Chapter 4: Escorting the Young Groom to the Bride

10 . 26 . 2018 edits: got rid of some notes and corrected the t.i.tle 

[Translator/Editor: otwentyfirst]

[Host: justreads . net]

[August 3, 2018]

The Eldest Imperial Princess Chu s.h.i.+yu was the daughter of Lord Chen Gui, who in turn was Chen Yunshu’s maternal nephew . Chen Yunshu was Xiao Yurong’s father so it made Chu s.h.i.+yu and Xiao Wan once removed cousins . The Chen House and the Xiao House had always had good relations with each other . Therefore it was no surprise to anyone when the Xiao House, through Xiao Yurong as a representative, formally expressed their support of her when she gained the t.i.tle of Crown Princess .

In her previous life Xiao Wan and Chu s.h.i.+yu had had an OK relations.h.i.+p . It wasn’t until Chu s.h.i.+yu became Crown Princess and took up nearly all of Xiao Yurong’s attention that Xiao Wan became jealous causing the cousin’s relations.h.i.+p to sour . She felt that Chu s.h.i.+yu was too serious and proper and was using her status to pressure other people . Chu s.h.i.+yu even got Xiao Yurong to scold Xiao Wan . At that point Xiao Wan viewed Chu s.h.i.+yu as an annoying busybody and only felt animosity towards her .

However after having experienced all the sorrow and pain from her previous life, Xiao Wan’s feelings towards this older cousin of hers changed . Seeing that bright smile on Chu s.h.i.+yu’s face made Xiao Wan feel a deep sense of guilt and shame and her heart became uneasy .

If not for her, if not for the Xiao House, then Chu Muqing would probably have not been able to frame Chu s.h.i.+yu . She would not have been stripped of her t.i.tle and sent to the Imperial Prison .  I have to find an opportunity to warn her about that treacherous Chu Muqing s.l.u.t! 　　

Chu s.h.i.+yu saw Xiao Wan’s eyes darting around like she was looking for an escape route . Chu s.h.i.+yu was a clever girl and realized that her cousin had to be bitter about something . It was a misunderstanding though! She definitely had not ratted Xiao Wan out to Xiao Yurong . . . recently .

The guidance and care Xiao Yurong had given Chu s.h.i.+yu had deeply influenced how she felt about Xiao Wan . Unlike the loathing Xiao Wan felt for Chu s.h.i.+yu, Chu s.h.i.+yu actually wanted to look after Xiao Wan and treat that spoiled cousin of hers well .

She knew Xiao Yurong dedicated her life to serving the nation and the people, reducing the time she could spend with her children . Inevitably Xiao Wan grew up without the attentions of a mother or father . This resulted in Xiao Wan being spoiled with material things and becoming more rebellious as she got older . 　　

Chu s.h.i.+yu had been under Xiao Yurong’s care since she was a child . [notes] Because of this she felt that it was her responsibility to look after her cousin .

So when she saw her cousin going into the capital and making friends with people of questionable character, she couldn’t help but remind Xiao Wan to be careful - although it came out more as a lecture then as advice . She warned Xiao Wan these types of friends.h.i.+ps were shallow and could not to be relied upon . Xiao Wan would silently listen to her but it was clear she didn’t really understand . It seemed like this cousin of hers just enjoyed playing in the city and taking liberties with beautiful men, stirring up trouble wherever she went, leaving others to deal with the aftermath so she wouldn’t be bothered by it and bring trouble to the Xiao House’s front gates .

It wasn’t until Xiao Wan met Ji Shumo that she curtailed her philandering . It seemed love had found a way . The always solemn and earnest Xiao Yurong[notes] displayed a rare genuine smile that day . In fact, of the guests there her wishes and congratulations were the most sincere .

Standing beside Chu s.h.i.+yu was a tall woman in elegant dark clothing . Her hair was piled high atop her head and her facial features were bold and stern, giving off a strong and unyielding courageous air, as though she was a soldier coming off the battlefield . It was quite a contrast when compared to Chu s.h.i.+yu’s gentle scholarly air . This person was in fact the Second Imperial Princess Chu Morong the daughter of Feng Hou .

Lord Chen Gui giving birth to a daughter changed Feng Hou’s blood lineage . [notes] Chu Morong had no choice but to give up her spot as the Crown Princess,[notes] narrowly missing a great opportunity . Chu Morong didn’t particular care about it, but her father was a brooding soul who tended to worry a lot and he had really wanted Chu Morong to ascend the throne . 　

As a result of this the two princesses had been secretly competing with each other . So long as they didn’t overstep their bounds the Empress turned a blind eye to their shenanigans . She didn’t seem to favor one over the other in choosing an heir designate .

