The night before the wedding, everyone in the palace was busy and unable to sleep well. Only Li Rong slept soundly until morning, waking up full of life and radiant.

She had nothing to worry about. Her only slight concern was a message from the Princess Manor last night saying that Pei Wenxuan wanted to give her a gift, and that she need not thank him.

Hearing this made her a bit uneasy. She couldn’t help feeling that Pei Wenxuan was about to do something unreliable.

But having come this far, she didn’t overthink it. After rising in the morning, she followed the procedures for dressing up, then went to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress in turn. After lunch, she changed into her wedding gown and waited for the auspicious hour.

All of this was not much different from her previous life. The only difference was that in her previous life, she actually didn’t know what kind of person she was marrying. Her heart had been anxious and expectant, with a bit of trepidation about the future.

So she kept asking those around her what kind of person Pei Wenxuan was, whether he was truly as handsome as in the painting, how his family was, and…

Thinking of herself in that previous life, Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh. At this moment, ritual officials outside began chanting auspicious words. Jing Lan walked in, smiling as she said, “Princess, the hour has arrived. Please rise.”

Li Rong acknowledged and raised her hand to hold before her face a golden round fan embroidered with advancing peonies.

The round fan blocked all her vision. Li Rong lowered her eyes as she felt people support her from both sides and help her rise. Li Rong moved forward, her elaborate dress heavy and thick. If it were an ordinary person, they would likely have been crushed under the weight, trembling and swaying. But Li Rong bore it with ease, her body like a slender bamboo, her steps as if treading on lotus blooms, her posture dignified and elegant, carrying a nobility that ordinary people could hardly match.

The imperial family, century-old aristocratic clans, and scholarly gentry might not seem different in daily life, but the moment elaborate dress adorned them, one would notice the subtle distinctions. Like brewing tea with spring water, the quality of the water source could be discerned through taste alone.

Li Rong followed the guidance of those beside her forward. She felt herself stepping on soft red carpet, sensed flower petals seeming to fall upon her, heard ritual officials on both sides chanting blessings as she walked past, and distant music filled with joy and celebration.

She walked for a long time before stopping somewhere. Jing Lan beside her reminded, “Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the palace gate.”

Li Rong acknowledged, then heard the ritual official instructing her to bow in gratitude to the Emperor and Empress.

Supported by attendant maids, Li Rong turned toward the elaborately dressed Li Ming and Shangguan Yue, then slowly knelt down and kowtowed to them.

Her movements were steady. Even when bowing and lowering her head, not a single ornament on her body shifted. Li Ming watched Li Rong kowtow, his voice hoarse as he spoke the blessing words he had prepared long ago.

Then the ritual official chanted for her to pay respects to Shangguan Yue, and Li Rong bowed once more in Shangguan Yue’s direction.

Watching Li Rong, Shangguan Yue’s eyes reddened, but she still maintained her composure, reciting the blessing words for her daughter through tears.

After the ritual official finished reciting the blessing words, attendants helped Li Rong rise. Having just stood, as Li Rong was about to turn and leave following the attendant’s guidance, she felt someone approach and suddenly grasp her hand.

“Rong’er,” Shangguan Yue’s voice choked, “you must live well. Promise Mother, you must live well.”

Hearing these words, Li Rong felt a wave of bitterness she couldn’t suppress. Restraining her emotions, she said gently, “Mother, do not worry. Your daughter can return daily to visit Mother just as before, no different from the past. Mother should not grieve too much and lose composure.”

Hearing Li Rong’s consolation, Shangguan Yue slowly released her hand.

Li Rong turned around and was helped to the horse carriage. She felt a pair of steady hands reach over to support her as a voice said, “Elder Sister, I will clear the way for you.”

The wedding banquet would be held at the Princess Manor. Pei Wenxuan would arrive at the Princess Manor early with the Pei family to make arrangements.

According to Great Xia’s customs, on her journey from the palace to the Princess Manor, commoners would block the carriage. The palace would specially assign someone to go ahead, scattering money to these commoners to clear the road, which was called “clearing obstacles for the carriage.” Li Rong had assumed a ritual official would be arranged, but unexpectedly it was the Crown Prince himself clearing the way.

