"What's so difficult about that? Knock her out, stuff her into the bridal sedan, perform the ceremony, and she'll be my wife. What control will she have then?"
Another voice, laced with laughter and a hint of schadenfreude, chimed in.
"She's my own daughter, you think I'm selling a pig! Why don't you knock your own daughter out and stuff her into a sedan?"
"Hahaha, don't get angry. It's an imperial decree, after all. I don't have such good fortune. You do. Xia Yunting has rendered great service. Perhaps his future wife will even be bestowed a noble title. You can just wait to enjoy your retirement, Prime Minister."
As the words fell, one of them chuckled and left, leaving behind only a long sigh.
Rong Zhi stroked her wine cup, recalling the recent rumors.
Xia Yunting had achieved military victories, and the Emperor, in his gratitude, had bestowed a marriage upon him and the Prime Minister's mansion. The wedding was set for early next month. Little did they expect the bride to be unwilling to marry...
This gave her an idea...
"Waiter, the bill."
In the middle of the night, cries and wails emanated from the inner quarters of the Prime Minister's mansion.
"Father, your daughter cannot live on. I've heard that Xia Yunting is a ruthless killer, cold-blooded and heartless. If I go, I will surely die without a burial place!"
Xing Jiahui twisted her handkerchief, sobbing uncontrollably.
Xing Jie's head ached from the noise, but he had no choice but to comfort her.
"Jiahui, don't listen to the rumors. Xia Yunting is a decorated general; you will not be wronged if you marry him. Besides, even heroes fall for beauty. My daughter is as beautiful as a falling moon and a sinking fish. How could she not win his favor?"
"But Father, I don't want to marry him. I... I already have someone in my heart."
"What?" Xing Jie's face changed.
"How can a young lady from a prominent family say such a thing? Is it not shameful? I tell you, this is an imperial decree! If you are unwilling, you can go to the palace yourself and defy the decree!"
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left, slamming the door behind him.
Xing Jiahui, enraged, smashed vases and antiques all over the floor.
After an indeterminate amount of time, she suddenly quieted down. With a determined bite, she dragged a stool over and hung a white silk ribbon from the ceiling beam.
"My dear Duan, we have no fate in this life. I shall go first."
With a clatter, the stool fell.
A figure in black leaped down from the beam, a swift slash of a saber cutting the white silk. The figure caught Xing Jiahui around the waist.
As they landed, Xing Jiahui, seeing the person in front of her with a black cloth covering their face, turned pale.
"Who are you?"
"Don't concern yourself with who I am. You don't want to marry, do you? I'm here to help you."
"Why... why are you helping me?"
"We each get what we need."
The wedding day arrived, with ten miles of red dowry. The procession to escort the bride filled the entire street.
Xing Jie, looking at his daughter who had suddenly become obedient and silent, was both surprised and delighted. Through the veil, his curiosity finally got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask.
"Jiahui, why did you suddenly change your mind?"
Receiving no response, the bride pushed him aside and entered the sedan chair, passing him by.
Xing Jie awkwardly touched his nose but quickly regained his composure.
No matter what, as long as she could be married, he could fulfill his duty.
Inside the sedan chair, Rong Zhi lifted the veil and, looking at the onlookers outside, a smile curved her lips.
Xia Yunting, you can't escape this time.
The wedding was grand.
The General's mansion was only two streets away from the Prime Minister's mansion, yet the bridal sedan circled the imperial city for a full lap.
From beginning to end, the cheers and music from outside were loud and clear.
Xia Yunting, clad in wedding attire, rode a horse, his posture as upright and graceful as a jade tree. Though Rong Zhi could not see his face, she could still imagine how glorious he must have looked today.
The General's mansion had specifically arranged for several servants to distribute wedding candies, pastries, and even silver coins to the passersby, allowing them to share in the joyous occasion.
Scholars stepped forward to recite poems and couplets for the happy couple, while merchants by the roadside offered auspicious greetings.
Xia Yunting was not stingy, showering them with large handfuls of silver, which drew more cheers from the crowd.
Rong Zhi, who had never been married in either of her lives, couldn't help but sigh, "Magnificent!"
After the hour-long procession, the sedan chair finally returned to the General's mansion.
Next came a series of tedious procedures: kicking the sedan, stepping over the brazier, bowing to heaven and earth, bowing to the elders...
Rong Zhi followed the rituals without any mistakes.
However, during the mutual bow between husband and wife, Rong Zhi suddenly felt a gaze fixed upon her.
Through the veil, Rong Zhi saw Xia Yunting's scrutinizing look.
Although it was their wedding day, there was no trace of a smile on Xia Yunting's face. His sharp eyes were fixed precisely on her face, as if he were staring at prey.
Rong Zhi quickly lowered her head. Even if Xia Yunting hadn't seen Xing Jiahui, he had seen her. If she were recognized, it would be troublesome.
This situation didn't last long. The ceremony concluded, and Rong Zhi was led to the bridal chamber by Nanny Gu.
"Miss, this servant will go to the kitchen to fetch some food. Please wait here and do not wander off."
Nanny Gu was a servant from the Prime Minister's mansion and was unaware of Rong Zhi's deception. She assumed the person under the veil was Xing Jiahui and, fearing she might flee, specifically cautioned her.
Rong Zhi thought she was overthinking. When she had entered, she had glanced around. Not only were there guards at the entrance, but also along all the walls. A person couldn't possibly escape, let alone a mouse.
