The bridal procession first made a stop at a suburban estate belonging to Ning Wang, which had been prepared in advance. There, Qingge was attended by a host of maidservants and court ladies as she bathed and changed into a red bridal gown and a phoenix coronet.
Ning Wang was a prince, and this marriage, having been decreed by the emperor, made the bride Xiahou Jianxue already his consort in title. Thus, the coronet, attire, and carriage all followed the standard of a Wangfei.
Not long after Qingge was ready, the officiant announced that the auspicious hour had arrived. The palace attendants started reciting poetry as the musicians waved embroidered banners, followed by the sound of drums and flutes that signaled the bride to board the ceremonial carriage.
Luo Momo quietly reminded Qingge to bestow the auspicious money and wine, which she did according to the custom. Then the ceremonial music began, and the procession moved forward, the vast dowry trailing behind her in a grand display stretching as far as the eye could see—a true ‘ten-mile red dowry.’
The streets were packed with onlookers, mostly Yuning locals eager to witness the grand wedding of their prince. Ceremonial officers holding floral baskets tossed grains, coins, and fruit to the crowd, delighting the people who scrambled to collect the auspicious items.
Amidst the thunderous sound of firecrackers and the glow of palace lanterns, the wedding carriage finally arrived at the main gate of Ning Wang Manor. After a series of elaborate ceremonies, a court lady holding a bronze mirror walked backward in front of the carriage, accompanied by others holding lotus-shaped candles to guide the bride.
Two maidservants supported Qingge, with Luo Momo by her side, as she stepped onto the green brocade rug, crossed over the saddle, leaped over hay and a golden scale, and finally entered the main gate.
As she crossed the threshold, Qingge lifted her gaze slightly, peering through the red bridal veil covering her face.
Pavilions and towers, eaves of green tiles—though shrouded in red gauze, it was unmistakably the familiar scene she knew so well.
She knew every curving eave and hidden path within these grounds.
For a moment, Qingge felt her chest tighten, almost to the point of suffocation.
‘What on earth was I thinking?! What has possessed me to be so daring, to impersonate the noble daughter of the Xiahou clan and walk into Ning Wang Manor through its main gate?’
But after that brief moment of panic, she relaxed.
‘Yes, there’s no turning back now; I can only move forward.’
Slowly, the bride entered her new home. Following the officiant’s instructions and amidst the solemn music, she performed the rites of bowing to heaven and earth, to her parents in the distance, and finally received the imperial edict conferring her new status.
Once everything was completed, the bride, now officially Ning Wangfei, was escorted to the bridal chamber. The room, clearly prepared in haste, was filled with the faint scent of incense and the lingering aroma of burning candles. Qingge was led to sit on the bridal bed, which was adorned with brocade embroidered with golden dragons and phoenixes, surrounded by lacquered decorations painted with auspicious cloud patterns and mythical beasts.
Nearby, the auspicious matrons busily scattered coins and colorful fruits over the bed, chanting auspicious blessings.
Qingge pressed her lips together, closed her eyes, and focused on her breathing to steady her emotions. She had faced death many times without flinching, and facing an old master should be easier. ‘Yes, there’s no way he would recognize me.’—she tried to convince herself.
Then, the door opened. From beneath her bridal veil, the finely embroidered edge of a ceremonial robe entered her view.
It was the groom, Ning Wang.
After pushing open the door, he paused slightly before stepping into the bridal chamber. His deliberate stride stirred the air, disrupting the silent atmosphere.
The auspicious matrons stepped forward to pay their respects. Ning Wang nodded slightly, signaling for them to proceed.
Qingge kept her eyes lowered, waiting quietly. Soon, Ning Wang took the ceremonial scale from one of the matrons and, with an elegant motion, lifted his bride’s red bridal veil.
As the veil slipped down, Qingge looked up and finally came eye to eye with Ning Wang. Her former master stood tall like a pine, dressed in a fitted dark red wedding robe with narrow sleeves and embroidered with intricate patterns. A golden headdress and jade belt adorned him, and his dark hair cascaded softly, accentuating the striking beauty of his features.
