SGSHE129

In less than half an hour, the newlyweds appeared in the bustling courtyard, which was packed with guests.

Tonight was the wedding night of the Emperor’s only brother-in-law, the imperial brother-in-law, and the attendees were all high-ranking officials from the capital.

Yet, the scene left everyone absolutely dumbfounded.

These officials knew the imperial brother-in-law was a ruthless man, but they never imagined he would casually drag just anyone out for his wedding, and a man, at that!

After all, not long ago, he had been displaying deep affection for his intended bride.

Yet now, in a fit of pique, he had pulled such a shocking stunt. A man like this was someone one absolutely could not afford to offend.

In the future, even within the imperial court, they would have to treat this ruthless imperial brother-in-law with extra deference to avoid being toyed with, or even destroyed, unreasonably.

Looking at the imperial brother-in-law, who appeared dashing and amiable with not a single crack in his composure, everyone felt a collective shiver run down their spines.

Xing Qi was also somewhat dazed. He stole a glance at the person beside him, who was striking in brilliant red robes, his heart pounding nervously.

Jing Heguang had actually brought him out to toast the guests!

All because he had casually remarked that he had never seen newlyweds toast the guests before.

Of course, Xing Qi certainly didn’t think Jing Heguang was doing this for his sake. He assumed Jing Heguang simply wanted to spite the young lady of the Yi family.

Jing Heguang really is a petty man, Xing Qi grumbled inwardly.

Yet, dressed in matching red robes and walking hand-in-hand from table to table to offer toasts, the moment felt dreamlike, leaving Xing Qi feeling a bit bewildered.

He had only experienced a wedding once across two lifetimes. How could he describe the feeling? It was, at the very least, a novel experience.

Jing Heguang, for his part, was genuinely delighted.

The person whose hand he held was the one he desired. Moreover, Xing Qi’s face would flush whenever he drew close, surely that meant he harbored some feelings for him too.

Furthermore, he had already received word that Yi Qingxue’s fiancé was waiting outside the manor gates.

Once the wedding concluded, he planned to hand Yi Qingxue over to the man’s care, letting that scholar take her away immediately, to prevent her Grand Tutor father from selling her off again.

It was a perfect solution for everyone involved.

By the time Jing Heguang felt the pleasant haze of being 30 percent tipsy, the couple had made their way to the table where the Qin family guests were seated.

Xing Qi caught sight of his grandfather, who looked significantly younger than he remembered, and his gaze lingered on the old man’s face in a daze.

His lips moved, yet he dared not speak in Jing Heguang’s presence. He deliberately composed his expression, fearing that Jing Heguang might notice something amiss and subsequently exploit his family.

However, the look he tried to conceal did not escape Jing Heguang’s notice.

Jing Heguang simply assumed that Xing Qi had instinctively glanced a few extra times at the elder of the Qin family.

It must be that wondrous blood connection, Jing Heguang mused.

My poor Xingxing, separated from his family for so many years, only to finally find them and then be exploited so ruthlessly by the original owner…it’s truly tragic!

He resolved to ensure Xing Qi reunited with his family and enjoyed a wonderful life surrounded by his kin.

With that in mind, Jing Heguang made a point of offering an extra toast to Elder Qin: “Elder Qin, your virtue and prestige are renowned. It is a true honor for me to have you grace my wedding banquet with your presence. Allow me to offer you another toast!”

Having said this, Jing Heguang boldly raised his cup and drained it in one go.

Elder Qin, utterly bewildered, could only…

He offered a polite smile and finished the wine in his own cup.

Seeing his grandfather drink, Xing Qi had no choice but to hold back the stinging tears in his eyes and pour himself a cup.

But he drank too hastily and ended up choking on the liquor.

Jing Heguang hurriedly set aside his wine cup and solicitously patted the other man’s back, looking worried. “Are you alright? You don’t have to drink it, just a symbolic sip will do.”

As he spoke, he signaled the butler to swap the wine for water so Xing Qi wouldn’t choke again.

The butler’s heart skipped a beat: It looked as though…his master was actually quite concerned about this lowly shadow guard, who had been snatched up at the last minute to stand in for the bride.

No, that couldn’t be right, his master was hardly a saint.

He was surely just putting on a convincing act to spite that young lady from the Yi family.

