In the most luxurious international five-star hotel in the capital city, there was a lively atmosphere.

Today was the marriage between the powerful Duan and Bai families in the capital. Duan family’s Omega youngest son, Duan Changchuan, and the Bai family’s Alpha daughter, Bai Su, were having their wedding ceremony here.

Everyone knew this was a marriage without any affection between the couple. Bai Su and Duan’s youngest son had never even met before, but from today onwards, they were bound together.

Moreover, once the Alpha-Omega bond was marked, whether through physiological or legal means, these two individuals could never separate for their entire lives.

“You see these wealthy conglomerates, what’s the use of having money and power if their marriage partner is based on the profit gained, tsk tsk tsk.”

“The taller the tree, the more wind it catches^[1]树大招风 (idiom): A famous or rich person attracts criticism; The richer you are, people will envy you; being targeted;, so they have to stick together… sigh, it seems that the lives of rich people aren’t that great.”

“Forget it, if they could give me half of Duan’s family fortune, Don’t say about marrying someone I don’t like, even if I was to be a “warding off” brides^[2]冲喜: Wedding for a very sick young man in the hope of recovery, and become a widow, I’ll be willing.”

“Hahaha, you’ve got a point.”

It was nearly eleven at night, the banquet was over, and guests gradually left. Passersby observed the luxurious scene, discussing it with interest. But in the suite room on the top floor of the hotel, the couple that the entire nation was talking about remained oblivious.

The Omega who was now in loose sleepwear, lowered their gaze while unbuttoning the Alpha’s clothes and softly said, “Thank you for your hard work.”

The light shone on his face, tinged with a translucent red due to alcohol. A teardrop mole at the corner of his eye bestowed a touch of delicacy on the clear and handsome young gentleman.

The rich scent of gardenia wafted in subtly through the nostrils… It was Omega’s pheromones.

One could imagine that, soon, under the stimulation of the Alpha, how this scent would carry a different… sweet fragrance.

Bai Su silently took a breath and exhaled lightly. Raising her hand, she caressed his cheek with her fingertips.

“You have removed the inhibitor?” Her voice was husky, with a slight upward pitch at the end. It was a normal question, but it carried a thick tenderness in her tone.

“Mm,” Omega lightly responded, with an imperceptible tremor in their voice.

Bai Su withdrew her hand, twirled her fingertips, and let out a breathy laugh, “Good, I’ll go take a shower first. Wait for me, alright?”

While speaking, her gaze fell on the nearby bedroom with a king-size bed.

Omega’s eyelashes trembled, and with a restrained voice, they replied, “Okay…”

The sound of water in the bathroom ceased, replaced by the humming of a hairdryer.

In May, the weather in the capital was warm and cozy. The fragrances of gardenia and peony intertwined in the room… It seemed like the temperature had risen.

As the sound of the hairdryer faded, the lamp ‘clicked’ off, leaving only a dim light in the spacious bedroom.

Ambiguity flourished.

Alpha leaned in front of the youth, asking in a low voice, “Duan Changchuan, have you ever liked someone?”

Omega’s gaze flickered, turning their face slightly, and responded shakily, “No… I haven’t.”

The woman made a sound resembling a laugh, “Coincidentally, me too.”

“So… I will mark you as mine today?”

The youth curled their fingers, remaining silent.

One second, two seconds…

After a long time, they finally closed their eyes, exhaling softly, “Okay…”

In the luxurious room, a light and gentle laughter rang out, saying, “Good boy.”

The light cast shadows on the golden walls, creating intimate silhouettes…

Into the late night, the sound of prolonged sobbing persisted.

Imperial Palace, Ming Sheng Hall, Emperor’s sleeping chamber.

A young man in bright yellow robes frowned, breathing rapidly, “Duan Changchuan… why are you so adorable…”

He heard someone softly whispering in his ear, gentle in each word.

The next second, he found himself in a dimly lit room…

A man in official robes sat on the side couch, looking at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “Your Majesty is now of age, it’s time to marry a virtuous empress so that I can entrust the imperial power in the future.”

His mother touched his sleeve with tears in her eyes,“Imperial son, do not defy your uncle… “

It felt like he was torn between two worlds.

On one side, there was a fiery embrace…

The woman kissed his neck, saying, “Duan Changchuan… from now on, be my omega, okay?”

On the other side, there was suppressed weeping of his mother’s crying.

