Mo Li

After looking down on a crowd of vulgar people, Murong Ting went off to admire her own hand, which had touched Prince Ding’s relics. Lord Ye, in high spirits, lavished praise on Ye Li, already envisioning the fame and glory the Ye family would gain once news spread that Ye Li had retrieved the Cloud-Grasping Sword. Whether the sword contained hidden treasures or military strategies was secondary—Lord Ye had enough self-awareness to know that even if there were treasures, he wouldn’t get a share. In comparison, the effortless prestige was far more meaningful.

"Third Sister is truly fortunate. Prince Ding rushed over so quickly upon hearing of Zhennan Wang Shizi’s visit—proof of his deep affection for you," Ye Ying said softly, her watery eyes fixed on Ye Li.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Fourth Sister and Prince Li share the same deep love, do you not?"

Ye Ying quickly glanced at Mo Jingli, then lowered her head with a look of grievance. Observing this, Lord Ye frowned slightly. Could Ying’er truly be suffering in Prince Li’s Palace? With this thought, he subtly studied Mo Jingli’s expression before asking Ye Ying gently, "Ying’er, have you been adjusting well in Prince Li’s Palace these days?"

"Ying’er is doing fine. Thank you for your concern, Father," she murmured, eyes downcast.

Reassured, Lord Ye turned to Mo Jingli with a smile. "Ying’er has been pampered since childhood. If she makes any mistakes, I hope Your Highness will be lenient."

Mo Jingli replied, "Rest assured, Father-in-law. This prince will cherish Ying’er dearly."

"Excellent! In a few days, Li’er will also be married. Haha, this year our Ye family is doubly blessed!" Lord Ye declared with satisfaction. The three present wore varied expressions—Ye Li nodded with a faint smile. "Father speaks truly."

May 20th

Before dawn, Ye Li was dragged out of bed. Though she was accustomed to early rising, the pitch-black sky outside still made her sigh in resignation. The groom’s procession would arrive just before noon, yet she had to rise in the fourth watch to be primped and preened.

After a fragrant petal bath, attended by her maids, she emerged to find Second Aunt, the Duchess of Hua, Qin Zheng’s mother Madam Qin, and Madam Ye—who had helped prepare her dowry—already waiting in Qingyi House with Murong Ting, Hua Tianxiang, Qin Zheng, and Qin Yuling.

Hua Tianxiang entered, beaming, holding the wedding gown made of Phoenix Brocade. The luminous fabric enhanced her delicate beauty. "Congratulations," she mouthed silently, smiling at Ye Li.

Ye Li returned the smile, raising her arms like a puppet as the women dressed her. Under the candlelight, the majestic phoenix shimmered among intricate peonies, appearing and disappearing with the shifting light. Against the vibrant red of the gown, Ye Li’s usually pale, refined features took on a rosy glow.

"So beautiful… truly worthy of the Phoenix Brocade," someone murmured, leaving the others momentarily spellbound.

Madam Hua glanced at Madam Xu, who watched Ye Li with tender pride, and gained a deeper understanding of Ye Li’s standing in the Xu family. Patting her dazed daughter, she chuckled, "Enough admiring—step aside. We have makeup to apply." Without further ado, she guided Ye Li to the bronze mirror, where she, Madam Xu, and Madam Qin began debating the perfect hairstyle.Ye Li silently endured their fussing in front of the mirror, taking the opportunity to watch Murong Ting pulling a few girls aside to make faces at her. By the time the ladies with differing opinions finally settled on a hairstyle, the sky outside was already beginning to lighten. Ye Li couldn't help but sigh inwardly, finally understanding why preparations had to start so early. If they'd begun at dawn, they probably wouldn't have finished by the time the groom's procession arrived.

Once her hair was done, several maids cleverly brought over multiple sets of jewelry that had been prepared in advance. Madam Hua didn't rush to adorn Ye Li, instead smiling as she instructed the maids, "Quickly bring your young lady something to eat—once the makeup is done today, she won't be able to eat anything else." Qingshuang stuck out her tongue playfully and cheerfully dragged Qingyu off to prepare some food. The ladies also took the chance to step outside for a short rest.

As soon as the adults left, the younger girls immediately crowded around Ye Li.

"So, A Li, are you nervous?" Murong Ting propped her chin on her hands, resting on the table as she asked curiously.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Whether I'm nervous or not, you wouldn't know. But in the future, I can certainly see whether you get nervous or not."

Murong Ting's pretty face flushed instantly. "I—I wouldn't... I definitely wouldn't be nervous!" she stammered.

Hua Tianxiang grinned at her. "You're already stumbling over your words, yet you still claim you won't be nervous? You'll definitely be more nervous than A Li." She then turned teasingly. "Ah... next will be Zheng'er. Zheng'er, you'd better prepare yourself!"

Qin Zheng shot Hua Tianxiang an annoyed glare, her small face reddening as she muttered, "Why are you suddenly bringing me into this?"

Ye Li couldn't resist pinching Qin Zheng's blushing cheeks. "Tianxiang has a point, doesn't she, future cousin-in-law?"

"You... Li'er, today is your wedding! How can you... how can you..." Qin Zheng looked helplessly at her giggling friends and Qin Yuling, who was snickering in the corner. The one who should have been embarrassed showed no sign of it, while she, who had nothing to do with it, was the one left flustered.

Hua Tianxiang wiped away tears of laughter. "Don't be mad, dear Zheng'er. She's just a weirdo—don't expect her to act shy or bashful." She then turned to examine Ye Li and nodded in satisfaction. "Our Li'er really is a great beauty."

Ye Li felt a drop of sweat roll down her forehead. "You're not trying to say 'clothes make the man,' are you?"

"Of course not! It's just that you usually don't pay much attention to dressing up. But look at you now—even without jewelry or adornments, you still shine brilliantly. Hehe... Prince Ding is sure to be stunned."

Ye Li shrugged, offering no comment. If even a beauty like Consort Liu couldn't catch Mo Xiuyao's eye, it was hard to imagine what kind of beauty would leave him dumbstruck.

Qingshuang and the others soon returned with some light breakfast. After eating and resting briefly, the ladies came back in to select accessories and apply makeup. Since the wedding dress couldn't be tried on beforehand and there was no second dress, the jewelry, hairstyle, and makeup all had to be finalized based on how the dress looked once worn. Thus, three sets of jewelry had been prepared in advance for selection.

In the end, the ladies unanimously chose a set of gold filigree peony hairpins inlaid with rubies, paired with dangling tassels and a few gem-studded gold hairpins for accent. Next came the makeup—lightly penciled brows, a touch of rouge, and then Madam Qin's creative addition: a tiny half-blooming peony painted at the center of Ye Li's forehead.Ye Li gazed absentmindedly at the elegant and radiant woman in the bronze mirror, almost failing to recognize herself for a moment. Her jet-black hair was styled into a graceful bun, adorned with gem-studded tassels that swayed gently under the candlelight, adding a touch of allure to the dignified and luxurious red wedding dress. A faint smile formed in Ye Li's heart—she had never imagined that words like "alluring" or "radiant" could ever be associated with her.

"So beautiful, even Lier herself is stunned, isn't she?" Hua Tianxiang teased.

Ye Li shot her a glare. Madam Hua, smiling, ushered the young ladies out. "Alright, everyone, let's step outside for now. The bride needs some rest—the groom's procession will arrive soon." The crowd congratulated Ye Li once more before cheerfully departing, leaving only Madam Xu behind. With a beaming smile, Madam Xu handed her a thin booklet, instructing her to read it carefully before also stepping out. Left alone, Ye Li could only stare blankly at the booklet in her hands. She hardly needed to guess its contents. After a moment's thought, she stood up and tucked it away into a rarely used chest.

The Ding Royal Palace was clearly far more reliable than Prince Li's Palace. By mid-morning, Qingyi House was already bustling with activity. Madam Hua and Madam Qin personally draped the Phoenix Brocade veil over Ye Li and supported her as she bid farewell before the ancestral tablets of Ye Laofuren, Lord Ye, and Xu Shi, surrounded by the crowd.

The most eye-catching aspect of this wedding was, naturally, the groom—whose presence, while expected in principle, was entirely unexpected in practice. Long before, many had speculated about whom the Ding Royal Palace would send to fetch the bride, but no one had imagined Prince Ding would come himself. The streets from the entrance of the Ye residence to the Ding Royal Palace were already packed with curious onlookers from the capital. At the sight of the crimson-clad Prince Ding, the crowd couldn't help but recall the dashing, carefree youth of years past, stirring sighs of nostalgia.

Similarly, the grandeur of the Ye family's bridal procession was extraordinary. While Ye Rong, the only male descendant of the Ye family, should have escorted his sister out, the scene outside the Ye residence was entirely different from Ye Ying's wedding. Six exceptionally handsome and distinctive young men stood at the gates. Leading them were Xu Qingchen and Xu Qingze, followed by Xu Qingfeng and Xu Qingbai, with Xu Qingyan and Ye Rong bringing up the rear. The Xu family's young masters each carried their own charm—some refined and ethereal, others stern and imposing, still others gallant and spirited. Even the youngest, Xu Qingyan, exuded intelligence and cheerfulness, leaving Ye Rong utterly overshadowed as he trailed silently behind.

The bride, supported by Hua Tianxiang and Qin Zheng, stepped out of the gates. Under the sunlight, the dazzling Phoenix Brocade wedding dress once again drew gasps of admiration from the crowd.Undoubtedly, this was the liveliest day in the capital. Whether due to the status of the Ding Royal Palace or the extraordinary guests attending the wedding, even the Emperor arrived with the Empress and the Empress Dowager to witness the ceremony—not to preside over it, for that honor belonged to Grand Princess Xifu, whom even the Emperor respectfully addressed as "Grand Aunt." The Ding Royal Palace, which had not hosted guests for seven or eight years, was now filled to the brim. The Grand Princess sat loftily in the main hall, exchanging pleasantries with the congratulatory guests. Mo Jingqi and the Empress sat beside her, engaging in conversation. Though the Grand Princess had withdrawn from worldly affairs for over two decades, the authority of the iron-willed princess, whom even the late Emperor had revered, remained unassailable.

"Your Majesty, Grand Princess, the auspicious hour has arrived."

The steward of the palace entered to announce, and the hall immediately fell silent. Mo Jingqi glanced at the silver-haired yet spirited Grand Princess and smiled. "In that case, let the ceremony proceed. Grand Aunt?"

Grand Princess Xifu nodded and rose, addressing the assembly. "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Empress, and distinguished guests, please accompany me to witness the rites."

The ceremonial hall in the main palace had been meticulously prepared, adorned with towering red candles and an atmosphere of jubilance. The Grand Princess took her seat at the head of the hall, flanked by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. The remaining guests arranged themselves according to rank. Under the collective gaze of the assembly, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li entered the hall, escorted by bridal attendants. It should have been a match made in heaven—a talented scholar and a beautiful maiden—yet the groom was confined to a wheelchair, evoking silent sighs of pity from many. Others lamented that had King Ding not been in his current state, he would have long since married a woman of equal status and brilliance, rather than settling for the obscure daughter of a minister.

"Given King Ding's impaired legs, this ceremony seems to lack sincerity, does it not?" A mocking voice suddenly rang through the hall, like a bucket of ice water dousing a roaring flame. The wedding hall fell deathly silent. All eyes turned toward the source—the section reserved for foreign envoys, where a burly young man sat with a smug expression, staring provocatively at Mo Xiuyao. Clearly, the remark had come from him. Far from feeling any shame, he grew even bolder under the weight of the crowd's attention.

"That's the Eleventh Prince of Northern Rong. I heard he's an idiot. Why would the Northern Rong King send him as an envoy to Great Chu?" Ye Li stood quietly beside Mo Xiuyao, catching the hushed whispers of the guests.

"Have you forgotten? Northern Rong and the Ding Royal Palace share a deep-seated enmity. Though they've reconciled with Great Chu in recent years, they likely still nurse old grudges. They probably sent this fool deliberately to humiliate King Ding."

"How could His Majesty allow such a person to attend the ceremony?"

"He's an envoy from another nation. Having traveled so far, we can hardly deny him the courtesy of witnessing the rites."Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Mo Jingqi looked down at the Northern Rong prince and said loudly, "Eleventh Prince, in the Great Chu wedding ceremony, there is no kneeling ritual, so Prince Ding has no inconvenience." However, the Northern Rong prince clearly had no intention of giving face to the Great Chu emperor. Frowning his thick, bushy brows, he unhappily boomed, "This prince has long heard of the mighty reputation of Great Chu's Prince Ding. Who would have thought that today, I'd see a cripple sitting in a wheelchair?! Could it be that the Great Chu emperor is trying to deceive us?" His words instantly darkened not only Mo Jingqi's expression but also those of all the civil and military officials present.

Lei Tengfeng, the son of Prince Zhennan of Western Liang, who was seated beside the Northern Rong prince, coughed lightly and smiled, "Eleventh Prince, this is indeed the Prince Ding of Great Chu. However, seven years ago, he met with an accident. Today, we are here to witness the ceremony, not to cause trouble. Come, let me toast you." The Northern Rong were barbarians by nature, and this eleventh prince was particularly brutish even among them. He wouldn’t be swayed by Lei Tengfeng’s toast. After scrutinizing Mo Xiuyao up and down, he sneered, "Ah, this prince remembers now. Prince Ding’s injuries were left by our Northern Rong’s Flying Cavalry General. I often heard the general lament how close he was to capturing—"

"Enough!" Grand Princess Xifu, her face livid with rage, could no longer restrain herself, disregarding the fact that the Northern Rong prince was a foreign envoy. She said coldly, "If the Northern Rong prince is here to observe the ceremony, then sit quietly. If not, leave at once!"

The Northern Rong prince was momentarily stunned and opened his mouth to retort, but the two attendants beside him swiftly pulled him back. Though visibly displeased, the prince ultimately held his tongue. The others, seeing the grand princess’s dark expression, dared not speak further. Mo Jingqi coughed lightly and said, "Grand Aunt, it is time for the ceremony."

Grand Princess Xifu’s eyes darkened slightly as she nodded to the ceremonial officer at her side.

"First bow to heaven and earth—!"

"Second bow to the ancestors—!"

"Husband and wife bow to each other—!"

Beneath the crimson wedding veil, Ye Li tilted her gaze slightly and caught sight of the hand beside her tightly gripping the red silk. A sigh escaped her heart. From the moment she had met Mo Xiuyao until now, she had always felt that he was almost unnaturally perfect. Despite being crippled, disfigured, and reportedly in poor health, he carried himself with flawless composure—no self-pity, no despair, no surrender. At all times, his back remained straight, and even seated in a wheelchair, he seemed to stand taller than anyone else. Recalling the fiery youth of legend, this version of Mo Xiuyao seemed all the more illusory and ethereal. What kind of agonizing trials had tempered his blazing fire into jade-like serenity? Only now, at this moment, did Ye Li truly sense a flicker of emotion from him—anger and bloodlust.

Ye Li smiled bitterly. On her wedding day, in the very hall, she could feel her husband’s dark emotions. Even if they weren’t directed at her, it was still a little disheartening.

"Ceremony concluded—escort the couple to the bridal chamber!"In the bridal chamber adorned with festive red, the dragon and phoenix candles burned quietly. Ye Li sat silently on the newlywed bed embroidered with the auspicious pattern of a dragon and phoenix, saying nothing. She knew Mo Xiuyao was sitting not far from the bed, watching her, seemingly with no intention of approaching. "Can I take this off myself?" Unable to wait for the groom to act, she had to ask. After a moment, Mo Xiuyao slowly approached. With a sudden brightness before her eyes, the red bridal veil was lifted, and both were momentarily stunned at the sight of each other. Accustomed to seeing Mo Xiuyao in plain white robes, Ye Li found it quite unfamiliar to see him dressed in bright red. However... this man didn’t seem to look bad in any color. Mo Xiuyao was only dazed for an instant; a flash of admiration passed through his calm eyes but vanished immediately. The two faced each other in silence, feeling somewhat awkward.

Ye Li leaned slightly forward and took Mo Xiuyao’s left hand. Startled, he immediately tried to pull back his clenched fist.

"Let go," Ye Li said softly.

His fingers gradually loosened. The broad palm didn’t resemble that of a pampered noble—it bore several calluses and scars, though none too gruesome. Ye Li remembered a childhood friend once telling her what a man’s hand should be like: it should have some calluses, showing he wasn’t entirely unaccustomed to labor, perhaps a scar or two that didn’t mar his appearance, indicating he wasn’t a delicate man raised in seclusion, and ideally, it should still look pleasing. Such a hand could make a woman feel both secure and delighted. Yet now, this palm was stained with a shocking crimson—four deep gashes still slowly oozing blood. But the man opposite her seemed utterly unfazed, spreading his hand for her to see.

Ye Li lowered her gaze to his scarred palm, lightly touched one of the wounds with a finger, then... pressed down hard. She looked up at his unchanging expression. "Doesn’t it hurt?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, his eyes unexpectedly warming as he looked at her. "This is nothing. I’ve endured far worse."

Ye Li agreed wholeheartedly—for someone who had been on the battlefield, such injuries were indeed trivial. She stood and walked to her dowry, retrieving a familiar small case before returning to sit by the bed. Opening it, she took out clean cotton gauze and medicine to tend to his wounds. "Even if you’re angry, there’s no need to harm yourself. I thought you’d have grown used to it by now?"

A trace of bitterness touched Mo Xiuyao’s lips as he replied softly, "As you can see, I haven’t quite managed that yet." He had believed himself long accustomed—after all, he’d spent seven full years forcing himself to adapt. To accept that he could no longer ride into battle, that he must wear a mask in public lest the scars on his face draw fearful or pitying gazes, to endure frequent bouts of severe illness as if his former life had been nothing but a dream. He’d always thought he’d adjusted well—until today, standing in the wedding hall, listening to the Northern Rong prince’s undisguised mockery. Only then did he realize how far he still was from true acceptance. And so, today, he had not only humiliated himself but also subjected his new bride to disgrace—even if she bore him no resentment.Ye Li clearly saw the guilt in the man's eyes and responded with a faint smile, "I thought you knew that from the moment I decided to accept this marriage, I was prepared for anything."

Mo Xiuyao asked, "You knew this situation would arise?"

Ye Li shook her head and smiled. "Even if it wasn’t this, there would have been something else. Did you really think I expected that after marriage, life would be peaceful and carefree forever? Even ordinary families have their own troubles, let alone a noble household like this."

Mo Xiuyao gazed at her quietly for a long moment before murmuring softly, "Perhaps I can’t promise you a life without worries, but as long as I’m here, I will do everything in my power to give you the life you desire."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "I believe you." Slowly finishing the application of medicine, she put away the supplies with a smile.

"You’ve had a long day. Rest early," Mo Xiuyao said calmly.

Ye Li paused briefly before smiling again. "Alright, you should rest early too."

Mo Xiuyao nodded and called for A Jin to push him out, thoughtfully instructing Qingshuang and the others waiting outside to attend to Ye Li.

By the time Qingshuang and the others entered, Ye Li had already removed all her jewelry and placed it in the dressing table’s jewelry box.

Qingshuang frowned, displeased. "Miss, why did His Highness leave? Grand Princess Xifu explicitly forbade any disturbances to the bridal chamber and excused Prince Ding from entertaining guests. Shouldn’t he be here with you in the bridal suite? Why did he come only to leave again?"

Ye Li turned her head and chuckled. "This is Prince Ding's Estate. Do you really think he has nowhere else to rest?"

Qingluan and Qingyu prepared warm water for Ye Li to bathe, their expressions far from pleasant. However, Ye Li had no time to concern herself with the moods of her maids. In fact, she found Mo Xiuyao's decision incredibly considerate. While she hadn't planned to remain in a nominal marriage with him forever, the thought of being intimate with a man she barely knew after only a few meetings had made her uneasy about whether she could adapt. In this regard, she felt she ought to admire the adaptability of ancient women—normally forbidden from even holding hands with men, yet expected to share a bed with a near-stranger upon marriage.

Shedding the heavy ornaments and lavish wedding attire, Ye Li relaxed contentedly, ready to bathe and rest. By the time she sank into the soft, comfortable bed and drifted into sleep, a faint smile lingered on her lips. Mother, Grandfather, Father and Mother, all my cousins… I’ve married myself off…

Elsewhere in the Ding Royal Palace, in a study, Mo Xiuyao—now dressed in plain robes—sat behind a desk, his expression uncharacteristically dark and icy. Leaning lazily against the doorframe in his crimson robes, Feng Zhiyao chuckled, "Why wear such an expression on your wedding night? Aren’t you afraid of scaring your bride?"

In a corner of the room, a young man with the air of a spoiled noble smirked. "From what I’ve seen, our new sister-in-law has far more nerve than we imagined."

Feng Zhiyao considered this and nodded. "True. I’ve rarely met women as bold as the Third Miss Ye."

"Finished?" Mo Xiuyao lifted his gaze, coldly eyeing the two irreverent figures before him.

Feng Zhiyao shrugged. "That fool tonight was Yelü Ping, the eleventh prince of Northern Rong—son of the favored concubine Xiao Fei, younger brother of the seventh prince Yelv Ye, and nephew of the Northern Rong Flying Cavalry General, Helian Zhen. You haven’t forgotten what you did to Helian Zhen seven years ago, have you?"

The young noble frowned. "Helian Zhen’s surname is Helian, Concubine Xiao’s is Xiao—how is Yelü Ping Helian Zhen’s nephew?"

"Northern Rong’s family ties are a tangled mess. Who knows how they’re connected?" Feng Zhiyao retorted impatiently. "Leng Haoyu, isn’t this your area of expertise?"

The young man—none other than the notoriously unfilial second son of the Zhenbei General’s household, Leng Haoyu—grinned. "From the rumors I’ve heard from Northern Rong, Yelv Ye might actually be Helian Zhen’s illegitimate son."

Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes. "And you trust gossip that’s already reached Great Chu?" Turning back to Mo Xiuyao, he continued, "Seven years ago, when your elder brother suddenly passed, Helian Zhen had the perfect chance to secure unparalleled military glory—maybe even conquer Great Chu. But then you charged into Ghost Sorrow Valley, set the place ablaze, and nearly burned Helian Zhen alive. Not only did he lose troops and generals, but Northern Rong didn’t dare invade for three whole years. By the time they recovered, so had we. Since then, Helian Zhen has fallen out of favor with the Northern Rong king, dragging down Yelv Ye and Concubine Xiao’s influence along with him. Frankly, it’s a miracle they haven’t stormed into Great Chu to kill you outright."

Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently, "So Yelü Ping was sent by Yelv Ye to humiliate me?"

