The wedding scene was just as lively as the grand ceremony at the Crown Prince’s residence that day. After all, everyone wanted to see if the woman who had married the two most promising princes of Beixi within half a month could stir up even greater drama.
The joyful music filled the air, and the guests were in high spirits, though no one dared to glance at the Crown Prince.
Xiao Hanjin stood in the crowd, his tall and upright figure wrapped in a dark brocade robe. His expression was inscrutable, making it impossible to discern his emotions. He stood at the entrance with his hands behind his back, his imposing presence starkly out of place amidst the festive atmosphere.
“The bride has arrived!”
The sudden announcement from the wedding officiant caused the surrounding noise and excitement to grow even louder.
The man’s handsome face remained tense, showing no sign of emotion. He merely lifted his gaze indifferently toward the direction of the announcement.
The bride, dressed in red wedding attire, wore a veil that obscured her face, leaving only a faint outline visible through the thin red fabric.
He suddenly remembered that on the day of their wedding, she hadn’t even had the chance to wear a red veil.
And then it dawned on him—her wedding with another man was far more complete than the one she had with him.
Hah.
He curled his lips slightly, his dark, intense gaze fixed on her face as he watched her being carried into the main hall by the officiant, stepping over the fire basin, and slowly making her way toward the wedding hall.
For a moment, he felt as though she had seen him and was walking toward him.
But when she passed by him without even a glance in his direction, he abruptly realized that even if she had seen him, she wasn’t coming for him.
“The auspicious hour has arrived! Bow to heaven and earth!”
The master of ceremonies’ booming voice cut through the crowd, and the surrounding noise instantly quieted.
Xiao Hanjin’s pupils contracted slightly.
He watched as Di Ronghua stood beside Xiao Yixun, the two of them dressed in matching wedding attire, and the unbearably bright smile on Xiao Yixun’s face…
Yes, it was unbearable.
“First bow to heaven and earth!”
Di Ronghua’s heart was filled with a mix of melancholy and relief, the emotions so tangled that she couldn’t tell which was stronger.
Earlier, in the crowd, she had spotted Xiao Hanjin at a glance and had been watching him.
But after today, she would no longer look at him—even if this was all a pretense, she would play the role of a proper “princess consort.” At least until this arrangement was dissolved, she would remain absolutely loyal.
As this thought solidified in her mind, she slowly and resolutely bent forward to bow.
But at that moment, a sudden exclamation erupted from behind!
“Ah…”
Before Di Ronghua could react, her wrist was abruptly seized.
The emperor’s stern voice rang out, “Xiao Hanjin!”
“Crown Prince, what are you doing?”
“Today is the wedding of the second prince and the princess of Xiliang. Even if you once had a marriage contract with her, that’s all in the past!”
“You should let her continue with the ceremony!”
“…”
One after another, voices filled with both persuasion and a hint of schadenfreude rose around them.
Xiao Yixun’s expression turned completely cold, his eyes gleaming with icy impatience, “Xiao Hanjin, let her go.”
A low laugh, tinged with mockery, followed, “And if I refuse?”
Di Ronghua abruptly pulled off her wedding veil, the sudden light causing her to squint. Yet her expression remained icy and impassive as she turned to the man gripping her arm, “Crown Prince, what are you doing?”
