Suzhen found Lian Yu’s changing of the date somewhat strange. She knew he was truly furious about Sang Zhan’s matter, but he probably didn’t think much of Sang Zhan. She guessed it was because of her brother—if they found him, he might not listen to her explanations, and this marriage would absolutely be impossible for him to approve.

When she asked Lian Yu about it, he said a few things.

“I’m indeed afraid your brother will object. It wouldn’t be good for you to disobey him then, so we’ll get the matter done first, then I’ll go apologize to him properly. Also, A Luo now knows you’re not dead.”

“Not long after you left, she mentioned you to me.”

“It seems not only my realm is in danger—your life is also quite precarious.”

Lian Yu spoke with a smile, but his face showed some gravity, and a trace of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

She was secretly alarmed to hear this. If A Luo knew, it only proved one thing—someone had leaked information. This was the same situation as with the Princess of Zhennan last time. Someone wanted her dead!

Lian Yu wanted to quickly complete the wedding and place her safely in the palace. He feared that if the other party discovered their whereabouts, setting up an ambush outside the residence would be very troublesome. They could no longer wait for Feng Shaoying and Leng Xue.

She had originally intended to argue with him about this, but hearing this, naturally she didn’t persist. The two also spoke of Huo Chang’an and Wu Yan, both hoping they could attend, but this hope seemed slim. These days, Lian Yu had sent many scouts westward to investigate, but all had returned without news.

Lian Yu comforted her that the two would surely have heaven’s protection, but her heart couldn’t find peace. That letter from Huo Chang’an… had they been intercepted halfway? But only her people and Lian Yu’s people knew their itinerary. Unless there was a spy among these people, yet everyone seemed impossible!

Lian Jie—she didn’t believe his heart could be so narrow?!

Huo Chang’an’s disappearance became increasingly mysterious.

She worried about their safety and also about Lian Yu’s defenses. Lian Yu only told her it didn’t matter, but she became increasingly uneasy.

This time they were facing not only Noble Consort Ai and the Quan faction, but also the shadowy force behind Prince Jin. Her father had chosen that prince, but her choice was not him. Moreover, Lian Yu had told her his considerations—someone was secretly targeting the Feng family. Some things that had been vague before were gradually becoming clear. She definitely had to settle accounts with this person!

In the following days, the scouts waiting near the magistrate’s office still saw no suspicious persons pass by, making it impossible to find Feng Shaoying. Additionally, Lian Yu intensified efforts to locate Huo Chang’an and Wu Yan.

During these days, Suzhen got a preview of Lian Yu’s lifestyle.

After morning court each day came tedious meetings with Lian Jie, Yan Da, and others. His work intensity was enormous. Sometimes when she woke at midnight, she still saw him reading by dim lamplight. Sensing her gaze, he would glance her way with a slight smile, then rise before dawn to continue another day’s busyness.

Xiao’an came twice—she hid in side chambers. Murong Que also came several times, chatting with her alone occasionally and sometimes sharing meals. Other concubines also came seeking audience, but Ming Yanchu sent them all away—he wouldn’t see them.

Though she felt somewhat depressed hiding, his actions also brought her some comfort. In the evenings after bathing, when he routinely applied medicine to her back, buttocks, hands and feet, she teased: “Having me in the way prevents Your Majesty from being intimate with your concubines—truly difficult for you.”

He snorted coldly, pressing harder on her back. Suzhen was lying on his lap, and seeing his silence, she looked up to tease him: “Angry?”

Before she could clearly see his expression, he suddenly leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

She was stunned for a long while. He had already stood up with a flick of his robes, tossing the medicine bottle on the bed: “Apply it yourself.”

Having said this, he left, but she clearly saw a faint blush on his face.

Suzhen’s heart jumped heavily, her face also reddening. Suddenly she covered her mouth and laughed, rolling around on the bed. Her injuries had greatly improved and no longer caused the previous pain, so even her small frustration about his time with A Luo vanished like smoke.

Suzhen’s good mood continued until the wedding ceremony the following evening.

Calling it a wedding ceremony, it was really just bowing in the hall, then people they knew gathering to share a meal—truly a family banquet. Inviting people like Quan Feitong was just a joke—how could Lian Yu be foolish enough to find someone to disrupt his own wedding?

Both the wedding attendant and officiant were brought from out of town—the former an experienced matchmaker, the latter a respected elder, neither having connections with people in the capital.

Lian Yu bought another residence near his original compound for Suzhen’s marriage ceremony.

Early that morning, several carriages quietly left the palace for the suburbs. The wedding attendant waited outside the new residence. Lian Xin and Zhuque stayed with Suzhen while Lian Yu’s group went to the old residence.

