Yun Si’s flustered appearance was seen by her aunt as nothing more than a maiden’s shyness. Her aunt smiled, thinking that the two young people had been stealing glances at each other and were now embarrassed at being caught.
After the betrothal rites concluded, Yun Si’s mother said to Xie Changze, “I know you young people aren’t fond of staying with us. We’ll chat here while Zhang’er takes you for a stroll in the garden.”
The Zhang’er her mother referred to was named Yun Zhang, Yun Si’s younger brother by the same mother. Though only eight years old, he was quite mischievous in private but never failed to be proper in front of others.
Yun Zhang was closest to his sister Yun Si, and he felt somewhat awkward toward his future brother-in-law, who would soon take his sister away.
Because of this awkwardness, Yun Zhang acted particularly stiff and formal in front of Xie Changze, like a little adult.
Upon hearing his mother ask him to take Xie Changze for a walk in the garden, Yun Zhang bowed solemnly and said, “Commandery Prince Xie, please follow me.”
The adults in the room couldn’t help but smile.
A moment later, Yun Si’s mother said to her, “The peach blossoms in the garden are in full bloom. Sisi, please pick a couple of branches for me to arrange in a vase.”
Yun Si understood immediately—this was an opportunity for her and her cousin to be alone.
Yun Si went to the garden with her maids to pick flowers and, as expected, saw her cousin waiting quietly in the pavilion.
Yun Si ascended the stone steps, while her maids remained below.
Though it was called a private moment, Yun Si was accompanied by four maids, Xie Changze had two attendants, and her younger brother Yun Zhang was also beneath the pavilion.
The pavilion was open on all sides, so everyone could clearly see Yun Si and Xie Changze’s every move. However, there was some distance between them, and if the two spoke softly, others would not be able to hear.
The Chancellor’s Mansion upheld strict family rules. Allowing Yun Si and Xie Changze, an engaged couple, to meet like this was already a concession due to their close familial ties.
When Xie Changze saw Yun Si approaching the pavilion, he hurried forward to meet her.
“Pfft…” Yun Si couldn’t help but laugh.
Her cousin was so nervous that he walked with his arms and legs moving in sync.
Seeing him so tense, Yun Si’s own nervousness melted away.
She stood before her cousin and watched as his face grew redder and redder…
Xie Changze glanced at Yun Si, then quickly averted his gaze. For some reason, though he had often played with his cousin as a child, he now dared not look directly at her radiant beauty.
Staring at the distant sky, Xie Changze spoke hurriedly, “Cousin, it is truly the fortune of three lifetimes to have you as my wife.”
“After we marry, I will treat you well.”
“I will hold your hand and grow old with you.”
Looking at her cousin, Yun Si felt a warmth in her heart.
His sincere and earnest words were like a calming pill, soothing Yun Si’s restless heart, which had been in turmoil since she awoke from her dream.
It was just a dream. No matter how absurd or unbearable… it was only a dream.
As the sun rose, the dreams of the night vanished like dew on the tips of grass, leaving no trace.
She had spent years learning etiquette from her aunt—not showing emotions on her face and remaining calm and unflustered in any situation were the most basic principles. How could she lose her composure over a mere dream?
The dream was false; the sincere and affectionate cousin before her was real.
Yun Si understood clearly that her cousin’s words now were mostly due to her appearance. In youth, admiration comes first, and affection follows beauty.
However, Yun Si did not mind. Regardless of why her cousin’s affection for her began, she and her cousin were united as husband and wife, destined to spend the rest of their lives together. Their bond would only grow deeper over time.
As a young maiden still in her boudoir, Yun Si could not bring herself to say the words her cousin had spoken to her.
She whispered softly, “In the future… I will devote myself to helping you manage the household and oversee domestic affairs. I will ensure you have warm clothes in the cool autumn and enjoy the blossoms together in spring…”
As Yun Si spoke, Xie Changze could not help but imagine the days of marital bliss that awaited them after their wedding, his face flushing so deeply it seemed about to drip blood.
Xie Changze solemnly promised, “Cousin, I will never let you down.”
.
The betrothal gift presentation proceeded smoothly.
Next came the formal inquiries and divination rituals…
Yun Si had been learning household management from her mother since childhood, but after her engagement, the things she needed to master suddenly multiplied.
