Chapter 8

The Front Hall

The moment they stepped into the front hall, the air seemed to thicken with tension. The Emperor and Empress were waiting for them, sitting on their thrones, but the expression on the Empress's face was far from welcoming. When her eyes fell on Xu Ling Ai, a momentary flash of regret passed through her features.

'I bestowed him with such a stunning young lady?' Empress Yi thought, her face betraying her inner turmoil. But as long as her misfortune works on him, it will be fine. She quickly masked her emotions with a cold, indifferent expression.

Li Zhao didn't waste any time with pleasantries. He bowed slightly, his posture still formal, but his attitude detached as ever. "Imperial Father, this son, and his princess consort pay respect to you."

Xu Ling Ai followed suit, lowering herself into a curtsy, though her nerves were on edge. She hadn't met royalty before, and the enormity of the situation settled heavily on her. Still, she reminded herself to keep her composure. She couldn't afford to make a bad impression.

"Your Majesty, this lady wishes you a long and prosperous life and good health," Xu Ling Ai's soft voice echoed through the hall, her tone delicate but confident.

Her words, though simple, were spoken with grace. Despite her nerves, she managed to exude the kind of poise that made even the Emperor raise an eyebrow in appreciation. But then his curiosity surfaced.

"Minister Xu's daughter is indeed good-looking and graceful," His Majesty remarked, his gaze flicking between Xu Ling Ai and Li Zhao. "But how come Zhen has never seen you at any of the banquets before this?"

Xu Ling Ai didn't hesitate. She was used to being open about her background, especially now that there was no reason to hide it. "Reply to Your Majesty," she said, "I live in the countryside. I only came back because of the royal decree."

"What? How come Zhen didn't know this?" The Emperor's voice turned harsh, his eyes narrowing in anger. "Xu Bei Hong deceived me? Call Minister Xu to the palace now!"

The Emperor's rage flared as he realized that Minister Xu had lied about his daughter's rare appearances at royal functions. Xu Ling Ai could feel the tension rise in the air, but she refused to let it unnerve her. She remained firm, despite the Emperor's fury.

"Your Majesty," She continued, her voice unwavering, "If there is anyone you should blame, it is me. Minister Xu was afraid that if you took back the royal decree, it would bring shame to the country. He had no choice but to hide my background." She didn't care about defending her father; she didn't need to sugarcoat the truth. But she also didn't want to see innocent lives destroyed because of one mistake.

The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air. But Xu Ling Ai wasn't done yet.

"Your Majesty," she added, with a polite bow, "Even though I lived in the countryside, I have heard much about you—how you are an honorable, gracious, and hospitable ruler. Please, pardon our mistake this time. If Your Majesty thinks I am unworthy of this title, I am willing to give up the Princess Consort title."

Her declaration was bold, and though she spoke with respect, there was an undeniable strength in her voice. The Empress might not have approved of her, but Xu Ling Ai was not someone to be easily dismissed.

Before the Emperor could respond, however, a deep, cold voice cut through the tension.

"Xu Ling Ai is this lord's rightful wife. No one can dismiss her title." Li Zhao's voice was flat, but there was an unmistakable warning in it, a clear challenge to anyone who might think they could strip her of her position.

Xu Ling Ai blinked, surprised by his intervention, but before she could process it, Li Zhao added with a touch of scorn, "Didn't Her Majesty learn her background first?"

The Empress faltered at the remark, her composure cracking for just a moment. "It was indeed Chenqie's fault," she said, her tone tight as she tried to recover. "I didn't check her background properly. Your Majesty, please forgive me."

The Emperor's patience was clearly worn thin. "Enough. Enough. Since it was everyone's fault, we need not discuss this further," he declared, his tone signaling the end of the matter. "Xu Ling Ai, since Duke Su himself is willing to accept you as his Princess Consort, this emperor has nothing more to say."

Xu Ling Ai couldn't help but feel a flicker of triumph, though she kept her expression composed. At least, for now, I'm safe.

The Emperor's gaze softened just a little. "It's such a shame that Minister Xu sent away a lady as intelligent and filial as you. Zhen hopes you will take care of Zhao Er."

Xu Ling Ai bowed again. "Your Majesty, you are indeed generous. This lady thanks you a million times."

"Let's have a feast!" The Emperor announced, his mood lifted, though his earlier concerns were still fresh in his mind.

But before the celebration could truly begin, Li Zhao interrupted, his voice cool and firm. "Pardon me, Imperial Father, but this son and the Princess Consort will take our leave first. We will pay our respects again another day."

Xu Ling Ai curtsied once more before following him out, though her mind was still reeling from the earlier exchange. As they turned to leave, her eyes caught sight of someone unexpected—a familiar face among the guests.

Her heart skipped a beat. Am I dreaming? she thought, blinking in disbelief. It couldn't be. Xiao Zhan?!

She froze in place, unable to believe her eyes. It was him—Xiao Zhan, the famous idol she had once seen from afar at one of his concerts. She'd never dreamed she would come this close to him, let alone see him in person. Her breath caught in her throat as her mind raced.

Before she could even say a word, Li Zhao halted abruptly, causing her to stumble into his back. In an instant, his strong arms wrapped around her waist to steady her.

"Empress Yi, check this properly," Li Zhao declared, his voice deliberately loud enough for the Empress to hear. He gestured toward the eunuch, who quickly stepped forward to receive a small cloth, which, unbeknownst to most, contained the evidence of the marriage consummation. It was supposed to be a private matter, a delicate ritual in royal marriages, but Li Zhao's decision to make it public caused a ripple of shock throughout the hall.

The tension in the room thickened as the cloth was presented to Empress Yi, who reluctantly acknowledged it. Her lips tightened, but there was nothing she could do. The matter was already settled. Li Zhao had made his move, and the formalities were in motion.

Li Zhao walked away, dragging Xu Ling Ai with him. But she couldn't tear her eyes away from Xiao Zhan. She was speechless, her body numb with the shock of seeing her idol so close. She was barely aware of Li Zhao's movements as he pulled her along.

Meanwhile, in the hall, the other princes were gossiping amongst themselves.

"Second brother seems to like sister-in-law," Li Zhi Ming commented, his voice filled with teasing amusement.

"I thought he didn't like women. Looks like even he can be tempted by a beautiful one," Li Jun Yi remarked sarcastically.

"So, First Brother admits she's beautiful?" Li Zhi Ming asked calmly, his gaze fixed on Li Jun Yi.

Li Jun Yi glared at his third brother but said nothing, his mind already scheming. It doesn't matter if she's married to Li Zhao.

'What he has, I'll have too. His eyes gleamed with malicious intent. I'll make her mine, no matter what it takes.'

P.S.

This Lord means 'I' but in a royal form.

Zhen also means 'I' but only for the emperor.

Chenqie also means 'I' but for a lady.

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Thanks! 💖 - R