Chapter 6

The Wedding Day

Inside the pavilion, the air was thick with anticipation as a bride awaited her groom. Dressed in an extravagant robe of deep crimson adorned with delicate lace, she radiated beauty that was nothing short of fierce.

The vibrant colors seemed to dance against her complexion, elevating her allure to a level that felt almost otherworldly. Yet, under the veil, only her rightful husband would ever catch a glimpse of her true face tonight.

The wedding was an intimate affair, attended solely by the inhabitants of Duke Su Manor—no royal family in sight. Li Zhao had consented to this union on the condition that it would lack the pomp of a grand celebration, focusing only on the essential ceremonies.

At last, after enduring the long and intricate wedding rituals, Xu Ling Ai found herself in her wedding chamber. Although her heart raced with excitement and anxiety, she had yet to see her husband, her vision obscured by the heavy fabric of her veil all day.

With a surge of curiosity, she lifted her veil slightly, her eyes darting around the lavishly decorated room.

"Holy guacamole! I can't believe I just got married! Xiao Zhan, I swear I didn't mean to betray you! This was all so... forced!" A wave of guilt washed over her as her thoughts turned to her past love, only to be overshadowed by the startling revelation that the Duke of Su and her new husband were, in fact, the same man.

"Wait, am I marrying a freaking prince? Couldn't he just be a regular guy?" she pondered nervously. Her mind raced through the familiar narratives of Chinese dramas where marriages to princes often led to distressing outcomes.

"What if my story unfolds like one of those tragic dramas?"

She took a moment to absorb her surroundings; the room was filled with exquisite decorations, yet her husband remained a mystery.

"I just want to return this jade to him. Why hasn't he shown up yet? If he doesn't want it, selling it might be my best option," she smirked, eyeing the jade resting in her palm.

A hint of relief washed over her as she considered that she had probably met her husband before. "At least he isn't an old man or some creepy uncle. I bet he wouldn't be thrilled about this marriage either. We've got that in common!"

As curiosity bubbled within her, she found herself wondering what he could be doing on this momentous night. Remembering the old saying—"curiosity killed the cat"—made her hesitate, but her thoughts pressed on.

"Wait a minute! In history, who did Li Zhao marry? Is it truly me, Xu Ling Ai?" She racked her brain, struggling to recall the tales of the Han dynasty.

"Why should I even care?" she chastised herself. "It's not like I remember every detail of Han history. For now, let's just go with the flow and see where this wild ride takes me."

Outside the Pavilion

Li Zhao stood tall atop the roof of the pavilion opposite his bride's chamber. His figure was silhouetted against the night sky, the dark red of his robes billowing slightly with the evening breeze.

His expression was unreadable, a mask of cold indifference that only added to his air of mystery. The robe, intricately woven with gold thread, clung to his powerful frame, exuding an aura of danger and authority.

The mask he wore, a dark and imposing piece of craftsmanship, only heightened the ominous presence he commanded. Beneath it, his piercing gaze never wavered.

"Your Highness, everything has been prepared. Our subordinates are ready to release the arrows upon your signal," Wu Xi, his loyal attendant, reported in a low, respectful tone.

Li Zhao nodded once, his mind cold and calculating. They were preparing to eliminate the bride—his newly wedded wife.

Without another word, Li Zhao leaped from the rooftop, his movements swift and fluid, landing silently on the ground below. He moved like a shadow, heading directly toward the pavilion. The doors creaked open at his touch, revealing the bridal chamber within.

There, standing before him, was the woman he had just married—Xu Ling Ai. She was a delicate figure, her hands nervously fidgeting with the folds of her gown, and the sight of her struck him with an unexpected pang of pity. She seemed utterly unaware of the grim fate that awaited her.

Li Zhao reached for the ceremonial stick at his side, a traditional tool used to unveil the bride. In one swift motion, he raised it, lifting her bridal veil as per Wu Xi's plan, the signal to unleash the arrows.

But instead of the unfamiliar face he had expected to find beneath the veil, Li Zhao was met with a familiar one—Xu Ling Ai's eyes widened in shock, her gaze locking with his. Before she could react, the first wave of arrows was released, aiming for her.

