The prisoners were escorted away to be settled, and the officials gradually filed out of the hall.
Only the two brothers remained inside, along with Lezheng Yang, who had been standing in the corner the whole time.
Xu Tianran took two documents from his sleeve and placed them on the table, pushing them toward Xu Yanli.
"Take a look."
Xu Yanli raised an eyebrow and picked up the first one.
It was a personal recommendation letter from Jing Hongchen. Its wording was earnest, and its meaning was clear: he was recommending his granddaughter, Meng Hongchen, as Prince Xiaoyao's consort.
The corner of his mouth twitched. He put down the first letter and picked up the second.
It was written by Lezheng Yang.
He was recommending Ye Guyi as Prince Xiaoyao's consort.
The letter gave a long list of reasons: "compatible Martial Souls," "kindred temperaments," and "the Angel Clan wishes to join with Your Highness in an everlasting union"...
Xu Yanli fell silent for quite a while.
The hall was so quiet that the crackling of the candle flames could be heard.
"Imperial Brother." He finally spoke, his tone calm. "I'm only sixteen."
Xu Tianran leaned back against the Dragon Throne and leisurely took a sip of tea. "So what if you're sixteen? Father had already taken a secondary consort by the time he was sixteen."
"That was Father. I'm in no hurry."
Xu Tianran set down his teacup and looked at him, amusement in his eyes. "You may not be in a hurry, but other people are. That old fox Jing Hongchen spent over half a year thinking over this letter. He's been dropping by the Crown Prince's Mansion every few days, asking about your preferences by beating around the bush. Lezheng Yang was even more direct. He said the