Rainbow-colored skirt and misty cloak, with a swaying crown, jade pendants hanging down in a tinkling sound.

  "The procession arrives at the temple, music plays!"

  I quietly allowed Xi Niang to support me, and in the chanting voice of the Zanli officer, I bowed down with a smile. In my hand, I held the best red silk from Jiangnans new tribute, and at the other end of the red silk was the current third prince, Nan Chengyao, my husband whom I had never met before.

  I couldnt see his face, the dragon and phoenix auspicious wedding veil covered my line of sight, the whole world was a bright red.

  Three kneels, nine knocks on the forehead, six bows.

  Marrying into a noble family, etiquette cannot be slightly neglected. By the time I was led into the bridal chamber by the matchmaker, I already had a faint sweat on my temples.

  Outside the bridal chamber, the music and laughter grew louder, making the inside of the room seem even more quiet. A maid handed me a plate of pastries, saying softly: "Please have some of these pastries, Your Highness. They were bestowed upon us by the palace, and Ive selected a few for you. You must be hungry after a long day."

  The maids voice was gentle and pleasant, I smiled slightly, although not hungry, still casually picked up a few to taste, then handed the plate back to her.

  She took it over and opened her mouth again: "Your Highness is now in the main hall toasting guests, and for a while, he may not be able to get away. Please ask the princess to rest for a while, and I will wait outside the bridal chamber door. If the princess has anything, just order me."

  She closed the door and went out, polite and courteous. The large room was left with only me, at this time, even Shu Ying could only stand outside the bridal chamber.

  My fingers, carefully tracing the golden lotus flowers on the wedding dress, this wedding dress was made by my uncle, who is a supervisor of the construction department in Jiangnan, and he selected skilled embroidery women to work on it for three months before sending it to our house by express horse.

  The lotus leaves cover the green water, and the hibiscus flowers are blooming with red freshness. Every stitch and every line is a glory that others can hardly reach.

  Just a faint smile from me, brushing past the slightly loose sleeves.

  It didnt originally belong to me, no matter how noble it was, it would ultimately be unsuitable. And this marriage that had been misplaced from the start, what kind of ending would it have?

  "How can this be? Whats to become of my young mistress?" The voice outside the bridal chamber door was Piao Yings, low and restrained but unable to conceal her indignation and anxiety.

  The gentle and soft female voice sounded again, also answering in a low tone, with politeness and apology, yet without being servile or arrogant: "An urgent imperial edict has been issued, the Emperors dragon body is unwell, all princes must enter the palace immediately to attend to him, due to the urgency of the situation, even the three princes cannot be excused."

  "Wait a minute, theres always time to lift the red veil, what can be done now, should I let my young lady lift it herself or just wait?"

  The woman was momentarily speechless, apparently also hesitant, and I hesitated for a moment before calling out Shuyings name.

  The servant girl hurried in at the sound of the voice and called me "Miss", but hesitated, unsure of how to begin.

  The clear and polite voice then sounded: "I have disturbed Your Highness, it is this servants fault."

  I smiled faintly: "Miss, your words are too serious, things have their own urgency, and ones parents orders cannot be disobeyed."

  "But miss..."

  Before Shuying could finish her sentence, I reached out and grasped her hand, signaling her not to continue. Turning to the maid, I asked, "Excuse me, miss, is there a woman in the Wang estate who has both good fortune and longevity?"

  The maid thought for a moment and replied: "Your Highnesss wet nurse, Madame Wang, must have been like that."

  I nodded slightly: "Then trouble Miss to ask Madame Wang to ask for a handkerchief on behalf of Murong Qing."

  "This..." She hesitated for a moment.

  "I said calmly: Since there is an urgent imperial edict in the palace, it must be that the emperors condition is unstable. Otherwise, he would not have disturbed the princes wedding ceremony so easily. Therefore, when will Your Highness return is still unknown, and waiting like this is not suitable. If the new bride were to remove her veil by herself, it would be inauspicious. Even if Murong Qing doesnt mind, but if it gets out later, it wouldnt be a good thing for His Highness. Therefore, please ask Lady Wang to request the ceremonial headscarf on your behalf. Although its not in accordance with etiquette, there is a precedent to follow, and its not without previous examples. Its an expedient measure, thank you, young lady."

  My voice is calm and unhurried, finishing what I have to say without rushing.

  The maid fell silent for a few seconds before speaking up: "Your Highness is right, Ill go summon the Madame at once."

  Madam Wang arrived in no time, and as the red silk veil was slowly lifted, I saw a grand and elegant room. The bed was adorned with intricate embroidery, mandarin duck pillows, dragon and phoenix quilts, and scattered on top were an assortment of auspicious fruits such as dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds, all arranged in a joyful display.

  However, in this joyful world, my husband was not among them.

  Its not that I didnt feel a twinge of loss, but deep down, I let out a long sigh of relief. Even though I knew it was inevitable, the thought of being intimate with a strange man still makes me uneasy, and I think Im still not fully letting go.

  Better late than never, at least it can give me some more time to mentally prepare.

  Thinking this way, I couldnt help but feel a little ridiculous. Since things have already come to this point, whats the use of resisting or holding on?

  I smiled to myself in my heart and stopped thinking about it.

  The sound of joy and Mrs. Wangs apologetic comfort still lingered in my ears, I smiled, but my gaze slowly fell to the window.

  On the case table, red candles sway tears.

  This beautiful scenery can only be destined to be missed.