2: He is the only one, and eternal.

"Yong'an, Yongning, are you... truly not going to reconsider?"

Inside the Kunning Palace, Empress Shen looked exhausted as she gazed at the twin sisters sitting opposite her, whose appearances were identical. At this moment, she had never imagined that her two daughters, who possessed beauty capable of toppling nations and overflowing talent, would actually marry the same man simultaneously!

Although it was not uncommon for a man to have three wives and four concubines, even if she and her husband shared deep affection and mutual respect, being in the Imperial Family always meant too many unavoidable compromises.

During the time they resided in the Prince's Residence, the Late Emperor, citing the responsibility of bearing heirs for the Imperial descendants, and with the approval of the former Empress (who is now the Empress Dowager), still allowed her husband to take concubines.

From ancient times to the present, a Princess's choice of husband has always been dictated by her parents. If the frontier defenses were strained, it was not unheard of for a Princess to be sent off for a marriage alliance, no matter how reluctant they were.

Even without a marriage alliance, most Princesses’ chosen husbands were from prominent families. Even if the family background was average, they must possess the talent of a civil or military champion. Imperial rule has always been this way; marriage is often accompanied by benefits. Even though she and the Emperor were childhood sweethearts, if she hadn't been the daughter of a Duke, and if the Shen Family hadn't held military authority and achieved glorious victories, the Late Emperor probably wouldn't have agreed to her becoming a Princess Consort, let alone her current position as Empress.

But now, the man her two daughters intended to marry... Although Empress Shen had specifically sent people to investigate secretly, the man truly possessed a fine appearance. The Eunuch sent to gather information couldn't help but sigh when reporting back: "It is likely that no one in this Daxing Dynasty has ever been more handsome than that Young Master."

But no matter how handsome he is... two Princesses cannot marry one man!

"Mother Empress, there is no need to say more."

Luo Yongan, the Eldest Princess, was dressed in a vibrant red outfit, adorned with magnificent hair ornaments. Her beautiful peach blossom eyes held indifference and unquestionable resolve. Even facing her birth mother, the Empress of the Daxing Dynasty, Luo Yongan showed no sign of backing down.

Her skin was like congealed fat, white as snow, with a head of thick, black long hair, full, high breasts, a slender waist, and shapely hips and long legs. Only her flawless face was devoid of emotion.

In contrast, the Second Princess Luo Yongning, whose appearance was ninety percent similar to hers, wore a smile, but the warmth did not reach her eyes. Her gaze even held a hint of arrogance and coldness.

In terms of looks and figure, the two sisters were arguably equal. However, Empress Shen knew very well that it was a blessing these two daughters were female; if they had been male, her two sons would likely be farming and fishing in some secluded spot right now.

She didn't know if Heaven had opened its eyes or if fate was playing a joke. Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning were immensely talented, proficient in both civil and military arts. They had practiced martial arts since childhood and, having grown up alongside their mother, had even learned certain unknown techniques.

Most importantly, their maternal grandmother entrusted everything to the sisters. To be honest, the sisters were instrumental in the Emperor's ascension this time.

Now, when conferring rewards based on merit, given the sisters' achievements and the extreme favoritism shown by her husband and herself toward them, logically, no request should be denied. A man? If they want him, they get him; if they want to marry him, they marry him. However, the New Emperor had only ascended the throne for a year, and his foundation was unstable. The court looked calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging.

The timing was truly inappropriate for the two sisters to insist on marrying the same man. But unfortunately, the news had already spread wildly throughout the Capital. Furthermore, she knew all too well that her two daughters... were essentially monsters wearing human skin!

"Forget it. Your Imperial Father has already agreed. I, as your Mother Empress, am only worried about you." Empress Shen sighed. "Since you two sisters are so insistent, I shouldn't say anything more. If I don't indulge you, I fear you two will cause trouble again."

"Your maternal grandmother gave you the Shadow Guards and let you inherit the Partridge Sky, not so that you could act recklessly."

