Political marriage, marrying someone unknown, was destined fate for a girl born into nobility. To break free required extraordinary cultivation talent, yet those with exceptional innate abilities were extremely rare. Most powerful cultivators achieved astounding feats through indomitable will and perseverance despite mediocre talent. As a result, the fate of most noble children was tragic—they existed merely as tools to strengthen their families.
However, Cheng Duchen’s daughter’s situation was even worse. At least those used as political marriage tools would have formal engagements with matchmakers and elaborate ceremonies marking their departure. But she was even deprived of that. A groom was simply picked randomly from the streets, and even more absurdly, without regard for any auspicious date or informing the groom’s parents, the wedding was hastily arranged for the same evening. This blatant disregard for traditional customs clearly showed fear of unexpected changes. It wasn’t a wedding—it was like exorcising a plague god.
After sending Zhang Cong to visit the Imperial Academy first, Li Tan began contemplating countermeasures. However, since the old fox Cheng Duchen revealed nothing, and the lady of the house insisted the bride must not be seen before the wedding night, he could only sit under a mulberry tree gloomily watching clouds drift across the clear blue sky. Occasionally thinking of Tang Leyin, he felt boundless guilt—he had promised to marry no one else but her, yet here he was, marrying another girl just days later.
Although this wasn’t Li Tan’s fault, he still felt like he had done something wrong.
Passing time in such turmoil, sunlight gradually faded as night silently descended.
Because he needed to change into the groom’s attire, several elderly maids pushed Li Tan into a room. Having lived in noble households for years, these women had completely lost any rustic simplicity, constantly saying annoying things. Li Tan grew impatient and couldn’t stand having his clothes adjusted by several women, so he decisively chased them out.
Then they stood guarding the door, refusing to leave no matter how much they scolded. Li Tan couldn’t reasonably draw his big sword just for this, so he had no choice but to let them be.
After all, these people probably weren’t staying there willingly either—they were likely ordered by Cheng Duchen to monitor Li Tan and prevent the groom from fleeing. Li Tan had previously shown reluctance, so Cheng Duchen feared he might suddenly escape. With the vast Luo River around, once he disappeared, they’d never find him again.
After considerable effort getting dressed, the copper mirror reflected Li Tan in red ceremonial robes, his face like jade crown, smooth and fair, with clearly defined features. Beneath his sharply arched eyebrows, his eyes were indifferent, exuding an aura of “keep away.”
The last time he wore this outfit was over two months ago, when he was still the supreme Human Emperor. Now, betrayed by a brother, he had fallen into such a miserable state.
Sighing involuntarily, Li Tan pushed the door open and followed the elderly maids toward the Cheng family’s main hall.
The Cheng residence was decorated with lanterns and red banners, drums and music echoing everywhere. However, apart from the busy servants, not a single guest had arrived, creating an atmosphere eerily similar to a ghost wedding.
Inside the hall, Cheng Duchen and his wife sat together, especially Cheng Duchen displaying obvious impatience. The “bride” stood beside attendants, covering her face with a red veil, appearing delicate and helpless. An ordinary man would probably have his arrogance instantly extinguished by her charm, but unfortunately, Li Tan was famously wooden. Except for being reminded of Tang Leyin by the scenery, he felt absolutely nothing.
This was normal—if the mighty Human Emperor could be easily captivated by any beauty, humanity probably wouldn’t have lasted this long.
Li Tan walked to the girl’s side, glancing at her indistinct face beneath the red veil. He wondered what had happened to her, while Cheng Duchen interpreted this as interest in his daughter, prompting a slight smile.
Just as Li Tan planned to use his spiritual awareness to examine the girl thoroughly, Cheng Duchen’s shout delayed his scheme.
The suona and trumpet sounded, various instruments playing in the cold, guestless hall. The matchmaker joyfully shouted, “First bow to heaven and earth!”
The elderly maids pressed them to turn and kowtow to heaven and earth.
“Second bow to parents!”
Li Tan refused to kneel no matter how they pressed him. Originally expecting Cheng Duchen to erupt in anger, instead he simply waved casually, indicating the matchmaker should hurry.
