Marriage Of Convenience... Yizhan ff

Queen Zhaiye had spent nearly the entire day secluded in her chamber. It wasn't until she heard His Majesty's voice echoing through the Palace, officiating the marriages of some of the household staff, that she was reminded of the outside world. It was a tradition he had placed upon himself...to ensure that any of the Palace staff who found love and wished to marry were celebrated during the annual parade. He would see to their weddings personally, believing that since fate had placed them under their care, they had a duty to ensure their happiness.

It was Queen Zhaiye herself who had encouraged this tradition years ago, often contributing generously to the arrangements, not because His Majesty lacked the means, but out of a sense of duty and goodwill. But this year… this year was different. She had neither the energy nor the peace of mind to be involved in any of it, save for sending the usual financial support.

It wasn't until the last of the wedding ceremonies were announced that she forced herself to her feet and retreated to her private bathroom. Even when she emerged, lost in thought, she checked the time. There was still nearly an hour before they were expected to meet with His Majesty.

But then… the message arrived.

One of His Majesty's attendants appeared, breathless, delivering a summons that made Zhaiye's heart sink. His Majesty requested her presence immediately. The urgency in the attendant's eyes, the tension in her voice...it all pointed to bad news.

She barely slipped on her outer robe...the one casually thrown over a chair....abandoning the usual rituals of bathing, perfuming, and dressing meticulously. There was no point. Whatever this was, it was bigger than appearances.

As she made her way through the corridors, she could feel the stares. Curious, cautious, judging. Her confidence, already fragile, unraveled with every step, until by the time she reached His Majesty's quarters, the facade had all but crumbled.

Without hesitation, she entered directly into his private sitting area.

"This… this is a catastrophe for all of us… a disgrace… unthinkable," Xueyin's voice drifted toward her as she entered, the other woman seated before His Majesty, dabbing her eyes dramatically.

Zhaiye's stomach clenched. She forced herself to meet His Majesty's eyes as he entered the room, already shedding the ceremonial clothing from the horse parade.

For the first time in her life, His Majesty's presence struck her with a deep, intimidating weight....the kind of raw authority the people whispered about, the legacy Yibo had clearly inherited. Her knees weakened as she lowered herself before him, her voice soft, her composure fragile.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty."

"Good afternoon, Zhaiye," he replied, his voice gentle but with an unmistakable undertone of frustration. He too had clearly learned of everything, perhaps as abruptly as she had.

Without another word, he handed her a stack of photographs....the very ones haunting her dreams for weeks now. She knew every detail by heart, not only of her son Yibo but also of Zhan, whose face she had burned into memory through relentless, desperate study of these images.

Part of her wanted to refuse the photos altogether....to deny their existence....but the sharp, expectant eyes of Xueyin followed her every move. Zhaiye recognized that look. The woman wanted to see her reaction, wanted to savor her humiliation.

Swallowing her pride, Zhaiye took the photos with trembling hands, pretending to inspect them. She placed them gently on her lap, closed her eyes, and muttered,

"Unbelievable… completely unbelievable,"

masking the way her heart thudded violently in her chest.

"Hmph, children of now days… we raise them, but we can't control what they become," Xueyin added with false sympathy, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

His Majesty silenced her with a sharp raise of his hand, his gaze steady on Zhaiye.

"Do you know anything about these photos?" he asked.

How was she supposed to answer? Not with Xueyin, the mastermind of this scheme, watching eagerly. From the moment she entered, Zhaiye had known this entire situation had been orchestrated by her. The photos, the timing, the accusations....it all pointed back to her.

Zhaiye simply shook her head.

His Majesty exhaled quietly and turned his attention away from her. Without wasting time, he reached for his phone and began dialing Yibo's number.

Meanwhile, Yibo sat in his private lounge, surrounded by scattered documents, his laptop, and his phones. He had meticulously planned every detail of his imminent departure, counting down the hours until he would leave for China.

Yibo was busy answering calls, issuing instructions, and finalizing a one-month leave from all his companies and business operations. He sent out documents to the relevant people, appointed his representatives, and organized everything in preparation. He hoped that within the coming month, he could finally settle everything and regain his peace of mind.

He rushed through every task, mindful of the few hours left before his flight to China.

His phone rang again. When he saw His Majesty's name on the screen, he paused, setting his pen aside, leaning back in his chair, and answering the call with composure and respect.

