Spring passed quietly after the wedding celebration.
Yet beneath the calm surface of the capital, changes were steadily unfolding.
The influence of the Yue Family had begun expanding faster than anyone expected.
Not through arrogance.
Not through reckless ambition.
But through undeniable capability.
Within a single year, the Yue Family had transformed completely from a respected noble house into something far greater. Yue Ming had become known throughout the court for his calm leadership and political insight. Yue Heng's military achievements continued drawing praise even from veteran generals. Yue Tao and Yue Jun steadily rose through official ranks, while the younger generation of the Yue Family displayed talents that no aristocratic household could ignore anymore.
Most importantly—
The Crown Prince openly favored them.
And no one in the empire could overlook that fact.
Inside the imperial court that morning, discussions among officials had already shifted naturally toward the Yue Family.
"The southern trade issue was resolved by Yue Ming."
"Yue Heng suppressed the border conflict before it could escalate."
"Even the younger Yue brothers have entered official examinations with remarkable results."
"They truly are flourishing."
Some spoke with admiration.
Others with caution.
And some—
With growing unease.
Because everyone understood what this meant.
The balance among aristocratic families was changing.
For decades, the four great noble houses had maintained equal influence within the empire, each controlling different spheres of power and maintaining careful distance from one another.
But now—
The Yue Family was beginning to rise above them all.
Inside the Emperor's study, several senior officials sat discussing the matter quietly while Xu Chen stood near the window listening calmly.
"The Yue Family's influence has expanded significantly," one minister said carefully.
Another nodded. "Especially among younger officials and military officers."
A third official hesitated before adding, "Some noble families are becoming restless."
The Emperor looked thoughtful. "Restless?"
"They fear imbalance."
Xu Chen finally spoke calmly. "Because they're weaker."
The room instantly quieted.
The ministers exchanged helpless glances.
Only Xu Chen could state something so directly.
The Emperor sighed lightly. "Chen'er."
Xu Chen's expression remained unchanged. "The Yue Family earned their position."
No one argued.
Because it was true.
Everything the Yue Family possessed now had been built steadily through merit and achievement.
Not corruption.
Not manipulation.
Capability.
The Emperor leaned back slightly. "Even so, the other noble families will not remain comfortable forever."
Xu Chen's gaze remained calm. "Then they should improve themselves."
Again—
No one knew how to respond to that.
Meanwhile, within the Yue Mansion itself, the atmosphere remained surprisingly ordinary despite the growing attention from the capital.
Yue Tao rushed through the courtyard dramatically holding several invitation scrolls.
"Another banquet invitation!"
Yue Liang looked exhausted already. "Burn them."
"I support this idea," Yue Rui added seriously.
Yue Ming sat nearby reviewing documents calmly. "You'll attend properly."
Yue Tao immediately collapsed into a chair. "Brother, every family suddenly wants to become close to us."
"Because our position changed," Yue Heng replied while drinking tea quietly.
Yue Jun glanced toward him. "They fear us now."
"Some do."
"And the others?"
Yue Heng's lips curved faintly. "They want benefits."
No one disagreed.
Outside the mansion gates, noble carriages arrived almost daily now carrying gifts, invitations, and attempts at forming closer relations with the Yue Family.
Even families who once ignored them had become unusually polite.
It was obvious.
The Yue Family had become the center of the aristocratic circle.
And at the center of that rise—
Was Yue Ning.
Inside her courtyard, Yue Ning sat beneath a pavilion reading quietly while her maid excitedly sorted through another pile of invitations.
"Miss, the Zhao Family invited you to their flower banquet."
"No."
"The Lu Family requested your presence for tea."
"No."
"The Marquis household—"
"No."
Her maid sighed helplessly. "Miss, you rejected all of them."
Yue Ning turned a page calmly. "Because I don't want to go."
"You can't avoid everyone forever."
"I can try."
Her maid lowered her voice slightly. "Actually… many of them mostly wish to see Your Highness."
Yue Ning looked up slowly.
Her maid immediately regretted speaking.
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes slightly. "Why?"
"They think if they become close to you, they'll gain favor with the Crown Prince."
Yue Ning stared silently for a moment before leaning back lightly.
"How troublesome."
At that exact moment, a familiar voice came from outside the pavilion.
"What is?"
Yue Ning looked up immediately.
Xu Chen walked into the courtyard calmly, Han Wei following several steps behind him carrying what appeared to be official documents.
Her maid instantly bowed respectfully before quickly retreating.
Yue Ning looked at Xu Chen suspiciously. "Why are you here suddenly?"
Xu Chen answered simply, "I finished court early."
"That's not an explanation."
Xu Chen sat across from her naturally. "I wanted to see you."
Han Wei silently looked away toward the sky.
At this point, he no longer reacted.
Yue Ning placed her book down slowly. "Do you know how dangerous it is saying things like that casually?"
Xu Chen looked puzzled again. "Why?"
Yue Ning sighed.
Hopeless.
Completely hopeless.
Xu Chen's gaze shifted toward the mountain of invitations nearby. "What are those?"
"Trouble."
Han Wei immediately nodded in agreement.
Yue Ning glanced toward Xu Chen. "Your fault."
Xu Chen looked entirely calm. "How?"
"Because everyone knows you favor the Yue Family."
"I do."
"And now the entire capital keeps trying to become close to us."
Xu Chen seemed genuinely unconcerned. "Then ignore them."
Yue Ning stared at him blankly. "You say that easily."
Xu Chen tilted his head slightly. "Is it difficult?"
"Yes."
Xu Chen considered this quietly for a moment before speaking again.
"Then I'll solve it."
Yue Ning immediately looked wary. "How?"
Xu Chen answered calmly, "I'll announce it directly."
Han Wei nearly stumbled.
Yue Ning blinked once. "Announce what directly?"
Xu Chen looked at her steadily.
"That the Yue Family stands above the others."
The courtyard fell completely silent.
Even Han Wei looked horrified.
Only Xu Chen could casually suggest something capable of shaking the entire aristocratic structure of the empire.
Yue Ning stared at him for several long seconds before suddenly laughing helplessly.
"You really don't know how terrifying you are."
Xu Chen looked genuinely thoughtful again.
"I'm not trying to be."
"That's exactly what makes it worse."
Yet despite her words—
Yue Ning already understood something clearly.
Whether the aristocratic families accepted it or not—
The Yue Family had already risen.
And no one in the capital could stop it anymore.