Time slipped by unnoticed.
During this period, with Luo Wuhen’s various methods—both gentle and forceful, even attempting to brainwash her—Su Qianqian waited expectantly for her Master to rescue her from this sea of suffering, all the while gradually “falling” herself…
The morning birdsong woke her.
Su Qianqian slowly opened her eyes, feeling the warmth of an embrace and the softness against her face.
She burrowed deeper inside, then closed her eyes again.
Half-awake, Su Qianqian heard someone calling her.
She slowly opened her eyes, only to meet a pair of eyes filled with tenderness…
Those eyes drew closer.
Soft lips pressed upon hers, a slippery tongue sliding inside, but Su Qianqian was long used to it and didn’t resist…
When their lips finally parted, a silver thread lingered between them.
Su Qianqian still hadn’t quite woken up…
It wasn’t until Luo Wuhen straddled her and started untying Su Qianqian’s clothes that she finally came to her senses.
She grabbed her clothes and stared at Luo Wuhen speechlessly: “Don’t fool around so early in the morning. Wasn’t last night enough for you?”
Rejected by Su Qianqian, Luo Wuhen could only awkwardly let go and move off of her.
After getting off Su Qianqian, Luo Wuhen sprang out of bed, full of energy, tying up her hair and changing into a light, comfortable outfit.
Su Qianqian lay on her stomach on the bed, watching the lively Luo Wuhen.
During this time, Luo Wuhen had changed a lot, even gradually returning to how she’d been when they first met.
But could someone truly recover their vitality and innocence after having lost them?
And now, Su Qianqian was really worried that Luo Wuhen’s current state—having completely abandoned all state affairs—would eventually cause problems.
“Are you sure you don’t want to spend more time managing your country and your people? Don’t tell me you want the historians to brand you a debauched ruler addicted to women in the future.”
“I’m not someone who craves power. I only took charge before because the court and the realm were in chaos. Now the court is filled with our own people, and they’re doing very well. Besides, I worked so hard for so long to stabilize the situation and strengthen the nation. Isn’t it fine to take a break and indulge in women for a bit?”
Luo Wuhen waved her hand indifferently.
Hearing this “debauched ruler” speech from Luo Wuhen, Su Qianqian was completely at a loss.
After washing up, Luo Wuhen rubbed her lower abdomen, a strange look flashing in her eyes, but she hid it well and asked Su Qianqian with a gentle smile,
“Unfortunately, it still didn’t work. According to our agreement, it’s your turn today.”
Some time ago, the two of them had made a deal: for every two Fengchundan that Luo Wuhen took, Su Qianqian would take one.
As for this topic, Su Qianqian simply pretended not to have heard and continued to tidy up her clothes.
“What are we eating today?”
“Let’s eat something vegetarian today. Eating meat all the time gets a bit cloying.”
“Alright, give me a moment, I’ll cook a feast for my dearest Qianqian~!”
The two of them walked out the door and then just a few steps into another nearby bedchamber—since Luo Wuhen had decided to cook for Su Qianqian, a fully equipped Yuyong Kitchen had been built next to their residence in almost no time.
Chopping, lighting the fire, stir-frying—the smell of cooking gradually filled the air.
Su Qianqian lay on the table, reading the last volume of
After flipping to the end, Su Qianqian closed the final volume and, almost absent-mindedly, started discussing the plot with Luo Wuhen:
“This ending, where the two of them live happily ever after, feels a bit too cliché. It’s not as fresh as the earlier chapters, and Qingyao forgiving Chu Zhaoqiong here is too abrupt. It’s not that forgiveness isn’t possible, but there should at least be more twists and turns.”
“A happy ending is always the best ending. I like it. There was enough push and pull before—now the Empress has learned what true love is, so let her use love to heal those wounds…”
Luo Wuhen said her piece while stir-frying the food.
Su Qianqian shot Luo Wuhen a deep look: “Did you force the author to change the plot?”
“Ha, how could that be?” Luo Wuhen’s hand paused, and she laughed it off.
Su Qianqian shook her head—the answer was obvious, but it was fine.
She really did prefer a story that ended on a happy note, even if it was a little abrupt.
The dishes were served one by one.
Luo Wuhen skillfully blew on the soup to cool it, then held it up to Su Qianqian’s lips.
