Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

According to the old system of the Eastern Tombs.

When a princess is to marry, the prince consort should go to his residence to prepare the wedding hall, welcome the princess from the palace back to his residence, and perform the wedding ceremony.

However, Zhao Changning was a female war goddess who fought on the battlefield, and her status was far beyond that of an ordinary princess.

Furthermore, the emperor cherished the wedding so much that he issued a special imperial edict, making an exception to hold the entire wedding ceremony in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Imperial Palace.

This is a unique case throughout history, an unparalleled honor that others cannot attain.

Before long, Zhang Ling, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, rode a tall white horse, looking radiant, and led a grand procession of the Marquis's mansion, beating drums and gongs, to the palace.

People along the way watched with envy as the Marquis's family rose to prominence overnight.

But Zhao Changning, the other protagonist of today's ceremony, felt no joy at getting married, only a heavy sense of sadness.

She had been searching for Zhang Xiaomeng with all her might for the past few days, turning the streets and alleys of the capital upside down, but to no avail.

To stabilize the court and preserve the royal family's reputation, the emperor had no choice but to temporarily appoint Zhang Ling as the imperial son-in-law.

Left with no other choice, she had to comply with the arrangement.

Inside the dressing room, Zhao Changning sat alone in front of the bronze mirror. The woman in the mirror was stunningly beautiful, with her phoenix hairpin and pearls accentuating her features, but there was no smile on her face, only loneliness in her eyes.

Feng Yi stood behind her, looking at her master in this state, feeling full of pity.

"Princess, the auspicious time is approaching. It's time to head to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Any further delay will cause us to miss the perfect time." The head maidservant came to urge her for the third time.

"I understand. There's no need to urge me any further. You may leave," Zhao Changning said calmly.

"But all the civil and military officials and envoys from various countries are already waiting..."

"Step back!"

Zhao Changning's brows suddenly turned cold.

The intimidating aura frightened the old woman so much that she dared not say a word and quickly bowed and left through the door.

Unable to contain her anger, Feng Yi whispered her orders, "I will kill Zhang Ling right now! As long as the groom is dead, this marriage will be null and void!"

"stop."

Zhao Changning spoke up to stop her.

Feng Yi was utterly puzzled: "Master, Zhang Ling is not the son of the Marquis of Yongwu at all. Since you are unwilling to marry him, why don't you expose his identity?"

Zhao Changning slowly turned around, her eyes filled with helplessness: "Do you think it's because I don't want to? Now all the civil and military officials and envoys from various countries are waiting for this grand wedding. If his identity is exposed, the royal family will lose all face, and Father will never allow this to happen."

Feng Yi frowned deeply: "We cannot allow you to suffer for the rest of your life simply for the sake of royal dignity!"

Zhao Changning chuckled sadly: "Although I am deeply favored by my father, I was born into an imperial family, and many things are beyond my control."

Filled with self-reproach, Feng Yi knelt on one knee: "It's all my fault for being incompetent. I failed to keep an eye on Prince Zhang, which led to you suffering such humiliation. I deserve to die!"

"It has nothing to do with you. He's determined to hide, and no one can stop him."

"Is Prince Zhang deliberately avoiding showing his face?" Feng Yi's expression suddenly changed.

Zhao Changning picked up an eyebrow pencil and carefully touched up her makeup in front of the bronze mirror, her tone nonchalant:

"We searched extensively for days, but found no trace of him. There's only one possibility: he's deliberately avoiding us and doesn't want to show himself."

"His master considers him in everything, so why would he deliberately avoid him?" Feng Yi really couldn't understand.

With his master being exceptionally handsome and holding military power, countless scions of noble families would flock to him, so what reason did Zhang Xiaomeng have to look down on him?

"I also want to understand the reason behind this." Zhao Changning tightened her grip slightly, a cold glint in her eyes. "It would be best if he never appears again, otherwise..."

With a crisp snap, the delicate eyebrow pencil was broken in two.

She casually tossed the broken pen onto the dressing table, took a deep breath to suppress her turbulent emotions, and slowly stood up: "Let's go."

The Hall of Supreme Harmony had already been newly decorated, with red silk and candles everywhere, filling the hall with joy.

Emperor Zhao Qiandong sat on the central dragon throne, a gentle smile on his face, his dragon robe exuding the majesty of the supreme ruler.

Seats were arranged on either side of the dragon throne; the Empress was on the left, and Consort Wu, currently the most favored concubine, was on the right.

Below them, in order, are the princes, princesses of the imperial family, and civil and military officials.

The Nanzhao delegation was seated separately in the guest area, with Huang Cheng and Liu Qingrou sitting side by side.

Previously, Huang Cheng had planned to order Liu Qingrou to win over the Tang family's son-in-law and make him work for him.

However, Chen Jinlin, heartbroken at the loss of his son, took the initiative to come and seek refuge, willing to help him slaughter the Tang family to avenge his son.

