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There was a red bridal veil covering her eyes. She could see the stitches behind the embroidery: a pair of mandarin ducks, representing love and devotion. The tiny pearls attached to the veil’s tassels swayed with her every move, tracing beautiful arcs.

A delicate watery fragrance was drifting in the air, creating a calming atmosphere within the room.

Chu Lian lifted the veil slightly and cast a measuring gaze over the arrangements of the bridal chamber.

There was a pair of red wedding candles as thick as a child's arm burning on the table, and a basket of red eggs in front of them. A decorative screen made of agarwood with a carving of the four seasons stood next to the table. There were even square pieces of Lantian jade, each about the same size, inlaid on the screen.

This scene was exactly the same as the one described in the novel!

A wave of joy burst forth in Chu Lian's heart. She had really transmigrated into the novel she had been reading, and she had even taken the place of the female lead!

What she was experiencing now was the beginning of the novel.

Chu Lian was filled with expectation. Now that she was the female lead, she could marry the perfect man described in the novel!

She was not going to violate her marriage vows like the novel's female lead, 'Chu Lian', had. She was going to be a virtuous wife, pass carefree days with her husband, and properly manage her own household in order to make up for the previous regrets that she had had in the modern world.

It was a pity that she had only read halfway through the book before she had been transmigrated.

While she was lost in her thoughts, the sound of footsteps and voices came from outside the room. Chu Lian hurriedly lowered her veil and corrected her posture.

A flustered maidservant, Fuyan, came in to remind her, "Sixth Miss, the bridal attendants and Young Master are here."

Another maidservant, Xiyan, quickly adjusted Chu Lian's bridal dress before standing respectfully with Fuyan to one side.

Chu Lian made a sound of acknowledgement. Her heart was thumping in her chest and she was unbelievably nervous inside. She felt like her heart was about to leap out of her throat.

The bridal attendants' congratulations rang out, followed by the candid and teasing voices of some men. In an instant, the peace in the room was broken by the noise outside, and the atmosphere turned boisterous and joyful.

"Sanlang [1], quick, take off the veil and let us see what kind of beauty our sister-in-law is!"

"That's right, He Sanlang, we can't wait any longer!"

One of the bridal attendants echoed the teasing and happily picked up a golden rod from a nearby maidservant’s serving tray, passing it over to the third son of the He Family. "Third Young Master, please pull aside the veil. May all your wishes come true!"

Their gazes shifted to the bride sitting in proper posture on the bed. Everyone wanted to see what the He Family's newest daughter-in-law looked like.

Thus, no one noticed the trace of mocking contempt that flashed through the groom's eyes.

From behind the cover of the bridal veil, Chu Lian could only see a pair of black and red wedding boots in front of her. They were embroidered with a complicated pattern of flowing clouds and looked quite pretty.

The golden rod appeared under her veil. In the next second, the red that had filled her vision transformed into a bright world. The sudden light was overwhelming; Chu Lian couldn’t help but squint.

The bride's beautiful features were revealed when the veil was lifted: curved brows, red lips, almond-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks. Like a newly blossomed lotus, she looked bashful and lovely.

Chu Lian only raised her head and glanced once at her future husband, He Changdi [2], before lowering her head again, not daring to look any longer.

However, it was this unbearable bashfulness that added a touch of colour to the beautiful bride before them. Instantly, one of He Changdi’s 'good' friends started to tease him.

"Sanlang, you lucky little brat!"

Even Second Young Master patted his little brother's broad and sturdy shoulders in satisfaction, giving his approval of his new sister-in-law.

He Changdi was quickly dragged out by his good friends for drinks. The bridal attendants left some instructions before leaving as well, allowing the bridal chamber to settle back into tranquility. Chu Lian's heart was still beating crazily. Thinking back to that one quick glance, she was still in disbelief that such a handsome and perfect man would soon become her husband!

So immersed in her joy, Chu Lian had completely overlooked the strange look in her new husband's eyes when she had met his gaze just now.

Meanwhile, Senior Servant Gui [3. A senior servant, or momo, is an older (usually married) female servant, different from the younger and unmarried maidservants. They are referred to by their surname, followed by -momo. Eg: Gui-momo. You'll see this occasionally in the story, as using 'Senior Servant' didn't quite fit into dialogue. >w<] frowned as she tidied up some things at the side. She was already over thirty years old, and had already seen countless people. Just now, when everyone had been focused on the bride's face, she had been looking at the new young master's expression.

You could tell whether a man was satisfied with his bride from the look on his face.

Senior Servant Gui had absolute confidence in Chu Lian's appearance. However, after seeing such a beautiful young girl, the new young master hadn't shown any signs of being taken aback. Instead, his eyes were like a deep lake or an old well, calm and still, without any signs of a ripple.