They didn’t normally cross paths because Chu Morong was stationed at the borders and only returned to the capital a few months out of the year . She spent her spare time either studying military law and tactics or training her body in martial arts . She was quite unlike Xiao Wan who whiled away her idle time by spending money frivolously and carousing all over the place eating and drinking with scoundrels .

It truly was an example of “people with different desires followed different paths . ” The rumors Chu Morong heard about Xiao Wan were not complimentary . Her image of Xiao Wan was one of a rich spoiled hedonistic person who only knew how to take and demand . To someone like Chu Morong who believed that a woman should defend her home and should strive to always better herself, someone like Xiao Wan who only damaged her own House’s reputation by being extravagant was someone she looked disdainfully upon .

The only reason she was here at Xiao Wan’s wedding ceremony at all was because her father wouldn’t stop nagging her about it, incessantly warning her to behave appropriately and cozy up to Xiao Wan . Basically he was hoping to gain the support of the Xiao House through Xiao Wan .  Ay… this kind of thing… making friends with such a hedonistic fool… I’d rather go to h.e.l.l!

Chu Morong groaned inwardly while trying to stretch her face out into a smile . She cupped her hands and said, “Salutations Miss Xiao, I wish Miss Xiao and her young husband an enduring and lifelong love . ”

The perfunctory praise and false flattery was incredibly obvious . However Xiao Wan’s heart filled with guilt when she remembered how she had caused the death of this Second Imperial Princess . Because of this her reaction to the Princess’ tone was polite, “Second Imperial Princess, thank you for joining this ordinary woman in her wedding celebration . Please --”

Xiao Wan stretched her hands out in a welcoming gesture filled with respect and courtesy . The two Imperial Princesses were rather startled by this kind of reaction from Xiao Wan . This elegant and magnanimous att.i.tude was so unlike the Xiao Wan they knew . . . could marrying change a person’s temperament that much?

The young girl beside Chu Morong flashed a pout before saying in a mischievous tone, “Hey! Miss Wan[notes] you greet two elder sisters and go so far as to clasp hands but you don’t even say h.e.l.lo to your good friend? I even prepared a great gift . ”

The trees cast a shadow on Xiao Wan’s face making it appear unusually pale . Her fingers became stiff and awkward and an intense hatred twisted up from her gut . She hid her fingers in the sleeves of her red robe and clenched them firmly in order to suppress the hatred from erupting .

Indeed it was a huge gift I really want to return to you you b.i.t.c.h!

Xiao Wan breathed deeply a few times through her mouth while looking at Chu Muqing’s smiling face . She was deeply impressed . 　

“Miss Qing[notes], how could I forget you? You’ve helped me a lot over the years, giving me all kinds of ideas to win over Shumo!” Xiao Wan, while holding her murderous urges in check, stepped closer to Chu Muqing and cheerfully patted her on the shoulders . She did it all while maintaining a brilliant smile on her face . “This type of kindness, I’d never forget even if I died . What kind of gift did you prepare I wonder?! Indeed! You truly are my biggest supporter!”

Xiao Wan and Chu Muqing first met about a year and a half ago while playing in the city . They hit it off right away and became fast friends . Chu Muqing was born from an unimportant father and had never received any care or attention from the Empress . She didn’t seem interested in the politics of the royal palace and pa.s.sed her days being an idle loafer . Looks were deceiving though, for although Chu Muqing had an innocent and sweet face her heart was corrupted long ago . She had survived as a child because of her ability to read people’s expressions, and at that moment she could tell that Xiao Wan’s expression was off . Her heart sped up and she became uneasy . But then Xiao Wan patted her on the shoulders like she usually did, treating her as a good sister . With a calmed heart she said, “Good! Then Miss Wan will treat me to drinks till I get totally smashed!”

A burst of firecrackers went off in front of the gates as the two of them were chatting . The loud pitapita sounds caused the birds to cry out and fly off in surprise while the crowd in front came to life . Xiao Wan looked up and saw the top of a festively decorated sedan chair coming forward .

The matchmaker, noticing that Xiao Wan had yet to make a move towards it, walked over to her and urged her, “Miss Xiao, the sedan chair is here! Kick it open to invite your husband inside!” He spoke with a face beaming with pleasure .

In the previous life Xiao Wan hadn’t even waited for the matchmaker to speak . She had been so excited she had rushed out ahead to pick up Ji Shumo, wanting to proclaim to the entire world that Ji Shumo was hers .

But now she was really conflicted!

Originally she wanted to make him lose face by not greeting him at all and leave him hanging in the sedan . The shame would definitely follow him all the way to the capital . But the amount of officials and influential people at the ceremony was no small number . It wouldn’t just be Ji Shumo who would lose face, she would too! She already had a reputation for being a spoiled good for nothing . She would surely get the added reputation of “that sc.u.m woman who abandoned her husband at the front gates . ” Her mother wouldn’t be able to lift her head in public and the Xiao House’s reputation would also plummet . Now that her head had cooled she realized she had to be careful and not act rashly .

