LNTSWJLY Chapter 50

A sea of red wedding finery stretched into the distance, while joyful wedding music rang out without end.

Yu Zhi rode alone at the front of the procession, mounted on horseback. The lively wedding procession filled several streets, and along the way, people arranged by Yu Zhi scattered copper coins into the crowd. There was no shortage of people shouting words of congratulations and auspicious blessings.

But the reason the onlookers filled several streets was not merely because of the lively procession.

It was mostly because this marriage was so unusual that it had stirred everyone’s curiosity.

Some people wanted to see what the heir of Prince Ying looked like, the very person who had dared to defy convention and petition the emperor for an imperial marriage decree.

They also wanted to see just how breathtakingly beautiful Ying Feng was, the person who had captivated the heir so completely that he was willing to marry her and bring her home regardless of his reputation.

The latter, however, was sitting inside the bridal sedan, so no one could see her.

But the former?

Everyone had more than enough opportunity to get a good look at him.

Many people sighed inwardly.

No wonder the heir used to be such a womanizer and wastrel. He really does have the looks to back it up.

With a face like that, if he were willing to marry them, they would gladly throw themselves at him without asking for anything in return.

Yet a man like this was now actually willing to settle down for the sake of a woman from a brothel.

And to be so deeply devoted to her at that.

Such a thing was rarely seen in this world.

“Hmph! They say that mountains and rivers may change, but a person’s nature is hard to change. We all know what the heir used to be like. Even if he has temporarily settled down now, that does not mean there will not come a day when he returns to his old ways. When that happens, I’ll be waiting to see that Ying Feng make a fool of herself,” someone said sourly.

These women did not have a husband as handsome as Yu Zhi.

Even less did they have a lover who was so deeply devoted to them and willing to do so much for them.

Seeing this, how could they not feel jealous?

A woman dressed in pink sat upstairs, looking down through the window.

She watched the extraordinarily beautiful man, handsome enough to look like an immortal, ride past on horseback. She watched the long wedding procession continue endlessly down the street.

The envy in her eyes was impossible to hide.

“What a pity. Fourth Sister was ill and could not come to see such a grand spectacle. I have seen the heir before, but even then, he was nowhere near as breathtaking as he is today. Could it be because today is his wedding day?”

“Princess, we should be leaving. Weren’t you planning to go see what the heir’s wife looks like?”

The Fifth Princess immediately stood up.

“Let’s go. I’m going to make trouble at the bridal chamber.”

At the Prince Ying’s Residence in the capital, the entire estate was brightly lit.

Large red lanterns hung everywhere beneath the eaves and throughout the courtyards. Double-happiness symbols seemed to be plastered in nearly every corner of the entire residence.

Guests had arrived early and were already waiting.

Just as Yu Zhi had expected, there were not only the people he had sent invitations to. Quite a few people had come without invitations as well.

Some wanted to attend this unusual wedding simply out of curiosity.

Others wanted to use the wedding banquet as an opportunity to meet people, exchange information, and make plans.

Yu Zhi did not care.

For one thing, he had never cared much about other people.

For another, they were not the focus of today.

Today, he was thinking only of one person.

There were no elders present to receive their bows, so there was no one before whom they could perform the customary ceremony of bowing to their parents and elders.

The two of them simply followed the proper wedding rites and bowed twice to Heaven and Earth.

After that came the husband-and-wife bow.

It was only when they finally lowered their heads for the last bow that Ying Qingzhu suddenly realized—

He had actually just bowed to Heaven and Earth with a man.

He had actually become married with a man.

As he listened to the master of ceremonies announce the wedding rites and call for the newlyweds to be sent to the bridal chamber, Ying Qingzhu instinctively tightened his grip on his sleeve.

Inside was the impotence drug he had prepared beforehand.

The man’s large hand closed around his arm, supporting him as he led him toward the rear courtyard.

A group of people, some familiar and some unfamiliar, followed them over, claiming that they had come to tease the newlyweds and make trouble in the bridal chamber.

Yu Zhi knew very well that if anyone saw Ying Qingzhu, there was always a risk that his identity might be exposed in the future.

So, using the excuse that he did not want anyone to see his beloved’s face, he kept every single one of them outside the door.

The Fifth Princess was among them.

She stared at the tightly closed door and stomped her foot hard.

She had gone through all the trouble of leaving the palace and coming to the wedding banquet just to get a glimpse of Ying Feng’s true appearance.

Who would have thought Yu Zhi would not even give her the chance?

She was so angry that she stomped her foot again.

A woman smiled and walked over to her.