The thought gnawed at Senior Servant Gui until she could not help but turn to look at Sixth Miss, who was still sitting by the bed with her lips curled up. A knot of anxiety sat heavy in her chest, and she could only hope that her old eyes had seen wrongly.

Unless their hearts were made of steel, what kind of man wouldn't treasure such a beautiful flower?

'Sanlang' literally means 'third son'. When used with a surname, it means 'third son of xxx Family'. This is used by both outsiders and family. When used by outsiders, it becomes a title, like 'Third Son of the He Family'. When used by family, it becomes more of a nickname, like 'Number Three'. It's used interchangeably with the real name of our male lead, so treat it like a second name for him!

He Changdi is the real name of our male lead. He's also referred to by his nickname: He Sanlang.

This chapter has been stolen from volarenovels. Please read from the original source!

Chu Lian was about to take off her phoenix crown when she was held back by Xiyan. "Sixth Miss, the bridal attendant left instructions for you just now. You have to wait for Third Young Master to personally take off the phoenix crown."

Chu Lian helplessly put down her hands and stretched her aching neck instead; she could only leave it like this.

Xiyan felt that Sixth Miss' actions were a little funny. "Don't worry, Sixth Miss. They won't delay Young Master for too long with Matriarch He in attendance. Young Master will be back soon."

Xiyan's teasing made Chu Lian blush.

"Why do you have so much to say today when you're usually so silent?"

Chu Lian glared at her in rebuke and calmed down. She stood up and ordered the maidservants to put away the things she had brought with her. Before an hour had passed, a maidservant announced from outside that Young Master had returned.

Some dried foods, including peanuts and dried longans, were scattered over the red covers of the conjugal bed. [1. This is part of Chinese wedding customs and symbolises fertility. Read more about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese\_pre-wedding\_customs\#Installation\_of\_the\_bridal\_bed] Right after Chu Lian got Senior Servant Gui to clear those away, He Changdi stepped into the outer chamber.

No one was following by He Changdi's side this time, only a bridal attendant who had come to pass down some customs.

After He Changdi stepped into the inner chamber, the bridal attendant smiled as she indicated for a maidservant to bring in the nuptial wine that had been prepared earlier.

"Third Young Master, Third Young Madam, after drinking this nuptial wine, you'll become a couple who will go through thick and thin together!" The bridal attendant was full of smiles as she handed the nuptial wine over.

He Changdi stood tall and straight like an unfellable, sturdy pine. Had there been an audience, his poise would’ve garnered the admiration of many.

He took his cup but continued to stand in front of the bed without moving. The bridal attendant suddenly felt as if the atmosphere in the bridal chamber had turned cold. She secretly wiped away the cold sweat from her forehead before smiling brightly and handing the other cup of nuptial wine to Chu Lian.

"After Third Young Master and Third Young Madam have drunk the nuptial wine, Third Young Master has to personally remove the phoenix crown on Third Young Madam's head, so that your days will be full of peace and harmony."

Right after the bridal attendant finished blessing them with auspicious words, He Changdi spoke, his tone frigid. "Alright, you can leave now."

Hah? The bridal attendant was still a little stunned when she subconsciously replied, "Third Young Master, you haven't drunk the..."

"Did you not hear what I said?" He Changdi's voice abruptly turned grave, chilling the previously warm air of the chamber.

The bridal attendant was simply a servant, so she didn't dare to argue with the He Family's third young master. With extreme reverence and fear, she answered in agreement and left a few more auspicious words before leaving with the maidservant in a hurry.

She racked her brains but couldn't tell what fit this young master was pulling, so she could only lament that she was probably the first bridal attendant to have been chased out of a bridal chamber.

Chu Lian had been waiting to drink the nuptial wine with her head lowered. She blanked out for a moment, not understanding what He Changdi was doing.

Why was this sequence of events a little different from the novel?

While she was still confused, He Changdi ordered Senior Servant Gui, Xiyan, and the rest of the servants out.

Chu Lian raised her head to look at the third son of the He Family. His brows were nicely shaped and his features were well-defined. Upon seeing his actual person, his face seemed to have been made of fine jade. Chu Lian thought that he was even more handsome than how the novel had described him. But what was with that unrestrained frosty look in his eyes? Why was he looking at her with such a cold and mocking gaze?

For a moment, Chu Lian was stumped for words because she was stunned by his cold and arrogant countenance.

Based on the progression of events in the novel, He Changdi had not consummated their marriage because the female lead had refused to, but He Changdi had still treated the female lead with tenderness and consideration in the bridal chamber.

The way things had just unfolded gave her a sinking feeling.

