Chapter 1

On the day of Xu Yunqi’s grand wedding, the belatedly sweet osmanthus flowers of the capital city had already fallen to the ground. By dusk, amidst the dimming wind and rain, the wedding sedan chair, escorted by officials from the Ministry of Rites, arrived at the Prince Xi Mansion.

Xu Yunqi was to marry the third young master of the Prince Xi Mansion, Pei Muheng, who was hailed as the most esteemed young master in the capital.

Along with the throngs of people entering the mansion, there were also voices of congratulations mixed with mocking tones.

“The third young master is the emperor’s most favored grandson. At such a young age, he has been involved in the governance of the six ministries. Among the emperor’s numerous grandsons, only the crown prince’s eldest son and the third young master are allowed to attend court.”

“Indeed, I remember thirteen years ago when the national treasury was empty, and thirty thousand iron cavalrymen from Great Wu were at the city gates. The envoy from Great Wu stood proudly in the Golden Hall, but the seven-year-old third young master, armed with a sword, did not retreat. Quoting classics, he drove away the arrogant envoy. Such courage is still praised today.”

“That’s nothing. Two years ago, the third young master participated in the imperial examination and quietly took the first place. That was truly impressive.”

“He is not only skilled in both literature and martial arts but also possesses unparalleled beauty. He is truly one of a kind…”

Such a unique individual was forced to marry an unknown girl from a humble family. Amidst the banquet, there were silent sighs of regret.

“Miss Xu is truly fortunate,” someone sighed.

“What’s so fortunate about it?” a woman sneered softly. “At the emperor’s birthday banquet that day, when fireworks blossomed on the Yinque Terrace, among so many daughters of officials, why was it that she was pushed to the third young master’s side? I think she did it on purpose.”

No one disagreed with these words.

A month ago, at the empress’s birthday banquet, the daughters of fifth-rank officials entered the palace to offer their congratulations. The sky was clear, and the stars shone like fireflies. The emperor, leading a group of civil and military officials and their families, gathered at the Yinque Terrace. The terrace was ablaze with lights, silver trees glittered, and colorful fireworks cascaded like a galaxy, mesmerizing the spectators.

One particular firework bloomed above the Jade Bridge, illuminating Pei Muheng’s handsome face. At that moment, a woman in a moon-colored dress gracefully entered the scene. One was stunningly beautiful, the other had an ethereal charm, with the sky as dark as ink and the flowers falling like snow, resting on their shoulders like frost, making them appear like immortals descending to the mortal realm.

Seeing the captivating pair, the drunken old emperor had a stroke of inspiration and pointed to bestow the marriage upon them. Upon sobering up, he inquired about the woman’s family background and learned that Xu Yunqi was the daughter of a fifth-rank official from the Ministry of Works. She had been raised in the countryside and had only recently returned to the capital. Her character and talents were unknown, and her family status was not a match. The emperor was stunned.

However, the emperor’s words were final, and the marriage was thus decided. When the decree spread throughout the capital, everyone said Xu Yunqi had great scheming skills.

Xu Yunqi indeed took the initiative to step onto the Jade Bridge, but it was not for Pei Muheng.

Fine rain, carrying the scent of osmanthus, wrapped itself around the room. Autumn’s chill suddenly arrived, turning Xu Yunqi’s nose red with cold. She sat alone on the vast wedding bed, waiting until her legs went numb and her eyes grew sore. After a moment, she gently lifted the bridal veil and placed it aside.

What greeted her eyes was the flickering red light and the lavishly decorated room. Before she could take a closer look, she heard her maid, Yin Xing, sobbing intermittently:

“Just now, I went to the tea room to get some water, and I heard the old servant woman gossiping. She said that the Princess Consort had her eyes on the daughter of the Xun family next door. She had planned to propose marriage after the empress’s birthday banquet, to marry her to the third young master. But now that the emperor has granted this marriage, Princess Consort’s plan has fallen through.”

Yin Xing stood bowed before the bed, looking at Xu Yunqi with teary eyes, full of anxiety. “That second young lady of the Xun family and the third young master are childhood sweethearts. They must have deep feelings for each other. Look, it’s almost midnight, and the third young master still hasn’t returned. Could it be that he doesn’t want to enter the bridal chamber?”

Xu Yunqi, not yet accustomed to the dazzling lights in the room, rubbed her eyes and turned to see Yin Xing with tears in her eyes. She then comforted her: “He will come. The emperor granted this marriage, so he will surely show up. Besides, even if he doesn’t, it won’t matter.”

Her tone remained calm and composed.

Yin Xing looked at the lovely Xu Yunqi sitting on the wedding bed, then glanced around the desolate bridal room, feeling a pang of sorrow.

Since entering the Prince Xi Mansion today, they had heard that the Princess Consort was ill. The entire wedding banquet was managed by the eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Xie. The banquet was more strict than festive. In ordinary families, relatives and friends would come to make merry at the bridal chamber, and if not, there would at least be an unmarried sister-in-law to accompany the bride.

However, the Prince Xi Mansion simply completed the ceremony by sending her to the bridal chamber, leaving the young lady to sit there alone with no one caring about her. The grand display outside was just for the emperor’s eyes, but the people within the mansion did not favor this marriage. Adding to this was the fact that after almost two hours of waiting, there was still no sign of the groom, which further deepened the worries.

Despite the whispers among the townsfolk and the cold treatment from her in-laws, Xu Yunqi never uttered a word of grievance. Her eyes always carried a smile as she gently comforted her maid: “Pour me a cup of tea, and let’s wait a bit longer.”

