Marriage Of Convenience... Yizhan ff

It was with great difficulty that Yibo finally managed to drag himself into his lounge, collapsing onto the couch as dizziness swirled in his head. He kept muttering under his breath, frustrated and overwhelmed. But this time, he knew deep down.... he couldn't blindly obey the Queen's orders. He would confront her as she demanded, but not on her terms.

Right now, Yibo was ready to reveal the truth to the world: Zhan was his husband. Their children were his, and he would no longer hide them. After eight years of shame and silence, he was finally prepared to face whatever consequences that came with standing beside his family.

His phone began ringing again. When he glanced at the screen, he saw it was Qiantang. But he had no energy or desire to speak to anyone. At this moment, all he wanted was to be alone and mentally prepare for the storm that awaited him. With a sigh, he silenced the phone and let it ring unanswered until Qiantang eventually gave up.

***

If the Queen ever claimed she had been resting well, eating properly, or enjoying peace of mind recently....it was a complete lie. Her days had been filled with anxiety and endless stress, the hunt for circulating photos consuming all her energy. Despite her efforts, the situation was spiraling beyond her control. Every morning, more piles of those disgraceful photos surfaced across the Palace.

It had become impossible to contain. The scandal had practically infected half the Palace by now, whispered about in every corner. If you stumbled upon a group of two or more people chatting, chances were, they were gossiping about Yibo's photos and the shocking revelation of Zhan.

The Queen had done everything in her power to protect her image, yet human nature was impossible to tame. It was often said: no matter how good you are to people, some will always betray you. It doesn't matter if you spend a hundred years showing kindness....someone will eventually turn against you. And that was exactly what had happened.

Many who should have supported her, blinded by greed or envy, had instead aligned themselves with Xueyin, secretly fueling the rumors from within. It wasn't long before the whispers reached the King's own ears.

Panic gripped her heart. The magnitude of the situation was unbearable, especially with foreign dignitaries expected to arrive soon for the grand parade....a monumental event that would bring together people from all over. Sleepless nights plagued her, pacing her quarters, trying to deduce who had orchestrated this chaos.

Though she had her suspicions narrowed down to two people.....Xueyin or Qinnu. Through discreet investigations, it became clear that most of those spreading the photos were connected to Xueyin, solidifying the Queen's belief that Xueyin was behind it all.

As for Xueyin herself, the situation was playing out exactly as she had planned. News of the scandal and its growing reach delighted her to no end. She laughed, smug and satisfied, as she patiently awaited the day she would stand before His Majesty, presenting him with the evidence. The day the entire Palace....and the people...would witness the downfall of the Queen and her precious son. That day, she would finally poison their joy with even a small taste of the bitterness they had forced upon her for years.

"Long life to you, Your Grace," one of Xueyin's maids declared proudly. "We've increased the circulation of those photos just as you ordered. They're everywhere."

"Good," Xueyin replied coldly. "Double the quantity. I want versions printed in all forms, spread in every hidden corner of Tianjin Palace. Even the lowest servant should stumble upon those photos. I want them so common, so undeniable, that Yibo and his mother's reputation crumbles completely… permanently."

Eventually, the photos even made their way into Qinnu's hands. She examined them carefully, her eyes wide with surprise, listening to the whispered reports from one of her trusted attendants.

After a long moment of quiet, Qinnu finally set the photos down, her expression calm, a knowing smile curling on her lips.

"They wouldn't let our children travel abroad to study, claiming they wanted to protect them from corruption," she muttered darkly. "Well, I think it's time I personally visit Zhaiye and offer my condolences… and wait patiently for the day these same disgraceful photos reach His Majesty's eyes."

The thought filled her with quiet satisfaction. At last, the opportunity had arrived to reclaim a sliver of the resentment, humiliation, and jealousy that had been eating away at her for years.

***

Just like always, today the Queen sat quietly in one of her private sitting rooms, the one she had chosen for the day. But her presence there was heavy with unease, as if the walls themselves held their breath. It was the kind of silence reserved for mourning, a stillness steeped in fear of what each passing second might bring.

She sat amidst a pile of photographs... evidence scattered across her world like ash. They had been collecting them all day, just as they had for weeks, and yet somehow, the number only kept multiplying. Each image was a reminder that betrayal and sabotage lurked beneath the surface of the Palace.

