Chapter Twenty-One: A Nightly Conversation Between Husband and Wife—An Interruption!

What exactly does Emperor Xiaokang intend to do?

This was the question Han Fu pondered as he walked toward the bridal chamber. Summing up the information he possessed and considering his own situation, he arrived at a tentative conclusion.

Emperor Xiaokang had always suppressed the powerful aristocratic families. From this, Han Fu inferred that the emperor’s actions toward him were another means of suppressing those families.

Listening to the emperor’s words was like hearing words for the sake of words... Han Fu mocked inwardly, but he knew that although his analysis relied on the same evidence and arrived at the same outcome, there was a difference in perspective.

Three days ago, the Zhou household had gone to great lengths to organize a poetry contest, weaving together an indirect marriage alliance. At first, Han Fu did not know the reason. But after staying in the manor for three days, piecing together Bai Li Mingda’s scattered remarks, it became easy to guess the intentions of the Zhou and Qin families.

They wanted to marry, but needed to circumvent Emperor Xiaokang’s interference, hence the poetry contest. His unexpected appearance disrupted the Zhou and Qin families’ scheme, which pleased the emperor but also made him wary.

One man, seven poems—each a classic. With such talent, Han Fu could easily establish himself among the literati. His sudden rise in reputation and influence directly benefited the Zhou family. Thus, for them, it was a loss in one regard but a gain in another.

This, however, ran counter to Emperor Xiaokang’s intention of suppressing the nobles, and it left room for maneuver. So the emperor decisively bestowed the marriage, making Han Fu a son-in-law of the Zhou family.

The status of a live-in son-in-law was a shackle on Han Fu; even if the world acknowledged his poetic genius, as if an immortal descended to earth, he would be forever on the margins of the literary circle, never fully accepted or admired.

The reason? Simply because the role of a son-in-law was disgraceful.

Unless Han Fu was extraordinary enough to break free by his own merit, the shackles would remain. But the emperor believed this was as difficult as reaching heaven.

Not only he, but everyone thought so; it was only natural.

If Emperor Xiaokang hadn’t intervened with the marriage, the Zhou family, angry and disappointed, might have thought of this themselves, promoting him endlessly.

But he wondered if his newlywed wife, famed for her unparalleled wisdom, had realized this as well.

Even if she had, her heart would surely favor the Qin family. Compared to a solitary, unestablished man, the noble Qin family was not worth mentioning. Moreover, this talented loner still needed time to mature.

From a perspective of interest, no matter how gifted Han Fu was, he could not rival the direct advantage of marrying into the Qin family.

As for tonight, the reason the emperor sent gifts was simple.

He was sending Han Fu a signal.

I have the power to make you a son-in-law stripped of dignity, or I can make you shine in my service, bringing glory to your ancestors.

All it takes is a word from the emperor.

The message delivered by the grand eunuch Wang De was proof enough.

Now, it remained to be seen how Han Fu would choose.

With all this clear in his mind, Han Fu felt a sense of ease and couldn’t help but smile, a little wistfully.

How would he choose?

Naturally, he would continue to lay the foundations for rebellion, and when his venture succeeded, he would properly thank Emperor Xiaokang.

The three small courtyards in the west wing: Bai Li Mingda lived in the east, Bai Li Mingsu in the west, and the middle courtyard, once empty, now belonged to Han Fu.

But his courtyard was unlit, as was Bai Li Mingda’s.

At this moment, the moon shone bright and the stars were sparse; moonlight poured down like mercury, illuminating the courtyard decorated for the wedding, red characters for happiness pasted all around.

Crossing the arched gate, Han Fu walked directly to the main room, pausing briefly at the door before pushing it open.

A creak...

Another creak...

He opened and closed the door, securing it behind him.

The room was bright, arranged for the wedding, filled with festive red under the glow of the lamps.

Food and wine sat on the table, mostly cold dishes, meant for the couple’s ceremonial drink later.

Bai Li Mingsu, her head covered with a scarlet veil, sat quietly at the edge of the bed, hands folded over her abdomen, perfectly still.

She seemed remarkably composed, even as Han Fu approached step by step, her body did not so much as tremble.

The jade ruyi lay nearby; Han Fu picked it up and slowly brought it to the edge of the veil.

He was curious. As one of the three celebrated beauties of Dingxing, what did Bai Li Mingsu truly look like?

As he gently lifted the veil with the jade ruyi, a corner was revealed, showing a delicate, luminous chin.

It was an oval face, and beautiful... Han Fu concluded, then, without hesitation, lifted the entire veil.

What an exquisite visage!

Han Fu was stunned.

Delicate brows, star-like eyes, a refined nose, and tender lips—features arranged in perfect harmony on a fair, elegant face.

Her hair was black as ink, pinned with golden hair ornaments that swayed ever so slightly, nearly motionless.

Most rare was her unique and precious aura, as if the atmosphere of wisdom surrounded her, entrancing all who beheld her.

He had to admit, even though Han Fu had seen countless beauties in his previous life, both in reality and on screen, he felt genuine admiration.

Indeed, as one of Dingxing’s three beauties, her looks surpassed any he had ever seen, and her distinctive intellectual charm only heightened her allure... Yet her aura was more than just intellectual.

For a moment, Han Fu was at a loss for words.

But he was, after all, a man who had lived two lives, and had faced true life and death. So though he was amazed, he did not lose himself in her beauty.

He took a breath, his eyes clearing.

Had it been someone else, they might have wished for an intimate encounter with Bai Li Mingsu at first sight.

But that would be mere superficiality, and Han Fu scorned such things. He was not a shallow man.

For him...

At least three times.

Bai Li Mingsu was also watching him.

Their eyes met, and Han Fu saw calmness in hers.

There was none of the shyness or nervousness a newlywed bride should have.

Her character was thus revealed.

“Am I beautiful?” Bai Li Mingsu’s lips parted, her voice melodious.

Han Fu was not skilled at lying, so he smiled and said, “Much more beautiful than Aunt Zhao.”

Aunt Zhao, of course, was the woman in monk’s robes rumored to have an affair with the abbot of Du’e Temple, nearly forty years old.

Bai Li Mingsu was instantly dumbfounded.

She had prepared many possible answers from Han Fu, but this was not among them.

Though her temperament far exceeded that of girls her age, at seventeen, she still retained some girlishness.

She wanted to retort, but found no way, for Han Fu’s words were indeed true.

So her gaze, besides surprise, carried other subtle meanings.

She rose slowly, the golden ornaments swaying gracefully.

Walking to the table, Bai Li Mingsu filled two wine cups, took one in her slender hand, and gestured for Han Fu to take the other, her tone calm: “Once we drink this nuptial wine, we are husband and wife.”

“From the moment we bowed at the altar, we were husband and wife,” Han Fu replied, walking over to pick up his cup.

“But marrying you was not my choice,” Bai Li Mingsu sighed, her serene face finally showing a ripple of emotion.

“I know,” Han Fu smiled, then added, “Nor was it my intention to become a son-in-law.”