Sitting in the sedan chair, Zhu Yan adjusted her wedding clothes, unable to believe that this morning she was still in prison, and now she was about to become someone’s wife.
Sighing, the sedan chair stopped. Footsteps that shook the ground came from all directions, and the wedding music ceased.
Zhu Yan heard the wedding attendant say fearfully, “Grand Prefect, we haven’t even sung the wedding verses yet, you can’t…”
Then a strange man’s voice said, “When the Grand Prefect of the Imperial Guard takes a bride, we follow the Imperial Guard’s customs. The Grand Prefect is eager to give a gift to his new bride. Catch it well.”
“Ah—”
A sudden scream came from outside, and a black object was thrown into the sedan chair, rolling to Zhu Yan’s feet.
Zhu Yan’s gaze fell, and red liquid splattered all over the wedding sedan. She kicked it curiously, and a pair of wide-open human eyes stared straight at her!
Zhu Yan immediately stood up, suppressing her shock, and lifted the sedan curtain to ask, “Who threw that?”
No one answered. A black, tall horse approached, a brocade cloak embroidered with golden thread and dragon patterns cascading from the saddle. The cloak’s owner’s cold eyes fell upon her.
Imposing without anger, inspiring fear at first sight. The exact opposite of the Black King of Hell’s gloomy demeanor.
This was Shen Du.
Zhu Yan was being scrutinized by him. She raised her head and lifted the severed head: “Grand Prefect, your belongings.”
“Sixth Miss,” Shen Du said.
Hearing him recognize her, Zhu Yan’s eyes flickered slightly, and then she heard him give a cold laugh: “You’re quite brave.”
Zhu Yan’s words died in her throat.
Because Shen Du had drawn his sword and placed it against her neck!
The wedding attendant, frightened, scrambled up and hurriedly said, “Grand Prefect! Grand Counselor Zhang instructed that the young miss must be delivered to your household without a hair out of place. His Majesty also assured Grand Counselor Zhang that this would be a good marriage. You mustn’t do this!”
Shen Du raised an eyebrow, glancing at the wedding attendant: “Is that so?”
Zhu Yan quickly spoke up: “She’s an official matchmaker. If you harm her, Grand Prefect, it won’t end well for you. Once you take me into your household, it will be a matter between us as husband and wife.”
Zhu Yan stared at Shen Du, stating facts: “Grand Prefect, it’s not worth it.”
This behavior undoubtedly challenged the authority of the Grand Prefect of the Imperial Guard. Jing Lin immediately became slightly angry: “How dare you teach the master what to do!”
As Jing Lin’s horse was about to kick, Shen Du moved his horse.
The black horse let out a low neigh, blocking Zhu Yan.
Jing Lin couldn’t stop his horse in time. He steadied the horse but fell from the saddle, his gold-trimmed cloak with the Haedong Gumdo pattern rolling in the mud until the original pattern was indistinguishable.
Shen Du showed no reaction to this, his eyes coldly glancing at Jing Lin. But the subordinate, who was considered his confidant, didn’t seem to feel the chill of Shen Du’s warning at all. He simply got up silently and said, “This subordinate knows his mistake.”
The other Imperial Guards didn’t show any displeasure either.
They were truly loyal.
But this wasn’t good news for Zhu Yan. The more loyal the Imperial Guards were to Shen Du, the more it indicated that besides the power granted by the Empress, he had enough authority of his own.
This authority was enough for him to dispose of any spy sent to infiltrate—namely, her.
Realizing this, Zhu Yan could hardly breathe. The sword still at her neck made her feel cold from her feet to the top of her head.
The blade was right against her pulse.
Zhu Yan wanted to speak, but Shen Du raised his sword.
Zhu Yan stared straight at the falling sword. Suddenly, her wedding fan in hand shook slightly, leaving only the fan handle in her grasp.
“Before entering the household, I need to remind you of three things. First,” Shen Du sheathed his sword, “don’t imagine that you’ll become the true Madam Shen after entering. Second, don’t imagine you’ll be able to glean any information about the Imperial Guard from me. Third…”
“Remember this well—” Shen Du’s long fingers gripped her chin, pulling her close. He leaned in and chuckled in her ear: “Any wife I didn’t willingly marry into the household won’t live past three months. Understand?”
The gloomy gaze left Zhu Yan’s face. Before departing, Shen Du flicked Zhu Yan’s jawline with his finger.
A dull pain.