The Marquis Manor has stood strong for 600 years, thanks to generations of talented individuals and divine generals capable of commanding great armies.
Now, the world is divided into three: Great Wu to the north has Great Feng, to the west is Great Qing, the Eastern Wasteland is overrun by great demons, and the south is home to the Southern Barbarians, where witchcraft thrives.
The world is far from peaceful. With these external threats, the Marquis Manor doesn't need to blindly cater to the emperor for favor. Instead, the imperial family often seeks to win over the Marquis Manor. Every year, during festivals, the palace sends gifts, and this time, marrying off a princess is the clearest signal.
As for Xia Chen... he has never been one to remain subdued and under others.
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If he truly becomes engaged to the future Empress, five years later during the coup, should he stop her or help her?
Neither choice aligns with his interests.
"You don't want to marry the princess?"
Cui Mengrou looked at Xia Chen softly, her eyes gentle, exuding the natural charm of a mature woman.
"I don't!"
Xia Chen replied firmly, without a hint of hesitation.
"There is no room for negotiation in this matter. By now, the imperial edict should have already left the palace gates and is on its way to our manor."
Xia Qian sighed and shook his head. This matter had been discussed and decided long ago, and now it was just a matter of announcing the result.
Xia Chen remained silent. He knew that many things had already been set in stone, and with his current status, he had no right to participate.
Yet, he was supposed to be one of the main characters in this marriage, but he only found out after everything was settled. How absurd and laughable.
"Originally, this marriage wasn't meant for you. His Majesty favored your brother, but when the envoy arrived in the Eastern Wasteland, your second brother politely refused. Only then was the marriage proposal shifted to you!"
Cui Mengrou looked at the silent Xia Chen, pondered for a moment, and slowly revealed the power struggle behind the marriage.
Xia Chen asked carefully and learned that the marriage was initially meant for his brother Xia Hao. However, his parents refused without hesitation, citing that Xia Hao was too young and should focus on martial arts and military strategy, not be distracted by marriage.
They then took the initiative to write to the emperor, stating that as the eldest son, Xia Chen was of a suitable age for the Second Princess, among other reasons.
After receiving this letter, the Emperor remained silent for three days before finally issuing the edict this morning, agreeing to Xia Yuan's request and confirming the marriage.
Cui Mengrou felt a pang of sympathy seeing Xia Chen's calm demeanor.
Becoming a consort might be a meteoric rise for ordinary people.
But for the children of a meritorious family like theirs, it was a form of constraint.
Six hundred years ago, Emperor Ling favored eunuchs and relied heavily on imperial relatives, leading to the rebellion of the lords, nearly toppling the dynasty. If not for Emperor Wuzong's revival, the dynasty would have changed hands long ago.
After Emperor Wuzong secured the realm, he learned from past mistakes and decreed that henceforth, imperial relatives could not interfere in politics or hold important positions.
Although imperial relatives weren't completely stripped of power, they were no longer favored. Even a hundred years ago, when Emperor Suzong began to reuse imperial relatives to balance court politics, the situation for them improved but remained restricted.
A consort is naturally considered a type of imperial relative.
This is why Xia Yuan would rather offend the emperor than agree to the marriage between the princess and his youngest son.
Marrying a princess meant no future prospects!
Xia Qian's eyes held a hint of regret. His nephew was already fated to have a difficult life, but the emperor's decree was undeniable, and someone had to marry into the imperial family.
Since Xia Yuan and his wife didn't want their youngest son involved, the responsibility fell on their eldest son.
"Although it's unfair to Xia Chen, he was born with a frail body. Despite years of studying military strategy, his martial path is limited. Becoming a consort, with the support of our manor, would ensure a life of wealth and comfort, which might not be a bad thing."
Xia Qian thought to himself. Emotionally, having watched this nephew grow up, he naturally felt more for him than the unseen Xia Hao.
But as the head of the family, he had to consider the family's interests.
