The moment the words fell, the entire hall fell dead silent in an instant.
The gazes of all civil and military officials snapped onto Wanye at once, a tangled, dazzling mix of astonishment, scrutiny, suppressed fury, and amused speculation playing across their faces.
Wanye was clearly savoring this feeling of being the center of all attention. His triangular eyes narrowed slightly as he swept over everyone in the hall with a hint of mischief, taking in the expressions of the Great Qian officials one by one.
Before crossing the border, he had been pinned down by Great Qian generals to learn those tedious, rigid formalities, forced to kowtow and bend until his back ached, all that resentment pent up inside him. Now, watching these Central Plains officials look either shocked or furious, he felt all that pent-up malice and frustration melt away.
But as his gaze swept across the crowd, it suddenly froze.
At the head of all officials stood a man in a bright crimson official robe, holding an ivory hu tablet in his hand. Four slender, long fingers peeked out from the wide sleeve of his robe, his knuckles sharp and distinct, his skin a pale, cool whiteness rarely seen among people of the Central Plains.
His bearing was peerless, his features clear and elegant, carved and polished as if by master craft, completely natural, every inch of him exuding unmatched refinement.
A bright, unmissable flash of interest flickered in Wanye's eyes. He had always scoffed at Central Plains men, sneering that they were soft-skinned and pretty, prone to spouting whiny, melancholy lines that were even less tough than the women of his Tatar tribes.
But the second he laid eyes on Wen Zhuo, that contempt shattered into fine dust. Just like any ordinary man, he was stunned and awestruck by this pure, unearthly beauty.
He had never seen a figure so much like an immortal descended from the heavens, and for a moment he even forgot the real purpose of his trip.
This did not mean he harbored any romantic thoughts about men. But the Tatars did not have the heavy, rigid ritual constraints that the Great Qian upheld. The only reason he had never taken a male companion to share his tent was that all the men around him were as rough and burly as he was.
Wen Zhuo seemed to sense that burning, unfamiliar gaze, yet his expression remained completely calm. He stepped slowly out of the ranks of officials, holding his hu tablet with both hands, his voice clear and crisp as he spoke. "Your Majesty, Princess Zhaoyue is only thirteen years old, not yet reached the age of hairpin ceremony. According to the Great Qian rites, it is inappropriate to discuss marriage and send her off to wed at this time."
Right after his words, Liu Chenming also stepped out from the crowd, bowing deeply. "Your subject concurs. If Your Majesty wishes to form an alliance with the Tatars, you may select a woman of suitable age from the imperial clan, grant her the title of princess, and then arrange the marriage alliance."
Emperor Shunyuan remained silent for a long time. The truth was, he had never been willing to marry off his beloved young daughter to the barbarian chieftains of the northern desert.
"Khan Guili," Emperor Shunyuan said in a low, heavy voice, "Princess Zhaoyue is still young, not yet reached the age of fifteen when she will have her hairpin ceremony. Choose another candidate."
Wanye only then pulled his gaze away from Wen Zhuo. He pressed one hand to the bronze beast head ornament on his chest, bowing slightly, his tone carrying unyielding, straightforward insistence. "Your Majesty the Emperor of Great Qian, Aluchi Khan is a once-in-a-century wise and heroic ruler of our Tatar people. He was born with a totem mark on his body, and all our people believe he carries the divine power of the gods, chosen by heaven. How could an ordinary woman possibly be worthy of such a man? Only a princess of the great celestial dynasty could form a perfect, heaven-matched pair with him."
He paused, his words growing even more earnest. "Please look upon the sincerity of the Tatars, Your Majesty. This time, to welcome the princess as our bride, our entire tribe is willing to pay tributes every year. Aluchi Khan will even take the princess as his legal, first wife, granting her the highest, most honorable status across all our tribes. The princess is young, that matters not. We are willing to wait, wait until she comes of age, wait until she can ride a horse across the great desert and see the boundless beauty of the sand dunes, before holding the grand wedding ceremony."
After finishing his speech, he remained bowed for a long time, his posture so pious and irreproachable that no one could find fault with it.
The Great Qian had suffered from Tatar harassment for years. Now, seeing this northern desert envoy behave with such deference, a flicker of unspoken pleasure rose in Emperor Shunyuan's chest.
