Reading Guide:
1. Cross-dressing bigshot × gentle and beautiful lady, HE
2. The male lead has personality flaws and is somewhat abnormal.
3. The male supporting character’s attempt to win back his wife ends in a disastrous failure, with his ashes scattered and fed to the dogs.
Main characters: You Yuji, Si Que | Supporting characters: Chen Anzhi and his group of concubines | Others:
Brief Summary: Falling in love with a cross-dressing bigshot
Theme: Opposing the feudal concubinage system
Wax dripped down the intricate carvings of the “double happiness (囍)” symbol, pooling slowly on the candlestick, sticky and thick.
You Yuji, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, sat quietly by the bedside, gazing at the burning wedding candles for a long time.
She was already renowned as a beauty across the twelve nations, her appearance captivating and graceful. Today, with her wedding makeup, the glow of the candles made her even more stunning, almost otherworldly.
The midnight hour was nearing its end, and she was the only one in the bridal chamber.
Soon, soft, choked whispers came from behind the jade screen.
“How could the prince act like this? Intentionally humiliating our lady, making it impossible for her to hold her head high! If he has a habit of getting drunk, why did he drink so much?”
“What’s the use of saying this now? Even dragging the prince from the brothel won’t change anything…”
An older woman sternly rebuked, “Stop causing more trouble by talking here!”
Silence fell again.
You Yuji slightly tilted her ear, listening for sounds outside. It dawned on her that the night was deep, the guests had long departed, and this farce had ended.
She let out a long sigh of relief.
During the wedding ceremony, she had smelled the strong odor of alcohol on Chen Anzhi, giving her a bad premonition. She hadn’t expected him to continue drinking at the banquet and end up that drunk.
He despised her so much that he brought prostitutes to their wedding banquet.
Her maid had gone to check on the situation and saw how he was thoroughly drunk, hugging the prostitutes in public, and speaking carelessly—
“Just a fallen nation’s girl thinking she could marry me and become the princess.”
“Come on, let’s continue the game. What, the stakes aren’t high enough? If you win, I’ll be today’s groom, so what?”
Though the banquet was some distance from the bridal chamber, snippets of laughter and conversation still reached You Yuji’s ears.
Initially shocked, she soon calmed down. Now, sitting with her eyes downcast, no one could tell her emotions.
Lady Jing circled the screen and entered. Seeing You Yuji still sitting motionless by the bed, she suppressed her heartache and worry, walked over, and spoke quietly, “It’s late, you should rest. We have to get up early tomorrow.”
Since the farce began, You Yuji finally spoke her first words: “I didn’t know he was unwilling.”
Her voice, unused for too long, was soft and slightly hoarse.
Slowly raising her eyes, she looked at Lady Jing. She was asking her, but also herself, “Did I do something wrong? I didn’t ask if he was willing, so is it my fault? Did I bring this on myself?”
Lady Jing felt a sharp pain in her heart, fearing that You Yuji was overthinking and even more afraid that today’s humiliation would lead her to despair. Reputation and face often entangle a person’s life. She said firmly, “You did nothing wrong. The marriage was decreed by the Emperor, and the Empress Dowager commanded you to choose a husband from the princes. If he was unwilling, he could have said so then! Given his status and our situation, he had a hundred ways to refuse! There’s no excuse for treating someone like this after agreeing to the marriage!”
Seeing Lady Jing’s slight agitation, You Yuji instead slowly curved her lips into a delicate smile. She nodded, “You’re right. It’s very late, and we have to get up early tomorrow to serve tea. It’s time to rest.”
Lady Jing opened her mouth, but had to swallow her resentment. She called for the two maids behind the jade screen to come in and help You Yuji change and wash. The older one was called Zhenxu, and the younger one, who looked only thirteen or fourteen, was named Baohe.
You Yuji composed herself as usual and settled into the wedding bed.
As Lady Jing led Zhenxu and Baohe out, You Yuji lay on the mandarin duck pillow, her eyes vacant, and said softly, “Try to keep today’s events from my mother.”
Lady Jing paused, her eyes darkening, and replied with a nod before closing the door behind her.
You Yuji turned to face the inside of the bed. Despite the late hour, she was wide awake. But if she didn’t lie down, no one else below would be able to rest either.
As she moved, a pearl pendant on her slender, snowy neck slipped out from her red nightgown.
