Chapter 4- Bound By Wedding Vows 1
1338 Words
The morning sun spilled golden light across Jianghu Palace, setting the red silks and banners aflame. The palace courtyard buzzed with activity-maids hurrying with trays, guards lining the entrance, musicians tuning their instruments for the send-off.
Inside the princess's chamber, Ling Yu'er sat in front of a tall bronze mirror. Her hair was pinned up with golden ornaments, each glinting like drops of fire, while a delicate phoenix crown rested lightly on her head. Layers of scarlet silk cascaded around her, embroidered with dragons and phoenixes that seemed ready to leap from the fabric.
Li Tian leaned over her shoulder, adjusting one last pin before stepping back with a grin. "Princess, if you smile any wider, your cheeks will hurt. But if you frown, you'll ruin all the work I just did."
Yu'er chuckled, puffing her cheeks on purpose. "Then maybe I'll walk out looking like a puffer fish. That should scare Prince Ji Ling away."
Li Tian burst out laughing, shaking her head. "If only it were that easy."
When the chamber doors opened, Yu'er's heart thumped. Her father, Ling Feng, stood tall at the entrance, his face proud though his eyes softened at the sight of his daughter. Behind him, Ah Ruo dabbed the corner of her eyes with a silk cloth, and Ling Xia-dressed in pale blue, stood with her lips pressed tight, refusing to look at her sister.
Yu'er rose gracefully, though her knees felt weak beneath the heavy gown. Li Tian stepped quickly to her side, slipping her arm through Yu'er's for support.
At the grand palace gates, the sight of the red royal sedan awaited her-a magnificent carriage draped in silk, guarded by Tiandou soldiers.
Yu'er hesitated, looking at her father. "Father... will I be allowed to bring Li Tian with me?"
For a moment, silence stretched. Then Ling Feng nodded, his deep voice carrying across the courtyard. "She will go with you. I will allow it."
Yu'er's eyes lit up, and she clasped Li Tian's hand. "Did you hear that? You're stuck with me, Tian'er! Even in Tiandou!"
Li Tian squeezed her fingers, smiling despite the tears threatening to spill. "Of course, Your Highness. Where else would I be?"
The maids lifted Yu'er's gown, guiding her carefully toward the sedan. At the steps, she turned one last time, her gaze sweeping across her family. Her mother's trembling smile. Her father's steady, unreadable face. Ling Xia's distant eyes.
Her throat tightened, but Yu'er forced her brightest smile. "Don't worry, Mother. I'll make sure Tiandou gets tired of me in less than a week and sends me back."
The courtiers and servants laughed softly, though a lump rose in Ah Ruo's throat.
Finally, Yu'er stepped into the sedan. The curtains fell shut, and with the sound of drums and gongs, the royal procession began its journey toward Tiandou's imperial palace.
Meanwhile,
The Tiandou Imperial Palace was alive with celebration. Crimson lanterns swayed in the breeze, silk banners stretched from every rooftop, and the sound of drums and gongs rolled like thunder across the capital. Yet within one of the quieter courtyards, Prince Ji Ling stood in his ceremonial robe, fastening the belt with sharp, efficient movements as if he were preparing for battle rather than a wedding.
The red robe embroidered with golden dragons was stunning, tailored perfectly to his tall frame, but Ji Ling wore it like armor. His expression was cool, his jaw set, and his dark eyes unreadable.
He Wang leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching his master with a sly grin. "Your Highness, you're about to marry one of the most talked-about princesses in the land. At least pretend to look happy."
"I am not marrying for happiness," Ji Ling replied flatly, adjusting the collar of his robe. "This is duty. Nothing more."
Before He Wang could answer, the courtyard doors flew open and in came Ji Na, the six-year-old princess, dragging Ji Luo along with her. "Second Brother!" she chirped, bouncing as she ran to him. "Have you seen the princess yet? Is she beautiful?"
Ji Ling froze, the tension in his shoulders softening just slightly. He crouched down to her level and flicked her forehead gently. "I wouldn't know. I haven't seen her."
Ji Na gasped as if he had committed a crime. "You still haven't seen her? What if she's prettier than the fairies in my storybook?!"
Ji Luo, sixteen and composed despite being dragged in, gave his brother a small bow. "Second Brother, you should prepare properly. The whole palace is waiting."
And then came Ji Xingling, the Crown Prince himself, tall and elegant, with the ease of someone used to being obeyed. He looked Ji Ling over with a teasing smile. "You're dressed for a wedding yet your face looks like you're going to a funeral. Do you plan to frighten the princess on her first day?"
He Wang burst out laughing, nodding. "That's exactly what I was saying! Your Highness, at least let her think you're human."
Ji Ling shot them all a cold glance, but Ji Na tugged at his sleeve, pouting. "Please smile, Second Brother. Just once? For me?"
For a moment, silence stretched. Then, unexpectedly, the corner of Ji Ling's lips curved the faintest bit-so slight it might have been imagined. But Ji Na squealed, clapping her hands. "See! He can smile!"
He Wang grinned, patting his shoulder. "That's good enough. The princess won't faint when she sees you, at least."
With his siblings laughing and chattering, Ji Ling finally rose to his full height, his expression settling back into calm resolve. Outside, the beating of drums grew louder, echoing through the palace walls.
"She's here," Ji Xingling said softly, his gaze turning toward the grand gates.
And for the first time that morning, Ji Ling's heart gave a small, unsteady thud.
The drums outside grew louder, steady as a heartbeat. From the courtyard, Ji Ling could hear the call of horns and the rumble of wheels as the royal sedan approached. The palace gates swung open, and in swept the entourage from Jianghu-red silk banners, flower petals scattering on the stone path, and at the center, the sedan bearing the bride.
The palace gates of Tiandou stood towering, gilded and carved with dragons, their majesty enough to humble even the proudest of nobles. Ling Yu'er, seated within the red sedan, felt the weight of countless eyes upon her. The rumble of drums echoed like thunder as the procession entered the imperial grounds.
Li Tian, walking at her side, tried to peek through the curtains. "Yu'er, look! We're inside the palace-it's so huge! I almost tripped from staring too much."
Her silly whisper made Ling Yu'er stifle a laugh, though her heart was pounding fast.
So this is to be my new home... the place where everyone's gaze will be sharper than blades.
As the sedan passed through the second gate, court ladies in jeweled robes lined up neatly, bowing in unison. Their voices rose:
"Welcome, Princess Consort!"
The sound rolled through the courtyard, reaching the grand steps of the Hall of Radiant Clouds, where the Emperor, Empress, and the Ji royal family awaited.
When the sedan finally halted, a hush fell. The ceremonial officer's voice rang out, formal and loud:
"By order of His Majesty, the Emperor-Princess Ling Yu'er of Jianghu has arrived!"
Two attendants stepped forward, lifting the crimson curtain. The world outside flooded into view-glittering halls, golden pillars, endless rows of ministers and nobles watching in silence.
Li Tian gave her a playful nudge. "Go on, Princess. Show them you're brighter than all their jewels."
Taking a deep breath, Ling Yu'er placed her embroidered shoes onto the crimson carpet rolled out before her. Her scarlet wedding gown cascaded like flowing fire, the phoenix crown atop her head glittering with pearls and jade. She moved forward, graceful but unhurried, each step echoing softly against the marble floor.
Gasps whispered through the crowd. The palace had seen countless princesses, but her beauty carried something different-untamed, youthful, alive.
- Writer
