After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

"Go ahead and shout, see who can hear you! Besides... aren't you afraid of making a scene, losing face for the royal family, and ruining yourself too?!"

Chu Yan's voice carried a sense of threat and a triumphant control.

Xie Dai hid in the shadows and heard the sound of fists clenching so tightly that their nails dug deep into their palms.

A surge of adrenaline rushed to his head, and he almost recklessly drew his sword from his waist, rushed in, and beheaded that beastly prince on the spot.

However, reason pulled him back at the last moment.

He was merely a prince in name only, with no real power in the court.

The other party is the current crown prince.

If he rushes in now, he may not be able to save the princess immediately. Instead, he may be found guilty of discovering a scandalous affair, bringing utter disaster to the entire Zhenguo Duke's Mansion.

What's even more terrifying is that once the truth comes out, the princess's reputation will be completely ruined, and her situation will be even worse than it is now, possibly even driving her to the brink of despair.

A sense of powerlessness gnawed at Xie Dai's heart like a venomous snake.

He swallowed back the roar that almost escaped his lips, forcing himself to calm down.

Only after confirming that Chu Yan had failed did he quietly retreat and leave the place of trouble.

The scenes of memory flashed by rapidly, like the turning pages of a book.

After returning home, Xie Dai locked himself in his room for several days. When he came out again, the last trace of restlessness had faded from his eyes, leaving only a resolute look.

He found the Duke of Zhenguo at the time and said only one simple sentence: "Father, I want to go to the border, to the battlefield. To the most dangerous place where military merits can be accumulated the fastest."

The Duke of Zhenguo looked at the unprecedented light in his son's eyes and remained silent for a long time.

He might have vaguely guessed something, or he might not, but in the end, he simply nodded heavily and patted his son on the shoulder: "Go. Come back alive."

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The scene in my memory shifts to the Golden Palace, solemn and majestic.

The young Xie Dai knelt below the imperial steps, his travel-worn clothes unable to conceal the sharpness in his eyes and the composure honed by years of battlefield experience.

Three years of bloodshed on the border, countless charges and near-death experiences, had forged him into a sharp blade that would draw blood as soon as it was drawn.

He was no longer just a prince in name only, but a war god whose fame resounded throughout the Western Cang region and struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.

Good news kept pouring in, and the emperor was overjoyed.

The late emperor, seated high on the dragon throne, wore a satisfied smile and spoke in a loud voice:

"Rise, my dear minister! Your recent northern expedition has resulted in the capture of three cities, the recovery of lost territory, and the enhancement of our national prestige—a truly unparalleled achievement! I am deeply gratified!"

The late emperor pondered for a moment, then surveyed the officials in the hall and proclaimed in a loud voice, "I have always been fair in my rewards and punishments. Xie Dai, listen to my decree: I grant you one wish, as long as it does not violate the laws of the land or go against human ethics!"

"My dear minister, you may go back and consider this carefully. Whether it be gold, silver, wealth, or promotions, I will grant it all!"

Such grace is truly an honor.

This promise, almost like a get-out-of-jail-free card, was bestowed by the emperor himself in the court. Its weight was enough to elevate any minister to a high position and bring blessings to his descendants.

This is not just a reward, but also an unparalleled trust and honor.

All the officials in the hall were filled with envy, speculating about what kind of prestigious position this Prince Xie would seek.

However, to everyone's surprise, Xie Dai did not get up. He remained kneeling upright, raised his head, and his gaze was clear and firm:

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"

He paused, took a deep breath, and spoke in a low but clear voice that echoed throughout the silent hall:

"I have no other request, except... to marry Her Highness the Eldest Princess!"

"Whoosh!"

The entire court erupted in chaos.

All the civil and military officials whispered among themselves, their shocked, bewildered, confused, and even jealous gazes all turning to the figure kneeling in the hall.

Everyone knows that Princess Chu Mingzhu is the reincarnation of a phoenix, ordained by a high-ranking monk from Huguo Temple. She is of incomparably noble status and is His Majesty's most beloved daughter.

Although Xie Dai was a meritorious official who had made outstanding military achievements and inherited the title of Duke Zhenguo's heir, he was now enjoying unparalleled prestige...

But he actually dared to directly ask the eldest princess for her hand in marriage?!

Is he planning to use his unparalleled achievements to become arrogant and covet the most noble bloodline of the royal family?

Or do they want to further seize power, or even have deeper ambitions?

Even the late emperor on the dragon throne suddenly froze his smile, his gaze becoming deep and unfathomable, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the dragon throne.

Xie Dai, kneeling in the hall, maintained the same posture, his back straight, bearing the pressure and scrutiny from all sides.

Just as the uproar and suspicion reached their peak, Xie Dai spoke again, his voice still steady, yet like a thunderclap, striking everyone's hearts once more:

"Your subject is fully aware that this request is presumptuous, even presumptuous."

He paused, then calmly met the gaze of the emperor on the throne. "Therefore, I am willing to offer all the merits and glory of this northern expedition, and even my future prospects and power, in exchange!"

Upon hearing this, the suppressed gasps in the hall began to rise again, but Xie Dai's next words silenced them completely.

"Your subject, Xie Dai, hereby swears—"

Xie Dai's voice suddenly rose, clear and firm, resounding throughout the palace:

"If Your Majesty grants my request and bestows a marriage upon Her Highness the Eldest Princess, I am willing to immediately relinquish my position as the heir apparent to the Duke of Zhenguo, return all military posts and honors, and become solely the consort of Her Highness the Eldest Princess!"

"My only wish in this life is to protect Your Highness's peace and tranquility, and I will never again be involved in court politics or military affairs! I will not wield military power, discuss state affairs, form factions, or covet power! If I break this oath, may I be struck down by heaven and earth, and forsaken by gods and men!"

Dead silence.

The commotion just now seemed to be suddenly choked down by an invisible hand.

Everyone stared in disbelief at the figure kneeling upright in the hall.

He gave up the wealth and power that countless people dream of, even the position of heir apparent inherited by his family, and all the merits and glory he earned by fighting with his life... all for the sake of marrying a princess.

This is unheard of!

Seeking to marry a princess could perhaps be seen as youthful impetuosity and infatuation, but abandoning everything and ruining one's future...

The determination and the price paid behind this are so heavy that they are alarming, and they force us to completely re-examine his intentions.

Is it truly an extreme infatuation, or... a strategic retreat to advance, with a bigger plan in mind?

The late emperor's gaze was sharp as a knife, lingering on Xie Dai for a long time, as if trying to see through him inside and out.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the only sounds were the suppressed breathing of the crowd.