After Accidentally Marking the Cold and Elegant Eldest Princess - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: An Ambiguous Dream

Early spring, the second lunar month. In the faint glimmer of dawn, a fine, dense spring rain wove a silken net, draping the entire capital of Shangjing within its folds.

A sudden gust of wind blew open a narrow crack in a window lattice that hadn’t been tightly closed the night before. Outside, a tree of Xinyi (magnolia) was in full bloom; moistened by the rain, its fragrance seeped into the room in delicate threads, floating toward Yan Yunti’s nose.

In her dream, the scent of magnolia grew increasingly intense—

Inside a windowless, airless room, a thick fragrance of magnolia emanated from the nape of a beauty’s neck held in Yan Yunti’s arms. Yan Yunti was tightly surrounded by the Kunze’s (Omega’s) pheromones. The beauty in her arms was restless, lowering her head to press warm lips against Yan Yunti’s neck and collarbone, exposing the fragile gland on her own nape.

Beneath the hem of a snow-white collar, the pale pink gland—resembling a smudge of rouge—was right before her eyes. The Kunze’s pheromones diffused layer by layer through the gland, teasing Yan Yunti’s crumbling sanity.

At some point, Yan Yunti’s fingertips brushed against the Kunze’s gland. With just a light press, the person in her arms let out a soft moan. The kisses moved away from Yan Yunti’s neck as the soft, fragrant beauty looked up at her. Her face was blurred, but an incredibly seductive, cool, low voice reached Yan Yunti’s ears: “Bite… me.”

As the beauty’s red lips parted and closed, Yan Yunti’s last shred of clarity was swallowed whole.

Her palm, pressed against the beauty’s slender waist, forcefully pulled the woman toward her. She lowered her head, her canines pressing against the gland on the Kunze’s nape. With a sharp downward bite, she pierced the fragile gland, surging her own pheromones into the beauty’s body.

She bit too fast, and the pheromones were injected too fiercely.

Before the person in her arms could react, a low cry escaped her lips—a sound that was half-sob, half-plea. Instead of retreating, Yan Yunti pressed forward, biting even deeper…

With a “clatter,” the wind suddenly blew the window wide open.

Yan Yunti jerked awake from the dream, her breath ragged. Seeing the familiar bed curtains above her, she quickly realized she had had that same dream again.

For the past half-month, she had frequently experienced this ambiguous and strange dreamscape.

The face of the person in the dream was never clear; upon waking, she only remembered how she had “bullied” and bitten the person, acting with repeated excess…

This dream was truly absurd.

She was a Zhongyong (Beta), not a Qianyuan (Alpha). How could she have pheromones? And how could she inject non-existent pheromones into a Kunze’s gland?

But why did she dream of this so often?

The scent of that Kunze beauty in the dream actually overlapped with the magnolia fragrance outside her window.

Yan Yunti stood by the window in her white inner robe. As a gust of wind blew by, she reached out to catch a fallen magnolia petal. Rubbing the pale purple petal between her fingers, she couldn’t help but think of the jade-like skin of the person in her dream—how a gentle squeeze would leave several red marks…

“Miss, why are you awake so early?” The voice of her maid, Qionglan, came from behind.

Yan Yunti snapped back to reality and suppressed her thoughts. She placed the petal on a high table by the window, closed the lattice, and turned around. “It’s not that early. I have to go to the palace today; let’s begin washing and dressing.”

Today was the eighth day of the second month. To celebrate the Eldest Princess’s birthday, a “Thousand-Year Banquet” was being held at Yaohua Hall, with guests consisting of the noble and the powerful.

The Jingning Marquis Household was naturally on the guest list.

This was Yan Yunti’s first time entering the palace. Qionglan and Songxia dared not be negligent, spending a long time grooming her in front of the bronze mirror until the young girl in the reflection raised an eyebrow. Her bright peach-blossom eyes curved slightly upward as she spoke: “Change it to a simpler hairstyle, and use plainer hairpins.”

