Ten days later, the wedding of Xue Liulan and Murong Jin took place as scheduled. The ceremony was a grand affair, a clear sign that the royal family was giving the Murong clan the highest honor.
Because Murong Jin had been staying at the prince's residence, the wedding chambers were prepared within the Imperial Palace itself.
At dawn, Xue Liulan stood outside Murong Jin's door, waiting. He wore festive red robes, the usual jade in his hair replaced with a silver crown.
Inside, the maids chattered endlessly as they worked. From Murong Jin herself, there was only silence. Xue Liulan rubbed his hands together and checked the sky for the time.
The door creaked open. He stopped his pacing and turned, just in time to see her emerge.
She was a vision in a scarlet cape, her long skirt brushing the floor. Tassels of pearls hung from her phoenix crown, veiling her face, a beautiful mystery. Cherry lips, delicately painted brows, and a pair of bright, dark eyes that seemed to dance with light.
Xue Liulan, who had seen countless beauties, was momentarily stunned.
The capital had its famed beauties—the delicate, lotus-like grace of a noble lady, the bewitching, poppy-like allure of a top courtesan. But Murong Jin's beauty was a different thing entirely. It was a radiant, vibrant thing, impossible to define. She had the vibrancy of a peony, but without the ostentation; the grace of an orchid, but without the coldness.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, seeing him frozen there.
"No," he breathed, shaking himself from his trance. "You're beautiful."
She lowered her head, a hint of a smile on her lips. Suddenly, her feet left the floor. Xue Liulan had swept her into his arms.
"What are you doing?" she gasped.
"Carrying you to your wedding sedan," he said with a soft laugh. He lowered his head, inhaling the scent of her perfume. "Is this Huaying made from twin lotuses?"
She kept her head bowed, her gaze fixed on his chest, and nodded.
The bows were made—to Heaven and Earth, to the Emperor, and to each other. The rites were complete.
Xue Liulan's gaze flickered from his new bride back to Murong Yan. "It seems you've lost a fine general today, Father-in-law."
"But the Murong family's contribution is still great, providing the royal family with a new branch," Deng Qinyao said, stroking his beard with a loud laugh.
"Indeed," Xue Feiyan added, fanning himself. "If Fifth Sister-in-law can bear a son for my brother, that'd be a real service to the throne."
Xue Liulan just laughed along. "Indeed, indeed."
Murong Jin sat alone in the wedding chamber. The dragon and phoenix candles flickered, casting a warm glow over the festive red room. Everything was perfect. Everything except her mood.
She was a married woman. It was a new life, a complete break from the reckless freedom she once had. She didn't know if she could do it, this life of careful steps and quiet smiles. But she had to try. Perhaps if she pretended for long enough, it would become the truth.
"Hungry? It's been a long day."
Xue Liulan walked in, his steps surprisingly steady. He kicked the door shut behind him and flopped into a chair by the table. "Shall we eat?"
"Before we eat, I would be very grateful if you helped me take this crown off," she said, her voice muffled by the thick red veil.
He blinked, then remembered. Royal weddings didn't require the groom to lift the veil, but he was supposed to part the tassels, symbolizing a new beginning of honesty between husband and wife.
He rose and sat beside her, gently turning her to face him. With a solemnity that surprised her, he carefully parted the pearl tassels and hooked them to the sides of her crown.
In the candlelight, her face was flushed, her eyes darting away from his.
"Shy, are we?" he teased.
She shot him a glare, but the hands in her lap were slick with cold sweat. She knew what was supposed to happen on a wedding night; the palace maids had instructed her. Still, she was terrified. Strange. She had faced down armies without fear. Why was this one man, whom she could defeat in an instant, making her heart race with panic?
"Hey, Murong Jin, are you hungry or not?"
"What? Oh, yes. Starving." They'd barely eaten or drunk all day. Even she, who was used to hardship on the frontier, was feeling it.
"Come on, I'll take you somewhere," he said, pulling her to her feet.
"Wait, wait!" She pointed a finger at the golden crown, which felt heavier than her helmet.
"Ah, right. I forgot," he coughed, sitting back down. He carefully removed the pins one by one, finally lifting the heavy crown from her head.
As the last pin came free, her hair tumbled down, dark silk spilling over her red robes.
"Murong Jin," he said, his voice soft. "You are a truly beautiful woman."
She met his eyes, her own brows arching slightly. "Weren't you hungry?"
"With beauty like this, who needs food?" he answered with a lazy smile.
She was speechless. He played the game like a master, and she was just a novice.
"Come on, let's go eat," he said, pulling her by the hand. At the door, he paused, turned back, and blew out the two red candles on the table.
She opened her mouth to stop him, but it was too late. A small sigh escaped her. What were you hoping for, Murong Jin?
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said. The darkness hid the disappointment in her eyes. The old maids had told her the wedding candles must burn through the night for a good omen, a sign the couple would grow old together. Even without love, she had hoped for a clean beginning, a complete ending.
He led her through the quiet palace to a familiar building. "The Imperial Kitchens? What are we doing here?"
"What else? We're eating," he said, pulling her inside.
The long tables were laden with leftovers from the day's feast, covered by mesh nets. The air was still thick with the scent of spices.
"Here, try this," he said, holding a pastry to her lips. "Only the imperial chefs can make it this well. Open up."
She did as she was told.
"Well? Is it to your liking?"
"Hm. The crab roe is good, but a bit rich."
"Then how about this one?" He chose another and offered it to her.
She chewed thoughtfully, then smiled. "This one is perfect."
"Then this whole plate is yours," he grinned. "But save room. We have a lot to get through."
She nodded, watching him as he carefully selected the best dishes for her. "You haven't eaten either," she said softly.
"I'm full of wine," he said with a pout. "Water-logged."
She covered a smile with her hand. "Won't they notice things are missing in the morning?"
"Of course. But they'll blame it on fox spirits, not us."
Fox spirits. True. No mortal would dare to steal from the Emperor's kitchens.
"So you come here often to… commit crimes?"
He winced. "Come on, it's my house."
Before she could reply, a voice came from outside. "I thought I heard something. I'll check."
"Damn, the patrol," Xue Liulan whispered.
Murong Jin scanned the room. "This way." She grabbed his hand and, with a single effortless leap, pulled them both up into the dark rafters.
A guard entered, looked around, and seeing nothing, left. When the door clicked shut, Murong Jin finally removed the hand she had clamped over Xue Liulan's mouth.
"Xue Liulan…" she started to whisper, then froze.
He had his chin resting on her shoulder, his face so close she could feel the warm, wine-scented puff of his breath. His arm was wrapped securely around her waist. Her face burned.
"Are they gone?" he murmured.
"Y-yes. Gone."
"Then let's go back. That wine is starting to hit me. I'm sleepy." His arm still locked around her, he led the way as they dropped back to the floor.
Once they landed, the weight on her shoulder only grew heavier, until he was leaning his full weight against her, his head buried in the crook of her neck.
"Hey, don't fall asleep on me," she said, pushing lightly at his chest.
"Not yet. Just… dizzy. You smell good, Murong Jin."
"Oh."
He tightened his arms around her, his voice suddenly clear and serious. "Love or not, I'll still take care of you. Always."
Her back went rigid. She did not answer.