Just as Xu Yunqi was about to rub her sore arms, she heard very light footsteps approaching from the corridor.

The steps were light and steady, indicating a man.

Xu Yunqi glanced at Yin Xing, who understood and quietly stepped aside.

Xu Yunqi sat up straight, holding the jade token, and waited for Pei Muheng to arrive.

After a short while, the door was pushed open, and the warm yellow light interwoven with the red glow, casting shifting shadows as a tall figure stepped inside. A gust of cold wind followed, instantly sweeping away the room’s warmth.

The red candles flickered, the rain mist thickened, and the wind gently blew in, lifting the hem of Xu Yunqi’s blue gown with phoenix patterns. The cold intensified, causing her to shiver lightly. Facing the visitor, she stood up and respectfully bowed. She heard faint noises, and the black boots with cloud patterns stopped at the beaded curtain. For a moment, the wind’s sound subsided, and the room fell into an eerie silence.

The person paused briefly before slowly walking in, bringing a chilly frostiness with him.

Xu Yunqi glanced over lightly.

The hazy light from the corner cast a shadow on his handsome and chiseled features. His deep eyes were hidden in that shadow, and his gaze swept over Xu Yunqi from above, lingering for no more than a second before he returned the greeting with a slight nod. He then sat down on a red lacquered cloud-patterned armchair by the screen, his long, thick eyelashes drooping slightly, betraying a hint of fatigue.

Xu Yunqi gestured for Yin Xing to pour tea for Pei Muheng and then dismissed her.

The couple sat in silence for a while, neither speaking.

Pei Muheng’s sharp eyebrows lowered, ignoring the tea in front of him. His gaze inadvertently fell on the flickering candle flame, causing a brief moment of distraction. He had lived in this room for twenty years, but now it felt unfamiliar.

The furnishings were brand new, and the spacious and bright eastern room was now filled with women’s items, such as a redwood inlaid with gemstone dressing table, and a zitan chaise longue piled with various dowry boxes. And then there was the unfamiliar face, timidly sitting on the wedding bed. Pei Muheng pressed his slightly aching forehead and closed his eyes without saying a word.

Pei Muheng remained silent, and Xu Yunqi didn’t pay him any mind. Holding the jade tablet, she quietly dozed off until she heard his unhurried voice in her half-awake state: “Now that you are part of the royal family, every word and action of yours represents our Prince Xi Mansion.”

His well-defined fingers gently traced circles on his temple, a section of his lean, strong arm visible from beneath his sleeve. The dim light outlined his smooth muscles, and his eyebrows lowered, making his emotions unreadable.

Xu Yunqi stared at him in a daze, her vision gradually becoming clear.

Pei Muheng’s gaze remained averted, but his tone gradually became solemn, even carrying a hint of coldness. “I am usually very busy with official duties and have no time to manage the household. You should learn to handle the affairs of the inner residence and consult my mother when necessary.” He paused as if recalling something and added, “My study is a critical area in the mansion, so don’t come to the front courtyard to find me unless it’s important. Just send someone with a message if needed.”

Xu Yunqi understood; he was worried she might become a bother. She slowly lowered the jade tablet in her hands and looked at her unfamiliar husband, responding with a soft “Mm.”

In the stillness of the night, her gentle “Mm” sounded like a soft breeze brushing across the surface of a lake, carrying a hint of murmuring.

Pei Muheng, who had never been one to pity or cherish beauty, showed no reaction and continued, “At home, serve your parents-in-law with respect and propriety. Be cautious and humble outside, and remember, we are one. Your actions reflect on me. Do you understand?”

These were his three rules for her.

Xu Yunqi understood clearly. Her clear eyes fixed on his direction, she nodded and said, “I understand.”

Seeing her straightforward agreement, Pei Muheng felt a bit of his restlessness dissipate. He extended his long arm, grasping the light blue teacup with his fingers, and took a sip before casually opening his eyes to look at her.

“And you, if you have any requests, speak now.”

Whether she had acted intentionally or not that night, now that they were married, respect was due. He could set the rules, and she could state her demands.

Their gazes met in the hazy light, clashing like swords, with neither side yielding.

Xu Yunqi couldn’t think of any expectations she had for this nominal husband, so she shook her head and said, “None.”

Pei Muheng looked away and said no more.

After a moment of silence, he stood up and said, “I have important matters to attend to. You’ve had a long day; you should rest now.”

Then, his tall figure crossed the beaded curtain and headed to the west chamber.

Xu Yunqi silently watched the swaying beads, not saying a word.

Since he didn’t like her, he naturally had no interest in consummating the marriage. Xu Yunqi felt a sense of relief and turned to summon her maid.

Yin Xing stormed in, her cheeks puffed with frustration. As she helped Xu Yunqi change and freshen up, she grumbled indignantly,

“I thought the third young master would come to consummate the marriage, but instead, he just set a bunch of rules. It’s not like we’re happy to be royal wives…”

Before she could finish, Xu Yunqi’s gaze stopped her. Xu Yunqi gently rubbed the handkerchief and comforted her troubled maid. “Not consummating the marriage has its advantages. Such things should happen naturally.”

Yin Xing helped Xu Yunqi through the layers of curtains to the empty wedding bed, muttering softly. “Will that day ever come?”

Xu Yunqi hesitated, then smiled without answering. The evening breeze scattered the gentleness in her eyes, leaving only a trace of indifference deep in her pupils.

Pei Muheng had someone in his heart, and she had her own plans. Two unrelated people were forcibly brought together by the old emperor, which was utterly absurd.