Despite Fu Yixiao’s sole request for simplicity, the wedding ceremony for the Regent Prince’s first official consort couldn’t be understated. Even though Emperor Feng Qishan was deeply dissatisfied with the marriage, he still ensured all proper customs were observed with due pomp.

The Prince’s residence was aglow with lanterns, filled with the clink of wine cups and the sound of merry-making. The carefully choreographed group dances planned by the music officials were breathtaking. Skilled musicians played joyous palace dance tunes on sheng, xiao, qin, pipa, wuxian, konghou, jiegu, and hujia. Agile performers presented a lively and entertaining Five Lions Dance, eliciting cheers from the attending officials.

Due to deliberate gossip, the most discussed topics at the banquet were the Prince’s secondary consort’s alleged infidelity before marriage and her lowly origins. One noblewoman openly declared, “To jump from the Imperial Son-in-law’s bed straight into the Prince’s arms – such a shameless harlot might appear only once in ten thousand years!”

Emperor Feng Qishan listened attentively from the head table, concealing a cold smile as he lowered his gaze and adjusted his sleeves. Though he had relented and allowed Fu Yixiao to be instated as a secondary consort, he knew that the court’s ruthless struggle for power and favor was not something a mere low-born military officer’s daughter could handle. Let her revel in her moment for now.

The wedding ceremony finally began. The earlier discussions hadn’t reached Yixiao’s ears, but as she walked on the red carpet, she could sense the envy and hatred from the sharp gazes around her, especially from Emperor Feng Qishan at the front. His gaze was as piercing as an awl as if he wanted to stab countless holes through her.

She inwardly sneered. Everyone thought she had stayed with Prince Feng Suige for his current or future power. She wondered if he would eventually think the same. Perhaps in people’s eyes, only someone like Feng Xiyang, heaven’s favored daughter, was worthy of His Highness.

When they set out from Jinxiu, His Highness had already sent Xiumu to notify Uncle Ling to attend their wedding banquet in Lu City. Surely by now, Ning Fei had also proposed to marry Xueying to Uncle Ling. Uncle Ling would agree readily – only outsiders could see that he had completely given in to his seemingly delicate daughter, eager to find her a good match as soon as possible.

Xueying, you must remember how happy I once was. I can’t remember anymore, but you must remember for me. You must…

Suddenly, her left hand was gripped tightly. Yixiao instinctively looked down to see Feng Suige’s right hand clasping hers firmly, transmitting his warmth. He held her hand openly, facing countless blade-like gazes with her.

Noticing her gaze, Feng Suige turned and smiled at her. The light in Yixiao’s eyes flickered for a moment before she turned away indifferently, allowing his eyes full of comfort to turn into faint disappointment.

Even on her wedding day, Yixiao had only used a single five-phoenix pearl filigree hairpin to secure her hair. If not for the gold-woven cloud and dragon pattern ceremonial robe she wore, no one would believe she was the protagonist of this wedding.

But that didn’t matter.

The wedding proceeded smoothly, at least on the surface. It was an awkward celebration. The noble Dusa aristocrats praised their majestic prince with all due respect as subjects, while simultaneously looking down on the woman who was about to become the Prince’s secondary consort with arrogant attitudes.

After a series of complex procedures, Yixiao finally heard the pleasant words “ceremony complete” and breathed a sigh of relief. The strange atmosphere shouldn’t have put much pressure on her, but ever since Feng Suige’s warm hand tried to encourage her, her heart had suddenly become chaotic. The composure and courage she had maintained for days suddenly ran out. Restraining the urge to flee quickly, she slowly followed the ceremonial official towards the bridal chamber.

Suddenly, a woman’s shrill voice cried out, “Wait!” In an instant, the clamor of the guests ceased, and Yixiao stopped in her tracks. All eyes turned to a beautiful woman in yellow robes who had stood up among the seats.

Yixiao frowned slightly but calmly met the woman’s venomous gaze. She chuckled inwardly – it was a familiar face, though she wondered how she had gotten in.

Feng Suige angrily demanded, “Yun Yi, what are you doing?” Yun Yi snorted, glaring at Yixiao before proudly declaring, “Has the Prince forgotten his promise to Yun Yi? The Prince promised to give Yun Yi a proper status!”

Feng Suige gritted his teeth and said word by word, “Even if you don’t know what’s happening here, you should know this is the Prince’s residence. Who allowed you to come here and make a scene?” As he spoke, four or five nearby guards had already rushed over, covering Yun Yi’s mouth and dragging her away.

The already somber wedding became even more bizarre after Yun Yi’s interruption. The guests, forgetting to mind Prince Feng Suige’s status and the dignity of the Dusa royal family, began to discuss openly.

Fu Yixiao said nothing, just watching quietly as if observing a farce. When she saw Yun Yi, she had already mentally prepared herself. Having practiced archery since childhood, she had always been strong-willed, especially in public. The more unfavorable the situation, the calmer she became. So before Yun Yi was expelled, her previously panicked heart had miraculously returned to a state of tranquility.

Feng Suige began to look embarrassed. Seeing Yixiao’s expressionless indifference, he became increasingly flustered. Suddenly hearing mocking words aimed at Yixiao from the seats, he grew even more annoyed. Disregarding etiquette and rules, he embraced Yixiao and coldly said, “I know the person who instigated Yun Yi to come and disrupt the wedding is among you. I don’t want to pursue this matter today, but you’d better put away those wicked thoughts soon. If there’s a next time, I’ll make you regret being human.” His words, spoken clearly and with the arrogance and nobility he had possessed since childhood, immediately cowed the group. Even Emperor Feng Qishan in the seat of honor was somewhat stunned.

Amid the silence, Feng Suige put his arm around Fu Yixiao’s shoulders and strode out.

In the red bridal chamber, after dismissing the palace maids and wedding attendants, Feng Suige stood to one side, anxiously watching Yixiao remove her hair ornaments and wipe off her makeup. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he said, “If I had known she would come, I would have ordered a strict inspection…”

Yixiao sighed inwardly and said flatly, “What fault is hers? She merely loves you.” Feng Suige couldn’t help but laugh coldly, “So what if she loves me? She chose to fall in love with herself. Even if I once promised her a status, she shouldn’t have come to make a scene today.”

Yixiao’s originally indifferent tone instantly became cold and resolute, “Actually, this has nothing to do with me. Perhaps you think that her falling in love with you is her fault, that you didn’t beg her to love you, but can you say you didn’t indulge her and let her love you more? Is falling in love with someone a fault?”

As if speaking to that person, she became increasingly agitated, finally starting to tremble slightly. It was as if someone had dug up something buried deep in her heart, squeezing out the dark pus inside, easily tearing open a wound that was about to scab over with the words “She chose to fall in love herself.”

Feng Suige failed to notice her tumultuous emotions and explained regretfully, “I know I didn’t arrange things well and let you suffer this embarrassment. I can promise that such things will never happen again in the future.”

Yixiao laughed coldly, “Why bother promising? I’m just living under someone else’s roof. What right do I have to interfere in the household matters of the mighty Regent Prince?”

“Fu Yixiao,” Feng Suige called out through gritted teeth, his voice concealing a hint of pain, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I’m not saying anything,” Yixiao’s smile hid mockery, “I just want to remind you not to fall in love with me, and don’t hope that I will love you. This is just a game, it has nothing to do with feelings.”