Back then, he had feared that Marquis Yongning held too much power and threatened his throne, so he recalled the marquis to the capital. Who would have thought that move would give the Tatars the chance to grow strong, producing a formidable, tricky figure like Aluchi? That matter had always been a lingering regret in his heart. Now that he had a chance to turn the situation around, how could he not be tempted?
But the second he thought of Princess Zhaoyue's cute, playful little face, his soft, fatherly affection won out again.
Wanye was skilled at reading expressions. Noticing that Emperor Shunyuan was wavering, he pressed on immediately. "Your Majesty, to use the words of the Central Plains, this is a move that will benefit generations to come! If the princess marries the khan, and bears a child one day, that child will be able to inherit the Tatar throne. By then, our khan will carry the blood of the Great Qian imperial family, and our people will naturally be bound to Great Qian with deep, unbreakable affection. This alliance will last for generations, and there will never be more wars or conflicts between us."
Emperor Shunyuan's mind was fully made up. He looked around at all the officials in the hall, and saw that everyone looked eager, as if they had a thousand things to say, but were holding back because Wanye was present.
So he smoothly made a perfunctory remark. "We have understood Aluchi's wishes. Envoy, you have traveled a long way and must be tired. Go back to your guesthouse to rest first. This evening, we will hold a banquet in the Hall of Preserving Harmony to host you and your retinue."
Wanye kowtowed again, his voice loud and clear. "The entire Tatar people are of one heart. We are willing to take this marriage contract as a bond, to form everlasting peace with the Great Qian. We urge Your Majesty to fulfill our Khan's sincere, earnest wish!"
After kowtowing, he ordered his men to present the list of tribute gifts, then bowed and left the hall.
As he turned to leave, he unconsciously glanced back at Wen Zhuo, only to see that man still standing with his eyes lowered, quiet and still, as if Wanye had never existed at all, not even granting him a single sidelong glance.
A flicker of worry crossed Wanye's mind. This man, he thought, would probably be the biggest obstacle standing in the way of this marriage alliance.
After the Tatar envoys had left, Emperor Shunyuan raised his hand and said, "All of you, speak your minds freely now."
A Censor stepped forward and submitted a memorial. "Your Majesty, the Tatars admire the prestige and virtue of our celestial dynasty, and have sent envoys to sue for a marriage. This is a god-given opportunity! Having Princess Zhaoyue go for a marriage alliance can not only blend our bloodlines and strengthen our diplomatic ties, but also bring permanent peace to our northern borders. This is truly an act that benefits the country and its people."
The Vice Minister of Revenue followed closely. "Your Majesty, our soldiers at the border have been garrisoning there for years, worn out and exhausted. Thousands of households have been displaced, fleeing to avoid military service. A marriage alliance can end the wars, a force stronger than a hundred thousand armored soldiers. Why go to the trouble of draining our resources and making the people suffer, just to start another war?"
Zhu Xiwen, the Grand Astrologer, also spoke. "Your Majesty, in ancient times, Emperor Wu of Han arranged marriage alliances, and the Tang Dynasty formed marital ties with Tibet. All these were wise policies of benevolent emperors that used soft power to overcome brute force. Now our dynasty is strong and prosperous. Sending one princess in exchange for a hundred years of peace at the border, letting the people live in peace and recuperate, this is a perfect, beneficial plan. Your Majesty, you must make this decision without hesitation!"
The Minister of War also added. "Your Majesty is the father of all under heaven, adored by all within the four seas! Now the military expenses for the northern border are enormous, and the northern threat has not been eliminated. If we send the princess to form a friendly bond with the Tatars, we can gather all our elite forces at Nanping, and plan for a complete, perfect victory. With time, we will march south, recapture the lands of Nanping, and achieve a great, legendary feat that will be remembered for ages!"
...
Officials after another chimed in in agreement. Not a single one mentioned Princess Zhaoyue's own wishes, their mouths full of arguments framed as being for the good of the country and the people.
Emperor Shunyuan watched this scene, and a strange, unspoken anger rose in his chest. His fatherly affection for his little daughter, it seemed, meant nothing at all in the eyes of all these men.
But then the stern voice of Liu Changbai rang in his ears, the old warning that as an emperor, he must weigh the pros and cons, set aside personal feelings, and be worthy of the ancestral legacy, and worthy of all the people under heaven.
That flicker of anger was immediately suppressed.
If he selfishly kept Princess Zhaoyue by his side against all advice, he would surely draw a lot of dissatisfaction, and people would start questioning if he had the resolve of the great emperors of the Tang Dynasty.
