After Becoming a Succubus, I Was Offered to My Mortal Enemy - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Chunhe and Xiaqun carried a large pile of items sent from the Grand Commandant’s manor. Seeing Ning Yuan looking listless, Chunhe brewed tea for her and asked, “Did the lady not rest well last night?”

Ning Yuan nodded, then shook her head.

Despite sleeping through the entire night, Ning Yuan still felt somewhat tired.

Xiaqun walked behind her and kneaded her shoulders.

“The lady must rest well. There are many rules on the wedding day, and the lady’s constitution is weak; I fear it will be exhausting.”

Only then did Ning Yuan notice that the satin Xiaqun had brought in was for making wedding robes.

In the past, when Yuchi Jin showed her such materials, Ning Yuan only felt at a loss. But now that these materials were sent by the Grand Commandant, there was a trace of surprise mixed within her unexpectedness.

Chunhe said, “Lady, quickly see which pattern you like. Once the lady has chosen, we can have someone start making the wedding robes.”

These materials were all very beautiful, and Ning Yuan didn’t know which one to pick.

“Does the Lord Prime Minister not pick for herself?”

Xiaqun smiled and said, “The Master said that whatever the lady likes is what shall be used. Oh, wait—from now on, we should change how we address you and call you Madame.”

Ning Yuan’s face flushed as she said, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

It hasn’t even been settled yet; how could they shout such things.

Chunhe said, “Lady, don’t be shy. The Master said the wedding is set for the end of this month.”

“The end of this month? That leaves less than twenty days to prepare…”

Ning Yuan lowered her eyes, feeling it was a bit too hasty.

Wait, didn’t Sikong Xue say something about the national mourning not being over and that it was inappropriate to hold a grand celebration in the short term?

Which of Sikong Xue’s words were true and which were false?

Could it be that previously Sikong Xue truly was unwilling to marry her and had just searched for a random excuse? Now, under the pressure of the Grand Commandant, she was forced to marry her.

That would explain why it’s so hasty, and why Sikong Xue wasn’t even willing to choose the wedding robes together.

Ning Yuan instantly lost interest and said, “I can’t choose either. Have the Lord Prime Minister pick one at random. If she can’t decide, then pick the most expensive one.”

Since it was Sikong Xue’s silver being spent anyway, she wasn’t going to feel bad about it.

Thus, Ning Yuan didn’t pick any of the prepared materials, and they were sent back before Sikong Xue.

Chunhe said, “Master, the lady perhaps doesn’t understand the customs here, so she doesn’t know how to choose the fabrics.”

Looking at the satin her mother had meticulously selected, Sikong Xue couldn’t help but frown.

In the past, when Ayuan was betrothed to Yuchi Jin, she had personally embroidered her wedding robes. But now that Ayuan was marrying her, she wasn’t even willing to pick the fabric for the robes.

Thinking about how Ayuan had intended to embroider her wedding robes by hand back then, Sikong Xue felt both jealous and heartbroken. She also wanted wedding robes hand-embroidered by Ayuan, yet she feared it would tire Ayuan out.

Thinking of Ayuan’s past sincerity being misplaced, Sikong Xue also felt it wasn’t worth it for Ayuan.

Forget it; as long as Ayuan was willing to marry her, she could choose not to care about these things.

Sikong Xue selected a bolt of satin and said, “Make the arrangements. Have the wedding robes made as quickly as possible the faster, the better.”

Although the date was set for the end of the month, she was already impatient to marry Ayuan. Her mother had already reached an agreement with Ayuan; since Ayuan had already consented, she had to complete the marriage as soon as possible to prevent Ayuan from regretting it later.

Once the wedding date was set, Sikong Xue sent out the invitations early.

Yin Chiyun looked at the invitation specifically sent to her, which had Ning Yuan’s name written on it, and laughed for a moment. What Sikong Xue had sought for many years was actually realized in this manner. She could conclude that while Sikong Xue appeared calm and indifferent on the surface, she was surely grinning from ear to ear back at the manor.

Yin Chiyun thought for a while and decided to remove a few ingredients from the medicine.

If they always relied on medicine to suppress the “heat,” how long would it take for these two to achieve the “final result”?

