Chiyou and the wet nurse were released.
She was about to go and rest properly when she was disturbed by a maidservant who barged in. First, she had to bathe, then have her makeup done. After a series of applications, she let them have their way with her.
Who knew what that beast would do next? She had been confined in the secret room embroidering sachets for so many days, and she was so tired that she couldn't be bothered to think.
When she heard familiar footsteps behind her, she gradually came to her senses.
In the phoenix-shaped bronze mirror, a face as enchanting as a painting was reflected, with a hint of a white figure behind her.
"Bring the wedding dress in."
Maidservants carrying trays filed in, on which were placed the crimson wedding dress, the veil, the phoenix coronet, and embroidered shoes.
Chiyou turned to look at him, "What are you doing?"
Liu Rongruo stared at her face and said calmly, "Try on the wedding dress."
"Heh," Chiyou sneered and spread her hands. "Does Prime Minister not remember, I am not your bride."
"If you don't marry me, who do you want my child to recognize as its father?"
Chiyou didn't care at all, "Just get rid of it."
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere around them became chilling and icy. The maidservants and wet nurses waiting nearby all lowered their heads, daring not to speak.
Liu Rongruo's expression remained unchanged. He walked to her side, looked at the person sitting on the stool, grabbed her neck, and said in a low voice.
"Marry me or not?"
His hand on her neck did not exert force, and she looked up at him.
"Is the Prime Minister threatening me?"
He ignored her words, tightened his grip on her neck, and his voice deepened.
"Marry me or not!"
Chiyou remained silent, staring at him.
Liu Rongruo looked at her a few times, then suddenly leaned down, tightening his grip on her neck. His lips brushed past her ear, his breath scattering on the nape of her neck, making it tingle and feel cold.
"Marry me or not."
Chiyou was furious at his coercion, but she couldn't help but think of the plan she had discussed with Xuan Qing. She suppressed her emotions and tried to pry his hand off.
Liu Rongruo glanced at her sideways and slightly loosened his grip.
"If the Prime Minister is willing to marry me, then I will obey."
Her voice was faint, betraying no discernible emotion.
Liu Rongruo raised an eyebrow, and his gloomy expression softened.
"Help her change."
This fiery red wedding dress was made of the finest floating light brocade, embroidered with lifelike phoenixes. Especially the golden feather butterflies on the ceremonial scarf, which seemed to come alive under the lamplight.
Liu Rongruo sat in a chair, propping his head with one hand, quietly watching the figure behind the screen.
Even through the screen, Chiyou could feel his gaze.
She rolled her eyes and put on the wedding dress with disdain.
It was too complex and ornate, with layer upon layer, making it troublesome to wear.
After she finished changing, the maidservants, with their keen eyes, retreated.
Liu Rongruo watched her emerge, his eyes darkening slightly.
Since arriving in the capital, she had rarely worn red. Her sudden appearance in such a fiery and vibrant wedding dress made her delicate features appear even fairer and more radiant.
The palace lanterns in the corners of the room were lit. Chiyou, with her graceful posture, walked towards him. The tassels of the phoenix coronet on her head and the pearls adorning her body sparkled under the candlelight.
"Does the Prime Minister like it?"
Liu Rongruo beckoned to her, "Come here."
Chiyou pursed her lips, paused for a moment, and then walked towards him.
As she got close, he casually pulled her into his embrace.
She struggled and frowned, "What are you doing?"
He didn't speak. He took off the phoenix coronet from her head and set it aside.
"Isn't it heavy?"
"You're the one who made me wear it."
Liu Rongruo looked at her and chuckled lightly.
He quietly gazed at her for a few moments, then suddenly removed her hairpin. Her long black hair instantly cascaded down, spreading over the wedding dress, making her appear even more radiant and charming.
Chiyou uncomfortably tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and lowered her eyelids.
Liu Rongruo tightened his arm around her waist and leaned down.
"Do you like it?"
Chiyou's back trembled, and she said faintly, "The clothes in the Central Plains are very complicated."
But in her heart, she had to admit that this wedding dress was truly beautiful, especially the golden feather butterflies on the ceremonial scarf. Under the lamplight, they were like clusters of flowing radiance, enough to make countless beauties pale in comparison.
"I've seen the clothes you wear when you get married in Southern Xinjiang. They're very ugly."
"---"
A surge of wicked anger rose in Chiyou's heart, and she deliberately said, "It's your appearance that's ugly."
Liu Rongruo raised an eyebrow, "This is the first time anyone has described me like this."
After he spoke, he lightly lifted her chin and leaned closer.
The two were very close, and the refreshing, cold scent of snow and frost enveloped them.
Chiyou wanted to retreat, but his hand held her waist tightly. She could only crane her neck back.
"I'm tired. Can I change my clothes and go to sleep?"
"Kiss me."
He stared intently at her lips, his longing undisguised.
Chiyou's palms resting on his shoulders felt hot, and she remained motionless for a long time.
Liu Rongruo's eyes darkened, and the hand holding her waist tightened.
Feeling the pain, she straightened her body and pecked him lightly.
But that devious, cunning beast grabbed her head and plunged his tongue into her mouth, engaging in a passionate and lingering kiss.
Chiyou pushed him with her hands, but he actually began to tear at her wedding dress, kissing her downwards from her cheeks, chin, and neck, leaving behind red marks from his kisses.
She gasped for breath, her eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.
Liu Rongruo held her waist and hips, looking at the charming woman in his arms, and clasped her hands.
Chiyou's palms felt hot, and she glared at him.
Liu Rongruo noticed and lowered his head to kiss her lips again and again, without end.
As she dodged, she saw the sachet he wore at his waist and asked.
"What does a sachet represent in the Central Plains?"
It was so ugly, yet he could wear it.
Liu Rongruo's eyes turned scarlet, and his voice was hoarse.
"Ask someone else."
Chiyou, "---"
What an attitude.
"I don't bother asking you."
Liu Rongruo followed her gaze to the sachet at his waist and said, "Don't embarrass yourself with your embroidery in the future."
Chiyou retorted, "It's already very good for the first time. I didn't beg the Prime Minister to wear it either."
Her embroidery was ugly, but after all, she had just started using a needle, so it was already quite good.
'Oh, your hands are meant for wielding weapons, not for delicate work like this.'
She inexplicably felt he was being sarcastic.
Chiyou was annoyed and pinched him hard.
However, she heard his contented sigh from beside her ear.
She couldn't help but feel a jolt in her heart, and the shame and anger in her eyes flashed by.
The wind outside blew in gently through the window.
Chiyou slumped in his arms, her arms so tired that she could barely lift them.
After an unknown amount of time, the moon was high in the sky outside, and the thrushes on the branches chirped noisily, their sounds entering the room.
He finally let her go.
Chiyou pushed him away and went to the washroom behind.
Her wedding dress was strewn on the floor by him. She was only wearing a thin inner gauze, swaying gracefully.
Liu Rongruo followed her in, holding a porcelain bottle.
"To injure yourself while embroidering the simplest sachet, aren't you stupid?"
Chiyou looked at the tiny wound on her palm and retorted sarcastically.
"Didn't you cause it?"
Liu Rongruo grabbed her hand and applied medicine, saying calmly, "If I can buy silver bells for your little childhood sweetheart, is it too much to ask for a sachet for me?"
Chiyou couldn't be bothered with his words and didn't want to think too much. After he finished applying the medicine, she simply wrapped herself in her clothes and went into the inner room.