Chapter 1 There is something wrong with the wedding night.
Zhou Xian stared at the bright red tassels on the phoenix sedan chair. They swayed, making his eyes sore.
He pulled off his red veil and clutched it in his hand. It was embroidered with phoenixes, mandarin ducks, and a large "囍" character. The sedan chair, carried by people, was inevitably bumpy, and his hair, covered in pearls and jade, trembled with the sedan chair. The constant clatter of pearls and jade rustled in his ears, making him feel annoyed.
Even if he is extremely unwilling, once an imperial decree comes down, even if the emperor asks him to marry a pig, he has to marry even if he doesn't want to!
Zhou Shan's life is like a joke.
It's a joke that only a young eunuch could make up when he was talking nonsense under the imperial city.
His mother had passed away three years earlier, leaving him helpless in the palace. Within days of his mourning period, his father arranged a marriage for him. To show respect, he casually bestowed upon him the title of Jiayi. He told the public that Princess Jiayi was beautiful and virtuous, but who would have thought that this princess was actually a man?
Ultimately, it was the sin of the current emperor himself.
Emperor Yongchang had many children, but he loved to use imperial tactics, which led to the princes fighting for power and favor every day, and even made the concubines in the harem restless.
Zhou Shan's mother, Consort Jing of Changchun Palace, was known for her quiet demeanor. To protect herself, she colluded with the imperial physician and boldly lied, falsely claiming she had given birth to a daughter. Fortunately, she fell out of favor, and soon after Zhou Shan's birth, she and her child were forced to move out of Changchun Palace and into the sparsely populated Pearl Pavilion. Emperor Yongchang, not lacking children, actually allowed Zhou Shan to live in the palace disguised as a woman until she was eighteen.
Zhou Shan sometimes wondered what he was. When he was young, his mother would remind him that he was a man; but as time went on, this beautiful woman became increasingly confused, treating Zhou Shan like a daughter until her own death.
Perhaps it was fate that had played tricks on her, but Zhou Xian's voice had become less pronounced as she aged, and when she spoke, she sounded like an ordinary girl. Her height was similar to that of Concubine Jing, so she didn't stand out too much in flat shoes.
So since he was a child, Zhou Shan read girls' books and learned the etiquette and skills of girls in the boudoir. Even the palace maids and eunuchs who grew up with him almost forgot who he was.
She was chaste and virtuous, and was a role model for Princess Jiayi in the palace, but she was indeed not favored, otherwise how could she be betrothed to a top scholar from a poor family?
clang clang——
Outside the sedan, Aunt Yuxi knocked on the window sill and whispered, "Princess, we'll be arriving at the Champion's Mansion soon."
Zhou Xian sighed deeply and put on the red veil again. The moment his vision was blocked by the bright red, he suddenly had some bad thoughts. How funny would it be if this old-fashioned and upright prince consort found out that he was a man?
However, he could only think about it in his heart. His first priority was to play the role of a fragile and virtuous wife. Don't nerds all yearn for the daydream of having a virtuous wife and a peaceful family?
Zhou Shan had been in the palace for nearly twenty years. He was used to seeing the warmth and coldness of human nature and was good at guessing other people's thoughts. He was quite confident that he could fool a nerd by playing the game of guessing and hiding with him.
The sedan chair swayed a few times and then landed steadily on the ground. The accompanying musicians first played elegant ceremonial music, and then there was a burst of festive firecrackers, which made Zhou Shan frown involuntarily and wanted to raise his hand to press his forehead.
Unexpectedly, at this moment the curtain of the sedan chair was lifted.
Zhou Xian was like a frightened cat, his fur trembling, yet he maintained a reserved demeanor. His vision was largely obscured by the red veil, and he could only see a bony hand resting in front of him.
The hand had a few calluses, and the palm was a light red, indicating that it was filled with blood. It was obvious at first glance that it was the hand of a scholar.
