Chapter 115: The Wedding

Lin Miaomiao was a bona fide homebody back in the modern era; she could easily spend an entire day just reading on her own. As she snacked and sipped her homemade milk tea, she lost track of time while engrossed in her book. Unsure of the hour, she looked up and asked Li Yanhe, "What time is it?"

Li Yanhe was startled for a moment before glancing at her. "It is the Shen hour," he replied.

Miaomiao looked at him, surprised. She still had no way to accurately tell the time, yet he had answered so casually. She patted her cheeks and sighed, "How decadent, spending the whole afternoon just cooped up indoors." She stretched, then suggested, "Let's go for a walk and grab a bite to eat outside."

Li Yanhe raised an eyebrow. "Going out now? Most people are already heading home. Isn't it a bit late?"

"That’s exactly why!" Miaomiao said. "Let’s go out for dinner and stroll around the capital tonight."

Li Yanhe nodded without further comment. Seeing his expression, Miaomiao realized he hadn't quite grasped the workings of her mind. "I mean, I want us to go out and have some fun after we eat."

"The city gates will be locked at the Xu hour," he reminded her. "Are you sure?"

Miaomiao slapped her forehead. "My mistake."

In this era, the city gates closed once darkness fell, and ordinary citizens returned home early; only on major holidays would the streets remain lively. Realizing it was already quite late, she sighed and sank back into her chair.

Li Yanhe watched the agile girl settle back down and chuckled. "Not going to cook, then?"

Miaomiao glared at him playfully. "What’s the point? If we can't go out for a stroll, we'll just put on weight eating so much at night."

Standing in the doorway, silhouetted against the light, Li Yanhe asked, "Have you forgotten who I am?"

Miaomiao stood up again, a sudden thought occurring to her. "But if it’s just us on the streets, where is the fun in that?"

Li Yanhe didn't respond immediately. After a moment, Miaomiao said, "Let’s have hot pot tonight!"

He agreed, and after they enjoyed their hot pot, he took her out for a walk. The streets were indeed deserted and cold. They walked hand in hand through the quiet city.

"Li Yanhe, do you think this feels like 'pavement pounding'?"

He blinked, confused. "What is 'pavement pounding'?"

"In my time, we call the streets 'pavements,'" she explained. "When couples walk along them, we call it 'pavement pounding.'"

Li Yanhe nodded after a long pause. "Then yes, we are pavement pounding."

Hearing him use such a serious tone, Miaomiao shook her head, amused. "Your delivery is hilarious—there’s absolutely no emotion in it."

Li Yanhe gathered the gist of her complaint. He smiled and said, "I have always been this way." He looked at her intently, causing her face to flush.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, looking up.

"You look very beautiful tonight." Miaomiao’s face turned bright red. She teased, "And on what day am I not beautiful?"

A handsome curve touched his lips as he looked at her earnestly. "You are beautiful every day, but tonight is different."

Miaomiao felt herself drowning in his dark, intense gaze. "How is it different?"

"Because from now on, you are my fiancée," he said softly. "And by the fifth month, you will be my wife."

Miaomiao felt a jolt. She did the mental math—she would only be fifteen when they married. While she knew early marriage and childbirth were common in this era, it felt a bit much compared to her modern sensibilities.

Seeing her fall silent, her eyes darting around, Li Yanhe frowned. "What is it?"

"Can you accept... not consummating the marriage?" she asked tentatively.

"What?" He didn't understand.

"I mean, don't you think I'm a bit young to be your wife?"

"But you have reached the age for marriage," he replied, still puzzled.

Miaomiao bit her lip. "Let’s talk about this when we get back. It’s not appropriate to argue on the street."

They walked back in silence. Li Yanhe pondered her question, suddenly recalling that in her time, adulthood began at eighteen. Watching her back as they walked, he realized what she meant.

Back inside, before she could speak, he said, "I apologize; I didn't understand you before. Our marriage is decreed by the Emperor, and we must wed, but I will respect your wishes after the ceremony."

He was not a modern man, so his words were restrained, but seeing him looking like a chastised puppy, Miaomiao couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, I understand. I was just anxious; I’m not ready for that yet, and to be honest, I’m a little afraid."

He nodded. "Come, I will see you to your room."

Their brief cold war evaporated. As he walked her to her door, Miaomiao felt the genuine flutter of falling in love.

As he left, she felt a lingering reluctance to part. Back in her room, her face was still flushed. Nurse Zhao, seeing Miaomiao’s constant smile, left the room with a pleased expression.

When Li Yanhe returned to his study, a shadow guard knelt beside him. "What is it?"

"The Seventh Prince, Li Yankang, is making moves, and it seems the Fifth Prince, Li Anping, is involved as well."

"The Fifth?" Li Yanhe repeated.

"Yes. Since the Seventh Prince is confined and stripped of his power, and his faction has been decimated, only the Fifth Prince remains to assist him."

Li Yanhe waved the guard away. He sat in his chair, resting his head against his slender, elegant fingers, deep in thought. After a long while, he sighed coldly. "As expected, the Seventh won't let it go. Regardless, my fiefdom, promised by the Emperor, must be prepared. Once I am married, I can leave the capital. I shouldn't have to concern myself with these matters anymore."

He stood up and left his study, calling out to the shadow guard, "Keep watching. As long as they don't involve me, leave them be." The guard vanished into the darkness.

Li Yanhe walked out, unaware that his plans were about to crumble.

Meanwhile, the Ninth Prince, Li Yonghe, sat in his study. News of the Jiangnan reservoir disaster had arrived during the morning court session. He had seen the Emperor merely dispatch disaster relief and then move on. He sensed a trap, but found himself unable to step away. He stared at the candle flame, waiting for his moment.

In the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Li Hanwen and the Fourth Prince, Li Deren, were in conversation.

"Royal Brother, you have been in charge of Jiangnan all along. What did the Ninth mean by bringing it up today?"

Li Hanwen waved a hand dismissively. "What could he mean? He’s just trying to curry favor by pointing out flaws in front of Father." He let out a sardonic laugh. "But he is too impatient. After taking down the Seventh, he began soliciting officials—he is too ambitious, and unfortunately, too hurried."

He looked at the Fourth Prince. "It is a pity. I have stayed in this position for too long; I have learned to endure."

The Fourth Prince looked at him steadily. "Brother, if anything happens, I will protect you. Do not worry."

A faint smile touched the Crown Prince's lips. "You don't want to be Emperor?"

"If I were to sit in that seat, why would I want to be your dog?" the Crown Prince asked softly. The Fourth Prince went silent.