Was it Xi Linxuan? It should be.
She heard a light sigh, and before she could prepare herself, a jade ruyi suddenly lifted her veil. Instantly, the light brightened, revealing Xi Linxuan, sitting in a wheelchair at almost the same height as her. Wei Linxia dared to meet his gaze only once before lowering her head, her face still burning.
“I’ve wronged you,” were the first words her husband spoke to her on their wedding night.
Wei Linxia slowly shook her head. Her heart, suspended for days, miraculously settled the moment she saw Xi Linxuan, calm and steady.
“You must be tired after your travels and all the trivial matters. Take off your phoenix crown, take a hot bath, and rest,” Xi Linxuan said, his voice light.
Wei Linxia removed her phoenix crown and placed it aside, then tidied the bed, arranging longan, peanuts, and dates. She went to the gold basin, dampened a cloth to wipe her face, knowing Xi Linxuan was watching her intently.
“Your Highness, we haven’t yet drunk the wedding toast,” Wei Linxia filled two small golden cups and handed one to him.
Xi Linxuan turned away, muttering softly: “How can a young girl be so unrestrained…”
“Your Highness knows I’m a young girl,” Wei Linxia replied, somewhat displeased. She felt that despite the unexpectedness of the situation, she wasn’t so repulsed. She had traveled thousands of miles to marry him.
“If this wine is drunk, from now on… Wei Linxia, do you know I never intended to marry you?” Xi Linxuan looked down at the wine cup, appearing somewhat lost.
Wei Linxia had to admit that such words on her wedding night were certainly not happy.
“I never dared to dream of marrying the crown prince,” she said, draining her cup in one gulp. It burned from her throat down to her stomach, making her eyes water.
A cool hand grasped hers, tightening when she tried to pull away.
“What can be done? The imperial decree has been issued. The entire world knows the crown prince has married a daughter of the Wei family. Unless another decree is issued, the crown princess will not be changed,” Xi Linxuan said, his tone carrying a hint of pleading and conciliation.
If an imperial decree were to change the crown prince, the crown princess would naturally be changed as well.
Wei Linxia felt sympathy for Xi Linxuan’s situation and admitted, “I cannot decide if I want to marry you or not. Unless there’s another imperial decree, I will be your consort, your primary wife.”
Saying this made her face flush, her shyness evident in her wedding attire. Xi Linxuan stared at her intently.
“Aren’t you embarrassed to say such things?” he chuckled softly.
“We’re in the bridal chamber. It’s not like I’m saying this outside,” she murmured, attempting to pull her hand away. But Xi Linxuan drew her closer, and she fell against his chest, their eyes meeting.
Memories flooded back, reminding her of a similar close encounter.
Her heart raced as she swallowed nervously. One hand wrapped around her waist while he held a small golden cup. “This doesn’t count. Pour two more cups for the wedding toast,” he said, not releasing her as he leaned on her shoulder to move toward the table laden with food.
The red dragon and phoenix candles burned low, their wax tears flowing down, neither joyful nor sorrowful.
Xi Linxuan refilled their cups, signaling Wei Linxia to take hers. They toasted and drank, maintaining eye contact. Afterward, Xi Linxuan wrapped his arms around her shoulders, enveloping her in his embrace.
“Crown Princess, it’s time to rest,” he said, seemingly in good spirits.
Wei Linxia shifted uncomfortably. Her mother had told her about the wedding night, but she felt afraid.
“Dare to resist? I’ll divorce you,” Xi Linxuan threatened.
“Dare to resist the imperial decree? The Emperor will deal with you,” Wei Linxia retorted boldly, finding his words annoying.
Suddenly, Xi Linxuan leaned down and lightly pecked her lips, quick as a dragonfly touching water, leaving her feeling stunned.
Previously, Xi Zhaoting had forcibly kissed her, which disgusted her. But this felt somewhat sweet… Was the imperial family’s wine particularly sweet?
Before she could ponder further, Xi Linxuan tightened his embrace, raining soft kisses on her forehead, cheeks, and lips.
Overwhelmed, Wei Linxia felt powerless as Xi Linxuan carried her to the red bridal bed. She felt as if she was experiencing a spring drizzle that suddenly transformed into a summer thunderstorm—swift and intense, leaving no place to hide. After the storm, there was a brilliant rainbow and dazzling sunlight, but she sensed Xi Linxuan’s passion was like a beast in bondage—fierce, with a hint of desperation.
She didn’t know why she was thinking this. As they lay embraced, her face against his chest listening to his powerful heartbeat, it felt turbulent and angry. She wanted to calm and soothe him. She quietly lifted her head, and the light through the red curtains illuminated his face, revealing a furrowed brow and an inability to smile, even on this occasion. She missed his previous cold demeanor, which seemed less turbulent. Exhausted, she eventually fell asleep in his arms.
Hearing her steady breathing, Xi Linxuan opened his eyes, momentarily emitting a cold light. But as he looked down at her sleeping face, the coldness softened into warmth.
“I didn’t want to marry you—that was a lie. Before, I wasn’t worthy of you; now, I’m afraid of implicating you… Heaven has not been unkind to me but does not favor you. Wei Linxia, Wei Linxia…”
He laughed softly, his eyes cold behind the warm smile, “We will be fine, for a lifetime, until we’re old! No one can destroy this, no one!”
Wei Linxia was exhausted and slept deeply. When she stirred, her body ached. She opened her eyes to blinding red, memories slowly returning, her face burning. Her bedmate was already gone. Hastily wrapping herself in blankets, she searched for clothes when two palace maids suddenly entered, startling her.
“Crown Princess, please change,” one maid said, laying out clothes and efficiently helping her dress in an inner garment, outer robe, and skirt, finally adding white socks and silk shoes embroidered with a phoenix and large pearls.
“Where is the Prince?” Wei Linxia asked.
“Your Highness is waiting for you to have breakfast and then to meet His Majesty,” the maid replied.
Realizing she had overslept, Wei Linxia felt annoyed and embarrassed for causing her husband’s family to lose face. She hurriedly washed her face and was pressed by the maid to put on powder and rouge, draw her eyebrows, apply flower yellow makeup, and style her hair in a high updo with various pins before being led away from the mirror to meet Xi Linxuan.
On this journey, Wei Linxia finally got to know the Eastern Palace, though they would probably only stay for a few days, like a fleeting dream that would leave no trace.
Along the way, only the rustling of her skirt could be heard. When she saw Xi Linxuan, Wei Linxia was too embarrassed to raise her head, her mind filled with thoughts from the previous night, her face growing redder, like the crimson juice of a touch-me-not flower.
“There are a few peonies in the Eastern Garden. Go, pick the one I left behind,” Xi Linxuan ordered the palace maid, who immediately complied.
Wei Linxia realized he was going to pin another large flower on her head that would “overshadow her face.” How could her husband be so relentless?
“Come, sit down,” Xi Linxuan said.
Facing south, Wei Linxia chose a seat on the west side, still not raising her head, feeling not just shy but also a bit angry.
“Why didn’t you sleep a bit longer? There’s still time before the audience, and the Emperor is currently holding a morning court that won’t end until almost noon,” Xi Linxuan said.
