Sang Ning's lashes fluttered slightly, her delicate face beneath the bridal veil stiffening for a moment.
How did he know her childhood name?!
Only her parents and grandmother called her that—it had never been mentioned in front of outsiders, not even Pei Songhan knew.
A young maid hurried in. "Third Master, His Majesty has arrived. The Marquis asks you to go out and receive him at once."
The wedding matron chimed in, "Then Third Master should hurry to attend the guests. We’ll take care of the Third Madam."
Since it wasn’t yet the auspicious hour for the wedding chamber, it wouldn’t be proper for him to linger.
He Siyu tightened his grip on her hand and said in a low voice, "Wait for me to return."
Sang Ning frowned slightly. What else could she do but wait?
Useless words.
She nodded obediently. "Yes."
She tried to pull her hand away, but he still didn’t let go.
"You don’t have to keep the veil on while waiting. Once everyone leaves, take it off quietly. My servants are tight-lipped—they won’t dare gossip," he added.
This scoundrel had some conscience after all.
She nodded gently. "Thank you, my lord."
The words "my lord" slipped into his ears, and his heartbeat suddenly quickened.
She called him… my lord?
Even in modern times, he hadn’t heard her call him "husband."
He froze for three breaths before finally speaking. "It’s only right."
His tone carried a hint of poorly concealed awkwardness.
She tried to pull her hand away again, but his grip remained unyielding.
Her brows furrowed slightly—her patience was wearing thin.
She reminded him softly, "My lord, you should go receive His Majesty now."
"Oh…"
His dark eyes fixed on the red veil covering her head, his throat bobbing slightly.
Why were there so many rules in ancient times?!
Finally, he released her hand and stood. "Then I’ll go."
At last, she withdrew her hand, glancing down beneath the veil to see her fingers flushed red from his grip.
"The bride should rest for now. We’ll take our leave," the wedding matron said cheerfully.
Sang Ning nodded. "Thank you, matron."
"Your servants withdraw."
The matron led the crowd out of the room, and the lively bridal chamber finally fell silent.
Xia Zhu was about to close the door when a young servant carrying a food box appeared at the entrance.
"Xia Zhu-jie, this one is Fusheng. The mistress hasn’t eaten yet—here’s something to tide her over."
Xia Zhu quickly accepted it. "Thank you."
Fusheng grinned. "Third Master ordered it."
Xia Zhu was surprised. "I see."
She carried the food box into the bridal chamber, set it on the table, and approached the bed.
"Miss, Third Master sent food, saying you probably haven’t eaten and should have something to eat."
As she spoke, she adjusted Sang Ning’s skirts. "That headdress is terribly heavy. Would you like to take it off and rest? Sitting like this for hours will break your neck."
Sang Ning asked, "Who’s guarding the door?"
"Our people, and a servant named Fusheng—seems like he’s Third Master’s attendant."
After a moment’s consideration, Sang Ning nodded. "Then take it off for me."
She hadn’t yet figured out the He family’s situation—she had to be cautious.
But this He Siyu… seemed somewhat interested in her for now. His people could be trusted, at least for the moment—they wouldn’t dare spread rumors.
If she could ease her burden, why suffer needlessly?
Sang Ning lifted the veil, and Xia Zhu carefully removed the phoenix crown.
"This young General He seems quite thoughtful, worrying that you haven’t eaten and sending food. Looks like the rumors the madam had gathered from Youzhou weren’t entirely accurate!"
A month had been just enough time for a fast round trip to Youzhou.
The madam had specifically sent someone to investigate He Siyu’s reputation there.
The report came back with four words: "a hellion of a troublemaker."
The madam nearly fainted.
She knew—if he weren’t utterly reckless, he wouldn’t have dared rush into the palace and boldly request the Emperor’s decree for marriage.
Xia Zhu giggled. "The madam was worried Young Master He would be too unruly and you’d suffer."
Sang Ning rubbed her sore neck. "Being unruly has its advantages."
Xia Zhu nodded eagerly. "Exactly! If Third Master were more rigid about rules, you’d be stuck wearing this heavy crown till nightfall!"
Sang Ning glanced around the bridal chamber—this was He Siyu’s personal quarters.
Stripped of the festive red silks and wedding decorations, the room was austere and unrefined.