“Imperial son, listen to your uncle… What’s more important, imperial power or our lives?”

“Imperial son, you can’t compete with him… Mother beg you, please…”

Different voices and different scenes intertwined in his mind. The young man’s breath surged, becoming more rapid.

Until he suddenly stood up, opened his eyes, and fiercely slammed his fist on the hard wooden edge of the bed.

The door was hastily pushed open, and his name was called, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty! What happened to you?”

Suddenly, all the confusion gradually faded away, and a clear face appeared before him.

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty? Are you having a nightmare?” Wearing a hundred-flower-patterned robe, a young eunuch quickly adjusted his breath for him.

Duan Changchuan blinked, looking around the vermilion sandalwood…

There was still a dazed look in his eyes, “I just had a dream…” he slowly spoke, “I dreamt of…”

The words stopped abruptly.

The attending eunuch, seeing him silent for a long time, couldn’t help asking, “Your Majesty, what did you dream of?”

The young man pursed his lips, sadly shaking his head, “Chang Le, it seems… I’ve forgotten.”

And then he fell into a long silence.

Candlelight flickered in the gilded hall…

A soft sigh echoed in the room, “Your Majesty, let this servant assist you in changing. The regent has sent someone to inquire if you have risen, don’t delay today’s auspicious wedding ceremony.”

The young man lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes trembling involuntarily…

A muffled sound came from his throat, “Mm.”

He was dressed in layers of ceremonial robes…

As the hour of the Dragon approached, the early spring sun climbed onto the eaves of the houses. The 18-year-old emperor stood outside the Ming Sheng Hall. The red robe fluttered and the young man walked gracefully down the ivory-white stone steps, step by step.

“A dragon” and “a phoenix,” two long processions met at one point and then slowly withdrew, leaving a wide path hundred feet wide. Clusters of banners and fans. The wind blew, creating rustling sounds.

Finally, within sight, at the end of the road, a luxurious red carriage with ornate wheels appeared.

A woman in newly tailored wedding attire descended gracefully. The phoenix embroidered with golden threads seemed to land in a sea of brilliant red.

Duan Changchuan gazed at the approaching figure, his hand in the sleeve involuntarily clenched into a fist…

Bai Su, the eldest daughter of the current prime minister, was actually a daughter from the concubine’s quarters. She was also the new empress he was married to today.

Bai Yanyuan, that old fox, conspired with the regent, making claims about the legitimacy of the eldest daughter and vehemently resisting the marriage arranged by the late emperor, and he sent Bai Su into the palace to replace her sister.

Because of this, everyone knows that the current emperor was a puppet who was unable to even protect his own marriage.

Lost in his thoughts, the sleeve of his robe was gently tugged. He heard a low reminder from Chang Le, “Your Majesty?”

The young man’s gaze lowered, only to realize that the gorgeously dressed new empress had already knelt not far from him.

“This humble girl pays respects to Your Majesty,” the woman spoke.

Her voice lacked the usual softness of an ordinary woman, but instead carried a hint of oppression. It was the kind of authority that naturally emanated from her movement and tone. Just like someone who has long been in a high position.

“The time has come, let the noble lady bow in respect and receive the Phoenix Seal!” The ceremonial official recited in a lofty tone from the side.

Chang Le presented the Phoenix Seal, bowed, and approached, “Your Majesty.”

Duan Changchuan hesitated before accepting…

Coincidentally, the woman lifted her head.

The corner of the crimson vermillion lips slightly curved upwards. A pair of narrow and beautiful eyes stared at him without turning away.

“This concubine thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Duan Changchuan… why are you so obedient…”

Two voices echoed simultaneously, yet unmistakably belonged to the same person. The former was earnest, while the latter carried a playful and lazy tone. A fleeting image seemed to pass before his eyes, yet it left nothing behind.

Duan Changchuan’s hand trembled, and the Phoenix Seal fell into mid-air, he even heard the shrieks of the ministers. Yet suddenly, a pair of hands caught it steadily. In the blink of an eye, the Phoenix Seal appeared before him, unharmed. A breath of the scent of peonies floated with the rise and fall of the sleeves.

“Is this Your Majesty’s test for this concubine?” she said.

As her voice rose and fell, her phoenix-like eyes slightly curved, exuding an endless indulgence.

The elegant young man, dressed in fiery attire, suddenly blushed at the tips of his ears.