Only by attributing the gesture to malice could the butler feel at ease as he replaced the newlyweds’ drinks with plain water.

Meanwhile, as Xing Qi drank the water that had been substituted in, he felt a complex mix of emotions.

Jing Heguang…was truly a ruthless man.

He was willing to go to such lengths just to spite someone.

Anyone unaware of the truth would think Jing Heguang was genuinely worried about him.

The wedding banquet was well underway when the Emperor, Xu Wubin, arrived in person to attend his brother-in-law’s celebration.

“Long live your majesty!”

Amidst the chorus of respectful salutations, the Emperor laughed heartily. “Rise, my loyal subjects. Tonight is a joyous occasion for Heguang, please enjoy yourselves to the fullest. Otherwise, I won’t be able to answer to the Empress later!”

Given the age gap between the Emperor and his wife, who was the younger sister of this man, the Emperor held his brother-in-law in high regard.

Had his brother-in-law not set his heart on the Yi family’s daughter, the Emperor would never have consented to the breaking of a perfectly good marriage alliance.

He had been badly shaken earlier that day upon hearing that the young Yi girl had attempted to hang herself.

However, upon hearing that the banquet was proceeding in a harmonious atmosphere, leading him to believe his brother-in-law had successfully resolved the situation, he had decided to make a grand appearance.

Yet, the Emperor was not fully informed. He did not know the specific method Jing Heguang had used to resolve the crisis.

Therefore, when he saw his brother-in-law holding hands with a young man who was nearly as tall as himself, the Emperor was dumbfounded.

The Emperor glanced at his brother-in-law’s slender, bamboo-like hand, which was clasping a rough hand calloused by martial arts training, and murmured, “This…”

Jing Heguang smiled and replied, “Your majesty, this is Xing Qi. I am deeply fond of him.”

The Emperor chuckled. “As long as you are happy, Heguang. That is what matters most for a marriage.”

Although Jing Heguang was his brother-in-law, the Emperor viewed him much like a younger brother.

Observing Xing Qi now, the Emperor let his imagination run wild. He reflected on how Jing Heguang was usually so composed, yet in matters of the heart, he was acting like a naive youth, making a complete mess of things.

It was simple: the Emperor assumed Jing Heguang had been driven mad with anger and had resorted to this ill-conceived scheme out of desperation.

However, having arrived late, well after the wedding banquet had already begun, he felt that, with all eyes upon them, the wedding had to proceed, even if it meant biting the bullet.

The Emperor had come in haste, bestowed lavish gifts, stayed briefly, and then departed just as hurriedly.

***

Upon returning to the imperial palace,

The Emperor entered Fengluan Palace.

The Empress was roused from sleep by her maids, fighting off drowsiness, she rose to attend to the Emperor.

The Emperor wore a dazed expression. “Empress…does your brother…does he have a penchant for men?”

The beautiful Empress shook her head in astonishment. “He doesn’t have a single woman in his inner courtyard. But isn’t my brother fond of that girl from the Yi family? He has no interest in men!”

Empress Jing Ya’an keenly sensed something was amiss and asked, “Your majesty, what did you see when you went out of the palace?”

“Well…” The Emperor patted his young wife’s hand and whispered, “It seems your brother was driven mad by the Yi family. He grabbed a shadow guard to pose as his new bride and married him on the spot.”

“A shadow guard?” Jing Ya’an furrowed her brows, then looked shocked. “My brother’s shadow guards are all men, there isn’t a single woman among them!”

Jing Ya’an looked at the Emperor, even more bewildered than he was. “How could my brother marry a man as his wife?!”

She was utterly astonished.

She knew her own background and was aware that her brother had always harbored ambitions to restore their fallen dynasty.

She had once shared those ambitions and was willing to enter the palace to aid him, but the Emperor’s kindness toward her had secretly changed her heart.

Yet, her brother’s intentions and the reality of their status remained a constant thorn in her side.

She knew that, sooner or later, Jing Heguang might well raise the banner of rebellion.

Her brother, intent on restoring the dynasty, held himself to the strictest standards and had long since planned out his future regarding a wife and heirs.

A man aspiring to be emperor would certainly not allow himself to remain without an heir.

Moreover, her brother was a stickler for rules and placed great importance on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring.

