As the Phoenix Blessing Carriage slowly came to a stop, Eunuch Zhao instructed a palace maid to place a cloth strip over Lu Jingning’s eyes.
“My Lady, please wear this. His Majesty will personally remove it for you later,” Eunuch Zhao said with a smile.
Supported by the maids, Lu Jingning stepped through the gates of Kunning Palace. The moment she entered, a myriad of floral fragrances greeted her—fresh, soft, intoxicating.
Inside the main hall, candlelight flickered warmly, illuminating a sea of blooming flowers. Their scent filled the air like a gentle spring breeze.
Standing in the center, Lu Jingning’s heartbeat thumped loudly. She could hear her own quick, shallow breaths.
Suddenly, a pair of warm hands covered her eyes.
Xiao Jingheng’s voice—low, tender, and melting—sounded right beside her ear.
“Zhaozhao, keep your eyes closed.”
She obeyed, lowering her lashes. While she remained still, Xiao Jingheng loosened the cloth from her eyes—and then placed a red bridal veil over her head.
She felt his hands withdraw, followed by a soft breeze brushing her cheek, carrying with it a delicate touch—perhaps a falling petal.
The fragrance in the hall grew richer, mixed with a faint trace of imperial ambergris—the scent that belonged solely to him.
His footsteps moved toward her, steady and slow, each soft thud echoing directly in her heart, stirring ripples she couldn’t calm.
All the eunuchs and maids tactfully retreated, closing the doors behind them.
Xiao Jingheng’s gentle voice sounded again.
“Zhaozhao, open your eyes.”
Lu Jingning slowly lifted her lids. Her vision was covered by a vibrant sea of red silk.
She froze for a moment—then realized she was wearing a bridal veil.
Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably, a nervous anticipation blooming in her chest.
Through the faint weave of red fabric, she glimpsed golden dragon patterns glowing in the candlelight—along with the emperor’s bright yellow dragon robe.
Xiao Jingheng took her hand lightly. His voice was full of warmth.
“Tonight, I wish to marry you again—to make you truly my wife.”
He guided her to sit beside him on the carved bed. The soft glow of red candles shone upon the two of them.
Holding a delicate jade ruyi, he lifted a corner of her veil. His movements were so gentle and reverent that they carried the solemnity of a wedding ritual.
The red veil slid down like an opening lotus blossom, revealing Lu Jingning’s stunning face.
Xiao Jingheng froze momentarily—astonishment flaring in his eyes.
Under the candlelight, her face looked as smooth as warm jade; her brows delicate as if painted; her red lips tender and graceful—so beautiful it stole breath from his lungs.
He gazed deeply at her, brushing her cheek with his fingertips, admiration overflowing in his eyes.
When Lu Jingning fully opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by flowers—and Xiao Jingheng watching her with a gentle smile.
He was only five years older than she, his features refined and serene like polished jade.
In that moment, she had to admit—her heart had moved.
To keep herself from losing composure, she bit her lower lip lightly.
He held her gaze tenderly.
“Zhaozhao… do you like it?”
She nodded shyly.
“Yes… very much.”
Candlelight softened her features, tinting her cheeks a rosy pink like early spring peach blossoms.
Xiao Jingheng’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
He reached out and lightly pinched her cheek, warmth radiating from his fingertips and sinking straight into her heart. She felt herself falling deeper, helplessly.
Then, he released her and picked up a wine cup.
Taking another cup, he offered it to her with a soft smile.
“Zhaozhao, come. Share this cup with me—may our love be deep as the sea, and may we grow old together.”
Lu Jingning accepted it with shy hands. Their arms brushed slightly as they crossed cups, sending a tingling spark up her spine and deepening the blush on her cheeks.
She drank. Sweetness mingled with the soft haze of wine, and she found herself daring to indulge for once.
Her gaze softened, turning misty.
“A-Rui… will you love me like this always? Even when time passes… even when beauty fades?”
Xiao Jingheng didn’t hesitate.
“Of course. Zhaozhao, my love for you is like the flowers of this palace—blooming year after year, never withering.”
He drew her gently into his embrace, their silhouettes intertwined beneath the candlelight—a painting full of tender devotion.
Lu Jingning knew emperors never loved just one woman forever.
But tonight…
Tonight, perhaps he truly meant every word.
Tonight, perhaps they did love each other with honest hearts.
She murmured shyly,
“A-Rui… I’ll go change.”
A glimmer of mischief sparkled in his eyes.
“Allow me to help you.”
Her cheeks flushed deeply, yet she nodded timidly, eyes shimmering with bashful anticipation.
With utmost care, he loosened each layer of her intricate clothing. His hands were gentle, deliberate—as though handling a priceless treasure.
Lu Jingning lowered her head, her face burning, fingers clutching her garments nervously.
As her robes slipped away piece by piece, the air filled with her faint, unique fragrance.
His gaze darkened, his throat bobbing.
Lu Jingning leaned in, softly blowing out the red candles beside the bed.
Xiao Jingheng caught her lips in a kiss—tender at first, then deeper and more consuming.
His tongue intertwined with hers in lingering entanglement, pouring all his affection into the kiss.
Her heart halted for a breath.
She closed her eyes and melted fully into his embrace.
The night deepened.
The palace was filled with sweetness and lingering warmth.
The next morning
Lu Jingning woke still cradled in his arms.
Xiao Jingheng looked down at her and suddenly had an idea.
“Zhaozhao, shall I draw your eyebrows?”
Lu Jingning gave him a playful look.
“You? Can you even do that?”
He nodded without hesitation.
“Of course.”
Sitting before the bronze mirror, her face glowed with shy sweetness.
“A-Rui, don’t paint me into a little cat.”
“Don’t worry.”
He gently lifted her chin, studying her brows carefully, his touch tender and focused.
Feeling the warmth of his fingers, her heart softened further. She tilted her head slightly, eyes full of affection.
When he finished, she looked at her reflection—her brows even more refined than before—and smiled unconsciously.
Then, a sudden thought surfaced, and she pretended to pout.
“A-Rui… you’re so good at this. Have you drawn the other sisters’ eyebrows too?”
Xiao Jingheng’s hand paused briefly.
Then he set the eyebrow stone aside and turned to her, gaze warm and unwavering.
With a doting smile, he took her hand and placed it over his heart.
“Zhaozhao… I have only ever done this for you. And I would only ever do this for you. In my heart, you are the only one—unique, incomparable.”
Her hand rested on his heartbeat—steady, strong, devoted.
In that moment, she felt herself sinking deeper still.
(End of chapter)