Chapter 3 – The Court Tests the Empress

The next morning—

The imperial court was full.

Too full.

Ministers who usually pretended to be ill were suddenly very healthy.

Officials who rarely attended were standing in perfect rows.

Everyone wanted to see him.

The omega prince who became the only Empress.

The one the Ice Emperor personally chose.

Wei Wuxian walked beside Lan Wangji calmly.

White and red formal robes flowed behind him.

His expression?

Pleasant.

Relaxed.

Almost bored.

But inside—

He was counting.

Thirty-seven senior officials.

Five military commanders.

Three ministers avoiding eye contact.

Two who were staring too boldly.

Interesting.

The court session began.

Lan Wangji sat on the dragon throne.

Wei Wuxian’s seat was placed beside him.

Not lower.

Beside.

That alone caused whispers.

A senior minister stepped forward first.

“Your Majesty. Regarding the northern border tension…”

His eyes briefly shifted to Wei Wuxian.

“…Perhaps this matter should be discussed privately.”

Translation:

The Empress should not interfere.

Wei Wuxian smiled slightly.

Lan Wangji’s voice was calm.

“The Empress stays.”

No hesitation.

The minister stiffened.

“Yes… Your Majesty.”

Maps were brought forward.

Reports of troop movements from the Northern Coalition.

Supply delays.

Unstable weather conditions.

Wei Wuxian watched quietly.

One commander spoke confidently:

“If they attack, we simply reinforce the main gate and respond directly.”

Wei Wuxian tilted his head slightly.

Direct response?

Inefficient.

But he stayed silent.

For now.

Another minister suddenly spoke:

“Your Majesty, forgive this humble servant, but… can the Empress understand military matters?”

The hall froze.

Very bold.

Wei Wuxian blinked slowly.

Lan Wangji’s eyes turned cold.

But before he could speak—

Wei Wuxian raised his hand gently.

“May I?”

Lan Wangji looked at him.

“Yes.”

One word.

Full trust.

Wei Wuxian stood.

Walked to the map.

He studied it for three seconds.

Then—

He moved three small wooden markers.

“If the Northern Coalition attacks, they will not strike

the main gate.”

The generals frowned.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s obvious.”

He pointed calmly.

“Their supply line runs along this river. If they engage

directly, they expose their weaker eastern flank.”

He moved another marker.

“They’ll send a smaller force here first. A distraction.”

Murmurs spread.

One commander objected.

“That is speculation.”

Wei Wuxian smiled pleasantly.

“Yes.”

He pulled out a small folded document from his sleeve.

“Which is why I sent scouts yesterday.”

The entire court froze.

“You—what?”

Wei Wuxian handed the report to Lan Wangji.

“River depth measurements. It dropped two feet.

Enough for rapid crossing.”

Lan Wangji read quickly.

His eyes sharpened slightly.

Accurate.

Completely accurate.

Wei Wuxian turned back to the generals.

“If we reinforce the main gate as suggested, we lose

the eastern farmland within three days.”

Silence.

Heavy silence.

Then Lan Wangji spoke calmly.

“Adjust the formation according to the Empress’s analysis.”

No debate.

Immediate order.

The generals bowed.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The bold minister from earlier swallowed.

Wei Wuxian looked at him sweetly.

“Minister Liu, you asked if I understand military matters.”

A polite smile.

“Do you still doubt?”

The minister hurriedly bowed.

“This servant was blind.”

Wei Wuxian waved lazily.

“It happens.”

After court ended—

Lan Wangji walked beside him through the palace corridor.

“You sent scouts without informing me.”

Wei Wuxian grinned.

“Would you have stopped me?”

“No.”

“Then why inform you?”

Lan Wangji almost smiled.

Almost.

“You were correct.”

Wei Wuxian looked pleased.

“Of course.”

Suddenly—

A palace maid rushed forward nervously.

“Your Majesty! The western storage tower caught fire!”

Lan Wangji’s expression turned sharp.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes narrowed.

Fire.

On the same day as military tension?

Suspicious.

They arrived quickly.

Smoke rising.

Guards panicking.

Wei Wuxian observed quietly.

Too controlled.

Too contained.

He walked toward the side entrance.

Lan Wangji followed without question.

Inside—

He pointed at a stack of oil jars.

“Placed too neatly.”

Lan Wangji understood instantly.

“Deliberate.”

Wei Wuxian nodded.

“A distraction. Someone wants us focused inside the palace.”

Lan Wangji’s gaze hardened.

“Investigate all western officials.”

Wei Wuxian tilted his head.

“No.”

Lan Wangji looked at him.

“No?”

“Too obvious again.”

He crouched slightly near a footprint.

“Small boots. Not military.”

He stood.

“Palace servant.”

Lan Wangji’s voice lowered dangerously.

“Internal sabotage.”

Wei Wuxian smiled faintly.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

“For marrying someone useful?”

“Yes.”

By evening—

The culprit was found.

A bribed kitchen assistant connected to northern spies.

Court ministers were shaken.

The Empress discovered it before the guards did.

Rumors began spreading fast.

“The Empress predicted the attack.”

“He exposed sabotage.”

“He moved scouts without fear.”

“The Emperor trusts him completely.”

That night—

Wei Wuxian leaned back in his chamber.

Lan Wangji entered quietly.

“You handled court well.”

Wei Wuxian smirked.

“You handled it better.”

Lan Wangji stepped closer.

“Are you tired?”

“No.”

Pause.

“Are you impressed?”

“Yes.”

Wei Wuxian blinked.

“You admit it so easily?”

Lan Wangji looked at him steadily.

“You are my Empress.”

“As expected.”

Direct praise.

No embarrassment.

Wei Wuxian felt strangely warm.

He quickly covered it with a grin.

“Careful. If you keep praising me, I might become arrogant.”

Lan Wangji’s voice softened.

“You already are.”Chapter 3 – The Court Tests the Empress

Wei Wuxian laughed loudly.

Later—

As they stood by the window overlooking the capital—

Wei Wuxian spoke quietly.

“War is coming.”

“Yes.”

“You’ll go personally.”

“Yes.”

He didn’t hesitate.

Wei Wuxian crossed his arms.

“Then I’ll manage here.”

Lan Wangji turned toward him.

“I trust you.”

Three simple words.

No emotional drama.

No heavy atmosphere.

Just fact.

Wei Wuxian smiled slowly.

“Good.”

“Because I don’t plan to sit quietly.”

Lan Wangji stepped closer.

“I know.”

And for the first time—

His hand gently rested at Wei Wuxian’s waist.

Not possessive.

Not demanding.

Just steady.

Only for him.

Outside—

Storm clouds gathered over the northern mountains.

Inside—

The empire’s most powerful Alpha and most dangerous Omega stood side by side.

Equal.

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