Chapter 301: Chapter 298: Marital Crisis

They soon reached the platform top.

The platform top was a wide and flat elevated stage.

The stage was paved with the finest Han white jade.

Now, a layer of red carpet also covered the white jade floor.

Standing at a certain distance apart, the two of them were on the red carpet, looking down upon innumerable subjects.

The ceremony began.

Director of the Imperial Observatory, Chu Jun, recited the long congratulatory speech, “In the New Year’s Tenth Year, Emperor Xuan of Da He V, He Ying, hereby announces to Heaven and Earth, to the ancestral temples–”

At this moment, heaven and earth were solemn.

The whole world fell silent.

Except for the Qingning Palace.

As the bridal chamber, the security here was extremely tight, with guards encircling the area in three layers.

Where there were many people, there was a lively atmosphere.

The guards also chatted idly:

“Alas, what a pity that we cannot witness the grand spectacle of the Emperor’s royal wedding.”

“I heard that there was bloodshed over at the Chengtian Platform, and the Emperor severely punished a number of ministers.”

“It must be their opposition to the Emperor marrying the Empress again! I’m puzzled, the Empress is so good, what are they opposing for?”

“The Empress is indeed a good person. It’s just that her background isn’t great.”

“Our Emperor never judges people based on their background. Take Mr. Pei, for instance–I heard he’s even the son of the Regent King, Pei Zhen!”

“That Pei Zhen is a great traitor! The late Emperor lived a stifled life under his rule!”

“Even the current Emperor, when he was young, suffered much at his hands. But look, the Emperor still reappointed him.”

“It just shows the Emperor’s magnanimity!”

“I couldn’t do it, if it were up to me, I would never want a woman with a husband-killing fate–”

The guards’ casual conversation stopped here.

They were interrupted by a sharp rebuke: “Audacity! Who are you to gossip about the Emperor and Empress!”

The speaker was Nanny Hu.

She led the Palace Attendants into the room to inspect and perfect the bridal chamber.

Among the group of palace maids was an extremely frail and pale woman.

It was Sang Ruoshui.

Dressed in a palace maid’s outfit, Sang Ruoshui covered her mouth and lowered her head, blending into the group of palace maids as she entered the Qingning Palace.

Nanny Hu was left glowering at the guard who had spoken out of turn.

The guards were originally supposed to carefully check everyone and everything entering or leaving the Qingning Palace, but with this incident, they no longer had the time.

First, Nanny Hu held a high position and was highly regarded by the Emperor and Empress, which gave her a significant influence.

Second, they had been careless with their words and knew that if this were to escalate, it could mean losing their heads.

No one wanted to make a scene.

So they admitted their mistakes and sought to ingratiate themselves, slapping their own faces.

“Oh dear, dear Nanny Hu, it was our fault for not watching our mouths. Your grace is vast; please be generous in your forgiveness.”

“Yes, we were gossipy. Please don’t stoop to our level, ma’am.”

“Nanny Hu, today is a joyful day for the Emperor, and I see you’re in high spirits too! Look at that complexion, as radiant as a young lady in her twenties!”

…

They surrounded her with flattering words.

Nanny Hu, who was of a certain age, felt flattered being complimented by a group of young men.

Especially since her primary goal was to help Sang Ruoshui enter the Qingning Palace, she had only scolded them to divert their attention.

Now that her task was complete, she smiled as well: “Alright, I’ll spare you this time! Be sure to think before you speak in the future! Otherwise, if someone else hears, you can say goodbye to your heads!”

“Yes, Nanny Hu’s words are all too correct.”

The guards nodded and echoed in agreement.

Pleased with their response, Nanny Hu strode into the Qingning Palace.

Inside the palace

Palace Attendants bustled about.

Red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds were scattered over the wedding bed, symbolizing the wish for early childbirth.

The wedding wine was kept warm on the stove.

The incense in the censer was also replaced.

“Lover’s Sleep” was indeed an exquisite creation.

Sang Ruoshui lay on the wedding bed, eyes half-closed, lost in its intoxicating effect.

Suddenly, the sound of celebratory music rose from outside.

Presumably, the royal wedding ceremony had ended.

What followed would be He Ying taking Sang Yan back to the marital chamber.

Oh, Sang Yan!

You do not deserve happiness!

Sang Ruoshui gritted her teeth and sat up, perking her ears to listen to the noises outside.

Time slipped away in silence.

The incense from the censer grew stronger and stronger.

No one knew how long they had waited before the voices of the guards and palace attendants came from outside:

“Congratulations to the Emperor on his auspicious marriage!”

“Congratulations to the Emperor and the Empress, may their union last a hundred years!”

“Congratulations–”

…

All words of beautiful congratulations.

Sang Ruoshui listened with an indifferent expression, concealed behind the bed curtains, silently gathering her strength–

One step.

Another step.

They were getting closer and closer.

“Ah Yan, tired? Rest now.”

He Ying said gently, tenderly supporting Sang Yan as they walked towards the wedding bed.

At that moment, he had married the woman he loved, his gaze fixed solely on her.

He was too happy.

So happy that his body was slow to react.

He didn’t notice the figure hiding behind the bed curtains.

Including the suddenly thrusting, glittering knife!

“Die!”

Sang Ruoshui shouted, plunging the knife into He Ying’s heart.

Her movement was too fast.

Her body was supposedly weak and powerless, yet from somewhere she found the strength to truly plunge the blade deep into his heart.

He Ying couldn’t avoid it in time.

“Ergh–”

His pupils contracted, unbelievingly staring at the woman who was laughing wildly.

“Hahaha, He Ying, you’re mine!”

Sang Ruoshui lunged to embrace him.

It would be perfect if he died in her arms!

He Ying, clutching his wound, staggered back two steps, and then his foot lashed out: “Cheap woman! You should–should die!”

He had not expected Sang Ruoshui to attack him, let alone succeed.

The fear of death crept over him–he couldn’t die! He had just married Sang Yan! He had to live happily ever after with Sang Yan! He couldn’t die! What would happen to Sang Yan if he died? She, cursed with a husband-killing fate, would not survive having killed him too!

But why was everything blurring before his eyes?

Blood was flowing out quickly.

Drip by drip, it fell onto the floor, soon gathering into small puddles.

Sang Ruoshui received a kick from him.

Her weak body was thrown far away like a leaf in the wind.

Then she crashed to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“Hahaha–”

Spitting blood, she looked at him, both crying and laughing: “He Ying, this is what you owe me! You owe me!”

She was insane!

Sang Yan too was going insane!

“…He Ying!”

Startled into silence, she finally cried out in shock.

“Someone come!”

“The Emperor is injured!”

“Quick, call the Imperial–”

Her voice broke from screaming.

Tears cascaded down.

“What to do? What now… Oh heavens…”

With a raspy voice and trembling hands, she supported He Ying’s faltering body.

He Ying’s face was deathly pale, his head dizzy and eyes swimming, trying to speak, but it was difficult to form complete sentences: “Don’t be… afraid… I’m… I’m alright… don’t cry… be good…”

He raised his hand which was originally pressing on the gushing wound but now he couldn’t care less, only wanting to wipe away her tears.

Instead, he smeared fresh blood all over her face.

Sang Yan cried in despair: “No, you can’t! He Ying, you must hold on! Promise me, you won’t leave me!”

She hugged him tightly, clearly feeling his body’s warmth slipping away.

“No! No way!”

She held him tighter, wanting to warm him: “Xinyuan, if you dare let something happen, I’ll join you!”

“Silly… fool… you must… be good… be good…”

His voice grew weaker and weaker.

The once firm and gentle gaze in his eyes gradually dissolved.