The Rejected Moon Bride of the celestial dynasty

Li Yuexin’s POV I knew something was wrong the moment my mother told me to wear the moon-white dress. She had never chosen my clothes for a royal gathering before. Usually, Madam Li would stand behind me with a dozen opinions about my hair, my jewellery and whether the colour of my dress made me look too serious. Today, however, she had said almost nothing. That frightened me more than the royal invitation itself. I stood before the bronze mirror as my maid, Lan’er, carefully adjusted the silver hairpin above my ear. The dress flowed around me like pale moonlight, embroidered with tiny flowers that only became visible whenever I moved. “You look beautiful,” Lan’er said. I glanced at her through the mirror. “You're smiling too much.” Her smile disappeared. “I wasn't smiling.” “You were.” “I was smiling because you look beautiful.” “You're hiding something.” Lan’er immediately looked away. That confirmed it. I turned around. “What happened?” “Nothing.” “Lan’er.” She sighed. “Your parents have been discussing something since dawn.” My stomach tightened. “What?” “I don't know.” “You do know.” She looked at me helplessly. “Lady Yuexin, I only heard them mention the Crown Prince.” The room suddenly became very quiet. The Crown Prince. Zhao Wuchen. Even hearing his name made something uncomfortable twist inside my chest. I had seen him only a handful of times. Everyone in the capital knew who he was. Crown Prince Zhao Wuchen, heir to the Han Dynasty, military commander, son of Emperor Zhao Tian and the man whose presence could silence an entire hall without him saying a word. He was admired by nobles. Feared by ministers. And worshipped by women who had never spoken to him. I had never understood the fascination. Perhaps because every time I saw him, he looked like a man who had no interest in being admired. He was simply cold. Untouchable. And entirely too powerful. “Why would my parents discuss him?” I asked. Lan’er hesitated. “I don't know.” A knock sounded. Before I could answer, my mother entered. Madam Li looked elegant as always, but today there was tension behind her eyes. She looked at me from head to toe. “You're ready.” “Yes.” She smiled faintly. “You look like your grandmother did at your age.” I smiled. “Is that a compliment?” “It is.” She came closer and adjusted the necklace around my neck. Her fingers trembled. I noticed. “Mother.” She stopped. “Why are you nervous?” “I'm not.” “You are.” She looked into my eyes. For a moment, I thought she might tell me something. Instead, she simply said, “Tonight, whatever happens, remember who you are.” I frowned. “What does that mean?” She touched my cheek. “You are a Li.” Before I could ask another question, my father appeared at the doorway. Duke Li Jian was smiling. That was unusual too. “Yuexin.” “Father.” “We should leave.” I looked between my parents. Neither would meet my eyes. That was when I knew. Something had already been decided. And I was the last person to know. The royal palace was brighter than usual. Lanterns illuminated the courtyard, musicians played beneath the golden pavilion, and nobles from every major family had gathered for the imperial tea party. The moment I stepped into the courtyard, conversations seemed to shift. People looked at me. Some smiled. Others whispered. I lowered my eyes. “Why are they staring?” I asked Lan’er. She leaned closer. “Because you're the daughter of Duke Li Jian.” “That doesn't explain anything.” She looked towards the imperial pavilion. “It might.” I followed her gaze. The Crown Prince was there. Zhao Wuchen stood beside his father. He was dressed in black and silver ceremonial robes, his dark hair tied neatly behind him. He looked exactly as I remembered. Cold. Controlled. Untouchable. But today, something about him was different. His eyes found mine. For a moment, we stared at each other. His expression did not change. Then he looked away. I released a breath I hadn't realised I was holding. “Interesting,” Lan’er whispered. “What?” “He looked at you.” “He looked at everyone.” “No.” She shook her head. “He looked at you differently.” I ignored her. My father led me towards the Emperor. “Duke Li,” Emperor Zhao Tian greeted warmly. My father bowed. “Your Majesty.” My mother and I followed. “Lady Yuexin,” the Emperor said. I bowed. “Your Majesty.” He smiled. “I have heard much about you.” I kept my expression polite. “Only good things, I hope.” The Emperor laughed. “A clever girl.” My father smiled proudly. I noticed Crown Prince Wuchen standing behind him. His expression remained unreadable. The Emperor raised his cup. “Tonight is not merely a gathering.” My father's smile widened. My stomach dropped. There it was. The secret everyone had been keeping from me. “The Han Dynasty has enjoyed peace between the imperial family and the Li household for generations,” the Emperor continued. “It is time we strengthened that bond.” I slowly turned towards my father. He looked delighted. My mother looked worried. The Emperor continued. “Therefore, the imperial family proposes a marriage between Crown Prince Zhao Wuchen and Lady Li Yuexin.” The courtyard erupted in applause. I heard congratulations. Laughter. Whispers. Someone beside me said that it was the perfect union. I heard none of it properly. My ears were ringing. Marriage? To him? I looked at Wuchen. For the first time, his expression changed. His eyes hardened. He looked towards his father. “Father.” The Emperor raised one hand. “Not tonight.” Wuchen's jaw tightened. Then his eyes returned to me. There was no happiness in them. Not even curiosity. Only irritation. As if I were an inconvenience that had suddenly been placed in front of him. My heart sank. I