Zhou Xian's breathing stopped.
"Your Highness, the sedan chair is high. Please hold my hand and watch your step carefully."
The voice was gentle, low, and soft. Zhou Xian hesitated for a moment, then placed his left hand on the other hand, using it as leverage to carefully descend from the sedan chair.
The hand was incredibly warm, and it politely supported Zhou Shan, guiding him along the red carpet to the hall. Zhou Shan looked down at his lower body, the pearls and gold threads of his shawl gleaming brightly, the tassels and hem swaying with each step.
The royal wedding was a solemn and oppressive affair. No one dared to speak during the short, moderate walk, while only the dull ceremonial music echoed in Zhou Shan's ears. He had no idea who was watching the ceremony, nor did he know where his fate would take him. With his red veil covering his eyes, he walked into the main hall, unable to look back.
Bow to heaven and earth.
If the universe truly had a rational mind, Zhou Xian wanted to question why it had given him birth into an imperial family, leaving him with no say in his life. Marrying meant marrying. If the emperor ever wanted him dead, he would have to obey.
Bow twice to your parents.
Unfortunately, the top scholar was left alone, with his mentor, Mei Ziqian, the Minister of Personnel and Minister of the Imperial Cabinet, sitting in the hall. Zhou Xian had already paid her respects to the Empress and the concubines before leaving the palace, so no one dared to sit in the seat that belonged to his parents.
The couple bowed to each other.
While bored in the palace, Zhou Xian flipped through the top scholar's imperial examination essay, which was indeed eloquent and brilliant. Aunt Yuxi had also inquired about him and reported that the top scholar was handsome and elegant, had never taken a concubine, and was very chaste.
Stories often describe talented men and beautiful women adding fragrance to their romance, and happy enemies finding a wonderful marriage... Zhou Xian looked across at the man wearing a bright red robe and black shoes, and felt annoyed for a moment.
The ceremony is over.
The prince consort stayed in the hall to entertain the guests, while the princess was naturally sent to the bridal chamber.
Zhou Shan was led into the backyard by the old servant of the mansion and into the bedroom. Zhou Shan breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly pulled off the veil, and sat on the bed.
He was suffocated to death!
He held the red veil in his hand and looked around coldly. He saw that the bedroom was decorated very festively, with a big red "囍" pasted on the window. As the sky grew darker, the servants hung lights on the corridor. The dim light made the "囍" look like it was written in blood.
Zhou Xian stared at the red and sneered, "This color is really ugly."
As soon as he sat down, he found something under the quilt. He turned it over and saw that it was indeed something like peanuts and longans. He looked at it for a few seconds and then covered it back in embarrassment.
He can't have children, so it's ironic that he puts these things there.
"Princess!" Aunt Yuxi came hurriedly from the doorway. She was a senior palace maid, about thirty years old, with delicate features. She wore a bright red coat and had a friendly demeanor.
However, Yu Xi looked furtive at this moment. She entered the bedroom, peered around the door, and after confirming that no one was peeping, she quietly closed the door, walked over to Zhou Xian, leaned over, and whispered, "I've already given you the medicine."
"Are you sure it's colorless and odorless and no one can taste it?" Zhou Shan asked in a low voice, clutching her handkerchief, with a nervous expression when this matter was mentioned.
Yu Xi affirmed, "Don't worry, I specifically asked for help from Imperial Physician Li. He also said that if the princess encounters any problems in the future, she can ask him for help."
Zhou Xian breathed a sigh of relief.
Aunt Yuxi and Doctor Li are the few people he can trust completely.
"Besides... Princess, please be at ease. Everything will be safe tonight. Wang Xiang and I will be guarding outside. If anything happens, just scream. The two of us can't beat that weak scholar." Yu Xi comforted.