His second brother's youngest son, Xia Hao, was exceptionally gifted and might achieve the same greatness as their ancestor Xia Xuanzhen, potentially becoming the family's future leader.
It wouldn't be right to let him be constrained by the title of consort.
***
Though Xia Chen was indignant, his expression remained calm, a smile on his lips as he accepted everything.
He understood the implications. His parents didn't want to hinder their youngest son's future, so they remembered they had an eldest son in the Capital City and pushed him forward, defusing what seemed like the Emperor's attempt to win them over but was actually a strategy to weaken and suppress them.
His marriage was merely a product of political compromise.
His thoughts and opinions didn't matter.
"Empress, oh Empress, who would have thought that the future ruler of the Four Seas and Eight Wastelands was so pitiful before her rise.
Not only used as a tool for political marriage, but the chosen one doesn't even want to marry her, feeling rejected. No wonder this period of history during the Emperor's reign is so deeply hidden. Unable to control one's destiny, how painful it must be!"
Xia Chen thought, sighing inwardly, unsure if his last words were meant for the Empress or himself.
In the front hall, Lü Zhu walked in briskly yet gracefully.
"Master, Madam, someone from the palace has arrived, and it's Eunuch Ye leading them, with a grand entourage."
Xia Qian and Cui Mengrou exchanged a glance, both understanding the purpose.
"Chen'er, come with us to greet the envoy!"
Xia Chen silently rose and followed them, ready to meet his fate.
***
Outside the Marquis Manor's gates, Xia Chen saw the Eunuch Ye mentioned by Lü Zhu. Eunuch Ye's hair was white, yet he appeared youthful and vibrant. Despite being a eunuch, he exuded an aura that commanded respect, and no one dared underestimate him.
"Ye Wuzheng, known as Eunuch Ye, served three generations of monarchs, survived the coup, and during the Empress's reign, continued to guard the palace. His strength is unfathomable! A pillar of the imperial family, a loyal servant to the emperors!"
These thoughts flashed through Xia Chen's mind.
"This must be the Marquis Andong's eldest son, truly a fine young man!"
Eunuch Ye smiled warmly at Xia Chen, offering his congratulations.
Seeing this eunuch who would later shine during the coup, Xia Chen respectfully bowed to him.
Eunuch Ye was slightly surprised but quickly regained his composure, nodding with a smile, having a favorable first impression of the young man.
Although Xia Chen was the main character, the subsequent events didn't really concern him much; he just needed to make an appearance.
After welcoming Eunuch Ye into the manor, Xia Chen bathed and changed clothes. Eunuch Ye read the imperial edict, and Xia Chen received it, formally confirming the marriage.
The whole process left Xia Chen dizzy, as the formal edict required numerous ceremonial protocols.
Typically, most so-called edicts were verbal or informal, without such elaborate rituals.
But since this was a princess's marriage, the standards had to be grand, both for the manor and the palace, to show the importance of both parties.
The entire process lasted until the afternoon. Holding the dragon-patterned, unknown-material edict, Xia Chen felt as if he were in a dream.
He truly became the Empress's fiancé, but could he really survive the coup and become the Emperor's consort?
Was Xia Chen's death during the coup truly an accident?
With these thoughts, he looked at his uncle and aunt ahead, no longer hesitating, and quickened his pace to catch up with them.
"Uncle, I've broken through to the eighth grade Essence Refining Realm. I wish to find a position and serve the country!"
Xia Chen took a deep breath and declared resolutely.
***
["In his youth, Taizu was calm and reserved, hiding his brilliance, not standing out among his peers. Yet, the Empress of Wu Dynasty saw in Taizu an extraordinary talent, believing he would achieve great things.
At that time, the Empress of Wu Dynasty, Yaoguang, was still a princess, and the Emperor of Wu Dynasty sought a husband for her. Yaoguang took the initiative to write, and thus Taizu became engaged to the Empress of Wu Dynasty."
—The Xia Chronicles, Volume 1, Taizu Emperor's Annals]
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