Thus, the parental bow was hastily skipped to save money.
“Send to the bridal chamber!”
At the matchmaker’s third shout, the attendants led the bride away first. Normally, Li Tan should have been toasting guests, but with no one present, he was directly pushed into the bridal room.
Before entering, Li Tan noticed Cheng Duchen’s obvious delight, suddenly forming a thought.
What had happened to make Cheng Fachang, a man of high status, so eager to marry off his daughter?
Previously unable to understand this issue, now Li Tan suddenly considered a possibility.
His daughter had been involved with someone else and was already pregnant out of wedlock.
Only this could explain why Cheng Duchen was in such a hurry to throw a bride-choosing ball. If they followed proper formalities with all the elaborate rituals, by the time she married, her belly might already show.
To verify this hypothesis, as soon as entering the bridal chamber, Li Tan ignored the gently seated girl, the dragon-phoenix wine cups, and even the special stick for lifting the veil. He closed the door and bluntly asked, “Are you already pregnant?”
The girl’s body visibly trembled beneath her veil, seemingly indignant as she shouted, “You’re the one pregnant!”
But as the words left her mouth, she froze, remaining stunned for two or three seconds before stubbornly saying, “Right, I am pregnant, that’s why Father hurriedly married me off. What? Regretting it now?
You can still run away if you want.”
This reaction seemed odd. Li Tan, puzzled, approached the girl, placing his hand on her wrist. Unseen beneath the veil, she was startled by this sudden action, instinctively struggling.
“What are you doing? Assaulting me!”
“Assaulting what assaulting? Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will save you.”
Upon reflection, that was indeed the case. The girl began sobbing pitifully. Li Tan truly couldn’t comprehend what this little girl was up to—her behavior consistently struck him as peculiar. However, he detested dealing with crying women, so he explained, “Just checking your pulse.”
“Liar! You must have ulterior motives!”
The girl stubbornly insisted.
Li Tan looked her up and down, smirking, “Please, what part of you is worth my ulterior motives? You’re as flat as plains outside the city.”
The girl was startled, then seemed to realize something. Whether her face turned red beneath the veil was unknown, but she immediately tried to stand up angrily. Unfortunately, Li Tan was holding her hand, so she couldn’t rise and almost fell to the ground.
“I said don’t move around.”
Li Tan restrained the restless girl. Soon, he felt the pulse, frowning slightly, “Indeed, it’s a pregnancy pulse.” Before entering, he had guessed the girl might be pregnant, so confirmation wasn’t surprising. However, her previous behavior seemed inconsistent. Just touching her hand made her cry—this girl still had traditional values, obviously self-respecting. How could she recklessly have improper relations with others?
Therefore, Li Tan remained doubtful, cautiously asking, “You’re not a fickle woman, are you?”
“You’re the fickle one! Hmph, despicable!”
She turned her head away.
Li Tan continued, “If not, why would you get pregnant by a stranger?”
Enraged, the girl completely forgot how Li Tan could possibly know about her pregnancy and shouted furiously, “You ugly pervert! If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll fight you to the death!”
“Who’s talking nonsense? You just admitted it yourself.”
“I… Hmph, I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
Speechless, the girl gave a huff, the red veil shaking as she seemed to turn away again.
Under the red veil, she couldn’t see anything, but Li Tan couldn’t understand her actions. However, he sensed this girl definitely had her own secrets. The pulse indicated pregnancy, yet her behavior denied it, so there must be reasons behind this contradiction.
Thinking carefully, when he first entered, she had claimed pregnancy. Normally, how could a bride admit such a thing to her new husband?
Unless—her intention was to drive this man away.
Li Tan’s eyes brightened as he suddenly realized something. He released her wrist and placed his palm on her abdomen. Instantly, her face turned as red as the veil. She screamed loudly, probably loud enough for Cheng Duchen to hear.
Li Tan didn’t want his reputation ruined, especially not gaining some strange title tomorrow morning. He quickly covered her mouth with his other hand, threatening in a harsh whisper, “Scream again and I’ll devour you right now.”
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