At evening, when everything was prepared, the sounds of suona horns and firecrackers erupted outside. Supported by Lian Xin and Zhuque, Suzhen boarded the bridal sedan.

Behind pearl curtains, Suzhen secretly lifted her veil to see everyone in the courtyard beaming with joy. Lian Yu wore bright red wedding robes, sitting on Shaqi Ma, who was also adorned with red flowers and festive decorations. His face was like jade, lips curved in a smile, eyes bright and penetrating, deep and gentle, fixed on her approaching direction.

The groom comes riding a bamboo horse. For a moment Suzhen thought of Li Zhaoting, then Quan Feitong, but finally only the most tender feelings remained in her heart.

Arriving at the old residence, when he kicked open the sedan door and pulled her out, their ten fingers interlocked. His warm, strong hand gripped hers tightly. Suzhen’s eyes moistened slightly—the path here had been thorny and winding. She had never imagined such an encounter, never thought she could… be happy again.

Father, Mother, Hong Xiao, would you blame me?

Wind passed through the treetops with a rustling sound, like smiles.

Neither had high hall elders. After bowing to heaven and earth, they bowed to the officiant, then to each other.

When finished, not entirely following custom, Lian Yu personally lifted Suzhen’s veil. Their gazes intertwined—she saw his handsome affection, he saw her delicate shyness. Only when Xuanwu lightly coughed did they finally look away.

Unlike ordinary families, the bride directly shared drinks with guests in the main hall, cups clinking in celebration.

Lian Jie, Lian Qin, Lian Xin, the Four Attendants, Ming Yanchu, Zhuiming, and Tieshou each toasted the couple. Since Suzhen still had injuries, Lian Yu wouldn’t let her drink, drinking for her each time.

The young master was like jade, face like peach blossoms, eyes like ink.

Watching him, Suzhen felt she herself was drunk.

Zhuiming’s eyes suddenly reddened: “I feel so sentimental, like I’m marrying…”

Suzhen also had red-rimmed eyes: “I think of you as half a brother…”

Wiping his eyes, Zhuiming said simultaneously: “Like marrying off my own daughter.”

As everyone laughed loudly and Lian Xin and Zhuque chased after him to beat him, Lian Yu suddenly scooped up Suzhen, laughing: “I’m drunk, but you all continue drinking.”

Suzhen, being embraced publicly like this, blushed as if blood would drip. Lian Xin and Zhuque screamed while everyone chimed in: “Disturb the bridal chamber! Disturb the bridal chamber!”

With one glance from Lian Yu, everyone instantly returned to their seats, continuing to drink and laugh boisterously as if the couple were invisible.

Suzhen was stunned. Lian Yu nodded with satisfaction, carrying his bride step by step through the central courtyard into the rear compound.

The night was like emerald jade, overhead glittered with stars, inside red candles glowed warmly.

Gently placed on the bed, Suzhen’s heart still pounded. Through the phoenix crown’s fine curtains, she watched him walk to the table, pour two cups of wine, then return.

He sat down, offering her one cup, his eyes full of her reflection, husky and burning.

“I can drink the others for you, but you must drink this one yourself.” As he spoke, his arm curved around hers, bringing his cup to her lips.

His low, powerful words seemed bewitching. Suzhen drank from his hand in one gulp, as if it were deadly poison she’d willingly take. Wait, this wine… was it osmanthus wine? Suzhen suddenly remembered something, while he, eyes crinkling slightly, also drank from her cup.

A drop of liquid slid down her slightly trembling hand. His gaze deepened as he bent to lick it away. Suzhen shuddered all over. With a clang, the cup fell to the ground. She was immediately swept into his fierce embrace, pressed down, as he swept down the bed curtains with one hand, leaving only the bright lamplight on the table.

She only had time to grip his shoulder clothing before he came urgently. She panted accepting him, the lotus seeds and red dates beneath uncomfortable against her back. She twisted her body, and his eyes reddened as he turned her over, his lips and tongue passing over each scar on her back… That strange burning sensation made Suzhen cry out softly, but he seemed intent on tormenting her, covering her mouth to prevent her cries, whispering in her ear: “That day when you bowed with Quan Feitong, you looked so beautiful. I was jealous. You were intimate with him, and my heart ached.”

