The Imperial Study was steeped in the rich, melancholic scent of dragon’s saliva incense. Xuanyuan Chenhao sat behind his zitan wood grand desk, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on an open memorial, his gaze, however, resting on Zhan Shuo, who stood respectfully with hands hanging low.
“Zhan Shuo, you personally saved her. Are you certain—that girl from the Xie family, is she truly unharmed?”
He asked directly, his gaze weighing on Zhan Shuo’s shoulders like a physical presence. This was no ordinary concern, but an ultimate confirmation regarding imperial prestige, the balance of the court situation, and whether an established engagement could proceed.
Zhan Shuo’s figure remained still, not even the corner of his robe swaying in the slightest. His voice was steady and clear as he reported, “Responding to His Majesty, when your subject arrived, Miss Xie’s outer garment was damaged, but her inner garment was intact. Of the two assailants, one was about to commit the act, and the other was keeping watch. Your subject intervened in time, and Miss Xie… her purity was unharmed.”
As the Commander of the Imperial Guard, he knew precisely what conclusion the Emperor truly needed to hear.
Xuanyuan Chenhao gazed at him for a moment, then slowly leaned back against his chair. “Yesterday, how were you so coincidental as to pass by that desolate place?”
Zhan Shuo still kept his eyes lowered, answering flawlessly, “Yesterday, the Northern Commandery Investigation Department received intelligence that seven Northern Di secret agents were lurking in a desolate farmhouse in the Northern Suburbs. Your subject was on routine patrol.”
Xuanyuan Chenhao’s fingers stopped tapping.
He watched Zhan Shuo for a long time, a complex emotion seemingly flitting across the depths of his eyes, before he finally uttered a single word: “Good.”
“You may withdraw.” The Emperor waved his hand.
“Your subject takes his leave.” Zhan Shuo bowed, retreated three steps, then turned and steadily exited the Imperial Study.
The heavy, carved wooden doors silently closed behind him.
Silence returned to the study. Xuanyuan Chenhao did not immediately attend to the memorials. Instead, he picked up the now slightly cool teacup from the desk and took a shallow sip.
“Come out,” he suddenly said, his voice devoid of emotion.
Behind the zitan wood and mica inlaid floor screen on the east side of the Imperial Study, a figure stirred. Second Prince Xuanyuan Jingting slowly emerged. Today, he wore a sky-blue after rain color casual robe, his hair bound by a jade crown, his features bearing a resemblance to Consort Qi’s beauty, though his gaze was calmer.
He walked to the Imperial Desk and bowed respectfully. “Father Emperor.”
“You heard everything just now,” Xuanyuan Chenhao said, setting down his teacup and looking at his second son’s face. “What do you think?”
“Commander Zhan is a trusted confidant personally promoted by Father Emperor. Your son believes his words are credible.” He paused, then looked up at the Emperor, his tone becoming cautious yet firm. “Given this… your son still wishes to proceed with the original proposal and seek Miss Xie of the Xie family as his consort.”
There was a moment of stillness in the Imperial Study.
A flicker of extreme surprise crossed Xuanyuan Chenhao’s eyes, quickly turning into deeper scrutiny. “Oh? Even after such an incident, you are still willing?”
Xuanyuan Jingting met his father’s gaze, his expression candid. “Father Emperor is wise. In this matter, Miss Xie is the victim, having suffered this unprovoked calamity. It would be unfortunate indeed. If the engagement were to be abandoned because of this, would it not dishearten loyal subjects, and further validate those baseless rumors, harming Miss Xie’s purity and doing no good for the imperial family’s dignity?”
His words were grandiose, backed by emotion, reason, and circumstance. They not only demonstrated imperial magnanimity but also appeased the Xie family, while implicitly striking a blow against those who spread rumors.
Xuanyuan Chenhao listened, his fingers unconsciously resuming their tapping on the tabletop. He naturally understood the unspoken implications in his son’s words.
Behind Xie Lanyin was Grand Tutor Xie, the leader of the “pure stream” faction, and the civil official group whose disciples and old acquaintances were spread throughout the court and countryside. There was also her maternal uncle, who guarded the frontier and held military power. Marrying her would not only secure a beautiful principal consort but also the support of half the court and a connection to a military command. This power, with the succession to the throne yet undecided, was too tempting.
And Xuanyuan Jingting’s insistence at this moment was undoubtedly a display of his “deep affection and loyalty” and “broad vision for the overall situation” to the Xie family and the court. Even if Xie Lanyin truly had some unclear suspicion surrounding her, his willingness to accept her would bind the Xie family firmly to his war chariot through this “grace” and “trust.”
Even more cleverly, he presented himself as so “sensible” and “considering the overall situation” before the Emperor, exactly as a qualified successor should be.