“Fifth Princess, please don’t be in such a hurry. Tomorrow, the Prince Ying’s heir will surely bring his wife to the palace to give thanks. When the time comes, Princess, you can wait beside Noble Consort Gui. Naturally, you will be able to see the heir’s wife’s face.”

Since there was no empress in the central palace, Noble Consort Gui held authority over the imperial harem. If the newlyweds were going to enter the palace to give thanks, they would most likely have to make an appearance before Noble Consort Gui and go through the proper formalities.

The Fifth Princess shuddered all over and curled her lips.

“Forget it!”

She was not Noble Consort Gui’s daughter. Was she really going to go in front of that woman just to be scolded for no reason?

“Sister Rong don’t talk about me. You are the future Third Prince’s Consort. You’ll be Noble Consort Gui’s future daughter-in-law. You’re much more suited for this than I am.”

The woman in yellow standing before her was none other than the already-betrothed Third Prince’s Consort.

The Third Prince was currently one of the leading contenders in the struggle for the throne.

In other words, Miss Rong was very likely to become the future empress.

However, when Rong Yunchang heard this, there was no sign of happiness on her face.

She remained as composed and dignified as ever, graceful and elegant. In a calm voice, she said,

“This humble subject has not yet married the Third Prince. It is only proper that I observe the proper etiquette.”

The Fifth Princess secretly rolled her eyes.

What is this woman pretending for?

She looked so cold and indifferent on the surface, but who knew how pleased she was inside?

Most likely, Father Emperor and Noble Consort Gui had been fooled by this woman’s dignified and affected appearance, which was why they had arranged her marriage to Third Brother.

Hmph. Does she really think being dignified and composed is enough to become empress? Third Brother isn’t even the Crown Prince yet!

Several of the spoiled young masters had also been shut outside.

The guards blocked them at the entrance and refused to let them go in.

One of them complained unhappily,

“The heir is really stingy. It’s not as if none of us have ever seen that Ying Feng before.”

“She’s just a heavily made-up courtesan from a brothel. Why is he treating her like some precious treasure? Does he really think she’s some proper young lady from a respectable family? Who knows how many people have already seen what she looks like in bed, yet Yu Zhi still treats her like she’s some priceless treasure.”

Young Master Cao glanced at him and snapped shut the folding fan painted with a picture of a beautiful woman.

“All right, all right. A single night of spring is worth a thousand pieces of gold. There’s no way the heir is willing to let you lot waste his precious time. Come on! Let’s go drink in the front courtyard!”

The group left in a grand procession.

The other people who had come hoping to join in the excitement saw that no one was going to entertain them. Since there was no way to make a scene in the bridal chamber anymore, they could only leave regretfully and head to the front courtyard to drink.

Inside the bridal chamber, Ying Qingzhu sat on the bed.

Because Yu Zhi had given instructions beforehand, there were no peanuts, red dates, longan, or other wedding-bed decorations scattered across it. So even sitting on the bed was quite comfortable.

The matchmaker smiled as she brought over the ceremonial wedding scale. She said a couple of auspicious words, wishing the two of them that everything would go according to their wishes, then turned to Yu Zhi.

“Groom, lift the bridal veil!”

Yu Zhi took the ceremonial scale from her hand, but instead of lifting the veil, he said to them,

“You may all leave.”

The matchmaker froze.

She hesitated before saying, “Noble Heir, the ceremony isn’t finished yet.”

They still had to drink the nuptial wine, and bind their hair strands together as a symbol of becoming one.

Yu Zhi’s tone remained calm, but his voice was firm.

“Everyone, leave.”

No one dared say anything more.

They all withdrew and considerately closed the door behind them.

Only after everyone had left did Yu Zhi finally use the ceremonial scale to lift the bridal veil embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water.

Light gradually returned to Ying Qingzhu’s vision.

The candlelight inside the room was bright.

Ying Qingzhu raised his head and immediately saw the man before him dressed in magnificent red wedding robes. His features were strikingly handsome, with an elegant and flirtatious charm that made him look especially captivating.

A smile rested on Yu Zhi’s lips.

Yet when he looked at the makeup on Ying Qingzhu’s face, he could not help feeling somewhat helpless.

“If my wife likes heavy makeup, then in the future, I am willing to teach you myself.”

So please stop putting on makeup like this.

Otherwise, who knows? One night, I might wake up in the middle of the night, see you looking like this, mistake you for some ghost that has wandered in from who knows where, and accidentally stab you.

Ying Qingzhu listened to the man’s words.

