7 Marriage?

The throne room was filled with officials divided into two groups. The left side was wearing red with a lotus on their chest, while the right side was wearing blue with a sword embroidery behind. They unitedly faced back towards the door when Yun Wei and Xing Shen Yue pushed the large door open. The emperor didn't raise his head because he knew they were coming.

Like it has always been, the emperor sat on his dragon throne, but what's strange is the person beside him. A person stood beside the royal throne on the emperor's right. It could only be one person, the two people thought in their minds. It was the crown prince, Yun Renshu.

"Long live the emperor/ father emperor, son of heaven. Greetings, your highness crown prince." They both said as they bowed in respect.

"Rise, come closer."

The two did, but as they neared, the more they felt a piercing gaze. It was not the emperor, but also not the officials. A light sense of energy wave came from the crown prince, clearly gauging their cultivation stage and level openly, and she released a similar energy wave. She's been burdened to go against him and stay away from him too, but before she could make a decision, Xing Shen Yue needs to know who's worth it. Yun Renshu was surprisingly in the Hollow Orb stage, middle level, while Yun Wei was only at the beginning level.

She took a glance at him, but there was no expression change.

Shen Yue looked at him, gazing at the prominent features he's developed. His jawline, eyes, lips, and everything about him were how she imagined him to be, except two times better. A smile involuntarily came as she thought of Jin Jiyang. His motherly care will always produce such fine jade.

Meanwhile, the person beside her, Yun Wei, began sweating. Their senses were keener compared to ordinary people, so the pressure from the gaze was amplified. He couldn't help but reach for something, anything to keep his mind off his brother's presence. His pinky felt something and grabbed it, causing Yue to slightly peer at him.

She held his hand and broke the silence.

"This humble subject begs for forgiveness. I've left the palace without his majesty's permission, causing his highness the second prince follow in worry. Please punish me."

It was then that the second prince was brought to reality. "Father emperor, punish me for it was my fault. I've implicated her with… my (status and) situation."

"Indeed," the emperor's voice said, "but that's not the reason I called you here. Your brother recently returned home." Of course, they know, and even the emperor is aware of them knowing. "Today forth as siblings, I'd like you to interact more with one another like siblings should."

Yun Wei nodded his head, "Don't worry, father emperor. Elder brother would always be my brother, even if we act differently from other families."

Shen Yue commented in her mind, 'This is the palace and the royal family. Such things called siblings could only be your enemy and nothing else.' Years of reading books and romance novels regarding the palace told her so.

"Since the three of you have not seen the city for ten years, why don't you go out of the palace tomorrow for a tour. In that way, you can navigate better."

When an emperor says something, one shouldn't, and can't say no. "We will do."

That was not simply the end. The court was dismissed, and another batch of people entered. The whole harem, composed of the queen and the concubines, arrived, followed by ladies, wearing different coloured clothes. The ladies ranged from 15-30 in age, and after doing a little sensing, Shen Yue found that some of them had cultivation. The highest one is jin dan cultivator.

Each and every one of them was beautiful, worthy of being an emperor's wife, but the line from the front was comparably more eye-catching. Their clothes were brighter and fashionable compared to the ones from the very back. They must be backed by a sect or a high-status noble family to make a secure connection with the palace.

Seats were arranged, and eventually, every royal family member, including her as their guest sat. Unfortunately, the ladies were not given anything to sit on, and they stood on the lower level. The harem sat on the middle level, while the emperor sat on his throne, accompanied by his empress on the highest level.

Xing Shen Yue stole a glance at the crown prince to assess his reaction, but his emotionless game rose another level compared to the last ten years. He's even quieter than usual, which was strange to Shen Yue. He'd always known him to be a perfect idol brother who's the face of the sect.

His unwritten title causes him to speak first, but now, he hasn't spoken much.

"Shu'er, I know that you're not ready, but the Yun Empire cannot wait for you. It will advance, and you can only be swept along. We'll take small steps. First, you have to find a partner who can aid you in the future." He explained while watching Renshu's expression. Seeing that the crown prince is still calm and composed, he continued. "As you can see, I've summoned ladies that the harem thinks is suitable as your wife."

The harem who clearly chose their close people immediately chimed in and recommended their favourites.

"Lady Tian is knowledgeable and virtuous…"

"There can only be one person suitable…"

"Show your talents, Min'er."

It was never-ending until the empress who was beside the emperor spoke. A smile was showing on her face, but her eyes were secretly on concubine Li. "Hm, don't you think that Miss Xing is also qualified? She has cultivation, power, and she's smart."

They all looked at the miss, and Xing Shen Yue felt surprised. She did not expect to be drawn in on the palace issues. "Your majesty, your humble servant isn't deserving of his highness, the crown prince. Compared to these ladies," She looked at the ladies who were standing. "I'm only worth serving them."

Retorts came, and even Yun Wei and the now quiet Yun Renshu spoke against her words.

The crown prince ended the whole marriage discussion by appealing that he should know them well before choosing one. Hence the emperor proposed the ladies remain in the palace for a month to interact with their possible partner.

"You like him?" Yun Wei asked, nudging his junior sister.

She gazed into his eyes and looked for something, but she eventually answered, "I don't care about him." Xing Shen Yue instantly knew who Yun Wei was speaking of.

avataravatar
Next chapter