Prince Han's Mansion.

The steward had been waiting at the gate for a long time, and the crackling of firecrackers had already begun when he saw his prince. The surrounding people happily followed the wedding sedan chair to watch the excitement, and the children chased each other joyfully. The steward had his servants distribute some of the celebratory money to the people, who cheered and applauded.

"Lower the sedan chair." The bridal sedan chair was steadily placed at the entrance of the Prince Han's mansion.

"Groom, please kick the sedan chair door; bride, please alight from the sedan chair."

Ji Mohan dismounted, walked to the side of the bridal sedan chair, stood still, and hesitated to kick the sedan chair door.

Yan Wan became nervous the moment she stepped out of the sedan chair, waiting for Ji Mohan to kick the door. However, she did not hear the sound of the door being kicked. Just as she was about to lift her veil to see what was going on, a cold fragrance wafted over, and then she was once again held firmly in someone's arms.

The matchmaker was about to speak up to remind her that it was against the rules, but Ji Mohan stopped her with a cold look.

The crowd surrounding the Prince's mansion gasped as they watched the groom carry the bride into the mansion. It seemed that His Highness Prince Han was extremely satisfied with Miss Yan; otherwise, why would he carry her into the mansion?

Oh, right, it seems that this Miss Yan was betrothed to His Highness Prince Han by imperial decree, and the news in the capital is once again swirling around His Highness Prince Han and Princess Han.

Ji Mohan carried Yan Wan through the main hall and directly to the main room. He gently put Yan Wan down. The emperor and empress sat in the main seats. The emperor looked serious, while the empress looked at the two of them with a smile.

Li Shang, caught in the crowd, watched as his friend carried his young wife in, skipping the need to kick the sedan chair door or step over the fire pit. He chuckled to himself, thinking, "Looks like I'm going to have to admit defeat this time. She's already being so protective before she's even inside. What will she be like once she's inside?"

"Your subject pays respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

Upon hearing this, Yan Wan hurriedly knelt down as well.

"Daughter-in-law greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress."

He wondered to himself, why would the Emperor and Empress come to the Prince Han's residence?

"Good child, get up quickly," the Queen said with a loving expression.

"Thank you, Father and Mother." After the two bowed, Ji Mohan stood up first, and then helped Yan Wan up.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau official was standing nearby, asking the emperor if the auspicious time had arrived. Only after the emperor nodded did the chanting begin.

"The auspicious time has arrived. Please get ready, you two."

"First bow to Heaven and Earth"

"Bowing to the parents twice"

"Husband and wife bowing to each other"

"Sent to the bridal chamber"

"The ceremony is complete!"

After the ceremony, Yan Wan was helped away by her maid, while Ji Mohan remained in the front hall to receive guests. The Emperor and Empress left to return to their palace after the ceremony, and the princes also left after offering their toasts.

Meanwhile, Ji Mohan was toasted by the military officers one after another. Seeing this, Li Shang hurriedly stepped forward to shield Ji Mohan from the toasts.

——

"Miss, are you hungry? Come and have some snacks." Gu Yu pushed open the door and entered, carrying snacks.

"Guyu, come here and give me a massage, my body feels like it's falling apart," Yan Wan said, rubbing her shoulders.

"Okay, Miss, let me massage you. Please eat." Gu Yu massaged her young mistress's shoulders and back, while Yan Wan straightened the plate and stuffed pastries into her veil, wolfing them down. After all, she had been starving all day and was really hungry.

As the moon rose higher, footsteps sounded outside the door. Yan Wan's heart tightened upon hearing them, and she held her breath in anticipation. Inside, red candles flickered, casting dappled light and shadow that created a festive atmosphere. Red paper-cut window decorations adorned the window frames, symbolizing good fortune. The bed was covered with embroidered quilts, exuding a faint fragrance that stirred a sense of longing within.

The sound of the door opening rang out, and footsteps grew closer. Yan Wan nervously clutched her handkerchief. Suddenly, her veil was lifted, and the sudden light made Yan Wan squint uncomfortably before she could see who it was.

Ji Mohan was dressed in wedding attire, the red robes making him appear even more handsome and dashing, but his eyes were filled with coldness, and he stared at me with a hard expression.

The youngest daughter, dressed in her wedding gown and with exquisite makeup, had her red lips slightly parted. She squinted to adjust to the light, like a delicate cat. After seeing herself clearly, she blinked her round eyes at herself.

The flickering candlelight cast a mysterious and romantic glow on their faces. A faint aroma of wine and flowers filled the air, creating a captivating atmosphere.

"Your Highness," Yan Wan called out happily first.

"Miss Yan, do you still remember the conditions you promised me?" A low, husky voice came from above.

"Of course I remember, but we haven't drunk the nuptial wine yet. I'll tell you after we do."

"Miss Yan, my patience is limited. I don't have time to play this boring game with you," Ji Mo threatened in a cold voice.

"But today is our wedding night," Yan Wan said, unwilling to give up.

"Miss Yan, do I need to remind you how our marriage came about?" Ji Mohan said impatiently to Yan Wan.

“His Highness Prince Han has already married me, so there’s no need for this step. After we finish drinking the nuptial wine, I’ll tell you, okay?” Yan Wan looked up and met Ji Mohan’s gaze.

Looking into Yan Wan's bright eyes, Ji Mohan was the first to give in. He walked to the table, picked up two glasses of wine, and handed one to Yan Wan. When Yan Wan raised her arm to drink the wine with him, Ji Mohan raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp, then gave Yan Wan a wicked smile.

Yan Wan stood frozen in mid-air with her arm raised. After seeing Ji Mohan's action, she smiled bitterly and raised her wine glass to drink it all in one gulp.

It's alright, Yan Wan. At least you married him, so you've already succeeded halfway.

"Miss Yan, can you tell me now?"

"Of course. Your Highness's mother, Consort Xue's personal maid, is still alive."

"What? Aunt Fang clearly saw it with my own eyes. Do you know the consequences of deceiving me?" A cold voice came from beside my ear.

"Your Highness, rest assured, what Wan'er said is true. Your Highness can find out by investigating."

Upon hearing this, Ji Mohan turned to leave, but Yan Wan stopped him.

"Halt. Tonight is His Highness Prince Han's wedding night with me. Where are you headed?"

"I'm going to sleep in the study."

"Your Highness, you went to sleep in the study today, right after our wedding. How will the servants in the manor view me? How will the world view me?"

"Yan, our deal is over. I have no obligation to continue this charade."

"Then I'll make a deal with Your Highness. Doesn't Your Highness want to know where Aunt Fang, whom you mentioned, is now?"

"Do you know where Aunt Fang is? Were you just playing a trick on me? Or did you imprison her?"

"What I just said was the agreement I made with Your Highness. The specific location of Aunt Fang is part of our current deal. As for imprisoning Aunt Fang, I don't have the ability to do that," Yan Wan said with a smile, because she knew that since it concerned Consort Xue, Ji Mohan would definitely agree.

Although he had used Consort Xue, he had no choice; only in this way could he get close to Ji Mohan.

I'm sorry, Consort Xue.

"condition."

"Your Highness, I ask that you give me enough dignity and respect in public. In other words, in public, Your Highness should act as a loving couple with me, so that I can have a place in the mansion and the capital."

Tonight, you'll sleep with me obediently!

Ji Mohan's pupils darkened slightly as he stared at Yan Wan with an inscrutable expression. After a long while, his hoarse voice rang out, like that of a wild beast about to erupt in anger.

"Very well, I agree."