Murmurs rippled through the court; the ministers sneaked glances at the prince as their heads bowed to the floor, their overflowing robes pooling like waves. By his side was the Empress, a displeased woman at her wits' end.
It had been only two days, yet the empress had suddenly aged. Her gray hair was now prominent, and wrinkles seemed to have appeared on her face overnight. The radiant smile that once charmed everyone had long faded, replaced with a scorn, tight lips, and darkened eyes.
"What is taking him so long?" the Empress hissed, her gaze burning on her second son. But Ji Mingyuan did not act like it bothered him. His eyes remained fixed on the giant doors, anticipation echoing in his mind; he was waiting for one person only.
By his mother's side, Prince Fengye wore a smug look, his short hair pushed back and braided with beads. A huge fan of trends and new fashion, it was no surprise he was already practicing the southern hairstyle currently the hottest topic within the kingdom.
As time ticked away painfully, the Empress only grew angrier. Her patience was burning out faster than fuel.
"Where is he?" she hissed louder this time.
The ministers' murmurs only increased as some groaned in annoyance.
"His first summons, and he is late? This one can't be a consort," a minister whispered.
"Does he think he's still in Yunzhou, where he can be reckless?" another taunted.
"Ji Mingyuan," the Empress hissed, her gaze snapping toward her stubborn son. "Look at Yue'er, she is here and present. She was early and punctual. Can't you see the good I want for you?"
Ji Mingyuan's lips pressed together as his gaze landed on Yue Fei. The little devil sat poised, her legs clasped together. Her beautiful pink hanfu graced her body perfectly, her hair styled back with the finest beads, beautifying her like a Lunar New Year ornament.
This was just too much for him. He wasn't looking for someone trying so hard; he needed someone who wasn't trying at all. Beauty was something blessed upon women, but Liang Chen was handsome and beautiful, if not more beautiful.
His long lashes were a total contrast to his masculinity; his long grey hair, a captivating sight to behold; and his long, slender legs, the perfect size he wanted wrapped around his torso.
The man was beyond perfect, and to Ji Mingyuan, no one could outmatch Liang Chen, not in this life or the next.
"Mother, he will come," Ji Mingyuan muttered, almost whispering.
The Empress groaned but said nothing. And just then, the giant doors creaked open and a figure stepped in.
Dressed in black royal embroidery, a pair that matched Ji Mingyuan's, his hair was left loose, flowing gracefully behind him. His golden strap sandals and sweet smile pissed off both the court and the Empress as he marched in gently, as if the floor feared him.
At the sight of him, the ministers' anger only hardened.
"Young men these days," Minister Wang Shu snorted. "The Empress summons you, and you keep her waiting? Arrogance."
"This is capital punishment. His fingers should be cut off," Minister Li Meng added.
Liang Chen's eyes met Ji Mingyuan's. He wanted the green-eyed devil to save him, but Ji Mingyuan knew him too well.
"Bow before the Empress," Ji Fengye roared.
Liang Chen's lips pressed together, his hands clasped beneath his sleeves.
"Greetings, my Crown Prince, Empress, and Prince Fengye." Liang Chen descended gracefully, then bowed.
No matter how long he descended, he was beyond saving in the eyes of the Queen.
Just then, the system flickered above him:
[Mission Update: Maintain harmony in Yelan Court. Conflict Detected.]
[Failure Rate: 27% → 41%]
Liang Chen cursed inwardly. He hadn't even gotten the chance to say anything and he was already failing.
With a broad smile, he turned to the Queen, his eyes beaming with contempt, yet his lips gave a different feeling.
"Mother, when you sent for me, I was in the bath. It was only right I finish and prepare myself. I knew you wouldn't want to see me half-naked and in inappropriate clothes."
"What nonsense excuse is that?" Ji Fengye snapped.
"My mother called on you and you kept us waiting, and all you have to say is that you were taking your time for a proper bath?"
Liang Chen nodded without delay. "I wouldn't want to contaminate the Empress's refined self with my unpleasant scent."
Ji Mingyuan's lips curled, and he raised a hand, stopping everyone.
"Liang, come sit with me," he whispered.
The room went silent, so much so that the sound of a falling leaf could have been heard.
"Mingyuan!" the Empress yelled, but her son was far from listening. He reached out a hand, taking that of the man before him, who matched up to him gracefully.
"What, Mother? You don't expect me to let my consort stand, do you?" Ji Mingyuan hissed.
Everyone nodded, but their anger couldn't be hidden.
"Even Yue Fei got a seat. Fengye got a seat, which I fail to see their importance in today's meeting, and you want Liang Chen to stand?
"This is the court of Yelan, not Yunzhou! His kind is to stand and take orders, listen and not speak unless spoken to, and never to carry himself like he belongs, for he doesn't!"
"And who belongs… her?" Ji Mingyuan hissed. "Maybe I said yes to marrying her as a concubine… but now, I reject her."
Ji Mingyuan dropped the words, and the court went wild in seconds.
"You can't do that, my prince! Yue Fei devoted her life to you; she waited, and you can't leave her!" Minister Wang Shu half-yelled.
"My daughter gave you everything! She was patient, and even when you brought home a curse, she did not waver! She stood by your side, trusting in the bond you shared, and you want to leave her now? Never!" Prime Minister Ming Hao hissed. "You will marry her. This can't end like this," he added arrogantly.
Ji Mingyuan studied each of them, and so did Liang Chen.
Xiayue had mentioned his reward, and right now seemed like the perfect time.
As he stared at the angry ministers, one stood out. He couldn't read minds or hear secrets, but their hearts were dark, filled with nothing but hate and greed for the Crown Prince.
Liang Chen's hands unintentionally squeezed Ji Mingyuan's tenderly, as if providing comfort and support.
"I have something to say," Liang Chen suddenly announced, and the court fell dead silent.
A proud smile spread on the Empress's lips; she expected him to grovel at her feet and beg. Some ministers sneered, not ready to accept an apology that hadn't even been spoken, and Prince Ji Fengye, the coward, carried his nose so high Liang Chen feared it would touch the sky.
"The royal messenger did say the Empress requested my presence." Liang Chen's gaze settled on the Empress. He watched her every move, reaction, and gesture. She wasn't pure, not when her eyes stared at Ji Mingyuan, but when directed at Ji Fengye, one could see the support, love, and care from miles away.
"What is my offense, or is marrying your son the only offense?" Liang Chen hissed, and a loud gasp rippled through the court.
He knew too well they had summoned him to put him in his supposed place, but his place was by Ji Mingyuan's side, and that is where he sat.
"You think you're smart, right?" the Empress snorted.
"I don't think so, Mother," Prince Liang Chen stressed every word. "I know. Because I am the best strategist of Yunzhou, the glorious prince who never fell… not even once."
Every word cut through the court like a double-edged blade.
If there was tension earlier, the court of Yelan was now a battlefield of words.
And just then, the system chimed again:
[Reputation fluctuating: 27% → 31%]
[Mission hint: Survive court judgment without losing dignity.]