Chapter 4

The imperial wedding ceremony of this dynasty was not overly complex. Traditionally, the wedding would be held first, followed by the conferment of the Empress Title and Seal. On the second day after the wedding, the Emperor and Empress would visit the ancestral temple to pay respects to the royal ancestors, marking the completion of the rites.

Nie Long was assisted into the bridal chamber, where she now sat on the wedding bed, her hands tucked into her sleeves. Nearby stood unfamiliar maids, palace attendants, and the palace’s Wedding Attendants, waiting in attendance.

Mama Yu and the other maids and matrons from the Nie residence had escorted the procession to the palace gates before departing. Nie Long entered the palace alone, without any familiar faces by her side—a situation with both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage was that without close acquaintances around daily, she wouldn’t have to worry about being discovered as an imposter. The downside was that the palace was entirely unfamiliar to her. While the Nie residence wasn’t entirely strange to the memories of her other self, the palace was a completely unknown territory.

This wasn’t some romantic drama—there were no convenient choices to be made.

From the moment Nie Long awoke in this body, she had no choice but to follow the predetermined path: marry the Emperor, without any possibility of escape or mishap, lest she bring disaster upon the entire Nie household.

Now, she had been hastily ushered into the palace to marry a stranger.

At this thought, Nie Long recalled a detail she had overlooked earlier.

The Kingdom of Xuan… Emperor Chu Ji… the Qi Yuan Emperor… the Duke Nie’s residence… a daughter married into the palace as Empress…

The more she pondered these key details, the more familiar they seemed. This was an entirely unfamiliar dynasty. Though Nie Long wasn’t a history major, she was well-versed in five thousand years of history—yet the Kingdom of Xuan didn’t exist in any historical records.

After the initial disorientation of her transmigration faded, Nie Long sat on the wedding bed, growing increasingly uneasy. How could such an unheard-of dynasty feel so familiar to her?

A matron nearby, seemingly following instructions, stepped forward and said respectfully, “Would Your Majesty care for some refreshments? His Majesty is still hosting a banquet for the courtiers in the front hall and won’t arrive for some time. You may wish to eat something first?”

Interrupted in her thoughts, Nie Long had no choice but to set them aside for now and gave a slight nod.

The refreshments and bird’s nest soup had been prepared in advance. With a wave of the matron’s hand, a palace maid brought forth a food box, retrieving two plates of pastries and a bowl of bird’s nest soup.

The matron took charge and, noticing Nie Long reaching to lift her red veil, quickly stopped her. “Your Majesty, please don’t move. The veil should be lifted by His Majesty. You may gently lift it just enough to reveal your mouth, and this servant will feed you.”

Seeing her insistence, Nie Long didn’t force the issue. The ancients were always more particular about such traditional rituals and etiquette.

She mechanically swallowed half the bowl of bird’s nest soup before waving her hand. “Enough.”

The matron set the bowl aside and resumed her silent post. The maids cleared the dishes, and the bridal chamber returned to quiet.

Nie Long wasn’t sure how much time had passed—it couldn’t have been long, perhaps just the length of a few nursery rhymes she hummed silently to herself. The bird’s nest soup in her stomach hadn’t even fully settled when movement sounded outside the door.

The voices of eunuchs paying respects, a man’s deep tone.

Nie Long clenched her fingers, suddenly nervous.

The elderly matron pursed her lips and exchanged a meaningful glance with the Wedding Attendant across from her. The hourglass showed it was still early—far earlier than expected. Their eyes held the same knowing look.

Chu Ji was still clad in his red outer robe, layered over the heavy Dragon robe beneath. The double layers had left his face flushed with heat. He waved dismissively, signaling for them to rise.

His gaze shifted toward the bride seated on the bed, darkening slightly. “All of you, leave!”

The Wedding Attendant and the matrons hesitated. According to protocol, before the Emperor and Empress could partake in the Joy of Union, they were supposed to drink the Nuptial Wine under their supervision, followed by separate fragrant baths. Only then would the ceremony be considered complete.

