On the day of our grand wedding, I was shaken awake before midnight. The maids bustled around, painting my face and fixing my hair. Any trace of sleepiness vanished the moment I laid eyes on my wedding dress—a shimmering robe of emerald silk embroidered with golden phoenixes, the hem heavy with pearls and jade that tinkled softly in the breeze.
I couldn't help but smile. The dress had been sent by Jiang Rui, along with a cheeky message: "Once you accept my wedding dress, you can only be my bride."
My grin grew wider. If I were to marry, it would never be anyone else but Jiang Rui.
When Jiang Rui lifted my red veil, I caught the awe in his eyes—and honestly, he wasn't the only one stunned. Known throughout Huajing as the "Jade Gentleman," Jiang Rui usually wore moon-white robes, but tonight he was decked out in a brilliant red ceremonial gown, looking even more dashing and regal than ever.
And now, this regal man was my husband.
He seemed so dazed by the sight of me that I had to nudge his hand to bring him back to his senses. Only then did he fully remove my veil.
"Husband," I called softly.
His hands trembled even more.
I brushed aside the stray hair at his temple, tracing his sharp brows and sculpted lips—he looked like he'd stepped straight out of a painting.
"Don't be so impatient, my lady," he said, gently stopping my wandering hand.
I obediently let go, ready to hear what he'd say next, but was startled by a loud voice at the door.
"Your Highness! Princess! I've brought food!" Old Madam Gu, the housekeeper, barged in, her smile freezing into horror at the sight of us.
I followed her gaze and realized—oh dear—I was sprawled right across Jiang Rui's chest.
"My apologies! I've disturbed Your Highness and the Princess!" Madam Gu dropped to her knees with the speed of a startled rabbit.
Internally panicking, I tried to act cool as I got up. "It's a misunderstanding, Madam Gu. I just tripped, nothing happened."
Madam Gu, sharp-tongued as always, replied, "What are you saying, Princess? It's your wedding night—anything you do is perfectly proper! Just, uh, be gentle with His Highness, since he's still recovering from his injury." The more she spoke, the redder my face got. I couldn't help but pinch Jiang Rui's waist in embarrassment.
"Madam Gu, you may go," Jiang Rui said, barely holding back laughter.
"I'll leave you two to your rest, then!" Madam Gu scurried off so fast I wondered if she'd break a hip.
How is she still so spry at her age? Shouldn't she be more careful?
I absentmindedly rubbed my hand, wondering why being so forward came so naturally to me. Had I always been like this?
"Husband, have I ever done anything outrageous to you before?" I asked, leaning against his chest.
His heartbeat thundered beneath my ear—there's no faking that.
"Of course… you have," Jiang Rui replied, dead serious.
My heart clenched in anxiety.
But then he flashed a teasing smile. "The most outrageous thing you ever did was steal my heart."
I nearly burst into tears at that line. Men in Yun Country are supposed to be reserved—where did he learn to be so smooth?
Without thinking, I pounced on him.
But he stopped me.
"Yun'er, actually I…"
"I might not be able to," Jiang Rui said, sounding almost guilty.
Wait, what?
I blinked. "You… can't?"
I glanced at his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. Suddenly, Madam Gu's earlier words echoed in my mind. Was it because of his injury? Is that why he hadn't been eager to marry me before?
The thought nearly brought tears to my eyes. If I hadn't made the first move, would we have missed our chance altogether? Jiang Rui had always put me first—how could I be so selfish?
I bit my lip and declared, "Husband, it's okay. I don't mind at all."
He looked completely flabbergasted by my tragic resolve.
A moment later, he burst out laughing. "Yun'er, what are you thinking?" He squeezed my hand, still chuckling. "I meant, once I've recovered, we'll share a room."
I let out a huge sigh of relief, pouting. "You scared me half to death!"
"Listen to her, so flustered just because of me," he teased.