The night after Yue Ning's birthday banquet was quiet.
The Yue residence, which had been filled with music, laughter, and noble guests only hours ago, slowly returned to its usual calm.
Outside the gate, a small imperial carriage waited beneath the lantern light.
Xu Chen stood beside it.
The Empress Dowager stepped into the carriage first, her movements calm and dignified despite the simple clothing she still wore from her time staying in the Yue residence.
Before entering, she glanced back toward the courtyard where the Yue family still stood watching them leave.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Your Yue family is quite fierce," she said lightly.
Xu Chen chuckled softly.
"They treasure her very much."
"That is a good thing," the Empress Dowager replied.
Then she stepped fully into the carriage.
Xu Chen mounted his horse, and the small procession began moving through the quiet capital streets toward the imperial palace.
Late that night, the palace remained brightly lit.
Inside Phoenix Hall, the Emperor and Empress were still awake.
They had already received word that Xu Chen had attended Yue Ning's birthday banquet.
The Emperor stood near the window, his hands behind his back.
The Empress sat nearby, sipping tea calmly.
"You seem restless," she said with a small smile.
The Emperor sighed.
"Our son finally goes to yue family."
"And he intended to ask for marriage."
The Empress laughed softly.
"That only shows how important the girl is to him."
Before the Emperor could respond—
A palace guard announced from outside.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the Empress Dowager have returned."
The Emperor immediately turned.
"Let them enter."
Moments later, the doors opened.
Xu Chen stepped inside and bowed respectfully.
"Father. Mother."
Behind him, the Empress Dowager entered calmly.
The Emperor quickly stepped forward.
"Mother."
The Empress also rose and bowed slightly.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand casually.
"Enough formalities."
Her sharp eyes looked between them.
"I assume you both already know where he went tonight."
The Empress smiled.
"To Yue Ning's birthday banquet."
Xu Chen nodded slightly.
"Yes."
The Emperor gestured for them to sit.
"Well?"
"What happened?"
Xu Chen briefly explained the events of the evening.
He told them about the Yue family's concerns.
About the brothers challenging him.
About the three conditions they set.
And about his acceptance of those conditions.
The Emperor listened quietly.
When Xu Chen finished, the Emperor suddenly laughed.
"As expected of the Yue family."
"Bold enough to challenge the Crown Prince."
The Empress also smiled.
"But they are protecting their daughter."
"That is understandable."
Xu Chen nodded.
"Yes."
Then he added,
"I also told them that you both already know about Yue Ning."
The Emperor nodded.
"That is fine."
"But…"
Before he could continue—
The Empress Dowager spoke.
"There is something more important."
Both the Emperor and Empress turned toward her.
Her expression had become serious.
"That girl must be protected."
Xu Chen looked at her calmly.
"She will be."
The Empress Dowager shook her head slightly.
"You are thinking only about the future."
"But right now, Yue Ning is already attracting attention."
She looked directly at the Emperor.
"You gave her the title Princess Anhe."
"Yes," the Emperor replied.
"That alone already made her stand out among the noble families."
The Empress Dowager nodded.
"Exactly."
"And once the court realizes the Crown Prince intends to marry her…"
"Many people will target her."
The Empress frowned slightly.
"That is unavoidable."
But the Empress Dowager suddenly said,
"Then remove the problem before it begins."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
The Empress Dowager's voice was calm.
"Give her protection that no one in the empire can challenge."
Xu Chen seemed to understand what she meant.
But the Emperor still looked thoughtful.
"Mother… what are you suggesting?"
The Empress Dowager spoke slowly.
"I want an imperial edict issued."
The room became quiet.
The Emperor waited.
Then she said clearly,
"From this day forward…"
"Princess Anhe, Yue Ning…"
"Will not be required to kneel or bow before anyone in the world."
The words shocked the room.
The Emperor's eyes widened.
"Mother…!"
Even the Empress looked surprised.
"That privilege…"
The Emperor spoke slowly.
"…only the Crown Prince has that right."
Xu Chen indeed held a rare imperial privilege—he did not kneel before the Emperor.
But giving the same privilege to someone else was extremely unusual.
The Empress Dowager looked at him calmly.
"And?"
The Emperor hesitated.
"If we do that… the entire court will protest."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively.
"They protest everything."
Then she leaned forward slightly.
"That girl helped me when I was walking in the streets like an ordinary old woman."
"She protected me without knowing who I was."
"And she treated me like family."
Her voice softened.
"She deserves respect."
Then she added with a faint smile,
"And besides…"
"She will become your daughter-in-law sooner or later."
Xu Chen remained silent, but his eyes were thoughtful.
The Emperor looked at his son.
"You already knew about this, didn't you?"
Xu Chen did not deny it.
"I suspected Grandmother might say something like this."
The Empress chuckled.
"You two planned this?"
Xu Chen shook his head slightly.
"No."
Then he spoke calmly.
"But if Father grants this edict…"
"No one in the empire will dare humiliate Yue Ning."
The Emperor sighed deeply.
He walked slowly toward the window.
The palace courtyard was quiet under the moonlight.
After a long moment, he finally turned back.
"Fine."
The Empress looked surprised.
"You agree?"
The Emperor nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Then he looked at Xu Chen.
"But the edict must be written carefully."
"This privilege will be granted only to Princess Anhe, Yue Ning."
"And it will state clearly…"
"She is not required to kneel or bow before the Emperor, Empress, imperial family, or any person in the world.
The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction.
"That will be enough."
The Emperor shook his head slightly.
"You spoil that girl too much, Mother."
The old woman chuckled.
"Of course I do."
Then she glanced at Xu Chen.
"After all…"
"She is the only girl who made our cold Crown Prince run across the capital the moment he returned from war."
The Empress laughed softly.
And for once—
Even Xu Chen allowed a faint smile to appear on his face.