Chapter Ninety-One: Your Color

The Empress Dowager was startled and hurriedly said, "It was I who misspoke."

"My mother, do you think setting the wedding three days from now is suitable?" the King asked.

Though the ministers still had objections, none dared to voice them further. The King easily refuted their advice in just a few words, so they knew better than to press the matter.

"You have considered everything so thoroughly, my son. It seems I was meddling needlessly," the Empress Dowager sighed. "But isn't the Queen's health rather poor? Would three days not be too rushed?"

"Please rest assured, Mother. Though the Queen's health is lacking, she will be able to attend the coronation ceremony."

"Very well," the Empress Dowager managed a gentle smile, forcing a semblance of maternal affection.

She looked at Ji Wuqing seated below, feeling a stifling unease in her heart. She had expected her alliance with Dance Lord to achieve the desired effect, but underestimated this wolf she had raised—one careless moment, and she would surely be bitten.

"Thank you, Mother," Ji Wuqing smiled as warmly as a spring breeze, yet her smile sent chills through the ministers. "Does anyone else have any objection?"

Startled, the ministers could only reply in unison, "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Ji Wuqing smiled, her presence commanding, "Though it is a joyous occasion, you have disturbed the Empress Dowager’s peace. I must issue a minor punishment. Each of you will forfeit a year's salary. Should you repeat the offense, you will not be treated so leniently."

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!"

The ministers cautiously expressed their gratitude. Since ancient times, the greatest taboo for a sovereign was interference between the court and the inner palace, much less joining forces with the palace to pressure the King.

"Furthermore, the attendants by Mother’s side are far too indiscreet. How could they allow disturbances during your meditation? I will select more careful attendants for you, ones who will surely please you."

The ministers shuddered, surprised the Empress Dowager herself was not spared.

City-State.

The sky was vast, the earth boundless, and between heaven and earth was nothing but an endless, bleak hue.

In a corner of the manor’s garden, a young girl squatted among the flowers, her pale blue dress soiled with mud beyond recognition. She was happily digging in the earth, like a burrowing marmot.

Her maids were in a flurry, exclaiming that the princess had gone mad again, and urging one another to fetch the prince at once.

Soon, a gentle man arrived, as graceful as the wind.

"I heard from the maids you’re clamoring to go out and search for the Blood Queen of Ji Kingdom. Hmm? I didn’t know you shared such a bond with someone you’ve only met once," he said, standing nearby with a smile. His features were refined and handsome, reminiscent of an elegant ink painting, his expression fresh and scholarly, so harmless in appearance.

"At this rate, even if you dig for a lifetime, you won’t find the manor gate," Cheng Feng remarked, mild as ever, always watching from the sidelines.

"Cheng Feng."

Yin Yueying turned her head and gave him a radiant smile, blooming like a delicate flower, full of vitality. She wiped her face haphazardly, smudging it with cat whiskers.

"Take me to Ji Kingdom’s coronation ceremony," she said, running over to Cheng Feng without a care, eyes pleading hopefully.

Cheng Feng shook his head without hesitation, then turned away so as not to see her coquettish expression. "The King of Ji is not planning a grand banquet. I hear everything will be kept simple. Besides, these days are likely to be restless."

Yin Yueying tugged at his sleeve, her lively eyes revealing a mischievous glint, as if her mind was turning some secret scheme.

Ji Kingdom, the snow and wind persisted, but preparations for the joyous occasion had already begun within the palace.

Consort Jade watched the busy figures in the palace, full of emotion. She never imagined that at a time like this, the King would still insist on making the Queen the Crown Princess.

The tension between Ji Kingdom and Dance Kingdom seemed the most pressing issue, yet here they were, focused on a wedding.

Imperial Academy.

The study was quiet, white and deep red plum blossoms still arranged in vases. He sat at the desk, propping his head with one hand, the wide cloud-patterned sleeves obscuring the documents before him. He rubbed his brow, looking somewhat weary.

"Your Majesty, you should return and rest," Miao Jian said, pouring a cup of tea, his meticulous air tinged with gentle admonition.

"It’s nothing, I’ll recover soon," replied the King, lifting his head. Though his handsome face betrayed fatigue, his spirit seemed renewed. "Ensure that the coronation of the Crown Princess goes smoothly in three days. I do not wish to postpone any longer."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Everything is under control," Miao Jian replied.

"If anyone attempts to sabotage the ceremony, execute them without hesitation," he said, picking up a document to read, his deep eyes cold and resolute.

Three days passed in a blink. The weather turned clear, the palace decorated with lanterns and banners—nothing lavish, even somewhat subdued.

