Chapter 318: The Emperor’s Decree
Morning sunlight poured through the towering windows of the Imperial Court Hall.
Golden dragons carved into the pillars seemed to glow beneath the light.
Rows of officials stood in their designated places.
Civil ministers.
Military generals.
Royal advisors.
Noble representatives.
The atmosphere was formal as always.
But beneath the surface—
There was curiosity.
Because the Emperor had summoned a full court assembly.
Whispers quietly spread among the officials.
"Has the investigation progressed?"
"Is it about the Duke family’s wedding?"
"Perhaps another border report?"
Nobody knew.
Then—
The palace eunuch stepped forward.
His voice echoed through the massive hall.
"His Majesty arrives!"
Instantly everyone knelt.
"Long live Your Majesty!"
The grand doors opened.
The Emperor entered wearing black and gold imperial robes.
His expression was calm.
Composed.
Powerful.
He ascended the Dragon Throne.
Then raised his hand.
"Rise."
The officials stood.
Silence filled the hall.
The Emperor looked across the assembly.
His gaze swept through the court.
Many ministers noticed something unusual.
The Emperor appeared calmer than he had been in recent weeks.
More focused.
More confident.
Finally he spoke.
"Today I have gathered everyone for an important announcement."
The ministers exchanged glances.
The Emperor continued.
"The capital has experienced many disturbances recently."
Nobody dared interrupt.
Everyone knew exactly what he meant.
The rumors.
The attacks.
The fear.
The gossip spreading throughout the kingdom.
The Emperor’s voice remained steady.
"The people are anxious."
"The merchants are cautious."
"The nobles are distracted."
His gaze sharpened.
"A kingdom cannot prosper if its people live in fear."
Many officials nodded.
The statement was true.
Then the Emperor stood.
His robes shifted like flowing water.
Therefore."
"I have decided to organize a Grand Market Festival."
The court erupted into murmurs.
A festival?
The Emperor raised his hand.
The hall immediately fell silent again.
"The festival will last five days."
"Five days of celebration."
"Five days of trade."
"Five days of prosperity."
The ministers listened carefully.
The Emperor continued.
"There will be merchant markets."
"Food streets."
"Lantern displays."
"Musical performances."
"Martial exhibitions."
"Poetry competitions."
The court became increasingly excited.
Even some older ministers smiled.
The Emperor looked toward the Minister of Commerce.
"Merchants from all provinces may participate."
The minister immediately bowed.
"This minister obeys."
The Emperor nodded.
Then looked toward the Minister of Finance.
"Taxes for participating merchants will be reduced during the festival."
The minister’s eyes widened.
That was a generous decision.
"Your Majesty is wise."
The Emperor continued.
"We will encourage commerce."
"Support local businesses."
"And strengthen public confidence."
Many officials immediately agreed.
This would benefit the economy.
Prince Liang stepped forward from his position.
"The preparations have already begun."
The court looked surprised.
Clearly this had been planned for some time.
Prince Liang continued.
"Temporary market districts will be established."
"Additional guards will be assigned."
"Night patrols will increase."
The military officials nodded approvingly.
Security was essential.
Then one minister asked respectfully,
"Your Majesty, which food vendors will receive the central festival positions?"
The Emperor didn’t hesitate.
"The Whisper Bowl."
Several ministers immediately reacted.
Even among nobles—
The restaurant’s reputation was famous.
The Emperor continued.
"No one in the kingdom produces fresh food more efficiently."
"Their staff are experienced."
"Their kitchens are organized."
"The quality is excellent."
The Minister of Commerce nodded immediately.
"That is true."
"I have inspected their operations personally."
The Emperor continued.
"The festival will host thousands."
"We cannot risk poor food quality."
"Nor food poisoning."
The court understood immediately.
A disaster involving food could ruin the entire event.
Several ministers voiced their agreement.
"The decision is wise."
"The Whisper Bowl is suitable."
The Emperor nodded.
Then his voice carried throughout the hall.
"I want every citizen to enjoy these five days."
"Families."
"Merchants."
"Travelers."
"Nobles."
"Commoners."
"Everyone."
His words echoed through the court.
The ministers listened carefully.
Because this wasn’t simply a festival.
It was a statement.
The kingdom remained strong.
The throne remained stable.
Life would continue.
The Emperor looked toward the assembled officials.
"Spread the news."
"Prepare the capital."
"Tell the people to ready themselves."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"For five days..."
"The capital will celebrate."
The ministers immediately bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Emperor sat back upon the Dragon Throne.
For the first time in weeks—
The atmosphere in the court felt lighter.
Hopeful.
Beyond the palace walls, the news would soon spread through every street, tea house, and marketplace.
The people would speak of lanterns instead of fear.
Food instead of rumors.
Celebration instead of tragedy.
And somewhere in the Duke residence—
The Empress would soon hear that her restaurant had become the heart of the kingdom’s greatest festival.
Though neither she nor the Emperor knew it yet—
The festival would change far more than public opinion.
Because hidden beneath the lights and celebrations—
Dark eyes were already watching.
