The next morning everyone woke up unusually early. The entire household already buzzing with preparation for the day ahead. Luo He stepped outside and found Jin Mulan in the courtyard. She was practicing.
Her practice sword cut through the air with sharp yet controlled movements as she struck a training dummy again and again. Each hit carried weight and precision mixed with restrained frustration.
Luo He watched for a moment before speaking. "I see you're clearly frustrated. Are things moving too fast for you?" Jin Mulan paused lowering her sword slightly. "Yes." She admitted, her voice calm but edged.
"Things are moving faster than expected. My family's ambitions are excessive. They want to invite every count and their families from surrounding regions along with wealthy merchant clans from almost all of those counts."
Her gaze was distant slightly irritated.
Her practice uniform is hugged her athletic frame highlighting every one of her perfect curves and her stiff muscles honed through years of rigorous training. Every one of her movements perfectly refined through years of relentless training.
Luo He nodded. "As your soon-to-be husband, I can help you with that." Without another word he turned and left.
He soon found his future mother-in-law selecting dresses. "Mother-in-law," Luo He said naturally without hesitation.
She stiffened slightly at the title. "Inviting too many people is not a good idea," he continued. "The more officials present, the more obvious our scheme becomes. It is better to keep this as low-key as possible." He paused briefly.
"I came to you because I knew you would understand this better than the lord." Her expression darkened instantly. A mere commoner who had not even married into the family yet but dared to speak so casually, even implying disrespect toward her husband.
Yet… she said nothing. Instead she turned away hiding the strange mix of irritation and quiet satisfaction. Though offended she could not deny feeling slightly flattered by his confidence and his subtle acknowledgment of her intelligence.
After a long day of adjustments and preparations, the plan was changed.
The grand celebration was reduced to a more controlled gathering limited to select wealthy merchants of the Prosperous Silk Isle and high-ranking officials connected to the household.
Even then Nearly five hundred guests remained. The evening fell, the estate was transformed. Lanterns of red and gold lined every pathway, their warm glow illuminating the night like scattered stars.
Silk banners fluttered gently in the breeze, embroidered with intricate patterns symbolizing prosperity and unity. The air carried the soft scent of incense and fresh flowers.
Guests filled the courtyard, their voices blending into a low hum of conversation, admiration and curiosity. Then the ceremony began.
Luo He stood at the front dressed in formal robes of deep crimson and black the colours of both dignity and power. His posture was straight and his expression calm though his sharp eyes observed everything.
Then Jin Mulan appeared for a moment.
The entire courtyard fell silent. She wore a magnificent red bridal gown woven with golden threads that shimmered with every step.
Her presence was breath-taking not just in beauty but in elegance and strength. Even dressed as a bride she carried herself like a proud warrior would in the battle field.
Their eyes met briefly. No words were exchanged. Yet understanding passed between them. The rituals proceeded bows exchanged, vows spoken, wine shared before the ancestors. Every movement was precise, deliberate and symbolic.
Then came the part both of them dreaded the most. The endless exchange of pleasantries with the guests. Side by side, they faced it together.
In a strange way enduring this ordeal made them understand each other better. They held hands and did this as a couple but both of them two cold people felt a slight warmth doing this with the other at their sides.
They moved from one group to another greeting each family in turn. Almost every interaction was the same. Smiles that didn't quite reach the eyes, polite words of "happiness" and "prosperity" repeated over and over like a rehearsed script.
The air felt heavy with formality. After every five or six groups the couple would quietly retreat for a brief moment stepping away from the crowd.
In those short breaks they shared their frustration in hushed voices both clearly exhausted by the hollow ritual. More often than not Jin Mulan found herself thanking Luo He.
He had a talent for slipping them out of conversations subtly redirecting attention, ending discussions without offense, and guiding them away before things dragged on too long.
In truth He was doing it for himself as much as for her. To the guests, Luo He was nothing more than a low-born man who had somehow married into the family. Most paid him little attention, their focus entirely on Jin Mulan.
If they had known his true identity…
everything would have been different.
They would have ignored Jin Mulan completely and scrambled at his feet instead to gain his favour.
After all he was the prince of the Flame Kingdom ruling over all the 9 countries. Someone like even an emperor in one of the 9 nations would show respect towards him with a fully kneeling bow.
But here, Luo He was no one. And he preferred it that way. At last after greeting nearly everyone the two returned to the main stage. They sat together finally allowing a moment of rest. Wine was brought.
Jin Mulan poured generously and began drinking without restraint clearly eager to escape the exhaustion of the evening. Cup after cup, she drank. Her movements still composed but noticeably more relaxed.
Beside her Luo He barely sipped. While she had already finished five cups. He had not even completed one. It wasn't that she had lost control, it was simply that Luo He chose not to indulge.
Across the gathering, most of the guests were already several cups deep their voices louder and their manners looser. Only a small handful remained restrained.
Those were the people like Luo He who neither trust the people surrounding him nor the influence of alcohol. The night continued under the glow of lantern light.
After Jin Mulan had nearly filled herself with wine, the food was finally served.
Servants moved gracefully through the hall placing dish after dish upon the tables. The aroma of rich spices and freshly prepared delicacies filled the air, drawing the attention of every guest.
Both of them began to eat. Jin Mulan ate steadily her earlier tension easing slightly under the warmth of the wine and the comfort of food.
Luo He however was less impressed. Even at such a grand banquet the dishes felt… lacking. He took a bite chewing slowly his expression barely changing.
Not even half as good as what he got at the palace. Back in the palace things had been different. No matter how skilled the royal chefs were, they could never match one person in culinary skills. His mother.
Despite being the queen she insisted on cooking at least one meal per day for her family. Her food carried something no technique could replicate. She once said her secret ingredient was love. And somehow it made all the difference.
Luo He set his chopsticks down for a moment and turned toward Jin Mulan.
"Did the wine help?" he asked, a faint trace of sarcasm in his voice. But in her slightly intoxicated state, she didn't catch it.
"It did," she replied simply, her tone more relaxed than before. He studied her for a moment. "So… how much can you actually drink?" Jin Mulan straightened slightly a hint of pride surfacing despite the wine.
"Ten cups," she said confidently. Luo He raised an eyebrow clearly unconvinced at least on the surface. But in truth given her physique, discipline, and strong will, it was entirely believable.
Still he leaned back slightly a faint smirk forming. "Is that so?" There was a subtle challenge in his tone. And the night was far from over.
Driven by her pride Jin Mulan lifted the cup again. Then another and another.
Without hesitation she drank five more cups in quick succession her expression steady and her movements controlled not a single flinch betraying her effort.
For a moment it seemed as though she had proven her point. But then it hit. A wave of drowsiness and dizziness washed over her. The world around her blurred slightly the lantern lights stretching and swaying in her vision.
Her breathing grew uneven and the strength in her posture began to falter.
She forced herself to remain upright.
But her once perfect composure the straight back, the unwavering stillness began to slip.
Across from her Luo He watched quietly.
Then 'Clap' He brought his hands together once a light deliberate applause
"Well done," he said calmly a faint smile playing on his lips.
There was a hint of amusement in his voice subtle but unmistakable. Only then did Jin Mulan realize. She had fallen right into his trap.