Grand Wedding

The Prime Minister's residence has towering vermilion gates and majestic stone lions.

Surrounded by a group of maids and servants, Yan Shu stepped across the threshold, her palms slightly sweaty. She tried hard to recall the demeanor she had in period dramas, slowing her steps, straightening her back, and trying her best to look like a true lady of a noble family.

In the main hall, the father, Cui Chong, and the mother, Wang, were already waiting.

Cui Chong was about forty years old, with a thin face. He glanced at her before slowly speaking, "It's good that Shu'er is back. From now on, you must be careful with your words and actions. Your marriage is settled. After you marry into the Prince Duan's mansion, you must uphold the virtues of a wife and not disgrace the Cui family." He paused, implying something, "And... do not disappoint your father's expectations."

Yan Shu lowered her head and obediently replied "Yes," but her heart skipped a beat.

The mother, Wang, truly cried, hugging her tightly and calling her her darling, her tears soaking her clothes.

Back at the exquisitely decorated "Shuyun Garden", Yan Shu immediately dismissed everyone else, leaving only the innocent-looking Chun Tao behind.

“Chuntao,” she said, feigning shyness, “I don’t remember many things after I fell into the water. Tell me, what kind of person is His Highness Prince Duan…?”

Chun Tao's eyes lit up, and she lowered her voice: "Miss! Prince Duan is the God of War of our Great Yong! He looks like a god in a painting! It's just that... he has a very cold personality and doesn't get close to women. He even returned the beauty that His Majesty bestowed upon him! Everyone says that he is a block of ice that can't be warmed! This time, it was Master who personally asked His Majesty for the marriage decree, so the prince had no choice but to agree."

Cold-hearted? Indifferent to women? Icy?

Yan Shu immediately pictured Ling Yuan looking at the TV with a wary expression, and almost burst out laughing.

"So... what does he like? What does he dislike?" she continued to probe.

Chun Tao thought hard for a moment: "I heard that Your Highness likes quiet, loves reading, especially military books, and is particularly good at martial arts! It seems... he is also quite picky about food."

Prefers quiet? Loves reading? A picky eater?

Yan Shu's eyes darted around, and she had an idea.

Just then, a stern-faced old woman came in carrying a black lacquered tray with a bowl of dark brown herbal soup on it, the smell of which was so strong it was pungent.

"This old servant greets Miss." The nanny's movements were meticulous. "Miss, it's time for your medicine. The Prime Minister instructed that this medicine must be taken on time to be effective."

The words "Prime Minister" and "effective" were emphasized.

Yan Shu felt a chill run down her spine and immediately feigned weakness: "Granny... my stomach hurts terribly, and I feel nauseous. If I drink now, I'll definitely throw up... I'll put it here and drink it after I've calmed down."

She deliberately made her voice tremble, and even broke out in a cold sweat.

The old woman stared at her for a while, seemingly trying to determine if it was true or false, before finally placing the medicine bowl on the bedside table: "Please be sure to take it later, Miss." With that, she withdrew.

Yan Shu stared at the bowl of dark, murky medicine, her heart sinking. Historically, the Princess Consort of Duan had "died of illness"... Was this medicine really alright?

On the eighth day of the fourth month of the seventeenth year of Yongye, Prince Duan was married.

Amidst a grand procession of red bridal processions and the deafening sounds of drums and music, Yan Shu, dressed in an elaborate wedding gown and wearing a heavy phoenix crown, felt like a beautifully wrapped gift being delivered to its destination.

The tedious rituals finally ended, and she was sent to the new room of Prince Duan's mansion—Lingxiao Pavilion.

The air inside was thick with the cloying aroma of dates and longans, making it hard to breathe. Yan Shu sat upright on the edge of the bed, which was covered with a bright red brocade quilt, listening to her unusually calm heartbeat.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door, steady and clear.

The door was pushed open, and a tall figure, reeking of alcohol, swept in. He waved for the servants to leave.

The room suddenly became eerily quiet.

He walked to the bedside, picked up the jade ruyi, and as the cool jade touched the edge of the veil, he slowly lifted it upwards.

In the candlelight, Yan Shu looked up and finally saw her husband clearly—the young Prince Duan, Ling Yuan.

He was dressed in a bright red wedding robe, his posture upright, his handsome face possessing an almost aggressive allure. His eyes, as he looked at her, held no warmth whatsoever, only scrutiny and an innate aloofness.

"Your Highness," she said, lowering her eyes and trying to keep her voice soft.

He responded with a very faint "Mm".

She walked to the table and poured two cups of nuptial wine. As their arms intertwined, she smelled the alcohol and cool fragrance emanating from him. She drank it in small sips as was customary; the wine was spicy.

The ceremony is complete.

Next...

Yan Shu's heart skipped a beat. Knowing Ling Yuan's personality, he might just leave.

But she guessed wrong.

Ling Yuan put down his wine cup and began to unfasten his jade belt and auspicious outer robe. His movements were swift and composed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He removed his outer robe and walked to the bedside. His tall figure loomed over her, and as he looked at her slightly stiff body, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Settle them in." He said calmly, his tone devoid of emotion.

There were no questions, no tenderness, only commands.

The red curtains fell, the ribbons of the wedding dress were untied, and the elaborate headdress was removed... His touch was not rough, and could even be considered proper, but the procedural coldness was more chilling than roughness.

Yan Shu closed her eyes, suppressing all her emotions deep inside.

After an unknown amount of time, everything fell silent.

Yan Shu was exhausted and drifted off to sleep, curled up in a daze. Her last thought before losing consciousness was crystal clear: No matter what, she had finally taken the first step.

Ling Yuan lay quietly in the darkness, listening to the even breathing of the person beside him. The fragrance of an unfamiliar woman lingered around his nose.

This daughter of Prime Minister Cui... is more tolerant than I imagined.