Although the emperor repeatedly warned Prince Rui to take the royal family's reputation into consideration and not to rush too far, which would make people laugh at him, the rumors in the capital were still like a flood that broke through the dam and could not be stopped.
It was old news that Prince Rui fell in love with the sister of Duke Anguo at first sight. Now people were talking about: Did Prince Rui wander outside Duke Anguo's mansion again today?
How long has it been since Miss Su divorced and became the object of everyone's secret disdain?
In a blink of an eye, Prince Rui was actually obsessed with her. If things continued like this, it would only be a matter of time before he married her into the mansion.
Many girls were so jealous that they gnashed their teeth, hating men for being vulgar, only caring about looks but not moral character. A divorced woman, who had no virtue at all, made them rush to show their courtesy, even the prince was no exception.
Some people looked at it coldly. In their opinion, Prince Rui was also a man. Since he was a man, he could not avoid the problem of being lustful. He was just greedy for the novelty. Could it be that such a noble position as the princess really belonged to a remarried woman? Not to mention His Majesty, the Queen Mother would not agree.
In the Su Mansion, Su Yi was still carefree and contented, and Old Master Su was also calm. Only Liu was quite upset because of what happened recently.
During this time, she did not dare to socialize with other ladies. Whenever they met, those people would try to find out about Su Yi and King Rui from her.
But Liu really knew nothing about it. On the Dragon Boat Festival, she was frightened no less than others because of King Rui's sudden action.
In the past, she felt that Master Su was not making progress and was worried that the family situation was getting worse day by day. Now that the mansion has been rewarded by His Majesty and Su Yi has attracted the King Rui's favor, the Anguo Mansion is the most popular for a while, but Liu has become uneasy.
After more than a month, someone from the palace came to pass on a message, which made Liu's worries reach the extreme.
The Empress in the Central Palace would summon some ladies to the palace every once in a while to talk and show her favor.
Those who were summoned were either wives of ministers whose husbands were highly valued by the court or admired by the emperor. Liu had never had such an honor before.
But she knew that the Empress's target was definitely not her, let alone Master Su, but Su Yi. According to the eunuch's hint, the Empress wanted her to bring Su Yi with her so that the other party could take a good look at her.
Her sister-in-law really caught the eye of the royal family. This was the first thought in Liu's mind.
But she soon became worried again. After all, that was the royal family, which was by no means comparable to a small Shen Mansion. If Su Yi married into such a place, could she really adapt?
There was no point in worrying anymore, as the day to enter the palace would soon arrive.
Liu and Su Yi stepped into the high palace wall, followed the eunuchs all the way, and were taken to a side hall. "Please wait for a moment, ladies, the queen will summon you soon."
In addition to them, there were already many women sitting in the side hall, as well as a few young girls. They were all talking in low voices, but when they saw the two of them come in, the conversations stopped.
Among these people, few looked familiar, and most of them were people they had never interacted with on weekdays. Liu was nervous, and it was not easy to talk to others, so she took Su Yi to find a seat at the back.
The others looked at them for a while, but no one came to say hello, and soon, the conversations started again.
Su Yi sat beside Liu. When she picked up the teacup, her hands trembled slightly, causing the cup lid and the teacup to make a slight collision sound. She could not help but pat her hand gently and comforted her, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. Just think of it as visiting someone else's house, but the host is of a different status."
Liu smiled bitterly in her heart. It was easy to say that she just thought of the host's status as different, but who would not be nervous when she thought that she would meet the empress in a while?
She discovered something these days. This sister-in-law is exactly the same as her husband. The brother and sister seem to have no fear. Prince Rui has taken a fancy to her. Such a big thing, she, an outsider, feels uneasy when she knows it, but the sister-in-law is like nothing happened. She drinks tea and watches plays all day, carefree like a fairy.
Liu was both distressed and envious.
