Tianxi Year Thirteen, Third Month, Twenty-Sixth Day — Auspicious for Marriage
On this day, Shen Jingyi completed a major milestone in her life: she got married.
She married Xiao Yunxuan, the emperor’s fifth son, as a secondary consort.
She had originally been a modern-day office worker, clocking in from nine to five, working overtime and staying up late for five years just to save enough for a down payment on a house. But before the house was even finalized, she was swept up in a wave of transmigration and arrived in a dynasty she had never heard of—the Great Xia Kingdom.
The original owner of this body was the legitimate daughter of a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
One night, while admiring the moon in the garden, she accidentally fell into a lake and caught a cold. When she woke up, the soul inside had changed, and Shen Jingyi inherited all of her memories and life.
Because her previous life had been far too exhausting, and she finally had a chance to start over, she decided to lie flat and take it easy.
So after resting at home for two months and living like a freeloader for two months, she was packed up and sent off in a bridal sedan chair.
She was determined to continue this leisurely lifestyle in the prince’s residence.
..
The Main Courtyard of the Prince’s Residence
“Isn’t today’s arrangement a bit too grand? When Consort Su entered the residence, it wasn’t anywhere near this big,” someone said.
The speaker was Madam Zhao, the Princess Consort’s wet nurse—a plump middle-aged woman around forty.
The Princess Consort herself was only twenty-four.
Dressed in red court robes, with a red-gold phoenix hairpin adorned with tassels, she sat upright in the main seat, dignified and composed.
Her makeup around the brows and eyes lent her an air of authority.
While admiring the red dye on her fingernails, she said without lifting her head,“It has to be lively. The one entering today is Mother Consort’s way of warning me. She thinks there are too few children in this residence and is dissatisfied.”
Madam Zhao lowered her voice. “Then… do we continue with that medicine?”
“No need. Stop it for now. The heir is already seven years old. Even if a couple more little brats are born, it won’t matter.”
As if thinking of something amusing, she chuckled softly.“With such a grand display today, someone won’t be able to sit still. We’ll just watch the show.”
She stood up.“Enough. Go check at the second gate to see if the bridal sedan has arrived. I need to greet the guests in the front hall—so many people today, we must ensure everyone enjoys themselves.”
“Yes, madam,” Madam Zhao replied respectfully and left.
…
At the Gate of the Prince’s Residence
The residence was decorated with lanterns and banners, festive and jubilant.
Large red lanterns hung high, illuminating the entire estate.
Amid the cheerful sound of gongs and drums, an exquisitely decorated bridal sedan slowly entered the residence.
“Please help the secondary consort alight.”
Shen Jingyi extended her hand and felt it clasped by a soft, warm one that carefully supported her as she stepped down.
Because she was only a secondary consort, she could not wear bright red. Instead, she wore a vermilion wedding gown, with a gold-and-jade crown on her head. Beneath the veil was a delicately made-up face, rosy and beautiful.
Madam Zhao arrived just in time and spoke,“This servant greets the secondary consort. I am Zhao, the Princess Consort’s wet nurse, sent to welcome you on her behalf.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Madam,” Shen Jingyi said gently from beneath the veil.
“You are too kind. I am merely carrying out orders. Since the secondary consort has arrived, I shall return to report.”
Her tone was businesslike.
At that moment, Madam Qin beside Shen Jingyi stepped forward, discreetly handing Madam Zhao a purse and smiling.“Thank you for waiting here, Madam. This is a small token from my mistress—please accept it for tea.”
Feeling the heavy purse, Madam Zhao’s expression softened.“Thank you, Secondary Consort,” she said before leaving.
After Madam Zhao departed, Shen Jingyi was escorted into a two-courtyard residence called Youlan Court.
Once seated on the bed, she finally let out a breath of relief.
The bridal sedan had only gone as far as the main gate. After alighting, she had been supported for a long walk, and with the veil covering her vision, she could only see her feet—it had felt very unsettling.
She licked her lips and called softly, “Chuntao.”
“Yes, Mistress?”A maid in pink with bright eyes and peachy cheeks stepped forward.
“Nothing… Just pour me a cup of water.”
Chuntao responded at once. She checked the teapot’s temperature, poured a cup, and carefully handed it over.
Shen Jingyi lifted the veil slightly, took a small sip, and handed it back.
Dongmei, round-faced and big-eyed, teased with a grin,“Mistress, are you nervous?”
Shen Jingyi: “…Shut up.”
Qiujü, feeling sorry for her, asked softly,“Mistress, are you hungry? Shall I fetch something to eat?”
