The sedan chair stopped in front of a secluded courtyard. Zhao Rou gently lifted the curtain and looked towards the brightly lit main hall. She could vaguely hear the sounds of wedding night festivities. Each laugh was like a sharp knife, deeply piercing her heart.

As fellow brides, Zhao Yun received blessings from everyone in the main hall, while she seemed insignificant, not even qualified to go to the main hall to pay homage to her husband, and was even ignored by everyone.

She slowly walked into the simple room prepared for herself. Although the interior furnishings were not lacking in exquisiteness, they seemed particularly desolate compared to the main hall.

Zhao Rou sat on the edge of the bed, clutching an embroidered handkerchief tightly in her hand, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She had fantasized countless times about the glory of becoming the principal wife, but she never expected that she would eventually step into the gates of the Duke's mansion in such a way.

At that moment, a hint of regret flashed in Zhao Rou's eyes. She thought that if she had married a poor scholar, with her father's status as a former Grand Secretary, she might not have been unable to live a happy life.

But there's no going back in life; there's no turning back now.

As the night deepened and all was quiet, the sounds of the wedding night revelry gradually faded away, replaced by a profound silence within the Duke's mansion.

Zhao Rou sat alone in her room, tears silently streaming down her face, wetting the embroidered handkerchief in her hand.

The moon was high in the sky when all the guests had left.

Zhao Yun, with a veil over her head, sat nervously on the wedding bed.

"Yu Ming, has your husband arrived?" she asked anxiously, her voice trembling slightly.

"Madam, the son-in-law hasn't arrived yet! You've asked him several times already."

Yu Ming stood to the side with a smile, trying to ease the tense atmosphere, but the worry in her eyes was hard to hide.

“Oh, then let’s wait a little longer. Many of my husband’s colleagues from the court came today, and my father-in-law and husband should be taking care of them…” Zhao Yun said softly, trying to find an excuse for Li Huai’an, but the unease in her heart surged like a tide.

The flames on the wedding candles crackled and popped.

The candlestick slowly collapsed.

The night was already very deep, and the moonlight outside the window had become even colder.

Li Huai'an still hadn't come, and Zhao Yun's heart was filled with disappointment and unease.

She couldn't sit still any longer, so she stood up and paced anxiously around the room.

"Yu Ming, go to the front yard and ask around. Is your husband tied up with something?"

Zhao Yun's voice carried a hint of urgency; she hoped Yu Ming could bring some good news.

Yu Ming responded and was about to go out to inquire about the situation when a servant hurriedly came over and stood outside the door to deliver a message: "Young Madam, the young master sent me to tell you that he is staying at Pear Fragrance Courtyard tonight, so you don't need to wait any longer."

"Pear Blossom Courtyard, which lady is that?"

Yu Ming opened the door, her brows furrowed, and slipped some loose silver into the servant's hand, trying to find out more information.

"That's the concubine Rou who came in with the young mistress today."

The servant answered in a low voice, then turned and hurriedly left.

"Zhao Rou! How dare she steal my wedding night!"

Upon hearing this news, Zhao Yun trembled with anger, ripped off her wedding veil, and let it fall to the ground.

Her eyes blazed with furious fire, as if she wanted to burn everything to ashes.

"I am the legal wife! He, Li Huai'an, didn't even enter my room on our wedding night. How am I supposed to stand in this Duke's mansion from now on?!" Zhao Yun was on the verge of a breakdown. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying hard not to let her tears fall.

Yu Ming hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Miss, no matter how much pain you feel or how desperate you are about your husband, you have to endure it! There is still the Duke and your mother-in-law in this mansion. They won't just ignore us."

"Yes, there's still the Duke and his mother in the mansion; they won't just ignore it. Li Huai'an favors his concubine over his wife; his colleagues will impeach him..."

Zhao Yun sat back on the bed, looking utterly dejected.

This wedding night was undoubtedly a heavy blow to her.

Lixiangyuan.

Zhao Rou hadn't expected Li Huai'an to come to her room today, so under Le Kui's care, she blew out the candle early and went to rest.

She was awakened by a rude knocking on the door.

Zhao Rou suddenly woke up and instructed Le Kui to light the phoenix lantern.

"Auntie, the young master has arrived."

As the two were talking, Li Huai'an, already drunk, stumbled into the house by feeling his way along the door frame.

"Get out—all of you, get out!"

He shouted drunkenly.

Le Kui and Li Ling, who was following behind him, quickly retreated and closed the door.

"Master, shouldn't you be in my sister's room?" Zhao Rou didn't even have time to put on her shoes. She got out of bed barefoot and went to help Li Huai'an, who was staggering.

"What? Are you going to teach me how to pamper a woman?" Li Huai'an ripped off her outer garment.

Zhao Rou felt a sudden chill and abruptly shrank her shoulders.

"My lord, you are tired. Let me help you rest." She endured the chill and reached out to untie Li Huai'an's belt.

The next moment, Li Huai'an grabbed her chin and kissed her fiercely.

With a loud thud, it seemed as if Li Huai'an's leg bumped into the bench in front of the bed.

"Master, Master, please don't worry..."

Zhao Rou's voice was both shy and anxious.

Le Kui and Li Ling, who were outside, heard it clearly. They looked at each other and then lowered their heads awkwardly.

They knew this would become a common occurrence in their household, but seeing it with their own eyes made them feel even more embarrassed.

"Master... um... Master..."

Li Huai'an's actions became increasingly brutal. He lay on top of Zhao Rou, biting and nibbling at her without any regard for her feelings, as if he were simply venting his animalistic desires.

Zhao Rou felt a sharp pain from the belt digging into his waist. She tried to struggle, but the difference in strength was too great, and she could only let him do as he pleased.

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