A rare moment of surprise flashed across Li Zhao's face, but his instincts kicked in. With a speed that was almost too fast to follow, he darted forward, grabbing her small waist and pulling her against his chest.

His body became a shield, blocking the deadly projectiles with his own. His movements were controlled, his focus unbroken as he deflected the arrows with precise efficiency.

Xu Ling Ai clung to him in fear, her eyes squeezed shut as she held onto him, her thoughts racing. How could this be happening on her wedding day? Why was her life always fraught with misfortune?

"God, seriously? Even on my fake wedding day?!"

Slowly, she opened her eyes, gazing up at the man who held her. His brows were furrowed in concentration as he maneuvered her through the barrage of arrows.

She couldn't help but notice how strikingly handsome he was. Even with half of his face obscured by the mask, his sharp features were undeniable.

'Damn. He's so handsome. He could easily pass as an idol.' She absentmindedly thought

But something was unsettling about his mask. He still wears it? In real life, no less. Is his face disfigured? Her curiosity began to rise, but she quickly silenced it.

"I need to stop being so nosy, or I might end up dead." Her thoughts were cut short as she felt the rush of movement again.

The next thing she knew, an arrow grazed his right arm. She gasped, her eyes widening in concern. The arrows ceased almost immediately as Wu Xi gave the command, though Li Zhao remained still, shielding her as the last of the danger passed.

"You're hurt again," Xu Ling Ai murmured as Li Zhao finally placed her gently on the floor, her voice filled with an unexpected tenderness as she noticed the blood seeping from his wound.

"I mean, Your Highness..." she stammered, realizing her breach of protocol, "I didn't mean to be rude, but I'm still not used to the formalities of Han Country."

Li Zhao's eyes remained cold, his expression unreadable as ever, but he seemed to notice the shift in her address. He followed her wordlessly as she guided him toward a small table.

Without hesitation, she took out a small box of salves from her sleeve and began to treat his wound, lifting his sleeve carefully, her fingers grazing his skin as she blew gently on the cut. The wound was minor, but it seemed to affect him more than it should have.

Li Zhao said nothing as he watched her work, his silence thick with an unspoken tension. As she applied the salve, Xu Ling Ai's voice broke the silence. "It's probably my misfortune that caused all this... I'm sorry."

Her voice was quiet, almost to herself, but Li Zhao caught the words. He nodded slightly, though his thoughts were elsewhere. "It was probably this lord's enemy."

His words held a hint of something—regret, guilt? But he didn't elaborate. Li Zhao wasn't one to explain himself.

As she finished tending to his arm, her gaze fell once again on his mask, an unspoken question in her eyes. She felt an overwhelming curiosity bubbling inside her, but something held her back.

She had a feeling that there was more to it than just vanity or mystery—that his mask might hold the key to painful memories. She didn't want to push him.

"You look good in person," She said instead, hoping to lighten the mood.

Li Zhao's sharp gaze met hers, and he saw the intensity in her eyes as if waiting for him to respond. But she didn't ask about the mask, and that surprised him. No one had ever refrained from inquiring about it before.

For a moment, he was caught off guard. No one had ever complimented him like this before. People only saw him as a disfigured monster, yet here she was, genuinely admiring him.

Before he could respond, she placed the jade back into his hand, her small fingers brushing against his.

"I was going to sell it, but I figured it's probably priceless. And it must be important to you, Your Highness," she said, her voice carrying a hint of regret as she handed it back to him.

Li Zhao felt an unexpected tug in his chest. The jade was meant for her, after all. He had given it to her as a token, and though his emotions were buried deep, he couldn't help but feel a rare flicker of something—perhaps affection?

He placed his hand firmly over hers, gently pushing the jade back into her palm. "This lord does not take back things I've given. It's for you. But don't sell it."

Xu Ling Ai looked at him, confused by his words. But before she could speak, he added, "Don't try to suicide in my manor."

Her eyes widened in shock. What? Did he think I—

"I... it's not like that. I can't explain, but I didn't try to..." she began to stammer, but Li Zhao cut her off.

"It's getting late," he said, standing to leave. "Rest. We'll talk later."

She hesitated but nodded, her face turning a little red from embarrassment. "You too. I mean... Your Highness, good night."

Her voice faltered as she corrected herself, but he didn't seem to notice, already turning away.

P.S.

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