She stood and walked to the weapon rack behind the desk, lifting a hand to lightly trace the scabbard of the long sword before gripping the hilt and pulling.
The blade slid free, its edge gleaming coldly.
Her brow arched—this was her first time handling such a weapon.
Not bad.
---
"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
"Rise!" The Emperor waved dismissively. "I personally decreed this marriage—of course I’d come to celebrate."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" He Siyu’s lips curved slightly, his eyes bright with mischief when he looked up.
The Emperor pointed at him. "I heard you were beaten again last month—old wounds layered with new ones. Have you recovered?"
He Wanjun’s temple twitched.
He Siyu smiled. "Much better. Father was just momentarily furious—he didn’t strike too hard."
The Emperor laughed heartily. "After all, you’re his own son. He wouldn’t kill you."
He Wanjun forced a strained smile. "Your Majesty is right."
The Emperor added reassuringly, "Young men will be young men—some impulsiveness is natural. In fact, I’d say if Siyu lacked this boldness, he wouldn’t have won the battle at Cangzhou."
"Your Majesty flatters him."
The Emperor glanced at He Siyu. "Go attend your guests. You’re the groom today—no need to stand on ceremony here. I’d like to speak with the Ding'an Marquis."
"As you command." He Siyu clasped his fists and withdrew.
He Siyu was currently the rising star of the court, and today, as the groom, he was immediately surrounded by well-wishers offering toasts the moment he stepped into the banquet.
He endured them all patiently.
Suddenly, the crowd parted.
Duke Ning approached, his smile perfunctory. "Congratulations on your wedding, General He. This cup is for you."
Today’s wedding was an awkward affair for the Pei family.
Not attend? The He family was now the most sought-after in the capital—who would dare snub them?
But attending… given that they had broken off the engagement, only for the He family to immediately secure an imperial decree and hold the wedding on the same day—wasn’t this a slap to the Pei family’s face?
After much deliberation, Duke Ning had come.
He Siyu’s gaze swept past Duke Ning, searching behind him.
Pei Songhan hadn’t come.
He Siyu raised his cup. "This toast should be mine. Thank you, Duke, for relinquishing the marriage, allowing my wife and me to forge this blessed union."
The surrounding guests’ eyes gleamed with amusement as they watched Duke Ning.
Duke Ning forced a stiff smile. "General He and your lady are a match made by heaven."
He Siyu’s lips curled in satisfaction. "Indeed."
---
The clamor outside didn’t fade until late into the night.
Sang Ning was nearly dozing off when Xia Zhu hurried in. "Miss, the groom is returning!"
Sang Ning rubbed her eyes, setting aside the book she’d been reading. "Mm. Help me freshen up."
"Yes!"
Xia Zhu and two maids quickly replaced the phoenix crown and veil.
Sang Ning sat primly at the edge of the bed, and soon, heavy footsteps approached the door.
"Third Master." The maids and elderly servants waiting outside bowed in greeting.
He Siyu paused at the doorway, his hands clenched slightly in his sleeves, a faint tension tightening his chest.
He hesitated for two breaths before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
She sat poised at the edge of the bed, just as she had been when he left.
He approached slowly, and Xia Zhu stepped forward with a tray in hand. "Please lift the bride’s veil, my lord."
Drawing a deep breath, he picked up the silver scale from the tray and gently raised the red veil.
As the bridal covering was lifted, the face he knew so well was revealed—her delicate features, usually so composed, now adorned with rare and radiant rouge. Under the flickering candlelight, her beauty was breathtaking.
His throat tightened, his breath catching.
Xia Zhu presented two cups of wine. "This is the ceremonial wedding wine."
He remained still.
Sang Ning turned to Xia Zhu, took the two cups herself, and offered one to him, her voice calm and steady. "My lord, please drink the nuptial wine with me."
He snapped out of his daze. "Ah…"
Accepting the cup, he sat stiffly beside her on the bed.
She raised her own cup, linking arms with him as they drank together.
At last, the final ritual was complete.
Xia Zhu glanced at Sang Ning before quietly withdrawing.
Setting down her cup, Sang Ning took a deep breath and met his gaze. Her beautiful eyes were serene, unreadable. "My lord, let us retire for the night."
