Such a major incident could not be hidden from the guests attending the wedding at Prince An's manor. They watched helplessly as Gu Xuan was carried away, their faces shifting in shock.
Gu Xuan had been a troublemaker, greedy for beauty, and many officials wished him dead, feeling a secret delight. But they also knew that his death signified what storms were to come.
The feast had not yet concluded when guests began to leave in small groups. Prince An sat at the head of the table, propping his head with one hand, staring blankly at the empty banquet.
Eunuch Liu was also rather dejected, for the prince had prepared for this wedding for a long time, only to have disruptions occur and someone else steal the spotlight.
Consort Liang, having heard the news, rushed over.
She asked directly, "Is Gu Xuan really dead?"
Xiao Yi flicked his sleeves and replied with an "Mm," then added, "He's very dead."
"How did he die?"
Xiao Yi lifted his eyes to look at Consort Liang, his mood clearly less cheerful than before. "If I knew the details clearly, Mother, wouldn't you be afraid?"
"...
"You have a point."
Though the man's death was not a pity, his background was still there. If Xiao Yi got involved, it would certainly be troublesome.
"There will be plenty to deal with regarding this matter. Don't meddle—let's just stand by and watch," Consort Liang instructed.
Xiao Yi gave two cold laughs.
"Mother, guess why I didn't go back to the bridal chamber? Is it because I don't want to consummate the marriage?"
As for this matter, it was still unclear whether Tang Qingwan was involved, but the Crown Prince would most likely not let him off easily.
"It's getting late. I'll have someone escort you back to the palace, Mother," Xiao Yi said.
Consort Liang nodded. "On this wedding night, treat Yunfeng well and curb your temper." Then, thinking it over, she added, "Be careful yourself. Have Eunuch Liu keep watch outside, and call for help if anything happens."
"..."
His chest, which had just been stung by Cui Yunchu's provocations, began to ache again.
"Mother, you'd better leave soon. Any later, and it'll be dark—watch out for those deceased consorts following you."
"You wretched child." Consort Liang glared at him, then flicked her sleeves and left in displeasure.
The hall fell completely silent. Perhaps the posture was tiring, so Xiao Yi shifted, propping his feet up on the table as he leaned back. His peach-blossom eyes stared straight at the beams.
Eunuch Liu felt that the scene after the prince's wedding was quite different from what he had imagined. With all the guests gone, shouldn't the master be eager to seek out the princess?
The pair remained seated for nearly an hour until Eunuch Liu couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, it's getting late. Time for the bridal chamber."
Xiao Yi muttered to himself, "Tell me, how was the young lady of the Cui family raised? How can she be more cold-hearted than we Xiaos?"
Eunuch Liu didn't understand. He only knew that if the prince didn't return soon, the princess might get angry.
Perhaps tired of sitting, Xiao Yi finally stood up and began pacing back and forth in the hall, making people dizzy.
Eunuch Liu didn't know why the prince wouldn't go back, but judging by his demeanor, he clearly wanted to.
When night had fully fallen, he finally gave in and made his way to the bridal chamber.
"Your Highness, you're back at last," Yun'er said softly. "The princess was tired and dozed off on the couch."
Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment, gently pushed open the door, and dismissed the others.
Gazing at the sleeping girl on the couch, joy filled his eyes. Though there was no old matron's chanting, the proper rituals were not omitted. He bent down and carefully, symbolically lifted her veil.
He drank the nuptial wine by himself, then pressed his lips to her rosy, soft mouth.
His kiss was gentle, lingering at the corners of her lips, then falling on her pale, slender neck and collarbones.
Cui Yunfeng stirred awake with a start. "You're back?"
"Mm, let me carry you to bathe."
Cui Yunfeng said, "No need. I have something to tell you."
"..."
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Cui Yunfeng said, "These days, the Crown Prince, my brother-in-law, is going to propose that my elder brother return to the capital. You need to support him."
"..."
"Yunfeng," he said softly, "Your brother-in-law and I are political rivals."
Wouldn't it be strange for them to work together as if of one mind?
"He is my blood brother, born from the same mother. The Crown Prince is even willing to go so far for my brother. As his brother-in-law, can't you even do him a favor?"
"..."
News certainly travels fast from the Crown Prince.
Xiao Yi rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Do you want to consummate the marriage or not?" Cui Yunfeng asked.
"Yes." He wrapped his arm around her waist, his eyes growing hazy.
"Then will you help or not?"
"..."
"Yi-ge, I miss my brother. He's the only family my mother left me." Cui Yunfeng leaned into Xiao Yi's arms.
He lowered his eyes, gazing at her lips, then covered them with his own. The kiss gradually shifted from tender to fierce and domineering. "Yunfeng, do you still want to kill me?"
Flushed and breathless, Cui Yunfeng murmured, "Yi-ge..."
