Logging into the Game World Early and Starting with a Royal Marriage to the Empress

The room’s mood softened at once.

Yaoguang and Zi Yue puzzled—why’d Xia Chen shift so quick?

“First glimpse of the princess’s majesty—I was a bit on edge!”

As if reading their thoughts, Xia Chen smiled an explanation.

“Not anymore?”

Yaoguang’s lips parted—her own girlish tone startled her.

“Seeing Your Highness at first, I felt you like a phoenix above the ninth heaven—radiance boundless, awe over the realm—so my heart quaked, at a loss.

“But sitting now, beholding your peerless beauty, I’ve eased up plenty!”

Xia Chen grinned, poised and upright across from Yaoguang—close, his gaze warm yet not searing, fixed on her.

Perfectly measured.

Yaoguang met his eyes—then flicked hers aside, a touch awkward. This feeling, strange—she’d never known it.

“My princess’s beauty reigns supreme!”

Li Wei piped up, earnest to Xia Chen.

“She’s the fairest, sure—but ‘awe over the realm’ stretches it!”

Zi Yue chuckled beside—Xia Chen’s “awe over the realm” didn’t feel like mere flattery.

Like his odd fixation on “Heavenly Phoenix.”

“With a swan’s grand aim, who’s to say she won’t one day soar skyward?”

Xia Chen lifted his chopsticks, picked up a piece of phoenix claw, and smiled after savoring it.

Casual words—like banter, a jest.

But Yaoguang, seated across from Xia Chen, her gaze snapped into sharp focus, fixed intently on him as he ate his breakfast with his head bowed.

A brief hush fell—only Xia Chen’s elegant chewing broke it.

“A woman, even with vast ambition—what then?”

Yaoguang laughed sudden—spring flowers bloomed, sunlight flared, beauty dazing.

True intrigue sparked for this man—if she still thought his words idle, she’d be a fool.

Was Yaoguang a fool?

Far from it—sharp as a blade. Xia Chen reckoned few in Dawu outwitted her.

So she knew—he understood her, even her depths. Yet unease gripped her—he saw through her, left her bare before him.

Worse, she barely grasped this betrothed—past reports mismatched; he loomed in fog, elusive.

“You fond of phoenix claws?”

Thoughts raced—but she steadied, calm returning, switching tracks.

“Phoenix claws—juicy, delectable. Especially these from the princess’s mansion—they’ve got a unique kick!”

Xia Chen had mutton soup that morning—eight parts full—but these claws? Damn good.

The dainty dish held three—he’d downed two.

Yaoguang watched, silent—somehow sensing a double edge in his words.

…

“I’ve heard that Chief Grand Secretary Lin’s son will attend today’s Literary Gathering—recent talk in the capital claims the Imperial Son-in-Law’s talent surpasses eight bushels, outshining even Chief Grand Secretary Lin. His son might very well aim to challenge you today!”

Zi Yue fished for talk again—sighing inside. She’d turned buffer for these two.

“Street gossip—Chief Grand Secretary Lin’s son’s coming? Good chance to see if he’s got his father’s flair.”

Xia Chen remained unconcerned, focusing intently on savoring the delectable dishes upon the table.

Mid-bite, he looked up: “Who all will be attending the Literary Gathering today?”

“Imperial Son-in-Law—sons of court bigwigs, young talents from the Imperial Academy, White Deer Academy’s great scholars with their pupils, Master Tianhai from Tianlong Temple, maybe even someone from the Celestial Master’s Mansion!”

Zi Yue reeled off names—Xia Chen flicked her a glance.

His idle heart perked.

Court sons, Imperial Academy, White Deer students—no shock. But great scholars too? This Literary Gathering packed weight.

Tianlong Temple and Celestial Master’s Mansion joining? Unusual.

Tianlong Temple’s Abbot Long Shu and the Celestial Master’s Elder—First-Rank titans of the age. Humanity ruled today thanks to five such landbound immortals.

Each possessed strength so profound it defied gods and spirits.

Both nestled near the capital—yet aloof from worldly dust, their stature transcendent.

Xia Chen cast a profound glance at Yaoguang—to think a single Literary Gathering could summon both these factions; truly no trifling matter.

“Imperial Son-in-Law, why’d you stop?”

Li Wei signaled for more phoenix claws—then saw Xia Chen set his chopsticks down, curious.

“These claws are so good—I’d get hooked, but can’t eat them daily. That’d sting!”

Xia Chen grinned—a light jest.

“Oh, like that!” Li Wei beamed, guileless.

“Come often if you like them!”

Yaoguang’s lovely eyes met Xia Chen’s—sudden words.

Xia Chen blinked, startled—often?

How about just moving straight into the princess’s mansion?

He mused—kept it in.

“We’re not wed yet—frequent visits might spark talk!”

Xia Chen paused, then spoke.

“Then are you afraid of people whispering idle talk?”

Yaoguang’s gaze locked his—unflinching, firm.