Seemingly having noticed the confusion in Chu Lian's shiny, black eyes, He Changdi stepped forward and bent down slightly. His eyes were like a frozen lake, without a shred of warmth or joy, and the ice seemed to extend for immeasurable depths below the surface. He watched the pretty girl before him closely, as if he were looking for something within her gaze.

After seeing the girl panic, the corners of He Changdi's lips suddenly lifted, revealing a smile that could send chills down anyone's back. He was clearly a handsome and extraordinary man with an awe-inspiring righteous aura. However, when he smiled like that, it added on a hint of devilish charm.

Chu Lian was so entranced by He Changdi's looks, she couldn’t react fast enough.

So, when He Changdi raised his hand and slowly poured the nuptial wine all onto the floor...

Chu Lian could only watch his actions in disbelief as that small cup of nuptial wine left a dark, wet stain on the bright red Persian carpet.

She subconsciously mumbled, "What are you doing?"

Without waiting for Chu Lian to react, the cup of nuptial wine in her hands was also sent flying. The wine scattered all over her red wedding dress. In the next second, her wrists had been captured in a bruising grip and a voice so cold it could freeze bone rang in her ears. "Can't you tell what I'm doing? My dear bride!"

What the heck!? What was going on? Why weren't they going by the book anymore? Chu Lian was inwardly wailing amidst her shock and anger. However, before she could speak, He Changdi roughly pulled off her phoenix crown and threw it to the ground. Some of the strands of her black hair were yanked out along with the headdress, leaving an aching pain in their wake.

He Changdi kept his voice low as he roared in anger, "You're not fit to wear this phoenix crown!"

Chu Lian tried to push away the man before her, but unfortunately, she wasn't strong enough. Her hands were just like kitten paws in the face of a male’s strength, lacking any bit of might.

When He Changdi saw that she was trying to fight back, his eyes bled with anger and he wrapped his hands around Chu Lian's tiny, snow-white neck. Even the veins on his slender hands were popping out; his hate for her was clearly reflected in his eyes!

Chu Lian could feel every bit of that murderous intent!

However, Chu Lian had never experienced anything like this before. She only felt the unyielding grip on her neck, squeezing like a noose, forcing her to cry from the pain. She couldn't breathe; it felt like she was going to die in the next moment!

Her fair face had already turned blue from suffocation. He Changdi thought he only had to exert a little more strength before he could finally be free from this 'wicked woman' forever!

However, the thought of his grandmother and his brothers, who he knew wished only the best for him, popped into his mind. He Changdi didn’t think he could bear watching as their hopes were dashed. The reputations of both the Houses of Duke Ying and Count Jing’an were also at stake if he were to kill this woman. Thus, he could only dejectedly let go of her neck and glare instead, his hatred thick and cloying like miasma. He would leave this '*****' alive for now!

After the grip around her neck loosened, Chu Lian touched the bruises left on her neck, her face pale as a sheet. Air was finally free to flow into her throat, causing her to cough uncontrollably.

If she had really been killed by her new husband just now, she would have become the most tragic transmigrator ever.

Chu Lian's throat was unbearably dry, and she couldn't even speak. All she could do was hold her chest and pant for breath.

He Changdi's expression turned even more overcast and ugly. He sneered and said, "Sixth Miss of the Chu Family, don't assume that everyone else is stupid!"

TL Note: He Changdi is a big meanie! But there's a reason behind his actions, so hang in there and keep reading~

This chapter has been stolen from volarenovels. Please read from the original source!

Chu Lian frowned and stared at He Changdi's tall figure. Her brows were furrowed as her gaze took on a tinge of a probing glint when she looked at him.

She was very confused. The He Changdi in the novel was supposed to be easygoing and open-hearted. He was a rare stalwart gentleman. However, the person before her had nothing in common with the male lead who had been described in the novel. Apart from his looks, his personality was completely different.

If the He Changdi in the novel was like a noble, unsullied bright moon, then the He Changdi before her was like a cold wind cutting through the night, bringing chills wherever he went!

How had this happened?

Chu Lian thought long and hard, but she still couldn't understand. Everything had gone exactly like the novel had described, except when it came to He Changdi!

As for the newlywed groom standing with his hands behind his back, he tossed his sleeves and heartlessly walked right out of the bridal chamber. It was as if gazing upon his pretty bride for a moment longer would make him blind, so the only answer left was to leave!

After He Changdi had left, Senior Servant Gui and Chu Lian's personal maidservants rushed in.

When they saw Chu Lian sprawled on the ground, eyes blank and hair a mess, the phoenix crown unceremoniously lying on the floor, Senior Servant Gui's eyes reddened as her mind filled in the details of the events that had just occurred in the bridal chamber.