Zhou Xian was amused by her words and burst out laughing. He said, "Thank you for your hard work, aunt. By the way, have all the dowries shipped from the palace been put away?" Speaking of the dowry, his face couldn't help but darken a little, and his delicate little face looked especially pale under the candlelight.
Seeing him like this, Yu Xi felt so distressed that she immediately said, "Oh, my dear princess! Although that master in the palace didn't give you a princess's mansion, the dowry is shockingly rich... His Majesty still cares about you."
Hearing this, Zhou Shan just smiled lightly and did not comment.
Isn't it a joke that a princess of such stature is getting married without even a princess's mansion? If the top scholar finds out that she is still a man, she will become the biggest joke in Daning's history.
He and Yuxi exchanged some more words. It was already dark and the banquet in the front yard was over. Wang Xiang asked someone to pass on the message that the prince consort was coming back.
Zhou Xian immediately put on her veil and sat upright on the edge of the bed. Yu Xi led the maids to guard the bedroom door, and everything proceeded like a normal wedding.
Zhou Xian's heart beat faster and faster.
After a while, the sound of conversation was heard outside. A deep male voice was greeting Yu Xi, and then gradually approached Zhou Shan.
"Princess, are you tired today?" the man asked with a smile.
Zhou Xian didn't plan to reply immediately. He held himself upright, so nervous that his heart almost jumped out of his throat. He could only smell the faint smell of alcohol on the man.
The man was not angry, but just gently reminded: "My apologies for being so rude, Princess, but I am about to take off my veil. Please forgive me."
After saying that, he picked up the jade ruyi that Yu Xi was holding.
Yu Xi said with a smile: "My Lord, before you lift the veil, please listen to the auspicious words from this servant: The jade ruyi weighs the husband's wishes and the princess's love. A house full of gold and jade, a good marriage, embracing happiness, wealth and longevity in this life - please raise your hand slowly!"
Yu Ruyi lifted up the red veil embroidered with mandarin ducks and the word "囍". Zhou Xian had no way to avoid it and had to meet the man's black eyes head-on.
There was a teardrop hanging on his face. He could not be described as a pretty girl with rosy cheeks and rosy complexion. Instead, he had a pale face. His body under the heavy wedding dress was graceful and charming, so touching that I felt pity for him. His eyebrows were like willows, his eyes were like sleeping phoenixes, and his cherry lips were tightly pursed. I didn't know what made him frown.
So Zhou Xian was at ease and quite pleased to watch the handsome man's face gradually turn red, his mouth opening and closing, but he couldn't utter a word.
Yu Xi and the maidservant covered their mouths and giggled, making the man even more embarrassed. The man paced in place, silent as a saw-mouthed gourd. Yu Xi couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward and said with a smile: "The princess has never left the palace. Now she has entered the No. 1 Scholar's Mansion. She is homesick. Your Majesty, please go and comfort her."
The man had no choice but to step forward, sit down beside Zhou Shan, and tentatively hold the princess's hand. Zhou Shan couldn't hide, so she just let him do it, her body tense.
"Your humble servant... Your humble servant's name is Zhang Jinwei, with the courtesy name Huaiyu. I was born in Suzhou Prefecture. My family was poor when I was young. I never thought that one day I would be able to marry a beautiful woman like the princess... It is truly a great honor." Zhang Jinwei stuttered as he spoke. He didn't dare to look at the princess's face for too long. His eyes fell on the carpet, and his ears turned red.
Zhou Xian didn't respond, her beautiful eyes downcast, her thoughts unclear. Seeing the tense atmosphere, Yu Xi quickly stepped forward and jokingly said, "Our princess's name is simply 'Xian'. The Emperor chose it from 'Xian Juan', hoping that the princess would find a successful and distinguished husband. Our Prince Consort is a young and talented young man, doesn't that embody the same idea?"
Zhang Jinwei smiled bitterly at these words. He sighed, gently held Zhou Xian's hand, and said, "I am untalented and afraid I cannot fulfill the Emperor's wishes. But please rest assured, Princess, I will only have you in my life... I will do my utmost to protect you and will never betray you."
