Chapter Three: Marriage

The Emperor and the Noble Consort personally left the palace to attend the wedding.

After the ceremonial bows, Lin Menghua was escorted into the bridal chamber.

She sat on the bed, exhaling a sigh of relief—finally, a moment to rest.

The mansion was bustling with lively sounds that only quieted past midnight.

At last, the door was pushed open. Though her view was limited to a small patch beneath the bridal veil, she knew the visitor was not Prince Ning, Fu Cen.

“The prince is weary tonight. Please rest on your own, Your Highness,” said the attendant.

“I understand,” Lin Menghua replied with a faint smile. Seeing Liu Green’s worried gaze, she assured her she was managing well.

Liu Green helped remove the heavy hairpins and then changed her into another set of clothes before moving to the window and opening it.

Moonlight poured in like flowing water, bathing the courtyard. The crimson silk draperies shimmered with a delicate glow. Red silk flowers hung from eaves, corridors, and branches, swaying gently in the night breeze. Shadows danced on the ground, dreamlike and ethereal.

Truly, the colors of the mortal world are the most beautiful, Lin Menghua thought with quiet admiration.

***

In the study—

The man, having changed out of his wedding robes, leaned against the soft couch, one hand propping up his head, his narrow phoenix eyes half-closed.

“How is the secondary consort?”

“She has already retired for the night,” the servant replied, head bowed.

The man opened his eyes slightly, a trace of vexation flickering in his gaze.

“And the princess? How did she respond?”

“She said... ‘Understood!’” the servant added.

Fu Cen paused, then threw off the covers and rose, striding out.

Lin Menghua watched, puzzled, as the door was pushed open again.

A man in brocade robes entered without ceremony, seating himself on the couch. He looked at the bride who had unveiled herself and asked, “You’re from the Lin family? What is your name?”

“I am Lin Menghua,” she said with a bow and slight nod.

His voice was clear and carried a hint of youthful rebellion and cold pride. “You should know that the prince and the secondary consort are mutually affectionate.”

“I do,” Lin Menghua replied.

“As long as you cause no trouble, I can grant you wealth and honor, a life of comfort and ease—but that’s all!”

“Yes,” Lin Menghua answered.

“You must not expect any children from this union!”

“Yes,” she said, almost laughing inwardly. Such fortune—to have no burden of bearing heirs, to be served, to live in luxury, and still receive money.

Fu Cen looked at her in surprise. Seeing her so compliant, his tone softened somewhat.

After all, Lin Menghua could not decide this marriage herself.

He could not defy the imperial will, and neither could she.

Changing his tone, he said, “But since you are nominally the princess, you must behave as one in public. Do not disgrace the Ning Prince’s household. You must attend palace banquets with me and, when necessary, move about the inner residence...”

He hesitated, wondering if he had demanded too much—after all, he had married her only to have a figurehead.

Lin Menghua almost blurted out, “Of course!”

But she restrained herself, responding even more meekly, “Yes.”

That single “yes” gave her deep satisfaction.

Seeing her open heart, Fu Cen’s tone became courteous. He glanced at her a few more times before standing. As he left, he warned, “If you can do all this, I will grant you the honors due a princess. But if you cause trouble, do not blame me for being ruthless!”

With that, he flicked his sleeve and exited.

On their wedding night, the groom had not consummated the marriage—a grave insult to the bride.

Yet for Lin Menghua, it was a promising beginning.

When Lin Qingwan entered the prince’s mansion, she had caused a scene upon hearing that Prince Ning would not come to her. That very night, the prince discovered the bride had been switched.

He wanted to dismiss her outright but was softened by Lin Zheng’s pleas and the emperor’s mercy.

Because Lin Qingwan made a fuss, Fu Cen deemed her unruly and gave her a cold reception—she was denied even the basic privileges of a princess at first.

Lin Menghua was different. She never intended to be a proper wife to Fu Cen. She sought only to use his power to serve her own ends, caring little for his worthless affections.

She was a princess, a daughter of the loyal and brave Marquis’s household. By showing obedience and magnanimity, she could secure her position in the prince’s mansion.

If she could outmaneuver the Noble Consort, her status would be unshakable.

“Go to sleep,” Lin Menghua waved her hand, dismissing everyone.

The next day, she was to enter the palace to offer thanks.

“Last night, the prince slept in the study. I heard he caught a chill,” Liu Green whispered in her ear.

Lin Menghua smiled subtly.

She had slept well—the bed was big, soft, and warm.

“Your Highness, how can you still...”

Still be able to smile?

Liu Green thought of the previous night’s events and grew worried.

Hearing the maids' morning gossip only deepened her concern.

To face such circumstances right upon arrival—what would happen next?

***

Lin Menghua glanced at her. “You and Qingzhu will accompany me to the palace to pay respects.”

“Yes,” Liu Green replied.

Noble Consort Zhang resided in Hanliang Hall of the Great Ming Palace.

Named for its cool summer breezes, the splendid hall was surrounded by pools, glimmering with golden reflections, clear and emerald.

The Noble Consort reclined against a rosewood chair with a marble backrest, frowning lightly as she listened to Nurse Qian’s report.

She twirled a jade Buddhist rosary in her hand, then lifted her eyes slightly.

“Was there a disturbance at Yilan Courtyard yesterday?”

“No, the secondary consort had gone to bed early,” Nurse Qian answered.

The Noble Consort threw the beads onto the table, her expression dark, but she gave a faint hum.

Nurse Qian looked at her cautiously.

Her own feelings were conflicted. They wished the secondary consort had caused a scene last night, giving them a reason to punish her—but they also did not want the Ning Prince’s household to become a laughingstock.

When a maid announced, “The princess has come to pay respects,”

Noble Consort Zhang restored her gentle smile. “Bring her in.”

She signaled Nurse Qian to prepare tea, her eyes flashing thoughtfully.

Prince Ning adored the secondary consort so much; if she were relentlessly troubled, it would only hurt their relationship. Since she was not from their family, she might hold a grudge.

For the sake of the future and to win over the adopted son, she had to take a step back to advance.

She could not act directly, but the princess could.

With this in mind, her smile grew even more gracious.

“Daughter-in-law, pay respects to Mother Consort.”

Lin Menghua had just finished her bow when the Noble Consort said, “No need.”

Then she beckoned Lin Menghua forward, grasped her hand with eyes full of affection.

“Good child, you have suffered.”

Lin Menghua’s eyes flickered softly as she whispered, “It is my blessing to marry the prince; I do not feel wronged.”

The Noble Consort’s satisfaction grew; she found Lin Menghua courteous and gentle.

“Ah Cen is young and hot-tempered. It is one thing to be stubborn, but now he completely disregards propriety. When he meets His Majesty, I will have him brought here for you to vent!”

After speaking, she gestured to a palace maid, “Go and summon Prince Ning to see me immediately!”