Chen Yao’s refined smile stiffened on his face, his cheek twitching slightly.
Seated firmly on the top left, the Prime Minister Lin Daoxuan slowly spoke, “How bold of you, Wei Ran. His Majesty has graciously bestowed a marriage upon you. Such an honor is as grand as a gift from Heaven. Are you planning to defy the imperial decree?”
Though his voice wasn’t loud, it carried the full weight of a top minister’s authority.
Chen Yao suppressed the flames of fury rising in his chest and maintained a gentle smile.
“Prince Heir Wei, my Third Princess is exceptional in both beauty and virtue, unmatched in the realm. You are the first person to be granted marriage to a princess by me, and also the first to reject such an honor. Is there a reason behind your refusal?”
Wei Ran cupped his hands, neither humble nor arrogant. “Your Majesty, it is not that this subject holds any dissatisfaction toward the Third Princess. It is simply because this subject already has someone he admires in Liangzhou. We have made a private vow to be together, and I promised to marry her once I come of age. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness in bestowing this marriage, but I cannot break my oath, nor could I allow the princess to suffer the indignity of becoming a concubine. My refusal is not out of disrespect, but rather out of concern for preserving the royal family’s dignity. I beg Your Majesty to understand.”
A royal marriage to a princess was a tremendous matter. Accepting it outright might very well lead to being replaced by the true prince heir within a month. However, a blunt refusal would shame Chen Yao—the supreme ruler. If not handled carefully, it could lead to disaster.
This excuse had been crafted after much deliberation. Claiming he had made a vow to another gave Chen Yao an excuse to take back his decree. Saying he didn’t want the princess to become a concubine served to preserve royal dignity.
Hearing these words, Chen Yao’s anger subsided slightly.
“I am curious—what kind of woman could occupy such a place in your heart?”
A familiar figure flashed through Wei Ran’s mind, and he spoke without hesitation. “She is my mother consort’s adopted daughter. Her name is Jin’er.”
When he was first chosen as the stand-in, he had met Prince Min’s wife’s adopted daughter. Her appearance even surpassed that of the Third Princess.
Chen Yao responded softly, “If that’s the case, then let us postpone the marriage for now. We can revisit it later when the time is right.”
Wei Ran replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding. This subject was chased by assassins throughout the night and has not slept. I am exhausted and wish to return to the Prince’s Residence to rest.”
“Granted,” Chen Yao nodded.
Wei Ran turned and left Hude Hall.
The look in Chen Yao’s eyes instantly turned cold and deep.
Lin Daoxuan whispered, “It seems the rumors were true. Wei Wuji truly holds rebellious intent. In order to distance himself from Your Majesty, he even factored the marriage into his plans. This refusal must have been arranged by Prince Min in advance.”
A middle-aged official added, “Prime Minister Lin is absolutely right. But even if Wei Wuji foresaw the imperial marriage, didn’t he still send his son to Chang’an City as a hostage? As long as Prince Heir Wei remains here, Wei Wuji wouldn’t dare act rashly. Your Majesty, we only need to keep him confined in the capital. With Wei Wuji’s ambition, he surely wouldn’t abandon his own son.”
Everyone present nodded repeatedly at these words. Emperor Chen Yao also seemed lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Wei Ran passed a palace corridor when hurried footsteps approached from behind. Turning back, he saw the Third Princess.
Her eyes were red, brimming with tears, as she stopped about ten steps away. Biting her lip, her voice trembled slightly, “Prince Heir Wei, your status is so high that even a princess isn’t good enough for you? Tell me—what part of me falls short of that Jin’er?” Read this novel at NovelPing for the best experience.
Her words were stubborn, but filled with sorrow.
Wei Ran softly explained, “You misunderstand, Princess. I never meant to look down on you. On the contrary, you are stunning, graceful, and of rare beauty. When I first saw you yesterday, I couldn’t believe such a lovely girl existed in this world.”
The Third Princess froze completely. Her face instantly turned red.
Wei Ran sighed, “Princess, you’ve truly moved me. But unfortunately, I’ve already sworn a lifelong vow to Jin’er. A real man must keep his word. The position of Princess Consort can only belong to one. My heart and future have already been promised. I don’t think a noble princess like you would want a man who breaks promises and changes heart so easily, would you?”
His eyes stayed fixed on the Third Princess. Girls like her, naive and inexperienced, could be swayed with a single phrase. Flirting might be fine, but accepting a marriage decree? Absolutely not.
Chen Wen’er opened her mouth slightly, her gaze softening. She bit her lip and nodded. “If you were truly that kind of man, I wouldn’t even spare you a glance. But… I’m still angry that you rejected my father’s decree.”
Her lips puffed up, and tears welled in her large eyes.
Wei Ran replied helplessly, “Your Highness, if I didn’t refuse, that would’ve meant deceiving His Majesty and lying to you. Rejecting the decree was my way of protecting your dignity. You are a princess—how could you marry someone who’s not even a real prince heir?”
Chen Wen’er almost blurted out, “I don’t need a title.”
But she couldn’t say it. As a princess, she had to maintain royal dignity.
Yet something still felt off. No matter how long she thought about it, she couldn’t figure it out.
She bit her lip again, holding back her tears. “Since you are so devoted to that Jin’er, and your reasoning is sound, if I continue pestering you, I’d seem like the unreasonable one. Go, then. From now on… I never want to see you again.”
She turned away, misty eyes overflowing with tears.
She didn’t walk fast, still secretly hoping Wei Ran would chase after her and say, “I don’t want Jin’er anymore. I want to be with you.”
And then, the two would be together forever.
But after waiting for a while, there was no movement behind her.
Chen Wen’er looked back. Wei Ran had long since vanished.
“Hmph, damn it.”
She stomped her foot and ran off crying.
Wei Ran, thinking the drama had ended, continued on his way out of the palace, only to be stopped once again at a palace corner.
This time, it wasn’t the princess, but a young palace maid.
Wei Ran remained calm. “Speak. What does Your Highness want from me?”
The palace maid gestured respectfully. “The Empress requests an audience. Would Your Highness be willing to follow me to Celestial Phoenix Palace?”
“The Empress?”
Wei Ran’s lips curled into a cold smile.
For her to summon him at this moment—it was obvious she wanted to talk about Shi Lingkuan’s incident.
“Lead the way.”
He didn’t refuse and followed the maid toward Celestial Phoenix Palace.
They walked through winding corridors and ornate halls. It took nearly the time of a whole incense stick to reach their destination.
Even Wei Ran’s legs were sore. He couldn’t help but think, this palace is ridiculously large.
“Your Highness, the Heir of Prince Min has arrived,” the palace maid announced at the entrance.
A gentle and melodious voice rang out from the vast and cold hall.
“Please, invite the Prince Heir inside.”
“Please, Your Highness,” the maid gestured.
Wei Ran didn’t enter right away. Instead, he carefully examined the surroundings, and his brows furrowed deeply.
Along the way, the guards had been strict, but the main hall of the Empress’s residence—the Phoenix Pavilion—had no guards at all. Even the number of palace maids and eunuchs was suspiciously low.
Wei Ran had watched enough palace dramas to know this was likely a trap.
Was the Empress going to leap out in a sheer undergarment and scream that he had assaulted her?
If so, no amount of arguing could clear his name.
So this was… a seduction trap?