Master of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 3: Arranged Marriage

Old He followed closely behind and caught up, saying, “Young Master, I will stand guard outside the door.”

Meng Tianchu nodded, thinking, I’m about to enjoy my wedding night. If you’re not standing guard outside, are you planning to come in with me?

Feiyan had already entered the room, and Meng Tianchu hurriedly lifted the curtain to follow.

The bridal chamber was divided into an inner and outer room. The outer room was for the maid, while the inner room was their private chamber. The two rooms were separated by a doorframe but no door, instead covered by a curtain embroidered with large red characters symbolizing joy.

Meng Tianchu lifted the curtain and entered the inner room. The decorations inside were even more celebratory, with a neatly folded quilt adorned with mandarin ducks on the bridal bed. Sitting by the bed was a woman in a red bridal dress and embroidered garments, her head covered with a red veil. Judging by her figure, she was graceful and slender.

Meng Tianchu’s face almost broke into a wide grin. Who would’ve thought that after traveling all this way to ancient times, the first thing I’d do is enter a bridal chamber? This is just too good to be true, he thought, forgetting all his previous fears and worries.

Feiyan walked over to the veiled bride, bent down, and whispered something. The bride let out a soft hum, a sound that, though faint, was as melodious as the notes of a flute or the strings of a zither. It filled Meng Tianchu with delight, making him itch with excitement.

Feiyan stood up and coldly said to Meng Tianchu, “Why are you just standing there like an i***t? Go on, lift the veil!”

“Alrighty!” Meng Tianchu practically hopped over to the bride. A faint, elegant fragrance enveloped him, leaving him utterly enchanted.

Tilting his head back, Meng Tianchu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Wow! Smells amazing,” he praised. Reaching out, he grabbed a corner of the veil and slowly lifted it. Bit by bit, the bride’s face was revealed—first, a pointed chin, then cherry-red lips, a high-bridged nose, and skin so fair and delicate it seemed to glow. Her large, almond-shaped eyes sparkled beneath long lashes that cast soft shadows, exuding an aura of innocence and charm.

If Feiyan was already a rare beauty, then this bride was nothing short of a heavenly goddess descended to earth.

Meng Tianchu gently removed the veil entirely, staring at the stunning beauty under the red bridal crown. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest with joy.

Unfortunately, the bride’s icy gaze quickly dispelled some of his enthusiasm. Her cold demeanor made the atmosphere a bit uncomfortable.

Feiyan, standing nearby, snapped, “The veil’s off. What are you still doing here? Get out!”

“Get out? To where?” Meng Tianchu asked, feeling a bit dumbfounded.

Feiyan glared at him. “Anywhere you like! Weren’t you just fooling around in the garden with that vixen Haitang? Go find her again! Or head to the brothels to meet your other mistresses!”

Meng Tianchu finally began to piece things together. Clearly, the young master whose body he now inhabited was a notorious playboy, which had understandably upset his new bride. Trying to smooth things over, he bowed and said, “I was just—” But before he could finish, he realized that the original young master had been caught red-handed fooling around with a maid named Haitang just before his soul took over. How could he possibly explain that?

Before Meng Tianchu could fabricate a convincing lie, the bride cut him off coldly. “Enough. I don’t care what you’ve done, and I don’t want to know. We’ve already agreed to be a couple in name only for a year. Now, please leave.”

“A couple in name only? For a year?” Meng Tianchu muttered, feeling dizzy. “What’s going on?”

The bride stared at him icily. “Don’t forget, I married you only because I didn’t want my father to be seen as someone who breaks promises. Since our families arranged this marriage when we were children, and your parents are no longer around, our Xia family upheld our word. But this marriage is just for appearances. Don’t expect to set foot in my room again. That’s all I have to say. Now, leave.”

Hearing this, Meng Tianchu finally understood. The bride had no intention of marrying him but was forced into this arrangement by an archaic promise between their families. These feudal arranged marriages are truly disastrous! he thought.

If the young master I replaced really was fooling around with another woman on his wedding night, then he deserved all the scorn, Meng Tianchu mused. But I’m different. Before time-traveling, I was a forensic graduate from the police academy. I’m certainly worthy of someone like her… not that I can explain that right now.

Knowing women often responded well to sweet talk, Meng Tianchu forced a smile and said sincerely, “I can change. Will that do?”

Even he was moved by the heartfelt tone of his words, but the bride remained unmoved. “Forget it. Let’s each live our own lives. We’ve already agreed: after a year, you’ll write me a divorce letter, and we’ll go our separate ways.”

Divorce letter? Meng Tianchu thought, the term ringing a bell. Isn’t that how ancient couples separated? How absurd to set a divorce date on their wedding night. This is nothing but a sham marriage. Realizing the Xia family likely staged this union to avoid accusations of being fickle or snobbish, Meng Tianchu sighed inwardly.

Feiyan gave him a sharp shove, catching him off guard and almost causing him to trip. Annoyed, he thought, I may not have much pride, but I’ve got my dignity. If this is just a game, there’s no need to chase after someone who doesn’t want me. I’ll treat this as a fleeting dream.

Straightening himself, Meng Tianchu sighed. “It seems the flower longs for the brook, but the brook feels nothing for the flower. Very well, let’s part ways. Farewell!” Snapping his heels together, he gave a mock military salute, spun on his heels, and marched out.

Though his police academy training made his movements look sharp, he wasn’t paying attention and tripped over the doorframe, stumbling forward several steps before regaining his balance. As he steadied himself, he heard the door slam shut behind him.