Never betray?
Zhou Xian looked up at him and thought, those unfaithful men in the storybooks also said these words to their wives... If one day you found out that the woman who made you infatuated was actually a man, would you still be so sure?
But Zhang Jinwei simply held Zhou Shan's hand tightly. He was so handsome that Zhou Shan couldn't help but stare at him a few more times. Then, in a very low voice, almost whispering, she said, "It's time to drink the wedding wine."
The voice was very subtle, but soft and gentle, and the man's face turned redder.
Yu Xi had sharp ears and quickly brought two glasses of wine, serving them to the two of them with a smile.
The two of them, arms entwined, drank the wedding wine in an intimate manner. Zhou Xian glanced at the man drinking from the corner of her eye and said sorry in her heart.
After drinking the wedding wine, it’s time to change clothes... and go to the bridal chamber.
Zhou Xian and Zhang Jinwei sat side by side on the bed, speechless. Zhou Xian was extremely anxious, wondering why the knockout drug specially prepared by Doctor Li hadn't taken effect yet.
"How old is the princess this year?" Zhang Jinwei's sudden question startled Zhou Xian. He quickly comforted her, "Your humble servant will not do anything out of line with the princess. As long as the princess doesn't agree, your humble servant will never cross the line!"
Zhou Xian was still terrified, staring at the other person with wide eyes. When she realized what important words he had just said, she lowered her head guiltily and said, "I just turned eighteen."
"I'm twenty-four... Strange, maybe I drank too much? Why am I so dizzy..." Zhang Jinwei was about to say something when he suddenly felt dizzy. He stood up suddenly, calling for help as he staggered out the door, stumbling and shouting, "Help me get to the west wing!"
Before he could finish his words, he fell headfirst. Fortunately, Yu Xi and Wang Xiang arrived in time and quickly supported the unconscious Zhang Jinwei.
Zhou Xian, wearing only his inner garments, walked barefoot to the Prince Consort, who was being dragged and supported. He walked back a few steps, his pale face a cold expression. Finally, he squatted on the ground, gently poked the Prince Consort's face with his hand, and suddenly became furious and cursed, "Nerd!"
"Princess, your feet are frozen on the ground. Go to bed quickly and don't catch a cold." Yu Xi was helpless. Her princess looked sensible and virtuous at first glance, but she was actually very mean inside. Thinking of this, Yu Xi glanced sympathetically at the unconscious Prince Consort.
Alas, you will be tortured by the princess from now on!
Zhou Shan had been very dignified all day, and had to wear a heavy phoenix crown, so he felt sore in the waist and back. He waved his hands, feeling that his husband was getting more and more annoyed the more he looked at him, so he quickly asked Yu Xi and the others to carry him away.
He was the only one left in the bedroom.
The red candle flickered as he sat before a bronze mirror, undoing his bun. His long, smooth, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, looking like black satin woven with gold in the candlelight. He sighed, reached into his collar, fiddled with it, and pulled out a unique bellyband from his clothes.
"Annoying!" Zhou Xian had a headache. He stuffed the bellyband in his hand into his dressing box. "We've made it through tonight, but what about the rest? He'd better be more conscientious and sleep in the west wing, so I don't have to wear this thing to sleep!"
The bellyband was wrinkled into a ball when it was stuffed into the dressing box, but you could vaguely see that cotton was stuffed at the chest to pretend to be a chest.
Of course, even if Zhou Xian wore it every day and stuffed it with cotton wool, it was still better than nothing.
After removing his makeup, he lay down on the bed. The huge bed was covered with a brand new wedding quilt embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks. The longans and peanuts inside had been cleared away by the maids.
Zhou Xian wrapped herself in the quilt and was about to fall asleep when she suddenly felt a little confused.
Can he really... leave the capital smoothly?
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