Upon seeing this, the matchmaker immediately picked up the bridal veil and covered her head, supporting her with a fawning smile, saying, "It's a close call, proving that the bride is blessed. Marrying our young prince is an even greater blessing. Hurry up and step over the brazier to go in and pay your respects."
The crowd laughed good-naturedly. No one dared to be unkind. Prince Mu was the current emperor's younger brother, and the two brothers had a very good relationship. Prince Mu also held great power, making him second only to the emperor. So even though they knew the young prince wouldn't live long, everyone still spoke well of him.
As Mu Yunjin watched Luo Zhiheng about to step over the fire pit, he clenched his fists, wishing he could stop her immediately, but he couldn't afford to make a mistake at this crucial moment, otherwise where would his father and the royal family's reputation be?
Luo Zhiheng really didn't want to get married, but at this moment she had no choice. She wasn't from this dynasty, and she didn't dare to be presumptuous, for fear of being discovered and burned alive. She could only take it one step at a time and accept her fate.
Guided by the matchmaker, Luo Zhiheng raised her leg high and stepped over the threshold and brazier. Led by Mu Yunhe, she entered the main hall for the wedding ceremony. The hall was bustling with activity, and all those who could sit there were high-ranking officials, nobles, and members of the royal family.
Two elderly men sat in the main hall. The man, with a square face and graying temples, appeared to be around fifty years old. He was imposing and robust; he was Mu Yunhe's father, Prince Mu Renguang. The woman, also around fifty, had a well-maintained face, with a few wrinkles etched on her cheeks from her smile. She looked kindly at Luo Zhiheng as she entered. She was Mu Yunhe's mother, Lady Tong.
"Your Highness and Your Highness, the auspicious time has arrived. Please invite the young prince to come out and perform the wedding ceremony," the matchmaker said with a fawning smile.
"Go and invite the young prince." The prince's voice was deep, and though it was authoritative, a hint of joy could be heard.
Luo Zhiheng stood there nervously, unable to see anything outside, but able to hear people suddenly exclaiming. She listened carefully in surprise and suddenly heard a grunting sound. Luo Zhiheng wondered, why did this sound so much like... a pig?
"Hahaha, look! A pig! Brother Yunhe has turned into a pig!" The child's innocent voice rang out in the hall, and the entire hall fell silent instantly.
The prince said coldly, "Little Xizi, what's going on? Where is your young prince?"
Xiao Xizi said tremblingly, "Your Highness... The young prince said he was unwell, so he sent this pig to perform the wedding ceremony in his place."
With a loud bang, the crowd erupted as if a pot had been boiled over, and Luo Zhiheng's suppressed anger was reignited.
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006 Women's War
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:07 Word Count: 1558
Just as Luo Zhiheng was about to lose control of her anger and overturn the table to strike someone, a dignified voice suddenly rang out, startling her so much that she quickly shrank back to where she was. She knew best how to be pragmatic.
"Nonsense!" The prince slammed his hand on the table, his eyes blazing with anger. Just as he was about to give the order to send men to arrest Mu Yunhe, another weak, tearful voice rang out.
"Your Highness! Please calm down. You know that Yunhe's health is not good, and I understand his thoughts. This marriage is euphemistically called a wedding, but isn't it really just a way to ward off bad luck? We understand why it's for good luck, and Yunhe, being so intelligent, understands even more. Tell me, how can Yunhe accept and like a woman who marries into the family, which is tantamount to admitting that he is in poor health?"
The speaker was Consort Li, Mu Yunjin's biological mother, who held a pivotal position in the family. She was also favored by the prince for her sweet appearance and understanding nature. What she said was true, but no one expected her to speak the truth. While it sounded like she was defending Mu Yunhe, it wasn't actually the case.
A cunning fox.
Upon hearing Consort Li's words, Luo Zhiheng inwardly sneered and gave her a critique. Anyone with common sense would understand that these words were a triple threat: they implied the young prince's poor health, demonstrated her understanding nature, and delivered a slap in the face to Luo Zhiheng.
Although the slap was directed at Luo Ningshuang, it was now Luo Zhiheng standing there, and she was the one who lost face. This implicitly told Luo Zhiheng that she wouldn't be favored, that she would only suffer mistreatment after marrying into the family, and that even her husband didn't like her.
The old prince must have thought of his beloved son's health condition, and for a moment he was somewhat dejected. He sighed and said to the princess, "We can't let him act so recklessly. This is his special day, and we can't let him continue to be willful. You are his biological mother, so go and fetch Yunhe."