She gently caressed the purple pearl, and tears unexpectedly welled up in her eyes.
It was a gift from her father before he left.
Today’s humiliation hadn’t made her cry, but thinking of her fallen father brought a sting to her eyes she couldn’t hold back.
Her father was dead, her mother gravely ill, and her younger brother still a child.
How could she afford the weakness of weeping?
With delicate fingers pressing against the corner of her eye, You Yuji forced back the tears that had welled up.
She dared not dwell on her family, so she turned her thoughts to her current situation.
In recent years, the twelve nations had been divided and constantly at war, leaving the people in misery.
Emperor Chen, brave and skilled in battle, gradually annexed the nations. Now, only three remained unconquered. Determined to unify the land, Emperor Chen aimed to pacify after conquering through force. He housed the royal families of the subjugated nations in separate palaces and heavily employed the old officials who were willing to serve. He aspired to create an era of unprecedented prosperity, hoping to win over the nobles and key ministers of the subdued nations.
Marriage alliances were an excellent means of forging bonds.
He not only encouraged intermarriage among the conquered nations but also arranged marriages for the suitable princes and nobles of Chen during the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, matching them with noblewomen from the subjugated countries.
That day formed many couples, mostly chosen by the two Empress Dowagers of the East and West.
Only You Yuji was personally asked by the Western Empress Dowager about her heart’s desire. Fearful, she repeatedly insisted on letting the Dowager decide. The Western Empress Dowager smiled and pointed to three princes, allowing her to choose.
Others envied her for having some familial ties with the Western Empress Dowager, enabling her to choose her husband. But You Yuji knew that it was her father’s death in battle that had earned her this “honor.” This “honor” was a show for the ministers of the conquered nations.
Among the three princes, two of their fathers were involved in the struggle for the crown. So, she glanced at Chen Anzhi…
Before marriage, she had imagined life in the prince’s mansion. As a person from a conquered nation, she was already a notch lower. She didn’t hope for deep love and affection, just peace and harmony.
But even this was a luxury.
Suddenly, she remembered her homeland—a vast, endless prairie, where songs accompanied the galloping of horses. At night, the bonfires blazed, people danced in circles, the stars and moon keeping company, laughter never ceasing…
Tears finally seeped from her tightly closed eyelids, but she quickly wiped them away.
You Yuji carefully placed the purple pearl at her heart and forced herself to sleep.
The next morning, You Yuji woke very early. Learning that Chen Anzhi was still deeply asleep and couldn’t be roused, she went to find him herself. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, the heavy smell of alcohol hit her, and she saw maids pouring hangover soup into Chen Anzhi’s mouth.
You Yuji quickly stepped back out.
“What should we do? If we delay any longer, we’ll miss the time to pay respects,” Zhenxu asked quietly, her brows furrowed.
“I’ll go by myself,” You Yuji said.
“That won’t do!” Zhenxu’s eyes widened. How could a bride go alone to serve tea to her parents-in-law on the second day of her marriage? What would people think?
After the humiliation of the previous night, You Yuji felt that going alone to serve tea was no big deal. Moreover, she felt a sense of relief at not having to go with Chen Anzhi.
—She still didn’t know how to face Chen Anzhi.
The main hall was filled with people, waiting not just for the new bride to pay her respects but also to see a good show. When the servant announced the arrival of the princess consort, everyone in the hall stopped chatting and eagerly looked towards the door.
The hall doors were wide open, and You Yuji, in her red attire, walked slowly from a distance. The gentle morning light filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on her, making her look almost unreal—snow-white skin, delicate features, a slender waist, and an enchanting aura that even her shadow seemed captivating.
For a moment, the atmosphere was frozen.
Chen Lingyan muttered under her breath, “From her hair to her toes, she exudes a seductive charm. No wonder my brother doesn’t like her.”
The Princess of Jinnan glared at her daughter.
Chen Lingyan didn’t dare say more and turned to exchange glances with her cousin Fang Qingyi, but saw her cousin staring in a daze at You Yuji, who was about to step over the threshold.
You Yuji knew in advance that the Prince of Jinnan had gone to the palace early in the morning. She walked gracefully into the hall, took the tea handed to her by the servant, and knelt properly in front of the Princess of Jinnan.
“Mother, please have some tea,” You Yuji said, holding up the cup.
