The scandal caused by the Second Prince, Xiao Yu, at the General's Manor was like a foul wind, sweeping through the entire capital with terrifying speed.
The Emperor's fury was far more violent than anyone had anticipated.
When the eunuch tremblingly reported the "family shame" of the General's Manor to the throne, the Imperial Study fell into a deathly silence before erupting into a thunderous rage.
"Scoundrel! A total scoundrel!"
The Emperor slammed his desk, the veins on his forehead bulging as his face turned ashen. A priceless jade paperweight was knocked to the floor, shattering with a crisp, piercing crack—much like his crumbling patience.
The Chu family had been a line of loyal martyrs, shedding every last drop of their blood for the Great Qi Empire. To honor General Chu's merit, the Emperor had personally decreed the marriage to provide for the General's orphaned daughter and showcase Imperial grace. Now, Xiao Yu dared to commit such beastly acts before the Chu family's ancestral tablets and in Chu Zhaoning's very bedroom!
This wasn't just a slight against the Chu family; it was a resounding slap to the Emperor's face, turning the entire Royal Family into a laughingstock.
Inside the study, the swirling incense smoke couldn't mask the thick scent of tension.
"Pass my decree! Place that scoundrel Xiao Yu under immediate house arrest in the Second Prince's Estate! He is not to step foot outside without my summons. Let him reflect on his sins behind closed doors!" the Emperor roared, his voice raspy with anger.
However, house arrest was merely a way to vent fury. The real problem was the decree itself—an Imperial command already issued, yet torn to shreds by Xiao Yu's own hands.
The Emperor's fingers tapped heavily on the dragon desk, creating a dull thud, thud sound. The Minister of Rites and several high-ranking officials knelt below, their breathing shallow and cautious.
The Emperor closed his eyes.
His anger seethed, but he forced it down. He knew that fury was useless now; he needed to salvage the situation.
"I have already given my word. Am I to slap my own face and retract my decree?" the Emperor's voice was chillingly low.
"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty," the Grand Councilor ventured, stepping forward to analyze the situation. "The eldest Prince already has a primary consort and two side consorts; his household is full. Assigning Miss Chu to him would offend his consort's family and seem unfair to the Chu orphan."
"Your Majesty is wise; the words of a King are final," the Minister of Rites added hastily. "If the decree is simply abolished, it would damage your Imperial prestige and invite gossip about the Royal Family's lack of faith."
The Emperor gave a cold huff, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"As for the Fifth and Sixth Princes..." The Councilor paused with a troubled look. "The Fifth Prince has not yet reached adulthood, and the Sixth is still a child. If we force a marriage, Miss Chu would waste years of her youth. This contradicts Your Majesty's original intent to give her a home as soon as possible."
Having exhausted the options, everyone's eyes turned toward the figure standing silently to the side—pale with a hint of sickly elegance, yet cold as fresh snow: the Third Prince, Xiao Zhan.
Since Xiao Yu had caused such a stain on the honor of a hero's family, the Royal Family had to offer their "best and most upright" prince as an apology. It was the only way to appease the surviving soldiers of the Chu Army and save the throne's face.
Xiao Zhan was the only choice.
The Emperor's gaze slowly shifted to his silent third son.
Xiao Zhan's expression remained detached, maintaining an otherworldly calm. He and Xiao Yu had always been at odds. At this moment, he felt nothing but contempt for his brother's stupidity, but he knew better than anyone that for "Ning'er," this was a second turning point in her fate.
"Since the decree has been issued, a King does not speak in vain..." The Emperor's voice echoed in the hall, finally crystallizing into a cold judgment.
"Pass my decree!"
"The Second Prince, Xiao Yu, is devoid of virtue and unworthy of a good match. The marriage contract is hereby changed: the Third Prince, Xiao Zhan, shall wed the daughter of General Chu, Chu Zhaoning, as his primary consort! Select an auspicious date, prepare the Three Letters and Six Rites, and let the wedding proceed with the highest honors!"
The hall erupted in a silent shock!
Faces paled;
Whispers broke out;
Every eye turned to Xiao Zhan.
This wasn't just a change of grooms—it was thrusting Chu Zhaoning, a piece previously thought "discarded," into the very center of the power vortex.
Xiao Zhan's heart skipped a beat. Though he had a premonition, hearing his father actually speak the words sent a surge of complex emotions through him. He owed the General for his mentorship and held a certain fondness for Zhaoning, but this marriage was coming at a dramatic and heavy cost.
"Old Third." The Emperor raised his eyes, his sharp gaze boring into him. "Your brother is graceless and has insulted the Chu family's honor. I am giving this marriage to you. Do you have any complaints?"
This wasn't a question; it was a monarch's maneuver—both a compensation and a test.
Xiao Zhan stepped forward, lifting the hem of his ink-black robes as he knelt formally. His voice was as clear as a mountain spring, devoid of any ripple of emotion:
"Your son accepts the decree. General Chu was a mentor to me. It is my duty to care for my Junior Sister and ensure her a life of peace."
His response was flawless. It preserved the Emperor's dignity and provided a perfect public justification for the sudden switch.