What followed was a long wait. Rong Zhi sat on the bed, covered with peanuts, red dates, and other auspicious items, calculating the time.
She still had two or three hours to wait before she could see Xia Yunting. As long as she wasn't discovered, there would be no complications.
After a quarter of an hour, the door was pushed open.
Rong Zhi caught a whiff of osmanthus cake.
"Put it down," Rong Zhi assumed it was Nanny Gu.
The next moment, she heard a rough, booming voice like a large bell.
"Yes! Madam!"
Rong Zhi was so startled she almost fell off the bed.
Upon closer inspection, she saw a burly man, his muscles bulging, his height almost reaching the ceiling.
The small plate of osmanthus cakes looked pathetic in his hand.
"You may leave,"
Rong Zhi steadied herself and replied.
However, the man did not leave.
"Madam, the General instructed that this subordinate must watch you finish eating."
Rong Zhi's heart sank. Had she been discovered?
With so many guests outside, being found out would be troublesome.
Rong Zhi had no choice but to go to the table, pick up a pastry, and eat it under the cover of her veil.
Chen Xing frowned; this was not what he had imagined.
Rong Zhi was indeed a little hungry and finished the cake in a short while. She even thoughtfully handed the empty plate back.
It was quite delicious, she thought.
"Here."
Chen Xing's mouth twitched. The General had specifically ordered him to see the new wife's face.
Perhaps... he should make another plate?
"Is there anything else?"
"No."
Chen Xing reluctantly took the plate. Suddenly, his eyes gleamed, and he let his hand slip, causing the plate to fall to the ground.
"Madam, are you alright?"
Under the pretense of checking, Chen Xing reached to lift the veil.
"How dare you!"
Rong Zhi took a step back and reprimanded him sharply.
"Your General hasn't even entered the bridal chamber yet, and you wish to lift the veil for him? Is General Xia Yunting getting married, or are you?"
"Madam, please forgive me. This subordinate meant no offense. It is just that I heard of Madam's beauty, captivating and peerless. This subordinate was momentarily foolish..."
Chen Xing knelt on the ground, bowing his head in apology.
His reaction was quick, and his words were sweet. Rong Zhi didn't want to cause trouble, so she coldly said, "Leave!"
"Yes!"
Chen Xing withdrew.
Rong Zhi watched his retreating back, which required him to bend to get through the door, and patted her chest.
"Scared me to death! What do Xia Yunting's subordinates eat to grow so tall? He's almost as tall as me even when kneeling!"
She was certain she had been discovered. She couldn't stay in the bridal chamber.
Rong Zhi tore off the veil and quickly shed the wedding gown, revealing a set of men's clothing underneath.
That's right, she had made a backup plan.
She hid the wedding gown and, instead of using the main door, prepared to leap out through the window.
The window was already open. In her memory, there were no guards here. Rong Zhi leaped out with a powerful bound.
Suddenly, a force seized her waist. Rong Zhi's vision blurred, the world spun, and a magnified handsome face appeared before her.
Xia Yunting caught her in his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. "What a coincidence, we meet again."
His phoenix-like eyes curved into a smile, sparkling with a light that almost blinded her.
After a brief moment of shock, Rong Zhi suddenly spoke loudly:
"Xia Yunting, I have something to ask of you... Mmmph!"
Before she could finish, her mouth was abruptly covered with cloth, and her hands and feet were bound.
Chen Xing frowned, looking at this woman who was completely different from the intelligence he had received, and was extremely shocked.
He hadn't expected the bride to be a fake after all. But how had the great General figured it out?
"Check the dowry. If everything is in order, have people guard the area and allow no one to approach."
Rong Zhi was somewhat surprised. Was she being mistaken for an assassin?
"Yes."
Chen Xing retreated.
Xia Yunting kicked open the bridal chamber door and threw Rong Zhi onto the bed.
"Mmmph mmmph mmmph!"
Rong Zhi glared in protest. Couldn't they just let her finish speaking! Did everyone in the General's mansion have the same problem?
Xia Yunting scrutinized Rong Zhi, his gaze deepening.
She did bear a striking resemblance to the face in his memory, with about seventy percent similarity. Could she be a descendant?
"The wedding ceremony is complete. You are now my wife, so stay put and behave yourself. Don't even think about running!"
Rong Zhi let out a muffled sound: "Then untie me, why are you tying up your wife on your wedding day?"
Xia Yunting ignored her and turned to leave.
Rong Zhi panicked and stretched out her leg, hooking his belt from behind.
Xia Yunting turned back and grabbed her ankle, yanking her forcefully onto the bed.
Her ankle struck the bed frame, and Rong Zhi's face turned pale from the pain.
"If you don't want to die, then behave."
Xia Yunting said coldly, leaving the room with large strides, leaving behind only his unfeeling back.
Rong Zhi looked up at the ceiling, speechless.
What a mess this all was!
Oh well, waiting until night would be the same.
Xia Yunting's failure to address the matter of the false bride surprised her somewhat.
Rong Zhi regretted her attempt to escape. If she hadn't tried to flee, at least she could move her arms and legs now.
She waited boredly on the bed. Around dusk, she suddenly heard a commotion outside.
Amidst the chaos, someone seemed to be accusing Xia Yunting.
"General Xia, how has Lord Li offended you that you would kill him in public!"