Li Rong didn’t know what was happening to her. She clearly felt that having lived so many years, she shouldn’t have so many emotions. Yet when she heard Li Ming’s hoarse voice, felt Shangguan Yue grasp her hand, and was helped into the carriage by Li Chuan, in that instant, she suddenly felt as if she had returned to being eighteen years old.

When she still thought herself favored beyond measure, when a few words from family could still make her happy or sad.

She sat in the carriage as the palace gates creaked open with the weight of years and time. She kept trying to restrain her emotions, making herself think of things that would calm and cheer her.

For instance, once the palace gates opened, Pei Wenxuan would be standing there waiting for him.

That dog Pei Wenxuan would surely say some pleasant words for her to hear.

Actually, greeting the bride should have been done by Pei Wenxuan’s brothers. Pei Wenxuan need only kneel with the Pei family at the Princess Manor gates to receive her.

But in her previous life, Pei Wenxuan didn’t have a single reliable brother. He didn’t dare entrust such an important matter to his brothers, or perhaps no brother was willing to do it. So Pei Wenxuan came himself and wrote a widely circulated “Phoenix Summoning Ode,” reciting it as a blessing before the palace gates. The general meaning was that being able to marry her was a blessing bestowed by heaven, and he didn’t dare disappoint this blessing, so he wanted to personally come receive her.

At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it. Looking back now, what kind of ridiculous logic was that?

Back then, sitting in the bridal sedan, listening to him recite poetry, she had felt shy yet happy, without thinking too deeply.

If she had thought more carefully then, she would have known how difficult things were for Pei Wenxuan at that time.

If he hadn’t been alone and without support, how could he have made such a spectacle of himself?

Thinking this, Li Rong suddenly felt Pei Wenxuan was somewhat pitiable. This emotion slightly diluted her sadness. She took a deep breath and heard the front curtain being lifted, then a familiar voice came from directly ahead: “Your humble servant Su Rongqing, on behalf of sworn brother Pei Wenxuan, greets Princess Pingle.”

Hearing this, Li Rong’s eyes flew wide open. She froze in place, then heard Su Rongqing begin reciting words of praise written by Pei Wenxuan.

With Su Rongqing coming, Pei Wenxuan naturally wouldn’t write the “Phoenix Summoning Ode” as in the previous life. It was proper, formal parallel prose, quietly recited by Su Rongqing.

Li Rong quickly calmed from her initial surprise. She listened to Su Rongqing reciting words of praise for her. Finally, she heard Su Rongqing’s voice pause, but he very quickly continued, “Longing can pursue sun and moon, promised meeting next year beneath peach blossoms.”

This was Pei Wenxuan incorporating into this parallel prose the love poem Su Rongqing had given her in their previous life.

Though Su Rongqing hadn’t written this parallel prose, it carried his shadow.

Li Rong couldn’t name what she was feeling—regret, bitterness, mixed with several parts of inexpressible helplessness, and also faint, indescribable completeness.

In her previous life, she had spent twenty-five years with Su Rongqing. She couldn’t quite articulate what kind of relationship it was.

But occasionally, in certain moments, there truly was some regret.

Feeling that perhaps she should have given Su Rongqing a proper status.

However, this regret seemed to be filled, or perhaps bid farewell to, in this moment through an intangible means.

This emotion was too complex, layering upon her previous emotions, causing her rare loss of composure.

Fortunately, she didn’t need to do much. She simply held the round fan and sat quietly in the carriage. After the ritual official and Su Rongqing exchanged questions and answers according to procedure, the curtain before her lowered.

Before the curtain lowered, she quietly lowered the fan slightly and caught sight of Su Rongqing in the distance.

He was as she remembered—white robes, jade crown, quietly watching her carriage.

He seemed to notice her peeking at him. Li Rong hurriedly resumed her proper posture, feeling somewhat flustered.

Fortunately, the carriage slowly moved forward, and before she could feel too flustered, she heard the clamor of surrounding commoners rise, loudly calling her name. She kept her eyes forward, only hearing Li Chuan ahead seeming happy, scattering money and speaking auspicious words, asking the commoners to make way.

