Chapter V - The Wedding Robes
Three days before the wedding, the palace delivered Prince Rui’s ceremonial robes to Shen Manor.
The entire residence descended into panic immediately.
Imperial marriages followed strict protocol, and even the slightest mistake could become grounds for punishment. Servants rushed through the halls carrying bolts of red silk while palace officials inspected every lantern, curtain, and incense burner with terrifying precision.
Meanwhile, Shen Li sat motionless while six palace seamstresses adjusted the final layers of her wedding robes.
Gold thread shimmered beneath candlelight like flowing water.
The phoenix embroidered across her sleeves spread elegant wings over crimson silk, each feather sewn with tiny seed pearls so delicate they seemed alive.
Even the oldest palace seamstress sighed in admiration.
“This servant has prepared wedding garments for many noble ladies,” she murmured, “but none have suited red quite like Miss Shen.”
Qingyu nearly burst with pride beside her.
“Of course our Miss looks beautiful.”
Another maid whispered dramatically: “His Highness will definitely lose composure after seeing Miss in this.”
The entire room laughed softly.
Only Shen Li lowered her gaze quietly toward the robes pooled around her hands.
Marriage.
After seven years, the word still felt unreal.
Just not in the way she once imagined.
A palace servant entered suddenly and bowed. “Miss Shen, Prince Rui’s estate has sent another gift.”
The room instantly became interested.
Even the seamstresses exchanged knowing smiles.
These past few days, Prince Rui’s gifts had become one of the capital’s favorite gossip topics.
Not because they were excessively luxurious—
but because they were strangely attentive.
Shen Li set aside the sleeve she had been examining. “What is it this time?”
The servant hesitated oddly. “…A physician.”
Silence.
Qingyu blinked. “A physician?”
Moments later, an elderly imperial doctor entered carrying a medicine case while two guards from Prince Rui’s estate followed behind respectfully.
“This old minister greets Miss Shen.”
Shen Li quickly stood. “There is no need for such courtesy.”
The physician smiled kindly. “His Highness heard Miss Shen has not slept well recently.”
Qingyu looked immediately guilty.
Because Shen Li truly had been struggling to sleep.
Not from fear.
But because her thoughts had become increasingly restless lately.
The physician continued: “His Highness worried prolonged exhaustion would affect your health before the wedding.”
The room became very quiet again.
The older seamstresses began smiling in openly delighted ways now.
One even muttered: “Prince Rui is unexpectedly considerate…”
Meanwhile, Shen Li felt warmth rise faintly to her face.
This man noticed far too much.
The physician spent nearly half an hour checking her pulse before finally nodding in satisfaction.
“Nothing serious. Miss Shen merely needs proper rest.”
Then he lowered his voice slightly.
“Though this old minister advises avoiding unnecessary stress.” His expression turned meaningful. “Particularly people who may disturb your peace.”
Everyone immediately understood who he meant.
Liang Wenxuan.
Qingyu nearly laughed aloud.
After the physician left, another small box was delivered together with the medicine prescriptions.
Inside rested a delicate jade sleeping charm carved into the shape of a plum blossom.
A note accompanied it.
“For peaceful dreams.”
No signature.
No unnecessary words.
Yet Shen Li stared at the charm for a very long time.
—
Unfortunately, peaceful dreams became impossible that very evening.
Because Liang Wenxuan appeared outside Shen Manor drunk.
Again.
Snow fell heavily across the entrance gates while servants tried desperately to block him from entering.
“Young Master Liang, please return—”
“I want to see Shen Li!”
His voice carried clearly through the courtyard.
Shen Li closed her eyes briefly from inside the hall.
Qingyu looked furious. “He truly has no shame.”
Since Prince Rui’s return, Liang Wenxuan had become increasingly unstable.
At first, he appeared merely irritated.
Then restless.
Now—
now he seemed unable to stop watching Shen Li.
Every banquet. Every public appearance. Every rumor involving Prince Rui.
He noticed all of it.
Too late.
A servant hurried inside nervously. “Miss… Young Master Liang refuses to leave.”
Madam Shen frowned deeply. “At this hour?”
Outside, Liang Wenxuan’s voice rose again: “I only want to speak with her!”
Shen Li stood slowly.
Qingyu immediately protested. “Miss shouldn’t go.”
But Shen Li’s expression remained calm. “If I avoid him forever, rumors will only worsen.”
And perhaps—
perhaps it was time to end things properly.
—
The snow had become heavier by the time Shen Li stepped into the outer courtyard.