She called this woman she had just met “mother,” while her thoughts were with her own mother, not knowing if she was awake or still unconscious, the worry and longing slowly spreading in her heart.
The Princess of Jinnan took the tea, sipped it, and then, following the custom, handed You Yuji a red envelope.
“Anzhi was foolish yesterday. He’s not usually like this; it was the excessive drinking that made him act this way. Since the marriage was decreed by the Emperor, you are meant to be companions for life. You must be understanding and forgiving, don’t hold it against him.”
You Yuji lowered her eyes and could only respond with a quiet “yes.”
Only then did the Princess of Jinnan allow her to rise.
The elderly maid beside the Princess of Jinnan introduced the family members to You Yuji. Above Chen Anzhi was an older half-brother, Chen Shunzhi, who had married Miss Lin earlier this year. Miss Lin smiled warmly and spoke kindly to You Yuji.
Below Chen Anzhi was an unmarried younger sister, Chen Lingyan. With just one glance, You Yuji knew this sister-in-law didn’t like her.
Then You Yuji met the Princess of Jinnan’s sister, Lady Fang, and her daughter, Fang Qingyi, who were temporarily staying at the mansion.
You Yuji maintained her grace and composure under the scrutinizing eyes of the servants and family members in the hall, never showing a hint of error.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the Princess of Jinnan withdrew her gaze from You Yuji, pressed the corner of her eye, and said, somewhat tiredly, “I’ve caught a chill this morning and need to rest. You all may leave now.”
The people in the hall did not move until she stood up and, with the help of her old maid, left through the side door. Once inside, her expression turned even colder as she angrily commanded, “Find out who led the prince to drink so much yesterday!”
As soon as You Yuji stepped out of the courtyard gate, she was called by Chen Lingyan.
You Yuji stopped and turned slightly, waiting for Chen Lingyan and Fang Qingyi to approach. Chen Lingyan stared in amazement at You Yuji’s face and said earnestly, “Si Kingdom has two beauties famous throughout the twelve nations, known as the Twin Jewels of Si Kingdom. One is Princess Que of Si, and the other is you, second sister-in-law. Only seeing you today do I realize the rumors are true!”
Chen Lingyan’s voice was loud enough to draw the attention of Chen Shunzhi and his wife, as well as the servants.
“Rumors are not always reliable. Both you and your cousin are very beautiful,” You Yuji said softly.
Chen Lingyan blinked and said, “Second sister-in-law, you are truly humble. During the Battle of Lingyang, the commander of the State of Yao was willing to trade a city for you!”
You Yuji lowered her eyes and did not respond. That had indeed happened, and her father had later beheaded that commander.
Seeing You Yuji’s lack of response, Chen Lingyan, still smiling, leaned closer and asked, “Second sister-in-law, I’ve heard that the children of the grasslands in Si Kingdom are very free-spirited, even dancing barefoot with exposed waists, men and women together. Is that true?”
You Yuji raised her eyes and looked at her.
Chen Lingyan’s smile was sweet and serious as she said, “Second sister-in-law, you’ve not been in the capital long, so you must change these habits. If you keep behaving like you did on the grasslands, you’ll likely spend many nights alone. My brother has always disliked flirtatious and coquettish behavior; he prefers…”
Chen Lingyan glanced at her cousin and, realizing it was inappropriate, quickly looked away and finished, “…ladies who are dignified and elegant.”
In an instant, You Yuji understood.
She slowly curved her lips into a dazzling smile, glanced at the dignified and elegant cousin, and then looked back at Chen Lingyan. She nodded and said, “Yes. Not only do we dance barefoot with exposed waists, but we also dance naked. Perhaps one day I will invite you two to join the fun.”
With that, You Yuji turned and walked away with Zhenxu.
Chen Lingyan stared at You Yuji’s slender and graceful back, stunned, and then realized that You Yuji had deliberately spoken nonsense to dismiss her! She glared at You Yuji’s retreating figure, puffing her cheeks in anger. Grabbing Fang Qingyi’s sleeve, she muttered, “Lowly concubine from a defeated country, she doesn’t deserve it!”
Fang Qingyi watched You Yuji walk away, lightly biting her lip, her face pale.
Although Chen Anzhi liked dignified girls in plain clothes who were skilled in music, could he really remain indifferent to someone as stunning as You Yuji?
A sense of crisis crept over her.
By noon, Chen Anzhi finally awoke from his hangover.
