Zhiyi and Yan Cheng both smile looking at each other and feel shy.
"Yan Cheng from now on you are my brother in law, don't dare to mistreat my sister or else i will make it painful for you" Yang Jin teases him and everyone laughs in happiness.
"It is a very auspicious day. That is the same day our Emperor married the Empress 10 years ago. It is said that they were a very loving couple who stayed together for eternity even though she doesn't come from a noble family" Xiao Ning expresses her happiness optimistically.
"Yes, I also heard that the emperor dotes on the Empress and they had a very happy marriage and their son was crowned as the crown prince recently on his 9th birthday" Yan Cheng tells them.
"Really, it's great. I never thought that the Empress would come from a humble origin and their son will become the crown prince" Jiang wan shares her thoughts in a surprising tone.
"But the Emperor has many wives and concubines, how is it possible that he dotes on the Empress if she is not from a noble family" Zhiyi expresses her doubt.
"I heard that the Empress has actually saved the Emperor after which they were married, also all the wives and concubines were chosen by the Empress herself and their feelings haven't changed till now" Xiao Jiang Huai tells them.
"So it doesn't matter how many wives he has if she is the only one in his heart" Xiao Jiang Huai continues.
"Brother Yan, please never marry anyone else," she pleaded in her heart, staring into Yan Cheng's eyes. It felt as if her unspoken longing had reached him — their eyes holding a quiet conversation words couldn't express.
As the night passes by the Jiang family return to their house and Yan Cheng goes to send them off till their door. As they arrive at the Jiang family door, every one enters the house except Zhiyi. She turns around hoping to hear something from him.
Yan Cheng feels shy and as she turns around feeling disappointed, he holds her hand and a smile sparks on her face.
"Zhiyi, I will only marry you in this lifetime. I hope we will also stay as a loving couple just like our King and Queen"
As he is about to finish his words, Zhiyi comes closer and gives him a kiss on his cheek and runs into her house feeling shy.
Yan Cheng's face turned red and couldn't stop thinking about the scene as he went into bed. In all his years he never felt attracted to any women and he didn't have these feelings for anyone else.
Soon the news about their marriage spread across the village and Li Yanning couldn't help but feel angry and started to throw tantrums in her house. Her father couldn't help but go to the Xiao house to discuss marriage with them.
"Xiao Jiang huai, you know my daughter has admired your son for a long time and I can't see her sad like this. Why don't you marry them."
"Village chief, you know that my son is engaged in childhood and we can't break it now" Xiao Jiang Huai expresses his disagreement in a polite way.
"I know but what do I do, my daughter is threatening me with her life that she can't live without Yan Cheng" The village chief expresses his fear feeling frustrated.
"But how is this possible? Everyone in our village knew about their marriage and we liked Zhiyi from childhood. I can't agree with your request" he couldn't stay composed anymore and denied bluntly.
"Fine!" the chief snapped. "Marry my daughter and take Jiang's as a concubine. At least that way, no one's shamed. You'll get 100 taels of silver from me. What more do you want?"
Jiang jing hears the conversation and enters the discussion "You want my daughter to be concubine, why don't you make your daughter a concubine then" he expresses his disagreement in anger.
"How is that possible, i am the village chief and how can my daughter become a concubine"
Yan Cheng stepped forward, his voice steady and resolute.
"Village Chief, I love Jiang Zhiyi, and I will take only her as my wife. I have no intention of marrying anyone else."
His words rang clear and unwavering, silencing the murmurs around them. The conviction in his voice left no room for negotiation.
Jiang Zhiyi's heart fluttered with quiet joy, her eyes softening as she looked at him.
The village chief, taken aback by the firmness of Yan Cheng's response, stood in stunned silence. After a tense moment, he let out a disappointed sigh, gave a stiff nod, and turned to leave — the conversation ended.
"Father, did the Xiao family accept to let me marry brother Yan?"
He sighs in disappointment and explains to her. Yan Ning fumes in anger "I will make Yan Brother my husband and no one can stop this from happening". Her parents sighed in disappointment.
The wedding day has finally arrived and both the families have decorated their homes in bright red and the occasion has lit up the mood in their neighbourhood.
Zhiyi was dressed in a red outfit which made her look more stunning than ever. Yan Cheng became the most handsome groom in their entire village in his red outfit. Everyone gathered in the Moon Temple for their wedding.
In this village, every marriage is solemnized at the Temple of the Moon Goddess, with the priestess presiding over the sacred vows.
The couple then spends their first night in one of the chambers nestled within the temple grounds — a tradition meant to usher in divine blessings and ensure a harmonious life together.
The Old Priestess Blesses them "Those who consume their marriage in the presence of the Moon Goddess will be bound together for the lifetime and may their souls Become one and stay together forever"
They have taken their vows and both of them seemed so happy on marrying their love. They cherished every moment in their wedding and now it's their turn for the nuptial wine. Both of them drank the Nuptial Wine and Zhiyi entered the bridal chamber.
After all the relatives had left the wedding, only close friends and siblings remained. Yan Cheng's friends, eager to celebrate, pressured him to drink more and more.
Yang Jin quickly stepped in, raising his voice with a teasing grin,
"Stop! If you get him drunk now, how will he perform in the bridal chamber later?"
He gently tried to pull Yan Cheng away from the crowd.
As Yang Jin led him toward the bridal chamber, one last friend insisted on a final toast, promising they wouldn't bother him afterward. Holding out a cup of wine, he urged Yan Cheng to drink.
Before Yan Cheng could take it, Yang Jin swiftly grabbed the cup from his hand and drained it himself. The friend's face drained of color, eyes wide in shock at Yang Jin's unexpected move.
Yang Jin steadied Yan Cheng and guided him quietly toward his room, leaving the stunned friend behind.
There are many rooms around the temple and the Zhiyi is the only bride who is getting married that day. She is waiting for Yan Cheng in her wedding dress.
The corridor leading to the bridal room was glowing with warm lanterns, lighting the way like a quiet invitation. Red petals were scattered along the floor, and everything looked festive yet calm.
As he walked down the hallway, the wine he had drunk earlier suddenly hit him. His body started to feel hot—too hot. His steps became unsteady, and he had to pause for a moment to catch his breath. The warmth was no longer pleasant; it burned through him, making it hard to think.
He reached the door of the bridal room and slowly pushed it open. Inside, the room was beautifully decorated with red silk and soft lights, filled with the light scent of flowers. It felt like a dream, but his mind was too hazy to take it all in.
He walked in without saying a word, drawn to the figure waiting inside. His heart was racing. The wine, the heat, and the silence made it hard to know what was real anymore.
The bride waiting for Yan Cheng observed his figure beneath the veil and a smile rose on her soft lips which were excited for the night. Her nervous hands held her skirt tightly as the groom approached her.
He stood before her, his body started to feel hot and uncomfortable. He loosened his robe to get the air. He leaned forward towards the bride and held the veil to remove it and she lifted her head to look at him.
As he removes the veil, they are shocked after seeing each other. Their faces turned pale.