Chapter 3: Chapter 2 The incident on the joyful day (Part II)_2
Translator: 549690339
"Empress Mother, there's no need to bring this up again. Whether I kill her or marry her is my affair. Since there's nothing wrong, I shall take my leave to prepare for the grand wedding," Han Ziye no longer wished to argue with Murong Yunyan about the matter and found an excuse to leave.
"This defiant son, he insists on defying me for the sake of Shangguan Linlang. But no matter, that little wench won't be able to act arrogantly for long. Even if Yeye bestows upon her the title of Empress, she still doesn't have the fate of an empress and cannot be a bride of the Royal Family. It's all well, let her think she has reached the pinnacle only to fall precipitously—that surely will make her suffer even more," the Empress Dowager Murong Yunyan sneered malevolently, scaring the servants around her to the core. They became even more convinced that they must never cross her, for the consequences would clearly be dire.
Shangguan Linlang hadn't really offended the influential and powerful Empress Dowager; it was just that she had complained in a low voice at a palace feast that she was a bit extravagant and wasteful, mentioning that sometimes the soldiers at the frontier didn't have enough to eat. This had incurred Murong Yunyan's grudge. Since then, the Empress Dowager had been devising ways to drive a wedge between her and her son, continuously inciting him to eliminate Shangguan Linlang, who held high authority and might harbor ulterior motives and was known as the Valiant Blooded Iron Maiden, Commander of the Three Armies.
The marriage between the Han Family and the Shangguan Family was held as scheduled, with grandeur befitting its status. Regardless of how many people harbored ulterior motives, in the end, Shangguan Linlang officially became Han Ziye's wife and was instantly bestowed the title of Empress at the ceremony. Han Ziye even made a high-profile declaration that Shangguan Linlang would be his only empress in life. Everything went so smoothly that it seemed unbelievable. The more perfect it was, the more surreal it felt.
"Brother Ziye, have I truly married you? Am I not dreaming? Linda is suddenly so afraid that all of this is nothing but an illusion, and none of it will exist once I wake from this dream," Shangguan Linlang said anxiously.
Han Ziye dismissed everyone else, and only the newlyweds remained in the bridal chamber. After a long silence, Shangguan Linlang spoke emotionally.
"Silly girl, this is not a dream. What I once promised you, I have now fulfilled. Are you happy?" Han Ziye caressed Shangguan Linlang's beautiful face gently, as if cherishing a rare treasure, soothing her with his tender voice.
"Brother Ziye, do you think we will be happy until we are old and grey? Linda is very happy. To marry you as your wife has been my sole wish since I was little. It's not about becoming the Empress; Linda just wants to be your wife, to share joys and sorrows with you. At this moment, Linda is truly grateful to the heavens for fulfilling my long-cherished wish. Brother Ziye, I am also very thankful to you. Even if you asked me to die right now, I would do so contented," Shangguan Linlang said emotionally, burying her face in Han Ziye's chest.
"Really? Would you truly entrust your life to me for my sake? Linda, I suddenly find myself unable to let you go. What should I do with you?" Han Ziye was moved by Shangguan Linlang's declaration of love, his hand stroking her hair paused, and his gaze became complex, filled with difficult to understand emotions.
"Brother Ziye, have you forgotten? A year ago, in that battle, my brother sacrificed himself to save you, and before he died, he told me that you were a good soldier and that I should wholeheartedly assist you. I have never forgotten my brother's words. If it comes to a point where only one of us can live, I would rather die in your place, just as my brother did. This is not only because my heart goes out to you but also because it is my duty as a subject. I bear no resentment. I suppose that protecting you is my sole mission in this life." Shangguan Linlang lifted her head from Han Ziye's embrace and then spoke with a face full of sorrow.
Shangguan Linlang's words reminded Han Ziye of the unpleasant past from a year ago. His face suddenly fell, and without controlling his strength, he accidentally pulled out a few strands of Shangguan Linlang's hair. Shangguan Linlang winced in pain and whimpered, which snapped Han Ziye back to reality.
"Brother Ziye, what's wrong? Did Linda say something wrong? I'm sorry, today is our wedding day, I shouldn't have brought up my brother and saddened you. We can certainly be happy together, can't you stop being upset?" Shangguan Linlang mistook Han Ziye's mood as mere nostalgia for the deceased, and her heart was not heavy. So, she went on to say that.
"Linda, you really shouldn't have mentioned Qingchen. Let's not speak of him anymore. Didn't I tell you a few Shichen ago that I wanted to take you to a secret place? How about we go there right now?"
Han Ziye's heart, which had softened, hardened again when Shangguan Linlang brought up Shangguan Qingchen. He no longer made any excuses to spare Shangguan Linlang. When his eyes were firm, his blood also ran cold, because he knew he still held a grudge against this woman whose heart belonged entirely to him, knowing he could never accept her, a woman who in every way was a hundred times stronger than himself.
"Of course, wherever Brother Ziye goes, Linda is willing to follow. But what about Mother..." Shangguan Linlang had no idea she was about to head to Ghost Gate Pass, and to make Han Ziye happy, she complied with everything, but then she remembered the Empress Dowager Murong Yunyan, who disliked her, and Shangguan Linlang began to worry.
"You needn't worry about the Empress Dowager. Today is our wedding day; she won't say anything. Come on, let's drink this cup of nuptial wine first, and then Brother Ziye will take you there." Han Ziye picked up a jug of wine from the table, personally filled two cups, and then handed one of them to Shangguan Linlang.
Shangguan Linlang was about to drink without a second thought when Han Ziye stopped her, "Silly girl, we're supposed to drink nuptial wine; we need to lock arms first."
After Han Ziye saw Shangguan Linlang drink the wine he had given her, his eyes flickered slightly, and then he once again put on an air of nonchalance. Taking Shangguan Linlang by the hand, he led her out of the bridal chamber and towards the so-called secret place.
All the while, Shangguan Linlang felt somewhat dizzy, but she never doubted the person by her side, nor did she suspect that there was anything wrong with the wine. She thought that the dizziness was due to the exhaustion from the wedding, causing her to be so weak against alcohol. If she had been just a little more wary of Han Ziye, she wouldn't have walked unaware into a trap. Unfortunately, by the time she realized, everything was already set in stone. In the end, Shangguan Linlang discovered she had never truly seen through the person she held dear.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone