Today, many citizens lined both sides of the street waiting for the bridal procession from foreign lands. They already knew that Qin Wang of Jian Kingdom’s bride was the daughter of the Long Yu Island Lord, which was famous for its strong Duanshen ore.
There were also legends about the “Dragon Scale Pearl”—an elixir of longevity. Whoever consumed it could live for thousands of years. But these were merely rumors passed down through generations, as no one had ever actually seen this Dragon Scale Pearl. Additionally, there were medicinal herbs made from rare undersea plants that could cure all kinds of poisons.
People whispered that this marriage was a key condition for the Duanshen ore trade between Jian Kingdom and Long Yu Island. Naturally, this rumor gave rise to gossip that the people of Long Yu Island were arrogant and ambitious, trying to forge ties with the Jian royal family. Even though they governed themselves independently and weren’t under the authority of any kingdom, how could a small, remote island compare to the great Jian Kingdom?
But no matter what criticisms circulated among the Jian Kingdom people, it had no effect on the auspicious ceremony taking place today.
The bridal procession arrived. Jian Hantian merely glanced at it once, then rode his horse leading the procession to his manor, while the citizens desperately wanted to see Qin Wangfei[1]‘s face—wondering if she would be ugly and unworthy of their Qin Wang.
But she was a woman from distant lands—surely she couldn’t be as beautiful as the young ladies from high-ranking noble families in the capital. Her manners would probably be rough and coarse like people from remote areas, no different from women from the countryside.
It wasn’t until the bridal procession stopped in front of Qin Wang’s manor that Jian Hantian dismounted from his horse and walked over to lift the palanquin curtain to receive the bride.
The bride in red robes with her face completely covered by a veil extended a slender, small, fair hand to place upon the large, calloused hand of her husband—rough from wielding swords and spears.
Jian Hantian looked down at the small, delicate-looking hand and paid it no further attention, merely holding her hand to lead her inside to complete the customary ceremony of bowing to Heaven and Earth.
The various ceremonies passed smoothly. The bride was sent to the bridal chamber. The guests attending the wedding desperately wanted to see Qin Wang’s bride’s face, but had no opportunity. They’d have to wait until there was a banquet or other ceremony.
In the bridal chamber decorated with red cloth and luxurious furnishings, Yang Xiuying still sat motionless on the large bed. The bridal veil had not yet been removed. She was making a bet with herself—would this Qin Wang or whatever abandon her alone in the bridal chamber tonight?
She’d encountered such situations before when traveling everywhere with her aunt. Aunt often told her there were many types of men. The wicked, no-good type was abundant. Those with brains the size of peas who thought with their little toes were numerous as well. She really wanted to know which type this Qin Wang belonged to.
If he dared abandon her in the bridal chamber, then tomorrow both he and Jian Kingdom would face her wrath for certain.
Yang Xiuying, who was cracking her knuckles with loud ‘CRACK… CRACK’ sounds, ready to cause trouble, heard the door open, followed by steady but light footsteps in the manner of martial artists.
Soon she saw black shoe tips stop in front of her, and her bridal veil was slowly lifted, revealing a young man with a cold expression but who wasn’t particularly displeasing to look at, in her opinion.
Jian Hantian used the weighing rod to lift the bridal veil, finally seeing his primary consort’s appearance for the first time. He’d never expected anything regarding her looks. Even if she had crossed eyes, a crooked mouth, or was otherwise unattractive, it didn’t matter—he’d have to accept her as his consort anyway.
He hadn’t expected that the woman bold enough to propose becoming his consort would have such exquisite beauty, flawless without any defects. Moreover, those large, round eyes that seemed innocently pure held a certain spark that strangely invited him to explore further.
And now, she was slowly breaking into a smile that looked beautifully sweet, yet made him feel as if he were watching a predator eyeing its prey.
“Greetings, Qin Wang. This consort is called Yang Xiuying. Pleased to finally meet you.”
Even her voice was melodious and clear as a silver bell, making Jian Hantian pause. What he saw, what he heard, and the atmosphere around her—why did they all contradict each other?
“Mm… you’ve been traveling for many days and must be tired. I’ll have your maid come in to attend to you.” His manner remained cold and distant. Yang Xiuying merely shrugged.
The maid who came to attend to her was one her mother had sent from Long Yu Island. Not only was she highly skilled at her work, but she also had the power of the Nai’er tribe. Most importantly, she was rather strict—as if Mother had sent her as a representative to supervise and keep her in line.
