Сhаpter 3: Тhe Greаt Раviliоn Соmmander оf the Inner Guard Bureau Таkes а Bridе
Sitting in thе sеdаn chаir, Zhu Yаn аdjustеd hеr wedding drеss, unable to fаthоm how shе had gone frоm being in the рrison that mоrning tо bесоming а bridе in just a few hоurs.
Sighing, thе sedаn сhаir cаme tо а halt. Thе grоund tremblеd with footsteрs from all direсtiоns, аnd the сelebratоrу musiс fadеd аwау.
Zhu Yаn hеard thе mаtchmаker’s fеarful laughtеr as shе sаid, “Grеat Раviliоn Сommander, thе ceremonial vеrses haven’t bеen reсited уеt, yоu cannot…”
Then an unfamiliar man’s voice spoke: “When the Great Pavilion Commander of the Inner Guard Bureau takes a bride, it must follow the Inner Guard Bureau’s rules. The Great Pavilion Commander is merely eager to present a gift to the bride. Catch it.”
“Ah—”
A sharp scream erupted from outside, and a black object was thrown into the sedan chair, rolling to a stop at Zhu Yan’s feet.
Zhu Yan looked down. Crimson liquid splattered across the floor of the wedding sedan. Puzzled, she gave it a light kick—only to find a pair of wide-open human eyes staring directly back at her!
Zhu Yan instantly rose to her feet. Suppressing her shock, she lifted the sedan curtain and demanded, “Who threw this?”
No one answered. Before her, a tall black horse took a few steps closer. A cloak woven with golden threads and embroidered with serpent patterns cascaded from the saddle, and the owner of the cloak cast a cold gaze upon her.
His presence commanded authority without anger, inspiring fear at first sight. A sinister aura, starkly different from that of the Black Yama King.
This was Shen Du.
As Shen Du scrutinized her, Zhu Yan raised her head and lifted the severed head in her hand. “Great Pavilion Commander, your item.”
“Sixth Miss,” Shen Du said.
Hearing him recognize her, Zhu Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. Then she heard him sneer, “Bold enough.”
Zhu Yan’s words were abruptly cut short.
Because Shen Du had drawn his horizontal blade and placed it against her neck!
The matchmaker scrambled up in fright, hastily pleading, “Great Pavilion Commander! Minister Zhang has instructed that the young lady must be delivered to the residence unharmed. His Majesty has also assured Minister Zhang that this is a good match. You must not act this way!”
Shen Du raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sweeping toward the matchmaker. “Is that so?”
Zhu Yan quickly interjected, “She is an official matchmaker. Harming her will bring you no good end. Once you take me into your residence, what follows will be a matter between us as husband and wife.”
Zhu Yan stared intently at Shen Du, stating the facts: “Great Pavilion Commander, the losses would outweigh the gains.”
This act undoubtedly challenged the authority of the Great Pavilion Commander of the Inner Guard Bureau. Jing Lin immediately grew slightly angry. “How audacious! Who are you to instruct the master on how to act?”
Just as the hooves of Jing Lin’s horse were about to strike down, Shen Du moved his own mount.
The black horse snorted softly, positioning itself in front of Zhu Yan.
Jing Lin reined in his horse too late. Though he steadied the animal, he tumbled from the saddle. His cloak, embroidered with golden-threaded sea eagle patterns, was now caked in mud, its original appearance unrecognizable.
Shen Du showed no reaction to this. He cast a cold, indifferent glance at Jing Lin, yet his trusted subordinate felt no resentment at the warning. Instead, he silently rose and said, “This subordinate knows his mistake.”
None of the other Inner Guards showed the slightest displeasure either.
Truly loyal to the core.
But for Zhu Yan, this was not good news. The more loyal the Inner Guards were to Shen Du, the more it indicated that, beyond the power granted by Empress Zhou, Shen Du himself wielded substantial authority.
Such authority was enough for him to deal with any spy planted by others—namely, her.
Realizing this, Zhu Yan could hardly breathe. The blade still resting against her neck sent a chill from the soles of her feet to the crown of her head.
The edge of the blade was aimed directly at her pulse.
Zhu Yan tried to speak, but Shen Du raised the blade.
Zhu Yan stared straight ahead as the blade descended. In the next moment, the wedding fan in her hand trembled slightly, leaving only the fan handle in her grasp."Before entering the residence, I must remind you of three things. First," Shen Du sheathed his blade, "do not delude yourself into thinking that once you step through the door, you will become the true Lady Shen. Second, do not even dream of extracting any information about the Inner Guard Bureau from me. Third..."
"Remember this well—" Shen Du pinched her chin with his long fingers, pulling her close. Leaning down, he chuckled softly by her ear, "Any wife I did not willingly marry will not survive beyond three months. Understood?"
His sinister gaze withdrew from Zhu Yan's face. Before leaving, Shen Du flicked his finger against her jawline.
A dull ache.
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