The morning sky above the imperial capital was bright and clear.
A quiet but elegant carriage moved through the wide imperial road leading toward the palace gates. The golden dragon insignia on the escorting guards made every passerby immediately recognize who was inside.
The Crown Prince.
Inside the carriage, Xu Chen sat calmly.
Across from him sat Yue Ning.
For the first time, she was officially entering the imperial palace not as a guest of some noble family—but as the woman the Crown Prince himself had brought.
Yue Ning looked outside the window quietly.
Tall vermilion palace walls rose like mountains around them, and golden roof tiles shone under the sunlight.
Even though she had heard about the imperial palace many times, seeing it with her own eyes was still different.
Xu Chen noticed her quiet gaze and smiled slightly.
"Nervous?"
Yue Ning turned to him and shook her head softly.
"Not nervous."
She paused slightly before adding,
"Just curious."
Xu Chen chuckled faintly.
"That is a better feeling to have."
The carriage slowly stopped at the Meridian Gate, the main entrance of the palace.
Imperial guards immediately knelt.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince!"
Xu Chen stepped down first.
Then he turned and extended his hand.
Yue Ning looked at it for a moment before placing her hand gently in his.
He helped her step down.
Several guards secretly glanced at the girl beside the Crown Prince with curiosity.
Because it was the first time anyone had seen him personally escort a young lady into the palace.
Xu Chen spoke calmly.
"Open the gate."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The massive palace gates slowly opened.
The carriage continued deeper into the imperial palace.
They passed elegant courtyards, lotus ponds, and grand halls.
Finally, they stopped before one of the most magnificent palaces in the entire imperial city.
Phoenix Hall.
The residence of the Empress.
Xu Chen stepped down again and helped Yue Ning out of the carriage.
"Father and Mother are waiting inside," he said gently.
Yue Ning nodded.
But her calm eyes showed no fear.
---
Inside Phoenix Hall, the atmosphere was dignified yet warm.
The Emperor sat on the main seat, dressed in his imperial robes.
Beside him sat the Empress, graceful and composed.
Both of them had been waiting.
A palace servant announced loudly.
"Your Majesty! The Crown Prince and Lady Yue Ning have arrived!"
The Emperor's eyes brightened slightly.
"Let them enter."
The doors opened.
Xu Chen walked in first.
Yue Ning followed beside him.
The moment the Emperor and Empress saw her clearly, they both studied her carefully.
She was young, yet her demeanor was calm and graceful. Her movements were natural and composed—not overly timid, yet still respectful.
Xu Chen spoke first.
"Father, Mother."
Then he turned slightly toward Yue Ning.
Yue Ning stepped forward politely.
She bowed her head respectfully.
"This subject greets Your Majesty and Her Majesty."
The Emperor watched her quietly for a moment.
Then suddenly he smiled.
"Come closer."
Yue Ning walked forward calmly.
The Empress also observed her with interest.
There was something about this girl that felt unusually steady.
Not arrogance.
Not fear.
Just quiet confidence.
The Emperor then spoke.
"Three months ago, we issued an imperial edict concerning you."
Xu Chen stood quietly beside Yue Ning.
He already knew what his father was referring to.
A palace eunuch stepped forward holding a golden scroll.
The Emperor took it.
His voice became solemn.
"Yue Ning, receive the imperial decree."
Yue Ning instinctively prepared to kneel but suddenly stopped because she is Supreme heavenly empress (goddess) if she kneel before them they have to bear punishment.
The Emperor raised his hand.
"You do not need to kneel."
The room fell silent.
Even the palace servants lowered their heads respectfully.
The Emperor opened the scroll.
"By imperial decree…"
"Princess Anhe Yue Ning is granted the special privilege that she shall never kneel or bow before the Emperor, the imperial family, or any person in the world."
"Her status shall be honored throughout the empire."
The words echoed through the hall.
Yue Ning looked slightly surprised.
She had known about the edict—but hearing it formally declared in the palace still felt different.
The Emperor rolled the scroll and handed it to her personally.
"Take it."
Yue Ning accepted it respectfully.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction.
Xu Chen watched quietly, a faint smile in his eyes.
---
The Empress then spoke gently.
"Come here, child."
Yue Ning stepped closer.
The Empress looked at her carefully.
Then her eyes softened.
"So this is the girl my son refused to stop talking about."
Xu Chen coughed lightly.
"Mother…"
The Emperor laughed loudly.
"Indeed. He has been stubborn about you for quite some time."
Yue Ning's cheeks turned slightly pink.
But she remained calm.
The Empress smiled warmly.
"You are very beautiful."
"But more importantly… you are composed."
She gently held Yue Ning's hand.
"I am very pleased."
Yue Ning looked slightly surprised by the warmth in her tone.
The Empress continued,
"I have heard much about you."
"Your conduct, your intelligence, and how you handled the Yue family matters."
She nodded approvingly.
"You will do well."
Xu Chen watched the scene quietly.
Seeing his mother so pleased clearly eased something in his heart.
---
After a moment, the Empress suddenly said,
"Ning'er, stay in Phoenix Hall today."
Yue Ning blinked slightly.
"Your Majesty?"
The Empress smiled.
"I wish to speak with you more."
She glanced teasingly toward Xu Chen.
"Besides, my son has already monopolized your time for long enough."
The Emperor laughed again.
"That is true."
Xu Chen raised an eyebrow slightly.
"But Father, Mother—"
The Empress interrupted him calmly.
"You may go handle your duties."
"Yue Ning will stay with me today."
Xu Chen looked at Yue Ning.
She gave him a small reassuring smile.
"It's alright."
Xu Chen sighed softly.
"Very well."
He bowed slightly.
"Then I will take my leave."
Before leaving, he gave Yue Ning one last look.
She was standing beside the Empress now.
Calm.
Graceful.
And completely at ease.
The Emperor noticed this and nodded with satisfaction.
After Xu Chen left, the Empress turned back to Yue Ning with a gentle smile.
"Come, child."
"Let us talk."
The attendants quietly prepared tea as the Empress led Yue Ning deeper into Phoenix Hall.
The first meeting between the future Empress of the empire and the current Empress…
Had begun.