By dusk, she finally arrived at the Princess Manor gates. Sitting in the carriage, she heard Pei Wenxuan’s familiar voice ring out: “Your humble servant Pei Wenxuan greets Your Highness.”

With that came the sound of many people kneeling with a rustle.

Li Rong didn’t move. She heard the curtain before her being pulled open, then attendant maids came forward, supporting her on both sides as she descended from the carriage. Next, Pei Wenxuan walked forward and placed a length of red silk in her hand. Pei Wenxuan led the way ahead of her while attendant maids supported her on both sides, leading her across a brazier before walking all the way into the main hall.

Then they stood side by side, each holding one end of red silk. Pei Wenxuan lowered his voice and asked quietly, “Do you like the gift I sent you?”

“We’ll discuss it when we return.”

Hearing his tone still carrying a few parts seeking credit, Li Rong felt anger rise. Restraining her emotions, she warned him coldly.

Pei Wenxuan’s heart skipped a beat with a sense of foreboding. But after thinking carefully, he felt Li Rong was probably just temporarily unable to see reason. This was something that needed his explanation anyway. It was normal for her to blame him now. Once they talked it through, Li Rong would understand.

He sighed silently. Hearing the ritual official chant, he performed the same bows with Li Rong as in their previous life—to heaven, earth, sovereign, and parents, then bowing to each other.

Pei Wenxuan clearly remembered that in their previous life when they bowed to each other, Li Rong’s phoenix crown had jabbed his head. So this time he was prepared early, keeping his distance from her.

But Li Rong had anger she wanted to vent, so she bent at a deeper angle than normal, working hard to push the phoenix crown forward a bit more, thinking it would be good if she could jab him like in the previous life when he couldn’t help but endure it.

As she bent, Pei Wenxuan sensed her intention and thought to retreat slightly. Li Rong directly lowered her voice: “You dare?!”

Pei Wenxuan knew they were in public. He didn’t dare move again and could only steel himself to receive a strike from Li Rong’s phoenix crown.

Knowing she had jabbed him, Li Rong immediately felt somewhat cheerful. After rising, she was helped by attendants to the rear courtyard. Only then was Pei Wenxuan released to accompany the guests and drink. Pei Wenxuan involuntarily raised his hand to cover the spot on his forehead that had been jabbed. Li Chuan walked up behind him, glanced at him and said, “Why are you covering your head? Is your brain broken?”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

These siblings really were cut from the same cloth when it came to mockery. No wonder they came from the same womb.

“Your Highness jests,” Pei Wenxuan lowered his hand. “Please take your seat first, Your Highness. This humble servant will come attend to you shortly.”

“Attend to what?” Li Chuan rolled up his sleeves. “Come, today I’ll help you entertain them. You control yourself—don’t get drunk when you go see my sister.”

Saying this, Li Chuan grabbed Pei Wenxuan and together with Su Rongqing, who was already exchanging pleasantries with others nearby, they welcomed everyone to their seats.

Nearly the entire court of civil and military officials had come today. Su Rongqing was the best man Pei Wenxuan had invited. He was acquainted with many people in court, and with Li Chuan present, no one dared make things difficult for Pei Wenxuan or deliberately force him to drink too much. But there were simply too many guests. After Su Rongqing and Li Chuan collapsed from drinking, only Pei Wenxuan remained to toast each table one by one.

Initially he had paced himself, but once Su Rongqing and Li Chuan left and no one was holding him back, whenever he heard people blessing him and Li Rong, somehow he would drain his cup completely without any hesitation.

Whether drunk or not, he never showed it. His face always bore a smile, his expression composed, looking perfectly fine. After finishing a round of toasts, everyone marveled at Pei Wenxuan’s impressive alcohol tolerance. Pei Wenxuan knew he was somewhat drunk, but it should be nothing serious. After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, he went to see Li Chuan and Su Rongqing, who were resting on the side. Su Rongqing had recovered somewhat. Li Chuan was still covering his head, feeling uncomfortable. Looking at the two, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help saying, “You two rest first. I’ll head back now.”

