After my father was sent to marry into the princess's household, I became the darling of the en

The water clock dripped, drop by drop, onto the bottom of the copper kettle.

The atmosphere in the entire Yanhe Hall was stagnant, as if someone had choked it.

Xiao Chengyu stared at the rolled-up bright yellow marriage certificate on the imperial desk, his knuckles tightening inch by inch on the armrest of the dragon throne, the pure gold beast head making a dull creaking sound as he gripped it.

He never expected that his father would actually grant his elder sister such a favor.

Today it's a marriage certificate, but who knows what else might happen tomorrow?

"What a profound edict from the late emperor! I have truly learned something new today."

The Empress Dowager sat on the phoenix throne on the left, her gaze passing over Xiao Mingyue's shoulder and directly piercing Shen Yan, who was half a step behind her.

"Although the late emperor's marriage certificate is genuine, I cannot accept the person chosen on it."

She stood up, and the old woman rushed forward to help her, but she pushed her away with one hand.

"A commoner, without official position or post, whose ancestors had committed crimes, yet he dared to try to claim royal blood."

She descended the steps of the phoenix throne step by step, her Buddhist prayer beads swaying on her wrist. Her face appeared compassionate, yet every word she uttered was sinister.

"Mingyue, you hold military power in the Princess's mansion and have been a key minister guarding the border for twenty years. Your husband is a matter of great importance to the safety of the Great Yong Dynasty."

"Why should someone of that status be worthy of you?"

Xiao Mingyue's lips twitched slightly, about to speak, when her hand was gently pulled away.

She frowned.

Shen Yan released her hand and took a step forward.

A slender back stood between her and the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, I am indeed a commoner without any official position, and this is indisputable."

The Empress Dowager gave a cold laugh and continued to pluck the beads.

Shen Yan spoke with increasing conviction.

"However, when Emperor Gaozu raised his army, most of his advisors were commoners. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, the famous prime minister Cui Gong came from a poor family and assisted the emperor in ushering in a prosperous era. Historians still praise him to this day."

He raised his head, his gaze passing over the gleaming shadows of the golden palace, and looked directly at the Empress Dowager before him.

Throughout history, the selection of talent and the formation of alliances have always valued character over empty reputation.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is judging me as a commoner; does this mean that Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong were both bad at judging people?"

"Moreover, I am completely innocent, so how could I be accused of bewitching you?"

The hall was completely silent.

Zhou Lianhai stood to one side, his eyes downcast, barely daring to breathe.

Even Xiao Chengyu was stunned for a moment, looking at Shen Yan for the first time.

Wasn't this retainer supposed to be a weak and useless scholar?

Looking at it now, I can see that he still has some backbone.

The Empress Dowager's expression changed repeatedly, and a surge of anger ignited in her cloudy old eyes.

"Okay, okay, okay!"

"What a sharp-tongued madman! How dare he use the name of our ancestors to silence me!"

The Empress Dowager slammed her hand on the small table, causing the teacup lid to fall to the ground and shatter.

"Zhou Lianhai, seize this madman who's bewitching the royal family!"

Zhou Lianhai shuddered and quickly turned around to make a gesture towards the palace gate.

More than ten imperial guards in golden armor filed in, their blades flashing in the candlelight, casting a cold light throughout the hall.

They pressed closer and closer to Shen Yan.

Xiao Chengyu sat on the dragon throne and did not stop her. He was happy to see the Empress Dowager arrest people.

"Let's see who dares to touch him."

Xiao Mingyue's voice came from Shen Yan's shoulder, exuding killing intent like a blade being drawn from its sheath.

She stepped forward, reached into her wide sleeve with her right hand, took out several neatly folded sheets of paper, and looked at Xiao Chengyu with a mocking expression.

"Before the Empress Dowager takes my people away, perhaps Your Majesty should take a look at this first."

His anger surged, and he stopped even calling her "Mother."

Zhou Lianhai, observing the situation from the side, quickly took the document and handed it to the person on the throne.

The emperor looked doubtful, not understanding what kind of act Xiao Mingyue was putting on.

The first line reveals the name and signature of He Bo, a spy personally planted by the Empress Dowager in the Princess's residence.

