Early the next morning, the Yue Mansion received an imperial summons.
Not for court.
Not for political affairs.
But for a private audience within the imperial palace.
The moment the decree arrived, the entire Yue Family understood immediately what it concerned.
Inside the main hall of the mansion, several members of the Yue Family had already gathered.
Yue Ming stood calmly beside the table reading the imperial decree once more while Yue Tao paced around the room dramatically.
"It's definitely about the marriage."
Yue Liang looked equally suspicious. "Obviously."
Yue Tao turned immediately toward Yue Ning. "Are you nervous?"
Yue Ning calmly sipped tea. "No."
"That's impossible."
"It's true."
Yue Rui looked genuinely curious. "Sister, aren't you worried at all?"
Yue Ning placed her cup down lightly. "Why would I be?"
Yue Tao immediately answered, "Because this is the imperial family discussing your marriage with the Crown Prince."
Yue Ning looked thoughtful for a moment before replying calmly,
"They already know I'm marrying him."
The room fell silent briefly.
Yue Liang sighed. "That's technically true."
At the head of the hall, Old Master Yue stroked his beard thoughtfully while the old matriarch beside him smiled faintly.
"Heaven truly favors our Yue Family," the old matriarch said softly.
Yue Ning's father looked slightly helpless. "Mother, please don't pressure the child."
The old matriarch immediately looked offended. "Pressure? I adore Ning'er."
"You also started planning grandchildren three years ago."
The old matriarch coughed lightly without denying it.
Several younger Yue brothers nearly laughed.
Meanwhile, Yue Heng stood quietly near the window, arms crossed, his expression calmer than everyone else's.
Yue Tao immediately noticed.
"Third Brother, why do you look so relaxed?"
Yue Heng answered simply, "Because His Highness already made his intentions obvious long ago."
That…
Was difficult to argue against.
Everyone in the capital could see it.
Especially the Yue Family.
From palace banquets to public events, Xu Chen never hid his attention toward Yue Ning anymore. The only reason people still acted shocked was because the Crown Prince himself remained naturally intimidating.
Otherwise—
The entire empire would probably already be discussing wedding dates openly.
A servant entered hurriedly and bowed. "Master, the carriages are ready."
Old Master Yue nodded slowly before rising. "Then let us not keep Their Majesties waiting."
The journey toward the palace passed quietly.
Yet despite the calm atmosphere inside the carriages, several members of the Yue Family still looked thoughtful.
Especially Yue Ning's parents.
After all—
No matter how favored their daughter was, discussing marriage with the imperial family remained something immense.
Inside another carriage, Yue Tao leaned closer toward Yue Ning dramatically.
"If His Highness suddenly proposes today, what will you say?"
Yue Ning looked at him calmly. "I'll tell him to stop frightening Father."
Yue Tao immediately burst out laughing.
Even Yue Liang smiled helplessly beside them.
Soon, the Yue Family arrived at the imperial palace.
Palace servants guided them respectfully through the inner courtyards toward one of the private audience halls rather than the main court.
That alone revealed the importance of this meeting.
Inside the hall, the Emperor and Empress were already seated.
Xu Chen sat calmly beside them.
The moment the Yue Family entered, formal greetings filled the room.
"This subject greets Your Majesty."
The Emperor smiled warmly. "No need for excessive formality today. Sit."
The atmosphere was far gentler than ordinary court meetings, yet traces of tension still lingered naturally.
Especially among Yue Ning's parents.
The Empress noticed immediately and smiled reassuringly. "Relax. Today is not about politics."
That eased the atmosphere slightly.
Only slightly.
Once everyone settled, silence filled the hall briefly before the Emperor finally spoke directly.
"We invited the Yue Family today regarding the marriage between Chen'er and Yue Ning."
Even though everyone already expected it—
Hearing it openly still made the atmosphere shift.
The Emperor continued calmly, "The engagement between them has existed for years already. Now that Ning'er has reached fifteen, the imperial family believes it is time to formally discuss the marriage arrangements."
Yue Ning's mother glanced briefly toward her daughter before lowering her gaze respectfully.
"This is the Yue Family's honor."
The Emperor shook his head lightly. "Not merely honor."
His gaze softened slightly.
"Your family raised an exceptional daughter."
The Yue Family fell silent momentarily.
Even Yue Ning blinked slightly.
Compliments from the Emperor himself carried immense meaning.
The Empress smiled gently then. "Ning'er has been beside Chen'er for years now. We already consider her family."
Yue Ning's grandmother immediately looked emotional.
Yue Tao discreetly looked away before she started crying happily in public.
The Emperor then looked toward Old Master Yue seriously.
"Still, no matter the imperial decree or prior engagement, this marriage concerns both families equally."
His next words surprised everyone slightly.
"Therefore, before making final arrangements, we wished to hear the Yue Family's opinion personally."
That level of respect—
Especially from the Emperor—
Was extremely rare.
Old Master Yue immediately rose slightly from his seat. "Your Majesty's sincerity humbles this old subject."
The Emperor smiled faintly. "Then tell me honestly."
The hall became quiet again.
Old Master Yue glanced briefly toward Yue Ning before answering steadily.
"The Yue Family has no objections."
Yue Tao immediately looked unsurprised.
Of course they didn't.
Who in the empire would object to Xu Chen?
More importantly—
Who here couldn't already see how much those two cared for each other?
The Emperor nodded slowly before his gaze shifted toward Yue Ning herself.
"And Ning'er?"
The entire hall quieted instantly.
Even Yue Tao stopped moving.
Because regardless of politics or family approval—
Her answer mattered most now.
Yue Ning met the Emperor's gaze calmly.
Then, slowly—
Her eyes shifted toward Xu Chen.
Xu Chen was already looking at her quietly.
As if waiting only for her words.
Not the Emperor's.
Not the court's.
Only hers.
The atmosphere softened almost imperceptibly.
Yue Ning looked back toward the Emperor before answering calmly,
"This subject has no objections either."
At those words, several people in the hall visibly relaxed.
The Empress smiled warmly.
Yue Ning's grandmother nearly looked ready to celebrate immediately.
Even Yue Ming's usually calm expression softened faintly.
Only Xu Chen remained outwardly composed.
Yet Han Wei, standing quietly near the entrance, immediately noticed something.
The Crown Prince's gaze had softened again.
That small change almost invisible to others—
Yet unmistakable once noticed.
The Emperor looked deeply satisfied now.
"Good."
The Empress smiled gently beside him. "Then the palace will begin preparing formally."
Yue Tao immediately leaned slightly toward Yue Liang and whispered under his breath,
"It's over."
Yue Liang whispered back, "What's over?"
"Our sister officially belongs to the imperial family now."
Yue Ning heard him clearly.
And immediately stepped on his foot beneath the table.
Yue Tao almost screamed but barely stopped himself in time.
Xu Chen glanced toward them calmly.
And somehow—
The corners of his lips lifted faintly again.