Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Through the thin gauze of my gold-threaded red bridal veil, I saw an enormous brazier set outside the gates of the Duke’s Mansion.

Charcoal crackled within, flames roaring high.

My elder sister was afraid of fire. The Duke’s Mansion had deliberately arranged this, intending to put her in her place the moment she arrived.

In my previous life, my sister had been so frightened she screamed. Before she had even crossed the threshold, she had already become a laughingstock.

The Old Madam and the two concubines had mocked her all the more, saying she was timid and lacked decorum.

Now, under everyone’s watchful eyes, I walked up to the brazier. An old servant woman urged me, “New bride, hurry and step over it.”

I lifted my skirts and, without another word, leapt straight over. But the moment I landed, I deliberately twisted my ankle and fell right into Fu Huai’s arms.

Fu Huai had never seen me before, but in my previous life, I had long since seen him.

Even through the veil, I could recognize the outline of his figure.

Besides, apart from Fu Huai, what other man would be standing in front of the bride?

I wrapped my arms firmly around Fu Huai’s waist.

Close enough for him to catch the scent of the Bliss Powder on me.

“Oh! Husband! Thank goodness for you. Otherwise, I would have made a fool of myself today.”

I already understood Fu Huai well enough.

He had indeed earned military merit, but he was also arrogant, willful, and extremely proud.

The best way to deal with a man like him was to praise him to his own destruction.

Sure enough, the moment I said that, he smoothly took me by the waist to steady me. Likely because of the Bliss Powder, his hand tightened slightly as he held me firm. “Careful, my lady.”

Two concubines were standing beside him. Their faces must have looked absolutely dreadful.

After that came the wedding bows, then the bridal chamber. Everything proceeded smoothly, and the ceremony was completed.

For now, no one had discovered that I was not the eldest daughter of the Chu Family.

After I was escorted into the bridal chamber, Fu Huai was clearly somewhat stirred, but he still went out first to entertain the guests.

But I made my veil fall as if by accident, letting him see my face clearly.

I knew my looks were bright and striking. Fu Huai was no saint. Stripped of his halo, he was merely an ordinary young man.

And if he was a man, then he would certainly love beauty.

“Husband, don’t worry about me. Go and see to your duties first.”

I smiled sweetly, all innocence and harmlessness.

Even if Fu Huai held a grudge against the Chu Family, he could not very well take it out on me.

After all, no one slapped a smiling face.

Back then, my sister had simply been too proud and aloof. She had never known how to show weakness or yield.

But I understood perfectly the principle of “let him win first, then let him die.”

A truly rotten person was not merely rotten on the surface, nor did they only know how to fight and kill.

From the time I was a teenager, my brand of wickedness had shifted into schemes of the heart.

I simply adored the feeling of playing everyone in the palm of my hand.

Fu Huai’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His deep eyes darkened again and again as he said hoarsely, “All right.”

He had seen my face clearly, and he had inhaled the Bliss Powder.

Next, even if he was at the banquet, his mind would be filled with nothing but me.

I dismissed the servants of the Duke’s Mansion and gave my trusted maid, Cui Niang, a look.

Cui Niang had been trained by my own hand, and she was no gentle soul either.

Very quickly, she tampered with the nuptial wine, the dragon-and-phoenix wedding candles, and the bedding.

Once everything was done, Cui Niang said, “Second Miss, as long as Lord Duke steps into this room again, he won’t be leaving tonight.”

Mistress and maid exchanged a glance, certain of victory.

Sure enough, before long, Fu Huai strode into the bridal chamber. His breathing seemed slightly unsteady, though outwardly he remained composed.

I took his hand and invited him to drink the nuptial wine with me. My initiative and warmth carried just the right hint of bashful charm.

The wedding candles burned brightly. Fu Huai’s eyes were dazed, his gaze falling on my lips.