Surprisingly, his first thought was not, There’s no way I’m ever removing my makeup in front of this man and letting him paint my face himself.

Instead, his mind went straight to something else.

It’s supposed to be our wedding night today, and this man is actually criticizing my makeup in the middle of it?

Sure enough, now that he had married him and gotten him home, he was showing his true colors. He no longer cherished him, did he?

If Yu Zhi knew what was going through his mind, he would probably nod in agreement.

They were already married, and the person was safely inside his own household. There was no way he could run away now.

Naturally, he could finally let his guard down.

“Ying Feng likes it. If the heir doesn’t, then why did you marry me?” Ying Qingzhu said stiffly.

He himself had not noticed that, in front of Yu Zhi, he had gradually become more relaxed. He was no longer as tense and guarded as he had been at the beginning.

Yu Zhi nodded.

“Of course you may. But if I take my wife out to meet people, I’m afraid others will mock us and point fingers.”

Ying Qingzhu became even more annoyed.

Yu Zhi was already going to be the subject of gossip for marrying him.

And now, he had only just entered the household. They had not even spent their wedding night yet, and Yu Zhi was already treating him with such dislike.

Then why bother getting married at all?!

But before he could say anything, he heard the man laugh softly and speak in a gentle voice.

“Of course I don’t mind being looked at strangely by others. But I don’t want to see them look at you that way.”

“The person I hold dear should never have to endure the contempt or disdain of others.”

The anger Ying Qingzhu had been holding inside, which he had not even had time to release, instantly vanished like a flood breaking through a breached dam, rushing away without leaving the slightest trace.

He looked at Yu Zhi and accidentally met those eyes overflowing with tenderness.

He felt as though he had been completely drowned in them, leaving his whole body weak and tingling.

His entire body trembled.

He quickly pulled his gaze away and said in a low voice,

“Ying Feng doesn’t care what other people think. The heir doesn’t need to care either.”

Yu Zhi looked at him and reached out to gently stroke his face.

His fingers immediately picked up the deep red color of the rouge.

“It’s time to drink the nuptial wine,” he said slowly.

“Drink wine…”

Drink wine?!

A faint glimmer flashed through Ying Qingzhu’s eyes.

His hand moved inside his sleeve, feeling around until his fingers touched the little paper packet. Only then did he relax.

He smiled at Yu Zhi and said, “Noble Heir, Ying Feng hasn’t eaten anything since last night. I’m already starving. I wonder if I could trouble you to have some food brought here for Ying Feng?”

Seeing his eyes shift, Yu Zhi knew that he was calculating something in his mind.

After thinking for a moment, he more or less guessed what Ying Qingzhu was planning.

He thought about it, then smiled.

“Of course. After you and I drink the nuptial wine, I’ll have someone bring some food.”

Of course it’s easier to put the medicine in the wine.

If the food is brought in, and he puts the medicine in it, what happens if I insist on serving him food that has been drugged and he has no choice but to eat it?

At the thought, Ying Qingzhu’s eyes flickered.

A watery sheen gradually appeared in them.

His slightly damp eyes looked at Yu Zhi, carrying a hint of grievance and sadness. Those star-like eyes looked so pitiful that anyone who saw them would feel the urge to comfort him.

He simply kept looking at him like that.

Yu Zhi felt both amused and exasperated.

Has this person really figured out that he has me wrapped around his finger?

He did not get many actual benefits from him, but when it came to moments like this, Ying Qingzhu certainly knew how to use him.

Fine.

Since that was the case, Yu Zhi decided to indulge him and see what exactly he was planning.

“Don’t cry. Wait here. I’ll have someone bring food right away.”

With that, he got up and went outside. He opened the door and gave instructions to the maid waiting outside.

Ying Qingzhu moved with lightning speed.

He sprinkled the medicine powder into one of the two small gourd-shaped cups meant for the nuptial wine, then quickly poured wine into both of them.

By the time Yu Zhi returned, the two cups of nuptial wine were already prepared.

Ying Qingzhu was holding the two gourd-shaped cups and smiled at him.

“Noble Heir, it’s time to drink the nuptial wine.”

Yu Zhi took the cup of wine he was offering him.

He gently smelled it.

Yet even through the fragrance of the wine, he still detected that familiar scent.

Yu Zhi: “……”

So this person has gotten into the habit of putting impotence drug in my drinks?

Looking at Ying Qingzhu’s bright, cheerful smile, how could Yu Zhi not know what he was thinking?

He was simply afraid that Yu Zhi would insist on consummating the marriage, and that doing so would expose the truth that he was actually a man disguised as a woman.

