The peerless and dark princess

The meaningful smile on Chen Siran's lips was like a puzzle. Chu Lixiu saw it all, but he couldn't figure it out.

In the past, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty repeatedly summoned Chu Wange to the palace. This behavior was extremely strange, and anyone who saw it would speculate that the royal family was considering taking Wange as a concubine, even if doing so would be utterly unacceptable. After all, the actions of the royal family were always unpredictable. These frequent imperial decrees were like stones that stirred up ripples on a calm lake, sparking widespread discussion and speculation.

But now, the situation has suddenly changed. Zuo Ci has already married Chu Wange. The red silk at the banquet hasn't even been removed, and the guests' congratulations still seem to echo in his ears. Chen Siran's half-smile, yet a thorn in his side, makes Chu Lixiu puzzled. What hidden thoughts are hidden behind this smile?

Zuo Ci's mind was as clear as a mirror; he naturally understood Chen Siran's intentions. Chu Wange's background had always been a closely guarded secret, and the number of people who knew about it could be counted on one's fingers: the current emperor Chen Yu, Crown Prince Chen Siran, the head of the imperial guards Yan Li, the empress dowager, Chu Haolin, Zuo Ci himself, and Chu Wange. Chen Siran was simply using the title of Crown Prince and, more importantly, his status as brother-in-law to pressure others, suggesting that Zuo Ci be more respectful to him in the future.

Zuo Ci internally resented this. If it weren't for his status as Crown Prince, why would anyone even consider him? Even Emperor Chen Yu, his literal father-in-law, hadn't been a concern for Zuo Ci, let alone an adopted Crown Prince. In Zuo Ci's view, his status as the husband of a mourner was no different from Chen Siran's. Who was truly superior?

"Elegy, go to sleep first."

Zuo Ci spoke softly, his voice a touch unnatural. He knew full well that Chu Wange wasn't truly devoted to him. This marriage, after all, was facilitated by the late Emperor Chen Yan's imperial decree granting the marriage. Furthermore, the elders in the Prince of Yan's mansion were eager for Wange to find a good partner, settle down, and start a family, thus putting an end to a worry.

If it weren't for this imperial decree that could not be disobeyed, according to what was said in the elegy that day, I would probably have to wait until my younger brother came of age and then pack my bags and travel around the world alone.

Recalling what had just happened, the scale in his hand gently lifted the veil, and Chu Wange's bright and charming face suddenly appeared before him, like the first ray of light breaking through the clouds at dawn, making his heart beat faster and his breathing quicken. Normally, Wange always wore no makeup, but even so, the lively expression in her eyes and her innate temperament were breathtakingly beautiful. The world is full of beauties, each with their own charm, but Chu Wange, as if destined, quietly entered his world, making him unable to look away. He longed to keep her by his side, but he didn't want to force her in the slightest. He could only suppress the surging emotions in his heart and pretend to be indifferent.

Upon hearing this, Chu Wange was filled with doubts and frowned slightly. How could she stay alone in an empty room on her wedding night? She was not a monster that could eat people. Although she had always been shy about matters between men and women, now that they were married, she was already twenty years old and no longer an ignorant girl. There was nothing wrong with consummating the marriage. Besides, the husband in front of her was chaste, handsome, from a wealthy family, and in power. It would be hard to find such a good man even with a lantern. How could she refuse him? Marriage only comes once in a lifetime. If you miss this opportunity, you may never meet such a good man again in the future.

How could Zuo Ci guess what Chu Wange was thinking? He was certain that she would be resistant and unwilling to get close to him. In order to save face and avoid making the situation too embarrassing, he simply stood up and left first, thinking of giving Wange some space to be comfortable so that she would not be unhappy.

"Princess, why did the prince go to sleep in the next room?"

As soon as Zuo Ci left, Shiqi tiptoed into the room to help Wange sleep. Although she had just seen Wange remove her phoenix crown and hairpin, Shiqi knew that her princess was used to being helped to sleep, so she hurried in.

In reality, she was filled with doubts. Sleeping in separate rooms on their wedding night made no sense, neither moral nor logical. Neither the prince nor the princess were the type to act so erratically. Could it be that they were having a quarrel? But looking at their expressions, it didn't seem like that at all.

