Chapter 23 Wedding Day
Rong Che accepted the marriage quickly.
Though it felt absurd, he seemed pleased.
As if afraid I would change my mind, he set the date for seven days later.
In seven days, he would marry Imperial Princess and take the throne.
Rong Che disliked noise.
Yun Tai Palace stayed quiet while preparations moved forward.
Only when the maids brought the wedding robes for me to try did the reality settle in.
In my last life, I had never worn wedding robes.
Xie Ning and I had fled for our lives and married in a small temple.
He always spoke of it with regret.
"When things settle, I will design a wedding robe that belongs only to you."
I ran my hand over the elaborate robes and crown, yet felt nothing.
Footsteps approached behind me.
Rong Che took my hand. "How is it?"
His tone was gentle. "Have you tried it? Does it fit?"
I smiled and answered obediently. "Whatever Rong Che prepared must be good."
A flicker of displeasure crossed his face.
He cleared his throat and lowered his voice. "The wedding is rushed. Not every noble house will attend."
"Do not take it to heart, Rong Yao."
His words sounded proper, but it seemed to me the houses had not refused.
They simply could not come.
He watched me for a moment, then asked, "Should Ling Yun Valley receive an invitation?"
I stayed quiet for a while.
Then shook my head.
"No need."
...
The wedding day arrived.
I let the maids dress and adorn me.
When A Li placed the heavy crown on my head, she helped me walk outside.
Red lanterns lined the halls. Guests waited below, watching.
Rong Che had been waiting inside the hall.
He usually wore wide-sleeved white robes, but today he wore crimson wedding clothes.
The color made his face look almost unreal.
I lowered my eyes to hide my thoughts and walked toward him.
Just as Rong Che reached for my hand, a thunderous sound rolled from outside.
He frowned and looked toward the doors.
Everyone turned to the noise.
No one noticed my right hand move.
"Young Lord, something is wrong—"
A guard rushed in, but before he could finish, an arrow flew.
The shot was deliberately restrained.
The arrow grazed the guard and struck the wall.
The guard's face went white.
Rong Che lifted his eyes toward the doors.
"I wondered who it was," he said with a faint smile. "So it is Young Valley Lord."
"Today is my wedding to Rong Yao. Have you come for a cup of celebratory wine?"
Xie Ning sat on horseback in dark clothes.
Night wind pulled at his hair.
He drew his bow and aimed at Rong Che.
His voice was careless.
"I have no need for wine."
"I am only here to take my fiancée."
"And to clean house for the late Demon Emperor."