The Sickly Regent Prince Who Was Abandoned as a Substitute Bride

Upon hearing Ye Jingchu's words, the emperor flew into a rage and shouted, "You worthless wretch..."

Without saying a word, Ye Erxiao picked up the memorial and threw it hard at Ye Jingchu.

Ye Jingchu dared not dodge and could only bear it, because he knew very well why his father was so angry.

"Your Majesty, please calm down..." Yuan Chuhuang hurriedly tried to persuade him.

"Your Majesty, I have just questioned my son, and he truly loves that woman named Dongfang Wan'er. I understand that you are worried he is only doing this to gain the support of the Duke of Zhenguo, but Your Majesty can rest assured about that..."

After hearing the Empress's words, Emperor Ye Erxiao's emotions gradually calmed down. After all, he knew the Empress's temperament all too well. She had always maintained a calm and indifferent attitude towards everything, and especially disliked her sons vying for the throne...

However, he had just summoned Dongfang Zheng to tell him that he intended to have Dongfang Wan'er enter the palace to accompany him, and then his eldest son came to ask for a marriage decree. It was really hard not to be suspicious...

"Father, your son and I are deeply in love. You can inquire around; your son has been pursuing you all along..." The eldest prince, Ye Jingchu, knelt on the ground and said earnestly.

After a moment of silence, Ye Erxiao replied, "Dongfang Wan'er is indeed a very outstanding woman, but marriage is a major event that concerns the reputation of the royal family, so it cannot be decided lightly."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jingchu hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, my beloved Wan'er and I are mutually in love and wish to spend our lives together. I humbly request that Your Majesty grant us this wish."

The Empress chimed in, "Your Majesty, Chu'er is deeply in love with Wan'er. If they could get married, it would truly be a wonderful marriage."

The Emperor pondered for a long time, thinking that if his son married Dongfang Wan'er, he would not only gain the support of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but the Yuan family would also be on his side. It would be better to do the Empress a favor…

"Very well, since you all insist, then I will grant the marriage. Guards, quickly bring us writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone!" At the emperor's command, the eunuchs serving him dared not delay and hurriedly ran to present the Four Treasures of the Study to the emperor.

Upon hearing this, Ye Jing was overjoyed and could hardly believe his ears. He immediately knelt down and kowtowed, expressing his gratitude: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty! Thank you for your kindness! Your subject will certainly do his best to serve Your Majesty and Mother, and will not fail Your Majesty's grace!"

The emperor nodded slightly in satisfaction. He took the brush handed to him by the eunuch, dipped it in thick ink, and began to write swiftly on the pristine white paper. A moment later, an edict was completed. The emperor carefully examined it, and after confirming its accuracy, affixed his imperial seal.

"Li Fu, go to the Marquis's residence immediately and convey my decree..." The emperor handed the edict to Li Fu, the chief eunuch beside him, and gave the order.

"Yes, Your Majesty! This servant obeys the decree!" Li Fu bowed and carefully accepted the edict with both hands before turning to leave.

"Your subject takes his leave..." Seeing that things were settled, Ye Jingchu happily bowed to the emperor and said goodbye.

"Your Majesty..." Empress Yuan Chuhuang originally intended to leave as well, but was stopped by the Emperor.

"Empress, it has been quite some time since you last visited me. Please stay and dine with me tonight..." the Emperor said gently.

"Yes, Your Majesty..." Yuan Chuhuang didn't really want to stay, but the Emperor had just bestowed a marriage upon his son, and it would be unreasonable to refuse now. Helpless, she could only reluctantly agree.

The eldest prince watched his parents' interaction with great joy. He knew his father and mother had a deep affection for each other, and seeing them still so loving naturally brought him comfort. At that moment, he was eager to leave the palace and tell his younger sister, Wan'er, this good news.

Meanwhile, Dongfang Wan'er was fast asleep in her boudoir, completely unaware of the impending arranged marriage.

"Qiuqin, is your sister still asleep?" Dongfang Mingzhu had come three times already, and seeing that Dongfang Wan'er was still deep in her dreams, she couldn't help but ask anxiously.

"Second Miss, Miss said that no one is allowed to disturb her..." Qiuqin replied expressionlessly.

Oriental Pearl was furious inside, but she still maintained that fake smile on her face.

She knew that Dongfang Wan'er was doing it on purpose, deliberately trying to embarrass her.

Oriental Pearl turned away helplessly, but when she reached the outer courtyard, she unexpectedly saw Chunzhi.

"Chunzhi..." Dongfang Mingzhu called out to Chunzhi.

"Second Miss..." Chunzhi saw the Oriental Pearl Tower and was very reluctant to respond, but she had no choice but to answer.

“Come here…” Dongfang Mingzhu led Chunzhi to a secluded corner.

"Slap..." A crisp slap rang out, and Chunzhi covered her cheek, staring in astonishment at the Oriental Pearl Tower.

"You little brat, how dare you look at me like that? Be careful or I'll gouge your eyes out..." Dongfang Mingzhu glared angrily at Chunzhi, her vicious eyes seeming as if she wanted to devour Chunzhi alive.

Chunzhi was so frightened that she trembled all over. She quickly knelt down and lowered her head, not daring to look at the Oriental Pearl Tower again.

"Hmph, my aunt told you to poison Dongfang Wan'er, why didn't you? Dongfang Wan'er is still alive and well..." Dongfang Mingzhu said through gritted teeth.

"Second Miss, I'm innocent! I did administer the poison as instructed by Aunt Liu. I don't know why the Eldest Miss wasn't poisoned..." Chunzhi cried out, protesting her innocence.

Dongfang Mingzhu looked at Chunzhi kneeling on the ground with suspicion, thinking that this little bitch shouldn't have the guts to disobey orders. So, she waved her hand, signaling Chunzhi to stand up.

"Alright, get up! I heard that Dongfang Wan'er has also signed up for the talent competition? She can't do anything, yet she dares to sign up? Keep an eye on her lately and see what she's preparing..." Dongfang Mingzhu said with a contemptuous smile.

Dongfang Mingzhu knew all along that Dongfang Wan'er had been an incompetent fool with no learning, but considering that Dongfang Wan'er had once served in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, she might actually have some skills! Therefore, it was still best to be cautious…

"Yes, Second Miss..."

"Alright, go down..." Oriental Pearl waved his hand!

"The imperial edict has arrived..." Li Fu arrived at the Marquis's residence...

"Go, go and call the master..."

The maids and servants all went to call their masters…

"Miss, wake up! The imperial decree has arrived. Let's go receive it." Qiuqin pulled Dongfang Wan'er out of bed and pressed her onto the dressing table to do her makeup...

Before long, everyone knelt in the hall to receive the imperial decree…

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Dongfang Wan'er, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Dongfang, is exceptionally talented and possesses both virtue and beauty! I have heard that she and the First Prince Ye Jingchu are mutually in love, therefore I hereby bestow upon her to the First Prince as his principal wife, and the wedding shall take place on an auspicious day. This decree is hereby issued!"

"What!" Dongfang Wan'er, who was still half asleep, was suddenly awakened...