That Imperial Concubine is both wicked and cunning! Your Majesty, wake up!

[Reading Tip: Xiao Yan has memories of his past life, while Shuang Ning does not.]

In this story, Shuangning is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, hence her name Zheng Shuangning.

Main characters: Xiao Yan, Shuang Ning; Supporting character: Lou Du (ex-husband).

[Both are virgins, forced marriage, happy ending]

Start of text:

一

Wedding night.

The mansion was decorated with red silk and brocade, with crimson satin hanging from the beams and red silk flowers tied to the branches of trees in the courtyard. Everywhere was filled with the festive atmosphere of lanterns and colorful decorations, making it an exceptionally joyous occasion.

Inside the mansion, red candles burned brightly, and the cheerful laughter of guests filled the front hall.

In the newlywed room, where red candles flicker, embroidered silk quilts are covered with red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds, symbolizing the wish for "early birth of a son."

The mahogany table was filled with all sorts of offerings, auspicious fruits, and two cups of wine for toasting.

The shimmering wedding dress made the bride even more radiant.

Adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, she was exquisitely beautiful.

However, in just a moment,

The commotion in the front hall and back courtyard abruptly ceased, and the mansion became unusually quiet.

Zheng Shuangning thought it was strange, lifted a corner of the veil, and slightly furrowed her brows.

What's going on?

It's still early; it's not like A-Du has to send all the guests away.

Could something have happened?

As she was lost in thought, footsteps sounded outside the door, steady and powerful, exceptionally clear in the unusually quiet night.

coming.

Zheng Shuangning quickly put down her veil and calmed herself down.

She was so nervous she dared not breathe, but the corners of her lips involuntarily turned up as she looked down at her wedding dress, her heart pounding.

With a creak, the door opened.

At this moment, all she could hear was her own heartbeat.

Until a pair of black boots stopped in front of her.

Zheng Shuangning bit her lip slightly, and a blush rose to her cheeks.

The jade ruyi lifted her red veil.

When she looked up, she saw a completely unfamiliar face.

Zheng Shuangning was stunned.

The man before her was handsome and refined, with an innate air of nobility and majesty. His right hand was behind his back, and his black robes made him appear even more imposing. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen in this world.

The man kept staring at her, his eyes filled with emotions she couldn't decipher.

Suddenly, a hand reached out to her cheek, as if to stroke her face.

Without a second thought, Zheng Shuangning slapped the hand away, her expression serious. "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and a hint of surprise crossed his brows.

When he looked at her again, his eyes were even darker.

"You...don't remember me?" His voice was slightly hoarse, with a faint sob in it.

"朕" (Zhen)? Only emperors refer to themselves as "朕"?

Is he the emperor?

No. Zheng Shuangning quickly dismissed the idea.

The emperor should be staying in the palace; how could he appear in her bridal chamber like a lecher?

He added, "I am Xiao Yan."

Zheng Shuangning's eyes rippled slightly, her almond-shaped eyes widening slightly.

It really is the name of the current emperor.

So what if it's the current emperor's name? Just because he says he's the emperor doesn't mean he really is.

"Who exactly are you? Impersonating the Emperor is a capital offense. If you leave the Lou residence immediately, I can pretend nothing happened." Zheng Shuangning tried to persuade him with kind words, and compromised with him.

As he turned away, she pulled a hairpin from her jeweled head and hid it in her sleeve for protection.

Xiao Yan's eyes dimmed, his long eyelashes drooping with a faint shadow, and he muttered something to himself as he turned his back to her.

Zheng Shuangning only heard the phrase "It's better not to remember."

baffling.

Damn it.

How could such a terrible thing happen on such a joyous occasion?

Is he out of his mind?

Or does he have epilepsy?

Zheng Shuangning carefully stood up and called out towards the outside, "Someone come here!"

Perhaps she called too softly, for there was still no response from outside.

It's fine if the others didn't hear it, but where did that girl Tingyu go to be lazy?

She raised her voice, "Someone come here!"

Still no movement.

Zheng Shuangning's heart sank. Could the others have been...?

Her voice trembled as she asked, "What about the others...?"

Xiao Yan turned around, his thin lips slightly pursed: "As long as you obey, no one else will do anything."

Judging from his words, the others were being controlled...

How many people in the world can do that?

