The Imperial Study
Shen Yun Xiu gazed at the Crown Prince of the Snow Kingdom, rumored to be astonishingly talented and exceptionally beautiful, and could not help but sigh inwardly.
No wonder he could drive Xue Chang An to madness, and that the Crown Prince was the one Nangong Yue refused to forget until her death. To think he was like this, someone one could never forget after a single glance.
If he were a woman, he would likely be deeply infatuated and unable to extricate himself.
At this moment, what arose in his heart was not only the insurmountable gap in status but also an inherent elegance that permeated his being.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince of the Snow Kingdom, are you looking for this humble subject?" Shen Yun Xiu bowed and asked.
Xue Jing Yun raised his eyes slightly to look at him, his tone rather cold, "I am acting on the Empress's decree. Young Master Shen, receive the imperial edict!"
Shen Yun Xiu was taken aback. He lifted his robes and knelt, saying, "This humble subject receives the edict."
Xue Jing Yun handed the imperial edict to Xue Song beside him. Xue Song, holding the imperial edict, approached Shen Yun Xiu and said coldly, "Shen Yun Xiu, for saving me in a time of crisis, disregarding personal danger, I hereby appoint Shen Yun Xiu as the Prefect of Zhaoping. You are to proceed to Zhaoping immediately. Respect this!"
Shen Yun Xiu's gaze sharpened, his surprise evident for a moment. Xue Song glanced up at Shen Yun Xiu, his astonished expression clearly visible. Xue Song could not help but sneer inwardly, still thinking of vying with the Crown Prince for the Empress?
Presumptuous.
"Young Master Shen, receive the edict!" Xue Song reminded him.
Shen Yun Xiu did not reach out to accept the edict. Xue Song's gaze grew colder, his tone even more frigid, "Young Master Shen will not accept the edict?"
Shen Yun Xiu looked up at Xue Jing Yun, who was seated on the high throne, and asked, "Your Highness, is this truly the Empress's decree?"
"What does Young Master Shen mean by this? Do you doubt the authenticity of the imperial edict?" Xue Song was displeased. If the Empress had not agreed, the Crown Prince would never have done this.
Shen Yun Xiu said, "This humble subject stated that day that I wanted no rewards, only to become one of His Majesty's consorts."
"Bold..."
"Xue Song, stand down..." Xue Jing Yun stopped Xue Song before he could continue.
Xue Song retreated unhappily.
Xue Jing Yun looked at Shen Yun Xiu, his gaze indifferent, "Young Master Shen, the Empress does not require a harem."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yun Xiu chuckled lightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes, "Is it you, Your Highness, who does not require one?"
"Presumptuous..." Xue Song declared angrily.
Xue Jing Yun cast a faint glance at Xue Song. Xue Song, meeting his Prince's indifferent gaze, flinched and dared not say another word.
"Is that not true? Which monarch in this world would ever consider having a large harem? Could it be that Your Highness is jealous of this humble subject's life-saving grace towards the Empress?"
Xue Jing Yun gazed at him indifferently and said, "I am not amused."
"Since that is the case, I request Your Highness to report to His Majesty. This humble subject only wishes to enter the harem." Shen Yun Xiu kowtowed.
"And if I do not agree?"
Shen Yun Xiu trembled, this voice.
Before he could even look up, he felt the same intoxicating fragrance from that day, followed by an oppression that prevented him from lifting his head.
He saw a pair of boots embroidered with intricate golden patterns appear within his line of sight.
They bore dragon motifs, and there was no doubt that this was the Empress of Huang Ze.
"This humble subject pays respects to His Majesty." Shen Yun Xiu kowtowed and bowed.
"Lift your head." Xue Zi Ning looked indifferently at Shen Yun Xiu, who was kneeling.
Shen Yun Xiu slowly raised his head and saw the Empress of Huang Ze seated on the high throne. And seated with her was the Crown Prince of the Snow Kingdom.
