"Our wedding will be even more spectacular!" Dongfang Heng reached out and embraced Shen Lixue's small waist, his thin lips gently pressing against her cherry lips, a faint smile curving his lips. His elder brother was not dead, and their wedding would proceed as scheduled.
For many days, Dongfang Heng had been on edge due to his battle with Dongfang Zhan. Now that Su Lie was dead and Dongfang Xun had returned, he instantly felt relieved, gently kissing her fragrant lips and enjoying the beautiful tranquility of the moment.
"The wedding is on September 16th!" Shen Lixue exclaimed in surprise, blinked, and abruptly pushed Dongfang Heng away: "I want to go back to the War King's Mansion!"
"Why?" The soft, sweet lips suddenly moved away, and Dongfang Heng frowned unhappily, as if he wanted to return to the manor.
"The bride and groom cannot meet for the first three days of the wedding!" Shen Lixue grew up in the countryside of Qingzhou and was not very familiar with the rules of noble families. The day before her coming-of-age ceremony, the Empress Dowager, in order to prevent her from making a mistake and becoming a laughing stock, specially sent a palace maid to the Prince of Zhan's mansion to explain many etiquette rules to her. The imperial decree of marriage had been issued, and she was also told about the things to pay attention to during the wedding.
Dongfang Heng frowned: "Today is September 13th, so it's already been three days!"
"That's why I have to go back even more!" Shen Lixue hurried to the dressing mirror and examined her makeup.
Dongfang Heng's lips moved slightly. What he really wanted to say was that the rule of not seeing each other for three days had already been broken, so staying a couple more days wouldn't matter. He had been busy avenging Dongfang Xun these past few days and had hardly had any time to be intimate with Shen Lixue. Now that he finally had some time, she was going back to the manor.
"September 16th will come soon. After the wedding, we can be together every day!" Shen Lixue noticed Dongfang Heng's disappointment, walked over and took his arm. In three more days, the Holy King's Mansion would be her home.
When Dongfang Xun returned, his gaze towards her was calm, indicating that he had let go of his feelings for her. This was good; living in the same palace from now on, they wouldn't feel awkward when they met.
Looking into Shen Lixue's clear eyes, Dongfang Heng sighed inwardly, his jade-like fingers gently stroking her silky black hair: "I'll escort you back to your residence!"
My heart is filled with a thousand regrets, but when I think that we can be together forever after September 16th, these two days of separation are only temporary and will pass.
"Today is September 13th. The less time we spend together, the better. Don't bother seeing me off. Just have the driver take me home!" Shen Lixue tiptoed and lightly kissed Dongfang Heng's lips like a dragonfly skimming the water. She then turned and ran out of Fengsong Courtyard: "I'm going back to the manor now. See you the day after tomorrow!"
Shen Lixue is a modern person and doesn't believe in taboos. However, marriage is a major life event, and she is marrying the person she loves. She also hopes that her marriage will be happy and fulfilling. Unconsciously, she has followed the ancients' wishes. It's okay if they don't see each other for three days.
Watching Shen Lixue's slender figure gradually disappear into the sunlight, Dongfang Zhan's lips curled into a faint smile. In three more days, they would be husband and wife, able to be together forever. He was truly looking forward to it: "Zimo!"
"Yes!" Zi Mo, hidden in the shadows, agreed and flew out of Fengsong Courtyard, chasing after Shen Lixue. The wedding was imminent, and the Prince did not want any accidents to happen, so he naturally had to protect Shen Lixue.
When Dongfang Xun returned safely, the capital was in an uproar. Some said it was because his ancestors had blessed him and that the young master was not destined to die. Others said that the young master had survived a great calamity and would surely be blessed with good fortune. The destruction of the Wen State Duke's Mansion and Dongfang Xun's return became the subject of much gossip and conversation.
Meanwhile, the wedding of Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue was put on the agenda. The Zhanwang Mansion and the Shengwang Mansion had been preparing for the wedding. Dongfang Xun's accident caused a gap of time, but they had kept all the wedding items and had almost finished preparing them.
With Dongfang Xun safe and sound, there was no need to worry about the mourning period anymore. The wedding was held as scheduled, and they didn't need to prepare too much. They only needed to make up for the rest. Two days was enough time for them to prepare everything in a busy manner.
The night was cool and still, and all was quiet. A soft, warm light still shone in the inner room of Lixue Pavilion. Shen Lixue sat in front of the dressing table, gently combing her black hair. The War King was not here, and Steward Wang was in charge of arranging her wedding. However, he would ask for her opinion on some important matters. After two days, she was exhausted.
A glimpse of the phoenix coronet and wedding gown resting on the soft couch appeared in the mirror. Her weary gaze softened instantly as she turned to look at the couch.
The phoenix coronet and embroidered robe were bestowed by the Emperor and had just been delivered to the Prince of Zhan's residence during the day. She tried them on and they fit perfectly. The beautiful bright red color made her look even more radiant against the light-colored bed. According to Eunuch Zhao, the wedding dress and phoenix coronet were made with urgency. The Emperor also attached great importance to her and Dongfang Heng's wedding.
The Prince of Zhan's mansion had also prepared a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe for her, but since she already had the imperial gift, she no longer needed it.