What he had not noticed, though, was that not every single one of those officials was acting out of genuine concern for the country.
Since the founding of the Great Qian, the imperial court had enforced extremely strict rules on officials, with harsh, severe laws. But under this high-pressure governance, the official salaries were unbelievably meager. If their families did not run businesses to subsidize their income, many officials would have to pinch every penny even to afford to hire domestic servants.
Over time, these men had gradually developed rebellious, self-serving thoughts.
They were always fond of positioning themselves on a moral high ground to stand in opposition to imperial power, unable to bear the sight of an emperor leading a fulfilled life. They would rather the royal family be mired in all sorts of helpless predicaments, just to ease the resentment festering in their own hearts.
Standing right by Emperor Shunyuan's side, Shen Zheng swept his gaze across the assembled officials, taking in every subtle shift of their expressions and seeing through all their underhanded schemes as he quietly analyzed each man's true intentions.
Shen Ting kept himself entirely out of the fray, his eyes cold and dismissive. He had long since lost every last bit of interest in court affairs, and had it not been for Emperor Shunyuan presiding over this morning's audience, he would have already submitted a request for leave to absent himself.
Shen He held his head bowed as low as he could, his plump cheeks flushed bright red. He wished he could block his ears entirely, not wanting to hear another word of the discussions swirling around Princess Zhaoyue's fate.
Only Shen Chen wore a long-absent smile on his face. Perhaps he had been eating better lately, his once sunken cheeks had gradually filled out, his dimples twitched at the corners of his mouth, and a glint of ambition that was sure to pay off sparkled in his eyes. There was no need to guess, he was hatching some new wicked plot again.
Dark undercurrents churned in the grand court hall, every man's heart holding its own distinct agenda. Shen Zheng's gaze drifted past the crowd and settled on Wen Zhuo, who looked back at him and gave him a reassuring smile.
Emperor Shunyuan had his eyes closed, one hand pressed to his forehead, his voice carrying a note of weary hoarseness. "I am aware of the matter."
When the court audience was dismissed, he went straight to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and ordered Liu Quan to bring Zhaoyue to him.
Consort Zhen had already gotten word from the palace servants, and she walked toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation holding Zhaoyue's hand. Every step she took felt as if she were treading on the edge of a knife, each movement unbearably difficult.
She kept reminding herself over and over in her heart to stay steady, to stay calm. The emperor doted on Zhaoyue more than anyone else, the matter had not been finalized yet, and she absolutely could not lose her composure.
The moment Zhaoyue stepped across the threshold of the hall, she shook off Consort Zhen's hand. Like a cheerful little sparrow, she threw herself straight into Emperor Shunyuan's embrace, resting her small head against his robes, her voice so sweet it could melt water. "Father Emperor, how do you have time to keep me company today?"
Emperor Shunyuan smiled and tapped her little nose playfully. "When Father Emperor has spare time, of course I will spend it with Zhaoyue."
Zhaoyue then chattered nonstop about all the interesting things that had happened recently. She rambled on about how the peonies in the imperial garden had bloomed, how the Crown Prince had shown her new tricks to make pear candy, how quickly she had picked up the books her tutor had been teaching her, and how she had secretly put on her mother's beautiful embroidered robe.
She knew her father's health was poor, that he often had to rest on his couch, and that he had endless state affairs to handle. It was not easy to get a chance to see him, so she poured out all the words she had saved up for ages in one gush.
At first Emperor Shunyuan responded to her every few remarks, but soon after he simply listened in silence, not saying a word. Occasionally he would reach out and gently stroke her neatly braided hair, behaving exactly like a loving father, his every movement tender.
Standing to the side, Consort Zhen watched the scene unfold, and her heart sank little by little.
She could not hold back any longer. With a heavy thud, she dropped to her knees, scuttled a few steps forward on her knees, her voice trembling with utter despair. "Your Majesty, Zhaoyue is only thirteen years old! She is still so young. If she is sent to the remote northern border, she will have no one to turn to, no one to rely on, she will be utterly alone and miserable. She cannot go, absolutely cannot!"
Zhaoyue was startled by her mother's sudden outburst, the words on her tongue coming to an abrupt halt. She stared at Consort Zhen with her big round eyes, looking timid and bewildered.