His Majesty didn't speak immediately. After exchanging formal greetings, His Majesty's tone shifted to firm command.

"I want you on a flight today, wherever you are. You must spend the night at the Palace in Tianjin. If there's no available commercial flight, use one of my private jets....or yours," His Majesty instructed.

Yibo was surprised by the unexpected order but masked his reaction, responding calmly, "Understood, Your Majesty. I'll be in my country within a few hours."

"Good. I'll see you soon," His Majesty replied before ending the call.

His Majesty's eyes drifted back to Xueyin, her earlier words still circling his mind. Though he disliked acting on rumors or accusations alone, the things she'd told him about the Prince weren't minor. Still, he was a rational man, a leader. He needed patience and clear judgment before making any decision.

"You may all leave. I'll call for you again when needed," he dismissed them all, needing time to reflect.

----

Yibo stared at his phone for a moment after the call ended, exhaling deeply as he sank back into his seat. Part of him still longed to get to China quickly. He had already located Zhan's whereabouts in China, and after meeting His Majesty, finding Zhan and his children was the next thing on his list. He was convinced there was a reason His Majesty had summoned him back, beyond the earlier request from his mother.

Meanwhile, Queen Zhaiye paced anxiously between her bedroom and the sitting room, overwhelmed by a sense of panic unlike anything she had ever experienced. If only she could stop time, rewind events, and set things right. Yibo's return was an enormous threat to her. His Majesty hadn't even told him the reason for the summons....who knew what Yibo had planned or what he'd already figured out? On top of that, none of her calls to Yibo had gone through....a clear sign he was already in transit or had wrapped up his affairs and could arrive at any moment.

She desperately wished she could speak to Yibo first, lay the groundwork, and strategize, so everything didn't spiral out of control.

That anxiety consumed her well into the evening. Her children noticed her unease, though they had no idea what was going on....except for Nalan, who knew everything. But even Nalan had only confided in Bai Wuxia.

At 3 a.m. New York time, Yibo boarded his flight to China. It felt excruciatingly slow, each hour dragging by as though the journey would never end. Every passing moment pulled him closer to Zhan and his children. Deep down, he felt this trip held the key to untangling all the problems plaguing his life.

As for Queen Zhaiye, she spent the entire night wide awake. Every thought, every plan she'd had was in disarray. In desperation, she called one of her old monk advisors, asking them to help ease her worries and bring her peace, just as she'd done countless times before, sending them her usual offering for their service.

***

At dawn, as preparations for the day began in the Palace of Tianjin, Yibo's car pulled into the grand Palace gates, their towering walls radiating history, power, and authority that stretched back generations. The Palace stood majestic as ever, unchanged.

Without delay, Yibo headed straight to his private wing, determined to compose himself before seeing anyone. He was confident everything within the Palace would be just as it should be. Despite Qiantang informing him she had returned two days ago, there were still plenty of staff, servants, and guards around.

As expected, everything was impeccably clean, organized, and quiet...so pristine it almost felt deserted. He settled into his lavish bedroom, which resembled something out of paradise.

The first thing he did was run a steaming bath, precisely to his preference, and soaked for a long time, unwinding his travel fatigue.

Afterward, he dressed simply in his inner garments and took time to meditate. Unlike his usual rushed routine, today his quiet reflection stretched longer. He remained seated on the small carpet until he checked the time...it was nearly the hour when His Majesty usually gathered the family the morning after the grand horse parade.

Though sleep still tugged at his eyes, he forced himself up, meticulously dressing in formal attire that screamed nobility, power, and refinement...clothing that accentuated his royal lineage and unmatched presence.

Of course, Xueyin had eyes everywhere. From the moment Yibo's car entered the Palace, her people kept her informed. She was confident the Prince would arrive as expected, ever since His Majesty made that call summoning him. From now on, it was only a matter of time before everything unfolded.

A satisfied smile crept onto Xueyin's face when she received the news that Yibo had finally arrived. Under her breath, she whispered, "Today, everything falls apart."

The thought filled her with delight. She could already picture Queen Zhaiye's humiliation unfolding today. Without wasting time, she picked up her phone and informed Princess Dongzhi, who was in her wing of the palace where she stayed during her visits. Dongzhi, in turn, contacted Sikong. Together, they finalized their plans over the phone.

