Chapter XVI - Crimson Silk and Imperial Snow
The wedding day arrived beneath falling snow.
Before dawn, the entire capital awoke to the sound of drums.
Deep. Ceremonial. Powerful enough to shake winter silence from the streets.
Red lanterns illuminated every avenue leading toward Shen Manor while palace officials rushed between crowds maintaining order. Citizens packed rooftops and balconies despite the freezing weather, desperate to witness the imperial wedding personally.
Because today—
the feared Prince Rui would marry.
And his bride was the woman the entire capital could not stop discussing.
Inside Shen Manor, chaos had already reached its peak.
“Careful with the phoenix crown!”
“Where is the ceremonial jade?”
“Quickly—the auspicious hour approaches!”
Dozens of attendants surrounded Shen Li while layers upon layers of crimson silk settled around her figure like flowing fire.
The wedding robes were breathtaking.
Gold phoenixes spread across the heavy fabric in intricate embroidery while pearls shimmered softly beneath lantern light. Long sleeves brushed the floor elegantly, and the final outer robe alone required four attendants to arrange properly.
Then came the phoenix crown.
Pure gold.
Heavy enough to ache against her temples.
Dangling ruby strands framed her face delicately while hidden pearls reflected warm light across her pale skin.
Even the palace attendants fell briefly silent after finishing.
Beautiful.
Too beautiful.
Qingyu immediately burst into tears.
“Our Miss…”
Another maid sniffed emotionally. “His Highness truly won heaven’s favor.”
Shen Li nearly smiled despite her racing heartbeat.
Outside, the drums grew louder.
The groom’s procession had arrived.
—
The streets erupted into chaos instantly.
Prince Rui’s wedding procession stretched endlessly through the capital like a crimson river across snow.
Black cavalry rode at the front carrying silver wolf banners while palace musicians followed behind. Gold lanterns illuminated falling snowflakes around rows of ceremonial attendants dressed in imperial red.
At the center rode Prince Rui.
The entire city collectively lost breath.
He wore formal black-and-crimson robes embroidered with silver dragons, broad shoulders wrapped in heavy fur beneath drifting snow. His dark hair was bound with a jade crown while the cold elegance in his features seemed almost unreal beneath winter light.
Terrifyingly handsome.
Terrifyingly untouchable.
Yet today—
his gaze remained fixed entirely toward Shen Manor ahead.
One old noblewoman watching from a balcony sighed softly:
“Prince Rui looks less like a man collecting a bride…”
“And more like a man retrieving something precious.”
Meanwhile, hidden deeper within the crowd, Liang Wenxuan stood silently beneath falling snow.
Watching.
Only watching.
And for the first time in his life—
he truly understood regret.
—
Inside Shen Manor, palace matrons quickly lowered Shen Li’s bridal veil as excited voices echoed through the residence.
“His Highness has entered the manor!”
“The prince personally came inside!”
“Quickly—prepare the farewell ceremony!”
Shen Li’s heartbeat finally began racing properly.
Through the crimson veil, the world blurred softly into gold and red shadows.
Then footsteps approached.
Slow. Steady. Familiar.
The room suddenly became silent.
Even through the veil, Shen Li somehow knew exactly when Prince Rui stopped before her.
The atmosphere itself changed around him.
Warmer. Safer. Dangerously intimate.
Then she heard his voice.
Low and calm as always.
“I have come to bring you home.”
Something inside her chest softened immediately.
The palace matrons nearly melted emotionally nearby.
Meanwhile Prince Rui stared quietly at the bride before him.
For one suspended moment—
he almost forgot the room contained other people.
Crimson suited Shen Li too well.
Even hidden behind the bridal veil, she looked luminous beneath lantern light, elegant enough to make the entire world outside feel suddenly unimportant.
Prince Rui’s fingers tightened slightly beneath his sleeves.
Mine.
The dangerous thought appeared instinctively.
Before the ceremony continued, Shen Li rose carefully for the formal farewell toward her parents.
Madam Shen was already crying openly.
Her father tried maintaining composure but failed after only two sentences.
“My daughter…” Madam Shen’s voice shook violently. “You must take care of yourself.”
Shen Li knelt gracefully despite the heavy robes. “This daughter understands.”
Then, after a slight pause—
she added softly:
“Please do not worry.”
“Your daughter will be treated well.”
Prince Rui heard every word clearly.
His gaze lowered toward Shen Li quietly.
Then he spoke before the entire hall:
“As long as this prince lives, no one will wrong her.”
Silence crashed across the room.
Even the palace attendants looked stunned.
Because those words—
spoken publicly during a wedding farewell—
carried weight heavier than vows.
Madam Shen nearly cried harder afterward.
—
The journey toward Prince Rui’s estate began beneath endless snowfall.
Shen Li sat inside the grand wedding carriage while drums echoed across the capital outside.
Traditionally, the bride traveled alone.
But halfway through the procession—
the carriage curtain suddenly shifted.
Prince Rui entered.
The attendants outside nearly suffered collective spiritual collapse.
A groom entering the bridal carriage before arrival was completely improper.
Prince Rui clearly did not care.
The interior instantly felt smaller.
Warmer.
Shen Li sat very still beneath the crimson veil while Prince Rui settled across from her calmly.
After several moments, he finally spoke quietly:
“Is the crown too heavy?”
Shen Li blinked beneath the veil.
How did he know?
“…A little.”
Prince Rui reached forward before she could react.
Then carefully—
very carefully—
lifted part of the weight supporting the phoenix crown from behind.
The relief was immediate.
Shen Li froze softly.
Because now his hand remained near the back of her head beneath layers of crimson silk.
Close enough for warmth to spread through her entire body.
Prince Rui’s voice lowered slightly.
“Better?”
“…Yes.”
The atmosphere inside the carriage became dangerously quiet afterward.
Snow tapped gently against the carriage roof while distant wedding drums echoed through the city.
Then Prince Rui suddenly said:
“You seem nervous.”
Shen Li almost laughed faintly.
Was it truly that obvious?
Before she could answer, Prince Rui spoke again.
Softly.
Steadily.
“You do not need to fear entering Prince Rui’s estate.”
“No one there will dare mistreat you.”
The simple reassurance nearly unraveled something inside her.
Because somehow—
through all the palace schemes, assassins, and endless rumors—
Prince Rui’s greatest concern remained whether she felt safe.
Shen Li lowered her gaze beneath the veil quietly.
Then after a long moment, she whispered honestly:
“I am not afraid anymore.”
Prince Rui stilled.
The carriage suddenly felt very silent.
Then slowly—
very slowly—
he lowered his hand from the crown.
But his fingers brushed lightly against her hair as they withdrew.
Intentional this time.
Not accidental.
Shen Li’s breath softened faintly.
And beneath the hidden veil—
Prince Rui smiled for the first time in years.