But, Little Qingzhu, your thinking is a little too simple.

Even if the hardware doesn’t work, don’t you know there are still tools that can be used?

He looked at Ying Qingzhu.

There was no anger in his eyes, only a strange hint of amusement.

It made Ying Qingzhu feel a chill run down his spine.

He hesitantly called out, “Noble Heir?”

Yu Zhi answered softly, “Hmm? I’m here.”

Ying Qingzhu’s gaze fell on the cup of wine in Yu Zhi’s hand.

He reminded him, “It’s time to drink the nuptial wine.”

Did he discover it?

No way.

I made sure no one saw me putting it in.

Or… did he notice something after I drugged him last time? Could he have realized it today?

Ying Qingzhu’s heart pounded anxiously.

By the time Yu Zhi finally said, “All right,” his thoughts had already raced ahead to what he should do if his identity were discovered.

Should I kill this man?

Or capture him and lock him up?

Finally, he heard that one word.

“All right.”

Ying Qingzhu immediately relaxed.

He smiled and promptly hooked his arm around Yu Zhi’s, crossing their arms as they drank the wine.

But when he raised his head again, he saw Yu Zhi looking at him.

The wine in Yu Zhi’s cup had not been touched.

“Noble Heir?”

Ying Qingzhu looked at him questioningly.

Unless Yu Zhi drank this cup of wine too, he could not feel at ease.

Yu Zhi looked at him with deep, unreadable eyes, a faint curve appearing at the corner of his lips.

“We’re not supposed to drink the nuptial wine like this.”

Ying Qingzhu froze.

Not like this?

Then how are we supposed to drink it?

Without waiting for him to ask, Yu Zhi downed the entire cup of wine in one gulp.

Ying Qingzhu had just begun to relax when he suddenly felt a powerful arm around his waist. Before he could react, he was forcibly pulled into Yu Zhi’s arms, completely surrounded by the man’s presence and scent.

Their lips met.

His rouge-painted lips were forced open, and Yu Zhi’s kiss pressed straight in. The wine he had not yet swallowed flowed through their opened lips and all into Ying Qingzhu’s mouth.

“No…”

His entire body and mind trembled. He was just about to spit the wine out or push it back into Yu Zhi’s mouth, but Yu Zhi did not give him the chance.

The lingering, intimate kiss overwhelmed both Ying Qingzhu’s body and mind. Despite his initial resistance, he gradually found himself unable to control his own reactions, going from resisting to enjoying it.

Only when the deep kiss finally ended did Yu Zhi release him.

Ying Qingzhu’s lips were left a deep red after being ravaged by the kiss. His heart pounded like a drum, and his dizzy head slowly cleared as his breathing steadied. Only then did he belatedly realize that the entire cup of wine had already been swallowed by him.

Ying Qingzhu: “!!!”

He stared wide-eyed at Yu Zhi.

Yet Yu Zhi acted as though he had no idea what he had just done, as if that had been nothing more than an ordinary kiss.

His eyes curved with a smile, and in a gentle voice, he said, “This is how the nuptial wine is supposed to be drunk. Do you understand now?”

Since you were so determined to drug me, then you can drink it yourself. It isn’t exactly a drug that will harm the body, so consider it a little lesson for you.

Yu Zhi remembered that Ying Qingzhu had drugged him with the same medicine when he had first arrived. Now, it had all come back to him. It could be considered settling both an old grudge and a new one at the same time.

Ying Qingzhu’s chest was still rising and falling unevenly as he gasped for breath. He could not tell whether it was the aftereffect of that kiss or because the cup of wine had infuriated him so much.

He had prepared enough medicine to last an entire month, and now he had ended up taking all of it himself!

Just thinking about how he had only been free of the medicine’s effects for a few days before being forced to become an eunuch again made his eyes turn red.

He stared hard at Yu Zhi, trying to find some clue in his expression.

How could things be this unlucky? How could I possibly be this unfortunate?

Could it be that this man has been pretending to be a harmless pig while secretly being a tiger?

Could it be that he has already noticed something was wrong with me, but has simply been pretending not to know?

Under his intense stare, Yu Zhi remained completely natural. A puzzled look appeared on his face.

“What’s wrong, my wife?”

“Are you hungry? Wait a little longer. The food will be here soon.”

He smiled as he spoke.

“I didn’t know what flavors you liked, so I had them prepare a little of everything.”

There was deep affection in his eyes, completely undisguised.

Most of Ying Qingzhu’s anger and suspicion immediately faded, replaced by guilt.