Yun Si’s mother sighed with emotion, “I truly wish I could keep you at home for another ten years, letting you learn everything thoroughly before marrying you off.”
Her mother always worried that Yun Si might not learn well enough and would face difficulties after marriage.
But she also comforted herself, “Your mother-in-law is your aunt, and Changze holds you in his heart. In the early days of marriage, even if you make a few mistakes, it won’t matter.”
The tolerance of a mother-in-law and husband was crucial for a new bride.
Amidst her busy studies, Yun Si no longer felt panicked. The absurd dream from a few days ago had gradually faded from her memory.
She told herself it was just a dream, nothing to dwell on.
Yet that night, Yun Si dreamed again.
In the dream, it was the same man. Though she could not see his face clearly, she could not mistake his overwhelmingly aggressive presence.
This dream was even more intense than the last.
Even though Yun Si knew it was a dream, she was still terrified. In the dream, she clutched her collar tightly, curling her body into a ball.
But her strength was no match for the man’s. With a single motion, he unfolded her body.
Two hands moved from top to bottom, then from bottom to top… Yun Si felt like a shrimp boiling in hot water, her entire body flushed crimson.
The man’s body pressed tightly against hers, and Yun Si could even clearly feel the shape of his abdominal muscles!
The man lifted Yun Si’s clothes, his scorching palm resting on her waist. His calloused fingers repeatedly caressed a small red mole in the hollow of her waist…
“No… don’t…”
This time, Yun Si woke up crying.
But what she could not accept was that upon waking, the more grief and indignation she felt in her heart, the more pleasure coursed through her body. She felt as though she had become a cloud, drifting leisurely in the wind.
Yun Si could no longer hold back. She bit down hard on the embroidered quilt, swallowing all her sobs, not daring to make a sound. Tears streamed down from the corners of her eyes.
.
At the same time, in the Ganquan Palace where the emperor slept, Xie Yan suddenly opened his eyes.
Just moments ago, he had dreamed again—dreamed of being with a young maiden beneath the bed curtains…
Though they had not gone all the way, for the tyrant Xie Yan, such intimacy was already extraordinary.
Xie Yan detested being touched by others.
Even outside of dreams, he had never shared intimate moments with any woman.
Indeed, very few people in the world knew the real reason why the tyrant Xie Yan still had no heirs: he had never consummated his marriage with any of the beauties in his harem.
Xie Yan was not ill; he simply… simply had no interest in those beauties.
Because none of them were the person he was searching for.
The reason for this is also related to Xie Yan’s dreams.
For many years, Xie Yan had frequently experienced peculiar dreams—vague and fragmented, vanishing without a trace upon waking.
Xie Yan always felt there was something important in those dreams, yet he could recall nothing. Whenever he tried to remember, he would be struck with excruciating headaches.
During these headaches, Xie Yan’s temperament turned exceptionally violent. Anyone who provoked him at such times would face dire consequences.
Though Xie Yan could not remember the content of the dreams, he knew there was a woman in them—the one he truly cherished.
Until a few days ago, Xie Yan experienced a different kind of dream for the first time. That dream was complete, and upon waking, he felt no headache but instead refreshed and clear-headed.
If the first time, Xie Yan still suspected it was merely an ordinary dream born of his daily thoughts, then tonight, when he dreamed of the same woman for the second time, he decided to take action.
Who exactly was this woman? Did she even exist in this world?
As long as she was in the mortal realm, he, as the Emperor, would surely find her.
“Liao Mingzhi—” Xie Yan called out hoarsely to the eunuch by his side.
“Your Majesty,” Liao Mingzhi responded immediately, awaiting Xie Yan’s command, wondering whether the Emperor wanted water or needed to relieve himself. However, it could also be something else—the Emperor had been known to summon musicians or dancers in the middle of the night.
As Liao Mingzhi pondered, he heard an unprecedented command from the Emperor.
“Proclaim an edict. I wish to select consorts.”
Liao Mingzhi was stunned. “Select… select consorts?”
Xie Yan replied, “Yes. I intend to gather beauties from across the land.”
Liao Mingzhi drew a sharp breath. “What… what kind of beauty does Your Majesty desire?”
Xie Yan seemed lost in recollection, remaining silent for a moment before speaking. “Skin as white as snow, with a red mole on the small of her back.”