The deathly silence in the hall seemed to stretch endlessly, each breath so heavy it could crush one’s nerves. All eyes were fixed on the seat of honor, awaiting the Emperor’s judgment.
Xuanyuan Chenhao’s fingertips tapped one last, almost imperceptible time on the cold armrest of the Dragon Throne, then fell completely still.
The game of chess set by the Empress Dowager was exquisite, ruthless, and… exactly to his liking.
A clever calculation.
Yet, for Xuanyuan Chenhao, the outcome of this scheme surprisingly aligned with his deeply hidden thoughts.
Xie Lanyin… His gaze swept over his pale-faced, tottering Second Prince below. How could he not know of Xuanyuan Jingting’s obsession with the Daughter of the Xie family? He was well aware of how much of that obsession was covetousness for beauty and how much was a craving for power. To allow the Xie family’s influence to fully side with an ambitious prince whose maternal clan was already powerful was absolutely not what he desired. Although the Empress Dowager’s action was born of her personal bias to protect Crown Prince Mingzhao, it had inadvertently helped him avert a huge future risk.
And Zhan Shuo… A complex flicker of light passed deep within the Emperor’s eyes. He found this blade easy to use, but also needed to constantly guard against its excessive sharpness and inflexibility. Bestowing the Daughter of the Xie family upon him was both an honor and a shackle. With the Daughter of the Xie family as his soft spot, he might be used with more “peace of mind.”
The pros and cons rapidly weighed in the Emperor’s mind, finally tipping towards “acceptance.”
This might not be the most perfect plan, but it was indeed the most advantageous choice in the current situation to balance all parties, stabilize the court, and benefit his imperial power. The Empress Dowager’s retreat to advance had pushed the most difficult decision to him, yet also offered him a seemingly “win-win” step.
Xuanyuan Chenhao slowly inhaled, then slowly exhaled. The subtle signs of shock, struggle, and deliberation on his face gradually settled, returning to the profound dignity of an Emperor.
He did not immediately look at the ashen-faced Second Prince, or the still rigidly kneeling Xie Lanyin, nor did he look at Zhan Shuo, who kept his eyes lowered. His gaze first fell upon Empress Shen.
The Empress’s hands trembled slightly in her sleeves, her forced composure nearing its limit. The Emperor’s eyes met hers for a moment, and in that glance, there was reassurance, warning, and an unquestionable resolve. The Empress understood the meaning in his eyes, slowly, almost imperceptibly, nodded, and closed her eyes, forcing all her tumultuous emotions back into her heart.
Then, the Emperor turned his gaze to the Empress Dowager, speaking in a steady voice that broke the almost suffocating silence:
“Mother Empress’s considerations are thorough, and her words… are very reasonable.”
These eight words echoed clearly and slowly in every corner of Shaoguang Pavilion, like the final gavel, sealing everyone’s fate.
“Xie Lanyin, a virtuous and intelligent daughter of the Xie family, suffered this unforeseen disaster. Fortunately, Minister Zhan provided timely rescue, preserving her reputation. This is destiny.” The Emperor’s tone became formal and majestic. “Zhan Shuo is loyal, diligent, and perceptive, his merits serving the country. He is a worthy match. Mother Empress’s proposal to seal this bond of gratitude with a marriage to quell public discussion, I deem feasible.”
He paused, his gaze finally sweeping downward, lingering for a moment on Xie Lanyin, then passing over Zhan Shuo.
“As for the marriage of First Prince Mingzhao…” The Emperor’s voice rose slightly. “The family style of the one Mother Empress recommended is upright and honest, I have also heard of it. It is indeed a good choice. Let it be settled according to Mother Empress’s wishes, all at once.”
“Father Emperor!” Second Prince Xuanyuan Jingting could no longer hold back, abruptly raising his head, his voice hoarse, his eyes filled with bloodshot fury and unwillingness.
“Xuanyuan Jingting!” The Emperor sharply reprimanded, his gaze shooting like lightning, carrying an imperial wrath that brooked no defiance. “The Empress Dowager and I have already made our decision, speak no more!” The warning in his eyes was so potent it was almost tangible—any protest now would not only be defiance of his elders but also a challenge to the authority of the monarch.
Xuanyuan Jingting trembled, as if doused with ice water. All his anger and humiliation were frozen solid, stuck in his throat, turning into a suppressed grunt. He bowed his head tightly, clenching his fists, his nails almost piercing his palms.
The Emperor no longer looked at him, turning to Zhan Shuo, who remained as silent as stone: “Zhan Shuo, the Empress Dowager’s grace, and my approval, do you have any objections?”
The focus of the entire hall instantly converged on that dark blue figure.
Zhan Shuo rose from his seat, walked to the center of the hall, and knelt down near Xie Lanyin, adjusting his robes. His back was straight as a spear, his voice steady and unruffled, betraying no emotion, only absolute obedience:
“Empress Dowager’s profound grace, Your Majesty’s deep favor, this subject… kowtows to thank Heaven’s grace. I am only fearful that my talent is shallow and my virtue meager, and that I might fail Miss Xie’s pure reputation. However, all that falls from the sky, be it thunder or rain, is Heaven’s grace. This subject… respectfully obeys the Imperial decree and the Emperor’s will.”
The Emperor looked at him deeply, then nodded: “Good.”
Finally, his gaze returned to Xie Lanyin, who was still kneeling.
“Xie Lanyin,” the Emperor’s voice softened slightly, with an almost imperceptible sigh of pity, “The Empress Dowager and I have both considered your reputation and your lifelong happiness. Minister Zhan is a pillar of the nation with a bright future. You… should offer your thanks.”
Ha.
A faint, cold smile flickered in Xie Lanyin’s heart.
Though by a twist of fate she had escaped the more opulent cage of marrying into the imperial family, how was this arrangement, where she was immediately “bestowed” upon another man, not another form of arbitrary manipulation?
The Xie family’s centuries-old reputation, Old Master Xie’s face… would likely gain another layer of unspeakable complexity because of this imperial decree.
So be it.
These weighty burdens of court games, family honor, and disgrace were not for her, a “chess piece” who had just escaped death and could barely protect herself, to worry about now.
The immediate priority was to survive, and to find her footing in this new game.
“This subject’s daughter… thanks the Empress Dowager for her profound grace… thanks His Majesty… for his profound grace.”
She slowly raised her head, her calm gaze sweeping over the majestic and inscrutable Emperor on the seat of honor, past the vague yet supreme figure behind the phoenix curtain, and over the princes and noblewomen below, whose expressions varied from astonishment to speculation.
Finally, her gaze met Zhan Shuo’s, who had just offered his thanks and stood not far away, for an extremely brief moment.
There was no joy of being bestowed in marriage, not even a ripple of warmth. In his deep eyes, there was only a still, cold pool, clearly reflecting her pale and serene face at this moment, and the hall full of splendor and intrigue behind her.
He was scrutinizing her.
Xie Lanyin quickly lowered her eyelids, concealing all emotions, leaving only a respectful outline.
Yet, her heart was perfectly clear: the road ahead was uncertain, and this man was unfathomable.