The sky was gloomy, and the wind slashed painfully against faces.

The wedding procession moved slowly through the streets amidst thunderous gongs and drums.

Yu Huanchen rode his horse in front leading the way, while Yu Xinyi and Tang Buli served as female escorts on either side of the bridal sedan. The entire party ignored the matchmaker’s urging and deliberately slowed their pace.

Yet despite this, the gates of the Xue residence drew ever closer. Musicians played their instruments, and guests crowded around Xue Chen, who stood properly in his wedding attire, coming out to greet them.

Inside the sedan, Yu Lingxi clutched the dragon-patterned jade pendant, while the auspicious phoenix fan lay neglected at her side with Xue Chen’s birth details card placed upon it.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, praying that everything went smoothly with her father.

If there was no news from the palace, they would have to resort to their last, least favorable option.

Amidst a burst of lively firecrackers, the bridal sedan was set down, and Yu Lingxi’s heart sank with it.

Through the hazy red embroidered curtain of the sedan, one could see the brocade-clad crowd in front of the Xue residence. Xue Chen, tall and straight as jade, stepped forward with proper strides, his jade face slightly flushed, and bowed toward the sedan with folded sleeves.

Yu Lingxi gripped the jade pendant tightly and did not exit the sedan.

In the biting north wind, Xue Chen stood tall and straight. He bowed again, earnestly, and once more loudly requested the bride to emerge.

On horseback, Yu Huanchen and Yu Xinyi exchanged glances, each seeing resolution in the other’s eyes.

If the bride did not descend at the third request, they would have to completely tear off their facade.

The wind swept across the ink-stained sky of the capital, bringing down flakes of snow.

First came a few scattered white specks, then more and more, connecting into a fluttering expanse of white.

“Don’t be shy, Young Master Xue! Carry your bride down!” urged the surrounding guests merrily. Father Xue’s smile also showed some strain as he repeatedly signaled to Xue Chen with his eyes.

Xue Chen pretended not to understand his father’s hint. With several flakes of white snow stuck to his groom’s hat, he politely asked the guests not to frighten the bride in the sedan. Only then did he blush and, insisting on proper etiquette, bow for the third time toward the red-clothed beauty in the sedan, raising his hands above his eyebrows.

The maidservant Hu Tao, dressed in a light red jacket, stood at the side, secretly glancing at her mistress who remained motionless in the sedan. The handkerchief in her hand had already been twisted into wrinkles.

Time seemed to stretch infinitely.

A hurried sound of hoofbeats came from the north street, and a shout pierced through the commotion of the dismounting ceremony.

“Imperial Decree! All of the Xue households, receive the Imperial Decree!”

A brocade-clad eunuch holding a bright yellow imperial decree hastily reined in his horse, interrupting Xue Chen’s unspoken words.

He had no choice but to straighten up and step aside, kneeling with his father Xue and Xue Song, whose faces had turned grave, facing the direction of the imperial decree, lifting their robes to kowtow.

Since this was an imperial marriage, having an imperial decree arrive on the wedding day to offer congratulations was normal. No one was particularly suspicious; there was even a hint of envy, for in the entire capital, one could not find another couple receiving such an honor.

The brocade-clad eunuch dismounted, cleared his throat, and then unfolded the imperial decree, announcing loudly: “By heaven’s mandate, the Emperor decrees: Right Minister Xue, a veteran official of two reigns, has served the country diligently. The Emperor appreciates his advanced age and many ailments and specially permits him to resign from office and retire, to enjoy his remaining years in peace. Left Deputy Minister of Revenue Xue Song is transferred to become Junior Chamberlain of the Imperial Banquets, to assume office immediately without delay…”

Upon hearing this, the guests’ envy turned to shock.

Two high-ranking officials of the Xue family—one allowed to resign and retire, the other transferred outside the core of power to the Imperial Banquets Department—this was not an honor but a punishment!

While everyone was still confused, they heard the eunuch continue: “…The second son of the Xue family values filial piety and propriety; the second daughter of the Yu family is gentle and virtuous. However, their destinies are incompatible, clashing, and conflicting. They are permitted to return to their original paths and serve their parents. When the time is right, the Emperor will choose new suitable matches for both families and arrange other good spouses for them. By imperial command!”

After the imperial decree was read, the whole gathering erupted in murmurs.

This was unexpected. Xue Chen suddenly raised his head, the warm and charming smile in his eyes fading, gradually turning into bewilderment.

Was there a mistake in the imperial decree? How could their destinies suddenly be incompatible?

Xue Chen couldn’t believe it, dared not believe it.

Through the scattered snow, the bridal sedan was just a zhang’s distance away from him, within reach.

Hadn’t the Ministry of Rites already matched their eight characters and found an auspicious time during their engagement?

“Second Young Master Xue, receive the decree!” the eunuch reminded loudly.

Xue Chen did not react, as if trapped in a nightmare, standing in a daze, not knowing what to do.

It was Xue Song beside him who knelt in his place and extended his hand, hoarsely saying: “This subject receives the decree.”

The imperial decree fell into his palm, heavy as Mount Tai pressing down. Father Xue closed his eyes with a choked sob, knowing all was lost.

Their plan had been destroyed at the step closest to success, failing at the final moment, becoming a laughingstock.

Yu Huanchen and Yu Xinyi both let out long sighs of relief. In the sedan, Yu Lingxi’s tense form relaxed, leaning against the soft cushion as she exhaled a long breath of white air.

Only at this moment did she feel like she had come back to life.

“Fortunately, the ceremony was not completed, Second Young Master Xue, Second Miss Yu.”

The eunuch bowed to both families, saying with a forced smile: “Please return each other’s birth details cards, and this marriage will be considered dissolved. This humble servant can then return to the palace to report to His Majesty.”

Yu Huanchen nodded, turned to lift the sedan curtain, and extended his hand, saying softly: “Suisui, it’s over now.”

Yu Lingxi picked up Xue Chen’s birth details card that had been prepared beside her, her fingertips tightening slightly, then looking up she said: “Brother, I want to speak with him.”

Yu Huanchen was surprised, hesitated for a moment, but finally changed to holding his sister’s hand, helping her down from the sedan.

The matchmaker had already timidly brought Yu Lingxi’s birth details card and handed it to Xue Chen.

Xue Chen received it in a daze, still standing motionless, not knowing what to do.

A sudden nightmare with no one to tell him how to wake up.

There was movement from the bridal sedan. Yu Lingxi, holding Yu Huanchen’s hand, lifted her skirt and descended.

She didn’t take the phoenix fan, exposing her uniquely exquisite face to everyone. Her red clothes against the falling white snow made her dazzlingly beautiful.

Xue Chen’s unfocused eyes finally lit up with a bit of light. He awkwardly stepped forward, calling: “Second Sister…”

But Yu Lingxi stood still, maintaining a distance of half a zhang from him.

Her red skirt fluttered like flames. She wasn’t wearing the elaborate bridal attire Xue Chen had personally selected and supervised, but at her waist hung a noble and unfamiliar dragon-patterned jade pendant.

Xue Chen seemed to understand something, and his steps slowly halted.

The two faced each other across a short distance, one calm and clear, the other confused and at a loss, as if separated by a vast chasm.

Yu Lingxi steadied herself, returning the birth details card with both hands, saying in a soft but firm voice: “You have the bearing of a lofty mountain and the virtue of helping others achieve their happiness. I wish that throughout your life, you may have a beautiful companion at your side and a path as splendid as brocade.”

With the phrase “helping others achieve their happiness,” the last glimmer of hope in Xue Chen’s eyes vanished, turning into slightly reddened tears.

Yu Lingxi personally descending from the sedan to return the birth details card was preserving his last bit of face, while also making her position clear.

Her heart belonged elsewhere; she was gentle yet clear-minded.

The one living in a dream and harboring unrequited feelings had always been only himself.

At such a close distance, even touching her once was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

Xue Chen looked at the birth details card in her hand. After a moment, he brushed away the snowflakes from Yu Lingxi’s birth details card with his sleeve before returning it with both hands.

He bowed his head, his Adam’s apple bobbing several times before he managed to say with extreme difficulty and hoarseness: “I wish Second Miss every success, a worry-free remainder of her life, and to find… a good man.”

“Thank you.”

Yu Lingxi took back her own birth details card. With accounts settled between both parties, she gave a slight nod in farewell.

Xue Chen maintained his bowing posture. The man who was usually steady with brush and paper was now trembling uncontrollably while holding the thin birth details card.

Two hot droplets fell, splashing onto the thin snow on the ground, burning two dark holes.

The eunuch, having completed his task, returned to the palace satisfied to report his mission.

The surrounding people whispered among themselves, either shocked or speculating, their eyes suddenly filled with pity when looking at Xue Chen.

“Alas, such a grand and unprecedented joyous occasion, how did it come to this?”

“Indeed! To have a wedding canceled at the altar, who could bear such a thing?”

“In my view, it will be difficult for the Yu family’s second miss to marry into an equal noble family in the future!”

“Who wouldn’t agree? First, all sorts of rumors, then finally having a deeply devoted Second Young Master Xue, only for it to end unexpectedly. Her marriage fate is rocky; perhaps she’s destined to be alone.”

“What a pity for such a righteous, young, and exceptionally beautiful woman. After this incident, it will be hard to find a proper good man.”

Among the crowd, someone sighed with regret, “Wonder which fallen gentleman or widower will be fortunate enough to have her in the future.”

Tang Buli couldn’t stand listening anymore, her willow eyebrows furrowing with anger as she instinctively reached for the whip at her waist.

Then she realized that today was supposed to be Yu Lingxi’s wedding day, and as a female escort, she naturally couldn’t carry weapons.

Yu Xinyi also looked angry but, considering her sister’s face, barely restrained herself from publicly beating someone. After all, having come to this point, the Yu family couldn’t possibly silence everyone in the world.

“Regardless, my youngest sister is the pearl in the palm of the Yu family. Everyone in our household would rather have her remain at home to bring joy to her parents than let her suffer even the slightest grievance.”

Yu Huanchen, with his sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, looked around and said clearly: “Whoever speaks disrespectfully again is making an enemy of the Yu family.”

The surrounding discussions quieted slightly, but the way people looked at Yu Lingxi was still filled with unbridled amusement and curiosity.

“Brother, don’t waste time on idle people.”

Yu Lingxi tugged on Yu Huanchen’s sleeve and said calmly: “Let’s go home.”

This was already the most perfect resolution possible. Compared to marrying the wrong person, these rumors meant nothing.

She turned to face the various gazes of the crowd, and though the wind and snow were heavy, she felt an unprecedented lightness.

Then Yu Lingxi stopped in her tracks, her gaze falling on the end of the long street.

Not just her, but all the noisy onlookers in the street quieted down, automatically parting to make way for the dark mass of people approaching.

Amidst three thousand snowflakes fluttering like willow catkins, the frontman wore a purple robe with a jade belt, draped in a black fox fur coat as he approached on horseback. His handsome face almost merged with the flying snow, like a deity descending to the mortal world.

Behind him, over a hundred servants and palace attendants carried boxes of fine silk and treasures, approaching in an orderly fashion with lowered heads.

“Wow! Which noble family’s son has such a grand display?”

“It’s Prince Jing!”

Someone in the crowd recognized the leader of this procession.

“What… what is he doing here?”

“Bringing so many things, has he confiscated another high official’s estate?”

The ruthless methods Prince Jing had used to cleanse the court in recent days were vivid in everyone’s minds. Court officials were all fearful, and the officials attending the feast were so frightened that even their voices changed.

Yu Lingxi was also stunned.

She had thought Ning Yin would at most manipulate things behind the scenes but never expected him to openly appear now, bringing so many attendants and treasures.

When Ning Yin rode past the gates of the Xue residence and approached the Yu family, all the officials tremblingly prostrated themselves, calling out: “We pay respects to His Highness Prince Jing!”

They feared that if they were a step too slow, they would be charged as “conspirators of the deposed Crown Prince” and dismissed from office or imprisoned.

Ning Yin ignored the kneeling crowd, passed by the pale-faced Xue Chen, and leisurely stopped his horse in front of Yu Lingxi, looking down at her from his high position.

Everyone adjusted their positions following Ning Yin’s movement, keeping their heads bowed in his direction.

They were all sweating nervously, having just witnessed the Xue family’s spectacle, and now it seemed to be the Yu family’s turn.

Prince Jing’s demeanor, he had hostile intentions toward the Yu family.

Yu Lingxi raised her head to meet Ning Yin’s gaze from atop his horse, with a flicker of light in her eyes.

Through the blurring snow, her eyelashes were dusted with snowflakes as she lowered her voice to ask: “Your… Highness, what brings you here?”

Ning Yin lightly pressed his riding crop against his chin, his eyes black as ink, his lips curving upward.

Surprisingly, right in front of the entire Xue household, he extended one cold, pale, slender hand to the young woman who had just broken off her engagement, leaning down to invite her, saying: “Hearing that the second Miss Yu has joyfully broken off her engagement, this prince is greatly pleased and has specially prepared generous gifts to come… and return her innocence.”

He pronounced the words “return her innocence” with particular clarity.

Yu Lingxi’s heart trembled. Only a madman like him could phrase “bringing gifts” in such an euphemistic and elegant way.

The people kneeling tremblingly on the ground paused as if they had seen a ghost.

This… the direction things were taking seemed quite different from what they expected.