By the time Xu Chen's carriage returned to the Eastern Palace, night had completely enveloped the imperial capital beneath countless shining stars.
The palace gates opened immediately upon recognizing the Crown Prince's insignia, allowing the carriage passage without encountering any delays whatsoever.
Han Wei followed closely behind Xu Chen as they entered Tianyu Hall, where servants immediately bowed respectfully upon arrival.
Unlike the lively atmosphere of the Yue Mansion, Tianyu Hall remained quiet, orderly, and disciplined beneath softly glowing lantern light.
Xu Chen walked calmly through familiar corridors while palace servants carefully maintained respectful distances from their future sovereign throughout.
The moment he entered his study, several memorials and official reports awaited his attention upon the polished wooden desk.
Han Wei watched silently as Xu Chen sat before the desk without complaint despite spending most of the afternoon elsewhere.
For years, this had been Xu Chen's life, balancing imperial responsibilities while carrying burdens unseen by ordinary people daily.
A servant entered quietly before kneeling respectfully and presenting a newly delivered report from the Ministry of Revenue promptly.
"Your Highness, this arrived shortly before your return from the Yue Mansion earlier this evening."
Xu Chen accepted the document calmly before beginning its review under the soft illumination provided by nearby lanterns silently.
Han Wei remained standing nearby while occasionally recalling the lively interactions witnessed earlier among the Yue Family members together.
After several moments passed, Xu Chen suddenly spoke without lifting his gaze from the official report before him quietly.
"What are you thinking about?"
Han Wei immediately straightened because he knew perfectly well the Crown Prince rarely asked meaningless questions unexpectedly.
"This servant was simply remembering today's events at the Yue Mansion, Your Highness."
Xu Chen continued reading briefly before setting the completed document aside with his usual composed expression remaining unchanged entirely.
"They seemed happy."
Han Wei smiled slightly afterward because such observations rarely escaped Xu Chen despite his normally reserved personality and demeanor.
"The Yue Family genuinely treats Your Highness as family now rather than merely viewing you as the Crown Prince."
Xu Chen remained silent briefly while moonlight filtered gently through nearby windows and illuminated portions of the quiet study.
Eventually, he spoke again while looking toward the courtyard beyond the open windows overlooking Tianyu Hall peacefully tonight.
"They accepted me because of Ning'er."
Han Wei considered those words carefully before nodding because there was undeniable truth contained within them certainly.
The Yue Family loved Yue Ning deeply, making their approval impossible without witnessing Xu Chen's genuine devotion toward her.
After another period of silence, Han Wei suddenly recalled something amusing from earlier conversations within the Yue Mansion courtyard.
"Your Highness, Young Master Yue Tao truly believes Lady Yue Ning controls you completely nowadays."
Xu Chen looked mildly puzzled by that statement before calmly setting aside another completed memorial from today's workload.
"Controls me?"
Han Wei immediately regretted bringing up the subject because discussing such matters often produced unexpected answers from Xu Chen.
"That was merely Young Master Yue Tao's conclusion after hearing today's conversations regarding Lady Yue Ning, Your Highness."
Unexpectedly, Xu Chen appeared thoughtful rather than dismissive while considering the statement beneath quiet moonlit surroundings thoughtfully afterward.
Finally, he answered simply.
"He isn't entirely wrong."
Han Wei nearly dropped the documents currently held within his hands because such honesty remained genuinely shocking every time.
Inside Tianyu Hall's quiet study, silence briefly reigned before Han Wei finally recovered from hearing that unexpected admission completely.
"Your Highness actually agrees with Young Master Yue Tao's assessment regarding this matter?"
Xu Chen looked entirely calm while reaching for another report awaiting examination upon the desk before him silently there.
"If Ning'er requests something reasonable, I usually agree without opposing her unnecessarily."
Han Wei stared for several moments because that description significantly understated reality from his personal observations throughout recent years.
In truth, Xu Chen practically agreed with nearly everything Yue Ning requested regardless of difficulty or inconvenience involved previously.
However, Han Wei wisely kept such thoughts private because discussing them further seemed potentially unwise under current circumstances tonight.
Outside the windows, moonlight covered Tianyu Hall's courtyards with silver radiance while palace guards continued their nightly patrols diligently.
The imperial palace appeared peaceful tonight, free from political conflicts, emergencies, or urgent matters requiring immediate intervention unexpectedly.
For once, the future emperor enjoyed a rare evening of tranquility following a pleasant day spent beside Yue Ning.
Xu Chen eventually finished reviewing the final memorial before placing it neatly atop completed documents arranged beside him carefully.
Han Wei stepped forward immediately afterward because he recognized signs indicating the Crown Prince intended resting soon tonight peacefully.
"Your Highness should retire early because tomorrow's schedule includes meetings regarding wedding preparations and court administration matters."
Xu Chen nodded slightly before standing from the desk and walking toward the open courtyard beyond his study quietly.
The cool night breeze moved gently through surrounding trees while moonlight reflected beautifully across decorative ponds nearby peacefully tonight.
For several moments, Xu Chen simply stood there observing the peaceful scenery without speaking or moving significantly afterward there.
His thoughts drifted naturally toward Yue Ning.
Toward the laughter within the Yue Mansion.
Toward the warmth of her family.
Toward the future waiting merely four months away.
A future where she would officially become part of his life every single day thereafter permanently and completely.
The thought brought an unfamiliar sense of anticipation rarely experienced by the usually composed Crown Prince before now.
Far away within the Yue Mansion, Yue Ning was likely enduring another lengthy discussion regarding wedding preparations from her grandmother.
The image alone caused the corners of Xu Chen's lips to rise faintly beneath the silver moonlight illuminating Tianyu Hall.
Han Wei noticed immediately.
And silently concluded one thing.
The entire empire feared the Crown Prince.
Yet somewhere within the capital existed a single young woman capable of making him smile simply through memory alone.