Lantern light reflected across white stone paths while Liang Wenxuan stood beneath the gate pavilion in dark blue robes dusted with snowflakes.
He looked exhausted.
More exhausted than she had ever seen him before.
For a brief moment, memories surfaced unwillingly:
festival lanterns,
spring outings,
youthful promises,
seven years of waiting.
Then the memories faded.
Because the man before her no longer resembled the one she once loved.
Liang Wenxuan stared at her silently.
And for the first time since knowing Shen Li—
he almost lost words completely.
The wedding robes suited her too well.
The crimson silk beneath her fur cloak made her skin appear luminous against the snow, while the gold phoenix embroidery transformed her quiet elegance into something almost untouchable.
She already looked like a prince’s consort.
Not his future wife.
Not anymore.
The realization struck unpleasantly hard.
“You came,” he said finally.
Shen Li stopped several steps away. “Young Master Liang should not visit so late.”
The formal title again.
Every time she used it, something tightened painfully in his chest.
Liang Wenxuan laughed bitterly. “You really intend to keep speaking to me like a stranger?”
“Aren’t we?”
Snow drifted silently between them.
For years, Shen Li had always been gentle toward him.
Patient.
Forgiving.
Even when disappointed.
But tonight, her calmness felt colder than anger ever could.
Liang Wenxuan suddenly stepped closer. “Shen Li… if I apologize properly now, would you still forgive me?”
The courtyard guards immediately looked alarmed.
Shen Li herself remained still.
For a long moment, she simply looked at him quietly.
Then she asked softly:
“What exactly are you apologizing for?”
Liang Wenxuan froze.
Because there were too many answers.
The delayed weddings?
The broken promises?
The neglect?
The humiliation?
Or gambling her away like property?
He could not answer.
Shen Li lowered her gaze faintly. “You see?” she said gently. “Even now, you still don’t understand.”
Her words cut deeper than shouting.
Liang Wenxuan’s expression finally cracked. “I never thought things would become like this.”
“But they did.”
Again.
Those same three words.
Simple. Final.
Liang Wenxuan looked suddenly desperate. “Do you really want to marry my uncle?”
Shen Li did not answer immediately.
Instead, she looked beyond him toward the falling snow.
Strangely enough—
when she thought of Prince Rui now, she no longer felt fear.
Only curiosity.
Warmth.
And a dangerous sense of safety.
So she answered honestly.
“I think… Your Highness treats me very well.”
The moment those words left her lips, Liang Wenxuan went pale.
Because for seven years—
she had never once said the same about him.
Before either could speak again, sudden movement appeared beyond the gates.
Hoofbeats.
Fast.
The guards instantly straightened.
A black carriage bearing the silver wolf insignia stopped outside Shen Manor.
Prince Rui’s carriage.
The atmosphere changed immediately.
Even Liang Wenxuan stiffened visibly.
One of Prince Rui’s guards stepped down first, followed by a tall figure wrapped in dark fur.
Prince Rui himself.
Snow swirled around him as he approached the courtyard slowly, his expression unreadable beneath lantern light.
Then his gaze landed on Liang Wenxuan standing before Shen Li.
The air became suffocatingly cold.
Liang Wenxuan forced composure. “Uncle.”
Prince Rui ignored him completely.
Instead, he walked directly toward Shen Li.
And without hesitation—
he removed the fur cloak from his own shoulders and draped it around her carefully.
Warmth surrounded her instantly.
His fingers brushed lightly against her cold hands.
“You came outside without proper protection from the snow,” he said quietly.
Not angry.
Not possessive.
Simply concerned.
Which somehow felt infinitely more intimate.
Shen Li looked up slightly. “Your Highness came personally?”
“Mm.”
Prince Rui adjusted the cloak around her shoulders with calm familiarity.
Then finally—
finally—
he looked toward Liang Wenxuan.
The warmth in his eyes disappeared instantly.
“What are you doing here?”
Liang Wenxuan clenched his jaw unconsciously.
For reasons he hated admitting—
watching Prince Rui stand beside Shen Li felt unbearable.
Especially because Shen Li looked calmer beside him than she ever had beside Liang Wenxuan himself.
The realization came too late.
Far too late.
And Prince Rui, seeing the silence stretching between them, simply placed one steady hand lightly against Shen Li’s back.
Protective.
Claiming.
Unshakably gentle.
Before saying the words that would spread across the entire capital by morning:
“The future Princess Rui should avoid unnecessary contact with unrelated men.”