“Fine! If I agree, will you let me sleep? I’m willing!” She treated it as a joke. As long as she could sleep immediately, she didn’t mind agreeing.
“Hey! Hey!” His smile stiffened again. Looking at the sleeping Lan Ling’er, Dong Fang Che helplessly carried her into the mansion.
“Princess Consort? Who? Me? I’m not!” Who does he think I am, calling me a princess consort, putting me in this bridal chamber, and lying on the same bed with me?
“Of course! Who else is qualified to be my princess consort?” It seemed she had forgotten about the day’s events.
“Impossible! We are as pure as river water! I think you’re drunk. Where is this place? I want to go home!” Unfamiliar surroundings made Lan Ling’er try to get up and leave, but Dong Fang Che gently pulled her back. Before she could react, his lips were on hers, his body pressed against her. The kiss was long and lingering, gradually calming her struggles. After a long time, their lips slowly parted. Lan Ling’er’s face was completely red.
“Damn you, Dong Fang Che!” Lan Ling’er lowered her head and gently hit his chest.
“Still don’t believe? Fine! Come in, all of you!” He knew she would deny it, so he decided to bring in witnesses. He didn’t mind spending more time with his lovely princess consort.
“Your Highness, Princess Consort!” Five or six old servants entered and quickly lowered their heads at the sight of the couple on the bed. The prince was quite bold!
“Tell the Princess Consort whether she voluntarily married me today or if I tricked her into marriage?” Dong Fang Che looked at Lan Ling’er and smiled mischievously.
“Princess Consort, you voluntarily agreed to marry the prince today and were not forced!” One of the old servants stepped forward, speaking softly.
“Heard that? Alright, you can all leave now! I’m going to consummate the marriage with the Princess Consort!” With witnesses, how could she deny it?
Voluntarily? How could that be? Wait! Today, I seem to have hazily said “I do.” Could it not have been a dream, but real?
Raising her long, beautiful eyelashes, she blushed and glanced at Dong Fang Che. He was smiling wickedly—could it be that today… she dared not continue thinking.
“Believe me now, Princess Consort?”
He gently caressed her burning cheek, his warm voice softly laughing in her ear.
“Can I sleep first?” She truly hoped today was just a nightmare!
“Of course! But you’ll have to make up for the wedding night later!” Feeling exhausted, his eyes grew heavy with sleep. He wrapped his arm around her tightly and drifted off. Good night, my precious princess consort! Dong Fang Che thought to himself.
So easy-going! Princess Consort? No way!!!
In the snow-white illumination, the imperial palace stood like a snow house. Though luxurious, it seemed somewhat cold compared to an ordinary farmhouse. The freshly painted walls occasionally released a fragrant scent, and scattered guards added an air of mystery and solemnity.
From far away, a clear zither sound could be heard, sometimes melancholic, sometimes excited, as if telling a distant lover’s story.
The noble and elegant empress faced the same question. Turning her gaze to the unusually calm Dong Fang Che beside her, her heart was in turmoil.
Sitting by the ancient zither, the empress gracefully strummed its strings. Wearing a golden phoenix robe, her delicate snow-white skin appeared even more radiant under the snow-white jade. With sophisticated makeup and phoenix eyes, despite being over forty, her face still radiated charm.
Seeming to hear approaching footsteps, she raised her proud phoenix eyes, glanced dismissively, then lowered her head, softly playing the zither and muttering a poem with a hint of sarcasm: “Heavenly purple moongrass fragrant wind, lonely wild flowers dark and tragic; Each family has its own strategy, ugly daughter-in-law must bow to her father-in-law.”
What a venomous empress! Before even arriving, she had already delivered a warning. It seemed today’s morning greeting would not go smoothly.
The empress dowager merely declared, “This palace has a fine ancient zither. I wonder if the Queen of Mingqi would be willing to play a piece for me?” She avoided direct conflict with her son, instead aiming to embarrass her.
“Yes! Since the empress dowager has such refined interest today, I naturally should not decline!” Aware of the unfriendly gaze, she recognized this as a ploy to make her lose face. However, she smiled faintly, her jade-like hand gently plucking the silver strings. The melodious sound flowed smoothly, like fish in a river, clouds in the sky—free and graceful.
Ignoring the empress dowager’s surprised expression, she spoke:
“itinerant winds and rains drift vaguely, Matters of love set aside; Court struggles and royal conflicts, Who says the imperial house is without turmoil?
Unintentional lies born of love, Rare is a devoted heart’s true companion; Mother and son’s hearts in sync, Concubines not worth mentioning;
An imperial mother not virtuous, Today different from the past.
Life in this world is but a few short years, If there are regrets in this life, why urgently seek a blameless next? Love, hate, emotion, grudge, birth, aging, illness, death, Life seems but these eight words. Love in this life, hate in the next, Emotion and righteousness, grudge and severance; Born in this life, aging in this life; Illness speechless, death what understanding?
Holding hands and growing old together is beautiful, But if true love is eternal, is it not beyond daily moments? Life may have many inevitabilities, But the world is vast, what suffering is there to speak of? Wealth and glory, passing like clouds; Competing and striving, futile efforts; Looking back in confusion, drifting like fallen leaves, Leaving only an empty reputation!”
As she finished, the zither fell silent. Looking at the pale-faced empress dowager, she slowly walked past her with a victorious smile.
“Mother-in-law, your daughter-in-law has performed poorly!” She bowed slightly, speaking to the shocked empress dowager.
What a sharp-tongued and clever girl!
Last night’s visit made her question her naivety, but today she displayed surprising strength.
“Mother, we have paid our respects. I will take the Queen back now. Otherwise, the Emperor would blame me for indulging in worldly pleasures!” He observed the expressions of both women, pulling her back to his side with a smile.
“Hmm!” The empress dowager folded her phoenix sleeves, gazing at the pure white lotus in the river, displeased.
“This son takes his leave!” Ignoring the empress dowager’s dissatisfaction, he embraced Lan Ling’er and left the jade pavilion.
Noisy sounds broke the tranquility of the morning as the sun rose.
“Husband, can I sleep a little longer?” Rubbing her eyes, she held Dong Fang Che’s warm hand and cuddled closer.
“My dear, I want to give you a surprise today. Would you prefer to sleep or see what I’ve prepared?” This sleepy little cat, who went to bed earlier than him, was now even more drowsy.
“A surprise? Husband, really?” She blinked her bright eyes, curiously looking at her handsome husband.
“When have I ever lied to you? Let’s go!” His expression was focused, and time seemed to stand still, his long hair falling over his face.
He suddenly turned back, his eyes flashing a mischievous smile. She felt him lean down, his warm breath spraying on her face, then his thin lips met hers.
Her eyelashes trembled in the cold wind as the kiss grew gentler, like the soft coat he wore.
“Husband, you’re so bad!” Lan Ling’er said coyly, her face flushed. Despite his many kisses, she always felt shy.
“Bad? Do you want me to be even worse?” His hand began to untie her waist belt.
“Husband is not just bad, but a total lecher!” Lan Ling’er laughed and ran away.