“Tan Wu and I will keep watch outside. If anything serious happens, Miss can just call out.” Mo Fang’s whisper made Yang Xiuying look at her senior maid suspiciously. As if she would have anything serious happen?
Mo Fang looked at her mistress’s large, innocently round eyes and sighed once.
“Never mind. I’ll go out now, Miss. You rest well.”
Yang Xiuying shrugged while walking back to the table full of food. Seeing it, she remembered she hadn’t eaten anything since morning. So she helped herself to the abundant spread of delicacies, eating without waiting for her husband who’d disappeared somewhere since lifting her veil.
Before long, the food on the table had diminished. After rinsing her mouth, Qin Wang still hadn’t returned.
Was he really going to abandon her alone in the bridal chamber?
Yang Xiuying’s lips curled into a fierce grin as she cracked her knuckles preparing to make trouble for her husband, when the door opened once more. Those footsteps must surely be his.
‘You’re off the hook,’ she muttered inwardly.
“Are you sleepy yet? If you’re sleepy, I’ll extinguish the candles.”
“Go ahead.”
Jian Hantian used his internal energy to extinguish the candles with one sweep of his arm. Every candle went out immediately.
Yang Xiuying didn’t think much of it. Upon finding the bed, she climbed up and quietly lay down with closed eyes. It was comfortable enough to sleep on, except she had to share it with a stranger.
But whatever. She’d get used to it soon enough.
Jian Hantian quietly watched his new Wangfei climb onto the bed without paying him any attention in the darkness. Seeing her lie still, he stepped up to follow, thinking of Le Qi’s words earlier when he’d separated to bathe in the inner chamber of his main residence.
‘Leaving the bride alone in the bridal chamber on the wedding night might displease Wangfei, Your Highness.’
Displeasing this woman was one of the conditions under which the Duanshen ore purchase agreement could be terminated. This was why he had to walk back to sleep here again, after intending to return to sleep in his own residence—not because he was repulsed, but because he felt awkward.
He’d never slept in the same room and on the same bed with a strange woman before. Suddenly being made to sleep with her on the first night they met? What a strange feeling indeed.
Since she was willing to fall asleep so easily, he didn’t need to overthink it.
And so, Jian Hantian lay down with closed eyes beside his Wangfei on this first night of their marriage.
***
The next morning, when she opened her eyes, her new husband was already gone. Yang Xiuying yawned once, then went to attend to herself behind the privacy screen.
After hearing sounds from within, Mo Fang entered to help her mistress dress.
“Wangye said Miss must enter the palace to meet the Emperor and Empress.”
Yang Xiuying, who was looking in the mirror while tilting her head left and right to check if her earrings were on properly, merely nodded easily in acknowledgment.
‘I wonder if I’ll get to see that bastard Li Wang and his wife. If I do… hehehe.’
Mo Fang, seeing her mistress grin wickedly with claws out as if about to maul someone, cleared her throat.
“Ahem… you must exercise restraint in the imperial palace. It’s a bit too soon to cause trouble, since this is only the first day after the wedding. Wait a bit longer.”
Yang Xiuying turned to shoot her senior maid a sulky look. Why did she think so badly of her? She merely wanted to see that bastard Li Wang and his precious main wife’s faces. It’s not like she planned to boil them alive today!
***
The carriages from Qin Wang’s manor were already waiting at the manor entrance. Today, Yang Xiuying wore luxurious, elaborate formal robes in full regalia that she’d never worn before—well, aside from the bridal gown she’d just worn at the wedding. Though she felt unaccustomed to it and found it somewhat annoying, she thought it was refreshingly novel. Since she’d already come to visit the capital, what harm was there in trying to live like capital residents?
She was guided onto the carriage by Qin Wang Manor’s guards, with Mo Fang and Tan Wu following silently.
The guards observed Qin Wangfei’s two attendants with scrutiny. The man named Tan Wu—one could tell at a glance he had advanced martial arts, with a tall, muscular build typical of Long Yu Island people. As for the personal maid, though not a young maiden in her prime, she couldn’t be underestimated either. Judging by her light footsteps, she must have martial arts skills as well.
As for Qin Wangfei herself… her appearance was strikingly beautiful, far more than expected. In that case, their Wangye hadn’t gotten a bad deal after all, had he?
[1] Qin Wangfei (親王妃) – The primary consort or Princess Consort of a Qin Wang. The legitimate wife who holds the highest rank among all women in the prince’s household.
Author’s Note:
For those concerned that Qin Wang might get beaten up on his wedding night: do not worry.
His survival instincts are excellent. Apparently, ten years on the battlefield taught him exactly when to walk through a door to avoid bodily harm.
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