Thinking of how busy they had all been, Shen Jingyi said gently,“I’m not hungry. You all go eat. I’ll sit by myself for a while.”
The four maids exchanged looks, assuming she was shy and wanted some quiet, and withdrew.
“We’ll be right outside, Mistress. Call us if you need anything.”
“Alright.”
They stood guard outside, sending a junior maid to fetch food from the main kitchen and taking turns eating.
Left alone, Shen Jingyi found sitting on the wedding bed dull and went over the information her brother had gathered.
Prince Xuan was twenty-four this year, the emperor’s fifth son.
His mother was Consort Shu.
He had one Princess Consort, one secondary consort, two concubines, and three maid-servants.
The Princess Consort, Chu Mengyao, eldest legitimate daughter of the Minister of War, had a son—Xiao Zihong, seven years old, already named heir.
Secondary Consort Su Wan had one son and one daughter: Xiao Zimo, five, and Xiao Tingting, three.
Of the two concubines, Tang Yurou had a six-year-old son, Xiao Zian; Liu Ruoxue had no children.
The three maid-servants also had none. No children had been born in the past two years.
As for the reason—what else could it be? Clearly, the women themselves were behind it.
This was a battlefield without gunpowder. Without tactics, how could one protect a child?
Just as she was thinking, she heard voices outside:“Greetings to the Prince.”
“Rise,” came a low voice.
The door opened softly, footsteps approaching. Shen Jingyi’s heart raced, her palms sweating as she clenched her handkerchief.
Suddenly, the veil was lifted.
Her gaze rose slowly and landed on an extraordinarily handsome face—sharp brows, bright eyes, a high nose, and lips curved in a faint smile.
If such looks existed in the modern entertainment industry, they would drive countless women wild.
Shen Jingyi secretly rejoiced: What a bargain! This “long-term meal ticket” was more than worth it.
She stared, momentarily forgetting herself.
Prince Xuan also examined her. Her skin was fair and delicate like jade, brows curved like a crescent moon, eyes bright as stars, lips red as cherries, and her figure graceful and alluring.
A beauty indeed.
Seeing her stare at him with a dazed smile, he found it amusing and curled his lips.“Good-looking?”
Mesmerized, Shen Jingyi nodded instinctively.“Yes, very.”
“Ha ha ha!”
The laughter snapped her back to reality. Her face flushed crimson, and she hurriedly lowered her head, mortified.
Ahhh—she’d acted like a lovestruck fool and got caught. How embarrassing!
Prince Xuan found her even more interesting. He took her hands, gently pulling her into his arms.
Shen Jingyi had had a boyfriend in her previous life and knew what came next. Seeing that this “meal ticket” was easy on the eyes, she decided she wasn’t losing out and boldly wrapped her arms around his strong waist.
As her clothes were untied and fell away like petals, the room filled with an intimate, alluring atmosphere.
Red bed curtains descended like a blooming lotus, isolating the space from the outside world. In the flickering candlelight, entwined figures cast shadows of endless tenderness.
Outside, the maids blushed and quietly retreated farther away.
Afterward, Shen Jingyi lay exhausted on the bed while the man held her tightly from behind, his hands far from well-behaved.
Feeling the familiar stir again, she nearly cried.
Again? I’m exhausted… How can this man have so much stamina?
..
The next morning, Shen Jingyi was awakened by the maids.
“Secondary Consort, it’s time to rise. You’ll need to present tea to the Princess Consort soon.”
She opened her eyes; the prince was already gone.
“What time is it? Where is the Prince?”
“It’s early morning (around 7 a.m.). The Prince left at dawn (around 6 a.m.).”
“I see. Prepare water for bathing.”
“Yes.”
Her whole body ached. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she nearly fell, saved just in time by Xiàzhú.
“Are you alright, Secondary Consort?” Xiàzhú asked anxiously, her eyes reddening when she saw the bruises.
“The Prince was too rough…”
“Don’t say such things,” Shen Jingyi quickly stopped her. “I’m fine.”
Madam Qin entered just then and scolded gently,“Silly girl, you’ll understand once you’re married. Stop talking and hurry—help the Secondary Consort bathe, or you’ll miss the time for greetings.”
Inside the bathing room, the scent of flowers mixed with a faint medicinal aroma. Qiujü was testing the water.
“I added some medicine to the bath,” she said. “You’ll feel much better after soaking.”
Sure enough, after bathing, though her waist still ached a little, Shen Jingyi felt far more comfortable.