After Su Yian comforted Liu, she lowered her head and drank tea. She made up her mind that she would be honest and behave herself today. Even if someone picked a quarrel with her, she would not fight back on the spot. She would settle the score later, so as not to scare her sister-in-law and make Old Master Su feel bad.
She noticed that many eyes were on her. She was used to this situation and did not care. Only when she found that a gaze stayed for a particularly long time, she looked up.
The other person was sitting opposite her. He was about the same age as her, dressed like a woman. He was not outstanding in appearance, but had a plump figure. There was also an old woman sitting next to him. It seemed that she was her mother-in-law.
When she saw her looking over, the other person looked away.
Su Yi felt that the two people looked familiar. Just when she thought it was her mistake, she saw that Liu also noticed the people opposite her. Her expression suddenly became unhappy. She was such a friendly person, but she snorted unceremoniously.
Su Yi was curious and dug in her mind. Then she remembered that the two people opposite her were the mother and wife of the original owner's childhood sweethearts. They were the ones who abandoned Miss Su and married someone else.
Now it was Liu's turn. She patted her hands and said, "Let the past be the past. Let's just think that we are blind. It's not worth it to worry about those treacherous villains."
Su Yi smiled and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law. I have forgotten it a long time ago."
"It's good that you forgot it." Liu said hurriedly, but looking at her expression, it was obvious that she didn't believe it. She thought Su Yi was comforting herself.
Su Yi shook her head helplessly and did not make any more useless explanations.
After drinking half a cup of tea, the empress finally summoned them.
The empress was the emperor's first wife. The two had been married for more than 30 years. Not to mention their deep love and loyalty, they were also respectful to each other. Although the empress had never given birth, she managed the harem in an orderly manner, winning praise from both inside and outside the court. The emperor respected her very much, and even some concubines did not dare to be too presumptuous.
She sat on a high phoenix throne. If it were not for her elegant and luxurious dress, she would look like an ordinary middle-aged woman, with gentle eyebrows and a smile on her lips.
But no one dared to look down on her for this, and everyone saluted respectfully.
"Everyone, get up, and give you a seat." said the empress.
After taking their seats, the Queen first talked to several old princesses and princesses of counties, and then to the wives of the ministers. She spoke kindly, and the content did not involve the affairs of the court. She only asked about the girls and boys of each family. She also said that although the ladies were in the back house, their contributions were no less than those of the men outside. It was because of them that the ministers could serve the court wholeheartedly. She and His Majesty were grateful for the hard work of the ladies and never forgot them.
Just a few words moved everyone present and they thanked her.
The Queen asked someone to bring tea again, and then smiled and said: "These days, I have heard some rumors in the capital. They all say that Miss Su is very beautiful. We invited her today to open everyone's eyes. Is Miss Su here?"
Liu looked at Su Yi with worry. Su Yi stood up from her seat with a calm expression and bowed. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." The Queen
looked at her carefully, with praise in her eyes. "Well, you are indeed a rare beauty. More than ten years ago, you followed the old wife of the Duke of Anguo into the palace. I said at that time that you must be a beauty who could make a city fall in love with you. Now I see you again, but you are three times more beautiful than before. There are such beautiful people in the world. God really favors you."
"Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty." Su Yi lowered her eyes and said.
The people present had mixed feelings after hearing this.
Originally, they all didn't believe that King Rui would really marry Su Yi, after all, her status was there.
Today, many people were suspicious when they learned that she was among the people summoned by the Queen. When the Queen said these flattering words, everyone present was smart, so what else did they not know?
The Queen was very satisfied with this Miss Su, and even, this might be the intention of His Majesty.
For a while, all kinds of compliments rang out in the palace, as if they had poor eyesight before and did not see Su Yi, and only saw her after the Queen finished praising her.
As they were talking, a voice rang out outside the palace, "What are you talking about, so noisy?"
The voice was crisp and charming, and people knew that the owner of the voice must be a rare beauty.
