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Rong Shu allowed him to hold her. The pure white snowflakes, like delicate feathers, landed on her long eyelashes, as if they were too heavy for them to bear, causing her to slowly lower her gaze.

"I won't hate you. Because I know that Gu Yunzhi would never hurt Rong Zhaozhao." Rong Shu smiled slightly. "Anyone might hurt Rong Zhaozhao, but not Mother and Gu Yunzhi."

Just like today, she was well aware that he wouldn't push her to the point of disobedience. From the moment he allowed her to interrupt Wang Dehai's announcement of the imperial edict, she knew that this marriage decree wouldn't come to pass.

Gu Changjin's gaze was obscured, with countless words stuck in his throat, even leaving a hint of rustiness there.

"It's only been three years. Gu Yunzhi, we've only been married for three years."

How long could three years be?

In such a relatively short period, how much affection and love could truly have been accumulated?

Rong Shu understood that Gu Changjin's persistence at this moment likely stemmed from her tragic death in his arms during the previous life when he loved her the most.

When he eventually let go of her death in their past life, he would probably also let go of this relationship.

The sky grew darker, and the snow fell heavier.

Chapter 90

In a short while, more people arrived on Kirin East Street, all of them representatives from influential families who had come to gather information.

Outside the Cheng'an Marquis Estate, Wang Dehai and Li Meng exchanged glances.

The Rong family, who were supposed to leave in their carriage, also stood still. Rong Xun, Madam Zhu, Madam Zhong, and Aunt Pei remained by the carriage, silently observing the tightly closed vermilion gate.

Out of the corner of her eye, Aunt Pei caught sight of a familiar figure walking across the street. It was the old nursemaid from Lady Jiang's side.

Pei Yun sneered inwardly.

When the Rong family had been stripped of their titles and possessions, the Jiang family, as their in-laws, had shown no concern, not even bothering with pretenses. Now, they must have heard rumors that the Emperor intended to arrange a marriage for Rong Shu and had secretly dispatched someone to inquire about it.

They were probably hoping that after Rong Shu became Crown Princess, they could use Rong Wu to establish ties with the Eastern Palace.

Pei Yun found the situation ironic. It was only now that she could see through Jiang Zhen's false facade and understand the true extent of the Jiang family's opportunism, despite their claims to be an esteemed scholarly lineage.

Back then, at the Spring Banquet, after Rong Shu and Gu Changjin divorced, it was a Jiang family daughter who had led the ridicule against Rong Shu. At that time, Wangdai's daughter, Wao'er, had quarreled with them and was subsequently grounded by her mother.

Later, when the crown prince acknowledged his ancestry, the Jiang family inquired far and wide about the type of young lady the prince favored. These people dared not aspire to the position of crown princess; instead, they set their sights on the two Ladies and two concubines in the Eastern Palace.

But the Jiangs were not the only family vying for these positions, hoping to send a female member of their clan into the Eastern Palace.

Pei Yun gazed at the bright yellow imperial edict in Wang Dehai's hands. Would it bestow the title of crown princess, Lady, or concubine?

The Rong family's power had waned, and it was unlikely that the Emperor and Empress would grant the position of crown princess to Rong Shu.

Pei Yun clenched the handkerchief in her grasp. The irony was laughable—now, perhaps she was the one most hoping for Rong Shu to become the crown princess.

As she pondered, the door creaked open.

Gu Changjin and Rong Shu emerged from within.

Following Li Meng's cry of "Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince," those outside promptly knelt in unison.

Rong Shu was about to kneel as well, but a man on her side supported her elbow. In the next instant, he said, "Everyone, rise."

Among these people, only Rong Shu and Wang Dehai remained standing.

Wang Dehai held the imperial edict, excusing him from kneeling. Glancing at Gu Changjin's hand supporting Rong Shu's elbow, he stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, shall this servant proceed with the proclamation?"

Gu Changjin replied coolly, "Eunuch Wang, hand the imperial edict to me. I will explain to my father the emperor later."

It seemed that the marriage could no longer be forced upon them.

Wang Dehai lifted his gaze, subtly observing Rong Shu and Gu Changjin without revealing any signs of curiosity.

If the emperor were to inquire later, he would not know how to respond. He couldn't possibly say that the young lady refused to marry the crown prince.

Upon thinking of Rong Shu, Wang Dehai found it difficult to determine whether she was incredibly courageous or simply ignorant. With the position of Crown Princess literally presented before her, she had unexpectedly rejected it outright.

Half an hour later, Wang Dehai returned to the palace to report.

"You're saying that Miss Rong refused?"

Emperor Jiaoyu was reviewing military reports from the northern border. Upon hearing Wang Dehai's words, he raised his eyebrows in mild surprise.

Wang Dehai wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and said, "Indeed. Miss Rong called His Highness the Crown Prince for a conversation. When he came out, he asked this servant to give him the imperial edict and not to proceed with the arranged marriage."

Emperor Jiaoyu pondered for a while before a slight tremor ran through his chest. He chuckled and said, "Let the Crown Prince handle this matter himself. If she's unwilling, I don't wish to force her hand."

Pausing, he added, "Ask him to come see me when he returns."

An hour later, Gu Changjin arrived at the Qianqing Palace. Emperor Jiaoyu sized him up for a moment and said, "You requested that imperial edict, so it's your responsibility to deal with it. As the Crown Prince of Great Yin, settling on a Crown Princess sooner will help stabilize the political situation."

Gu Changjin replied respectfully, "This son understands."

At the same time, in the Kunning Palace, Empress Qi had also received news.

When Wang Dehai set off for the Kirin East Street, Empress Qi already knew that he carried an imperial edict for an arranged marriage. She assumed that once Wang Dehai returned, the Emperor would instruct her to start preparations for the grand ceremony to confer the title of Crown Princess.

To their surprise, Miss Rong categorically refused the proposal.

This lady had quite the audacity.

Aunt Gui, who was combing Empress Qi's hair, heard about this and couldn't help but feel a stir in her heart. "Your Majesty, if that young lady is not willing to marry, and the Emperor is known for not imposing his will on others, perhaps there might still be a chance for one of our Qi family's girls."