Chapter 25: Merely the Order of the First Madam
That point, if one insisted, could be explained away.
For instance, Prince Qi was busy with the wedding preparations and had no time to meet the guests.
As time passed, the wedding proceeded as scheduled without any issues.
Amidst a sea of red decorations, the voluptuous and graceful bride made her entrance!
Due to the red veil covering her face, her appearance remained unseen.
However, her figure alone was enough to make the onlookers gulp silently.
Compared to the recent grand wedding of the Ye family, the attire of the new bride at Prince Qi's residence was significantly more revealing.
The red wedding dress was made of sheer fabric, fitting snugly to her body.
A willow-thin waist, an astonishingly full chest, and fair wrists exposed like pure snow.
Her elegant curves and long, shapely legs were highlighted with every step she took.
Her gait swayed gracefully, exuding an indescribable charm and allure.
With such an outstanding presence, there was no doubt she was a rare beauty.
Standing beside her was today's main figure, the still-vigorous Prince Qi.
Though over fifty, he looked in good spirits.
Perhaps due to the joyous occasion, even the wrinkles on his face seemed diminished.
An old husband with a young wife—many of the attendees cast envious glances.
Who wouldn't want such fortune?
More impressively, the official wife was broad-minded enough to allow Prince Qi to take a concubine!
To them, Prince Qi was the ultimate winner in life, reaching the pinnacle of fulfillment.
However, among the guests, only Su Qing watched the scene with a smirk of amusement.
Was this truly the case?
Though it seemed like a mere concubinage, the reality was much deeper.
The two were merely staging a fake wedding!
The rebels needed a means to move about openly, and this was their chosen method.
Prince Qi, who appeared to be the ultimate winner in life, was in fact nothing more than a pitiful puppet!
A broad-minded wife?
Not in the slightest!
The concubine was merely accepted due to the orders of the First Madam.
In truth, Prince Qi's role was already predetermined in every possible way.
This was exactly the kind of classic setup often seen in *Spring and Autumn Goddess Chronicles*.
The purpose? Naturally, to attract male players.
Think about it—making a target character maintain a pure demeanor while also embodying the essence of a mature wife.
Combining both elements together—how could it not generate excitement?
Truly, this game understood player experience well.
If only it weren't for the frustrating design where the heroine inevitably got tainted by the antagonist…
As if!
Back when he played the game, he had cursed the developers countless times in frustration.
But now, he was that very antagonist!
The immersion suddenly felt much more satisfying. Maybe the developers weren't entirely wrong after all.
As he pondered these thoughts, the wedding ceremony proceeded through the expected formalities.
Having just attended a wedding himself recently, Su Qing found the repetition a bit dull.
Still, for the sake of his objective, he remained in place.
The only part he truly anticipated was what would happen later that night.
It was like opening a mystery box—what awaited beneath the veil was something he was quite eager to see.
Initially, he had hesitated, feeling a trace of guilt.
But now... well, the bride looked fantastic!
After the formal speeches, the banquet combining the wedding feast and the longevity celebration commenced.
Cups clinked as numerous ministers came forward to offer their congratulations.
With beaming smiles, they all raised their glasses in celebration.
Prince Qi, brimming with enthusiasm, vowed not to stop drinking until he was completely intoxicated.
Whoever offered him a toast was met with an immediate and unhesitant bottom-up gulp.
Meanwhile, Su Qing sat in a corner, completely ignored.
This was expected—no one wanted to risk incurring his wrath.
As the drinks flowed and time passed, everyone present gradually forgot about him.
By the time the third round of toasts had ended, the sky had darkened, night settling in.
Seeing that no one was paying him any attention, the young man quietly slipped out of the courtyard.
And where was he headed?
Naturally, to fulfill his duty to the Empress—he had to investigate the new bride and extract information on the rebels!
See? Even on a night like this, he wasn't indulging in pleasure.
Loyal and patriotic, Su Qing knew the Empress had placed her trust in the right person.
He moved quickly, his goal clear.
With his strength, evading the servants was effortless.
Before long, he had left the bustling areas behind and arrived at the secluded rear courtyard of Prince Qi's residence.
Just as he was about to start his search, he noticed a flickering light.
In the darkness, even the faintest flame stood out.
Su Qing's steps halted as his gaze locked onto a serene pavilion.
Clearly, someone was already waiting for him there.
After a brief moment of thought, the young man strode toward it.
As he approached, he saw a familiar figure, and immediately knew his interrogation plan had to be abandoned.
Originally, he had come to meet the new bride.
Instead, an even more enchanting figure awaited him.
Prince Qi's consort, Han Jin Xiu!
Her long, purple hair cascaded down her back in an effortless yet elegant manner, her exquisite face adorned with a faint, knowing smile.
Her lips, painted a deep violet, carried a sultry allure, exuding both seduction and aristocratic poise.
Her captivating eyes gleamed with scrutiny, akin to a Princess gazing down upon her subjects.
Tall and statuesque, she was wrapped in luxurious mink fur, yet her outfit was far from conservative.
Her neckline plunged deep, accentuating her ample chest, while her collarbones peeked out with meticulous allure.
Her long, slender legs were not clad in traditional silk stockings, but in a daring pair of fishnet tights.
Her fair skin contrasted sharply against the black lattice, drawing undeniable attention.
Because of her posture, her legs remained straight and pressed together, yet the elegance of her stance exuded unattainable grace rather than vulgarity.
At the very bottom, a pair of menacingly sharp stiletto heels encased her feet, her delicate toes faintly visible through the design.
A delicate folding fan rested in her white jade-like hands, which she leisurely waved.
For a moment, Su Qing was momentarily taken aback as his mind processed all the information about this woman.
Though her appearance aligned perfectly with his tastes, she was no naive damsel.
If anything, she was the true ruler of Prince Qi's household—the venomous, cunning Princess!
"Where might Lord Su be headed?"
"The night is deep. Why not stay and have a cup of tea?"
Han Jin Xiu spoke smoothly as she lifted the teapot from the table, pouring a steaming cup.
The rising heat and the already-prepared cup made one thing clear—
She had known he was coming and wasn't afraid to show it.
Seeing her poised and expectant demeanor, Su Qing's mood grew tense.
For the first time, he felt a genuine sense of danger.
Like being watched by a serpent—this was far from a pleasant feeling.
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