Fearing she might frighten Ning Yuan, those Sikong Xue invited were all people she could trust. As for certain others, even if Sikong Xue didn’t invite them, she wanted them to know the news of the two getting married.

In an instant, everyone in the capital knew Sikong Xue was going to marry that foreign woman.

When Yuchi Jin learned the news, she only felt an inexplicable irritability. That clearly wasn’t the “Little Bird” why should she be irritable?

In the past, during her struggles and schemes against Sikong Xue, it was always Sikong Xue who lost. Back then, the Little Bird had personally said she would marry her. That Sikong Xue didn’t have a chance at all. Now it was merely giving up a tribute to Sikong Xue; what was there to be angry about?

Ruan Qingshu saw Yuchi Jin tightly clutching the jade cup in her hand. Her hand covered Yuchi Jin’s as she smiled and said, “Lady Commandery, do not be angry. Ning Yuan is already dead; Sikong Xue marrying a substitute is merely her own foolishness.”

Yuchi Jin said, “Heh, of course she is being foolish.”

Sikong Xue was already a hot commodity; if she were allowed to enter a marriage alliance with someone powerful, she would only be harder to deal with. But now, she was entering an alliance with an outcast of the foreign tribes—perhaps she could even be framed for “colluding with the enemy and betraying the country.”

But Yuchi Jin just felt unreconciled. Such a beautiful face, such an interesting plaything—why should it be given up to Sikong Xue like this?

Ruan Qingshu said, “If that foreign woman knew that a dead person had always lived in Sikong Xue’s heart, perhaps she wouldn’t be willing to marry Sikong Xue anymore.”

Yuchi Jin looked at Ruan Qingshu. Seeing her so obedient, she couldn’t help but sigh—if only the Little Bird had been this compliant back then. Both were daughters of officials, but Ruan Qingshu’s mother’s rank wasn’t as high; such a girl was much more obedient, yet lacked the Little Bird’s charm.

Yuchi Jin said, “Indeed. That foreign woman is helpless and has no one to rely on. If she knew that Sikong Xue would only ever treat her as a substitute in her heart, and if she knew Sikong Xue had become ruthless because of that person, she would definitely not be willing to marry Sikong Xue.”

Having said that, Yuchi Jin grew irritable again.

“Sikong Xue has people protecting her every day; ordinary people can’t get near her at all. Now even Sikong Yan is involved… How could Sikong Yan allow Sikong Xue to marry a foreign woman?”

Ruan Qingshu’s eyes flickered as she looked at Yuchi Jin softly: “Likely it’s because Sikong Xue was constantly acting as if her life depended on it in the past, and now that she’s finally found a substitute, Sikong Yan thinks that as long as Sikong Xue stops being so desperate because of Ning Yuan, she will naturally consent.”

Yuchi Jin rose abruptly and said, “Fine. If Sikong Xue doesn’t even have a substitute anymore, she will surely go mad again.”

Yuchi Jin finally smiled. She plucked a gold hairpin from her hair and tossed it to Ruan Qingshu as a reward. Such contempt, yet Ruan Qingshu still gazed at Yuchi Jin with a beaming smile.

Not until Yuchi Jin’s back disappeared from her sight did that smile vanish. Her originally soft eyes were filled with indifference, even carrying several hints of hatred.

Ning Yuan didn’t pick the satin, so Sikong Xue thought for a while and still decided to personally accompany Ning Yuan to choose the wedding crown she would wear.

Although this wedding was just for show and a more grand one would be held once the Ning family was brought back, she still couldn’t fail to treat her marriage to Ayuan with importance.

The next day, Sikong Xue stood under the corridor of the Yilan Pavilion. The morning light cast mottled shadows on her skirt. She raised her hand and lightly brushed the pattern on her sleeve; the Luan bird on it was Ayuan’s favorite pattern.

“Master, the floral crowns are prepared.” Songyan reminded her softly, followed by three maids carrying brocade boxes.

Sikong Xue snapped out of it, her mouth turning up unconsciously.

“Bring them all in.”