“Li Huaisu, I’m jealous, but I love you. From now on you can only love me! Love me forever, only me…”

His voice was fierce. Suzhen immediately sensed trouble, fully understanding what it meant to hit herself with her own stone. She wanted to tell him she and Quan Feitong hadn’t… but he covered her mouth tightly. She was then like a fish on a chopping board, tormented until she cried, her mind blank except for his whisper in her ear that day: “You are my first woman, and my only one.” Only when dawn approached was she released, her whole body feeling sore and numb. Her head was dizzy as she choked back sobs and kicked at him, rolling to the inner side. He immediately came over, propped above her on both sides. In her haze she saw deep passion and cruel ruthlessness merged in his eyes. Her heart surged with emotion before she could no longer hold on and fainted in his arms.

When she woke, it was already noon—he had gently patted her awake.

She looked at him sleepily with resentment: “Work injury—I need more sleep.”

He was clearly amused, his handsome, smiling face spreading before her eyes: “Time for a meal. After eating you can sleep more—you need to eat to have energy to sleep, right? We can stay here another day. Today there’s no one here, with inner guards secretly stationed outside the courtyard. No disturbances. Wife, treasure this honeymoon time with your husband.”

Suzhen thought this made sense—sleeping it all away would indeed be wasteful. So she nodded. He smiled slightly, lifting her to carry her to the dressing table, seating her there and opening the cosmetic box: “Wife’s eyebrows are beautiful as they are, but drawing them will make them even prettier. Let your husband help.”

The dead emperor was certainly in good spirits today. Suzhen felt sweet inside, arrogantly humming agreement.

He quickly took up the eyebrow brush from the box and began drawing for her.

Suzhen had prepared to mock him, but unexpectedly his hands could hold vermillion brushes and swords with equal skill—this eyebrow drawing too— She stared at the pair of dark brows in the mirror, shaped like new moons, extremely pleased.

Lian Yu was also delighted, carefully stroking them several times, nearly carrying her back to bed. Later he went out to bathe, then returned to drag her to the kitchen, making her cook for him.

Suzhen absolutely refused, instead clinging to him, but finally was teased until helpless and resentfully went to wash rice and vegetables, randomly reciting: “Three days in the kitchen, washing hands to make soup. Not knowing mother-in-law’s tastes, first having little sister-in-law taste.”

Lian Yu clicked his tongue twice: “Wife, your husband’s birth mother—she won’t be eating your cooking. The Empress Dowager eating it would be strange. The little sister-in-law has also been banished. Your husband can reluctantly give it a try.”

Seeing his smug satisfaction, Suzhen scooped up water and splashed it on his face. He picked her up and spun her around several times until she screamed from dizziness before putting her down…

This meal was sweet indeed, but Suzhen’s cooking was truly terrible.

She ate half a bowl with a bitter face before refusing to continue. But Lian Yu seemed to love it, cleaning his plate completely. Thus Suzhen, who had still harbored some shame, decided no improvement was necessary—next time she could let everyone taste her cooking that even the emperor would eat.

After this commotion, all of Suzhen’s sleepiness disappeared. She wanted to go out and exercise the horse, but after the meal Lian Yu wanted to sleep. Suzhen was forcibly brought back to the room, finally understanding what he meant by eating to have energy to “sleep.”

Wu Qing returned to Six Doors on the afternoon of the third day after the wedding. Just as he knocked on Zhuiming and Tieshou’s door, Zhuiming came up with a regretful expression: “Oh my, Boss, if only you’d returned two days earlier—such a pity, you just missed Huaisu’s wedding banquet.”

But Wu Qing immediately frowned: “What are you saying? Huaisu’s wedding banquet—with whom?”

“The current emperor,” Zhuiming lowered his voice: “Last time Quan Feitong didn’t explain clearly to us. We only knew she hadn’t died but didn’t realize Lian Yu had secretly spared her life…”

He was about to continue when Tieshou beside him gave him a look. He was startled to see Wu Qing’s face had completely changed, his handsome features instantly becoming fierce and frightening.

“Boss…” Just as he was wondering, his collar was violently grabbed: “Where is Huaisu now?”

“Boss, what’s wrong with you? I know you’re angry that Huaisu didn’t wait for you, but she didn’t do it intentionally—”

Wu Qing had always been cold, but never this vicious. Zhuiming couldn’t help feeling somewhat afraid and quickly smiled apologetically in explanation.

“I’m asking—where—is—she—now!” Wu Qing said word by word, his expression and voice bone-chillingly cold.

“She’s in the palace. Boss, she’s naturally in the palace with the emperor now.” Tieshou also hurried to speak: “If you want to find her, I can send a message to the palace gates.”

“No need.”

Zhuiming only felt his collar suddenly loosen as Wu Qing laughed coldly and walked out.

The two exchanged glances. After a while, Zhuiming asked hesitantly: “Does Boss also like Huaisu?”

Tieshou punched him: “Didn’t you see that when Huaisu married Quan Feitong, he wasn’t like this?”

