For half a month, the snow in the capital fell continuously. By mid-November, everything was draped in silver and jade, with a thick layer of frost and snow covering the bluestone pavements, obscuring their original color.
Fortunately, the heavens showed some favor. On the day the Ji family was marrying off their daughter, the snow stopped, and even a warm glow of sunlight seeped through.
However, the atmosphere inside the Ji residence was stifling and oppressive, not at all lively.
After Lin Chan’s visit to Zhaoyu Prison, although she hadn’t been tortured, the place was cold and eerie, filled with the stench of decay and death, as eight out of ten cells housed either the dead or the dying. Whatever she saw there left her severely ill upon her return, and she remained in low spirits since.
Ji Chongwang was even more troubled. His reputation in the court was damaged, and within the household, Madam Jiang fell gravely ill. Over the past few days, he had been busy calming the restless students at the Imperial Academy while also seeking medicine for Madam Jiang. Overwhelmed with responsibilities, he had no time to attend to his eldest daughter’s wedding.
On this day, everyone in the household sat uneasily in the main hall, waiting for the eldest daughter to come and serve tea.
Ji Yuluo was in the middle of her bridal preparations.
From the head of the household down to the maids and servants, everyone was indifferent about the wedding, except for the matchmaker, who was full of energy, spouting auspicious phrases like a performer, bringing a hint of joy to the makeup artist’s eyes.
This makeup artist was hired from outside since none of the old maids in the residence knew how to do bridal makeup.
However, the bridal adornment was particularly laborious. Ji Yuluo had been sitting before the dressing table since before dawn and was already feeling weary.
As she listened to the matchmaker’s endless chatter and allowed the makeup artist to paint golden flowers on her forehead, she felt immensely irritated. More than Ji Chongwang and Lin Chan, she wished the process would end quickly so she could step out of the residence and get into the bridal sedan.
It seemed that once she was in the sedan, she could immediately go to the palace with Huo Xian.
Impatiently, Ji Yuluo furrowed her brows, causing the makeup artist to exclaim, “Oh dear! Miss, please bear with it, we’re almost done.”
Ji Yuluo exhaled slowly. After a while, the golden flowers on her forehead were finished, and the final golden phoenix hairpin was inserted into her hair. Just then, the copper gong announcing the auspicious hour sounded outside. Ji Yuluo immediately grabbed the red bridal veil and covered her head herself before heading out. “Let’s go, to serve tea.”
Her quick steps left the makeup artist and matchmaker trailing behind.
The makeup artist whispered, “It’s the first time I’ve seen such an eager bride. I heard that Miss Ji and Lord Huo are deeply in love, but I thought it was just a rumor. Turns out it’s true.”
The matchmaker chuckled, waved the festive scarf at the makeup artist, and gave her a teasing look.
At that moment, Ji Yuluo, holding onto Biwu’s hand, entered the front hall.
As her embroidered shoes, decorated with twin lotus flowers, stepped over the threshold, she heard Ji Xianyu’s somewhat excited voice, “Sister!”
Ji Xianyu, already recovered, was standing behind Lin Chan.
Although she also felt that her sister marrying Huo Xian wasn’t a good thing, today was her sister’s wedding day, and she was genuinely happy for her.
Through the veil, Ji Yuluo glanced in her direction and then walked straight toward Ji Chongwang and Lin Chan.
The old maid held a tray with a pair of exquisite white porcelain teacups and said, “Miss, please serve tea to the master and madam.”
Ji Yuluo reached out to take the tray. Just as she was about to kneel and serve the tea, she stumbled, and the cups flew out of her hands, spilling tea all over Ji Chongwang and Lin Chan despite their attempts to dodge.
This unexpected mishap was truly unfortunate, and the maids hurriedly brought towels to clean up.
Flustered, Ji Yuluo said, “Father, Mother, I didn’t mean it. Could the old maid please pour another cup of tea for me?”
Ji Chongwang, already irritated, waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it, just be careful not to miss the auspicious time.”
Lin Chan, looking equally displeased, remained silent.
Ji Yuluo responded quietly, then turned and walked towards the flowery arch gate.
Outside the main gate stood a grand welcoming procession. The Jinyiwei, dressed in their distinctive uniforms, were stationed around the bridal sedan, each with a sword at their waist and a fierce expression. Those in the know recognized it as the escort for the town magistrate’s bride; those who didn’t might mistake it for a Jinyiwei raid. Even the matchmaker felt her legs go weak at the sight of the embroidered spring knives, hesitating to approach.
Despite the grand display, the groom had not arrived.
Liyang, holding the reins of the horse adorned with a large red flower that should have carried the groom, stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. “Today is unfortunate. The Jinyiwei have captured a very important criminal, and the lord is tied up with official duties. He feared missing the auspicious time and sent us ahead to bring the lady into the household.”
He added, “The lord also feared any mishaps along the way and specially assigned the Jinyiwei to escort the procession. We hope the lady doesn’t mind.”
Ji Yuluo didn’t care whether Huo Xian was truly held up by official duties, but the words “any mishaps” were worth pondering. One must be hated enough to fear ambush even on a wedding day.
Ji Yuluo, hands properly placed before her abdomen, replied softly, “It’s no problem, this official is too serious.”
Liyang, accustomed to dealing with the Jinyiwei and unlike Nanyue who often stayed at the residence dealing with concubines, rarely spoke to women. The soft tone made him rub his nose awkwardly. “You can just call me Liyang,” he said.
After exchanging a few words, Ji Yuluo bent down to enter the sedan. The matchmaker lifted the curtain, but a voice called from the front gate, “Sister, wait!”
