Li Yuan received a response from the Cui Clan. To his surprise, the clan head himself delivered it in person. After a lengthy discussion, Cui Heng departed, and Li Yuan agreed to make an official visit in the coming days.0

Once Cui Heng left, Li Yuan sat for a moment to let the new information sink in.0

Yin Consort? The Emperor’s consort? She was just conferred her title when the Emperor fled?0

But that was six years ago; any chaos tied to that should have settled by now. And if it hadn’t, well, he did have the human-skin manacles, though he wasn’t keen on using it against the woman he hoped to share his life with. Still, it was an option if push came to shove.4

Li Yuan thought about it from another angle. If he married the Yin Consort, not only could he learn her father’s smithing skills, he might also gain insight into imperial secrets—giving him a deeper understanding of this world. In other words, he could maximize...2