Queen Zhaiye prepared herself for the day with her usual composure and elegance, determined not to give her enemies the satisfaction of seeing her shaken. Dressed in her typical luxurious attire, her appearance radiated power and grace as always, yet beneath that facade, her heart was far from calm. Today, rather than her traditional royal gown, she wrapped herself in a delicate, specially embroidered silk shawl, making her way to the grand dining hall reserved for such significant occasions, where her children and grandchildren were already gathered.

Almost everyone in the hall was cheerful... except her. She tried to mask her anxiety with a forced smile, borrowing the air of joy from those around her. But one look from His Majesty, and he saw through the act. He immediately connected her unease to yesterday's incident....a matter that had filled even his own heart with worry. The thought that his bloodline, the heir he counted on to inherit his legacy, might bring disgrace upon their name tormented him. Deep down, he pitied Zhaiye, knowing she had always stood fiercely by her children.

Despite the ongoing chatter, everyone engaging in light conversation, Qinnu and Xueyin remained alert, each lost in her own scheme.

The moment Yibo entered the hall, all conversation ceased as if the air itself had been sucked out of the room. Even Queen Zhaiye's breath caught in her throat, her entire body tense. She silently hoped what she heard was a lie, that her ears had deceived her. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to look up and confirm what her ears already knew.

A few people returned Yibo's greetings, including His Majesty, whose eyes lingered on him with a mix of doubt and worry. Yibo quietly prayed that what he feared wasn't true. He was one of the few who knew His Majesty so well he could read his expressions like a book.

Sikong sat in the seat that traditionally belonged to Yibo at such gatherings. But Yibo didn't hesitate.... he made his way straight for that chair, locking eyes with Sikong, who stared back defiantly.

The rightful owner had arrived. The guest had to stand. Resigned, Sikong got up and gave up the seat, moving to one beside his mother, rolling his eyes internally and thinking, "Well, today everything will explode, won't it?"

With respect, Yibo greeted the elders present. Those younger than him, including his siblings, also greeted him, though their expressions betrayed their reluctance...especially Qinnu's eldest daughter, who could barely contain her frustration. She couldn't understand how they still showed Yibo such respect, considering how much time had passed since that incident. Yet, despite their resentment, they had no choice but to acknowledge him.

Oblivious to their bitterness, Yibo focused on his parents, asking after their wellbeing with genuine care. Each of them forced a polite response, hiding their own feelings. The meal continued, though the earlier conversations had noticeably died down. Yibo remained seated, not touching any food...as was his custom at such formal gatherings. He never ate much in these settings, always opting to stay composed and reserved.

Clearing his throat, Sikong exchanged a knowing glance with Xueyin before wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin...not because it was necessary, but to stall, to build up the moment. Then he spoke,

"You've always been one of those big tycoon, haven't you? Just two weeks ago, I saw you in Dubai at that hotel....with some unfamiliar women. Business partners, I suppose?"

Yibo lifted his gaze from his mother, having been quietly studying her, noticing the fatigue and dullness in her expression. He hoped the photos she claimed to have seen hadn't weighed this heavily on her spirit. He silently wished this situation would resolve itself peacefully.

His sharp, commanding eyes fixed on Sikong, puzzled at his choice to bring this up here...in front of their siblings, relatives, and, worse yet, their parents. Not only that, Yibo didn't even recognize the women Sikong referred to. In fact, he rarely engaged in business directly with women, regardless of their wealth or status. He simply didn't tolerate the drama that often came with it.

"Sikong… You've always been the curious type, haven't you? Someone with his wealth, his status, and his pride....and you're still trailing after rumors and spying on others?" Qinnu said.

"It's the age we live in," Xueyin chimed in, pouring herself a drink, her voice laced with false innocence, "Everything comes to light eventually, doesn't it?"

His Majesty cleared his throat... a signal that immediately restored order to the room. Everyone quieted down as he smoothly changed the subject, steering the conversation toward matters that included everyone at the table.

An hour and a half later, His Majesty dismissed everyone younger than Yibo, leaving only Yibo's peers and those closest in age to him. He then requested that everyone move to the grand lounge adjoining the dining hall.

With quiet steps, Queen Zhaiye followed the group, barely managing to compose herself enough to sit. Her breathing was shaky, her mind still spiraling, but she forced herself to sit still, determined to face whatever came next.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