The princess's smile had long since faded. Anyone would be unhappy to hear such words spoken to their son. She hated Consort Li to the core. It was one thing for her to be arrogant on ordinary days, but to say such unlucky things on her son's wedding day was truly infuriating and hateful.
But she had to endure it. Now that her power had been taken away by that vile Consort Li, and the Prince trusted and favored Consort Li, and Mu Yunjin was better than Yun He in every way, what else could she do but endure it? For the sake of her three children, she would face any hardship with a smile.
"Yes, Your Highness, I will go find Yunhe right away." The princess left with an air of elegance and grace, her calm and composed demeanor far more refined than Consort Li's tearful appearance.
Luo Zhiheng listened to the drama with a smirk. Wasn't her own family like this before she became a bandit? Her mother, second aunt, and third aunt were always embroiled in conflict. She grew up amidst the scheming and intrigue of women vying for favor, so she was naturally very familiar with the underhanded dealings involved.
Sure enough, where there are women, there is war. Is she going to live in such a noisy family from now on? Watching dramas every day isn't bad, but only if this ghost can survive.
As the princess arrived outside Mu Yunhe's room, she heard a series of almost suffocating coughs. Her expression changed, and she quickly pulled her skirt inside. Upon seeing her son, entwined in bed, her eyes reddened, and she cried out in a trembling voice, "He'er!"
Mu Yunhe hurriedly looked up upon hearing his mother's voice, and her pale face could instantly break everyone's heart!
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007 A mother's kindness is profound, and a son's filial piety is deep.
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:07 Word Count: 1601
Amidst the bitter smell of medicine filling the room, Mu Yunhe suddenly looked up. His disheveled hair, falling loosely around his ears, brows, and cheeks like ink spreading, cast shadows that couldn't conceal his high, straight nose, which was covered with tiny, translucent beads of sweat. His narrow eyes were slightly wide open, and his upturned eyelashes resembled a crystal beaded curtain veiling his face, shattering the stubborn light in his deep, pain-filled eyes, creating a poignant and beautiful sight that chilled the heart.
Suddenly, he blinked, and all the pain in his eyes and on his face seemed like a figment of someone else's imagination. He laughed freely and joyfully, and said to his frightened and sad mother in a coquettish tone, "Why are you jealous, my most beautiful mother? Could it be that your fiancée, who hasn't even been married yet, has made you angry? I told you I didn't want a wife, but you wouldn't listen. Look, your son hasn't even gotten married yet and he's already forgotten his mother. You're the one who's made angry first."
Hearing Mu Yunhe's hoarse and dry voice speaking so lightly, the princess felt as if her heart was being torn apart, and her movement to rush over suddenly froze. Her son was tormented by illness to such an extent, yet he could still smile at others; how could she, as his mother, let him worry and be sad?
The princess calmed herself down and walked over, gently tapping his forehead with boundless affection. She then tenderly tidied her son's messy hair, scolding him playfully, "You're so glib. You were coughing like that just now. Were you feeling unwell?"
Mu Yunhe grabbed his mother's hand and laughed heartlessly: "No, I'm perfectly fine. I'm just a little upset because I'm going to marry a woman. I'm used to being alone. You and Father insist on putting a stranger in my room. Is that not allowed? I'll just sulk."
"You can't hold a grudge against yourself. How old are you and you still haven't gotten married? Wouldn't people laugh at you? And just now, how could you bring a pig? There were so many people there. Where would that leave your father's face?" the princess said, feigning anger.
Mu Yunhe sneered smugly: "My elder brother is older than me, but he's still not married. Besides, that pig is a disgrace to that woman. Father understands, so there's no need to worry."
"That won't do either. Didn't you promise me that you would have a proper wedding ceremony today? You can't go back on your word, or my promise to you will be meaningless." As the princess spoke, her eyes reddened again, showing that she could no longer hold back her bitter tears.
Mu Yunhe's expression changed, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "You actually cried for me because of a damned girl?"
"What can your mother do? It's come to this point. You can't be so cruel as to ruin that girl's life! Whether she goes out to have the wedding ceremony or not is up to you. Just don't get upset if your mother hurts her eyes from crying." After saying this, the princess stood up and was about to leave.
The promise she made to her son was that no matter how long Mu Yunhe's body could hold on, no matter who left this world first, they would face it with a smile and neither of them would cry! But every time she saw Mu Yunhe pretending to be happy despite his obvious pain, how could she, as his mother, not feel sad and shed tears?
Her son is so outstanding and filial, so why is his life so full of hardship? If she could, she, as his mother, would love to feel the pain for him, but she is powerless to help.
He ruined that girl's life? It would be more accurate to say he ruined her life if he actually married her. What right does a dying man have to marry?
