Chapter 71

Lin Ruzhen naturally wouldn't think that Dongfang Yan was looking down on her, but instead attributed everything to Lin Qingyue making things difficult.

It must have been Lin Qingyue who bribed the sedan bearers and the matchmaker just now, deliberately making things difficult for her! She even deliberately went to change clothes when she entered the door, just because she couldn't stand her marrying into the Prince's Mansion!

Right, it must be like this! How hateful!

Thus, another hour or so passed, and Lin Ruzhen was about to faint from hunger before Lin Qingyue finally changed her clothes and arrived late.

The ceremony officially began, and Lin Qingyue snatched the master of ceremonies' job and shouted: "First bow to heaven and earth!"

Dongfang Yan was originally prepared to bow, but when Lin Qingyue shouted this, it inexplicably made him think of the situation in the middle of the river, on the small boat, bowing to the ghost bride that night.

He felt inexplicably disgusted in his heart.

Lin Qingyue was still urging him: "Bow to the hall? Why don't you bow? Isn't this the woman you've been thinking about taking as a concubine?"

Seeing that Lin Qingyue was not only not jealous but full of joy, Dongfang Yan felt even more uncomfortable.

Lin Qingyue, I'll see how long you can pretend!

He hardened his heart and bowed down.

"Second bow to the high hall!"

The high hall was no longer there, so they bowed to the parents' memorial tablets.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Dongfang Yan couldn't help but look at Lin Qingyue again, but she still didn't have much reaction, and he couldn't help but mutter in his heart: "Does she really not care about me at all? Or is she pretending, using a smile to cover up her sadness?"

After the ceremony was completed, Dongfang Yan sat beside Lin Qingyue with a sunken face.

The maid presented tea, and the master of ceremonies shouted loudly: "Lin secondary consort, serve tea to the Princess! Kneel!"

Lin Ruzhen knelt down unwillingly, holding the tea with both hands and handing it to Lin Qingyue: "Sister, please drink tea!"

Lin Qingyue took a sip from the teacup, then took a silver unity lock pendant from her bosom and gave it to Lin Ruzhen:

"I wish you and the Prince a lifetime of unity and growing old together. This meeting gift is just a small token of my respect."

This blessing was so sincere, as if she were really happy that these two lovers could be together.

But that unity lock was actually silver... no, the color wasn't right; it wasn't even silver, silver-plated iron?

Who is she insulting?

Even if she is a secondary consort, she can't be humiliated like this!

Thus, Lin Ruzhen looked at Dongfang Yan aggrievedly. Dongfang Yan was drinking tea and didn't notice these details.

Lin Ruzhen took the unity lock necklace with poor color and simple shape, and pretended to say happily to Dongfang Yan: "Prince, look, Sister gave me a wedding gift. It's a unity lock; it looks very exquisite!"

Only by saying this could she show her innocence and kindness, not knowing she had been humiliated. This would contrast with Lin Qingyue's viciousness and harshness.

The Prince had always cherished her and would definitely stand up for her. When the time came, she would persuade him from the side, which would show her magnanimity even more.

Who knew that Dongfang Yan just glanced at it casually, didn't notice the color, and thought it was silver, saying casually: "It's not bad; it suits you quite well."

Just a concubine, and Lin Qingyue actually gave her something? Forget it, as long as they like it.

Lin Ruzhen didn't get the reaction she wanted, and was full of disappointment: The Prince is still too innocent, not knowing the cruelty of the back courtyard women's hook-and-crook fighting.

"Why is Sister stunned? Do you not like Sister's gift?" Lin Qingyue opened her mouth with a smile.

"Li... like."

"If you like it, wear it."

Lin Qingyue said, taking Lin Ruzhen's lock and putting it on her personally, and said with a smile: "Not bad, it suits you!"

"Alright, you can enter the bridal chamber now."

Lin Ruzhen was supported by two maids and sent into the bridal chamber.

Before leaving, Dongfang Yan looked deeply at Lin Qingyue again.

The originally noisy hall suddenly became quiet with the withdrawal of the crowd. Wind blew into it, stirring the colored silk under the corridor.

Lin Qingyue tore off her festive outer garment, revealing her usual black casual clothes, and left the Prince Jin Mansion without looking back.

In the bridal chamber, Dongfang Yan was still absent-minded.

Does she really not care about me? Or did I go too far, making her completely give up? But I just wanted to make her soften her attitude; as long as she was willing to soften, I could not enter this bridal chamber!

"Prince..." the woman called out coquettishly, pulling his thoughts back.

Dongfang Yan decided to put Lin Qingyue aside first; anyway, she is his wife, and will be for the rest of his life, so she can't run away, right? Tomorrow he would find time to have a heart-to-heart talk with her.

As a man, no matter how chaotic his thoughts were, Dongfang Yan could quickly regain his reason.

"Zhen'er." He gently lifted Lin Ruzhen's red veil, revealing a refined and elegant face.

This face had once made him fall in love, but now he felt it wasn't as beautiful as Lin Qingyue's.

Lin Qingyue is the kind of bright and atmospheric appearance; just standing there is enough to outshine everyone.

And Lin Ruzhen is a girl next door, with pure features and always a pitiful expression, which can arouse a man's desire to protect.

"Prince, Zhen'er can finally be your woman!"

The pitiful woman leaned close to the man's chest like a bird: "Tonight is as beautiful as a dream. Prince, Prince..."

With a beauty in his arms and soft words, the reason he had just found disappeared again, and he thought: I am a Prince; bright beauties, pure beauties, I want to have them all!

"Zhen'er..." he called out softly, stripping off the beauty's outer garment, and when he was about to take off her middle garment, his fingers brushed over the unity lock pendant, and a chill suddenly came from his fingertips.

Before he could react, a golden light flashed, and Lin Ruzhen rolled her eyes and fell softly onto the bed.

At the same time, a shadow of a scene appeared above her.

This is—Dream Tracing Technique!

During the time Dongfang Yan was with Lin Qingyue, he had seen her use the Dream Tracing Technique many times.

At first, activating this skill required blood as a guide, but later she seemed to be able to use this skill anytime, anywhere.

Now she is not here, why can she still use this move? Could it be because of that unity lock?

What does that woman intend to do? What does she want me to see?

Accompanied by Lin Ruzhen's deep sleep, many memories of the past reappeared in the form of dreams and were projected.

At this moment, the scene appearing before Dongfang Yan's eyes was a world covered in white snow.

White city walls, white treetops.

A luxurious carriage came from the end of the road, the rolling wheels crushing the white snow.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and a woman's pretty face appeared in the window—Lin Ruzhen.

Dongfang Yan outside the scene showed a gentle expression: "Zhen'er is dreaming of the scene when she saved me that day. Although her status is low, she is kind-hearted and is a good woman rarely seen in this world."

His heart softened completely, and he couldn't wait to see more.