The two of them sharing a single seat was something that would never happen.
Xue Zi Ning placed her hand into Xue Jing Yun's, and it was warm.
Fingers intertwined, their hearts beat as one.
Xue Zi Ning could hear the powerful, steady heartbeat from Xue Jing Yun's chest.
Her heart inexplicably quieted. This was a feeling of unconditional support, no matter what decision she made.
"Shen Yun Xiu, I hear you are not satisfied with my reward?"
Shen Yun Xiu said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject does not want any rewards. This humble subject only wishes to become one of Your Majesty's consorts."
Xue Zi Ning chuckled softly, "Young Master Shen, why must you become one among countless others in the harem? Moreover, I have no intention of having a harem. Is being the Prefect of Zhaoping not good?"
Shen Yun Xiu looked up, gazing at the Empress with a faint smile. Unfortunately, her smile was directed at the Crown Prince beside her; towards him, there was only coldness, and more coldness.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject has admired Your Majesty for a long time. To be able to become one of Your Majesty's consorts is this humble subject's lifelong wish." Shen Yun Xiu lowered his gaze.
Xue Zi Ning rose from her seat and approached him. He could smell the intoxicating fragrance growing nearer. Finally, he saw the cloud boots embroidered with flying dragon patterns again.
He felt the Empress must have bent down. He instinctively looked up, his gaze meeting those incredibly clear eyes, as pure and cold as frost, sending waves of chilling air throughout his body.
"Your... Your Majesty..."
He saw the Empress smile lightly, a smile devoid of any warmth. "Young Master Shen, you are an intelligent person, and I am not someone you can easily fool. Besides the choice of the harem, I can consider other options."
Shen Yun Xiu was slightly taken aback, then chuckled softly, "Your Majesty, you are very adept at discerning people's hearts and prescribing the right medicine..."
Xue Zi Ning straightened, saying with a hint of implication, "I hear that the Shen family does not permit your concubines to enter the ancestral shrine, is that correct?"
Shen Yun Xiu trembled, his gaze dimming considerably. Xue Zi Ning continued, "If I agree, perhaps your concubines could be permitted to reside in the ancestral shrine?"
Shen Yun Xiu's gaze paused. He looked at the Empress before him and asked, "Does Your Majesty keep her word?"
Xue Zi Ning smiled, "My words are as golden as my decree!"
Shen Yun Xiu knelt and kowtowed, "As long as Your Majesty can allow my concubines to enter the Shen family's ancestral shrine, this humble subject is willing to accept Your Majesty's arrangements."
"Very well, Young Master Shen, return and await news!" Xue Zi Ning said.
Shen Yun Xiu kowtowed to express his gratitude and left.
"A'ning, Young Master Shen San might not agree," Xue Jing Yun said, who had been silent since she entered.
"I know..."
Xue Jing Yun, hearing this, seemed to have a starlike glint in his eyes. "A'ning, why are you doing this?"
"Shen Yun Xiu wants to enter my harem, but it's definitely not out of admiration for me; he must have ulterior motives. Moreover, having you in my harem is enough," Xue Zi Ning suddenly leaned forward, the intoxicating fragrance wafting into his nostrils.
It made him involuntarily recall the events of last night, his eyes shining brightly.
"I want to go and see Young Master Shen San. Wen Yu Xi said he has woken up." Xue Zi Ning turned and headed for the exit.
"I'll accompany you." Xue Jing Yun followed.
Upon arriving at Shen Yun Xuan's room, his pale complexion indicated his lingering weakness.
Seeing Xue Zi Ning enter, his eyes brightened. "Your Majesty, you have arrived?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded and stepped forward, preventing Shen Yun Xuan from moving. "You are still injured."
"Your Majesty, be careful of Shen Yun Xiu," Shen Yun Xuan said.
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "I have come because of Shen Yun Xiu as well."
Shen Yun Xuan was slightly taken aback, seeming to understand something. "Your Majesty, is there something?"