When she saw Chu Muqing again she realized something really important, and that was her ability to antic.i.p.ate the future using memories from her previous life . However if the present her didn’t marry Ji Shumo then everything she knew about the future could prove useless, as the course of events would be different . If Chu Muqing had other traps and schemes to use against her then she would be defenseless! Her knowledge of the future was her best advantage . Therefore it would be best to go along with Chu Muqing’s plan and bring Ji Shumo into her House as a husband .

There were a few very good reasons go ahead with the marriage . First, it would be easier to secretly torment Ji Shumo if he was close to her side . To let him go back and be free would be too good for him . Second, it would lull Chu Muqing into a sense of complacency and lower her guard if she thought Xiao Wan was still the same fool easily blinded by beauty . Third, she would be able follow Ji Shumo and find the evidence Chu Muqing planted to frame everyone, and if possible catch them red handed and make them fall victim to their own schemes .

Smile Xiao Wan! Smile . You can’t let anyone see the hatred in your heart .  She repeated this mantra over and over again . 　　　　

Xiao Wan quickly stepped toward the sedan chair in an eager manner, a joyful smile plastered on her face . Everyone broke out in raucous cheer when they saw how impatient Xiao Wan was to greet her husband . Xiao Wan raised up her red boot and lightly kicked at door of the sedan chair . She kept her eyes open without blinking not willing to miss a thing . There was only a slight bit of movement inside .

With the door open the bead curtain swayed slightly in the breeze . A long slender finger poked out and moved it gently to the side revealing a bewitching face . Xiao Wan couldn’t restrain her heart from jumping at the sight . When she looked at those indifferent eyes of his she felt a tw.a.n.g, like a taut bowstring finally snapping .

With the door open the bead curtain swayed slightly in the breeze . A long slender finger poked out and moved it gently to the side revealing a bewitching face . Xiao Wan couldn’t restrain her heart from jumping at the sight . When she looked at those indifferent eyes of his she felt a tw.a.n.g, like a taut bowstring finally snapping .

She thought she could fake it, but it seemed she underestimated her feelings of the past three years . Just watching him lift the bead curtain made her heart go pitter patter and the smile on her face remained fixed, refusing to drop .

So much regret came from this love… still she was unwilling to part from it… even with all the pain and sorrow . But she knew she had to cut out these feelings of affection . She had to guard the Xiao House!　 　　

Xiao Wan stood straight and tall with her crimson robe blowing in the breeze . Without all the profusive silky embellishments she normally adorned herself with, the image she presented now was that of a strong tenacious beauty . It was hard to imagine given her usual behavior and habit of excessive extravagance . This way of dress looked very becoming on her . Ji Shumo could only stare blankly in a daze at the sight of her .

Xiao Wan’s eyes shone with tenderness as she gently called his name . “Shumo . ” She reached to him and grasped his ten fingers in the palms her two hands . He offered little resistance as she slowly pulled him out of the sedan .

The seventeen year old Ji Shumo was the capital’s beauty, a delicate flower blossom with three years of accomplishment in poetry and five years in songwriting . He was unrivaled when it came to the four arts[notes] and was the undisputed number one Young Master longingly desired by all the ladies in the capital . However this talented beauty was finally marrying into someone’s House . Many lamented in their hearts: If they had half the audacity and brazenness of Xiao Wan, it could have been them taking this gifted scholar home .

Indeed Xiao Wan had chased Ji Shumo for a full three years . At that time she had thought that her sincerity had finally moved him . No one thought she was a good match for Ji Shumo and yet here she was about to be wed to him in a grand ceremony . She had at that time secretly vowed in her heart to always treat him well .

The memories of the past rolled through her mind like a tide and she had to suppress the sorrow that rose up threatening to suffocate her . After several deep breaths she was finally able to calm herself and resist the impulse to cut off Ji Shumo’s right hand . She carefully pulled him out .

Ji Shumo’s natural elegance and refinement complimented the outfit he wore beautifully, making him appear even more charming than usual . He raised his eyes to their joined hands and to the crowd behind . He resisted the tug from her a bit, trying to discretely pull his hands out of her grip .

Xiao Wan had always paid attention to him, so although the movement was tiny it didn’t escape her notice . She used to think it was because he was shy and embarra.s.sed easily, but now she realized it was from a dislike and an unwillingness to be touched by her .

In the past she would never insist if Ji Shumo was unwilling, but now… Ha! Don’t you like Chu Muqing? Didn’t you marry me so you could use me? Such nonsense! Xiao Wan schooled her features and tenderly gazed at Ji Shumo while saying, “You had a long journey and your body must be tired and weak . Here I’ll carry you over to the fire OK?”[notes] Xiao Wan reached over and lifted Ji Shumo up before the other could protest . His body stiffened at the contact but she ignored it . The image of a loving wife carrying her husband was so charming it evoked sighs and applause from the crowd .

