At this moment, Hua Miao Miao sat inside the bridal sedan chair, thinking back to her mother’s morning instructions. She knew the prince’s residence had countless rules, but she hadn’t realized there were this many. Just thinking about all these regulations made her feel a little annoyed.
However, her annoyance lasted only a short while before she reasoned it out: her husband was blind. Even if she were clumsy or broke etiquette in front of him, he wouldn’t see it.
Moreover, aside from the Third Prince, the highest-ranking person in the residence was herself. So, she could make her own decisions!
With that settled, her attention turned to another worry: the Third Prince’s appearance.
In modern times, marrying someone you had never met and hadn’t courted would be unthinkable. In the past, however, this was common. Ancient marriages were often arranged by parents or matchmakers—there was rarely a chance for the couple to meet beforehand, except in a few unusual cases or among ordinary families.
Hua Miao Miao thought about this difference and concluded that marriage in this era truly was a “blind marriage.”
The streets were lively with drums and gongs, announcing to all of the capital that today the Third Prince was taking a bride. Crowds lined the streets, mostly hoping to witness a spectacle.
After all, the “ugliest woman in the capital” marrying into the royal family was such a joke. People whispered that the Hua family must have accumulated great merit over generations—how else could such an unattractive woman rise to become a princess?
Hua Miao Miao sat quietly in the sedan chair, noting the distance traveled and trying to catch snippets of the townspeople’s comments.
She knew that her marriage to the Third Prince, Xiao Jinyan, was orchestrated by the current Empress. Still, ever the optimistic one, she believed her future would not be miserable.
“Xiao Jinyan, just wait—I’m coming to protect you!” she murmured confidently to herself.
The sedan chair passed through bustling main streets, turned into quiet alleys, and crossed a small stone bridge before finally arriving at the main gate of the prince’s residence.
According to royal protocol, the Third Prince was marrying a principal wife, so after the ceremonial bows, the royal family would conduct the investiture for the princess.
The Third Prince stood at the entrance, fully dressed and ready. Everyone in the capital knew he was blind, so the wedding was essentially the blind prince marrying the capital’s ugliest woman.
Truly ridiculous—a blind man paired with an ugly woman. It was, ironically, a perfect match.
Once the sedan chair stopped, Ling Feng assisted his master to the chair. The estate steward, Fu Gui, loudly announced, “Welcome the princess into the residence!”
Hua Miao Miao stepped out of the sedan chair and placed her hand into the Third Prince’s already extended one.
Xiao Jinyan held her hand gently. It was his first time holding a woman’s hand—the softness, the delicate, fair skin—he observed it all carefully.
To outsiders, the prince still appeared blind. Even Hua Miao Miao believed he couldn’t see, as her mother had described the Third Prince’s tragic condition.
But in Xiao Jinyan’s eyes, this woman was merely an innocent pulled into the royal family’s power struggle. Toward her, he felt sympathy and a quiet apology.
When they reached the main hall, the Empress was already seated at the high dais, waiting. Guests and high officials looked on eagerly, awaiting the arrival of the bride and groom.
The royal etiquette officer instructed, “Newlyweds, please stand at the hall’s center!”
Ling Feng helped Xiao Jinyan stand properly, while Hua Miao Miao positioned herself beside him.
The officer continued, “The auspicious hour has arrived. First, bow to heaven and earth, pledging your destined union.”
Xiao Jinyan turned to bow deeply to the heavens, and Hua Miao Miao, her face covered by a veil, mirrored him in a deep bow.
“Second, bow to the elders, wishing them longevity and prosperity.”
Hua Miao Miao could only glimpse through her veil. The figure seated high above must be the Empress, there to witness the ceremony. The Emperor himself had not come, suggesting his relationship with the prince was distant at best.
Feeling sorry for her husband, she bowed deeply toward the Empress, her anger hidden behind the veil.
“Now, the couple shall bow to each other!” announced the royal officer.
Xiao Jinyan slowly turned to face her, his blind eyes meeting hers.
“The ritual is complete! The Empress presents the princess with the official seal!”
Hua Miao Miao bowed toward the Empress and received the seal with both hands.
The Empress then spoke cheerfully, “Today, my son Jinyan is wed. Thank you all for coming to celebrate. Please take your seats.”
Seeing the lifeless eyes of her new husband, the Empress could hardly contain her delight. The officer then loudly declared, “Begin the feast!”
The guests took their seats, while Xiao Jinyan, supported by Ling Feng, held Hua Miao Miao’s hand and led her to the master chamber.
Due to the prince’s health, the customary toasting at the banquet was omitted and replaced with the couple being escorted to the bridal chamber.
An old palace maid, sent by the Empress, was already waiting. She explained the proper etiquette and supervised the prince as he used the ceremonial rod to lift the bride’s veil.
Xiao Jinyan knew the maid had been deliberately sent by the Empress to test if he truly was blind. Since the bride was infamous for her appearance, if he were not blind, he would be shocked. If he were truly blind, it would still annoy him—a win-win for the Empress, both a test and an insult.
Xiao Jinyan extended his hand, waiting for the rod. The maid, seeing his unsure direction, handed it to him.
Standing beside the bride, she watched his next actions carefully.
Coincidentally, when Hua Miao Miao had once fallen into the water, Xiao Jinyan and Ling Feng had passed by and rescued her. To conceal himself, he had kept his face covered.
Thus, he had seen her face before—it was truly unforgettable. At the time, he and Ling Feng stayed with her until the Hua family’s maid came looking, and only then did they leave.
Now, seeing her again, he was mentally prepared.
Calmly, he extended the rod and began to lift the veil, mimicking a true blind person. The maid offered verbal guidance as he faked a few initial mistakes before following her directions.
Hua Miao Miao, both anxious and embarrassed, was blushing furiously. This old maid was truly pushing her patience to the limit!