"Sixth Miss, please stand up. The floor is cold; you have to take care of your body."

Senior Servant Gui discreetly wiped the corners of her eyes and pulled Chu Lian up with the help of Jingyan, letting her rest on the bed.

After sending Xiyan to the bathroom for hot water, Senior Servant Gui gently asked, "Sixth Miss, what happened with Young Master just now? Did Sixth Miss suffer any grievances?"

Chu Lian finally regained her senses. She still couldn't wrap her head around how He Changdi's personality had changed so much.

Raising her head, she took a look at the nursemaid and maidservants who had accompanied 'Chu Lian' when she had left her maiden home. Chu Lian bore with the pain in her neck and the doubts in her heart to smile at them, trying not to look so pitiful. She knew that these servants cared for ‘Chu Lian’ wholeheartedly.

"It's nothing. You don't have to worry about it, momo. [1. 'Momo' means 'senior servant', referring to an older, married female servant. Chu Lian is speaking in a more casual tone, so having 'senior servant' in the dialogue didn't quite fit. I'll be using momo in dialogue and Senior Servant as the full title in narration from now on!] Let Xiyan and the others prepare some hot water. I want to bathe and get out of this cumbersome bridal dress."

It seemed like she wanted to hide what just happened by changing the topic, so Senior Servant Gui felt that she shouldn't continue pursuing her line of questioning.

However, she couldn't stop worrying and urged, "Sixth Miss, don't forget. You have this servant and these few girls by your side!"

Chu Lian nodded absentmindedly, making Senior Servant Gui anxious.

While Fuyan was helping Chu Lian wash in the bath, she discovered the bruises ringing her fair neck. Fuyan jumped in shock, but with a quick turn of wit, she didn't ask Chu Lian how she had gotten those bruises. Instead, she went to report this matter to Senior Servant Gui without Chu Lian's knowledge.

After having a hot bath and changing into a thin, red nightgown, the lighter weight on her body finally helped dispel the rest of the fright He Changdi had given her.

When she came out of the bathroom, Mingyan had already tidied up the conjugal bed. Fuyan supported her as she walked to the dressing table and helped her remove her makeup. By the time Chu Lian finished drinking a small cup of fragrant tea, it was already 9pm.

The groom should have returned to the bridal chamber by now.

Although Chu Lian didn't understand why He Changdi's personality had changed so much, she still waited patiently.

Finally, a maidservant dressed in green came...

The maidservant passed on a message: "Third Young Madam, Third Young Master drank too much at the banquet just now because he was receiving toasts from a few princes and close friends. He was afraid of disturbing Young Madam with the smell of alcohol, so he's already settled in the study. He says to let Young Madam rest earlier."

When Senior Servant Gui and the other maidservants heard the green-clad maidservant's words, all of their expressions turned blank in shock!

He Sanlang wasn't going to enter the bridal chamber!?

If this were to spread out of the estate, how would their young miss be able to raise her head outside?!

"Sixth Miss, how could this be? Why don't you let this old servant send someone to invite Third Young Master over?" Senior Servant Gui couldn't understand why He Changdi had refused to even enter the bridal chamber. There were no grudges between the two families, and Sixth Miss hadn't offended anyone in the House of Count Jing'an [2] either, let alone He Sanlang. The two of them had not even met before the wedding, so how could there be any resentment between them?

However, Chu Lian shook her head and sent the green-clad maidservant away.

"There's no need for that. Momo, why don't you all go to bed? There's no need for us to invite him; He Sanlang will return to the bridal chamber by himself."

As for why Chu Lian would say something like that, it was purely because of what she had just experienced. He Changdi had nearly strangled her to death, but he had left her hanging by a thread in the end: frightened, but alive. Combined with the mysterious things that she couldn’t make head nor tails of, it was highly unlikely that He Changdi was avoiding the bridal chamber because he was drunk. Besides, when he had come in just now, she hadn't smelled a trace of alcohol on him.

He was clearly doing this on purpose to humiliate her!

Since he was doing this on purpose, why would she try to invite him back? Wasn't that just asking to be humiliated?

Furthermore, when had a bride ever needed to beg for her husband to enter the bridal chamber?!

"Sixth Miss!" Fuyan stubbornly refused to go to sleep. How could Third Young Master act like this? Sixth Miss was his formal and legal wife!

"Alright, alright. Go wash up and go to bed. We still have to get up early tomorrow. Nothing will change even if you fuss around here."

Senior Servant Gui could only bring the other maidservants out with her as she left, leaving Chu Lian alone in the bridal chamber.

The House of Count Jing'an refers to the He Family. Jing'an doesn't refer to the family's surname, but is more of a title bestowed along with the peerage.