Chapter 279: Chapter 222: Time to Face Some Things

Yan Zhen’s face carried a hint of bitterness, and he said softly, “Father, Mother, this marriage contract is fake.

The signature of Shu was imitated by me, but the seal of the Prince is genuine.

Child acted this way out of desperation, fearing that the Emperor would arrange another woman for me, so I discussed with the Prince to first act and then report.”

Upon hearing this, Old General Yan was taken aback, “You mean, the decree that the Emperor just issued was to appoint you a marriage? How can you be so sure?”

Yan Zhen’s gaze was resolute as he explained earnestly, “Father, think about it, if not for a marriage arrangement, what else could it be?

Promotion? If it were about a promotion, the Emperor would have released some word beforehand and then issued a decree, or he could have directly announced it in the court, why issue a decree to our family?

Today, I talked to Prince Zhan for a moment due to Shu’s matter, and the Emperor immediately came to the mansion and issued a decree. Isn’t the implication clear? Hence, I wanted to preempt the Emperor by shutting his mouth in advance.”

Old General Yan nodded slightly in acknowledgment, his eyes falling on the fake marriage contract with furrowed brows, “What now? If the Emperor finds out, this would be a great crime of deceiving the sovereign!”

Yan Zhen agreed without hesitation, “Precisely, this marriage contract must become real. Father, I’ll go to the Prince Mansion now.” After saying this, he turned to leave.

“Zhen.” Old Madam Yan called out to him.

Yan Zhen immediately stopped in his tracks and looked back at his mother, full of confusion, asking, “Mother, do you have something to say to me?”

Old Madam Yan felt a strange pang in her heart, “Have you truly thought this through?”

Yan Zhen understood well that his mother found it difficult to accept his change of surname.

No matter how grandiose the words, it was easy to say, but when it came down to oneself, how many could face it calmly?

Yan Zhen sincerely said, “Mother, even if I change my surname, I am always the son of you and Father, this blood relation will never change.

Moreover, you both know my wish. Now, this is the only path to take, I am unworthy as a son.

In fact, although this path is my wish, you must also understand, Father was once under the Prince’s command, in this ever-changing situation, one must make choices, right?

Our Yan family has always wanted to remain uninvolved, but is it up to us? If we have to choose, isn’t my decision also your decision?

Since that’s the case, there’s no need to hide anymore, better to fight with everything we have.”

Old Madam Yan listened, half-understanding, but Old General Yan fully understood the deeper meaning, and nodded heavily, “This is also your father’s wish, go ahead! On the day you marry, you will bear the surname Shen.”

Yan Zhen understood the deeper meaning within his father’s words.

Bearing the surname Shen meant being with Prince Zhan, while his father, surnamed Yan, could still maneuver in appearance even if he knew the inclination in his heart.

“I understand.” said Yan Zhen, then turned and left.

Old Madam Yan looked at her son’s departing back with words left unsaid.

Old General Yan showed a look of displeasure, saying, “Zhen has always been our pride, but we almost lost him.

Now that he has returned from the brink of death, even if we are reluctant, we must not let him notice, nor let him hesitate with guilt. He should live for himself!”

Old Madam Yan’s eyes reddened, biting her lip she said, “Husband, I understand, just that sometimes I can’t help it, I know, seeing our son find happiness is my comfort.”

Seeing his wife like this, Old General Yan’s tone also softened, “Don’t you remember what your son said? No matter the surname, he is our son, rest assured!

It’s not like we won’t ever see him again, this is like marrying off a daughter, there’s no rule that says daughters can’t visit their maiden family!”

Old Madam Yan couldn’t help but laugh, feeling relieved, she gave her husband a teasing look, “You! Seeing our son happy naturally makes me happy, just a fleeting sorrow.

Alright, since it’s marrying off a daughter, we should also prepare in advance, shouldn’t we?”

Old General Yan nodded in agreement, but his expression still a bit heavy, silently praying for no unexpected incidents.

Jun Moling returned from Quanjude and informed Shen Ruoxi of the matter, also drafting a fake marriage contract, however, this fake marriage contract must become real, otherwise, there is no way back.

Shen Ruoxi was momentarily taken aback by the news. Just a few days ago, she had analyzed the pros and cons with her husband, believing this move to be inappropriate, why act now and report later.

Actually, there were many matters Jun Moling did not wish to disclose to Shen Ruoxi, as Royal Family affairs are intricate, he didn’t want his wife to be troubled by it.

So, he deliberately avoided discussing certain matters, but now he could not avoid it.

He pulled Shen Ruoxi into his embrace, whispering, “Powerful ministers and the Emperor can never coexist peacefully, the Emperor’s wariness is inevitable.

Furthermore, you know, I was nearly appointed as the Imperial Grandson by Grandfather Emperor, in the eyes of many senior ministers, I should be the one sitting on the throne, yet I never had ambition for that position, that’s why they held back!”

Shen Ruoxi lightly pressed her lips, actually since Chunyu Che spoke those words, she had been considering.

Previously, she thought her husband had handed over the Commander’s Seal and became an idle prince, the Emperor should no longer feel apprehensive.

Clearly, this thought was mistaken.

“I know, Chunyu Che told me so, yet I always felt the Emperor wouldn’t.” Shen Ruoxi slightly tilted her head, looking at Jun Moling, her gaze mixed with a few complex emotions.

Jun Moling slightly lowered his head, letting out a gentle laugh, “No matter what, it’s essential to keep the initiative in one’s hands.

As they say, do no harm, but be vigilant, to survive in this world, one must be strong, so strong that no one dares to mess with you, that’s the true path.

After all, the only one you can truly rely on is yourself.”

Shen Ruoxi nodded in deep agreement, “So, what’s your plan, husband?”

Jun Moling spoke softly, “Let’s start with Yan Zhen’s matter, no need to endure at the cost of their happiness.

Now we first go to Shen Mansion, to discuss this with sister-in-law. They are already deeply in love, this is a natural progression, no need to worry too much.”

“Alright, then let’s head over.” Shen Ruoxi said.

Just as she and Jun Moling reached outside the mansion, they coincidentally encountered Yan Zhen.

“Prince, Princess Consort, are you heading to Shen Mansion? Count me in, let’s go together.” Yan Zhen forced back his inner excitement as he spoke.

Shen Ruoxi saw his eager demeanor and couldn’t help but feel happy too, she responded with a smile: “General Yan, no need for you to go, just wait for the good news.

If you go, my sister-in-law might feel embarrassed and have difficulty speaking up.”

Yan Zhen was slightly taken aback; he initially thought of going to directly swap the fake marriage contract for a real one.

Actually, having only Prince Zhan’s stamp isn’t sufficient, a highly respected family member is also needed to align with the customs.

“I really can’t go?” At this moment, Yan Zhen’s face unexpectedly showed a slightly bewildered expression.

Shen Ruoxi replied with a smile, “I must first clarify the situation.”

Yan Zhen wanted to say there’s no need to ask, but thinking about the ten years spent apart, he nodded, “Alright.”

He pondered for a moment, then quickly added, “Make sure to explain to Shu, we have a marriage contract.”

Shen Ruoxi understood well, if her sister-in-law did not acknowledge this marriage contract, Yan Zhen would indeed be guilty of deceiving the sovereign.

However, there’s no need to worry about this, as she was confident her sister-in-law could discern right from wrong and know how to make the right choice.

“Rest assured! You wait for the news first.”

Yan Zhen, feeling helpless, could only bow and retreat with a tense heart.

Watching Yan Zhen’s departing figure, Jun Moling held Shen Ruoxi’s hand as they boarded the carriage heading towards Shen Mansion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep