The Glory

Ji Lаn аnd Shu Hong stoоd bеhind Han Yаn. After thе mаtrоn оf hоnоr finished dressing аnd adorning Han Yan, she lооked аt her аnd smilеd, sауing, "Thе уоung lаdу is truly а celestiаl bеautу. The prinсe is truly blеssed with goоd fоrtunе."

Наn Yаn slоwly raisеd hеr heаd аnd gаzed аt her rеflеction in thе mirrоr. Thе person in thе mirror had bright eуеs аnd gleаming teeth, her smilе tingеd with shуness, hеr сhееks flushеd likе pеаch blоssoms. Нer hair wаs elеgаntlу stylеd аnd аdоrned with peаrls, jade, and enamеl—indeed, she wаs an eхcерtionаlly beautiful woman. Suddenly, she recalled her previous life, when she had dressed in the same way but lacked much of the radiance she now possessed. Could it be that living through different experiences could even change one's appearance?

She drifted into a daze for a moment, then smiled self-deprecatingly. Perhaps she was just too nervous.

Ji Lan and Shu Hong were both visibly excited. In their world, nothing brought greater joy than seeing Han Yan find happiness. Their young lady was such a good person; she deserved someone wonderful to cherish her. Yet fate had been so unkind to her. Now, at last, her hardships had come to an end, and sweetness had taken their place.

Deng Chan stood at the innermost part of the room. After handing the additional bridal gifts to Ji Lan, she walked over and took Han Yan's hand. "How wonderful that you are marrying the prince."

Han Yan smiled faintly. "When will you and General Cheng hold your wedding?" Han Yan was aware of the relationship between Deng Chan and Cheng Lei—the daughter of a civil official and the son of a military general—an unexpectedly perfect match.

Deng Chan blushed but did not deny it. She seemed a bit flustered, then after a moment's thought, she smiled again. "You are my dearest friend. Back then, it was you who saved my entire family..."

In her previous life, Minister Deng had seemingly offended someone and ended up with his family ruined and scattered. In this life, however, thanks to the schemes of Han Yan and Fu Yunxi, The Emperor had staged a play to distinguish the loyal from the treacherous. At the time, Minister Deng, who had been sidelined and neglected, displayed the integrity befitting a noble civil official and regained The Emperor's trust. Just like that, his fate was altered. Although Deng Chan did not know the exact details of what had transpired, she understood that it was Han Yan and Fu Yunxi's plan that had restored her father's standing with The Emperor. No matter what, it was Han Yan who had helped them.

What Han Yan did not tell Deng Chan was the tragic fate Minister Deng had met in her previous life. If that life had been a muddled nightmare, then this life felt more like a beautiful future she had consciously created while awake. Deng Chan had not married that scholar from the Hanlin Academy but had instead chosen Cheng Lei. Cheng Lei was inherently kind-hearted and would undoubtedly treat Deng Chan well. Everything was as it should be.

She smiled and said, "Nonsense. This has nothing to do with me."

Deng Chan was about to say more when a call came from outside: "The auspicious hour has arrived. Please escort the bride to the sedan chair."

It was already time to board the sedan chair.

The matron of honor draped the bright red bridal veil over Han Yan and led her to the doorway.

The bride was to be carried to the wedding sedan on the back of a male relative from her natal family. There, Zhuang Hanming was waiting for Han Yan. After the truth of the matter came to light, Han Yan had learned that Zhuang Hanming was not her biological younger brother. Wang Shi had remained chaste for the Donghou Prince her entire life. Zhuang Hanming was actually the child of one of her close friends. That friend had given birth to a child out of wedlock before marriage and had begged Wang Shi for help. Wang Shi, soft-hearted and with Zhuang Shiyang paying her no mind, had adopted the child. Others, unaware of the truth, assumed the child was Wang Shi's own. The friend's family later left the capital, so there had been no complications over the years.Han Yan and Zhuang Hanming were not related by blood, yet in those past days, when Wang Shi was still alive, the familial affection between them could not have been feigned. Han Yan had never revealed her true origins to Zhuang Hanming, but he must have guessed it long ago. Neither spoke of it openly, yet both understood it in their hearts.

Han Yan leaned onto his back as he carried her. The young boy she once needed to protect had now grown into a man capable of standing on his own. Han Yan heard his familiar voice murmur softly, "If he ever dares to mistreat you, tell me, and I’ll avenge you."

Han Yan was taken aback, warmth spreading through her heart, as the voice continued, "You will always be my sister."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhuang Hanming felt something warm trickle down his neck.

Han Yan softly hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing more.

Carried into the bridal sedan, the curtain was lowered. The man seated atop the tall horse was dressed in red. Accustomed to seeing him in white robes, the vibrant crimson wedding attire stripped Fu Yunxi of his usual sternness and aloofness. His refined features appeared gentler, exuding an indescribable charm and elegance. He sat quietly on the horse, watching his young wife enter the sedan.

Thus, with the clamor of gongs and drums, the procession of red dowry stretched for miles.

The streets were packed as crowds gathered to witness the spectacle. The grandeur of the man on horseback and the dowry procession was such that even a true princess might not have received such treatment. Of course, the common people did not know that the bride inside the sedan was, in fact, a true princess. Destined to be a phoenix, her fate in this life differed vastly from her previous one. It seemed to prove that when one’s way of living changes, destiny follows suit.

While organizing the wedding gifts from the guests, Ji Lan came across a peculiar jade box. Its extraordinary craftsmanship and iridescent glow made it clear it was no ordinary item. Opening it, she found a pair of crystal-clear jade bracelets, snow-white and dazzling, incredibly precious. Puzzled, Ji Lan thought she should have remembered such a valuable gift, yet she had no recollection of who had sent it. After some thought, she decided to set it aside for the time being and ask Han Yan about it later.

Amid the bustling crowd of onlookers, on the second floor of a street-side tavern, a masked man held a cup of wine, the corners of his lips slightly upturned, though his smile carried a tinge of loneliness and bitterness.

"I thought you were going to snatch the bride?" a voice suddenly sounded from behind.

The masked man turned, his wolf-like green eyes glinting coldly. Recognizing the newcomer, he sneered, "So you came specifically to stop me. To trouble the esteemed General Cheng is truly an honor for me."

Cheng Lei smiled faintly. "If you’re not snatching the bride, then offer your blessings. That’s what you think too, isn’t it?" The wedding ceremony proceeded—the bowing, the vows, the lifting of the veil—as if rehearsed countless times before.

In the bridal chamber, candlelight flickered as the two intertwined their arms, each holding a cup of wedding wine to the other’s lips. Their shadows cast upon the pristine white screen painted a picture of intimate entanglement.

The man drained his cup in one gulp, then raised an eyebrow at the woman’s puzzled gaze. "Surprised I haven’t fainted yet?"

The woman gasped, trying to pull away, but her body was held firmly in his embrace as his warm breath brushed against her face.

"Fu Yunxi, you tricked me!" the bride exclaimed in frustration.“Does drugging me not count as deceit?” The man, shedding his usual detached demeanor, chuckled softly. “It seems the princess consort is so unwilling to share a bed with me that she has forgotten how, half a year ago at Lotus Clear Pond, someone attempted to take liberties with this prince.”

Han Yan frowned. She simply wasn’t ready for the consummation yet, which was why she had asked Tang Sheng for the sleeping draught to give him. She hadn’t expected to be discovered so quickly. Was Fu Yunxi’s nose as keen as a dog’s?

Fu Yunxi casually removed his bright red wedding robe, revealing the snow-white undergarment beneath. He walked to the daybed and reclined lazily upon it. Seeing Han Yan standing there in a daze, he spoke softly, “Come here.”

Han Yan glared at him. The man reclining on the daybed had hair as dark as ink, his robes draped carelessly, revealing the hem of a dark green garment embroidered with subtle patterns beneath. With a strong pull, the small figure before the daybed was drawn into his warm embrace.

“What are you doing?” Han Yan’s large eyes widened, her cheeks flushed red, whether from anger or embarrassment.

A playful smile graced his handsome face. His tall frame shifted slightly as his hand reached up to stroke the head of the small figure in his arms. With a gentle tug, the carefully arranged bridal hairstyle came undone.

“Y-you, don’t you dare act recklessly!” The young woman was startled, squirming left and right in an attempt to break free from his hold. But then she heard a meaningful, clear, and captivating voice: “The princess consort has only waited for this prince half a year, yet this prince has waited for the princess consort a full seven years.”

“Huh?”

“What husband and wife ought to do, let us accomplish today.”

Within the warm hibiscus-curtained bed, the night of spring was spent, and the moonlight was just as lovely. She did not know they had met once many years ago, nor did he know the person in his arms carried a tragic past life.

But what did it matter? Time was long, and they were husband and wife now. In the days to come, all the stories of the past could slowly be shared, whispered gently to one another.