The eunuch's report also proved this point. The one who came was Concubine Li, now the most favored concubine in the harem.
Concubine Li was about thirty years old, not young, but she had a unique charm, plus she had a graceful figure and a well-proportioned body. Although she had already given birth to a son and a daughter, she was still favored by the Queen.
She walked in before the eunuch reported, and hastily bowed in front of the Queen, saying with a hint of anger, "Your Majesty, it's so lively here, why didn't you tell me, my sister, I'm so bored in the palace."
The Queen was still smiling, with some helplessness in her expression, as if she was really looking at her own sister at home, "I asked people to invite you a few times before, but you found it boring, and now you blame me again."
Concubine Li smiled coquettishly, "The past is the past, but today is very different. I heard that Your Majesty has sent the most beautiful woman in the capital to visit you. Since you have been invited, how can my sister not come and see you?"
As she said this, she turned to face Su Yi. When she saw her face clearly, a strange color flashed in her eyes, and she soon smiled and said, "The most beautiful woman, your reputation is indeed worthy of her reputation. No wonder our Prince Rui is obsessed with her day and night, and I heard that his majesty even scolded her for this."
Everyone was silent for a moment. Although everyone knew that what Concubine Li said was true, no matter how impolite a person is, they would not say it to her face. Isn't this implying that Su Yi is a bad person, or even a disaster?
Su Yi took a look at Concubine Li and saw that although the other party was beautiful, she was not as beautiful as herself. Although her figure was good, she was not as slender as her. She was shorter than her, not to mention her fighting ability. She certainly could not even hit her with a finger. So she generously ignored it and lowered her eyelids, saying lightly: "You are joking, your majesty."
Concubine Li was still smiling, "Don't be modest, Miss Su. Since you can make Prince Rui fall in love with you, you must have more than just a beautiful face. Most likely, you have other outstanding qualities. I wonder how Miss Su is at playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting?"
"I'm sorry, your majesty. I was naughty when I was young, and I didn't know anything about playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting."
"Oh?" Concubine Li smiled again and said, "Then the girl must be good at tea-making?"
Su Yi still shook her head.
"What about poetry and song?" Concubine Li asked again.
Without waiting for Su Yi to answer, the Queen said with a smile: "Sister, you are here to serve as a school official today. Did you come to test the students?"
Concubine Li sighed and said: "Don't blame me, Your Majesty. It's rare to see the most beautiful woman in the legend. My sister was too excited, so she was a little rude. It's a pity..."
She didn't finish her words, but everyone knew what the second half of the sentence meant.
It's a pity that hearing about her is not as good as seeing her in person. It's a pity that the so-called most beautiful woman really only has a face.
The Queen said: "As long as Prince Rui likes her, what's the pity?"
She said it clearly for the first time today. She just said directly that Prince Rui was going to marry Su Yi. Those who were gloating because of Concubine Li's evaluation suddenly felt depressed again.
Concubine Li's smile, which had always been on her face, also stopped because of this. She seemed to suddenly feel bored and left quickly.
Watching her leaving, the queen lowered her head and drank a sip of tea, shaking her head in her heart. Concubine
Li has always been proud of her beauty and does not take other people seriously. Now, Su Yi, who is even more beautiful and has a better figure, has suddenly come. How can she be willing?
Moreover, Concubine Li has always wanted to marry her niece to Prince Rui as a concubine, so as to pull Prince Rui to her and the fifth prince's boat, but she didn't think about whether His Majesty would allow it?
For so many years, His Majesty trusted Prince Rui, favored Prince Rui, and even treated him better than ordinary princes. In addition to the fact that Prince Rui was raised by the emperor, he was not interested in government affairs. Although he was capable, he had no ambition. He was obsessed with martial arts and never participated in the struggle for the throne or the party struggle.
The emperor needs such a person, who is neutral, capable of protecting the dynasty, not coveting the throne, and can satisfy his occasional kindness from time to time. Prince Rui agreed with all of these.