Feng Zhiyao stroked his chin. "Everyone knows Yelü Ping is an idiot. Offending you would be beneath your dignity to retaliate against. The outcome speaks for itself, doesn’t it?"Mo Xiuyao sneered coldly. Today, they were being relatively polite, with only Yelü Ping making a scene. The others must be growing impatient too, right? Feng Zhiyao tapped his forehead thoughtfully and said, "Who would have expected His Majesty to bring the Empress and the Empress Dowager to the Ding Royal Palace? It wouldn’t do to act too rudely in front of the Emperor, would it? Since there’s already a fool making a spectacle of himself, those who pride themselves on being clever naturally won’t speak up. But… the envoys from various countries will still be staying in the capital for half a month. As for sister-in-law—"

"Don’t disturb her," Mo Xiuyao said lightly.

Feng Zhiyao and Leng Haoyu exchanged glances. Leng Haoyu blinked his peach-blossom eyes and asked, "Your Highness, you’re not telling us you plan to hide your newly wedded princess in the Prince Ding's Estate like a treasured beauty, are you? Could it be that the Third Miss of the Ye family is so captivating that Prince Ding fell in love at first sight and now wants to carefully shield her from the world?"

Mo Xiuyao replied, "A Li doesn’t like socializing with the nobility. Don’t bother her unless it’s something important."

Feng Zhiyao frowned, tapping his folding fan. "A Yao, even in ordinary households, a newly wedded wife is expected to manage the household and handle social affairs. How much more so for the mistress of the Ding Royal Palace? If she were just some delicate and incapable noble lady, fine, but Third Miss Ye is no fragile, powerless woman. If she can assist you, it would make things twice as easy for you."

"Feng San is right. Ting’er has spoken highly of Third Miss Ye," Leng Haoyu chimed in.

Mo Xiuyao frowned. "We’ll discuss this later." Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow slightly, then suddenly smiled as if struck by a thought. "Fine, since you’ve made up your mind, we won’t interfere. What was the Emperor’s intention in bringing the Empress Dowager here today? Is he still wary of you?"

Mo Xiuyao said, "When has he ever not been wary of me? Now that the Cloud-Grasping Sword has returned to the Ding Royal Palace, at least a dozen groups have tried to break in over the past few days, and at least three of them came from the palace."

Leng Haoyu’s eyes lit up. "Our Emperor’s men?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "Uncertain, but his people are definitely among them."

Feng Zhiyao grinned at Leng Haoyu. "Leng Er, go keep an eye on that stone-faced general of yours. If His Majesty keeps failing to break in, he’ll probably send him next. After all, he’s His Majesty’s childhood friend and most trusted confidant."

Leng Haoyu curled his lip. "Don’t worry. No matter who comes, they won’t leave this estate with so much as a hair. Just thinking about that stone-faced elder brother of mine fills me with irritation—a brainless fool who blindly follows the Emperor. And yet, every time Ting’er sees him, she looks at him with admiration, while she looks at me like I’m trash. So annoying. That guy better try to break in. Once I catch him and give him a good beating, Ting’er will finally see who’s truly heroic and who’s the real good-for-nothing!"

"Your Highness, someone is breaking into the estate!" The heavy stone door cracked open slightly as A Jin swiftly slipped inside.

Mo Xiuyao’s eyes turned cold. "Where?"

"The princess’s courtyard."

Snap!

"Let none of them escape. Since today is the wedding and it’s inauspicious to shed blood, we’ll entertain them properly tomorrow."

－－－－－－Author’s Note－－－－－－Got married, but no wedding chamber, no romantic moonlit moments, no sweet affection. Nothing at all. Because those come later. Although this story has just begun, Feng has already decided—the next one will definitely feature already-married couples, whether they're time-traveling straight into married life or starting from an alternate universe's post-wedding setting. Hehe, that way there's no need to write about the wedding~