Watching Su Qianqian drink, Luo Wuhen couldn’t hide her smile.
After the meal, Su Qianqian stretched lazily, and Luo Wuhen caught sight of a bit of oil at the corner of her mouth…
Bending down, licking, and sneaking a gentle bite—Su Qianqian wiped her mouth speechlessly.
“You’ve eaten your fill, so of course I have to have a little dessert~” Luo Wuhen waved her hand with not a hint of remorse.
“You really are something…” Faced with the shameless Luo Wuhen, Su Qianqian had no way to deal with her.
After this happened so many times, she couldn’t even be bothered to get mad.
……
“General! Hey, Empress, I won!” Shun shouted joyfully, finally having won a game.
“Alright, alright, you win.” Su Qianqian said helplessly.
Shun was both bad at the game and loved to play, so she’d just had to let her win on purpose.
At this moment, in their familiar Zhaiting, Ying was frowning at the chessboard.
She sensed that Su Qianqian had let Shun win on purpose, but when she turned and saw her elder sister’s unusually happy expression, she didn’t say anything.
As for Luo Wuhen, she sat to the side, her gaze never leaving the scene. Watching Su Qianqian’s smile, her own lips never fell.
The sun set, and weary birds returned to their nests.
As soon as Su Qianqian entered the house, she was swept up and pressed onto the bed.
“I might be a bit rough today. If you’re uncomfortable, let me know…”
Su Qianqian sighed and turned her head aside.
A green Biology Pill was placed at Su Qianqian’s lips; she took it with a resigned sigh and swallowed.
Outside the Bing Yin Array, the birds perched on the tree before the room did not have their sleep disturbed by the sounds that lasted until dawn…
……
In the blink of an eye, it was Su Qianqian’s birthday, which was also the day she was to be married.
The palace was brightly decorated everywhere, with a festive, fiery red theme.
Outside the palace, the excitement was no less.
Days ago, news of the Emperor’s marriage had already been publicly announced, and celebrations were held nationwide among the common people.
Normally, the Emperor’s wedding would follow a series of complicated rituals: accepting the proposal, asking the name, accepting the auspicious date, accepting betrothal gifts, requesting the date, and then the wedding procession.
But outside the palace, Luo Wuhen chose a much more celebratory style, joining in the joy of the people!
Grand wedding carriages paraded through every city, with cheers and celebrations wherever they passed, scattering Xi Tang, Happy Wedding Coins, and flower petals along the way…
But unlike the common people’s joy, there was one person in the crowd whose face was dark as she watched the splendid procession go by.
She looked in the direction of the palace and slipped away from the crowd…
At the same time, the two people at the center of it all were still having lunch…
Since today was special, Luo Wuhen had prepared a full Manchu Han Imperial Feast while Su Qianqian was still resting.
At that moment…
“Why aren’t you eating?” Su Qianqian looked at Luo Wuhen in confusion.
“All this is for you. Happy birthday~!”
“But there’s no way I can finish all of this, come eat with me.” Su Qianqian patted the seat next to her.
Luo Wuhen sat down reluctantly.
She really didn’t want to eat—now just a bit of grease made her feel nauseous.
She never thought that even with her cultivation, she couldn’t resist such bodily reactions?
She picked at a few bites of light food, then leaned down to “taste” the real “delicacies.”
A long while later, Su Qianqian wiped her mouth helplessly, then continued to eat.
She was already used to Luo Wuhen’s random, insistent kisses anytime, anywhere.
“The wedding is about to start. How do you feel?” Luo Wuhen rested her chin in her palm, eyes full of anticipation.
But Su Qianqian’s expression didn’t change at all: “You’ve called yourself ‘Heavenly Emperor’ for so long, we’ve already shared a bed—now it’s just for show. I don’t feel much.”
“That’s true… So, after the ceremony, how about I give you a surprise?” Luo Wuhen blinked mysteriously at Su Qianqian, showing a rare lively side.
Su Qianqian scratched her head in confusion.
A surprise? She had a hunch it would turn out to be a fright…
…….
After the meal, Luo Wuhen went off to make preparations, while Su Qianqian followed the palace maids for final touch-ups…
Walking along the path, Su Qianqian gazed at the festive atmosphere in the palace, but felt not a trace of joy in her heart.
She’d come to terms with this wedding—just as she’d said: it was only a formality, though its symbolism was significant.