How could such a man marry a man as his wife simply because of a fit of anger?

Jing Ya’an found it absolutely impossible to believe.

Yet, the Emperor had seen it with his own eyes. He looked conflicted as he said, “That man was just as tall and broad-shouldered as your brother…”

Jing Ya’an was forced to believe it, though her mind was in turmoil.

She seriously suspected that her brother had lost his mind.

***

At the imperial brother-in-law’s estate. After Jing Heguang finished making the rounds to toast the guests, the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber to consummate the marriage.

No sooner had they stepped inside than Jing Heguang, wearing a fierce expression, ordered that Yi Qingxue be tossed to the scholar waiting outside. He further instructed the steward to announce that the two were to be married the very next day.

The steward bowed in acknowledgment and went out to carry out the orders.

Upon hearing that the two ‘fools’ might actually end up together, a look of genuine happiness flashed in Xing Qi’s eyes.

He thought he had concealed it well, but Jing Heguang, who was watching him closely, caught it instantly.

My Xingxing is truly kind-hearted! Jing Heguang thought.

He had found himself married in a daze, yet here he was, rejoicing over someone else’s romantic prospects.

It was a pity Jing Heguang had to keep up the act. He sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Xing Qi on the edge of the bed, his heart brimming with the joy of the wedding, yet unable to smile openly.

Jing Heguang turned his head to look at Xing Qi’s slender, handsome profile. “I am tired. Shall we drink the nuptial wine and then rest?”

Xing Qi: …Nuptial wine?

Is that really necessary?

Xing Qi lowered his head. “This subordinate dares not.”

Jing Heguang chuckled softly, continuing his ‘eccentric’ act. “Why still call yourself a subordinate? Your status is different now, from this moment on, you belong to me.”

Xing Qi felt a shiver run down his scalp.

His arm tensed up, and his entire body stiffened. He was the very definition of ‘rigid’.

Jing Heguang found the sight amusing but cleared his throat, forcing himself to maintain a serious demeanor.

“Bring the wine.”

At his command, the servants poured the wine and placed it within reach.

Xing Qi held the cup, he barely registered the mechanics of linking arms to drink the nuptial wine, only daring to breathe again once it was finished.

A sudden panic seized Xing Qi as a thought struck him. Outside, there had been a crowd, so Jing Heguang had to put on a show but here in the room, it was just their own people. Why was the fellow still acting? Had he become addicted to the role?

When Jing Heguang spoke of ‘bathing and retiring for the night’ after the wine, Xing Qi felt like he was on the verge of losing his mind.

What am I supposed to do tonight?!

He had only wanted Jing Heguang to taste the bitter sting of abandonment, he hadn’t intended to actually sacrifice himself in the process.

It wasn’t like this in the last life…

Recalling that Jing Heguang had remained a virgin right up until the moment he died in the previous life, Xing Qi felt his anxiety ease just a little. Jing Heguang was likely either impotent or simply had a low sex drive.

Jing Heguang finished his bath, yet Xing Qi still refused to budge.

He glanced at Jing Heguang, who was clad in a loosely draped robe that left his chest partially exposed. “This subordinate…this subordinate wishes to sleep up on the rafters.”

Naturally, Jing Heguang had no intention of letting him run off.

He had gone to such lengths to change his little shadow guard’s status.

If the lad went back to sleeping on the rafters, all that effort would have been for nothing.

It was a case of marriage first, love later. He needed Xing Qi to accept this new identity before things could slowly progress.

Jing Heguang’s eyes darkened.

Thinking back to the brief moments of direct contact he’d shared with Xing Qi earlier, he decided to employ the same tactic again.

He stepped closer to Xing Qi and sat down, wrapping an arm around the other man’s waist and pressing his chest against Xing Qi’s rigidly straight back.

Lowering his voice deliberately, Jing Heguang spoke right against the skin behind Xing Qi’s ear: “You promised to obey me in everything.”

The warm breath brushed against that sensitive spot behind his ear, and the heat radiating from the other man’s body began to spread, sending a tingling shiver down half of Xing Qi’s body.

Xing Qi, who had also remained a virgin for two lifetimes, felt a mix of embarrassment and exasperation: Ah!!! …Has Jing Heguang lost his mind?