“N-No, it’s nothing.”

This man clearly really did love him, so how could he possibly do something like that? His tendency to overthink things was becoming more and more unreliable.

A maid soon brought in the food, and Yu Zhi led Ying Qingzhu to the table before reminding him, “Go ahead and eat. I’ll be back after I finish toasting the guests outside.”

Ying Qingzhu nodded absentmindedly. He looked completely drained, clearly still immersed in the misery of having to abstain for another month. He had no energy or interest to care about Yu Zhi going out to toast the guests.

Yet the moment Yu Zhi actually left and the entire room became empty, with only Ying Qingzhu left behind, he suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of emptiness.

The man had barely left, yet he was already missed.

Suppressing that inappropriate thought, Ying Qingzhu gritted his teeth and began battling the food on the table, while also thinking about finding someone to develop an antidote for the impotence drug.

Next time! I absolutely will not make the same mistake again!

…And even if I do, I can still get the antidote.

…

Only after Yu Zhi stepped out of the bridal chamber did he finally let the smile spread freely across his face. In a good mood, he walked toward the front courtyard with light, easy steps.

A servant tried to follow him, but Yu Zhi stopped him.

“No need to come.”

“Yes.”

Yu Zhi walked alone through the garden.

Rockeries rose one after another, while clear water quietly flowed through the pond. Everything was peaceful and still.

“Chang’er.”

A gentle male voice carried a trace of hidden pain. Anyone who heard it could immediately sense the suffering in his voice, yet it was also filled with deep affection.

“How have you been these past few days?”

“Seventh Prince, I’m doing very well.”

Compared with him, the woman’s voice was much calmer and more composed.

“The imperial marriage decree was not my choice either. By the time I found out about it, the imperial edict had already been issued. Chang’er, if you are willing, I can give up everything I have now for you. We can leave this place and travel far away together, living as husband and wife, far from all these struggles.”

“Your Highness, now that I already have an engagement, I should not break it. Besides, the lives of more than a hundred members of the Rong family are not something to gamble with. What happened in the past is like smoke in the wind; it is time to let it go. You have your own fiancée as well. You truly should not remain trapped in the past.”

“Chang’er, how can you be so heartless…”

Yu Zhi did not listen to what came after that. He already knew who the two people were, and he also knew what was happening.

Rong Yunchang was the reborn heroine of this world.

In her previous life, she had been deeply in love with the Seventh Prince. Even after marrying the Third Prince, she had continued secretly helping the Seventh Prince. She believed that she and the Seventh Prince were a pair of ill-fated lovers kept apart by destiny.

In reality, the Seventh Prince had only ever treated her as a tool. Once he had finished using her, he simply kicked her aside.

The Third Prince, on the other hand, was cruel and domineering by nature, yet he treated her exceptionally well. Unfortunately, in her previous life, she had been blind and deaf to it all. She could see nothing and hear nothing of his feelings.

After being reborn, Rong Yunchang decisively cut off her relationship with the Seventh Prince. She calmly married the Third Prince instead and later helped him ascend the throne, while taking revenge on the Seventh Prince.

So, this was a sweet, feel-good story about a woman being reborn, making up for the regrets of her previous life, and taking revenge.

Unfortunately, Yu Zhi was firmly on Ying Qingzhu’s side.

Naturally, that meant he would become an enemy of the original male and female leads.

There had been no wedding banquet like this in the original plot. The heroine was not supposed to sever ties with the Seventh Prince until much later. Yu Zhi had already seen what happened and thought nothing more of it. He continued on to the front courtyard to toast the guests.

The Prince Ying lineage had only Yu Zhi himself in the capital, so there were hardly any relatives present. Yu Zhi casually toasted a few tables before using his poor tolerance for alcohol as an excuse to stop.

Someone even remarked that perhaps he was refusing to show them proper respect.

Yu Zhi simply smiled as though he had not heard.

He did not bother responding. After all, they were not close.

Why should he make things difficult for himself just to please people who did not matter?

After casually dealing with the situation, Yu Zhi got up and left.

The few spoiled young masters looked at one another, hesitating and not daring to approach him.

“Yu Zhi seems to have changed.”

“Could it be that love really does make a person grow up?”

“Well, you know, the fact that he could actually fall for someone is pretty unbelievable in itself.”

No matter how they looked at it, they were facing a completely unfamiliar Yu Zhi now, so none of them dared to rashly approach him.

Yu Zhi made a round and returned. Less than half an hour had passed, and Ying Qingzhu had only just put down his bowl and chopsticks.

How did he come back so quickly?