Huang Cheng seized the opportunity to change his plans, using Chen Jinlin to eliminate the Tang family, a formidable rival in the literary world. He then assumed that the Tang family's son-in-law had also perished in the fire, thus eliminating any further threat.

The day after the Tang family was destroyed, Liu Qingrou returned to the mission.

She lied and claimed that she had not yet found an opportunity to get close to the Tang family's son-in-law when the Tang family suddenly suffered a calamity.

Huang Cheng knew that Liu Qingrou had always been loyal to him, so he did not suspect anything.

From the moment he entered, the Third Prince Zhao Jinrui's gaze was fixed on Liu Qingrou.

He picked up his wine glass and walked slowly forward, a gentle smile on his face: "I have long heard that Miss Liu is the most talented woman in Nanzhao, and is known as the pride of Nanzhao. Today I am honored to meet you. I, the prince, would like to offer Miss Liu a toast."

Liu Qingrou knew that Huang Cheng intended to use her as a pawn to be given to Zhao Jinrui, and she felt nothing but disgust.

With an expressionless face and a distant, indifferent tone, she directly refused, saying, "Please forgive me, Third Prince, but I am not good at drinking."

Zhao Jinrui's expression darkened slightly, and a hint of displeasure arose in his heart.

Huang Cheng, standing to the side, assumed that Liu Qingrou was deliberately keeping her distance from other men out of consideration for him, and secretly felt smug.

In the past, Liu Qingrou always put him first in everything and avoided suspicion at all times.

With just a little gentle reassurance afterward, she will surely comply with my arrangements.

Sending her to Zhao Jinrui would be like planting a spy next to the Prince of Dongling, a deal that would be a sure win.

Huang Cheng picked up his wine cup and stepped forward to smooth things over: "Third Prince, please don't take offense. Miss Liu has always had a low alcohol tolerance, so I will drink this cup on her behalf."

As they clinked glasses, he lowered his voice and said, "No need to rush, I will persuade her to submit to you later."

"I hope so."

Zhao Jinrui responded calmly and turned back to his seat.

On the other side, guests came one after another to congratulate Marquis Yongwu, and everyone flattered and fawned over him.

Today was the most glorious day of Marquis Yongwu's life. He was busy socializing with friends and family, beaming with joy, completely unaware that a young eunuch was observing him from a dark corner of the palace.

The eunuch was none other than Zhang Xiaomeng in disguise.

He originally planned to find an opportunity to escape after finishing all his business, but Tang Wenyuan, prioritizing the overall situation, insisted on arranging for him to infiltrate the palace and act at his own discretion.

Even Tang Wan disguised herself as a palace maid and accompanied him, staying by his side every step of the way, not giving him even the slightest chance to escape.

Tang Wan looked at the Marquis of Yongwu, who was chatting and laughing in the hall, and whispered her grievances for Zhang Xiaomeng:

"Is he really your father? How could there be such a heartless father who treats his own son like this?"

Zhang Xiaomeng gave a faint smile: "He won't be able to laugh for long."

A moment later, the sound of palace servants announcing something came from outside the hall.

Surrounded by eunuchs and palace maids, Zhang Ling and Zhao Changning walked side by side to the gate of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Zhao Changning wore a bright red dragon and phoenix robe that trailed three feet on the ground, the gold-embroidered dragon and phoenix patterns shimmering under the candlelight.

Atop her head hung a gilded phoenix crown adorned with nine phoenixes, layers of pearls and rubies cascading down, her hair ornaments swaying gently, scattering glittering light.

She held a gilded acacia fan tightly in her white, slender hands, half-concealing her eyes and brows. Dressed in a magnificent wedding gown, she was the most outstanding woman in the room, displaying the air of a noble lady favored by the emperor.

Zhang Ling gazed at her stunning beauty, momentarily lost in admiration, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Highness is absolutely gorgeous today, truly breathtaking!"

Zhao Changning remained indifferent, as if he had not heard his words.

Zhang Ling frowned slightly, patiently and gently comforting her: "I know Your Highness harbors resentment, but since things have come to this, I assure you that I will do everything in my power to protect Your Highness from now on, and I will never let you suffer the slightest grievance..."

"shut up."

Zhao Changning interrupted him coldly, his eyes filled with disdain.

"You think you're worthy to be my husband, Zhao Changning's husband? The only consort I've ever truly recognized has always been Zhang Xiaomeng."

Zhang Ling clenched his fists tightly, his chest filled with resentment: "He's nothing but a spoiled brat who causes trouble everywhere, lacking both talent and cunning. How am I inferior to him?"

Zhao Changning showed no mercy, his words clear and distinct: "In every aspect, you are no match for him in the slightest."

"you!"

Zhang Ling was speechless and her face turned red.

Just then, the chief eunuch announced loudly, "The auspicious hour has arrived. Please, bride and groom, enter the hall to perform the wedding ceremony!"