Yun Xiao leaned against the bed adorned with carved flying dragons, a soft smile gracing her lips as she gazed deeply at Shangguan Yin.
Shangguan Yin's eyes were equally adoring, filled with tenderness and profound longing, his large hand tightly clasping her small one.
Her lonely heart, at this moment, sank completely. What was it that he had firmly grasped, ensuring that from now on, this palace would no longer be desolate and cold?
"Xiao'er."
Shangguan Yin reached out, drawing Yun Xiao closer to his chest. He gently stroked her silken hair, then sighed with contentment, muttering a curious observation.
"This wedding dress is so strange, I've never seen anything like it."
Leaning into his embrace, Yun Xiao chuckled playfully. If this was something he had seen before, would they have met here?
"Does it look good?"
Shangguan Yin nodded. "Xiao'er is the most beautiful bride, and this is the most exquisite wedding attire."
It was no less splendid than the phoenix coronet and imperial robes. Compared to both, each had its own elegance, but he had to admit that Xiao'er suited this wedding dress even better, looking countless times more beautiful than in the phoenix coronet and robes. "You look like a fairy."
Women always enjoyed compliments, and Yun Xiao was no exception, especially on her wedding day. Hearing this man, who was so high and mighty and always cold and chilling to outsiders, speak so tenderly now, she felt as sweet as honey.
"Your Majesty looks very handsome today, the most handsome man I have ever seen."
As soon as Yun Xiao spoke, Shangguan Yin raised his slender eyebrows. What did "handsome" mean? A strange word. He leaned in, about to ask for clarification, but then heard Yun Xiao's stomach rumble. Her face immediately flushed red.
Who would have their stomach rumble so inconveniently during such a tender moment? It was utterly mortifying.
Shangguan Yin couldn't help but laugh heartily. It was rare for him to relax his mind so freely. He released Yun Xiao from his embrace. "Are you hungry, Xiao'er? We haven't had the wedding wine yet, have we?"
Other rituals could be skipped, but this one could not. Only after drinking the wedding wine would the two be eternally inseparable, together for all eternity.
Yun Xiao's face first flushed, then she became much more open. They were already husband and wife; they would live together every day from now on. What was there to be shy about? She immediately lifted her face, smiling brightly, and said,
"I am hungry. I only ate a little something in the morning, so of course, I'm hungry now."
"Mm, then let's eat something together."
Shangguan Yin reached out, lifted Yun Xiao, and walked towards the carved table in the sleeping chambers. He settled her down and then sat beside her.
There were no maidservants attending them in the sleeping chambers, so he served her everything personally.
At this moment, she felt like the happiest woman in the world. This man truly loved her. Yun Xiao held a jade tablet, eating while casting glances at Shangguan Yin. Shangguan Yin ate a little less, and seeing Yun Xiao look at him, he spoke gently.
"What is it, Xiao'er?"
"This feels like a dream,"
Yun Xiao murmured, a radiance gracing her cheeks. Her dimples appeared faintly, and her eyes were misty and dreamy.
In this moment, she resembled a fairy who had descended to the mortal world, pure and sweet. Shangguan Yin's heart tightened. How had he managed to capture such a cute, playful, and enchanting girl? He, too, felt as if he were dreaming.
A lightning flash surged through his mind, and many memories rushed by. Their first meeting. At that time, he was nothing more than a bloodthirsty, demonically possessed, cold, and ruthless person.
But after her harsh scolding and furious rebuke, he had awakened as if from a trance.
Although he hated her, resented her, and was angered by her, he could not betray his mission. The blood flowing in his veins was the blood of the Shangguan family.
The ancestors of the Shangguan family had done him no wrong; he could not destroy others and then destroy himself. It seemed that from that moment on, he had truly come alive.
The more Shangguan Yin thought, the tighter his heart became. Fortunately, at that time, he had persisted in following her, not missing each other, which allowed him to have someone by his side now, bringing peace to his heart.
"Xiao'er."
Shangguan Yin reached out, pulling Yun Xiao to sit on his lap. He took the wedding wine, handed a cup to Yun Xiao, took one himself, entwined their arms, and said softly,
"This is the wedding wine. After drinking this cup, we are entangled together for this life, no, entangled together for all eternity."
Yun Xiao smiled as she looked at him and nodded firmly. She tilted her head and drank the wine. Their gazes became entangled. Yes, never to be separated for all eternity.
In the sleeping chambers, red candles flickered, igniting tears of happiness and joy, her love an unregretted longing.
On this wedding night, there was no carnal passion. They simply leaned tenderly against each other, their hearts so close, whispering sweet nothings. It was more blissful than any wedding night in the world.
Later, when Yun Xiao grew tired, Shangguan Yin gazed at her intently, his hand unconsciously reaching out to touch hers, stroking it gently.
He wished Xiao'er would conceive soon, so they could have a child. Then perhaps a second, and a third. Ideally, two boys and two girls; he would be content with that.
In the morning, the sky showed streaks of white and blue, and the crescent moon still hung in the west. In the sleeping chambers, the candles had burned out, leaving only wisps of black smoke.
Shangguan Yin had only closed his eyes towards morning, having not slept at all. He heard the urgent voice of a eunuch from outside: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have something to report."
At this hour, what could it be? Shangguan Yin's eyelids twitched. He suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils chilling, fierce. He slowly released Yun Xiao, got out of bed, and carefully covered her with the thin quilt before ordering, "Come in."
Fu Hai swiftly darted in, kneeling on the ground. Having learned from his previous lesson, he did not dare to glance towards the bed.
"What has happened?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is said that something has occurred at the imperial tomb tonight?"
"What?"
Shangguan Yin's expression suddenly turned grim. It seemed the Skull Blood Bandits of Xishan were determined to confront him.
A portion of their men had been killed just yesterday, and before the matter was even investigated, they had dared to desecrate the imperial tomb overnight. He believed that this time, they were not trying to steal from the tomb but to retaliate for him killing their people.
The Emperor, dressed in white inner garments, paced lightly in the sleeping chambers, his brows furrowed in thought. The eunuch Fu Hai, kneeling on the ground, dared not move.
Silence filled the sleeping chambers. The person on the bed stirred and opened her eyes. A chilling coldness and fierce glint covered her stunningly beautiful face. Her lips curved into a ruthless killing intent as she slowly called out,
"Murong."
Shangguan Yin was startled, not expecting Yun Xiao to have woken up. He quickly turned and walked towards her, his eyes full of concern. "Xiao'er is awake."
Yun Xiao nodded and moved slightly. Her ink-black hair cascaded onto her chest over her white undergarment. A smile graced her face, as delicate as water. Looking at Shangguan Yin, she spoke calmly,
"You do not need to worry. In fact, there is a way to attack the Xishan Blood Bandits. They have a weakness. Your Majesty can have the soldiers guarding the tomb pour saltwater into the four corners, blocking their escape route. This way, they cannot operate underground and cannot steal from the tomb. If they operate on the surface, these people are not formidable at all."
As soon as Yun Xiao finished speaking, Shangguan Yin considered it carefully. It was indeed the case. His brows relaxed, and a deep, unfathomable dark gleam flashed in his eyes. He nodded, turned, and ordered the attendant Fu Hai, "Wait outside the brocade screen. Later, help me dress and prepare for the morning court."
"Yes, Your Majesty."