for after Frost Descent. Sheng’er should prepare well.”

Luo Sheng thought for a moment and answered honestly, “I don’t really know what to prepare.”

When she had been Princess Qingyang, she had experienced one wedding preparation. At that time, everything had been arranged by others—she only needed to wait to be married.

Now that she had become Princess Imperial, it seemed she needed to prepare even less.

Grand Commander Luo was stumped by the question. After pondering deeply for a long while, he said hesitantly, “At the very least, embroider a pair of mandarin duck pillow covers…”

Meeting his beloved daughter’s bewildered gaze, Grand Commander Luo’s heart clenched, and he hastily changed his tune. “I think none of these things need preparing. If Sheng’er dresses up beautifully and marries over, that will be the greatest fortune for that boy.”

What pillow covers? What if the mandarin ducks turned out looking like ducks—wouldn’t that be embarrassing?

The next day, Grand Commander Luo told Luo Chen about agreeing to Prince Kaiyang’s marriage proposal.

“After Frost Descent?” Luo Chen suppressed that trace of displeasure in his heart and nodded slightly. “Over a year to prepare would indeed be sufficient.”

Grand Commander Luo laughed heartily. “Not next year’s Frost Descent—this year’s Frost Descent.”

“This year?” Luo Chen nearly coughed blood. “Why is Father so rushed? Are you afraid Elder Sister can’t marry?”

Grand Commander Luo chuckled.

Did he even need to ask?

Luo Chen steadied himself and said, suppressing his irritation, “Even if Elder Sister couldn’t marry, I could support her for life. She’s Princess Imperial—would anyone dare look down on her?”

Grand Commander Luo shot his son a look. “Is our family lacking money to support your sister? Don’t you want to become an uncle in the future?”

Luo Chen was rendered speechless by the question.

Truth be told, he had no interest in becoming an uncle.

However, he knew his sister’s heart.

Since she was willing to marry Prince Kaiyang, he would naturally ensure everything went smoothly for her.

“Then I’ll have the Imperial Astronomical Bureau select an auspicious date.” Luo Chen thought for a moment and reminded, “As for maternal grandfather’s family—”

Grand Commander Luo smiled. “Today I’ll dispatch someone to bring news, inviting your uncles to come to the capital to attend the wedding.”

After Grand Commander Luo left, Luo Chen summoned Minister Zhao to inquire, “I heard that yesterday at the opening of Youjian Wine House, Duke Anguo’s second daughter attacked my sister. What exactly happened?”

Minister Zhao had long since understood the new emperor’s regard for Miss Luo. This summons to the palace was completely within expectations, so naturally he had made sure to understand everything he should.

“In response to Your Majesty, the situation is as follows: Duke Anguo’s wife didn’t actually choke to death on small crab dumplings. She was accidentally killed by Duke Anguo when she tried to stop him from punishing Second Miss Zhu… Second Miss Zhu, fearing punishment, fled the duke’s manor. With help from the young princess of Prince Pingnan’s manor, she changed her appearance and opened a cosmetics shop directly across from Youjian Wine House…”

After hearing Minister Zhao’s complete account, Luo Chen’s expression was cold as ice. “So you’re saying Duke Anguo’s second daughter plotted with calculating patience solely to assassinate my sister?”

Minister Zhao lowered his eyes and said nothing.

After a long while, they heard the new emperor say flatly, “What is the crime for assassinating Princess Imperial? Minister Zhao, handle it according to criminal law. As for Duke Anguo’s manor… Duke Anguo failed to properly educate his daughter and cannot escape blame. Strip him of his title and reduce him to commoner status.”