“Eh?” Songxia held a beautiful sapphire hairpin, looking confused. “Didn’t you say before, Miss, that the Eldest Princess’s birthday banquets weren’t usually such a big deal, and that there must be another reason for it being so grand this year?”

That “other reason” wasn’t hard to guess.

The Eldest Princess was the Emperor’s eldest daughter by his first wife. She had been pampered since childhood and held a deep place in the Emperor’s heart. However, it was said that her personality was cold and indifferent, she had no interest in romance, and she had yet to choose a Consort (Fuma).

With so many people invited to this palace banquet, it was likely an attempt to let the Eldest Princess personally select a Consort.

The position of the Eldest Princess’s husband was one that countless people coveted.

Yan Yunti understood Songxia’s implication. She pulled a jade hairpin from her jewelry box and handed it to her. “That is other people’s concern; I have no such thoughts. Besides, your Miss is a Zhongyong, not a Qianyuan.”

“What’s wrong with being a Zhongyong?” Songxia said dismissively, though her hands obediently undid the hairstyle to redo it in a simpler, more graceful fashion. “I think you are perfect in every way. Putting aside martial arts and just talking about looks, how many Qianyuan in the capital can compare to you? Besides, a Kunze can be with another Kunze, so why can’t a Zhongyong and a Kunze be together?”

Songxia was full of conviction.

Yan Yunti gave a silent, light laugh but offered no further explanation.

Leaving aside the fact that she wasn’t a Qianyuan, even if she were, it would be impossible for her to covet the position of the Princess’s Consort.

Her mother, Yan Qiao, was the Jingning Marquis personally titled by the Emperor. For years, she had led the army to guard the southern borders. Although she wasn’t in the capital, the power of the Jingning Marquis Household was at its peak.

Currently, the heir to the throne was undecided, and the various princes and princesses all had ambitions. Someone had already tried to use Yan Yunti’s marriage to test and win over the Jingning Marquis Household.

At this time, if her marriage became involved with the Royal Family, it would be no different from dragging the entire Yan family into the struggle for the throne. That was not a good thing.

Furthermore, Yan Yunti had no desire to turn her marriage into a transaction.

Therefore, she dressed very modestly.

By the time she reached the front courtyard, the sky was bright and the rain had cleared.

The Second Madam of the Yan family, Fang Li, was talking to her daughter, Yan Yunpei. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and was momentarily stunned.

The girl standing there wore a light blue brocade dress. her makeup and hair accessories were very simple and elegant. Yet, even with such plain styling, her face was simply too striking and radiant to be ignored.

Her attire today was…

“Second Aunt.” Yan Yunti bowed in greeting.

Fang Li immediately stepped forward with a smile. “No need for formalities. The carriage is waiting at the gates; let us board.”

They could not be late for the palace entry.

The three of them sat in the Yan family carriage.

Her cousin, Yan Yunpei, was as quiet and taciturn as ever. Yan Yunti noticed her overly elaborate dress today and roughly guessed Fang Li’s intentions.

This Thousand-Year Banquet was an opportunity for many.

“Yunti, why are you dressed so simply today?” Fang Li couldn’t help but ask.

Yan Yunti looked up and replied with a smile: “To be honest, Aunt, I am terrified of entering the palace for the first time. I’m afraid of drawing attention, so I dressed plainly. Please don’t mind it.”

“Nonsense,” Fang Li pulled her hand warmly. “It’s fine. Aunt is here today; don’t be afraid.”

Yan Yunti subtly withdrew her hand. Fang Li continued talking, eventually mentioning her “brilliant and literary” nephew, Fang Junqi.

Yan Yunti listened half-heartedly. When Fang Li asked for her “opinion,” Yan Yunti replied seriously: “Marriage is a major matter decided by parents and matchmakers; I will follow my mother’s wishes.”

The smile on Fang Li’s face froze.

Yan Qiao was still guarding the border. The “mother” Yan Yunti referred to now was the second daughter of the Qiu family—Qiu Lingyue—who had divorced Yan Qiao eight years ago.