Su Rongqing nodded and waved without speaking. Pei Wenxuan hesitated a moment, then bowed: “Thank you for today, Brother Su.”

“Go on.”

Su Rongqing finally spoke, only saying, “Just don’t fail the beauty.”

Pei Wenxuan smiled: “It’s not me who would fail her either.”

Hearing this, Su Rongqing looked up somewhat bewildered. Pei Wenxuan bowed, then turned to Li Chuan and said, “Your Highness, this servant takes his leave.”

“Treat my sister well,” Li Chuan said hoarsely. “I only have one sister. Treat her well, understand?”

Hearing this, even knowing Li Chuan was speaking from drunkenness, Pei Wenxuan still raised his hand before him and bowed solemnly: “This servant obeys the decree.”

Li Chuan felt uncomfortable. He turned his head away and waved his hand, gesturing for Pei Wenxuan to hurry and leave.

Pei Wenxuan was led by servants with lanterns to the rear courtyard. Actually, he was very familiar with this Princess Manor, but everyone treated him as if coming for the first time, carefully guiding him. He found it somewhat novel.

Arriving at the door, he saw Jing Lan and Jing Mei guarding the entrance. Looking up and seeing him approach, both pressed their lips into smiles. That scene instantly overlapped with their previous life, and Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but freeze.

A nearby attendant called softly, “Prince Consort?”

Only then did Pei Wenxuan come back to himself in a daze and nodded: “Announce me.”

“Your Highness,” Jing Lan turned toward the interior, “the Prince Consort has arrived.”

“Let him enter.”

Li Rong’s voice came from inside. Somehow, hearing Li Rong’s voice, Pei Wenxuan suddenly felt somewhat nervous.

Jing Lan pushed open the door and led Pei Wenxuan inside. Then a crowd of people entered, carrying many trays, standing in a row to one side.

Pei Wenxuan was led before Li Rong. He looked at the young woman before him. She wore a wedding gown different from their previous life—the original peonies had been changed to phoenixes. This change made him suddenly feel that this wedding wasn’t a reenactment, but seemed to be a brand new, different wedding. Because it was similar yet dissimilar to Pei Wenxuan’s memories, he suddenly felt some anticipation. Looking at Li Rong, he couldn’t help but be somewhat dazed.

Everyone smiled and exchanged glances. An attendant brought the first tray forward, containing brush, ink, and rice paper, and presented it to Pei Wenxuan.

“Prince Consort,” Jing Lan said respectfully, “please compose a poem to win the fan.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan finally came back to himself. Li Rong held up the fan and said lightly, “Write well. If you write poorly, I’ll make you regret it.”

Hearing this, the young women in the room burst into laughter. Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat helpless. He took up the brush and, after hesitating a moment, put it to paper.

Half awake, half drunk, half a lifetime’s dream, Bright moon, bright heart, bright this promise. If the beauty would but turn her gaze back halfway, Till the mountains age not, I’ll never part.

Pei Wenxuan had intended to write casually, but after putting brush to paper, he couldn’t quite control himself. After finishing, a nearby attendant came to take it. Pei Wenxuan suddenly pressed his hand down on the paper. The attendant looked up puzzled: “Prince Consort?”

Pei Wenxuan stood frozen without moving. He felt somewhat embarrassed, as if someone had glimpsed into his heart, yet he also felt his current action was even more embarrassing.

He didn’t move, so the attendant didn’t dare move either. Seeing no movement from the side, Li Rong asked directly, “Is the poem finished?”

“Your Highness, it is finished.”

The attendant spoke while looking up at Pei Wenxuan, asking carefully, “Prince Consort?”

Pei Wenxuan withdrew his hand rather helplessly. Li Rong already knew he had finished writing. To write it over would seem too deliberate.

It was just that poems to win the fan generally praised the young woman’s beauty. He felt that leading with vows of eternal devotion was somewhat too embarrassing.

Especially since he had written “half awake, half drunk, half a lifetime’s dream” at the beginning. Would Li Rong think he was hinting at their previous life?