For a woman, it was a ceremony that determined her entire future; for Su Qianqian as well.
So even if she wasn’t too bothered by such things, she couldn’t help but feel a block in her chest…
“I heard from Luo Wuhen that there are miles of red decorations outside the palace today. Master, did you see them…?”
In this moment and this scene, Su Qianqian began to miss her family terribly.
Getting married with neither parent by her side—how desolate…
“Master, did you see? Will you come…”
“Wait for me, Qianqian…” In the bustling festival, Lin Muxue’s knuckles turned white as she gripped her sword, peerless sword intent gathering—
……
With makeup applied, donning that unusually heavy and splendid wedding gown, and the Red Veil lowered, Su Qianqian finally sat in the resplendent Hedche…
At the front of the Hedche, power gathered and a gilded Phoenix appeared before the bridal sedan.
Then, slowly, it flapped its wings and flew smoothly toward Chengtian Gate.
Su Qianqian sat with her hands on her knees, upright and still. Under the Red Veil, no one could see her expression…
The Hedche stopped before Chengtian Gate.
The door opened. Step by step, Su Qianqian entered Chengtian Gate…
There, drums and music rose in celebration.
The Hundred Officials, all in court attire, lined up according to rank and position, standing solemnly and bowing with utmost respect!
At the gate, two familiar figures waited on either side.
“It is our honor as Chief Palace Attendant and Palace Ritual Attendant to assist you…”
Su Qianqian nodded lightly.
Shun and Ying bowed low and each supported her on one side.
Along the Red Carpet, Su Qianqian passed through the Hundred Officials, ascending the stairs to the Shouhe Altar!
Yuyi hung from her waist, ornaments chiming softly; the Yupei jingled with each step, clear and melodious.
Su Qianqian had reached the altar.
The music stopped abruptly.
Three cracks of the whip pierced the sky—silence fell over all.
The Grand Ceremony Official intoned loudly: “The Hundred Officials offer congratulations—!”
The Hundred Officials knelt in unison, hands and foreheads pressed to the ground in a ritual kowtow, their movements uniform, the sound of their robes sweeping the floor merging into a solemn tide!
“Kowtow again!”
Another wave of sound resounded.
Then, the Minister of Central Secretariat held up the Consort Investiture Decree and stepped out, bowing at the base of the altar and unrolling the document.
His sonorous voice carried across the square:
“On this day, Ziyuan Calendar Year 4425, June 17! We, the Hundred Officials, respectfully report: The Emperor, blessed with divine virtue, has chosen a worthy Empress. The Empress is virtuous, wise, and dignified, a model for all under Heaven…!”
“Kowtow a third time!”
For the third time, the officials bowed, foreheads pressed to the ground for a long while.
At this moment, Ying passed down the Empress’s command: “The Hundred Officials may rise!”
The Imperial Guard echoed it loudly, their voices carrying to all corners.
The Hundred Officials stood in order, straightening their robes, still remaining in a bow.
Su Qianqian simply stood there quietly, her expression calm beneath the Red Veil…
“The next step is to enter the Tai Temple with Luo Wuhen for the ancestral rites…” Su Qianqian recited silently, mechanically determined to complete the ceremony.
But just then, an unexpected change occurred—
The grand Formation above the palace suddenly began to flicker, revealing its true form where before it had been invisible!
It was a time for strict silence, and none of the Hundred Officials dared look around.
Su Qianqian looked up in confusion at the Formation flickering in the sky; she didn’t remember this being part of the ceremony…
Within the Liangyi Hall, Luo Wuhen suddenly stood up and appeared in midair—
At that very moment, a sword intent that seemed able to split the world in two slashed down upon the Formation!
A clash of brilliant lights, and the Formation that had protected the palace for hundreds of years suddenly seemed to be interfered with, its light growing dim…
Under one peerless sword intent after another, the Formation shattered like glass, cracks spreading instantly, shards of light raining down and dissolving into nothing!
Amidst the scattering light, Lin Muxue appeared, sword in one hand, her face cold and stern, murderous aura nearly tangible!
“Master!!” Su Qianqian lifted her Red Veil, staring in shock at Lin Muxue in the sky!
Lin Muxue’s gaze fell on Su Qianqian, and her expression immediately softened: “Qianqian, don’t be afraid. I’m here….”