Princess Huayang is the younger sister of Crown Prince Xiao Ze, born of the same mother. A year ago, she came of age and appeared before the Emperor, expressing her desire to marry Shen Yian, the Junior Minister of the Central Judicial Office. Consequently, the Emperor summoned Shen Yian for a private inquiry within the palace, but Shen Yian declined the Emperor's offer of marriage, explaining that his younger brother was in poor health, and he himself had no intention of taking a wife, especially Princess Huayang, whom he dared not aspire to marry.
In truth, the Emperor merely inquired casually, for after all, Princess Huayang was the Crown Prince's full sister, and if she were to marry Shen Yian, it would be akin to granting Shen Yian to the Eastern Palace.
He was still in the prime of his life and had no intention of relinquishing power so soon. His close ministers, naturally, would not be bestowed to the Eastern Palace.