“You have thought it through thoroughly,” Xuanyuan Chenhao said slowly, his tone ambiguous as to whether it was praise or something else.
Xuanyuan Jingting bowed slightly. “Your son merely believes that since this matter has been investigated and proven to be a malicious scheme, an innocent person should not bear the consequences. Miss Xie is noble in character and outstanding in talent; she was already the excellent match Father Emperor chose for your son. Your son… genuinely desires her.”
He spoke the last four words a little slower, his tone perfectly seasoned with a subtle, almost imperceptible solemnity that a young man might use when speaking of a beloved woman.
How much calculation was in his heart, and how much covetousness for the capital’s number one beauty, perhaps even he himself couldn’t distinguish.
Xuanyuan Chenhao gave him a deep look, then suddenly asked, “Have you spoken to your mother, Consort Qi, about this?”
Xuanyuan Jingting’s expression remained unchanged. “Not yet. But Mother has always prioritized Father Emperor’s will and dotes on your son, so she will surely understand.”
Xuanyuan Chenhao said no more, simply watching him. Only the ticking of the water clock and the faint sound of incense smoke rising straight from the censer remained in the Imperial Study.
After a long while, the Emperor spoke again, his voice returning to its usual calm. “I understand. You may withdraw. As for this matter… I have my own plans.”
“Yes, your son takes his leave.” Xuanyuan Jingting bowed and exited. As he turned, a flicker of elusive light passed through his eyes.
“Your Majesty, the Xie family girl has been brought,” the leading eunuch stopped outside the palace gate, bowing and reporting in a soft, steady voice.
“Summon her.”
“Summon Xie Lanyin for an audience—”
The palace doors slowly opened, and a solemn scent of dragon’s saliva incense wafted forth, mingled with the aroma of old scrolls and fine wood. Xie Lanyin lowered her eyes and smoothed her sleeves, stepping over the high vermilion lacquered threshold. The palace floor tiles were polished to a mirror shine, reflecting her simple skirt and the blurred, bright yellow outline behind the Imperial Desk.
She walked to about three zhang from the Imperial Desk, and according to the etiquette taught by the palace nannies since childhood, slowly knelt, hands clasped before her forehead, performing a grand kowtow.
“Your subject’s daughter, Xie Lanyin, kowtows to His Majesty. Long live the Emperor.”
Her voice was not loud, but her tone was steady, and her bowing posture was standard and respectful, showing no panic.
Behind the Imperial Desk, Xuanyuan Chenhao did not immediately bid her rise. His gaze rested on the kneeling girl below.
“Raise your head,” the Emperor’s voice came from above, calm and unruffled, yet carrying an inherent majesty.
Xie Lanyin obeyed, slowly straightening her upper body, still keeping her eyelids lowered, her gaze fixed on the coiled dragon pattern on the first step before the Imperial Desk. This was the rule for an audience; one could not directly look at the Emperor’s face.
But Xuanyuan Chenhao could already see her face clearly. Her features were as exquisitely drawn as a painting, each delicate stroke meticulously rendered. More importantly, her expression was very serene, a stillness almost frozen, with only the fingertips of her clasped hands before her knees slightly curled, revealing a faint tension.
The granddaughter taught by Xie Mingyuan indeed possessed some integrity, Xuanyuan Chenhao mused inwardly.
“Regarding yesterday’s incident,” the Emperor finally spoke again, his tone seemingly casual, “I have heard. Were you frightened?”
Xie Lanyin maintained her lowered gaze, replying clearly, “Responding to His Majesty, I was indeed somewhat disturbed. The assailants were vicious, and your subject’s daughter was… extremely terrified at the time. Fortunately, Commander Zhan of the Imperial Guard arrived in time, using thunderous methods to subdue the villains, allowing your subject’s daughter to escape danger. Even now, I still feel lingering fear, but my life is safe, and my purity is preserved, which is the greatest fortune amidst misfortune.”
Xuanyuan Chenhao’s fingertip lightly tapped the smooth surface of the Imperial Desk. “Since you were frightened, why did you still come to attend this Spring Banquet today? I am not unreasonable; if you needed rest, you could have requested leave.”
Xie Lanyin’s eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.
She slightly raised her gaze, letting it fall on the bright yellow brocade at the edge of the Imperial Desk, her voice steadier than before:
“Responding to His Majesty, your subject’s daughter was indeed frightened, and my heart is not entirely at ease at this moment.” She first acknowledged her true feelings, then subtly shifted her words. “However, today’s banquet is extraordinary. His Majesty bestows this banquet for ruler and subjects to share joy, to demonstrate imperial grace and the harmony of a prosperous era. Your subject’s daughter, having received His Majesty’s deep affection and being chosen as a prospective imperial consort, knows that her words and actions concern the imperial family’s dignity.”