Looking at his mother's back, which seemed to have aged considerably, Mu Yunhe swallowed the unbearable itching cough in his throat and said with difficulty, "Mother, if this is what you wish for, then I will go and marry her. Please... don't cry, don't cry for me anymore. I'm afraid I'll never be able to repay your kindness even if I die."
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008 Conspiracy Trap
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:08 Word Count: 1667
Mu Yunhe knew of Luo Ningshuang's great reputation; she was a talented woman, and countless prestigious families coveted her. However, his family was of higher status, so others could only look on from afar.
Marrying Luo Ningshuang was not Mu Yunhe's idea. The only person he loved most in his life was his mother, who endured and gave up everything for him, gave birth to him, raised him, and suffered with him. He was struggling to stay alive, hoping to give his mother one more day of honor while he was still alive. He knew that if he died, his mother would definitely be dragged down by that group of women. He had no ability to protect or help his mother, so he could only use his life to fight for even one more day of peace for her.
But this body, which has been struggling to hold on, is already exhausted. How many more days can it last? It will only make the pain worse.
"Your Highness Yunhe has arrived," the princess said with a slight smile as she returned to the main hall.
The prince looked at her slightly reddened eyes, sighed silently, and gently patted her hand.
"The young prince has arrived!"
Luo Zhiheng's heart pounded a few times. She bit her lip and held her breath. She heard messy footsteps, and then someone walked up to her side. A pleasant but hoarse voice sounded beside her: "Son greets Father and Mother."
The prince watched as Mu Yunhe was helped in from outside. Such a handsome young man should have been riding a horse and living a carefree life. He couldn't help but feel saddened, and no longer had the thought of blaming Mu Yunhe. He said kindly, "Since you're here, apologize to your wife first, and then let's get married."
Mu Yunhe's pale, almost transparent lips curved into a beautiful smile. He leaned against Xiao Xizi, looking utterly helpless, and said to Luo Zhiheng with a grin, "So you're going to be my future wife? Since you're my wife, you can't be angry with me, understand?"
As he spoke, he even raised his hand and gently flicked Luo Zhiheng's forehead.
"Ouch!" Luo Zhiheng, with her veil covering her face, couldn't see anything. She was bounced back to the spot where she had bumped into the sedan chair, and couldn't help but cry out in pain. She was furious inside. "Are all ancient people so quick to anger? Once I find a good way to survive, I'll definitely take a kitchen knife and chop you all down!"
"Stop fooling around. Ning Shuang and Yun He are always like this, never serious. Aren't you angry?" the princess said kindly to Luo Zhiheng.
Of course she was angry! But Luo Zhiheng had to endure it. She'd deal with him in the bridal chamber, but that would be evening then. Humph, this little devil of hers certainly wasn't afraid of the night. She nodded weakly, and amidst everyone's laughter, the prince said, "Then let's proceed with the wedding ceremony."
——
General's Mansion
Covered in wounds, Luo Ning Shuang's eyes were filled with resentment. Looking at the scar on her forehead and the bruises on her face reflected in the mirror, she threw the mirror down with a slam, snarling, "Luo Zhi Heng, you bitch! I only provoked you a little, and you beat me to a pulp. I won't let you get away with this. You think you stole what's mine? Hmph, you fell into my trap without even realizing it. You're as stupid as ever. This time, I'll ruin your reputation completely!"
"How do you want to ruin her reputation?" A cold voice suddenly rang out.
Luo Ningshuang sneered, "This marriage was a calamity for me. I used Luo Zhiheng to avoid it, and even pushed her into the fire pit. Stealing my sister's husband and seriously injuring her, once this news gets out, do you think Luo Zhiheng will have a good life? Even my father, who loves her to death, will be speechless!"
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009 You're so vicious
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:09 Word Count: 1509
“You’re so vicious!” Zang Tianwu said calmly.
"Hahaha! Vicious? That father and daughter forced me into this! If my father hadn't been so biased, treating her like a precious treasure and me like a jinx, would I have such resentment? We are twin sisters! Just because my mother died in childbirth after I was born, does that mean she should resent me? What I did to them today is their own fault, their retribution, they deserve it!" Luo Ningshuang's face, which had been beaten into a pig-like shape, was now twisted and terrifying, her resentment overwhelming her reason.
“Those things are none of my business. I only agreed to do three things for you. You’re keeping me around like this without telling me what you want me to do. How long are you going to keep me here?” Zang Tianwu asked coldly.
Luo Ningshuang then composed herself and said, "I saved your life, and you agreed to my condition. Sooner or later, I will let you complete those three things and leave."