When a servant came in requesting permission for Qinnu to enter, the Queen was momentarily taken aback. Her instinct was to refuse her, but then she thought better of it. Denying Qinnu entry would be as good as admitting guilt, or worse, suggesting she knew exactly what was going on. So instead, she ordered the photographs to be taken away to the usual place for burning, then gave her permission for Qinnu to come in.

With a graceful, calculated stride, Qinnu entered the sitting room, her posture relaxed, her eyes subtly scanning the grand space that reeked of power and wealth. The room had been custom-designed for the Queen herself, with every detail....from the artisans to the furnishings....brought in straight from her family's Palace in Henan. It was a constant reminder that Zhaiye's royal blood ran deep. And that infuriated Qinnu. If she had even a fraction of the influence or status Zhaiye had, she would've claimed it all by now.

The Queen noticed how Qinnu's eyes lingered on every corner of the room, observing in bold defiance.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," the Queen offered coolly, masking her unease with forced composure.

Qinnu's gaze finally met the Queen's, and an unsettling smile crept onto her lips...one that made the Queen's heart skip a beat, a tight knot forming in her chest unlike anything she'd ever felt when dealing with a rival.

"The rightful daughter of Henan's royal line," Qinnu began with unnerving calm, "wife of today's ruler… mother of the next." Her words dripped with both mockery and provocation, framed as a question but carrying the weight of an accusation.

For the first time in her life, the Queen found herself speechless. No witty retort, no icy dismissal. Just the bitter taste of vulnerability as she stared back at Qinnu, swallowing hard to steady herself.

"Of course, condolences don't always require formal seating, do they?" Qinnu continued, now pacing slowly toward the door. "We can offer sympathy however we choose… and I thought it was only fair to extend mine to you."

She paused, turning back slightly, her voice laced with hidden meaning. "The Prince's mother… though, I suppose soon enough, you won't be the only one with claim to that title. After all, this… opportunity seems to be opening up for others too. Even if we haven't given birth to royal sons, our daughters might just fill that gap. Perhaps the next heir won't come through Yibo at all… but through the grandchildren. Who knows? Either way… my regards."

Her smile widened. "Oh, I almost forgot the most important part of my message. I sincerely wish you the strength to survive this storm you've found yourself in. Though, between us… I doubt that strength runs deep enough. I trust you're well-versed in the Palace's laws, aren't you? Let's hope....for the Prince's sake...that this scandal ends with just him. Otherwise… well, let's not dig too deep, shall we? Good day."

And with that, Qinnu turned and strode out, her heart light with satisfaction. She had never seen fear and defeat so clearly painted across Zhaiye's face....not even in her dreams. But now… now it was real. Whoever orchestrated this scandal had done it perfectly. And she hoped it dragged on, destroying Zhaiye's standing, her dignity, and her entire family's prestige.

The moment Qinnu left, the Queen shot to her feet, her entire body trembling as though she were standing on needles. Sweat poured from her temples, her breath shallow. If His Majesty didn't know about this scandal already, he soon would. The whispers were already reaching the ears of their closest allies.

A burning resentment twisted in her gut at the mere thought of Zhan. That boy had becoming her downfall. She couldn't help but wonder....had Zhan secretly joined forces with her enemies to orchestrate this entire disaster? Ever since she had dragged him into their lives, nothing had gone right. But the real blame.... the one who truly deserved her wrath....was Yibo himself. This time, love wouldn't cloud her judgment. This time, she would punish him so severely even he wouldn't see it coming.

✨✨✨

Yibo lounged shirtless in his private sitting room, dressed only in boxers, his well-built frame exposed as he sipped his scalding coffee, the bitterness matching the turmoil in his chest.

His expression was dark, his mind a battlefield of conflict. Since yesterday, he'd been weighing the decision to leave for China, to put distance between himself, Zhan, and the children in New York. He couldn't shake the feeling that this trip might not just be a temporary separation… it might be permanent.

His phone rang again, the screen lighting up beside him. He ignored it at first, but when it persisted, he finally glanced at the caller ID.

It was one of his informants. That meant only one thing....information.

Without hesitation, he picked up.

"China?" he repeated, his voice low. "Okay… thanks."

He ended the call, tossing the phone onto the couch as he exhaled heavily. Zhan has made the situation simpler. The ache of missing Zhan and the children vanish. His trip to China wasn't optional anymore....it was necessary now since Zhan was heading there too.

He downed the last of his coffee, grabbed his phone, and disappeared into his bedroom. Within minutes, he had booked his flight.