She paused, speaking each word slowly and clearly, as if deliberating, making her tone even more solemn:
“If, due to your subject’s daughter alone, I were to be absent from the grand banquet, it might invite baseless speculation and additional rumors, thereby defiling the imperial family’s pure reputation. Though your subject’s daughter is foolish, I understand what is important. Personal fear is a small matter; the imperial family’s dignity is paramount. Therefore, your subject’s daughter dares not neglect public duty for private reasons, nor dare I, due to my own trivial affairs, disturb His Majesty and the Empress’s elegant mood, or fail to meet the Emperor’s hopes and expectations.”
As her words fell, the inner hall was silent.
Xuanyuan Chenhao looked at the kneeling girl, who sat ramrod straight. Her words were perfectly reasonable, prioritizing the imperial family at every turn, placing herself in an extremely humble position, and elevating the imperial family’s dignity to the highest degree. There were no tears of grievance, no pleas of innocence, just a calm statement of a “choice”—to avoid disgracing the imperial family’s dignity, she chose to suppress her fear and attend openly.
This calmness, this understanding of the overall situation, and even this hidden sense of responsibility not to implicate her family, far surpassed the disposition of an ordinary seventeen-year-old unmarried woman.
No wonder Jingting… The Emperor’s thoughts shifted slightly.
“Rise,” Xuanyuan Chenhao’s voice softened. “Grant her a seat.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Xie Lanyin bowed again, then, gently assisted by a quick-witted young eunuch, she sat sideways on an embroidered stool already prepared at the lower end of the Imperial Desk, still only occupying half the seat, her posture deferential.
“I understand your heart,” the Emperor said, looking at her, his tone not revealing much emotion. “To think this way after encountering such an unforeseen disaster is truly commendable. Grand Tutor Xie’s family education is indeed rigorous.”
This was both an affirmation and a reminder—her performance concerned the Xie family’s reputation.
“Your subject’s daughter is ashamed to accept such praise. I only remember my grandfather’s daily teachings: to be loyal to the sovereign and love the country, and to consider the overall situation, never daring to forget.” Xie Lanyin bowed slightly.
“Hm.” Xuanyuan Chenhao nodded, seemingly not intending to ask further. “I summoned you today, firstly to see if you are well, and secondly to inform you that I have entrusted Zhan Shuo with a thorough investigation of this matter. I will surely give you and the Xie family an explanation. Rest assured.”
“Your subject’s daughter kowtows to thank His Majesty for his imperial favor!” Xie Lanyin rose and bowed solemnly again. This time, her voice carried a hint of genuine choked emotion, not from fear, but from the temporary settling of a worrisome matter. The Emperor’s personal promise to investigate was itself a powerful statement.
“Very well, go. The banquet is about to begin; do not be late.” The Emperor waved his hand.
“Yes, your subject’s daughter takes her leave.”
Xie Lanyin slowly exited the inner hall. Not until the palace doors closed behind her, cutting off the heavy pressure and dragon’s saliva incense scent, did she let out an almost inaudible sigh. The back of her garment was already slightly damp with cold sweat.
Inside the hall, Xuanyuan Chenhao sat alone, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.
“Consider the overall situation…” he repeated the four words softly, the expression in his eyes deep and unfathomable.
The young girl just now had handled herself gracefully, her demeanor perfect, almost beyond reproach. Yet, for some reason, he always felt that beneath that overly perfect calm, something else seemed to be hidden.
A cold clarity and resilience… not quite befitting her age and status.
Was it an abnormal reaction after excessive fright? Or had that old fox Xie Mingyuan instructed her beforehand? Or perhaps…
He shook his head, temporarily suppressing these thoughts. Regardless, the superficial “smoothness” was, for now, maintained.
“Someone,” he called out, “convey my oral decree: bestow upon Miss Xie Lanyin the two characters ‘Zhen Hui’ (Virtuous and Intelligent). Additionally, award her the newly presented box of Southern Pearls.”
Since a show of face was to be made, it should be made fully. This was also a signal for everyone to see.
Outside the hall, Xie Lanyin received the jade token and brocade box, representing the Emperor’s bestowal and affirmation, from the eunuch.
What did this mean?
Was it… compensation and comfort for her potential loss of an imperial marriage?
Or was it, in fact, a subtle hint—that the storm had temporarily subsided, her reputation was intact, her “virtuous and intelligent” name established, and the path to becoming a prospective imperial consort… might not truly be cut off? Was it a reassurance for her and the Xie family?
Never mind, she would wait and see!