Xiao Wan felt a slight tremor from the body of the person in her arms and gazed down to see a panic stricken Ji Shumo .

Meanwhile in the crowd Chu Muqing’s heart was finally put at ease and a smile escaped her lips .

Xiao Wan held onto Ji Shumo as she carefully crossed over the fire . After successfully doing so, instead of letting him down she held onto him even tighter making him knit his brows in a frown . He really wanted to physically break free from her, but because the crowd was there he refrained and instead whispered, “Put me down . ”

Release you so you can make flirty eyes with Chu Muqing? Please, I must have been really blind before to not see .  Xiao Wan snorted in her heart . She looked on with interest, watching Ji Shumo fidgeting in her arms . She loosened her hold slightly acting as though she was acquiescing . The abruptness of her actions caused Ji Shumo to panic and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her neck .

Release you so you can make flirty eyes with Chu Muqing? Please, I must have been really blind before to not see .  Xiao Wan snorted in her heart . She looked on with interest, watching Ji Shumo fidgeting in her arms . She loosened her hold slightly acting as though she was acquiescing . The abruptness of her actions caused Ji Shumo to panic and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her neck .

For a brief moment the two were very close, almost touching, nose to nose, lips to lips . It was a very ambiguous pose and from an observer’s point of view it looked like Ji Shumo was taking the initiative to lean in for a kiss .

His body had the faint familiar scent that most scholars carried with them, the fragrance of sweet incense . Xiao Wan used to think of this scent day and night, just yearning for him . The sadness forming in her heart upon remembering the past was so strong it nearly suffocated her .

Xiao Wan had been completely infatuated with him back then . She had wanted so much to pamper and spoil him, to protect and guard him, just give him the best of everything . She had been overflowing with affection for him, but for him it had only been a game that he and Chu Muqing came up with . Sharp needles of pain p.r.i.c.ked her heart like it was a pincus.h.i.+on and the overpowering feeling of wanting to hack the two b.a.s.t.a.r.ds to pieces flooded her .

Ji Shumo didn’t expect the normally obedient Xiao Wan to deny his request, leaving him momentarily stunned in her embrace . Xiao Wan had never failed to do what he asked of her before, no matter how hesitant she was or how difficult the task . The same went for material goods, no matter how precious something was, he only had to express interest and she would offer it to him . It understandably shocked him that a request as simple as to be put down was refused!

The two remained in their positions, both calculating what to do, trying to probe the other out . From the sidelines Chu Muqing’s smile had turned sullen and her lips were pulled down in a frown, looking like she’d just drunk a mouthful of vinegar . Indeed she was jealous .

Suddenly a sharp abrasive voice rang out . It was a voice Xiao Wan had recently became familiar with . “You all! What’s the big idea?! To actually go so far as to ignite such a huge roaring fire by the doorway . What if my Young Master gets hurt . Call someone to take care of this right now!”

The guards at the doorwary looked over in disdain at the two young men, one dressed in white and the other in red . They even cracked a few jokes about the Young Master’s hair catching on fire .

At this the young man in white didn’t hold back and gave the guards a severe scolding .

The guards opinion of the two dropped even further upon seeing such unruly behavior . “Love to but can’t . Today our House’s Young Miss will take a husband . Why should we bother with you?” As he spoke he raised his hand to add fuel to the fire causing the flames to burn even more vigorously .

“Eh! Take a husband?!” The young man’s expression went from green to white . Livid with anger he cursed up a storm at the two guards . “You… how… how dare you bully us like so! Young Master let’s go! Xiao Wan is only an idle second generation . Why should Young Master have to marry through the side door? To actually leave guards at the doorway to humiliate Young Master . Then… then . . to even dare take some other Young Master as a concubine… I . . . I’d NEVER! The audacity!”

“Zhao-er!” The young boy in red chided the one in white in an urgent tone of voice . His expression did not look good at all . “Go back, go back! I…” His voice faded away as he bit his lip and gathered up the hem that was dragging on the ground in preparation to leap over the fire . As he was about to leap a voice not too far away rang out, “Move the fire pan . ”

The red robed young man stiffly raised his head up at those words . His dark obsidian eyes were filled with heat as he looked at Xiao Wan in the waning evening light . They quickly dimmed like he was splashed with cold water when he noticed the intimate way she held onto Ji Shumo . He hung his head down and bit his lip before bracing himself and looking back up at her again .

The sorrowful expression clutched at Xiao Wan’s heart and she unconsciously loosened her grip and released Ji Shumo before taking several steps towards the melancholy young man in red .