Coincidentally....or perhaps fatefully...he would arrive in China just in time for the grand horse parade.

A HIDDEN TRUTH...

It was a special day for not just the Palace of Tianjin, but the entire city. The annual grand parade was underway....a day when His Majesty would ride through the streets, greeting his people. For those without access to the inner Palace, it was the only opportunity to see him up close and pay their respects. Those with connections would see him inside the Palace grounds later in the day. By 4 o'clock, His Majesty would retire indoors to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and close relatives who had attended the parade.

Every corner of the Palace buzzed with guests. The halls glittered with decorations and expensive attire....it felt like a festival. But for Queen Zhaiye, this year's parade was unlike any she had ever experienced. Her world was unraveling. Despite her flawless appearance, adorned in the most exquisite fabrics and jewelry, her mind was plagued with anxiety.

She had doubled....tripled....the efforts to retrieve and destroy the circulating photographs. But no matter how many they found, more kept appearing. It was as though they were multiplying out of thin air.

Dressed to perfection, as always, but unable to fulfill her usual duties, she hadn't even accompanied His Majesty when he mounted his horse....something that secretly delighted Xueyin and Qinnu. Xueyin, in particular, had been orchestrating this disaster with surgical precision, ensuring that today would leave Zhaiye with no peace of mind.

In one of her bedrooms, Zhaiye stood staring at a large bag filled with photos, holding one in her hand, her eyes locked onto the image as though she could burn it with her gaze. But her mind drifted far beyond the room, lost in a desperate search for a solution.

The door creaked open, and Nalan entered, dressed impeccably in elegant garments that reflected her status. The sound startled Zhaiye, who quickly attempted to hide the photographs on the vanity table.

But Nalan had already seen them. She, like many within the Palace, possessed her own copies....evidence that had spread faster than wildfire.

Without breaking her gaze, Nalan stepped closer.

"Everything alright, Mom? Why are you still inside? The children have been waiting for you for a while now," she asked, casually extending another set of photos toward Zhaiye.

Zhaiye ignored the mention of the waiting children and snatched the photos from her, silently praying they didn't contain anything new...anything worse.

But of course, they did. The same haunting images that had filled her dreams, robbed her of sleep, and now threatened her reputation, her power, and her family's honor.

Nalan's voice sliced through her mother's frantic thoughts.

"Yibo-ge… his ex-husband, my old friend Xiao Zhan… the boy they expelled from school, separated from his life, and forced into marriage without his consent... all because of others' ambitions… the boy I've spent years wondering about… worrying where he is, how he's doing. And now I find out our bloodline played a role in destroying his life."

Her voice trembled with restrained anger. Her eyes stayed fixed on her mother's face, searching for any trace of remorse or acknowledgment.

But Queen Zhaiye's expression hardened. Her instincts took over.

"Enough. I won't tolerate this nonsense. You will not come here spewing baseless accusations that damage our name."

A faint, bitter smile crept onto Nalan's lips. "Forgive me, Mom… but the truth doesn't care about your pride. No matter how far you throw a stone, it always lands on the ground eventually. No matter how tightly you try to bury this secret, it will come to light. You controlled that boy's life.... shaped it to your will. But tell me… how did his life turn out after your schemes? Do you ever think about that?"

She tilted her head, her voice cool but steady. "You've spent so long pretending Zhan never existed as your son-in-law… but now, you have two options... And the options are clear."

She held up a finger.

"One… you come forward, admit the truth....that Zhan was once married to the Prince. You'll have to explain how their so-called marriage happened, how those photographs exist. But do you really think people will believe your version? Will they accept it? They weren't there when you orchestrated the whole thing."

She raised a second finger.

"Or two… you stay silent, let the rumors grow. Let the world brand the Prince a rich, reckless man, sleeping around with no respect for tradition. It'll only add fuel to the fire already threatening to burn down everything you've worked for."

The Queen's face darkened, her breathing shallow. She pointed toward the door.

"Out. Now. Before I lose my patience."

Nalan chuckled softly, making her way toward the door as requested.

"You're my mother. I want no harm to come to you… that's why I came here, speaking plainly. But don't take too long to decide… time is running out."

With that, she left, the door clicking gently behind her.

Queen Zhaiye collapsed onto the edge of the bed, her hands trembling as she pulled off her heavy headscarf. The weight of it mirrored the crushing pressure in her chest.

"How… how did I let this happen…?"

The question echoed in her mind, bitter and relentless.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