Chu Ji noticed their reluctance and said impatiently, “These are trivial details. The Empress and I wish to be alone for a while. You may return and record everything as per regulations. Do not disturb us unless necessary.”

The matrons and the presiding Wedding Attendant exchanged glances. The Emperor was the supreme authority, and his word was law. They bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Nie Long sat quietly without uttering a word, only tightening her throat slightly when she heard the door close. Yet, she had no idea what to say to this unfamiliar Emperor.

Chu Ji walked step by step toward the bed, his eyes deep and unreadable. His steps were slow and light, as if afraid of startling the beauty before him. When he finally stood before her, he clenched his fists nervously and cleared his throat.

“Are you tired? I—”

He swallowed his words. Spotting the Auspicious Scale on the nearby table, he reached for it, his voice tight, lending a husky undertone to his words. “I will lift your veil now. The Phoenix Crown is heavy, and wearing it for so long will surely leave your neck sore tomorrow.”

The red veil was lifted by the slender fingers holding the Auspicious Scale.

Nie Long raised her eyes, momentarily discomforted by the sudden light. She blinked several times before adjusting, her eyes glistening with moisture. Her gaze lingered on the man’s face for a second before she lowered her eyelids, her long, curved lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

The young woman was clad in a grand crimson wedding gown, her skin like fine jade, her features delicate and refined. Her face bore subtle yet exquisite makeup, adorned with a Forehead Decoration that accentuated the deep red of her lips. She was the epitome of grace and beauty, a peerless vision of loveliness.

At the sight of that familiar face, Chu Ji’s heart softened inexplicably. It wasn’t just her rare beauty—having grown up in the imperial palace, he had seen countless beauties in his time.

Yet, it was her face alone that had imprinted itself on his heart, unforgettable even as memories turned to ashes.

For a moment, his throat felt clogged, rendering him speechless.

The bridal chamber fell into silence. Nie Long grew uneasy. Had she somehow offended this Emperor who wielded supreme power?

Perhaps, having long been in a position of authority, he disliked such aloofness from others. Maybe she should have been warmer, offered him a smile?

Chu Ji remained lost in thought for a long while, recalling the same scene in his past life. Back then, he had been occupied with state affairs late into the night, even skipping the celebratory banquet in the front hall for the court officials. When he entered the bridal chamber, he had mechanically lifted her veil as a mere formality.

She had looked at him the same way then—her eyes glistening, misty, as if seeing him and yet not seeing him. Her gaze seemed gentle but was in truth distant and unfamiliar.

After a long pause, Chu Ji suppressed his turbulent emotions and spoke hoarsely, “Let us drink the Nuptial Wine.”

He poured two cups of wine, filling each to eighty percent, then exchanged a portion between them until both cups contained a blend of the other. Handing one to her, he said, “Once this ritual is done, you may rest.”

Nie Long accepted the wine, stealing a glance at him. His expression was inscrutable—neither pleased nor angry—making it impossible to guess his thoughts. Nervously, she downed the wine in one gulp, only to choke as the mildly spicy yet sweet liquor burned its way down her throat and settled in her stomach.

The man patted her back gently, and Nie Long trembled slightly, too afraid to cough again.  

She didn’t notice that the moment she choked, the emperor—who seemed rather intimidating in her eyes—had reflexively moved as if to pull her into his arms and soothe her carefully.  

Chu Ji stood beside her but didn’t dare embrace her, keeping a slight distance as he reached out to help her catch her breath.  

“Feeling better?”  

Nie Long swallowed the tickle in her throat and replied, “Better, thank you… Your Majesty.”  

This was the first time she had spoken directly to the emperor. Her voice was soft, delicate, and tinged with a hint of timidity. Chu Ji’s throat bobbed slightly, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he said, “No need for formalities, Empress. It’s getting late—let’s retire for the night.”  

Nie Long: “…”