Emperor Shunyuan frowned, letting go of Zhaoyue as his gaze fell on Consort Zhen. His tone carried a hint of displeasure. "What do you mean by she will be utterly alone and miserable? A princess who marries out will have her own palace servants and imperial guards to attend to her every need. Besides, the matter has not yet been settled. For you to lose your composure like this as a imperial consort, what sort of decorum is that?"
Yet Consort Zhen heard a note of unshakable finality in his words, exactly the same as the day he had not hesitated to send the eight-year-old Shen Zheng to Nanping as a hostage, trading the safety of one of his sons for a short period of stability along the border.
He had never only one son, and he had never only one daughter. To an emperor, familial affection was the cheapest thing there was.
"Your Majesty, didn't you dote on Zhaoyue more than anyone else?" Consort Zhen grabbed the hem of his imperial robe, her tears soaking the bright yellow fabric. "You said it yourself, that you would keep her by your side and protect her for the rest of her life. You cannot break your promise!"
"Mother Imperial..." Zhaoyue stretched out her small hand to reach for Consort Zhen, only to be pulled into a tight embrace by her.
"I will not let her go!" Consort Zhen was like a fierce she-bear guarding her cub, her voice sharp and shrill. "I will never let Zhaoyue leave my side! If I lose her, I will not be able to go on living!"
Emperor Shunyuan's expression turned completely cold.
Among all the women in the imperial harem, Lady Liu was forceful, Empress Cao was gentle and kind, Jun Mulan was bold and unconstrained, and Concubine Yi was warm and passionate. Only Consort Zhen was charming without being seductive, soft yet firm, always knowing her place and being the most easy to please.
But today, even she was acting so unreasonably, throwing all proper etiquette to the wind.
"What are you trying to achieve with this tantrum? Are you deliberately trying to upset me?" He flicked his wide sleeve away in a sharp, angry motion, his voice deep and stern. "You do not need to attend the banquet at the Hall of Harmonious Peace tonight. Noble Consort Liang will accompany me instead."
Consort Zhen's limbs went limp, and she slumped onto the cold brick floor. "Your Majesty..."
From noon onwards, Consort Zhen knelt outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The sun blazed overhead, the stone paving was hard and unforgiving, and her knees ached terribly before long. Yet she kept her back straight, determined not to rise until the emperor took back his order.
Emperor Shunyuan was distraught and irritable. He dared not meet Zhaoyue's clear, innocent eyes, as if they were a mirror that would reflect every cold calculation he had made.
He waved over the senior palace matron and ordered her to lead Zhaoyue away.
He had originally intended to have his guards escort Consort Zhen back to her chambers so she could calm down, but on second thought, he knew the woman would never stay put, and she would only come back to kneel here again in the end.
He had seen far too many scenes like this.
His officials were pressing him, his consorts were pressing him, every single official in the entire court was swarming around him like a swarm of flies, as if he were the root of all evil.
But he was only doing what an emperor was supposed to do — weigh the pros and cons and make the necessary choice.
That same evening, the grand banquet at the Hall of Harmonious Peace proceeded as scheduled. Emperor Shunyuan made a point of appearing, and even drank the toast Wanye offered him.
Wanye was the very picture of utter humility throughout the feast, as if he had already fully submitted to the emperor's great power. This gave the emperor, who could no longer mount a horse and wield a spear for battle, a great sense of satisfaction.
After several rounds of wine, Wanye suddenly announced that he had one more gift to present to Emperor Shunyuan, a precious pearl from the vast desert lands.
At those words, Shen Chen lifted his wine cup to his mouth, hiding a smirk behind it.
Emperor Shunyuan nodded. "Very well. I would like to see just what sort of precious pearl it is."
Wanye clapped his hands, and a woman drifted into the hall from outside.
She was veiled in thin gauze, her head adorned with silver ornaments, dressed in a flowing red gown that showed off her graceful figure, instantly drawing every gaze in the room to her.
It was less like she was walking in, and more like she was gliding in with the lightness of a feather.
A blood-red beauty mark dipped down at the corner of her eye, and her lips were painted a deep crimson. As she twisted her body, the silver ornaments and rings on her outfit collided, giving off a crisp, melodious chime.
Emperor Shunyuan squinted to get a better look at her. She wore the traditional dress of the Tatar people, but her makeup was in the Central Plains style. The subtle, soft beauty of the Central Plains softened her sharp, wild edges, making her look even more exquisite and captivating.