Inside the room, Ning Yuan was sitting on an embroidered stool by the window, holding a novel Chunhe had found for her. The morning light hit her face, looking soft and beautiful.

Sikong Xue sat across from Ning Yuan and said gently, “These are the floral crowns to be worn on the wedding day. I had several sets rushed; see which one you like?”

Ning Yuan’s gaze swept over those exquisite brocade boxes. Yesterday she had muttered about wanting to spend more of Sikong Xue’s silver, but today, seeing Sikong Xue being so extravagant, she felt a bit of heartache.

“Actually, there’s no need for such trouble…”

“First see if you like them.” Sikong Xue opened the first brocade box. Inside was a gold-thread floral crown, with a phoenix spreading its wings in the center, its beak holding a bright pearl and its wings encrusted with gemstones, sparkling in the morning light.

Ning Yuan’s breath hitched. “This is too precious.”

This set of floral crowns was even more luxurious than the one her mother had prepared for her past betrothal. How could Sikong Xue dress so simply herself yet always give her such expensive things?

“You don’t like it? Then look at this set.” The second set was much more elegant, woven from silver thread and adorned with pearls and light blue gemstones, looking as refined as early snow under the moon.

It didn’t look overly extravagant, but the gemstones on it were clearly of great value at a glance.

The third brocade box contained a pure gold peony crown, the petals as thin as a cicada’s wing and the stamens inlaid with red jade.

Except for the pure gold peony one which Ning Yuan didn’t particularly like, the remaining two sets were very beautiful. For a moment, Ning Yuan was at a loss.

Sikong Xue saw her dilemma and said, “If you can’t choose, we shall hold two weddings, and you can take turns wearing these two crowns.”

“What did you say?” Ning Yuan looked at Sikong Xue in surprise. “Can such a thing even be held twice?”

“Of course. If you are willing, it can be held every day.”

If not for the fact that Ayuan had to hide her identity at this time, Sikong Xue wished she could immediately let the whole world know she was marrying Ayuan.

Sikong Xue’s gaze was burning, and Ning Yuan’s cheeks grew a bit hot. She turned her head away and said, “Who wants to hold it every day with you.”

Why was Sikong Xue so abnormal today?

Ning Yuan’s eyes darted as she looked at Sikong Xue and said, “You seem to be very afraid of the Grand Commandant.”

Sikong Xue asked, “What’s the reasoning in that?”

When she was a child she was somewhat afraid of being beaten by her mother, but now her mother wouldn’t hit her anymore, so Sikong Xue wasn’t that afraid. Could it be that this mischievous girl Ayuan wanted to use her mother to pressure her again?

Ning Yuan said, “Since the Grand Commandant came to the manor, you seem to treat me much better.”

She wasn’t fierce anymore and was even willing to say these pretty words to coax her.

Sikong Xue only felt very wronged.

“Even if Mother didn’t come to the manor, I would treat you well.”

Previously she didn’t know it was Ayuan, which is why Sikong Xue wasn’t as concerned. Now that she knew the person before her was Ayuan, what reason did Sikong Xue have to not be good to her?

“From now on, I will surely treat you extremely well.”

Sikong Xue thought that as long as she was better to Ayuan, Ayuan would surely be able to forget Yuchi Jin.

Sikong Xue spoke earnestly, and Ning Yuan only felt her heart beating a bit fast. As long as this person, Sikong Xue, didn’t have a wicked mouth, spending a lifetime with her didn’t seem too bad…

It’s just that things between them were inevitably a bit fast.

Seeing Ning Yuan so shy that the tips of her ears were red, Sikong Xue said, “Don’t worry. Even after marrying, I won’t bully you. Chiyun has already prepared the medicine to suppress the ‘heat’. I… I won’t take advantage of your plight.”

Although she wanted to be close to Ayuan, as long as Ayuan was unwilling, she would never bully her again.

Ning Yuan twisted the handkerchief in her hand. She had seen in novels that people who were mutually in love could do that kind of thing.

Sikong Xue being unwilling to be close to her was it because she didn’t like her enough?

No, no, how could she be looking forward to doing that kind of thing with Sikong Xue.

If Sikong Xue knew what she was thinking in her heart, she would surely laugh at her.

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