If Prince Rui's mind had changed a little, would His Majesty still value him as much as he does now?
So, Concubine Li still couldn't see clearly. She was blinded by the emperor's favor and thought that he would indulge all her requests, but she didn't know that her husband was the king of a country before being a husband and a father.
After today, the wind direction in the capital has changed again. Those who originally held a mentality of watching the show, or even mocking and sarcastic, no longer dared to speak openly. They only secretly hated the injustice of God in their hearts, allowing some people to get everything just by relying on their faces.
When the Queen Mother summoned Su Yi again and gave her many gifts, everyone knew that the matter was settled.
Sure enough, not long after, the imperial decree of marriage was issued.
From then on, Su Yi became busy. Although it was her second marriage, she was marrying a royal family, so she couldn't be careless than last time.
Wedding clothes, dowry, etiquette, and rules were enough to keep Qinglian busy every day.
When Su Yi thought about her current situation, she was angry because of someone who couldn't even listen to the opera. So when King Rui climbed over the wall to fight with her again, Su Yi ignored him and treated him as a transparent person.
There was no one else in the garden. Qinglian had quietly left when she saw the figure of King Rui. Only Su Yi was left lying on the recliner, smelling the sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance wafting from the pavilion, taking a rare moment of leisure.
King Rui walked to her side, his tall figure blocking the last bit of sunset.
Su Yi lay on her side, the line of her body from the shoulders down was soft and gentle, suddenly sank at the waist, and then slowly climbed up to a round and full arc.
A thin blanket covered her body, clearly exposing nothing, but it seemed that nothing was covered.
King Rui's eyes stayed on Su Yi, and he had already looked back and forth many times before he noticed it.
For the first time, a trace of confusion appeared in his dark and deep pupils, because in his perception, a strong and powerful body should not be like this, should not be like this, like this...
like this?
He couldn't explain it, and even suddenly felt a little upset.
The person behind him didn't move for a long time. Su Yi looked back and found that the other person's eyes fell on the wrong place. If it was another man, he would definitely have some obscene thoughts in his heart at this time, but he was different. He had a confused expression of why and what should I do, like a lost lamb.
Has no one ever taught him about matters between men and women?
Su Yi thought about the degree of this guy's martial arts idiot, and felt that even if someone taught him, he probably wouldn't be interested in learning.
It must be said that she really guessed it right.
When Prince Rui was a teenager, the emperor and the queen mother gave him two palace maids to teach him, but his murderous aura scared the palace maids so much that none of them dared to approach him. He didn't even notice that there were two more people in the mansion. He stayed in the camp all day long, and had to go out of the capital from time to time, and only came back after a year or two. The two palace maids stayed in the prince's mansion until they were old enough to be sent back home, but Prince Rui never even looked at them.
Later, when he was older, the emperor urged him to get married. He fought and failed again and again, and finally he took the initiative to speak this time. After the marriage was granted, the aunt who was taught in the palace came to the palace, but she didn't even see the shadow of the prince, let alone have a good talk with him about the wedding night. When
the emperor learned about this, he thought about it and sent people back to the palace. He felt that Prince Rui was already thirty years old, and no matter what, he should not be unaware of what to do on the wedding night, right?
Besides, even if he didn't know, didn't he still have the sister of the Duke of Anguo?
It's a pity that the emperor didn't know that when these two got married, they didn't think about the wedding night, but only wanted to fight.
"What are you looking at?" Su Yi turned over and half-sat up with her elbows.
The King of Rui came back to his senses and said in a low voice: "Let's have a few moves."
Su Yi waved her hands, "I'm busy, but you are so relaxed, you just said you were going to get married, do you know how tired I was to learn the rules these days? I don't have time to play with you."
The King of Rui frowned slightly.
He rarely had any expression on his face, and he frowned mostly when Su Yi rejected him. He
was usually very imposing, and when he frowned, people dared not look directly at him, but Su Yi was never afraid, she lay back lazily, and said: "Make way, don't block the sun."