lowered my eyes. “Yuexin.” My father's voice brought me back. He was smiling. “You should greet the Crown Prince.” I forced myself to move. I walked towards Wuchen. Every step felt heavier than the last. When I stopped before him, I bowed. “Your Highness.” He stared at me. “You agree to this?” His voice was low. I looked up. “I wasn't asked.” Something flickered in his eyes. Perhaps surprise. Perhaps amusement. Then it disappeared. “Neither was I.” I swallowed. “Then we have something in common.” For the first time, the corner of his mouth moved. Not a smile. Almost one. Then he looked away. “I don't want this marriage.” The words were quiet. But they still cut. I stared at him. “Neither do I.” He looked back at me. “Good.” Then he walked away. I stood there, humiliated. Around us, the nobles continued celebrating as if nothing had happened. My father came towards me. “Don't worry about him.” I forced a smile. “I'm not.” But I was. Not because I wanted him. I barely knew him. It was because something inside me had just realised that I had been handed over to a man who already regretted receiving me. The wedding was arranged within weeks. The entire capital prepared for it. Red silk covered the streets. Palace bells rang every morning. Our families exchanged gifts. My mother taught me the rituals I needed to remember. Lan’er spent hours helping me choose jewellery. My father was happier than I had ever seen him. Everyone seemed excited. Everyone except me. And Wuchen. I saw him twice before the wedding. Neither time did he speak to me. Then, on the morning of my wedding, everything changed. I was sitting in my room while Lan’er adjusted my veil when the palace bells suddenly stopped. A moment later, shouting erupted outside. I stood. “What is happening?” Lan’er rushed to the window. Then she froze. “Lady Yuexin.” “What?” “There are imperial guards outside.” My blood ran cold. “Why?” Before she could answer, the doors burst open. Several guards entered. Behind them stood Zhao Ming, the Crown Prince's closest friend and captain of the imperial guard. He looked at me with an expression I had never seen before. Regret. “Lady Li Yuexin.” I stepped backwards. “What happened?” He lowered his eyes. “Your father has been accused of treason.” The world stopped. “What?” “Duke Li Jian has been arrested.” My knees nearly gave way. “No.” Lan’er grabbed my arm. “No, that cannot be true.” Zhao Ming looked miserable. “The Emperor has ordered the entire Li household to be investigated.” I stared at him. “But today is my wedding.” He said nothing. A second group of guards appeared. And then I heard his voice. “Cancel the wedding.” I turned. Wuchen stood at the doorway. He was still dressed in his ceremonial robes. But the man who had looked at me with cold indifference days ago was gone. His face was harder. His silver eyes were filled with fury. I walked towards him. “Your Highness.” He looked at me. “Is it true?” “I don't know what you're talking about.” “Your father has been accused of treason.” “My father would never betray the Emperor.” His eyes narrowed. “There is evidence.” “Evidence can be fabricated.” The room went silent. Wuchen stared at me. “You expect me to believe that?” “I expect you to believe that my father is innocent until he is proven guilty.” “You are his daughter.” “And you are supposed to be his future son-in-law.” His expression darkened. For one second, I thought I had reached him. Then he said the words that would destroy everything. “There will be no wedding.” My heart cracked. “What?” “I cannot marry the daughter of a traitor.” I stared at him. “You haven't even investigated the evidence.” “I have seen enough.” “No.” I shook my head. “You're wrong.” He turned away. “Take her away from here.” I felt the room spinning. “Wuchen.” He stopped. I had never called him by his name before. He slowly turned. “You will regret this.” His expression remained cold. “I don't think I will.” Then he walked away. The doors closed behind him. And just like that, I stopped being the future Crown Princess. I became the daughter of a traitor. My family name disappeared overnight. Our wealth was seized. Our servants were dismissed. My father was taken away. My mother was placed under investigation. And I was left standing in a wedding dress that would never become a bride's gown. That night, Lan’er found me in the courtyard. I had removed my jewellery. My hair was falling apart. My wedding dress was stained with dust. “Lady Yuexin.” I looked at her. “Don't call me that anymore.” She knelt beside me. “You're still you.” I laughed softly. “Am I?” She held my hand. “We need to leave.” I looked at her. “Where?” “Anywhere.” I looked back at the palace. The place where I had been promised a future that had disappeared in a single afternoon. I touched my stomach. Something felt strange. I didn't understand it yet. But I would soon. I stood. “Then let's disappear.” That night, while the entire capital believed the disgraced Lady Li had either been imprisoned or killed, Lan’er helped me escape through a hidden passage. I left without saying goodbye. I left without knowing whether my father was alive. I left without knowing whether my mother was safe. And I left believing the Crown Prince had simply rejected me because he thought I was worthless. I did not know that the evidence against my family was a lie. I did not know that someone inside the palace had planned everything. And I certainly did not know that the child growing inside me belonged to the very man who had just destroyed my life. Five years later, Crown Prince Zhao Wuchen would look into the eyes of two children and finally realise the woman he had thrown away had never been the enemy. By then, it would be far too late.