Chu He - Chapter 2

Chapter 3

By the time I returned, I could barely walk straight.

When my mother saw the bruises on my knees, she was so furious she smashed a teacup-and, in her anger, let something slip.

“We thought that since your features bore some resemblance to Consort Shu’s, perhaps you might also resemble the woman His Majesty holds in his heart. Who would have thought His Majesty wouldn’t take a liking to you?”

“It seems you don’t look as much like that woman as Consort Shu does.”

But what they didn’t know was that on the day of the selection, Pei Lin had never even had the chance to see me before Su Jinyue came crying to him, accusing me of soiling her dance dress.

“What do you mean? Who is that woman?”

“A girl His Majesty met in Bianzhou in his early years. If she were here, the position of empress would likely be hers for the taking… Unfortunately, His Majesty feared someone might harm the girl, so he has never shown her portrait to anyone.”

I gave a cold laugh. “So this is the real reason you were so determined to send me into the palace?”

For thirteen years, while I was in Medicine King Valley, they had never asked after me.

I knew there had to be a reason they suddenly wanted to bring me back.

From then on, I grew distant from my parents.

Not long after, I was married into Prince Su’s Mansion.

On the night of the wedding, the emperor came in person.

With the bridal veil over my head, my hand was held in the palm of another man.

He clicked his tongue. “Imperial Brother, what brings you here?”

Pei Lin walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

“You and I were born of the same mother. On your wedding day, of course I had to come.”

“You know I don’t want a wife. If you truly care for me as your younger brother, then take this bride away with you.”

Only then did I understand why Su Jinyue and the Empress Dowager had reacted that way that day.

This husband of mine…

So he was a good-for-nothing wastrel after all.

Pei Lin sighed softly.

“What nonsense. The Lady of the Chu clan is famed for her beauty. She is more than worthy of you.”

Pei Changfeng did not believe it. Right in front of him, he reached out to lift my veil.

His voice was careless.

“Beautiful or ugly, we’ll know once we take a look, won’t we?”

The wedding hall instantly became lively.

“Your Highness, why go that far? Careful, or the bride won’t let you into bed tonight.”

“Clan Chu produces beauties. Don’t worry, you won’t be shortchanged. Bring our new sister-in-law along for drinks with me another day.”

Even Pei Lin stopped Pei Changfeng’s hand.

“Enough fooling around!”

From the corner of my eye, I saw that Pei Lin’s wrist was steady and strong. Pei Changfeng, by contrast, seemed to have no strength at all; the moment he was caught, he cried out in pain.

“Fine, fine, fine. I won’t look.”

Once we entered the bridal chamber, the world around us finally quieted.

Pei Changfeng lifted my veil and glanced at me.

Our eyes met. His gaze stilled slightly. Only after a long while did he speak, somewhat awkwardly.

“You really landed me in trouble.”

“Do you know that last night, because of you, Prince Jing came to find me and picked a fight?”