The capital remained lively the day after the court debate.
Although the imperial edict had already been issued, discussions about Yue Ning, the future Crown Princess, spread through every noble household.
Some families accepted it calmly.
Others were curious about the girl who had captured the Crown Prince's attention.
But a few… were not pleased.
Among them, none were more dissatisfied than General Lin Zhiyuan.
---
Lin Residence
Inside the grand Lin family residence, the atmosphere was tense.
General Lin Zhiyuan sat at the head of the hall, his expression dark.
Across from him sat his daughter, Lin Qingya.
She was beautiful and well-dressed, her posture elegant and refined.
For years, she had been raised with a single expectation.
To marry into the imperial family.
Preferably the Crown Prince.
But now that dream had shattered overnight.
Lin Qingya clenched her sleeves.
"Father… is it true?"
Lin Zhiyuan did not answer immediately.
Instead, he placed a scroll on the table.
The imperial decree announcing Yue Ning as the Crown Prince's fiancée.
Lin Qingya's face turned pale.
"So it's really her…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I thought Brother Xu Chen simply wasn't interested in marriage."
Lin Zhiyuan's eyes darkened.
"He refused every proposal before."
"That is why no one expected this."
Lin Qingya lowered her gaze.
"But what makes that Yue girl so special?"
Her voice carried bitterness.
"She isn't even from a powerful noble clan."
Lin Zhiyuan's expression remained cold.
"The Yue family is not simple."
Lin Qingya looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Lin Zhiyuan did not explain.
Instead, he said quietly,
"Leave this matter to me."
But the girl's eyes flashed with jealousy.
"I want to see her."
Lin Zhiyuan frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Lin Qingya spoke firmly.
"If she is truly going to become Crown Princess… then I should at least know what kind of person she is."
Lin Zhiyuan studied his daughter carefully.
After a moment, he nodded.
"That may be possible."
---
Meanwhile – Yue Residence
At the Yue family estate, the mood was completely different.
The courtyard was filled with laughter.
The ten Yue brothers were discussing the events of the previous day.
Second brother Yue Qiu leaned against a pillar.
"Our little sister is now the Crown Prince's fiancée."
Third brother Yue Heng sighed dramatically.
"Who would have imagined this years ago?"
Fourth brother Yue Liang laughed.
"The capital's noble families must be furious."
Another brother added jokingly,
"They probably hoped their daughters would become Crown Princess."
Yue Ning sat nearby, calmly drinking tea.
Her expression remained peaceful despite the teasing.
Her eldest brother finally spoke seriously.
"Ning'er."
She looked up.
"Yes, Brother?"
He crossed his arms.
"Are you prepared?"
"For what?"
"The palace life."
The brothers all fell quiet.
Because this was the real concern.
Yue Ning thought for a moment before answering.
"I know it will not be easy."
Her voice was steady.
"But I am not afraid."
The brothers looked at each other.
Her calmness made them feel both proud and worried.
---
The Crown Prince Arrives
At that moment, a servant rushed into the courtyard.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
The brothers immediately groaned.
"He's here again?"
"Didn't he just come yesterday?"
Yue Ning laughed softly.
Moments later, Xu Chen entered the courtyard.
He greeted the elders first, then walked toward Yue Ning.
"I came to see if you were adjusting well."
Second brother Yue Qiu raised an eyebrow.
"You came all the way here just for that?"
Xu Chen replied calmly,
"Yes."
The brothers exchanged amused glances.
Yue Ning smiled slightly.
"I'm fine."
Xu Chen nodded.
Then his expression turned more serious.
"There is something you should know."
Everyone looked at him.
"The court has begun discussing the edict."
Yue Chen frowned slightly.
"Opposition?"
"Yes."
Xu Chen's voice remained calm.
"But it is nothing serious."
Then he added,
"However… some noble families may attempt to approach you."
The brothers immediately reacted.
"For what?"
"Testing you," Xu Chen replied.
"Or provoking you."
His gaze turned toward Yue Ning.
"You do not need to respond to them."
Yue Ning nodded.
"I understand."
---
Lin Zhiyuan's Move
That evening, inside the Lin residence, General Lin Zhiyuan made his first move.
He summoned a trusted official.
"There will soon be a noble gathering at the Spring Pavilion Garden."
"Yes, General."
"I want my daughter invited."
The official nodded.
"And Yue Ning?"
Lin Zhiyuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"She must also be invited."
The official looked surprised.
"You wish them to meet?"
Lin Zhiyuan leaned back calmly.
"Yes."
His voice was quiet but cold.
"If the entire capital is curious about the future Crown Princess…"
"Then let them see her."
But inside his mind, his thoughts were far darker.
Because if Yue Ning entered the world of noble gatherings…
She would inevitably face schemes, jealousy, and challenges.
And Lin Zhiyuan wanted to see exactly how strong the Crown Prince's chosen girl truly was.
---
As night fell over the capital, two very different preparations began.
Inside the Yue residence, Yue Ning continued living peacefully under her family's protection.
But in the shadows of the noble circles…
A carefully arranged gathering was approaching.
A place where powerful families would finally meet the girl who had become the Crown Prince's fiancée.
And among them…
Lin Qingya would be waiting.