By the time Yuan Feng returned to the East Dragon Palace, the excitement from earlier had completely faded, leaving behind nothing but a heavy kind of laziness that made even standing feel like too much effort.
He didn't bother with appearances, didn't bother with posture, and definitely didn't bother acting like a proper crown prince as he walked in and waved his hand casually.
"Everyone out. I'm sleeping. If it's not something important, don't wake me."
The maids were already used to his temperament, so they simply bowed and left without asking questions, quietly closing the doors behind them as the palace returned to silence.
The moment he was alone, Yuan Feng didn't even make it halfway onto the bed before collapsing, one arm hanging off the edge as he muttered lazily.
"Too much excitement in one day… not good for the heart."
Within seconds, he was completely out.
He slept deeply, without dreams, like someone who had absolutely nothing to worry about.
Later
"Your Highness… Your Highness…"
A careful voice sounded from outside, soft but persistent, like someone trying very hard not to get themselves killed.
Yuan Feng frowned, turned over, and pulled the blanket tighter.
"…If the palace isn't collapsing, don't wake me."
There was a brief pause.
"…Your Highness, the Left Prime Minister is here."
"…Let him wait."
Another pause.
"…He said it's about selecting consorts."
Silence.
A moment later, Yuan Feng suddenly sat up, his eyes clear, all traces of sleep gone.
"…You should've started with that."
He ran a hand through his slightly messy hair, not even bothering to fix it properly.
"Let him in."
The Left Prime Minister
The doors opened, and Left Prime Minister Zhou stepped in, his robes neat, his posture straight, his expression calm as always.
He took one glance at Yuan Feng's current appearance—half-awake, robe loose, clearly just dragged out of bed—
…and chose not to comment.
"Your Highness."
"Old Zhou," Yuan Feng stretched lazily, "you move fast."
Zhou replied without changing his expression.
"Your Highness personally requested the selection. Naturally, we prepared as quickly as possible."
Yuan Feng nodded, clearly satisfied.
"Good. Efficiency like this should be rewarded."
Zhou didn't respond to that and continued.
"The candidates have all been gathered in the Supreme Harmony Hall. You may select them at your convenience."
Yuan Feng paused for a moment, then asked casually,
"How many did you bring?"
"…A few thousand."
Yuan Feng blinked once, then let out a low laugh.
"…You really don't do things halfway, do you?"
On the Way
As they walked through the long palace corridors, Yuan Feng kept his pace slow and relaxed, like he was just taking a stroll instead of heading toward something important.
"These girls… all willing?"
Zhou gave him a short glance.
"Your Highness is the Crown Prince. For them, this is an opportunity."
"…Say it straight. They want status."
"…Yes."
Yuan Feng chuckled.
"At least they're honest about it."
Supreme Harmony Hall
When the doors opened, a faint fragrance drifted out, mixed with the quiet sound of breathing and shifting fabric.
Yuan Feng stepped inside—
…and paused slightly.
The hall was filled.
Not just filled—
Packed.
Rows upon rows of women stood neatly arranged, stretching far into the distance, each one dressed carefully, each one carrying themselves with elegance and restraint.
Some were gentle and soft.
Some were cold and distant.
Some carried quiet pride.
All of them—
Beautiful.
Yuan Feng leaned slightly toward Zhou and muttered,
"You sure this isn't some kind of test?"
Zhou replied calmly,
"No, Your Highness."
"…Feels like one."
At that moment, the system voice sounded in his mind.
"Scanning candidates…"
"All present individuals above 80 points."
Yuan Feng gave a small nod.
As expected.
Then—
"Reminder: Requirement — 90 points and above."
"…I know."
The Walk
Yuan Feng began walking forward slowly, his expression relaxed, hands behind his back, as if he were simply browsing instead of making a decision that would affect all of them.
The moment he moved, the entire hall fell silent.
Every gaze turned toward him.
He didn't rush.
Didn't speak.
Just looked.
"82…"
"85…"
"87…"
"88…"
One after another, the numbers appeared in his mind, and one after another, he lost interest.
They weren't bad.
In fact, they were excellent by normal standards.
But for him?
Not enough.
A girl near the front finally couldn't hold back and spoke softly,
"Your Highness… may I ask what you are looking for?"
Yuan Feng glanced at her briefly and answered without hesitation,
"Someone I won't get bored of."
She froze slightly.
"…I see."
"…Next."
The Pressure
As he continued walking, the atmosphere slowly changed.
At first, many had been confident.
Now?
That confidence began to fade.
"Why isn't he choosing anyone…?"
"Even she wasn't picked…"
"What exactly does he want…?"
Even Zhou, standing to the side, showed a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Not one?
The Decision
After what felt like forever, Yuan Feng finally stopped.
Not at one.
Not two.
But three.
He didn't look back at the others.
He simply waved his hand lightly.
"Everyone else can leave."
The words were calm.
But they hit hard.
For a moment, no one moved.
Some didn't understand.
Some didn't want to accept it.
But in the end—
No one dared to argue.
One by one, they left, their footsteps quiet, their expressions complicated.
Soon—
The massive hall, once filled with thousands—
Was empty.
Only three remained.
The Three
Yuan Feng finally looked at them properly.
Zhou Mingyao
Golden robes, calm expression, steady gaze.
"98 points."
Zhou spoke from the side,
"Third Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a Spirit-level force with eight stars."
She stepped forward slightly and bowed.
"This one greets Your Highness."
Second
Canglan Saintess
Blue robes, cold temperament, distant aura.
"97 points."
"Saintess of the Canglan Heaven Sect, Tier 12 Spirit-level."
She gave a slight nod.
"This Saintess greets Your Highness."
Yuan Feng looked at her and smiled faintly.
"You don't seem very happy to be here."
She met his gaze calmly.
"I came, didn't I?"
He chuckled.
"Fair enough."
Third
Yaoyue Pavilion Master
Red robes, gentle smile, sharp eyes.
"96 points."
"Master of Yaoyue Pavilion, Tier 11 Spirit-level."
She dipped her head slightly.
"Your Highness, I hope I meet your expectations."
Yuan Feng looked at her for a moment.
"We'll see."
The Gap
Even though these three held high status—
In front of Yuan Feng, none of them dared to act arrogant.
Because the difference was clear.
He was the Crown Prince of a Royal-level force.
And they knew it.
End
Yuan Feng walked past them and casually took the main seat, leaning back as if everything here belonged to him.
He looked at the three of them, his tone relaxed but carrying a quiet pressure.
"You three…"
He paused slightly.
"…Stay."
None of them relaxed.
Because they all understood—
This was just the beginning.
Yuan Feng rested his chin on his hand and smiled faintly.
"Alright… let's talk."