Crown Prince’s residence.

Amid a sea of festive red, Jiang Rongyue sat composed on the bed, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, a thick veil covering her head. The dowry maids and the wedding attendants stood nearby, beaming with smiles.

The crowd ushered the Crown Grandson into the bridal chamber, clamoring noisily: “Your Highness, hurry and lift the veil!”

“We want to see the bride.”

“Lift the veil already!”

The Crown Grandson, dressed in his wedding robes and somewhat tipsy, wore a smile on his face, though his eyes were unusually calm. Under everyone’s eager gaze, he lifted the veil.

The red veil fluttered down to the floor, revealing a beautiful face, carefully made up.

Jiang Rongyue had always been delicately pretty, and today, carefully adorned, her face full of shy joy, she looked especially lovely and charming.

Listening to everyone’s praise, Jiang Rongyue lowered her head bashfully.

Looking at his beautiful new bride, the Crown Grandson felt scarcely a ripple in his heart; instead, faint traces of wistfulness and loneliness rose within him.

The wedding night was supposed to be one of the proudest, happiest moments in a man’s life. Unfortunately, the woman he had married was his cousin from the Jiang family, not the girl who truly held his heart.

If the bride sitting before him right now were Ling Jingshu, how happy he would be in this moment!

That letter he had hastily written in a moment of impulse — she must have received it by now. What would her reaction be after reading it? Would she regret having refused him back then? Would she shed tears of sorrow over his wedding?

The wedding attendant tactfully asked everyone to leave, then said with a smile, “Your Highness, it’s time to drink the cup-crossing wine with the Crown Grandson Consort.”

The Crown Grandson roused himself from his tangled thoughts and nodded absently.

Today was his and Jiang Rongyue’s wedding day; he should not let his mind wander, should not keep thinking of another woman. Otherwise, it would be too unfair to Jiang Rongyue.

The next morning.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess led their son and his newly married wife into the palace together.

In the spacious Jiaofang Hall, the Emperor and Empress Xu sat side by side at the head of the room, waiting for their eldest grandson’s wife to kowtow and offer tea.

The newly appointed Crown Grandson Consort, Jiang Rongyue, stepped forward with a bashful expression, knelt and kowtowed three times, then lifted a cup of hot tea: “Grandson’s wife invites Imperial Grandfather to drink tea.”

The Emperor accepted the tea cheerfully and took a sip: “Alright, get up now.”

A eunuch nearby presented the meeting gift to Jiang Rongyue.

Jiang Rongyue respectfully expressed her gratitude, accepted the gift, and handed it to a maid beside her. Then she knelt before Empress Xu.

Empress Xu’s manner was quite gentle. She first offered some words of advice: “Jiang Shi, now that you’ve married into the imperial family, you must always remember your position. Every word and action reflects the dignity of the royal household, so you mustn’t be careless. Conceive and bear children early, to carry on the family line and let it flourish.”

Jiang Rongyue, blushing, agreed to each point in turn.

Only then did Empress Xu accept the teacup.

After that came Prince Yan and Princess Yan. Although they were close in age, proper order between elder and younger still had to be observed, and the customary courtesies could not be omitted.

Offering tea and paying respects were all matters for the new bride; the Crown Grandson merely stood to the side, looking rather at ease.

Yet if one looked closely, one would notice the Crown Grandson seemed somewhat distracted, his gaze drifting now and then toward one side of Jiaofang Hall.

Those qualified to attend within the hall today were all female officials from Empress Xu’s retinue. Ling Jingshu was among them.

She wore a pale green palace dress, her long hair gathered into a simple, neat bun adorned with only a single pearl hairpin. Her pretty face was clean and bare of any makeup, fresh and lovely.

The hall was full of beautiful women, each one heavily made up and meticulously adorned. She, however, was like a dew-laden flower — fresh and elegant in her beauty.

How long had it been since he last saw her?

Since she had entered the palace, he had glimpsed her from afar only twice, catching no more than a vague silhouette, unable even to make out her features clearly. Today, in the main hall of Jiaofang Hall, was the closest he had been to her in months…

He had been watching her the whole time, but as for her — ever since he entered the hall, she had only glanced at him quickly once, then kept her head lowered. She never raised it again.

How heartless of her!

The Crown Grandson’s heart felt murky and heavy; he forced himself to look away.

After the tea ceremony ended, everyone chatted briefly before moving to the dining hall.

The female officials who had been attending to the tea the whole time could finally relax a little.

Luoyan rubbed her aching, stiff neck, grumbling under her breath: “I’ve been standing for so long, I’m about to die of exhaustion.”

Ling Jingshu, too, felt her limbs grow sore, and stretched them a little.

Qiu Shuang’s eyes darted about, and she leaned close to Ling Jingshu’s ear, whispering: “A’Shu, did you know His Highness the Crown Grandson before? I’ve noticed he’s been glancing your way again and again ever since he came into the hall!”

Ling Jingshu paused, glanced at Qiu Shuang, and said evenly: “Sister Qiu Shuang, you mustn’t say such things carelessly. If anyone overheard, what would they think of me? There’s no telling how much trouble it might stir up.”

“I know you didn’t mean anything by it and didn’t think it through. But it would be better to think twice before saying such things in the future, so as to avoid stirring up trouble out of nothing.”

Qiu Shuang’s expression stiffened, and she forced out a smile: “Just listen to me, running my mouth without thinking. Lucky for me you’re so generous and don’t hold it against me.”

Luoyan, sharp-eared as ever, immediately came closer: “What are you two talking about? Tell me too.”

Qiu Shuang, holding back a bellyful of irritation, replied flatly: “We were just sharing a private word between the two of us — not fit for other ears.”

Luoyan: “…”

Luoyan was left speechless, thoroughly embarrassed.

Ling Jingshu smiled faintly and said nothing more, though inwardly she sighed.

The Crown Grandson’s behavior today had truly drawn too much attention.

He had brought his new bride into the palace to offer tea and pay respects, yet his face showed little joy, and he kept distractedly glancing at a woman he had no business noticing. Even Qiu Shuang and the others had sensed something was off.

The others in the main hall were not fools either — how could they fail to notice?

Rui Lian coughed once, interrupting everyone’s thoughts: “There are five tables set in the dining hall of Jiaofang Hall today — Yao Huang alone surely can’t manage them all. Let’s go over and lend a hand too.”

As servants, when did they ever truly get to rest?

Even without their masters’ orders, they had to stay sharp-eyed and quick about their work.

Ling Jingshu murmured her agreement along with the others and followed behind Rui Lian to the dining hall.

Several maids were assigned to each table to pour wine and serve dishes. Rui Lian gave a casual instruction, assigning each person to a table. As it happened, Ling Jingshu was assigned to the table of the Crown Princess and Jiang Rongyue.

Seeing Ling Jingshu, Jiang Rongyue’s lips curved into a sweet smile; constrained by propriety, she could not speak, but her eyes showed warmth and friendliness.

Ling Jingshu felt a small warmth in her heart and returned Jiang Rongyue’s smile faintly.

Jiang Rongyue truly was a sweet and lovely girl; she and the Crown Grandson actually made a well-matched couple.

The Crown Princess glanced over and suddenly ordered: “Official Ling, come here.”