“Then he must think Lian Yu still can’t be trusted. After all, emperors have three palaces and six courtyards—Huaisu will suffer following him.” Zhuiming scratched his head, then remembered something and sighed helplessly: “I really do need to make a trip to the palace gates to have the guards send word to that little ancestor in the palace. Last time I was pestered until I had no choice but agree. Originally this message should have been for Xiao Zhou, but that bad girl doesn’t know where she’s gone.”

…

When the palace maid brought Zhuiming’s letter to Lian Xin, Lian Yu was working in the imperial study. She was chatting with Suzhen in Lian Yu’s sleeping quarters. Hearing it was a letter from Zhuiming, she immediately cried out and rushed out without even opening it. Suzhen was long used to her temperament and calmly asked from the doorway: “Where are you going?”

“Zhuiming sent a letter—Wu Qing must be back! I’m going to Six Doors. Susu, I won’t be dining with you and Sixth Brother tonight.” Lian Xin turned around, jumping and laughing.

Hearing Wu Qing was back, Suzhen was also delighted, but since she couldn’t easily go out now and would only worry Lian Yu, she smiled: “Don’t worry—your sixth brother never planned to dine with you anyway.”

Lian Xin pouted: “Hateful.”

But though saying “hateful,” she left happily. Suzhen called from behind: “Give Wu Qing a message from me—say I miss him and we’ll meet in a few days.”

“Got it.”

The voice had already reached the courtyard.

Suzhen smiled and was about to go inside when she suddenly noticed Zhuque, who had been guarding outside with Baihu, was nowhere to be seen.

As a princess, Lian Xin was naturally received respectfully at Six Doors and led to the deputy commander’s residence.

Wu Qing, being high-ranking, had his own independent courtyard. Lian Xin stood in the courtyard, heart pounding like a deer’s. After a long while she knocked on the door, but heard no response for some time. Anxiously, she tentatively pushed the door open, and a heavy smell of alcohol immediately assaulted her.

The person in the room heard the sound and looked up coldly, eyes carrying cold light and drunkenness.

“What’s wrong with you? Don’t drink anymore—it harms the body…” On his table were four or five wine jars. Lian Xin frowned and quickly approached.

Just as she was about to take away the wine jar in his hand, he fiercely grabbed her wrist, the heat from his palm compelling. Lian Xin trembled all over.

“Wu Qing…” she called softly, somewhat at a loss.

“Who are you?” He squinted, swaying as he stood up, moving closer to look at her.

“I… I’m Lian Xin.” Seeing him somewhat unsteady, with alcohol still on his lips, Lian Xin felt heartache and reached into her bosom for a handkerchief with her free hand.

“Lian Xin, Lian Xin.” Wu Qing murmured, suddenly saying quietly: “You’re Lian Xin, the current emperor’s sister!”

“Yes, I am. Wu Qing, you’re truly drunk. Did you encounter something unpleasant during your mission?” Lian Xin asked worriedly, pulling out the handkerchief to wipe his mouth, but he quickly snatched it away and threw it to the ground. With one hand gripping her and the other forcefully sweeping the wine jars from the table, in the tremendous crash and thicker alcohol fumes, Lian Xin coughed once from the fumes but was immediately lifted onto the table. She stared wide-eyed in shock as he pressed down with a heavy kiss.

Lian Xin was initially somewhat shy, placing her hands against his chest and gently pushing back, but this was after all the man she’d been longing for, and his dominance also intoxicated her. She quietly reached around his broad back.

They passionately intertwined, his movements fierce. Lian Xin felt some pain, biting her lip, but small sounds still escaped through her teeth.

She clearly felt his body changing. She was both joyful and afraid, thinking: If he… if he… what should she…

She was a princess, they weren’t married—this wasn’t proper. If Mother knew… but she really, really liked him. She tremblingly caressed his face, but he covered her eyes so she couldn’t see the deep vicious ruthlessness in his gaze.

“Wu Qing, you’re really wonderful. Princess, is that really something a princess should do?”

Outside the door, a laughing voice gently called.

Lian Xin was startled. Wu Qing quickly rose from her body, his face somewhat ugly: “Xiao Zhou?”

The newcomer’s hands still rested on the door panels. Hearing him call, she sneered and turned to run out. Wu Qing’s expression changed as he pursued her out the door.

Lian Xin lowered her eyes, slowly rising from the table, pulling her nearly-removed skirt back into place. She saw several unopened wine jars still on the ground, walking back and forth three or four times, struggling to carry the wine outside to hide it. Then thinking herself truly foolish—she could just smash the wine so he couldn’t drink more when he returned.