The Heaven Dou Empire, Imperial Palace.
Inside her bedroom, Princess Xue Ke buried her face beneath the quilt, her cheeks scarlet, heart racing like a frightened deer. She could barely calm her trembling because today, in the palace, something monumental was about to happen—something that would decide her fate.
It wasn't just any matter. For her, it was the most important of all.
Within the Palace
Outside the grand hall of the palace, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo Chen Xin waited quietly. They had come swiftly when Emperor Xue Ye summoned them, his letter speaking of "important matters."
Naturally, they had thought it was something urgent. A threat to the empire perhaps, or trouble on the borders. Yet when they entered the palace grounds, there was no tension. The guards moved calmly, the air was tranquil. It didn't look like a kingdom under siege or a court in distress.
Half a year had passed since Tang Hao's dramatic clash with Spirit Hall that nearly destroyed the Pope's Palace. Since then, Douluo Continent had been unusually peaceful. If there had been even the hint of danger, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would have known at least as soon as the imperial family, if not sooner.
So what matter could be so heavy-handed that His Majesty would call them personally?
"Ning Sect Leader, His Majesty summons you."
Led by a palace attendant, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin entered the magnificent audience hall.
"Greetings to Your Majesty," both men bowed respectfully.
"Rise, Sect Leader Ning," Emperor Xue Ye said warmly. "Seats!"
Servants bustled behind them, tea quickly set before the guests.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ning Fengzhi replied smoothly. After sitting, however, he went straight to the point. "Your Majesty, may I ask what matter presses so urgently?"
Emperor Xue Ye looked at them for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"I have decided to marry my daughter Xue Ke to Lu Yuan. Sect Leader Ning, what do you think?"
A Shocking Proposal
The words dropped like a boulder.
Ning Fengzhi actually coughed on his tea, eyes widening. Marry Princess Xue Ke… to Lu Yuan?
For Ning Fengzhi, this was completely unexpected. Yet on closer thought, not impossible either.
Lu Yuan was a genius unmatched, a talent beyond comprehension—a talent that, if tied to the Heaven Dou Empire, could shift power across the continent. Pairing him with Princess Xue Ke was not politically unreasonable.
But…
There were already too many women entangled with that bastard. Would the Heaven Dou princess really need to fight for position among them?
Ning Fengzhi's thoughts swirled. He coughed lightly, giving a measured response.
"Your Majesty, while it is true Lu Yuan is a disciple of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I am but his elder—I cannot decide his marriage for him. Besides, Princess Xue Ke is clever and talented; she would never lack suitors. If I may speak bluntly, Lu Yuan is unruly and far too scornful with women… If you truly give your daughter to him, I fear she may not find happiness."
Emperor Xue Ye raised an eyebrow but smiled faintly. "Sect Leader Ning, I may live within the palace, but I am not deaf. I have heard much of what happens beyond these walls. Lu Yuan and my daughter have always been close."
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, but before he could say more, Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand.
"Enough. It is meaningless for us to debate circles. I will bring Lu Yuan here and ask him directly."
Ning Fengzhi's heart sank. He could already guess what Lu Yuan would say. That boy was too playful, too unpredictable… But if the emperor pushed matters, the results were written in stone.
After the Audience
When Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin finally stepped out of the palace, Chen Xin asked in disbelief, "Fengzhi, His Majesty truly wants to wed the princess to Lu Yuan?"
"It seems so," Ning Fengzhi answered bitterly. "At the very least, Xue Ke likes him. The emperor should know clearly by now how unruly Lu Yuan is. No marriage can shackle him—but he still wishes to gamble on it."
Chen Xin frowned. "Shall we consult Lu Yuan first?"
Ning Fengzhi gave him a long look. "Uncle Jian… with that brat, do you think there's any need to ask?"
Both men sighed at once.
Qian Renxue's Fury
The brewing storm did not escape the ears of Qian Renxue, disguised within the court as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Upon learning of Emperor Xue Ye's plan, she slammed the armrest of her chair.
"What? He wants to marry Xue Ke to Lu Yuan?!"
Her old man of an "emperor grandfather" moved so silently, catching her defenseless.
This was unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.
Her face stiffened, anger glinting in her eyes. "Poison his wine. Add a packet of ingredients to Xue Ye's drink."
Snake Lance Douluo, loyal protector, frowned. "Miss, now isn't the right time to act rashly…"
"Do it," she cut him off sharply.
Hesitation lingered in his voice. "But if we act too suddenly, it may draw unwanted suspicion. Even Chrysanthemum Douluo will object—"
"Didn't I make myself clear?" Her golden eyes narrowed dangerously.
"…Yes," Snake Lance Douluo bowed deeply.
"Make it two packets."
He was silent. He had learned that when it came to Lu Yuan, his young mistress lost all sensibility. He dared not push further—lest she make it three.
The Emperor's Edict
The very next day, Emperor Xue Ye formally summoned Lu Yuan to the palace.
In elegant words, he proposed the match. Though tradition demanded he "seek Lu Yuan's opinion," everyone understood: this decision was made.
Lu Yuan's opinion? Did his opinion really matter?
And so, within days, the word spread like wildfire. Heaven Dou City erupted in chatter.
The princess was to marry!
Some families rejoiced, some wept, and the noble youths who had long admired Princess Xue Ke were consumed with fury. At first, many swore they would teach the "lucky idiot" who dared steal her hand a good lesson.
Until they heard the name.
Lu Yuan.
One by one, the angry noble sons went silent. Not a single one dared to provoke him.
The Jealous Girls
Far more sour were the reactions among Lu Yuan's close companions. Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others were devastated.
They hadn't seen Lu Yuan for only a few days, and suddenly—he was the fiancé of the Heaven Dou princess?
After all their time together, after all the intimacy, after all the fights and smiles… it was Princess Xue Ke who boarded first?
Unfair. Life was truly unfair!
Lu Yuan at the Gate
Several days later, Lu Yuan strode up to the palace with his usual confidence, only to find armored knights barring his path.
"By royal protocol, no one may see Princess Xue Ke without reporting."
"What?" Lu Yuan's eyes widened. "I have to report just to see my wife?"
The guards exchanged nervous looks.
Lu Yuan bristled, hands at his waist. "Do you know who I am? His Majesty himself granted me Princess Xue Ke's hand. And you think I need to ask permission? Ridiculous!"
The guards, however, stood like statues. "These are the rules of the royal family, my lord."
For a long moment, Lu Yuan sneered, muttered a string of curses, then waved his sleeves angrily as he turned away. "Forget it. Keep your damn rules. Waste of my time."
Only when his figure disappeared did the two guards finally exhale, drenched in sweat. They had been prepared to risk their lives against Lu Yuan's wrath. If he had truly pushed through, none of them could have stopped him.
Luckily, he hadn't forced the matter.
Night in the Palace
That night, in the quiet of the royal palace, the tension between the two newly bound hearts finally broke.
Inside Xue Ke's chamber, nervous whispers mixed with soft cries.
"Lu Yuan… slow down…"
"Wait, pause—please…"
"I can't… I can't take it anymore…"
Her voice trembled, her face flushed red as fire.
"This… this is my first time…"
The quilt rustled softly as moonlight poured across the room. Two young lives tangled together, their hearts beating faster than even the drums at the grand ceremonies outside.
Whatever storms political marriage might have stirred, for this moment—there were only the two of them.
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