The following is the complete process of plotting to poison Xiao Changgeng: which day, which kitchen, what medicine, and what dosage.

The next part is a detailed timeline of the investigation into the military deployment of the Princess's residence.

The last page includes the dates for monthly meetings with the head maid of Cining Palace, and even the accounts of money transactions are copied down stroke by stroke.

Xiao Chengyu stared at the testimony on the paper, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

The plot to murder the Princess Zhenguo and the infiltration of military secrets—either of these two actions, if brought to court, would bring annihilation upon the Empress Dowager and her maternal family.

"Your Majesty, if this spy is handed over to the Three Judicial Offices for a thorough investigation, the number of people implicated will likely extend far beyond the Cining Palace."

She lowered her eyes, and her tone became more tolerant.

"Out of consideration for our blood ties, I will pretend that nothing ever happened."

Xiao Chengyu stared intently at the pages of confessions bearing red fingerprints, his mind reeling with shock.

Handing it over to the three judicial departments for further investigation? Absolutely not!

If the conspiracy between the imperial family and their son to assassinate a meritorious minister who had served the country were to reach the ears of the people and the millions of soldiers on the front lines, the entire Great Yong Dynasty would be shaken.

Xiao Chengyu clenched his teeth tightly, a suppressed metallic taste of blood rising in his throat.

Xiao Mingyue's actions were not out of consideration for her own flesh and blood; she had clearly seized the royal family's Achilles' heel and was forcing them to submit!

Humiliation and resentment clung to his internal organs like venomous snakes.

But faced with irrefutable evidence, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and admit defeat.

The hall was so quiet that you could hear the soft rustling of incense ash falling from the burner.

He finally spoke.

"Send word to the Ministry of Rites."

"Starting today, we will begin preparations for the wedding of the Princess Zhenguo. The choice of the consort shall be in accordance with the marriage decree of the late Emperor, and there shall be no error."

Zhou Lianhai bowed and kowtowed.

"Your servant obeys the decree."

The composure and compassion on the Empress Dowager's face, which was sitting on the phoenix throne on the left, crumbled instantly.

She suddenly stepped forward.

"emperor!"

His cloudy old eyes were filled with disbelief and rage.

"How could you let her act so recklessly!"

She stepped forward, only to see the emperor behind his desk raise one hand.

"Mother, there's no need to say any more."

Xiao Chengyu raised his head, his eyes filled with deep weariness.

"My mind is made up, and there will be no change."

The Empress Dowager involuntarily stumbled.

Having been with Xiao Chengyu and his mother for many years, how could she not see through his desperate attempts to conceal his fear and compromise?

Her gaze quickly swept over the few sheets of paper, her intuition telling her that they contained deadly incriminating evidence.

A sudden wave of panic washed over her, silencing all the words of admonition she was about to utter.

In a flash, she remembered the hidden thread that had been silent for a long time.

Could it be...?

She dared not investigate further and withdrew her sleeve.

"Prepare the carriage and return to the palace!"

Xiao Mingyue coldly watched the Empress Dowager's hasty departure, a mocking sneer appearing on her lips.

If you don't know, you can do nothing.

This leverage was handed to her by her good mother, the Empress Dowager.

"My lord, thank you for your kindness."

She straightened her back decisively, not glancing at the emperor on the dragon throne again, and turned to leave with Shen Yan in her hand.

……

The moment I stepped out of the threshold of Yanhe Hall, the wind from outside rushed in, icy cold.

Shen Yan's hands were still trembling, while Xiao Mingyue's palms were dry and warm.

"Scared?"

"I'm not afraid."

Shen Yan turned his head to look at her, his ears turning bright red.

"If there's anything to be afraid of, it's that I couldn't protect Your Highness earlier."

Xiao Mingyue smiled brightly, her heroic features softening with a unique gentleness.

The sun was shining down on the palace wall, casting a soft, warm glow into her eyes.

"Qingheng, today in the palace, you and I have completely offended the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. The days ahead will be very dangerous."

"Will you regret it?"

Shen Yan shook his head without hesitation, took Xiao Mingyue's hands in his palms, and kissed them.

"I will spend my life with you, and I will never regret my moves."