With his head slightly lowered, the man’s long lashes cast shadows over his deep, dark eyes; his whole being exuding an aura of cold indifference. The gaze that met his bride held little warmth, filled instead with a sharpness that seemed to pierce into her very core.
Meeting his intense gaze, Qingge showed no timidness. She formed a polite smile and softly greeted the groom, “Your Highness.”
Ning Wang nodded. “What comes next?”
He was addressing the matrons, who quickly stepped forward and tied the two ceremonial cups together with a red and green ribbon, filling them with wine.
Ning Wang and Qingge each took a cup and drank the wedding wine together. Qingge, cautious as ever, cooperated gracefully, and the ritual unfolded smoothly.
After exchanging the cups, the matrons placed the golden cups and flower crowns under the bridal bed, bowed, and excused themselves. Silence instantly settled over the chamber, with the distant clamor now a faint background noise.
The bride and the groom faced each other in silence.
Qingge knew that the moment had come—she was about to face what she must.
Ning Wang moved first. He reached out, lifting her chin, examining her face up close.
Qingge lowered her eyes, silently enduring his scrutiny. In this moment of proximity, the cool touch of Ning Wang’s jade thumb ring against her skin felt unmistakably pronounced. It was an accessory he always wore, now pressing coldly against her jawline.
“Xiahou Jianxue,” he finally spoke, his deep voice resonating as his cool breath brushed her cheek—unfamiliar yet strangely familiar.
“Yes, Your Highness,” she softly responded.
“The rites are complete. From this moment on, you are the mistress of Ning Wang Manor, the consort of the seventh prince of Great Sheng Dynasty, my Wangfei, my wife.”
Qingge replied, “Yes.”
Ning Wang continued, “I, Ning Wang, expect you to remember that.”
Qingge’s face remained gentle and obedient as she slowly said, “At home, one must obey one’s father; in marriage, one must obey one’s husband. Now that this consort is wed to Your Highness, I am a member of the imperial family in life and a spirit of the imperial family in death. From now on, my everything is devoted solely to Your Highness.”
“Very well. Then… let us begin.”
“As you wish, Your Highness.”
Then Ning Wang slightly lowered his head, his straight nose pressing down gently. After that, he tilted his head slightly, and his thin lips pressed against hers.
Qingge was aware of what would happen on the wedding night and had mentally prepared herself. But the person she was facing was Ning Wang—the man who held absolute power over her life and death. Once, she was only worthy of bowing down at his feet, but he was now giving her a kiss on the lips.
It was a kiss that was too cold, without any tenderness or love. Qingge almost thought she could hear the cold, emotionless voice that had read out the imperial edict earlier.
Ning Wang seemed to sense her stiffness. He withdrew and looked at her silently, his expression unreadable, before finally speaking: “Do you know what we are going to do?”
Qingge realized her reaction had been off, so she explained, “Yes, Your Highness. This consort has studied the picture booklet and listened to the teaching from the momo in charge, but has not experienced it myself—”
She abruptly stopped herself.
If she had experienced it before, that would have been suspicious.
Fortunately, Ning Wang did not question this. He pressed his lips together and looked at her with lowered eyes, solemn as he said, “It doesn’t matter. This prince, too, has not experienced this before.”
“…” Qingge remained silent.
Then, Ning Wang abruptly stood up. She was seated at the edge of the bed, and when he stood, the difference in height instantly made her feel as she once had, a lowly secret guard, always bowing and submissive in front of her master.
Qingge subconsciously straightened her back, pressing her lips together and silently watching Ning Wang as he expressionlessly gave a command, “Go and bathe first.”
She thought over the idea of bathing.
Ning Wang’s brows slowly furrowed, a hint of disdain appearing. “What? You want to consummate the marriage without taking a bath?”
Qingge looked at Ning Wang and said softly, “Of course no, Your Highness. This consort also thinks a bath is necessary.”
< Previous | TOC | Advanced TOC | Next >
Wants more chapters?
Click this page for the status of sponsored chapters.
Click this page for advanced chapters TOC.