The more Pei Wenxuan thought about it, the more flustered he became. He didn’t dare overthink, forcing himself to remain composed as he waited for Li Rong to take the poem. Li Rong held the fan with one hand and looked at the poem with the other. Pei Wenxuan rarely wrote such poetry, and it fell short of his usual standard. But somehow, upon reading it, she still felt an indescribable stirring.

Perhaps it was that line “half awake, half drunk, half a lifetime’s dream” that made her feel resonance.

Or perhaps it was that line “till the mountains age not, I’ll never part” that gave her some yearning.

Li Rong reined in her emotions and smiled: “It’s actually quite good.”

With that, Li Rong slowly lowered the fan.

First revealed were her eyes—she had a pair of lively, beautiful eyes, as if painted with ink brushstrokes into phoenix eyes, carrying a hint of mirth.

That mirth was different from the previous life. In the previous life at this moment, she had looked at him with shyness mixed with joy. Now she looked at him like an old acquaintance, faintly teasing.

Then came her high, straight nose, her lips stained with color, the lines of her entire face—beautiful yet noble, leaving Pei Wenxuan momentarily transfixed.

The nearby attendants wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. Watching Pei Wenxuan remain silent for so long, Li Rong couldn’t help laughing: “Is the Prince Consort satisfied?”

“Satisfied.” Pei Wenxuan reflexively came back to himself and blurted out.

The people nearby immediately burst into loud laughter. Li Rong grabbed peanuts from the bed beside her and threw them at him, laughing: “How bold, daring to speak to this palace so.”

Hearing Li Rong’s voice filled with laughter, Pei Wenxuan slowly came fully to his senses and hurriedly said, “I was wrong.” Then Pei Wenxuan smiled and bowed: “I beg the Princess’s forgiveness.”

“Too lazy to say more to you.”

Li Rong gave him a reproachful glance and stood up. Nearby attendants brought forward another tray. Li Rong picked up a wine cup and raised her chin toward Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan lowered his head with a soft laugh, walked over, and also picked up a wine cup. Before everyone, the two crossed their arms and raised the cups to their own lips.

Pei Wenxuan looked up and glanced at Li Rong, now so close at hand. Seeing him watching her, Li Rong raised an eyebrow: “Why are you looking at me?”

“A beauty offering wine,” Pei Wenxuan smiled gently, “how can I not look at the beauty?”

“Then would you like a few more cups?” Li Rong asked with a smile. “Shall I serve you a whole jar?”

“Forget it, forget it,” Pei Wenxuan hurriedly said. “One cup is enough.”

With that, the two drained their cups.

Then following procedure with more auspicious words, they finally completed the entire ceremony, and everyone withdrew.

Once everyone left, both immediately deflated. Li Rong’s whole body went soft as she sat directly on the bed’s edge, leaning against the bedpost and sighing: “So tired.”

Pei Wenxuan sat down beside her, leaning against the other side, sighing: “Me too.”

The two remained silent. After a while, Li Rong couldn’t help saying, “Why didn’t they help me remove the phoenix crown and take off my clothes so I can sleep?”

“That’s probably the husband’s duty.”

Pei Wenxuan spoke without thinking. Hearing this, Li Rong couldn’t help but look over.

Pei Wenxuan sensed Li Rong’s gaze and turned to look. Their eyes met, and Pei Wenxuan felt a sense of foreboding: “What are you thinking?”

“Do you know how many pounds my phoenix crown weighs?”

“Do you know,” Pei Wenxuan raised his hand to point at his own ceremonial crown, “how many pounds this one on my head weighs?”

“Is it as heavy as mine?”

After Li Rong finished her question, Pei Wenxuan fell silent. Li Rong leaned against the bedpost and beckoned: “Come quickly, take it off.”

“My goodness.”

Pei Wenxuan let out a pained groan, but he still resigned himself to it. After all, right now they didn’t want to call people back in to help them remove crowns and change clothes.

Pei Wenxuan summoned his last bit of energy, first raising his hand to remove his own ceremonial crown and taking off his heavy outer robe. Then he climbed onto the bed, knelt behind Li Rong, and began removing her phoenix crown.

This wasn’t his first time doing this. Having done it in the previous life, he vaguely remembered the procedure, working while yawning.