The King of Rui stood there for a while, probably to make sure that she really couldn't get up, then he turned around and left, and went directly to the palace.
The emperor heard his intention and almost threw the memorial over again. "We are getting married soon, and you can't stand it for a few days? Who doesn't have to learn the rules before getting married? Do you think you are all you?"
He scolded her. If it were someone else, they would have been scared. Prince Rui just stood there, as if he would not leave unless he agreed. The emperor was overwhelmed when he saw him. In the end, he had to say to the people around him angrily: "Go, call the people back. The future Princess Rui doesn't have to learn the rules!"
Prince Rui thanked him and retreated slowly.
The emperor asked the kitchen to stew bird soup that night.
So Su Yi was relieved and went to the wedding day.
The process and etiquette of marriage were too complicated, so she didn't understand them. Fortunately, someone reminded her and followed them step by step. Soon she was sent to the bridal chamber.
In the bridal chamber, they had to drink wedding wine, eat wedding cakes, etc. By the time everyone had left, it was already late at night.
Su Yi was wearing a wedding dress, and her heavy makeup made her facial features extremely gorgeous. When she just lifted the veil, many of the servants took a deep breath, and even King Rui was stunned.
There was no one around at this time, so she didn't need to be served. She washed her makeup by herself and took off her jewelry one by one. There was a red hairpin caught in her hair. She was worried about it, and then another pair of big hands took over. After fiddling with it for a while, they finally took off the hairpin.
"Thank you." Su Yi turned around and said to him.
The makeup on her face had been washed off, revealing her originally fair and clear skin. Her black hair was loose, and in the dim candlelight, she looked particularly soft, and seemed even more charming than when she was wearing a bridal veil.
King Rui was standing behind her. Su Yi glanced at his clothes and asked, "Aren't you going to change clothes? Where are we going to fight tonight?"
"Tonight?" he asked.
Su Yi snorted lightly, "Who was it that looked like he was itching before? Now that you finally have the chance, you are not active anymore?"
Besides, if you don't fight on the wedding night, are you really going to spend the wedding night with him?
Su Yi didn't have that idea for the time being.
King Rui also changed his clothes, and then pressed a button somewhere, and a door appeared on the wall.
Su Yi followed him curiously, and walked along the secret passage for a while. Suddenly, a huge martial arts arena appeared in front of him. There were all kinds of weapons on the shelves beside the martial arts arena.
Su Yi walked over to admire it and said, "Let's fight with bare hands first, and use these when we are interested in the future, what do you think?"
King Rui nodded in agreement.
Su Yi tied her hair with a headband, and the two of them wore bridal clothes and fought in some secret room on the wedding night.
King Rui was no match for Su Yi. He knew this very early, but when Su Yi really fought him seriously, he realized how flexible the opponent's posture was and how unpredictable his moves were.
But although he always admitted defeat honestly, he would not give up easily. The two fought again and again, and in the end, even Su Yi was a little out of breath.
She once again put King Rui to the ground, and her two slender legs strangled him so that he could not move.
She leaned over slightly and said, "Admit it, at least tonight, you can't beat me." Her breath hit the other's face, and her hair was scattered and swayed slightly in the air.
King Rui smelled a warm fragrance, which certainly was not the smell of his body. He looked up at Su Yi. Her cheeks were slightly red, and there were some fine beads of sweat on the tip of her nose. Her expression was proud and cunning, like a beautiful little fox.
He didn't say anything, but suddenly counterattacked again, but soon found that the place where he landed this time seemed different from usual...
He was stunned by the strange feeling.
Su Yi jumped up and beat him up.
"Where are you touching?"
The next day, King Rui walked out of the bedroom stiffly.
His men laughed secretly.
Prince, tut tut.
The author has something to say: Male protagonist: I am not me, don’t talk nonsense.