Rebirth on the Day She Was Poisoned by an Aphrodisiac - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Wedding Ceremony

The moon after her rebirth was exceptionally bright, casting a silver glow on the ground like a tranquil pool of water. Pei Chen stepped out from this “water” and gave Liyang a tender smile. “Your Highness.”

Liyang stared at the familiar face before her, her heart slowly sinking. Pei Xi hasn’t grown up yet—she hasn’t even been born. How could she be standing in front of me?

She let out a breath of relief, her tone softening. “Why have you come?”

“I couldn’t sleep. It seems Your Highness is also restless?” Pei Chen observed her. In the moment the door opened, Liyang looked as though she were draped in mist—ethereal and somewhat unreal.

For some reason, Liyang felt intensely guilty. She lowered her eyes, a bitter smile crossing her lips. “Aren’t you nervous?”

“I am, which is why I came to find you.” Pei Chen smiled, her body tense. She raised the flute in her hand. “Your Highness, would you like to hear a tune?”

“No need. I’m going to sleep.” Liyang felt a headache coming on. She had a lingering fear of flute music; Pei Xi had been tone-deaf and musically hopeless, yet she had insisted on playing, causing Liyang many nights of irritation. She didn’t want to hear a flute again in this lifetime. “Go home. Don’t linger.”

Liyang hurriedly turned back into her room. Pei Chen was disappointed—she actually played quite well! However, Liyang shut the door, leaving her alone.

The Morning of the Big Day

At dawn, the manor bustled with life. Managers organized their staff, and court matrons diligently checked every detail. Pei Chen lay in bed listening to the noise. Today was the wedding; even lying down, she felt nervous. She loved this new identity—the feeling of being cherished was wonderful.

Her maids pulled her from bed. It was time to go to the Princess’s Manor to receive the bride. Liyang had chosen not to marry from the palace; she was the eldest daughter and favored by the Empress, who was rumored to be attending the send-off in person.

Before leaving, Pei Chen visited the family temple. She wondered if Lady Gu would come out today since the Empress would be there.

Inside, the air was thick with sandalwood. Lady Gu sat on a prayer mat, eyes closed in devotion. “Mother, will you come out today to help me receive the guests?”

“I will go out, but not now.” Lady Gu’s prayer beads stopped moving. In the dim light, her figure seemed cold and detached, like a statue of an unfeeling deity. Pei Chen bowed and retreated. The temple was a silent hell compared to the festive joy outside.

Receiving the Bride

Pei Chen mounted her horse. She noticed Pei Ming standing in the crowd, dressed in new clothes and chatting with guests. To her eyes, Pei Ming was handsome and appeared harmless—a “perfect catch” for many noble daughters. They all waited for her to die so he could take over the General’s Manor.

Too bad I’m not dying today.

The procession moved through the streets. Peddlers followed the music, children cheered, and managers threw “joy money” for the citizens to scramble for. Pei Chen finally felt the thrill of the occasion. After today, she would be an adult with her own household.

At the Princess’s Manor, hundreds of Imperial Guards stood at attention. The gates were shut tight. Third Princess Mingun blocked the way. Pei Chen immediately handed over several heavy red envelopes. Mingun weighed them, looked a bit disappointed, but stepped aside.

Second Princess Minglan demanded a duel. Pei Chen shouted, “Where is my nephew, Pei Ming?”

Pei Ming stepped forward and bowed. “This humble official is willing to spar with Your Highness.” Minglan’s lip twitched, but she accepted Pei Chen’s bribe and let them pass.

Fourth Princess stepped out, blushing. “I’m here to test the brother-in-law’s literary talent.”

“And the Fifth Princess?” Pei Chen asked meaningfully. She whispered to the Fourth Princess, “Your Highness knows every inch of the Fifth Princess best, don’t you?”

The Fourth Princess turned scarlet, shoved through the crowd, and ran away. The younger princesses were easily handled with bribes, but at the final door stood the Empress herself.

The Empress’s Warning

The Empress looked at the kneeling Pei Chen. “I know your skills are great. I will only tell you this: everything between you and Liyang is tied to affection. If the love is gone, I will grant a divorce. Many princesses have divorced in previous dynasties; Great Zhou princesses may do the same. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Pei Chen kowtowed.

The Empress turned and led Liyang out. The walk to the gates was long.

“Liyang, you chose this path yourself. You must walk it,” the Empress said.

“Pei Chen is a good person, Mother.”

“Is she? Many years ago, I thought someone was a good person too. But people change.”

“She is smart and has me in her heart. That is enough. One shouldn’t be too greedy.”

At the gates, Liyang kowtowed to thank the Empress for raising her. Then, the Empress placed Liyang’s hand into Pei Chen’s. With a sudden surge of strength, Pei Chen swept Liyang up in her arms and carried her out of the manor.

The Bow and the Clash

At the Pei Manor, the couple prepared for the formal bows. Lady Gu had unusually changed into a dark red robe and was smiling at the newcomers.

The smile vanished instantly when the Empress entered, surrounded by officials. The two women locked eyes—one panicked, one startled.

During the ceremony, Pei Chen whispered to Liyang under her breath: “Will those two start a fight?”

Liyang, under her red veil, could only see their skirts. “They shouldn’t.”

As they bowed to the parents, Pei Chen glanced at the Empress, whose face was as cold as frost. It didn’t look like she was accepting a bow; it looked like she was interrogating a criminal. “I really think they’re going to fight,” Pei Chen whispered again.

“It has nothing to do with us,” Liyang replied.

The final bow was to each other. Pei Chen’s heart thudded. Your Highness, I will protect you for the rest of my life.

“Ceremony complete!”

The couple was led to the bridal chamber. In the main hall, the atmosphere turned icy as guests scurried away to follow the newlyweds. Lady Gu stood up and glanced at the Empress. “Your Majesty, I am tired. I will return to rest.”

“You are the host today,” the Empress said coldly. “No matter how tired you are, you should endure.”

Lady Gu ignored her completely and walked out. The Empress’s face turned green with rage as she stared after her, eventually storming out herself.

The Wedding Night

In the bridal chamber, Pei Chen hurried back after being briefly pulled away by her relatives. She told Liyang, “Go ahead and bathe and eat dinner. Don’t wait for me. Today isn’t the 8th… I won’t touch you.”

Liyang’s face turned bright red.

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