Two months had passed since the night the Crown Prince had stood in the Yue residence and asked for Yue Ning's hand.
Since then, the Yue family had discussed the matter many times.
Yet no final answer had been given.
Inside the Yue residence, the elders and brothers were still uncertain. Even though Xu Chen had accepted every condition and promised to take only one wife, the thought of sending their beloved daughter into the imperial palace still made them uneasy.
That evening, the entire family once again gathered in the main hall.
Grandfather Yue Shun sat at the head of the hall, his brows slightly furrowed. Beside him was Grandmother Liu Yan, while Yue Ning's parents, Yue Chen and Zhao Lan, sat nearby.
The four uncles and their wives were present as well:
First Uncle Yue Jian and Wang Shi
Second Uncle Yue Qiang and Sun Shi
Third Uncle Yu Wen and Li Shi
Fourth Uncle Yue Feng and Chen Shi
Standing behind them were the younger generation.
All ten brothers were present.
The atmosphere was serious.
Because tonight the Yue family would once again discuss the same matter.
Yue Ning's marriage.
---
Second Uncle Yue Qiang sighed.
"We have delayed long enough."
He looked toward Yue Chen.
"The Crown Prince has waited two months already."
Fourth Uncle Yue Feng rubbed his chin.
"He has not sent any message or pressure either."
"That alone shows some patience."
But Third Uncle Yu Wen shook his head slightly.
"Patience does not remove the dangers of the palace."
"The palace is full of politics."
"Even if the Crown Prince protects her, what about the ministers? The noble families?"
The hall fell quiet again.
The brothers looked uneasy.
To them, Yue Ning was not just their sister.
She was the treasure of the Yue family.
Sending her into the palace felt like throwing her into a storm.
---
At that moment, a soft voice spoke.
"Grandfather… Father… Uncles."
Everyone turned.
Yue Ning slowly stood up.
She had been silent during the entire discussion.
But now her calm eyes looked at every elder in the hall.
Her voice was gentle but steady.
"I would like to speak."
Her eldest brother frowned slightly.
"Ning'er…"
But Grandfather Yue Shun raised a hand.
"Let her speak."
The hall quieted.
Yue Ning stepped forward slightly.
"I know everyone is worried about me."
Her gaze moved across the room.
"Father, Mother, Grandfather, Uncles… and my brothers."
"You are all thinking about my safety and happiness."
Her lips curved into a small smile.
"I understand that."
Her mother Zhao Lan's eyes softened.
---
Yue Ning continued quietly.
"But I also know something all of you are still unsure about."
She paused.
"The Crown Prince."
Her brothers immediately stiffened.
But she calmly continued.
"You all met him that night."
"You saw how he answered every question."
"He accepted every condition."
Her eyes moved toward her eldest brother.
"Even when you challenged him directly… he never hesitated."
The eldest brother said nothing.
Because that was true.
---
Yue Ning then said softly,
"You asked him to swear he would only have one wife."
"He agreed."
"You asked him to allow me to leave the palace if I wished."
"He agreed."
"You asked that the Yue family could take me back if I was ever harmed."
"He agreed."
Her voice became firmer.
"He accepted everything."
The hall was silent.
---
She then looked toward her father.
"Father… you said the palace is dangerous."
"That is true."
"But danger exists everywhere."
Her gaze turned thoughtful.
"The difference is whether the person beside you is trustworthy."
She looked at everyone again.
"And I trust him."
---
Second brother crossed his arms.
"But Ning'er… feelings are not enough."
"What if the court pressures him later?"
Yue Ning shook her head slightly.
"Then we face it together."
Her calm answer surprised them.
Then she added quietly,
"The Crown Prince is not someone who breaks his word."
"During the war… he kept every promise he made."
The brothers fell silent.
They all knew about his reputation.
---
Finally Grandfather Yue Shun asked slowly,
"Ning'er… do you truly wish to marry him?"
The question was direct.
The entire hall held its breath.
Yue Ning did not hesitate.
"Yes."
Her answer was clear.
"I wish to marry him."
---
The room fell silent.
Her father Yue Chen looked at her for a long moment.
Then he sighed deeply.
"Ning'er…"
"You have grown up."
His voice was soft but emotional.
Zhao Lan gently wiped the corner of her eye.
Even the brothers looked conflicted.
---
After a long silence, Grandfather Yue Shun spoke.
"If this is truly your wish…"
He looked toward the others.
"And if the Crown Prince has already proven his sincerity…"
He slowly nodded.
"Then the Yue family will no longer oppose this marriage."
The decision echoed through the hall.
Yue Ning's eyes widened slightly.
Her brothers looked at each other.
Finally the eldest brother sighed.
"…Fine."
He looked at Yue Ning seriously.
"But remember this."
"If the Crown Prince ever makes you unhappy…"
"You come home."
The other brothers nodded immediately.
"Yes!"
"We will bring you back ourselves!"
Yue Ning laughed softly.
"I know."
---
Grandfather Yue Shun then spoke again.
"Send an invitation to the Crown Prince."
"We will inform him personally."
Yue Chen nodded.
"I will arrange it immediately."
---
The Next Day
The Crown Prince arrived at the Yue residence.
He entered the main hall calmly.
But when he saw the entire Yue family gathered once again, his eyes sharpened slightly.
He already understood.
This meeting meant the Yue family had made their decision.
Xu Chen stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Grandfather Yue. Uncle Yue."
"I greet the elders."
Despite his royal status, he still showed respect.
This alone made several elders nod slightly.
---
Grandfather Yue Shun looked at him calmly.
"Your Highness."
"We have discussed your proposal for two months."
Xu Chen stood straight.
He did not interrupt.
---
Finally Yue Chen spoke.
"The Yue family has reached a decision."
The room became quiet.
Even Yue Ning, standing behind her brothers, felt her heart beat faster.
Then Yue Chen said clearly,
"The Yue family accepts this marriage."
For the first time since entering the hall—
Xu Chen's calm expression slightly changed.
His eyes instinctively turned toward Yue Ning.
She was smiling softly.
---
Xu Chen bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
His voice was sincere.
"I will never betray the trust the Yue family has placed in me."
The elders nodded.
They believed he meant those words.
---
After a moment Xu Chen said calmly,
"There is one more matter."
Everyone looked at him.
"The Emperor and Empress wish to meet Yue Ning."
The elders were slightly surprised.
Xu Chen continued.
"I told them I would only bring her to the palace after the Yue family agreed."
Now that moment had come.
---
Yue Chen looked at his daughter.
"Ning'er."
"Are you ready?"
Yue Ning nodded gently.
"Yes, Father."
---
Xu Chen then spoke again.
"In a few days…"
"I will personally escort Yue Ning to the palace."
"To meet the Emperor and Empress."
His eyes softened slightly as he looked at her.
The next step had finally begun.
Soon—
Yue Ning would officially enter the imperial world beside him.
And the relationship that had remained hidden for so long…
Would finally begin to reveal itself.