CHAPTER 42 — A Throne Surrounded by Wolves
1125 Words
The grand banquet hall remained deathly silent.
No music.
No laughter.
Even the palace servants lowered their heads further in fear as invisible pressure spread across the hall like freezing water.
Because something unprecedented had just happened.
Twice.
The Crown Prince and the Lord of Valin openly interfered with the Emperor’s intentions before the entire imperial court.
And the reason—
was a woman.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
Upon the golden throne, the Emperor slowly rotated the wine cup in his hand.
His face still carried a calm smile.
But those who served him for years already recognized the danger beneath it.
The Emperor was angry.
Very angry.
Yet he could not explode publicly.
Not here.
Not before the ministers.
Not when half the empire already feared instability within the royal household.
So instead—
he smiled.
Which somehow felt even more terrifying.
“How surprising.”
His voice echoed softly across the silent banquet hall.
“Our Crown Prince and Lord Valin both seem unusually concerned about Fourth Miss Shen.”
The words sounded light.
Casual even.
But the atmosphere tightened instantly.
Because everyone understood the hidden meaning.
The Emperor had noticed everything.
Xu Yan calmly lifted his gaze toward the throne.
“This son merely believes caution is necessary.”
Smooth answer.
Elegant answer.
Yet not submission.
Interesting.
Meanwhile Chu Wenzhe remained entirely unmoved.
Cold eyes.
Unreadable face.
Like a blade standing silently before the throne itself.
The Emperor’s gaze shifted toward him next.
“And Lord Valin?”
Several ministers secretly held their breath.
Because Chu Wenzhe was not Xu Yan.
The Crown Prince could soften conflict through royal etiquette.
Chu Wenzhe?
He rarely bothered.
The Lord of Valin answered calmly:
“The capital has become unstable recently.”
A pause.
“Fourth Miss Shen remains safer unmarried for now.”
Silence crashed heavily afterward.
Direct.
Sharp.
And most importantly—
he did not ask permission.
The Emperor’s fingers tightened slightly around the golden cup.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
Meanwhile Shen Yue quietly stood at the center of the storm while internally calculating escape routes from this disaster.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
Somehow her existence had evolved into political warfare between the throne, the Crown Prince, and the empire’s most feared military lord.
Truly unfortunate.
Nearby—
Madam Shen looked both terrified and excited simultaneously.
Terrified because the Emperor’s mood was worsening visibly.
Excited because her daughter now held enough importance to influence powerful men openly.
The Shen family’s status would rise tremendously if handled correctly.
Meanwhile Shen Rong sat pale-faced beside her mother.
Her jealousy had already twisted into hatred completely.
Why?
Why Shen Yue?
That useless girl should have remained forgotten forever.
Yet now—
the entire imperial court revolved around her.
Unfair.
Completely unfair.
The Emperor suddenly laughed softly.
The sound itself made several ministers tense immediately.
“Very well.”
His voice remained warm.
“Since both of you worry so deeply about Fourth Miss Shen’s safety…”
His eyes slowly narrowed almost invisibly.
“We shall postpone the matter temporarily.”
Relief spread subtly through parts of the hall.
But Shen Yue’s instincts only sharpened further.
Because men like the Emperor never retreated peacefully.
Never.
And she was right.
The Emperor suddenly continued:
“However…”
The atmosphere tightened instantly again.
“The empire cannot allow talented women to remain unnoticed indefinitely.”
His gaze settled on Shen Yue.
Sharp now.
Cold now.
“Fourth Miss Shen.”
Shen Yue bowed slightly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor smiled faintly.
“We heard you possess remarkable intelligence.”
Danger.
Immediate danger.
The Emperor leaned back against the throne slowly.
“Then surely you understand loyalty.”
Silence spread heavily.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
This was no longer about marriage alone.
This was a warning.
A test.
The Emperor continued softly:
“In troubled times, talented people often stand at crossroads.”
A pause.
“One path leads toward honor.”
Another pause.
“The other…”
His eyes darkened faintly.
“Leads toward destruction.”
The entire banquet hall felt suffocating now.
Because the Emperor’s meaning had become painfully obvious.
He was speaking to Shen Yue directly.
Warning her against choosing the wrong side.
Warning her against growing too close to dangerous men.
Meanwhile Xu Yan’s gaze hardened instantly.
And beside him—
for the first time tonight—
Chu Wenzhe’s expression grew visibly colder.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
Shen Yue slowly lifted her eyes toward the throne.
And despite the crushing pressure surrounding her—
her voice remained calm.
“This subject believes loyalty should be repaid with trust.”
Boom.
The answer struck the hall instantly.
Several ministers nearly stopped breathing.
Even Xu Yan looked slightly surprised.
Because Shen Yue had not submitted fully.
Nor had she challenged the Emperor directly.
Instead—
she answered with quiet sharpness.
Loyalty should be repaid with trust.
Meaning—
those who served faithfully should not constantly fear betrayal.
Dangerous response.
Very dangerous response.
For one brief moment—
the Emperor’s smile disappeared completely.
The banquet hall turned ice cold.
Shen Yue could feel countless horrified gazes landing on her instantly.
Because everyone understood.
She had indirectly criticized the throne itself.
Meanwhile—
something strange flickered across Chu Wenzhe’s eyes.
Not anger.
Not surprise.
Something quieter.
Recognition.
Because perhaps for the first time—
someone had spoken aloud the truth he himself stopped believing years ago.
The Emperor slowly studied Shen Yue for several long moments.
Then finally—
he laughed again.
Softly.
“Interesting.”
Only one word.
Yet everyone inside the hall understood something clearly now.
The Emperor would never ignore Shen Yue again.
Never.
Meanwhile—
before the atmosphere could worsen further—
a palace eunuch suddenly hurried into the hall nervously.
He immediately knelt before the throne.
“Your Majesty!”
The Emperor frowned slightly.
“What is it?”
The eunuch swallowed hard.
“A military report from the northern borders has arrived urgently.”
Silence spread instantly.
The north.
Everyone’s expressions changed subtly.
Because the northern borders belonged to Valin territory.
The Emperor’s face darkened slightly.
“Read it.”
The eunuch unfolded the scroll hurriedly.
Then his face paled visibly while reading.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
“Well?”
The eunuch’s voice trembled slightly.
“Your Majesty…”
“There are reports that enemy forces have begun advancing toward the northern frontier again.”
Boom.
The atmosphere inside the banquet hall changed completely.
Several ministers looked alarmed immediately.
Military nobles stiffened visibly.
And slowly—
all eyes turned toward one man.
Chu Wenzhe.
Because everyone understood the terrifying truth already.
If war truly returned to the north—
the empire would once again need the Lord of Valin.
- Writer
