[Realm Classification: Spirit Embryo Realm, Condensed Star Realm, Yuan Gathering Realm, Heart Refining Realm, Primordial Beginning Realm, Dominion Realm, Transcendent Realm, Divine Void Realm, Annihilation Realm, Eternal Realm]
Night fell, and a crimson glow spread across the horizon.
At this very moment, however, the Han Prince’s Mansion was brightly lit and decorated for celebration, exceptionally lively.
Dressed in a red robe, Zhou Li slowly opened his eyes in a daze. “Hmm… Where is this?”
A voice sounded beside him, “Prince of Han, what’s wrong? I remember your alcohol tolerance isn’t this poor.”
Another person laughed, “That’s right, Prince of Han. Today is your great wedding day. We agreed you’d drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.”
Listening to the chatter around the table, Zhou Li felt utterly confused. Prince of Han? Are they talking about me?
He looked around. The luxurious residence was covered in festive red lanterns, and a bright red “Double Happiness” character was pasted on the doors.
Seeing this, Zhou Li abruptly stood up and froze in place for a long moment. What the hell? Wasn’t I just having barbecue skewers by the roadside with my buddies? I only had a couple of drinks. How did I end up here?
The others looked at him in confusion. “Prince… Prince of Han, what’s wrong?”
Zhou Li scratched his head and asked, “Sorry, I’m a bit muddled from the wine. May I ask where this is?”
Someone replied, “The Han Prince’s Mansion.”
“I know this is the Han Prince’s Mansion. I’m asking what time it is now?” Zhou Li forced a helpless smile. He had appeared in a completely unfamiliar place. He needed to understand his surroundings as soon as possible.
The people around him stared at him with puzzled expressions.
A young man in ornate clothing said, “It is the third year of Qianwu under the Sacred Martial Immortal Empire. How could Your Highness forget such common knowledge?”
Sacred Martial Immortal Empire?
Why does that name sound so familiar?
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Li suddenly felt his mind light up. Isn’t this the setting from that stupid fantasy novel I read not long ago?
A headache surged through him.
Everything became clear in an instant.
He had transmigrated. Not only that, he had transmigrated into a cannon-fodder villain from the novel—the Prince of Han of the Sacred Martial Immortal Empire, Zhou Li.
This man was a complete simp, shamelessly pursuing Nangong Yan’er, the granddaughter of the Duke of the Southern State.
And Nangong Yan’er was one of the women in the male lead Chu Yun’s harem. The two had known each other for a long time, and Chu Yun was also the man Nangong Yan’er truly loved.
The pitiful Prince of Han lived his life as a devoted simp. Later, with Nangong Yan’er’s assistance, Zhou Li was inevitably killed by Chu Yun.
The emperor of the Sacred Martial Immortal Empire—Zhou Li’s father, Martial Emperor Zhou Yuan—avenged him by exterminating the entire Duke of the Southern State’s household and mobilizing the entire Empire to hunt down Chu Yun. In the end, he too was destroyed by the male lead Chu Yun.
Sigh…
Simp to the very end, and left with nothing.
What a miserable fate.
Thinking about all that would happen later gave Zhou Li a splitting headache.
Forget it. Whatever will be, will be.
“Your Highness?” someone at the table called out when they saw him standing there deep in thought.
“Hmm?” Zhou Li snapped back to his senses.
One of them said, “Prince of Han, why do you look so troubled? Today is your wedding day. We are here to congratulate you on finally forming a marriage alliance with the young lady of the Duke’s Mansion.”
The speaker was Kong Ru, the son of the Head Scholar of the Hanlin Academy.
“Wait, I’m marrying who?” Zhou Li suddenly asked.
“The young lady of the Duke of the Southern State’s Mansion,” Kong Ru replied, confused.
“Nangong Yan’er?!”
Zhou Li’s eyes widened in shock.
“Yes. Haven’t you admired Miss Nangong for a long time? Today you are finally united in marriage. Why do you look so distressed?”
How could he not be distressed? This isn’t marrying a wife. This is marrying a ticking time bomb who will one day join forces with the male lead to kill me.
Although he thought that, Zhou Li did not voice it.
“Hahaha, the wine hit me a bit too hard just now. I’m much clearer now. I’m fine. Everyone, eat and drink to your heart’s content!” Zhou Li waved his hand and sat back down.
The hall grew lively once more.
After everyone left, Zhou Li remained seated quietly, sipping his wine alone.
He had to admit, the wine in a fantasy world tasted far better than in reality. It was sweet and smooth, with a faint trace of spiritual energy within it.
But why does it still taste so bland?
I refuse to be a cuckold simp.
No. I’m divorcing her. Whoever wants this wife can take her. I don’t want her.
What’s the point of keeping a woman whose heart belongs to someone else? I’m not the original Zhou Li, that pathetic Prince of Han.
At that moment, a maid timidly reminded him, “Your Highness, it is late. The Princess Consort is waiting in the bridal chamber. It is time to consummate the marriage.”
Your Highness?
Shouldn’t they call me Prince instead?
It seemed the original host preferred being addressed as “Your Highness.”
Zhou Li thought for a moment and said calmly, “I understand. Lead the way.”
“Yes!”
The maid respectfully stepped outside. “Your Highness, please.”
Zhou Li rose slowly and followed her to the bridal chamber.
“Your Highness, if there is nothing else, this servant will take her leave,” the maid said.
“Mm, go ahead.” Zhou Li smiled and nodded.
“Yes.” The maid withdrew.
Originally, he had not intended to come. But curiosity got the better of him. He wanted to see what kind of woman could make the powerful Prince of Han in the original novel fall so deeply in love.
Zhou Li took a deep breath and slowly pushed open the door.
Inside, red candles flickered. Wearing a crimson wedding gown, her face covered by a red veil, Nangong Yan’er sat upright on the edge of the bed with her back to him.
Having admired beauty for years, Zhou Li could already tell from her back alone that Nangong Yan’er was undoubtedly a beauty.
But he was not surprised. Since ancient times, heroes have loved beautiful women. If she were not stunning, the original Zhou Li would not have been so devoted.
His gaze shifted to the table, where he saw a jade Ruyi scepter placed there, clearly meant for lifting the veil.
Zhou Li found a chair and sat down.
For a moment, the room was completely silent. Zhou Li said nothing, and neither did Nangong Yan’er.
They remained in silence, and the atmosphere grew awkward.
In truth, Zhou Li did not want to remain silent. He simply had no idea what to say. He had never been married before.
As for Nangong Yan’er, she simply did not wish to take the initiative to speak to him.
Seeing her behavior, Zhou Li felt a trace of dissatisfaction. What’s this? In the future you’ll join forces with that male lead and kill me. I haven’t even gotten angry at you, and you’re already dissatisfied with me?
After a moment, Zhou Li spoke calmly, “It’s just the two of us here now. Lift your own veil.”
“If you have anything to say, say it now.”
Nangong Yan’er remained completely motionless.
Oh? Giving me attitude?
Zhou Li picked up the jade Ruyi from the table, but instead of lifting her veil, he activated the spiritual energy within his body.
He clenched his hand.
The jade Ruyi shattered instantly into fine fragments.
A powerful wave of energy burst outward, blowing Nangong Yan’er’s red veil clean off.
He had already familiarized himself with this body and knew the original host’s cultivation realm and how to use spiritual power.
As the red veil fluttered away, Nangong Yan’er slowly turned around.
At last, Zhou Li saw her face clearly.