Zheng Shuangning began to believe that he was the emperor, and slumped onto the bed.

She was truly at her wit's end.

Has the Emperor taken a liking to her?

"What...what exactly do you want?"

Xiao Yan stared at her, his gaze intense: "I want you."

His bluntness left Zheng Shuangning somewhat at a loss.

shameless!

She didn't know this emperor at all!

He became inexplicably affectionate.

"Your Majesty, it is already midnight."

Zheng Shuangning looked in the direction of the voice and saw a person with an effeminate appearance, whose voice truly resembled that of a palace eunuch…

Xiao Yan approached her step by step.

Zheng Shuangning's eyelashes trembled slightly. She was still an unmarried young woman, and at most she had only read a few frivolous novels or picture books.

What is he/she going to do?

With only one step left, Zheng Shuangning took out a hairpin from her sleeve and held it to her neck, her voice trembling, "You...you don't come any closer."

Xiao Yan slightly widened his eyes.

"Let go, don't hurt yourself." He really didn't dare to go any closer.

He stood there quietly, his eyes deep and full of restraint.

Zheng Shuangning slowly knelt down. The hairpin pressed against her neck was very sharp, and her neck had been pierced, from which bright red blood flowed.

"I was just speaking rudely, please forgive me, Your Majesty. I and Chief Secretary Lou are childhood sweethearts, and we are in love and wish to marry immediately. I hope Your Majesty will grant our request."

"Mutual affection?" Xiao Yan repeated in a low voice.

A faint smile appeared on his lips, it was hard to tell whether it was a sarcastic smile or a bitter smile.

"Your Majesty! What kind of woman do you desire? After tonight, I will be your wife."

Zheng Shuangning was warning him that a ruler who takes a subject's wife will be rejected and condemned by the world.

But Zheng Shuangning didn't know that Xiao Yan cared least about his reputation.

Xiao Yan gently reminded him, "Tonight is not over yet."

She is no longer a subject's wife until tonight is over.

"You..." Shameless scoundrel!

Zheng Shuangning was so angry that she had a headache.

While she was distracted, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist, and her hand involuntarily loosened, causing the hairpin to fall to the ground.

The man's aura wafted towards her, his hot breath spraying onto her face.

This was the first time Zheng Shuangning had been so close to a man.

Even with A-du, it never happened.

If that lecherous man had just moved an inch closer, he could have kissed her.

Xiao Yan suddenly reached out and gently brushed Zheng Shuangning's thick eyelashes.

Zheng Shuangning's eyes were filled with panic. She tried to hide behind her, but found that there was a bed behind her and nowhere to hide.

Xiao Yan took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and gently covered the wound on her neck, as if he were treating the most precious thing in the world.

Then he pulled her close, enveloping her completely in his arms, his warm body suddenly pressed against hers.

Zheng Shuangning struggled violently, "Release me."

His embrace was so tight it was almost as if he wanted to meld her into his body.

Her voice, however, was unusually gentle: "Shuang Ning."

Zheng Shuangning's cheek was pressed against his chest, her nose filled with his scent.

This made her very uncomfortable.

Zheng Shuangning struggled and pushed his arm away, saying, "Let go of me."

"From now on, I'll call you Ningning, okay?"

Zheng Shuangning stared wide-eyed in shock, "You!!!"

So cheesy.

Even A-Du had never called her that in such a mushy way.

Xiao Yan chuckled, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

It is filled with the satisfaction of something lost and then regained.

"Would you like to come to the palace with me?"

Exhausted from struggling, Zheng Shuangning weakly said, "I am Lou Du's wife. I beg Your Majesty to spare me."

Xiao Yan seemed not to hear her and continued, "I have already made arrangements. You will stay with me in the Zichen Palace."

"Heh." Zheng Shuangning laughed sarcastically.

"Enter the palace? What if I wish to become Empress? Would His Majesty grant that request?"

Zheng Shuangning was also certain that this lecherous man would not allow it to her.

Putting aside other details, the entire court would never agree to her becoming empress, especially since everyone now knows that she will soon be Lou Du's wife.

For the sake of his reputation and to appease his ministers, the Emperor might not act unilaterally, and there may still be room for redemption.

"Okay." Xiao Yan agreed very readily.

Zheng Shuangning was extremely surprised.

"what?"