Blood Snow remained in a dazed state, but after days of careful attention, her health had improved. At least her mind was clearer, no longer confined to bed all day.

With the maids’ care, she learned in confusion that today was her grand day. It was difficult to process, but she let the maids dress her, slowly understanding their words.

Her hair was styled in a loose chignon, half left down over her shoulders, a red flower pinned behind her right ear. Simple and pure, yet strikingly beautiful.

She wore a blood-red wedding gown, a plain red without any other adornment, like a naturally carved flower—fresh and lovely.

When someone gently draped the red veil over her head, Blood Snow was startled. Had things already spiraled beyond her control?

Guided by the maids out of Anxue Palace, she heard the sound of drums and joyous music filling the air.

The coronation required seventy-two bronze bells and twenty-eight bamboo flutes to display royal dignity and grandeur. Yet the drums were those used in a commoner’s wedding, an obvious breach of tradition.

Blood Snow was seated in a spacious red sedan, adorned inside and out in crimson.

"Lift the sedan!" a sharp female voice called, unusually assertive. Blood Snow was surprised to find the speaker a matchmaker.

The journey forward was smooth. As the sedan stopped, firecrackers thundered, their relentless explosions threatening to level the whole palace.

The curtain was gently lifted, and a slender, well-defined hand took hers, enveloping it in warmth.

Its owner wore red robes, bathed in sunlight—a radiant red, like blood, noble and splendid.

There was no elaborate worship of heaven and earth, no court congratulations, no conferral of the phoenix seal, no grand banquet, no invited guests—only a proclamation to the realm!

As Ji Wuqing silently carried Blood Snow into the Su Long Palace, she slipped once more into unconsciousness.

He gently placed her on the dragon couch, carefully lifting her red veil, revealing her sleeping smile.

Her pale face, lightly touched with powder, bloomed rosy like a peach blossom, her lips vivid as peonies, inviting one to taste their sweetness.

After gazing at Blood Snow for a long while, he lay down beside her, softly drawing her into his embrace.

In the middle of the night, Blood Snow lay in Ji Wuqing’s arms, her head resting against his warm chest, held gently. She tilted her head, discovering Ji Wuqing was still awake.

"You're finally awake," Ji Wuqing’s voice was low and tender, intimate and full of affection. "The sky outside is beautiful. Would you like to go and see it?"

And so, on a night meant for sleep, they sat together on a tree branch, gazing at the stars in the tranquil cold night.

The winter wind was biting, but Ji Wuqing wrapped Blood Snow in a broad, warm fox fur, filling the air with warmth.

High above, Blood Snow swung her legs like a child on a swing. Ji Wuqing’s red hair ribbon danced in the wind, tracing beautiful arcs.

"Ziqing, what color are the stars?" Blood Snow asked softly, her voice drifting like the winter wind.

"Probably the same color as your heart," he replied, untying the red ribbon that had blinded her eyes. The ribbon fluttered away, vanishing into the forest. Ji Wuqing said gently, "Blood Snow, open your eyes."

Freed from the ribbon, Blood Snow hesitated, but slowly opened her eyes.

Her gaze remained hollow and lifeless, but with a glint of crimson light, like rare rubies—mesmerizing and fierce.

"Blood Snow, your eyes are beautiful. Deep red, just like you," Ji Wuqing cradled her face, staring into her eyes.

"Ziqing, I wish I could see what color you are," Blood Snow murmured, still a little muddled.

"Me?" Ji Wuqing was puzzled. Holding her face, he asked softly, "What do you think? What color do you believe I am?"

Blood Snow paused, her expression wooden as she pondered. After a while, she reached out and gently caressed Ji Wuqing’s face, feeling the warmth in her palm, as if studying it closely.

"Black. Ziqing, you are black," she said.

"Why?" Ji Wuqing nuzzled her hand affectionately, full of longing.

"Morning marks the beginning of the day, night its end. Half the day belongs to blackness, so, Ziqing, you are black," Blood Snow explained thoughtfully. "Black is deep as ink, a world of shadow and mystery."

Just like her own world—a world of darkness.

"Hmm? Blood Snow, that almost sounds like praise," Ji Wuqing covered her hand with his, holding it tightly. Looking at the woman in his arms, his heart soared.

"But black is also a symbol of the most inscrutable mystery."

Blood Snow shook her head, her mind clear but her expression weary. She withdrew her hand quietly, sliding it naturally around Ji Wuqing’s waist, embracing him without awkwardness.

Like a sleepy child, she nestled warmly into his arms without care or shyness.

Ji Wuqing froze, his body stiffening...