The hall was silent after Xu Chen's question.
"If those problems did not exist… would the Yue family still refuse?"
The elders and brothers looked at him with disbelief.
Because what he suggested was almost impossible.
The imperial palace had followed the Six Palace system for centuries. No emperor had ever ruled without consorts and concubines.
Before anyone could respond—
A soft voice spoke.
"…Grandfather."
Everyone turned.
Yue Ning stepped forward.
She had been silent until now, standing behind her brothers like the protected jewel of the Yue family. But now her calm eyes looked at the elders.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I… also wish to say something."
Her ten brothers immediately frowned.
"Ning'er—"
But she shook her head gently.
Then she looked at her grandfather and parents.
"We… are not strangers."
Her cheeks turned slightly red.
"We have known each other ."
The hall instantly became quiet.
Her father Yue Chen looked shocked.
"What do you mean?"
Yue Ning gathered courage.
"We met before the war."
"We… spent time together."
Her voice softened even more.
"And… we fell in love."
The words landed like thunder in the hall.
All ten brothers froze.
Then chaos erupted.
"What?!"
"You met him before?!"
"When did this happen?!"
"Why didn't we know?!"
The second brother looked like he might faint from anger.
"Ning'er! You secretly met the Crown Prince?!"
Another brother pointed accusingly at Xu Chen.
"Did you trick our sister?!"
But Yue Ning quickly shook her head.
"No!"
Her voice became firm.
"He never forced me."
"He never used his status."
Her eyes turned toward Xu Chen.
"It was my choice."
Her words were sincere.
For a brief moment, Xu Chen's normally calm expression softened.
But the Yue family elders were not easily moved.
Old Master Yue sighed deeply.
"Ning'er… feelings are not the problem."
He spoke gently.
"The palace is."
Second Uncle Yue Qiang nodded.
"Even if you love each other…"
"That does not change imperial rules."
Third Uncle Yu Wen added coldly,
"When the Crown Prince becomes emperor…"
"The ministers will demand concubines."
"The imperial clan will demand heirs from different noble families."
"This is how the empire maintains balance."
He looked directly at Xu Chen.
"Your Highness cannot escape that responsibility."
The hall fell silent again.
Then—
Xu Chen spoke.
His voice was calm.
"I never planned to take concubines."
The words were simple.
But they shocked everyone.
The brothers blinked.
"…What?"
Xu Chen repeated clearly.
"From the beginning, I never intended to establish the Six Palace system."
"I will have only one wife."
His gaze turned toward Yue Ning.
"And that wife will be Yue Ning."
The hall fell completely silent.
Even the Yue elders were stunned.
Because what he declared…
Was something almost unheard of.
Fourth Uncle Yue Feng narrowed his eyes.
"Your Highness… do you understand what you are saying?"
"You are the future emperor."
"The empire will oppose this."
Xu Chen answered calmly.
"Let them oppose."
His tone was steady.
"I will handle the court."
The Yue brothers looked at him with mixed emotions.
Some were impressed.
Some were suspicious.
Then the eldest brother stepped forward.
He crossed his arms and stared directly at Xu Chen.
"Words are easy, Your Highness."
"You can say anything tonight."
"But what about ten years later?"
"What about twenty years later?"
His voice was sharp.
"What if ministers pressure you?"
"What if the imperial clan demands more heirs?"
"What if political alliances require marriage?"
The eldest brother stepped closer.
"Will you still say the same thing?"
Xu Chen did not hesitate.
"Yes."
The answer was immediate.
But the Yue brothers were still not convinced.
The fourth brother suddenly laughed.
"If that's the case…"
"Then prove it."
Everyone looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Yue Ning asked.
The fourth brother grinned slightly.
"If the Crown Prince truly wishes to marry our sister…"
"Then he must agree to our conditions."
The brothers immediately nodded.
"Yes!"
"That's right!"
"Let's see if he dares!"
Xu Chen looked at them calmly.
"What conditions?"
The brothers looked toward their grandfather.
Old Master Yue thought for a moment before slowly nodding.
"If Your Highness truly wishes to prove your sincerity…"
"Then the Yue family will set three conditions."
Xu Chen stood straight.
"Please speak."
The eldest brother raised one finger.
"First condition."
"You must swear before heaven and earth…"
"That Yue Ning will be your only wife."
"No concubines."
"No imperial consorts."
"No Six Palace."
The hall became tense.
That alone was already a shocking demand.
But the brothers continued.
The second brother raised a second finger.
"Second condition."
"If someday Yue Ning wishes to leave the palace…"
"You must let her go."
"No imprisonment inside imperial walls."
The elders were slightly surprised by this condition.
But they did not oppose it.
Then the third brother raised the final finger.
"Third condition."
His voice was firm.
"If Yue Ning is ever harmed because of palace politics…"
"Our Yue family will take her back."
"And Your Highness cannot stop us."
The room fell silent again.
Even the ministers of the empire would never dare impose such conditions on a Crown Prince.
But the Yue brothers did.
Because to them—
Yue Ning was more important than imperial authority.
The eldest brother folded his arms.
"Well, Your Highness?"
"Do you still want to marry our sister?"
All eyes turned toward Xu Chen.
But Xu Chen did not hesitate.
Instead—
He smiled slightly.
"Those conditions…"
"They are reasonable."
Everyone was stunned.
Even the brothers blinked.
Xu Chen then said calmly,
"I accept them."
The entire Yue family froze.
And the Empress Dowager, who had been silently watching the entire scene…
Finally laughed softly.
"Interesting."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Because the Yue family did not realize something.
The Crown Prince had already planned to do exactly what they demanded.