Jests aside, Yan Xiao began assisting with the preparations for Ji Bozhai's grand wedding in the palace.
He truly spared no expense—even the crimson double-happiness characters were gilded with gold foil, pasted all along the palace road leading to the main hall. Palace servants bustled in and out with red silks and embroidered satins, while master craftsmen hurriedly refurbished the main hall’s ceiling. Painters meticulously retouched the intricate patterns on the beams and lintels.
The hall was piled high with gifts prepared by Ji Bozhai. Though the man claimed to disdain common betrothal customs, he had still prepared a full sixty-six loads of gifts for Mingyi. Other families might pad such numbers with empty displays, but as Yan Xiao lifted the red silk covers to inspect them, he half-suspected Ji Bozhai had emptied his private treasury.
Fifty gold items alone, each one substantial.
After a complicated expression crossed his face while tallying the gifts, he made his way to the Facing Sun inner courtyard.
There, preparations were in full swing. Embroiderers rushed to complete the wedding attire from dragon-and-phoenix kesi brocade, and Mingyi happened to be trying it on.
In the bronze mirror, her jet-black hair cascaded like ink, her brows and eyes as elegant as orchids, her waist slender enough to be encircled by a single hand.
Yan Xiao entered, paid his respects, and glanced at her wedding attire, raising a brow. "Haste makes waste—why was the dragon pattern chosen?"
Dragon and phoenix symbolize harmony, with the dragon representing the man and the phoenix the woman.
Mingyi smiled as she sat and poured him tea. "As a city lord, am I not worthy of the dragon motif?"
"Worthy, of course," he chuckled. "But when you stand beside Bo Zhai, it might look less like a wedding procession and more like a sworn brotherhood ceremony."
Mingyi laughed softly, averting her gaze. "The campaign sets out the day after tomorrow—will you be joining, my lord?"
"Naturally," Yan Xiao nodded, then added, "The campaign has been kept tightly under wraps, necessitating the cover of your wedding. I hope you don’t resent it. His Majesty has said that if you have even the slightest displeasure, adjustments can still be made."
"At this point, what’s the use of changing anything?" Mingyi waved a hand. "I was born for war. A battle as my wedding gift suits me just fine."
Relieved by her attitude, Yan Xiao exhaled.
Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Had Mingyi truly forgiven Ji Bozhai?
Ji Bozhai studied his reflection in the bronze mirror, clad in dragon-patterned wedding robes, and frowned. "Rushed work. The attire isn’t splendid enough."
Despite his words, the corners of his lips curled upward, his eyes brimming with joy.
Granny Xun couldn’t help but laugh. "Your Majesty’s grace outshines any attire. Even if the robes were lacking, you’d still be the most resplendent in the realm."
That was precisely what he wanted to hear.
Satisfied, Ji Bozhai nodded, then fussed over every inch of the robes.
"This old servant has already inspected them—they’re flawless," Granny Xun assured.
He pursed his lips, silent for a long moment, fingers toying with the hem before he finally murmured, "Granny... I’m nervous."
A man who wouldn’t flinch if Mount Tai crumbled before him—now claiming nerves? Granny Xun stifled a laugh, smoothing his hair and eyeing his clenched fists. She could already picture his expression during the ceremony.
Today’s wedding followed the inner courtyard’s protocol: Mingyi would first tour the bridal carriage, then alight at the palace gate, where His Majesty would receive her and escort her to the ceremonial hall.
Originally, he was to wait at the palace gate at the first hour of You (5 PM), but Ji Bozhai had risen at dawn, donned his wedding robes, and then paced restlessly around the palace.
Unable to bear it any longer, Granny Xun ushered him to the palace gate by Shen (3 PM).The streets were bustling with excitement for the wedding of Sunspire City's lord.
Mingyi was a woman, and a devoted lord who had worked tirelessly for her people. Many citizens had taken to the streets on their own accord, scattering red paper and chasing the bridal carriage to toss copper coins.
This was not an act of disrespect but the highest form of blessing. From a distance, Ji Bozhai watched the approaching bridal carriage, thinking how remarkable his beloved was, cherished by so many.
Yet, in the next moment, he sensed something amiss.
It was currently the hour of Shen, still one shichen (two hours) before the agreed time—why had the bridal carriage already arrived at the palace gates?
The procession escorting the carriage had been lively with music and celebration, but upon spotting figures already standing at the palace gates from afar, they faltered in surprise, their drums and gongs falling silent.
As the two parties drew closer, Ji Bozhai snapped out of his daze and stepped forward with a smile. "Luckily, I couldn’t wait and came out early. Otherwise, with your sudden arrival, I truly wouldn’t have been ready to receive you."
A brief silence followed inside the carriage before the window was pushed open.
Mingyi lifted her gaze to him, noting how exceptionally handsome Ji Bozhai looked today—his brows sharp as if carved, lips touched with rouge, and eyes that seemed to hold the shattered brilliance of Muxing’s night sky, all its glimmering fragments gathered within.
Resting her chin on her hand, she smiled. "Morning or evening makes no difference. I promised Your Majesty we’d wear these Dragon and Phoenix Silk Tapestry Robes together, and today, I’ve fulfilled that."
Ji Bozhai’s smile stiffened slightly, confusion flickering across his face.
Why was there not a trace of bashfulness in her expression, but rather a look he knew all too well?
It was one he often saw in the mirror.
Indeed—it was the mocking, pitying gaze he wore whenever he’d tricked someone and watched them fall for it.
Ji Bozhai felt his blood run cold. "What do you mean?"
Flicking her sleeve, Mingyi replied, "Having worn them together counts as keeping my promise. Now, if Your Majesty would kindly step aside, I’m in a hurry to return to the inner courtyard for my wedding."
His chest tightened violently, the sharp pang leaving him momentarily breathless.
"You…" His Adam’s apple bobbed. "Return to the inner courtyard for your wedding?"
"Indeed." Mingyi leisurely shifted to the side, allowing him to see the other person seated inside the carriage.
Zhou Zihong, clad in a phoenix-patterned silk robe, sat quietly beside her, the hems of their garments knotted together. His eyes were lowered, the picture of serenity. The two of them—one dragon, one phoenix—made a perfect pair.
Ji Bozhai let out a hollow laugh. "Your wedding… is with him?"
"Zhou Zihong is gentle and considerate toward me. Why shouldn’t it be him?"
Rage surged belatedly, darkening Ji Bozhai’s gaze. "So these past few days, you’ve been toying with me."
"Your Majesty exaggerates. How could it be called toying?" Her eyes sparkled with vindication. "You simply misunderstood. I never agreed to marry you."
"..."
Watching the expression on the man before her, Ji Bozhai suddenly understood.
Mingyi was just like him—someone who repaid every slight in kind. He had once given her empty hope, and now she was determined to return the favor, believing it only fair.
"I wronged you first," he said hoarsely. "If I let you take your revenge, will you forgive me?"
"I’ll let it go." Mingyi mused. "The entanglement between us isn’t that deep. After today, we’ll be even."
If this truly erased the resentment in her heart, then Ji Bozhai thought it was for the best—even if it felt like he was dying inside right now. He deserved it.However, with her temperament, if she were to marry Zhou Zihong, she certainly wouldn't dispose of people as easily as he did. They might even have to live together, share meals, sleep side by side, experience joy and sorrow together.
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