Before his wedding, Zhen Heng revisited the forest where he first met Jiang Si.
It was late autumn, and the once-verdant mountains had transformed into a brilliant tapestry of gold and light red.
Zhen Heng walked step by step on the thick carpet of fallen leaves, approaching that particular tree.
This was where he had met that girl.
It was the summer solstice that day, he remembered clearly. Not because the summer solstice was special, but because on that day he met someone special.
He had thought the young woman who jumped down from the treetop was a forest spirit, bringing to life all those tales of supernatural beings he had read. It left him sleepless, filled with anticipation.
Later, he learned she was the Fourth Miss of the East Ping Earl’s family, treated by his father as a niece.
He believed it was fate bestowed by heaven.
They had an encounter that transcended worldly norms, yet were connected by worldly ties.
But later, she became engaged to the Seventh Prince, became a princess consort, then the Crown Princess, and now the Empress.
He had long since let go of his feelings for her, but he couldn’t let go of the feeling of his first love.
However, now that he was to be married, even such sentiments should be put aside.
On this day, Zhen Heng filled a flask with wine in the forest and then threw the empty flask into the mountain stream.
The tin flask bobbed up and down in the water, quickly disappearing.
On his wedding day, the weather was clear and crisp, and many guests attended.
He couldn’t remember how many people congratulated the groom.
Zhen Heng listened to all this with a calm heart.
Gifted from a young age, he had heard plenty of praise. After achieving the rare feat of passing all three imperial examinations, he had lived under constant public attention and adulation, becoming accustomed to it all.
Marrying a princess might seem glorious to others, but to him, it was no different from marrying any young lady from a good family.
After the ceremony, they entered the bridal chamber. At the urging of the wedding attendant, Zhen Heng lifted the bridal veil.
A face of exquisite beauty appeared before him.
Princess Fuqing raised her eyes, boldly meeting Zhen Heng’s gaze.
She was still a bit nervous.
This nervousness wasn’t due to leaving her maiden home, or even leaving the familiar imperial palace, but because the bridal veil had plunged her into darkness while fully awake.
She feared the dark.
This fear, ingrained in her very bones, would likely never fade in this lifetime.
Because of this, Princess Fuqing felt an immediate fondness for the man who lifted her veil.
As their eyes met, she smiled instinctively.
Zhen Heng was momentarily stunned.
He wasn’t surprised that the only legitimate princess of the Great Zhou was a beauty, but he had imagined she might be either nobly arrogant, looking at her husband with barely concealed disdain; or demurely gentle, shy, and nervous on her wedding night.
But he hadn’t expected to see a clean, bright smile. Especially those eyes, as bright and pure as gemstones, untainted by worldly dust.
Zhen Heng thought a woman with such eyes must surely be a good person.
He hadn’t hoped for a wife who would be his soulmate, but having a pure-hearted woman as his wife meant life wouldn’t be too bad.
Zhen Heng couldn’t help but smile back.
After a series of complex rituals, Zhen Heng left the bridal chamber to toast the guests.
Given Zhen Heng’s status as the Imperial Son-in-law, the guests didn’t dare to force him to drink too much. He returned to the bridal chamber slightly tipsy.
On the bed covered with a large red brocade quilt, Princess Fuqing was quietly waiting.
She had removed her ornate hairpins wore a simple bun, and had changed from her heavy wedding attire into a red silk dress.
The sense of distance in Zhen Heng’s heart suddenly lessened, causing him to quicken his pace.
“You’re back. Would you like some tea to sober up?” Princess Fuqing asked proactively.
Her voice was as clear as her eyes, without much of a new bride’s shyness.
Zhen Heng chuckled silently.
He hadn’t developed romantic feelings for the princess he had never met before, and it seemed the princess felt the same about her unfamiliar new husband.
This realization made him feel relaxed.
Starting as friends might be a good beginning.
Zhen Heng smiled and said, “I didn’t drink much, no need to sober up. Is the Princess hungry?”
It was customary for new brides to be hungry.
Princess Fuqing shook her head, “I’m not hungry, I’ve eaten.”
Zhen Heng’s mouth twitched slightly.
The princess was quite honest, admitting to him that she had sneaked some food.