The two sisters said nothing, merely exchanging glances before slowly rising to bow, speaking almost simultaneously: "Thank you, Mother Empress. Your daughters take their leave."

Watching the sisters leave, Empress Shen couldn't help but sigh in relief. A Female Official on the side brought over tea and spoke respectfully: "Your Ladyship should not worry. Now that His Majesty has ascended the throne, Grand Secretary Ning in the Cabinet offers strong support, and the Shen Family stands guard outside. Eunuch Fang has also gradually taken over the Pacification Bureau, suppressing many of the Rebel Prince's followers. Now, those scholarly Censor Officials dare not speak too much about the Imperial Family's private matters."

"Heh, Qingzhu, what private matters does the Imperial Family have?" Empress Shen shook her head. "It's just that you know the Partridge Sky left behind by my mother. They can find out things even the Pacification Bureau doesn't know. They can kill people the Pacification Bureau cannot."

"The court has the court's rules, and the Martial World has the Martial World's rules. On the surface, the Partridge Sky is an assassin organization, but how many people know that it was personally founded by the Founding Emperor to handle matters inconvenient for the Pacification Bureau? Now that the Partridge Sky is in the hands of my two mad daughters, if they insist on having that man... no matter what those Censor Officials and Supervising Censors say, His Majesty and I must grant their wish."

Hearing this, Qingzhu felt a mix of emotions. Having followed the Empress since childhood, she knew exactly how terrifying Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning truly were.

"Your Ladyship, since things are this way, please stop worrying." Qingzhu, feeling helpless, could only comfort Empress Shen thus. "I just wonder, who exactly is that man, and what is his family background?"

"Don't mention it. It's his identity that makes me feel troubled." Empress Shen waved her hand. "A Zhenfu Division Banner Commander, Mo Yingqi."

Qingzhu's hand trembled involuntarily as she looked at Empress Shen in disbelief. The latter could only nod with a bitter smile: "You didn't hear wrong, he is a Zhenfu Division Banner Commander. I heard he has excellent martial arts and is ruthless. Because he is always smiling, he is known as the 'Smiling Yaksha.' Within one year, he went directly from a common Flying Fish Guard to a Captain, and they say he will soon be promoted to Centurion."

"In the past year, this 'Smiling Yaksha' has offended countless people and handled countless homicide cases. I specifically had the eldest daughter check, and indeed, there were no cold cases or misjudgments. He acts decisively when necessary. A child who has just reached adulthood, yet shows no mercy, whether killing or interrogating. Those Righteous Official officials have frequently impeached the Pacification Bureau recently, and several memorials specifically highlighted this Mo Yingqi."

The Pacification Bureau's job is inherently offensive. To get promoted, one must either be smooth or... not fear offending people.

Mo Yingqi is now famous in the Capital. Not long ago, he publicly beheaded a remnant of the Rebel Prince's faction who resisted arrest, doing so in broad daylight in a busy market. Although he executed first and reported later, sanctioned by Imperial authority, such an act right under the Emperor's nose naturally caused widespread discussion across the court and the populace.

"Eldest Sister, everything has been arranged."

Luo Yongning, following behind Luo Yongan, suddenly spoke: "That Censor Official who intended to impeach Yingqi will likely withdraw his memorial tomorrow."

"Mhm, then we'll release his daughter tomorrow." Luo Yongan nodded. "What is he doing right now?"

"He is tracking down the Rebel Prince's descendants. Eldest Sister, do we need to send our people over?" Luo Yongning's eyes held worry, and a hint of... uncontrollable madness. "Or how about we go ourselves? I've waited so many years, I truly don't want to wait anymore!"

"Calm yourself." Luo Yongan turned her head. Under the moonlight, her beautiful peach blossom eyes actually emitted a faint, crimson glow! "We've waited this many years, waiting another day or two won't hurt..."

"Yingqi can only be ours, and must be ours!"

"He is the only one, he is... our eternity."