She drifted past the rows of banquet tables like a butterfly, leaving behind a trail of intoxicating, bewitching floral scent. The officials were so charmed by her coquettish glances that they were almost out of their minds, half-delirious with the urge to reach out and touch her fingertips, but she nimbly dodged every one of their advances, only leaving a sweet, playful smile in her wake.
Only when she drifted to the table where Wen Zhuo sat did her gaze come to a full stop.
The dishes laid out in front of Wen Zhuo were all completely untouched, the only trace on his lips was the faint sheen of the wine he had sipped. He looked at her calmly and directly, not the slightest bit swayed by her allure.
Contrary to all her previous playful behavior, Mingzhu took advantage of a dance movement to brush her fingers softly across Wen Zhuo's cheek, before drifting away again with the shy coyness of a young maiden.
Shen Zheng saw everything crystal clear: "..."
Girl, you're supposed to be the one seducing my father, can't you be a little more professional?
Wen Zhuo's eyes flickered with a hint of confusion for a split second, clearly displeased that she had suddenly changed her move. But given his status, he could not very well pick a fight with a performing entertainer.
Mingzhu danced to her heart's content. After putting on a splendid display before Emperor Shunyuan, she could not resist drifting over to Wen Zhuo's side again.
This time Wen Zhuo had learned his lesson. He leaned back slightly, but Mingzhu, bold and full of fervor, dipped her finger in wine and flicked it playfully toward Wen Zhuo.
Shen Zheng: "..."
How could anyone put up with this!
Wanye noticed Mingzhu's divided attention and quickly clapped his hands to call a stop to the performance.
He pulled Mingzhu over to Emperor Shunyuan, knelt down, and said, "This is the most beautiful girl in our Tatar tribe. She is born with a rare, delicate fragrance, as precious as a glowing pearl. Khan Aluchi wishes to present her to Your Majesty, the Emperor of Da Qian. This is no different from offering our most sincere heart. We hope she can represent the Tatar people and stay by Your Majesty's side."
Mingzhu bowed and knelt, then threw a coquettish glance at Emperor Shunyuan.
Emperor Shunyuan, however, showed little interest.
He had seen countless beauties in his life, and this so-called Mingzhu could not even hold a candle to a single strand of Ying Xingluo's hair.
He would never be moved by mere good looks. What was more, he was already too worn out to act on any such impulses. Keeping an alien woman in his harem would likely bring nothing but trouble.
"I understand Khan Aluchi's kind intentions, but there is no need for this Mingzhu to stay," Emperor Shunyuan said, lowering his eyes and taking a sip of wine.
Wanye said with a pained look on his face, "But is she not beautiful enough, or did she dance poorly, failing to win Your Majesty's favor? That would be our greatest mistake. To make amends, once we return to the desert, we will put her to death and send someone far more to Your Majesty's liking."
Hearing this, Mingzhu was so terrified that she began trembling all over.
Emperor Shunyuan knew exactly why Wanye was making such a big deal out of this. If he refused to accept Mingzhu, it would very likely be interpreted as his unwillingness to send a princess for a marriage alliance. He frowned, feeling caught in a difficult spot.
Just as he was stuck in this dilemma, Shen Chen suddenly stood up, the dimples on his cheeks showing as he smiled and said, "Father Emperor, since you are so considerate of the two imperial noble consorts, and also feel pity for Mingzhu, why not bestow her upon the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince has been back in the capital for two years. He works tirelessly day and night on state affairs, and even though he has reached the age to marry, no one has yet arranged a betrothal for him. When I think of this, I find it truly unexpected, and my heart goes out to him. As a man, he needs someone to keep him company and ease his loneliness at night. It would be perfect to let Mingzhu be someone to amuse and entertain him. This way, we not only show the great respect of our Da Qian, but also fulfill the sincere wishes of the Tatar people."
Emperor Shunyuan immediately thought this was an excellent suggestion. Letting the Crown Prince take the woman instead of him would not be a snub to the Tatar representatives at all.
Besides, with his own poor health, he had forgotten that the Crown Prince also needed a woman by his side.
"Very well, then we shall—"
"Father Emperor, I refuse!" Shen Zheng suddenly stood up, his eyes downcast, his hands clenched tightly.
Emperor Shunyuan frowned, "Why so?"
Jun Mulan immediately sat up straight, looking at him with concern, though in her heart she understood full well what was going on.