Waiting.
Planning their next move.
The afternoon sun bathed the Empress’s courtyard in warm golden light.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers through the open windows.
For the first time in many days—
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
No doctors rushing in and out.
No frightened servants.
No worried family members standing guard.
Only calm.
—
Inside the pavilion, Lian An sat with her younger sister Lian Hua.
The two sisters were sorting wedding invitations while occasionally arguing over handwriting.
"This one looks terrible."
Lian Hua immediately protested.
"It does not!"
"It looks like a chicken walked through ink."
"Jiejie!"
Lian An laughed softly.
The sound filled the courtyard.
Even the maids nearby smiled.
Recently—
The Empress smiled much more often.
—
Suddenly a servant hurried into the courtyard.
"Your Majesty."
"The Emperor has arrived."
—
Lian Hua immediately sat up.
"At this hour?"
The maids quickly bowed.
Lian An looked slightly surprised.
The Emperor had returned from court only recently.
Normally he would be occupied with official matters.
—
Moments later—
The Emperor entered the courtyard.
Dressed in dark robes.
His expression calmer than usual.
His gaze immediately found Lian An.
—
"Your Majesty."
The sisters stood.
The Emperor raised his hand.
"No need for formalities."
—
Lian Hua looked between them.
Then smiled mischievously.
"I suddenly remembered I have something important to do."
Lian An narrowed her eyes.
"You do?"
"Very important."
Without waiting for permission—
Lian Hua disappeared.
The maids quickly followed.
—
The courtyard became quiet.
—
The Emperor sat opposite Lian An.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then he placed a scroll on the table.
"I came to tell you something."
—
Lian An blinked.
"What happened?"
—
The Emperor’s expression softened slightly.
"The Market Festival."
Her eyes immediately brightened.
"The one being organized in the capital?"
He nodded.
"It will last five days."
"The entire kingdom has already begun preparing."
—
Lian An smiled.
"That sounds wonderful."
—
The Emperor continued.
"The court approved the merchant stalls today."
"Food vendors."
"Entertainment."
"Trading districts."
—
Then he paused.
A faint smile appearing.
—
"And the central food market has been assigned."
—
Lian An tilted her head.
"Assigned to whom?"
—
The Emperor looked directly at her.
"The Whisper Bowl."
—
For a moment—
Silence.
—
Then her eyes widened.
"My restaurant?"
—
The Emperor nodded.
"Your restaurant."
—
The excitement on her face appeared immediately.
So genuine.
So bright.
The Emperor found himself smiling in return.
—
"Really?"
"Truly?"
—
He nodded again.
"The court agreed unanimously."
"No one can prepare fresh food faster."
"No one can serve large crowds more efficiently."
—
Lian An looked genuinely happy.
Happier than when she received jewelry.
Happier than when nobles praised her.
—
Because this—
Was her own achievement.
—
The Emperor watched her quietly.
His chest warmed unexpectedly.
—
She immediately began thinking aloud.
"We’ll need additional staff."
"And ingredient deliveries."
"The special festival menu."
"The dessert stalls."
"The tea stations."
—
The Emperor listened.
A small smile remained on his face.
—
Then suddenly—
Lian An stopped.
—
The realization hit her.
—
"That means..."
—
The Emperor raised an eyebrow.
"Means what?"
—
A grin appeared.
A rare one.
—
"I can meet my friends again."
—
The Emperor stared at her.
—
Out of everything he had said.
Out of all the preparations.
Out of the prestige.
The honor.
The recognition.
—
That was her first thought.
—
Her friends.
—
The Emperor almost laughed.
—
"You miss them that much?"
—
"Of course."
She answered immediately.
"We haven’t worked together for days."
"I wonder how many disasters they’ve created while I was gone."
—
The Emperor shook his head.
Amused.
—
"They seem important to you."
—
Lian An nodded.
"They are."
"They helped me build everything."
—
The Emperor looked at her quietly.
Then said softly,
"You’ve built something impressive."
—
The words surprised her.
—
Because he wasn’t speaking as an Emperor.
—
He sounded proud.
—
Almost as if her success mattered to him.
—
For a brief moment—
Their eyes met.
—
Neither looked away immediately.
—
A strange warmth settled between them.
—
Then a loud voice shattered the moment.
—
"I knew it!"
—
Lian Hua suddenly appeared from behind a pillar.
—
Both of them jumped slightly.
—
The Emperor frowned.
"Weren’t you busy?"
—
Lian Hua grinned.
"I finished."
—
"You were spying."
—
"I was supervising."
—
The Emperor sighed.
Lian An laughed.
—
Soon the courtyard filled with conversation again.
Festival plans.
Food ideas.
Market decorations.
Guest lists.
—
As the afternoon sun slowly lowered across the sky—
The Empress remained excited.
Not because of noble politics.
Not because of court honors.
—
But because soon—
For five wonderful days—
She would be surrounded by family.
Friends.
Food.
Laughter.
And life.
—
And for the first time in a very long while—
The future felt bright.