"You ask me, but who should I ask?" Chu Wange snorted softly and said helplessly, "He just went to the inner room to wash up, and when he came out, he said this and left."

"Is it possible that the prince is shy?" Shiqi tilted her head and muttered softly.

"..."

Chu Wange was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond. She naturally didn't believe that Zuo Ci was shy, but if there was another reason, she couldn't think of it no matter how hard she tried.

"Never mind him. I'm going to sleep now. From now on, you will all continue to perform your duties in this palace as before."

Chu Wange was too lazy to ponder the deeper meaning of Zuo Ci's action. She pulled the quilt over her and lay down with her head covered. Now that she was married, she would just live a carefree life as a freeloader in the days ahead. Strangely enough, marrying into the Prince Heng's Mansion was more comfortable and pleasant than living in the Prince Yan's Mansion. Thinking about it, it was normal. In the Prince Heng's Mansion, only Zuo Ci and Zuo Yunxin, brother and sister, lived there. Zuo Yunhan had been married to the Dong family for several years, and her child was over two years old, so she seldom returned home. On the other hand, the Prince Yan's Mansion had a large population. Although the family lived in harmony, it lacked a bit of peace and tranquility.

"Brother, where is my sister-in-law?" The next morning, Zuo Yunxin jumped into the yard like a happy little bird. When he saw Zuo Ci, he asked.

"He's probably still asleep." Zuo Ci feigned composure, but in reality, he had gotten up from the next room early in the morning and gone for a stroll. How could he admit that he was tossing and turning in bed because of the excitement of getting married, even though he and Wange hadn't consummated their marriage the previous night?

"Oh, I forgot about your wedding night last night." Zuo Yunxin stuck out her tongue and said as if she knew she was wrong, "I was wrong. I shouldn't have come to disturb you so early. Brother, you stay at home with sister-in-law. I'm going out to find some fun things..."

After saying that, without waiting for Zuo Ci's response, he ran away like a gust of wind.

Dong Mingrui, the eldest son of the Dong family, looked like a frost-bitten eggplant, sleepy-eyed and limping out of the room. He rubbed his aching temples with his hands and yawned loudly, his heart filled with exhaustion from Zuo Yunhan's long conversation last night.

Last night's wedding banquet was packed with guests and extremely lively. The laughter and chatter from the crowd seemed to lift the roof off the palace. After the guests had eaten and drunk their fill, they gradually dispersed, and the two of them took a carriage and sauntered back to the Dong Mansion.

She could have stayed at Prince Heng's mansion, with plenty of vacant rooms, making it a convenient place to stay. Unexpectedly, Zuo Yunhan, who had always scoffed at superstitions and disregarded superstition, suddenly became troubled. She worried that, as a daughter married out of wedlock, staying at her parents' home might violate some taboo, potentially impacting the future fortunes and relationships of her younger siblings. That would be a grave sin. So, despite the late night, heavy dew, and bumpy road, she insisted on returning to the Dong family's home.

Once home and washed up, Zuo Yunhan seemed to have unleashed a fire of conversation. Holding Dong Mingrui's hand, she excitedly recounted the anecdotes of Zuo Ci's childhood. How he'd lost his front teeth during tooth replacement, still grinning like a fool, how he'd chased butterflies and gotten covered in mud in the yard, how he'd secretly smeared glue on his teacher's ruler while in school... He recounted every detail like the back of his hand.

Dong Mingrui gave a helpless smile. He had heard Zuo Yunhan talk about these things countless times before, his ears were almost callused, and he knew them all by heart. But seeing his wife's smile and high spirits, how could he bear to spoil her fun? He could only force himself to nod and agree from time to time, interjecting a few appropriate remarks to make her even happier.

And so, the night passed. Perhaps exhausted, Zuo Yunhan fell into a deep sleep, breathing evenly and soundly. Dong Mingrui, however, was in a miserable state. Dark circles formed under his eyes, and his face was suffocated, as if his energy and spirit had been drained. As an official appointed by the imperial court, he had to force himself to be alert and on duty, even if he hadn't slept all night.

As he walked, he muttered to himself, secretly complaining: My brother-in-law Zuo Ci is newly married, free and easy, and has no official position. But what about me?