The celebration continued long into the evening.
As the sun disappeared beyond the capital walls, the Yue Mansion became even brighter beneath countless lanterns glowing across the courtyards and pavilions. Music drifted softly through the air while guests moved between conversations, laughter, and admiration for the grandeur of the event.
At the center of it all remained Yue Ning.
Yet despite the endless greetings and attention, her expression never showed exhaustion. She answered politely when required, smiled when appropriate, and carried herself with the calm grace expected of the future Crown Princess.
Still—
Her gaze occasionally drifted toward Xu Chen.
And every single time, she found him already looking at her.
It happened so often that even Yue Tao eventually noticed.
He leaned slightly toward Yue Liang and muttered under his breath, "At this point they should just ignore the rest of us completely."
Yue Liang nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Nearby, Yue Heng calmly sipped his wine without reacting. "You're only realizing this now?"
Yue Tao looked offended. "You noticed earlier?"
"Everyone noticed earlier."
Even Yue Ming silently agreed.
At the opposite side of the courtyard, several noble young ladies sat together, their expressions complicated as they watched Yue Ning from afar.
"She truly is fortunate."
"Fortunate?" another whispered softly. "His Highness clearly treasures her."
"That's what makes it worse."
None of them dared speak too loudly.
Because everyone present understood one thing very clearly tonight—
The Crown Prince's favor toward Yue Ning was unquestionable.
As the evening deepened, more gifts were presented formally before the Yue Family.
Rare jewels.
Ancient paintings.
Spiritual herbs.
Silk from distant regions.
Every noble family had prepared carefully for this occasion.
Yet Yue Ning herself seemed largely indifferent to most of them.
Until finally—
The palace attendants stepped forward.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
An imperial eunuch bowed respectfully before announcing, "Gift from His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress."
The servants behind him uncovered several ornate boxes, revealing treasures so valuable that even experienced officials looked visibly shocked.
A thousand-year snow lotus.
A jade phoenix hairpin carved by imperial artisans.
Rare silk impossible to purchase even with wealth.
The gifts alone reflected immense imperial favor.
The surrounding guests immediately praised the Emperor's generosity.
Yue Ning stepped forward politely. "This subject thanks His Majesty and Her Majesty."
The eunuch smiled warmly. "There is also another gift."
At those words, several attendants carefully carried forward a long object wrapped in dark silk.
When the cloth was removed—
A sword appeared.
The blade remained sheathed, yet its presence alone caused many people nearby to straighten unconsciously.
Even Yue Heng's eyes sharpened slightly.
The eunuch continued, "His Majesty says that while others gift beauty and luxury, true value lies in what can protect oneself. This sword was once forged for the imperial family generations ago."
Murmurs spread instantly.
An imperial weapon.
Gifted personally to Yue Ning.
That meaning was far deeper than ordinary favor.
Yue Ning herself looked slightly surprised this time.
Her gaze shifted briefly toward Xu Chen.
He remained calm as always.
Too calm.
Which immediately told her something.
"You knew," she said quietly once the eunuch stepped back.
Xu Chen answered without hesitation. "Mm."
Yue Ning almost laughed softly. "Of course you did."
Xu Chen looked at her steadily. "Do you dislike it?"
Yue Ning's fingers lightly touched the sheath of the sword. "No."
In truth—
She liked it far more than the jewels.
Xu Chen noticed immediately.
"You prefer this," he said.
Yue Ning glanced at him slightly. "It's useful."
Xu Chen's gaze softened faintly. "I thought so."
The surrounding nobles listened silently, their expressions increasingly complicated.
The Crown Prince not only understood Yue Ning deeply—
He openly showed it without concern for anyone watching.
Even the older officials were beginning to realize something.
This marriage was no longer merely political.
Not anymore.
As the formal gifting ended, the atmosphere gradually relaxed again.
Music resumed.
Wine flowed more freely.
Several younger nobles gathered together discussing poetry and martial arts while others admired the Yue Mansion gardens beneath the night lanterns.
Yue Ning eventually slipped away briefly from the crowded courtyard, stepping into one of the quieter garden paths to breathe.
The night air felt cooler now.
Peaceful.
She had barely taken a few steps before familiar footsteps approached behind her.
"You left."
Xu Chen's voice.
Yue Ning turned slightly. "It was noisy."
Xu Chen walked beside her naturally. "You handled it well."
"That sounds exhausting coming from you."
"It's praise."
Yue Ning smiled faintly. "Then I'll accept it."
They continued walking slowly through the quiet garden paths away from the crowd and noise. The lantern light reflected softly across the nearby pond, and distant laughter from the celebration echoed faintly in the background.
For once, it felt as though the entire world had become quieter around them.
Yue Ning glanced at the sword still carried beside her. "You chose it personally, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"You could've given jewelry like everyone else."
Xu Chen looked at her calmly. "You wouldn't care for it."
"That's true."
"And this suits you more."
Yue Ning looked at him for a moment before asking softly, "How?"
Xu Chen answered simply, "Beautiful things should still be able to protect themselves."
Yue Ning's steps slowed slightly.
The words themselves were straightforward.
But hearing them from him—
They felt unexpectedly gentle.
She looked away first, hiding the faint smile threatening to appear.
"You really don't know how dangerous it is to say things like that."
Xu Chen seemed genuinely unconcerned. "Why?"
Yue Ning let out a quiet laugh under her breath. "Forget it."
Xu Chen watched her quietly for a moment before his gaze shifted toward the brightly lit mansion in the distance.
"You're fifteen now."
Yue Ning looked at him again. "Mm."
"The court will change."
"I know."
"People will watch you more carefully."
"They already do."
Xu Chen's voice remained calm. "Then let them."
Yue Ning blinked slightly.
Xu Chen met her gaze steadily. "No one there matters more than you."
The night breeze moved softly between them.
And for the first time that evening—
Yue Ning found herself momentarily speechless.