Ji Xianyu ran forward, grabbing her hand. “When we went to Chengyuan Temple last time, I requested a peace amulet. Though the journey back was perilous, it kept me safe. It must be very effective, so I requested another one for you. Please take it, sister.”
Ji Yuluo accepted it, but Ji Xianyu didn’t let go.
Though the veil obscured her face, her voice was already choked with emotion, likely about to sob and express her reluctance.
Now that she was leaving the Ji residence, Ji Yuluo had no desire to engage in a display of sisterly affection. She was about to interrupt, but with the Jinyiwei present—known for their interrogation skills—she decided against revealing anything. She swallowed her words.
After Ji Xianyu’s heartfelt farewell, Ji Yuluo sincerely said, “We’re both in the capital. We’ll see each other often. Today is a happy day, don’t cry.”
Ji Xianyu wiped her tears and nodded repeatedly.
Ji Yuluo said, “Mother’s health is not good, and she needs someone to take care of her. Third Sister, you should go back.”
Ji Xianyu finally returned to the house, looking back at every step. Ji Yuluo breathed a sigh of relief and got into the bridal sedan.
Immediately, the matchmaker shouted, “Lift the sedan!” The sound of suona horns and drums burst forth, and the sedan swayed as it was carried towards Dongzhimen Street, surrounded by the Jinyiwei.
It was mid-winter, and the thick snow on the ground had yet to melt. The roadside trees were bent under the weight of the snow, looking particularly desolate. In this bleak setting, the sudden appearance of the red bridal sedan was striking.
Moreover, everyone knew that today was the wedding of the head of the town’s justice office.
Thus, in the cold winter, the streets were crowded with onlookers, packed like sardines, even the nearby taverns were full to the brim.
As the lively sounds reached Ji Yuluo’s ears, she half-lifted her bridal veil and leaned on the lamb wool-covered seat, thinking about what she had heard about the Huo residence.
Three years ago, the Marquis of Xuanping had publicly severed ties with Huo Xian in front of the entire court, leading Huo Xian to establish his own residence. Thus, there were no in-laws to serve in the Huo family.
However, the Huo household was not small, with enough concubines in the inner courtyard to start a brothel. Nevertheless, only one concubine named Sheng was favored by Huo Xian, and as for children, none had been mentioned.
“Whoa—”
Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves interrupted Ji Yuluo’s thoughts. The sedan jolted violently and landed with a thud. The sound of arrows whizzing through the air followed, and the onlookers scattered in panic, shouting, “They’re kidnapping the bride!”
Ji Yuluo pulled off her veil, frowning. An actual assassination attempt? And knowing Huo Xian wasn’t present, they still dared to act. These people—
“The bride in the sedan is that traitor Huo’s new wife. If she truly loves him, she can’t be any good. We can’t kill Huo today, but killing his beloved will be a small revenge. Attack!”
Ji Yuluo was speechless. She heard a sound from her left and immediately dodged. An arrow grazed her neck and embedded itself in the sedan. Despite the Jinyiwei’s defense outside, some assassins managed to get close.
As the sedan was pierced by knives, Ji Yuluo clenched her fists, feeling utterly powerless for the first time.
The eldest daughter of the Ji family was gentle and weak, not a martial artist. If she fought back, it would attract attention, so she could only rely on the Jinyiwei for protection.
But the number of assassins was overwhelming, with archers attacking from a distance. The escaping crowd further hindered the Jinyiwei, and they gradually fell behind. As Ji Yuluo watched the arrows, the sedan’s roof was suddenly torn off.
She stood up, her golden bridal robe shimmering in the sunlight, making her an easy target. More swords and knives were aimed at her, and she could only pretend to be defenseless, hiding behind the Jinyiwei and dodging the attacks without drawing attention.
Suddenly, an arrow flew towards her from above. Ji Yuluo turned to avoid it, but before it reached her, it was struck down in mid-air.
Ji Yuluo looked up and saw a figure sitting on the second floor of a tavern, dressed in white, exuding an ethereal presence.
As she looked up, Xie Subai was also gazing down at her.
In that brief moment of eye contact, Xie Subai’s expression was unreadable, only the reflection of her fiery red wedding dress in his eyes made him unconsciously frown.
Ji Yuluo was slightly surprised.
She thought Xie Subai would leave the capital after that day, but to her surprise, he appeared here today. Did something change inside the building?
However, before Ji Yuluo could think deeply about it, she heard the sound of distant hoofbeats. In an instant, Xie Subai put on a mask and was pushed inside by his attendant.
Just as Ji Yuluo withdrew her gaze, she was scooped up onto the horse by the groom who had arrived late.
Realizing who it was, Ji Yuluo immediately restrained her instinctive reaction to strike. At the same time, she took a deep breath, her body even more tense than when she was feigning weakness at the assassination scene earlier.
Huo Xian’s posture almost encircled her in his arms.
The overwhelming scent of masculinity made her uncomfortably close her eyes. The gold flower painted on her forehead creased. Huo Xian’s horse was no ordinary horse—it ran exceptionally fast. Ji Yuluo, who hadn’t even had a sip of water all day, felt discomfort both physically and mentally. Her face tightened with unease. By the time they arrived at the Huo residence, her complexion was nearly pale.
Huo Xian held the red bridal veil in his hand. This man was so tall that when he stood in front of her, he blocked out the sunlight, giving a sense of being looked down upon from a height. He draped the veil over Ji Yuluo’s head.
As Ji Yuluo’s vision darkened, she heard the man’s voice from above, “Don’t be nervous, the area is secured; you won’t be harmed.”
Ji Yuluo immediately looked up. So… was today a setup?
Hongshuang, supporting Ji Yuluo, could almost feel her taking a deep breath. Using a gentle tone, Ji Yuluo said, “Mm, I’m not nervous.”