It was already midnight, which meant it was the sixteenth of September. In a few hours, Dongfang Heng's wedding sedan chair would arrive, and he would be getting married soon!
Having lived two lives, this was her first time getting married, and Shen Lixue was inexplicably nervous.
Suddenly, a series of footsteps approached, so light they were almost inaudible, yet strangely familiar. Shen Lixue's smiling eyes narrowed instantly. It was him; that mysterious person had come to harass her again.
Last time, she was caught off guard, and the man lay beside her for a long time before she realized it, almost letting him take advantage of her. This time, she won't be so stupid again.
With a sharp look in her eyes, Shen Lixue straightened her clothes, slowly walked to the door, opened it, and said to the empty corridor, "The room is a bit stuffy. I'll rest in the bamboo house tonight!"
"Yes!" the guards replied in unison. They did not reveal themselves, but instead, wisps of air floated around Shen Lixue, escorting her to the bamboo house in the bamboo forest.
Half of the secret guards were from the War King's Mansion, and the other half were sent by Dongfang Heng. They knew Dongfang Zhan's ambition and ability. The auspicious time for the wedding was fast approaching, and there could be any changes at any time. The secret guards dared not be careless at all.
Under the bright moonlight, Shen Lixue, dressed in snow-white clothes with long, dark hair hanging down, looked like a fairy taking a stroll under the moon. She slowly walked into the bamboo house, while the guards silently stopped outside the door. When the War King left, he entrusted the War King's Mansion to her. The bamboo house that the War King built for Lin Qingzhu was open to Shen Lixue, but others could not enter and could only stand outside to protect her.
The bamboo garden was still simply furnished. The living room had only a table and four chairs, and the four walls were covered with huge portraits of Lin Qingzhu. Shen Lixue looked at the lifelike portraits and slowly walked up the stairs to the second floor.
The bedroom on the second floor was prepared specifically for Lin Qingzhu. After her death, the room only contained a bed, a bedside table, and a wardrobe, but no blankets or quilts. Shen Lixue went straight into the study.
Besides books and bookshelves, there was also a soft couch in the study. Sometimes when she got tired of reading, she would rest on the couch.
"Click, click, click!" From the darkness came a series of sounds. Shen Lixue raised the corners of her mouth. Butler Wang activated all the mechanisms in the bamboo forest. Anyone who trespassed would be executed without mercy.
Shen Lixue sat on the couch, not resting. Her cool gaze peered through the lattice window at most of the bamboo forest. The bamboo was a deep green, its leaves rustling in the wind. She looked around but couldn't see a single person. A faint smile appeared on her lips. Did he know how dangerous the bamboo forest was and not dare to come in? Then she could finally get a good night's sleep.
If he dares to force his way in, that's fine too. All sorts of traps and mechanisms are waiting for him in the bamboo forest. Her martial arts skills are not as good as his, so she can't deal with him, but the mysterious and unpredictable traps can.
Shen Lixue took a quilt from the cabinet, lay down on the soft couch, closed her eyes, and was about to fall asleep when the faint sound of footsteps suddenly rang out, each step like the footsteps of a demon resounding through her eardrums and into her heart.
Shen Lixue gritted her teeth, suddenly opened her eyes, and looked to the side. The bamboo forest was on high alert, and all the traps were activated. This person was able to avoid so many traps and evade the surveillance of the guards to break in. His martial arts were really high, which was beyond her expectations.
Dongfang Heng should be resting at this time, preparing for the wedding a few hours later. The auspicious time hasn't arrived yet, and the three-day restriction hasn't expired, so the two of them can't meet for the time being. She must find a way to get rid of this mysterious person herself.
"Squeak!" The door opened silently and automatically, slightly cracking open. Shen Lixue lay quietly, her eyes closed as if she were asleep, without moving at all.
The door was opened wider, and a tall, slender figure in black slipped in like a ghost, silently heading towards the soft couch where Shen Lixue was.
Shen Lixue closed her eyes, but could clearly feel a shadow looming over her. A gust of cold air blew by, and the man came to her. She carefully opened her eyes a crack, only to find that the man's hand was already close to her face, as if he was about to touch her small face.
He wanted to harass her again! Shen Lixue's anger flared up, she suddenly opened her eyes, her slender body leaped up, and she stabbed the man in black with the dagger in her hand.
The man in black was slightly taken aback, but quickly recovered. With a flick of his wrist, his large hand tightly gripped Shen Lixue's small hand. The tip of the dagger stopped two centimeters from his throat, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't advance any further.
"Who exactly are you?" Shen Lixue stared at the man in black. His black eyes were unfathomable, like a vast and boundless sea that could drown everything.
“You don’t need to know!” The man’s voice was low and deep, deliberately altering his tone.
He grabbed Shen Lixue's wrist with one hand and embraced her waist with the other.
Shen Lixue's eyes turned cold, and her left hand instantly shot out, a gleaming silver light pressed against the man's throat: "Try moving again."
The sharp needle pressed tightly against his skin; if he dared to move, the silver needle would immediately pierce his throat: "You are clever, but unfortunately, your speed is ultimately not fast enough!"