Morning sunlight poured through the towering pillars of the Great Xu Imperial Court. Court officials stood in two long rows according to rank, their robes forming waves of crimson, black, and gold beneath the dragon-carved ceiling.
At the center of the hall sat the Emperor of Great Xu, calm and majestic upon the dragon throne. Beside him stood the imperial attendants, while ministers and generals waited in silence.
Everyone present had heard the same news during the night.
An imperial edict had been issued.
Princess Anhe, Yue Ning, had been formally declared the Crown Prince's fiancée.
Naturally, such a decision could not pass quietly through the court.
After the morning formalities ended, one minister finally stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, this humble minister has a concern."
The Emperor raised his eyes calmly.
"Speak."
The minister bowed deeply.
"The Crown Prince is the future ruler of the empire. The Crown Princess will one day become the Mother of the Nation."
His tone remained respectful, but his words carried weight.
"While the Yue family is honorable, they are still newly elevated nobles. Should the future Crown Princess not come from one of the long-established noble houses?"
Murmurs immediately spread through the court.
Some ministers nodded slightly.
Others remained silent.
Then another official stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, this minister agrees. Many great families in the empire have long supported the throne. Choosing from among them would strengthen political alliances."
At the far side of the hall stood General Lin Zhiyuan.
His expression had been dark since the moment he entered court that morning.
Because the announcement had shattered his plans.
For years he had carefully positioned his family within the capital's power structure. His daughter, Lin Qingya, had been raised with the hope of marrying into the imperial family.
And the Crown Prince had been the perfect target.
But when the Lin family once hinted at a marriage alliance…
Xu Chen had refused coldly.
At the time, Lin Zhiyuan believed the Crown Prince simply had no interest in marriage.
But now—
He had chosen Yue Ning.
Lin Zhiyuan stepped forward slowly.
His armor-like general's robes rustled as he bowed.
"Your Majesty."
The court quieted instantly.
Unlike ordinary ministers, Lin Zhiyuan was a powerful military figure whose words carried influence.
"What is your opinion, General Lin?" the Emperor asked calmly.
Lin Zhiyuan spoke with measured respect.
"This minister does not question the Crown Prince's judgment."
"But the Crown Princess must represent the empire before all nations."
His voice grew firmer.
"The Yue family's recent rise is admirable, yet they lack the long heritage of established noble houses."
He paused slightly.
"Furthermore, the Crown Prince's marriage should strengthen the empire's political stability."
His meaning was clear.
A marriage alliance with a powerful noble clan would benefit the empire.
Choosing Yue Ning did not.
Several officials immediately voiced agreement.
"General Lin speaks wisely!"
"The empire's stability must come first!"
"The Crown Prince should consider the future carefully!"
Yet not everyone supported them.
Minister Zhang Wei, an old official known for his fairness, stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, this minister believes the matter is being exaggerated."
He looked around the court calmly.
"The Yue family has served the empire loyally for generations."
"Furthermore, His Majesty has already granted Yue Ning the title Princess Anhe."
"That alone proves the imperial family's trust."
Another minister nodded.
"And the Crown Prince personally chose her."
"That should be respected."
The court began dividing into two clear sides.
Supporters.
Opponents.
At the center of the storm stood Lin Zhiyuan.
But inside his calm expression…
A cold sweat had begun to form.
Because Yue Ning's rise frightened him for another reason.
One that no one else in the court knew.
Years ago, when Lin Zhiyuan was still a minor officer, his family had been nearly ruined by debt.
But suddenly his fortune changed.
His business connections expanded.
His wealth grew rapidly.
Within a few years, he had gained enough influence to climb the military ranks.
No one had questioned it.
Because success in the capital often appeared mysterious.
But the truth was far darker.
The wealth that fueled the Lin family's rise…
Had originally belonged to the Yue family.
Through hidden schemes and corrupt merchants, that fortune had been secretly diverted into Lin Zhiyuan's hands.
It had funded his career.
His army.
His influence.
And now—
The granddaughter of the very family he stole from…
Was about to become Crown Princess.
If the truth ever surfaced…
His entire power would collapse overnight.
Lin Zhiyuan clenched his fists inside his sleeves.
This cannot happen.
He stepped forward again.
"Your Majesty."
His tone became more forceful.
"This minister believes the Crown Prince's marriage should be reconsidered."
The hall went silent.
Such words were dangerously close to challenging an imperial decree.
The Emperor slowly leaned back on the throne.
His expression remained calm.
But his eyes grew slightly colder.
"General Lin."
His voice was steady.
"Are you questioning Our decision?"
Lin Zhiyuan immediately bowed deeply.
"This minister would never dare."
"I only worry for the future of the empire."
Before the tension could escalate further—
A calm voice suddenly spoke from the side of the hall.
"Since when did the empire's future depend on who the Crown Prince marries?"
All heads turned.
Xu Chen had stepped forward.
The young Crown Prince stood tall in his dark robes, his presence commanding immediate silence.
He bowed briefly to the Emperor.
"Father."
The Emperor nodded slightly.
Xu Chen then turned toward the court officials.
His gaze swept across them calmly.
Including Lin Zhiyuan.
"I chose Yue Ning."
His voice was steady and clear.
"This decision will not change."
No one dared interrupt him.
Xu Chen continued calmly.
"The empire needs capable officials, strong armies, and wise governance."
"Not political marriages."
His eyes briefly rested on Lin Zhiyuan.
"If anyone believes otherwise…"
A faint coldness entered his tone.
"They may present their arguments."
The court fell completely silent.
Because everyone knew the truth.
The Crown Prince had spoken.
And when Xu Chen decided something…
Very few people in the empire could change his mind.
Even the Emperor simply watched quietly from the throne.
Because he already knew.
His son's decision was unshakable.
Meanwhile, General Lin Zhiyuan lowered his head slightly.
His expression was carefully controlled.
But inside…
Fear slowly spread through his heart.
Because the closer Yue Ning came to the imperial family…
The closer the past came to being uncovered.
And if that day arrived—
The fall of the Lin family would be inevitable.