Shen Zheng's mind raced at top speed. After pausing for two seconds, he said, "I have no interest in women from foreign lands. I only wish for a spouse from the Da Qian people. I deeply appreciate the kind intentions Father Emperor has for me, but this Mingzhu is a favor I cannot accept."
Wen Zhuo lifted his eyes, staring fixedly at the self-satisfied Shen Chen.
He had already realized that Shen Chen must have found out about the relationship between him and Shen Zheng, which was why he tried to provoke this rift, to drag Wen Zhuo back into the old nightmares.
At this moment, he could not say a single word. If he did, it would be nearly impossible for him to explain himself to the Emperor.
It was not that he did not trust Shen Zheng, but old fears crept up on him, and a thin layer of sweat began to form on his palms.
The Hall of Harmonious Peace fell completely silent for a moment. Everyone present held their breath, watching the father and son hold their ground against each other. Many of them were even surprised. It was just a barbarian woman after all, what difference did it make who took her?
"My son, you are in the prime of your youth. How can you not have a woman to wait on you?" Emperor Shunyuan looked at Shen Zheng deeply, and for no reason, the bloodwritten letter left by Xie Langyang crossed his mind.
"I devote all my thoughts to maritime trade affairs, and care deeply about the progress of the mission to the Western Ocean. I have far too much on my mind to spare any time for such pastimes," Shen Zheng said, his voice calm, but he did not give an inch.
"I have merely bestowed a single woman upon you. How dare you defy me right in this hall?" A flicker of displeasure rose in Emperor Shunyuan's heart, but that displeasure came more from an unspoken fear he did not want to dwell on.
Shen Zheng was, after all, his son. And Wen Zhuo looked so much like the late Consort Chen... Could history be doomed to repeat itself?
Shen Chen fanned the flames beside them, saying with hidden meaning, "Crown Prince, this woman is so beautiful. Look, many of the ministers here look utterly dazzled by her. How can you not be the least bit tempted? Even if your shoulders carry heavy responsibilities, you still cannot neglect your own life. If you prefer a woman from Da Qian, we can always ask Father Emperor to arrange a proper marriage for you later. Or... could it be that you look down on Tatar women?"
Wanye, seeing that their tribe's Mingzhu was being treated with such disrespect, also darkened his face.
Shen Zheng glanced coldly out of the corner of his eye, catching sight of Shen Chen's triumphant look. He sneered inwardly, then shifted his gaze to his mother, who was sitting beside Emperor Shunyuan. His eyes rested on her for two seconds, then he lowered his head, suddenly seeming at a loss for words. "I... may I speak to Father Emperor in private after this banquet?"
Emperor Shunyuan did not understand what he meant, but Jun Mulan had caught his hint. She understood exactly what to do. She suddenly covered her mouth with her sleeve, leaned over to Emperor Shunyuan's ear, and whispered, "Your Majesty, you do not know this. My Jun family has fought wars against the Tatar people for years. Countless soldiers under my father's command have died at Tatar hands, and we have also killed many of their people. Hatred has built up between us for decades, and it cannot be erased overnight. My father would never wish for Zheng'er to be with a Tatar woman. But he has always been an upright and loyal man, and he would never go against Your Majesty's wishes. He can only keep this sorrow pent up in his heart. The Crown Prince is being filial, not wanting to put his maternal grandfather in an awkward position. That is why he is so determined not to take this woman."
Jun Mulan's words touched Emperor Shunyuan. Thinking of Marquis Yongning, he felt a twinge of guilt. He now sought to end the war and make peace with the Tatars, but the Jun family had fought a brutal, life-and-death battle against them for decades, with countless friends and family members dying beyond the passes. It was truly difficult to erase that deep-seated hatred. He had not thought this through earlier.
Emperor Shunyuan's expression softened. He suddenly felt he had been overthinking things. How could Shen Zheng possibly have an improper relationship with Wen Zhuo? That was nothing but a baseless lie Xie Langyang had made up before he died, trying to smear Wen Zhuo's reputation.
But then he grew troubled again. It seemed the only option left was for him to take the woman himself. At his advanced age, taking such a stunning beauty into his palace would make the common people gossip about him, who knew what cruel things they would say.
Worst of all, it was unfair to him. He did not even have a lustful bone in his body!
"Enough. The Crown Prince has his own difficulties. This... Mingzhu, I will accept her. I will also accept Khan Aluchi's kind intentions."
Shen Chen's jaw dropped, and the smile on his face froze completely.
