For now, she could only wait until I entered the household before making further plans.
This night in the palace was actually quite peaceful. Commandery Princess Xiuhua probably felt I was already a trapped turtle, unable to escape even with wings, so she finally stopped watching me like a thief. I took the opportunity to swiftly and resolutely deal with that treacherous maid, and also gave a stern warning to the dowry entourage sent by my family. After all, these people would have to follow me to make a living in the princess's manor in the future.
Just as dawn was breaking, I left the palace in my bridal crown and gown. It was, after all, a grand wedding bestowed by the Empress. Although it was a bit rushed, the superficial pageantry was made to look very respectable. The bridal sedan chair, accompanied by festive music all the way, entered the princess's manor. Except for the lack of guests, which made it feel a bit quiet, none of the ceremonial etiquette was missed. I even performed the wedding bows holding a large rooster, and was immediately sent to the bridal chamber to rest for a while.
Princess Yunyang held my hand and sighed. "That rascal Xiao Yu likes to be stroked the right way, and he has a stubborn nature. When you get to the prison, I'm afraid he won't give you a warm welcome."
She looked full of worry, her heart in turmoil. It would have been fine if this marriage were mutually desired, but now that the rascal was absolutely unwilling, she was truly afraid that I would be disliked and suffer grievances.
I, on the other hand, smiled lightheartedly. "As the saying goes, a persistent man can win over any woman. The reverse is also true. He won't go so far as to throw me out, blankets and all, will he?"
Princess Yunyang thought about it and realized she was right. Once the raw rice is cooked into a meal, who cares if he refuses to accept it?
"Good child, I thank you on behalf of that worthless Xiao Yu. Accommodating that rascal like this, it really wrongs you so much."
I pursed my lips and smiled, shaking my head gently, but my heart was blooming with joy. Regarding this son of hers, there was so much she didn't know. He is a truly fascinating person. How does this count as being wronged?
My wonderful days are still to come. In this era of three wives and four concubines, if I were to marry anyone else, who knows how many years I would have to spend fighting in the inner manor, serving the parents-in-law, then serving the husband, and having to fight wits and courage with concubines. Just thinking about it makes my head buzz.
Of course, I could also hold out and not marry, but without a husband's family to back me up, I ultimately wouldn't be able to protect myself in case some lustful noble targeted me and petitioned for an imperial decree. Then my life would be completely finished.
It is much better to keep this marriage in name only, to stay safe. I can visit the prison whenever I want, and if I don't want to go, I can just lie around at home. That cheap husband of mine can't control me at all.
At this moment, Xiao Yu, who was crouching in prison, suddenly let out an earth-shattering sneeze. He glanced at the red wedding robes that he swore he would never wear, only feeling an inexplicable chill rush straight to his head. He shrank his neck, feeling a chill down his back, muttering to himself in his heart.
Is she really going to charge over here? And that idiot Xiao Lang, is his head filled with mush? Doesn't he usually boast of deep love and write cheesy poems? Since he likes her so much, why didn't he dare to play the hero, save the beauty, and snatch the bride on the street?
Don't actually count on him. When Xiao Lang first heard that I was betrothed to his nemesis, he was so furious that he smashed a room full of porcelain on the spot. To avoid suspicion, he could only slink off to a tavern to drown his sorrows.
He comes from a humble background and has mediocre talents. Yet he grew up constantly in the shadow of Xiao Yu's brilliance. This had become a thorn in Xiao Lang's side that he could never pull out. He had gone through painstaking efforts to set a trap and send Xiao Yu to prison, thinking he could finally trample this favored son into the dirt and ruin him completely. Who would have thought that even now, Xiao Yu would be like a lingering ghost despite being reduced to a prisoner? He was still stealing away the goddess closest to Xiao Lang's heart. Xiao Lang completely lost his mind.
Meanwhile, Commandery Princess Xiuhua, who had left the palace in a rush, had changed into the male uniform of the Imperial Academy. She was rushing over without a moment's delay to comfort her classmate who was drowning his sorrows in alcohol.
Seeing the man she loved in such a despondent state, Commandery Princess Xiuhua felt her heart breaking. She stepped closer and called out softly.
"Xiao Lang, why are you hiding here all by yourself, drinking your sorrows away?"
"Yuexi, is that you?"
Through his alcohol-induced haze, Xiao Lang saw who it was, and his heart skipped a beat. He knew perfectly well that she was Commandery Princess Xiuhua, using the alias Yuexi to fool around at the Imperial Academy. Having been classmates at the academy for years, he knew her true identity clearly.
Commandery Princess Xiuhua could hardly conceal her deep affection for him. But so what? Given his family background, even the daughter of a marquis was out of his reach. How could Prince Rui's mansion ever marry off a princess of noble blood to someone like him? Besides, he coveted her unattainable royal status, but he could not stand her spoiled, overbearing, and foul temper. If he actually married her, he wouldn't be marrying a wife. He would be bringing home a deity to worship.
So Xiao Lang feigned ignorance, only shaking his head with a dejected, bitter smile.
"The woman I love is getting married, but the groom is my second brother. She is the daughter of a marquis, exquisitely beautiful, and she has such a gentle and sweet personality. She is the perfect choice for a primary wife, someone you couldn't find even if you searched with a lantern."
How could Xiao Lang be willing to let me slip through his fingers? In order to win me over before, he had constantly praised my beauty in front of Commandery Princess Xiuhua, deliberately provoking the woman's jealousy, hoping to use her to help him win the beauty. Who would have thought Commandery Princess Xiuhua was such a terrible ally? Not only did she fail to help, but she also turned around and sent me right into Xiao Yu's prison.
At the thought of this, Xiao Lang was fuming with rage. He abruptly raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.
"It seems you really did develop feelings for her."
Commandery Princess Xiuhua stood to the side, her tone laced with a bitter jealousy. Yet a strange sense of satisfaction welled up in her heart.