Chapter 44: Meeting the Princess

“Okay!” Yunzhi nodded and followed Dongli Lucang out of the Ci’an Courtyard.

As they stepped out, Yunzhi was startled. The once empty courtyard was now filled with people. These were all the guests who had come to congratulate An Xiuyuan. Upon learning that Dongli Lucang had arrived, they even left their seats and came to pay their respects to him.

Seeing Yunzhi following behind the Regent, everyone changed their expressions. They weren’t fools. The Regent had arrived, but instead of going to the front courtyard to attend the wedding banquet, he had gone straight to the back courtyard. This could only be because of a woman. And this woman, surprisingly, was Yunzhi.

Dongli Lucang and Yunzhi stood on the corridor, calmly scanning the crowd.

With just a glance, everyone quickly knelt down, shouting in unison, “Your subjects pay their respects to the Regent. Long live the King, long live the King, long live the King.”

Dongli Lucang looked at them but didn’t tell them to rise. Then, he extended his hand towards Yunzhi, who was a step behind him.

“Zhizhi, come!”

Yunzhi was stunned but still placed her hand in his large one.

Dongli Lucang’s hand was warm, enveloping Yunzhi’s delicate hand completely. He held Yunzhi’s hand and brought her to stand beside him. Then, he announced to the kneeling crowd, “Yunzhi, my Princess.”

These words caused a wave of shock, both among those who had received the news and those who hadn’t.

Although some had learned yesterday that the Emperor had issued an edict, bestowing Yunzhi upon the Regent as his Princess, many knew that the Regent and the Emperor were not on good terms. They doubted whether the Regent would comply with the Emperor’s edict. Therefore, even after knowing about Yunzhi’s betrothal, they pretended not to know.

In their eyes, a Princess not recognized by the Regent didn’t count.

However, they never imagined that the Regent would actually publicly acknowledge Yunzhi as his Princess. Some even doubted their own ears.

Why would the Regent acknowledge Yunzhi? Not only was she a divorced woman, but she was also raised by merchants. The Yun family wasn’t a prestigious clan, so Yunzhi’s status was unsuitable.

They couldn’t understand why the Regent would choose a twice-married woman over all the other noble daughters and ladies of high society.

But even if they were puzzled, the other party was the Regent himself. So, as soon as Dongli Lucang finished speaking, someone immediately led the crowd in a shout, “Your subjects pay their respects to the Regent Princess. Long live the Princess, long live the Princess, long live the Princess.”

Yunzhi looked at the entire courtyard full of kneeling people and looked at Dongli Lucang with a puzzled expression. She couldn’t understand why he was so eager to introduce her identity.

Logically, her status was not worthy of Dongli Lucang.

However, as if knowing what Yunzhi was thinking, Dongli Lucang continued to hold her hand without letting go. He was joking. He had finally managed to hold the hand of the girl he had loved for years, how could he let go so easily?

He not only wanted to hold her hand now, but also for the rest of their lives.

Inside the house, Wang, her son, and daughter-in-law heard the voices outside, all greeting Yunzhi. Their faces were all grim.

Wang Yuzhen also knew that she had made a mistake and looked at An Xiuyuan with anxiety. She was afraid, afraid that An Xiuyuan would abandon her for his future.

If that were to happen, she would be in a terrible situation. She had schemed and plotted, but in the end, she would be left with nothing.