The next morning, Zhao Zhuoru woke first. Seeing He Yuexuan still sleeping soundly, she couldn't help but smile. She tucked the corner of the quilt around him before getting out of bed.
After she had finished preparing herself, she woke He Yuexuan, helped him dress, and let a young maid come in to do his hair.
Shui Wa: "This sweet love is so sickeningly sweet, I won't play with Zhuo Zhuo anymore."
After finishing their breakfast, they went to the palace together to pay their respects to the Empress. Both Zhao Zhuoru's and the Empress's fathers had passed away. Given their status, they only needed to greet the Empress.
The Empress was quite pleased with He Yuexuan and sent them many gifts. She had a strong feeling that this son-in-law was blessed with good fortune and hoped he would give her a granddaughter soon.
Zhao Zhuoru's wedding gave the Emperor of Riguan a strong sense of crisis. The prophesied date was drawing closer, yet most of the country's people paid no mind to it.
Their arrogance made them believe they couldn't possibly be inferior to a group of women. Without experiencing it firsthand, they felt the bravery of the Yueguo army was merely boastful talk from shameless women.
Most of their military training was just for show. They only made a perfunctory effort because the Emperor was so anxious.
Some corrupt officials also saw the potential for profit. The military funds allocated by the Riguan Emperor were siphoned off section by section. By the time the money reached the military camps, half of it was gone, and even less reached each soldier.
The officials protected each other, and their pretense was flawless. If the Emperor didn't inspect personally, he would never uncover the truth.
Shui Wa: "Sigh, I'm so bored I'm growing moss."
Jun Jiuli: "The Crown Princess is very capable, and they are both safe. Why don't we leave?"
"The points haven't been transferred yet, I'm feeling a bit weak."
"Why don't you just ask him for them?"
"I don't dare... They'll give them to me after the mission is completed anyway."
"..."
"Host, continue cultivating. I'm planning to write a romance novel, and it's very possible I'll be the next one to sweep the internet."
"Uh... you?"
"My observations are so meticulous. Using Zhuo Zhuo's personal experiences will surely attract readers. I'm off then, I need to clearly record the return gifts for their visit."
"..."
As the wedding date drew closer, Han Ziwen was also released from house arrest by the Prime Minister and began learning much about wedding preparations.
On the day of his wedding to the Second Princess, the Empress did not attend, sending only gifts through a messenger.
Han Ziwen clenched his fists tightly. They were both marrying into the royal family, yet his treatment was so much worse than that of the person surnamed He.
The Emperor's favoritism was too obvious. Was she displeased with him, or with the Second Princess?
By this time, the young gentlemen in the capital who admired the Second Princess had given up hope. Although they disdained Han Ziwen's methods, they had to let go.
After all, they all came from affluent families and were unwilling to be secondary. They had entire families behind them and could not afford to bring shame upon them.
"The Second Princess was very majestic riding the tall horse today. I felt she seemed quite happy, not like someone who had been schemed against."
"Silly, you have to respect the person who provides the umbrella. The Second Princess at least has to give Prime Minister Han some face."
"That's true. I wonder if Young Master Han will regret it in the future, now that he has gotten his wish?"
"What does it matter to us common folk? No matter how unhappy they are, they'll still be better off than us. Let's hurry and see if there are any lost copper coins left."
"You're right, you're right."
The Second Princess was very drunk. She drank every toast offered to her that day. She vented all her internal dissatisfaction on the celebratory occasion, and everyone simply thought she was overjoyed.
The wedding officiant kept offering auspicious blessings. The Second Princess found it bothersome. Wearing a gentle smile, she saw the ceremony through and then sent the officiant away with a smile.
Han Ziwen noticed something was off about her, and his body trembled slightly with fear. Seeing him like this, the Second Princess burst into laughter.
"You're afraid of me. Who is the wife you fantasize about? It's my elder sister, right? What is it about her that attracts you? Does marrying me make you very uncomfortable? Speak, are you mute?"
"I don't know what Your Highness the Second Princess is talking about. I am yours now, and I have no improper thoughts."
The Second Princess lifted his chin, meeting his eyes.
"I like you, intelligent one."
Han Ziwen's hair stood on end. He didn't know what to do next, his nervousness preventing him from meeting the Second Princess's gaze directly.
"Why are you like this? Are you scared of me? You're truly delicate. But sometimes you're quite bold, even daring to stop my sister's carriage on the street."
She spoke the last sentence very slowly, word by word. Han Ziwen felt suffocated by the oppressive aura emanating from her.
"No matter what you were before, don't embarrass me from now on."
"I understand."
The Second Princess felt a little more satisfied seeing his obedient demeanor. As a reward, she patted his head and then stood up, opening her arms.
Han Ziwen, understanding the gesture, immediately got up to help her out of her robes and served her bath. After the Second Princess returned to bed to rest, Han Ziwen soaked in the bathtub, a wave of sadness washing over him.
The Second Princess was truly terrifying; nothing about him could be hidden from her. It was impossible to confide in such a person. What would his future hold?
At this moment, he had completely forgotten his previous resentment and dared not harbor any lingering thoughts of Zhao Zhuoru. If he made a single misstep in the Second Princess's mansion, he would surely fall into an abyss.
He quickly tidied himself up, carefully climbed into the inner side of the bed, and proactively wrapped his arms around the Second Princess's waist.
The Second Princess turned over, pinning him beneath her, without a shred of tenderness. The next day, she left instructions and departed his room without a hint of lingering attachment.
Han Ziwen endured the pain, not daring to delay for a moment. He quickly tidied himself up and waited in the carriage outside the mansion before the time stipulated by the Second Princess.
The Second Princess nodded in approval at his appearance. With a smile on her face, she placed her hand on Han Ziwen's, and they appeared like a devoted couple.
The journey to the palace was filled with the Second Princess's thoughtful attention. The passing palace maids and guards all looked on with envy.
"The Second Princess is so good. I wish I could marry a wife like her in the future."
"They seem so in love. His Highness the Second Princess truly dotes on him."
"If using a little manipulation could win me a wife like the Second Princess, I'd be willing to use it my whole life."
...
The Emperor did not meet Han Ziwen. He only asked the Second Princess to come to the imperial study for a discussion. Han Ziwen felt very awkward, but fortunately, he could go to the Second Princess's consort to pay his respects.
He also guessed why the Empress disliked him. He was shredding the handkerchief in his hand and felt intense hatred.
Why was the Crown Princess so petty? She knew it concerned his reputation, yet she had someone inform the Empress. It was truly unforgivable.