The two had caused such a scene during the divorce that everyone thought Yan Qiao would loathe Qiu Lingyue to the extreme. Who would have thought that a few days ago, Yan Qiao sent a letter from the border stating that Yan Yunti’s marriage must have Qiu Lingyue’s consent?

Fang Li knew Qiu Lingyue’s temperament. If she repeated those praises of her nephew to Qiu Lingyue, she would undoubtedly be shot down.

Having met a soft rebuff, Fang Li smiled and said no more.

Yan Yunti was happy to have the peace.

About half an hour later, the carriage stopped before the palace gates.

Yan Yunti stepped down. Before she had gone two steps, a low chuckle came from her side: “I almost didn’t recognize you in that outfit today.”

Yan Yunti turned to her friend, Tan Ning. She looked Tan Ning up and down, her eyes saying it all.

Tan Ning was wearing a magnificent gown. Sensing the teasing in Yan Yunti’s eyes, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and whispered: “You know my father’s intentions. Honestly, we’re all just here as background characters today.”

The Eldest Princess was a Kunze; her future husband would surely be a Qianyuan.

Inviting Zhongyongs and Kunzes like them was just a cover-up so the objective wouldn’t be too obvious.

Tan Ning leaned closer, her voice even lower: “I heard that Eldest Princess is peerlessly beautiful. Since we’re lucky enough to see her today, aren’t you curious?”

Yan Yunti’s expression didn’t flicker, and her voice was indifferent: “Not curious.”

What the Eldest Princess looked like had nothing to do with her.

“True,” Tan Ning lowered her handkerchief, not forgetting to tease: “With your personality, besides your interest in swords, I doubt any beauty could disturb your heart.”

Beauty.

Yan Yunti’s brow twitched slightly.

In the dreams she’d had for the last half-month, although the person’s face was unclear, she instinctively felt it should be a cold beauty. When she begged Yan Yunti to “bite” her, her voice was as clear and cool as a cold spring splashing against the heart…

In her momentary distraction, the group had reached Yaohua Hall.

Yan Yunti looked up to see vermillion eaves and green tiles, jade steps and carved balustrades. This palace, built by the Emperor to celebrate the Eldest Princess’s first birthday, was truly magnificent.

They entered the main hall for the banquet. As the time for the Thousand-Year Banquet arrived, even the Noble Consort Rong, who managed the inner palace, had entered. Yet, the legendary Eldest Princess had still not appeared.

The Eldest Princess was the eldest daughter of the late Empress. It was rumored that her relationship with Noble Consort Rong was not good.

The fact that the banquet was organized by Noble Consort Rong and the Princess had yet to show up suggested she might be trying to embarrass the Consort.

Whispers of speculation continued around them.

Yan Yunti lowered her head to sniff the fragrance of the wine in her cup, unconcerned with the surging undercurrents in the hall.

Another fifteen minutes passed when an attendant outside gave a shrill cry: “The Eldest Princess has arrived!”

As the attendant’s voice fell, everyone in the hall rose to pay their respects.

Yan Yunti kept her head down. From the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of a purple skirt. Then, a woman’s cool, indifferent voice came from above: “No need for formalities. Please be seated.”

Yan Yunti’s spine stiffened.

She didn’t know if it was an illusion, but this Princess’s voice… why did it sound so similar to the beauty’s voice in her dream?

How was that possible?!

The Thousand-Year Banquet officially began.

Various families presented their gifts. Those who wanted to stand out stepped forward with all sorts of ingenious presents, hoping to catch the Princess’s eye.

Yan Yunti was filled with doubt.

The Jingning Marquis Household’s seating was not particularly far from the head of the hall. If she wanted to…

Yan Yunti slowly raised her eyes, her gaze moving upward.

Seated at the head of the hall, the Eldest Princess sensed something. Her gaze shifted slightly, landing right into the girl’s slightly widened peach-blossom eyes.

And Yan Yunti, the moment she saw the Eldest Princess’s face clearly, found the beauty’s face from her dream instantly becoming vivid.

She felt as if she could see the Eldest Princess looking at her with misty eyes, her red lips parting to breathe those two words: “Bite… me.”