Li Rong felt him struggling with the phoenix crown behind her. Holding onto her last thread of consciousness, she said with difficulty, “Pei Wenxuan.”

“Mm?”

“Why did you have Su Rongqing come greet me?”

“Can we discuss this question tomorrow?”

Pei Wenxuan removed Li Rong’s phoenix crown along with all the various securing hairpins and carried them down from the bed, placing them on the table.

Li Rong leaned against the bed, watching the exhausted Pei Wenxuan walk back, and said again, “Pei Wenxuan.”

Pei Wenxuan hadn’t yet sat on the bed, only responding: “Mm?”

“I still have clothes on.”

“I have to undress you too?” Pei Wenxuan turned back with a bitter face. “You take them off yourself?”

“I’m so weary.”

Li Rong turned to look at him: “And you said yourself, the husband undresses.”

Pei Wenxuan choked. Li Rong watched him, her eyes carrying a rather pitiful look. Pei Wenxuan sighed and could only say, “Stand up.”

Li Rong supported herself to stand. Pei Wenxuan first undid her sash, then grabbed all the clothes as a bundle and stripped them off together, leaving only a single inner garment.

Li Rong felt instantly liberated and directly fell backward onto the bed.

Pei Wenxuan held a pile of clothes, watching Li Rong, who had already consciously climbed into bed. He felt an unprecedented weariness and couldn’t help saying, “You sleep on the bed—where do I sleep?”

“Sleep wherever you like.”

Li Rong burrowed into the covers: “This palace must rest now.”

He wanted to rest too!!

Thinking that at this moment he still had to make a floor bed, Pei Wenxuan felt despair.

He took a deep breath, telling himself not to be too agitated. After putting away Li Rong’s clothes, he turned to rummage through the cabinets. Hearing Pei Wenxuan rummaging through cabinets, Li Rong thought for a moment, then poked her head out and looked toward Pei Wenxuan: “Why don’t you sleep together?”

Pei Wenxuan froze in his movements, stuttering: “Tha… that wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?”

Li Rong thought about it. She didn’t mind these things, but Pei Wenxuan was still very cautious about such matters. Now that they had agreed to be allies, Pei Wenxuan would definitely guard his virtue to the end. Although her intention was just to share half the bed with him, Pei Wenxuan might feel that even sharing one bed would defile his chastity.

So Li Rong decided to respect him and said, “Oh, then I’ll rest first.”

With that, Li Rong closed her eyes and slept. She was truly too sleepy and tired.

Pei Wenxuan stood with his back to Li Rong, somewhat surprised. That’s it?

Li Rong won’t try to persuade him again?

Actually, he still… still… really wanted to sleep on the bed.

He was really too tired now and didn’t want to make a floor bed at all. He could guarantee not to touch a single finger of Li Rong’s, absolutely not crossing any boundaries.

Li Rong’s steady breathing quickly came over. Pei Wenxuan hesitated for a moment before making a major decision.

He decided to sleep on the bed.

Even if Li Rong kicked him down, he was going to sleep on the bed.

Having made this decision, his heart immediately lightened considerably. Grabbing a blanket, he happily returned to the bed.

The bed was large. Li Rong curled up at the innermost side, wrapping herself entirely in the blanket—a small bundle. Having lost her usual flamboyant, proud demeanor, she looked pitiful yet adorable.

An intangible tenderness slowly spread through Pei Wenxuan’s heart. He spread his blanket at the outermost edge, then slipped into the covers.

A great distance separated them. He was at the outermost side, as if shielding her from all wind and rain, encircling for her a small world.

For an instant, he suddenly had a sweet, proud, inexpressible feeling that even he himself hadn’t discovered.

He felt he was protecting her.

His Princess Highness.

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Q: What are your thoughts on this story?

Li Rong: Helpless, desolate—a spider’s web with everyone stuck to it, unable to move.

Su Rongqing: Plots and schemes, blood feuds and deep vengeance.

Pei Wenxuan: ??? I… I thought this was a sweet story? Aren’t we here to fall in love?

Everyone in the entire story turned shocked gazes upon him.

Pei Wenxuan: …Sorry, my mistake.