chapter 6: a new beginning

Xu Nuan sat at the edge of the bed, her long hair cascading down her bare back as she adjusted the robes around her shoulders. Though she was composed on the surface, a faint pink blush dusted her cheeks.

Last night had changed everything.

As she reached for a hairpin on the bedside table, the doors to the chamber creaked open, and a young maid entered, carrying a fresh set of robes and warm water for the morning ritual.

The moment the girl stepped in, she froze.

Her wide eyes landed on the crimson-stained silk sheets—a bright red mark against the pale fabric, a sign that needed no explanation.

Xu Nuan's breath hitched.

Heat rushed to her face. Though she was well-versed in medicine and had seen countless injuries and bodily signs before, this—this was different.

This was hers.

The maid gasped softly before hurriedly lowering her gaze, her hands trembling slightly as she bowed. "T-This servant will change the bedding immediately," she stammered, quickly gathering the sheets, but not before stealing a glance at Xu Nuan.

Xu Nuan could feel her curiosity, her silent excitement. After all, who wouldn't be eager to gossip about the Crown Prince and Princess's first night together?

Her fingers clenched around the silk of her robe, and she felt completely mortified.

Just then, a low, unreadable voice broke the silence.

"You talk too much."

Xu Nuan turned sharply, only to find Li Feng reclining against the bedpost, his gaze cold and indifferent.

Unlike her, who was flustered, the Crown Prince seemed utterly unbothered, his expression impassive, his every movement exuding a regal detachment.

The maid stiffened in fear, bowing even lower. "T-This servant does not dare—"

Li Feng's sharp gaze flicked toward her. "Then leave."

The girl scurried out immediately, clutching the sheets tightly in her hands.

As the doors shut behind her, Xu Nuan exhaled sharply, her embarrassment still lingering.

She turned to Li Feng, her voice low with accusation. "Was that really necessary?"

Li Feng met her gaze, his dark eyes cool and unreadable. "Did you want her to continue staring at the bed?"

Xu Nuan bit her lip, feeling both flustered and annoyed. "You could have at least—"

But before she could finish, she caught it.

A brief flicker in his expression. A hint of amusement buried beneath his usual indifference.

And then, it hit her.

He had noticed her embarrassment. He had watched her squirm, had seen the way her face turned pink, and he had enjoyed it.

Yet, instead of acknowledging it, he chose to act cold, as if none of this concerned him.

Xu Nuan's eyes narrowed. "You're doing this on purpose."

Li Feng raised a brow, feigning ignorance. "Doing what?"

Her blush deepened. "Acting like this is nothing to you."

He leaned back against the pillows, his long fingers tapping against the fabric of his robe. "Should I act otherwise?"

Xu Nuan clenched her fists, glaring at him. This man…

Li Feng watched her reaction, his lips curving ever so slightly—barely noticeable, but enough for her to catch.

He thought she was cute.

But of course, he wouldn't say it outright.

He simply reached for his outer robe, straightened his posture, and, with his usual commanding tone, said, "Get dressed. We have matters to attend to."

Xu Nuan let out a frustrated sigh, but deep down, her heart fluttered.

Even if he wouldn't admit it, she had caught him slipping.

The imperial palace's grand hall was silent, filled with the most powerful officials, noble consorts, and palace elders. The scent of burning incense lingered in the air as Xu Nuan and Prince Li Feng knelt before the Golden Dragon Throne to pay their respects to Emperor Li.

It was the day of her official crowning—a moment that should have been one of prestige and honor. Yet, as always, in the treacherous halls of the imperial court, there were those who wished to see her humiliated.

Draped in a magnificent crimson ceremonial robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, Xu Nuan exuded grace and authority. Beside her, Li Feng, the cold and unreadable Crown Prince, stood tall, his regal presence commanding absolute attention.

A eunuch stepped forward, carrying the Phoenix Coronet, a symbol of the highest status a woman could hold before becoming Empress.

The Empress Dowager Jiang, who had been watching with cold calculation, rose from her seat. As per tradition, it was she who would crown the new Crown Princess.

Yet, just as the coronet was about to be placed on Xu Nuan's head, the Empress Dowager raised her hand, stopping the ceremony.

"Wait."

The tension in the room spiked, and whispers broke out among the courtiers.

Xu Nuan's fingers curled slightly under her sleeves, but her expression remained calm and poised.

Emperor Li exhaled, clearly irritated. "What is the matter, Mother?"

The Empress Dowager turned toward the emperor with a serene yet calculated smile.

"It is only right that we ensure all imperial traditions have been properly upheld," she said smoothly. "As we all know, the Crown Princess must be of pure virtue, and after the wedding night, it is customary to confirm the consummation of the union."

The murmur in the hall grew louder, and Xu Nuan instantly understood.

They wanted to shame her.

Across the room, Empress Quin, the emperor's favored consort, smirked faintly. The Empress Dowager continued, her gaze sharp.

"As per the palace's long-standing tradition, we shall first check for the cinnabar mark."

The cinnabar mark—a small red mark applied to a bride's wrist before her wedding night—was expected to fade completely only if the marriage had been consummated.

If the mark was still there, it would mean that Li Feng had not touched her.

If that happened, her status as Crown Princess would be questioned.

Xu Nuan felt the weight of Li Feng's icy gaze on her. He, too, understood the risk.

Because of Empress Ming's incense, their night together had been uncontrolled, heated, and consuming.

In their intensity, neither of them had thought to check for the cinnabar mark.

Xu Nuan took a slow breath before lifting her wrist.

A collective gasp filled the hall.

The cinnabar mark was still there.

The Empress Dowager feigned a look of gentle surprise, though victory gleamed in her eyes.

"Oh? It seems the marriage has not yet been sealed. How unfortunate…" she sighed, casting a pitying glance toward Xu Nuan. "A Crown Princess should be honored by her husband, should she not?"

The implication was clear.

If Li Feng had not touched her, did he not favor her?

Was she truly worthy of the Crown Princess title?

Whispers erupted among the nobles, some sneering, others relishing the drama.

Xu Nuan, however, remained perfectly composed.

Because she knew something they did not.

Before anyone else could speak, a low, chilling voice echoed through the hall.

"The cinnabar mark is an unreliable method," Li Feng said, his tone sharp as steel.

All murmurs ceased.

The entire court froze.

The Crown Prince rarely spoke during court ceremonies, let alone in such a dangerous tone.

The Empress Dowager's smile stiffened slightly. "Your Highness, it is not a matter of reliability. It is the palace tradition."

Li Feng's dark eyes gleamed coldly.

"Tradition?" His voice was soft yet lethal. He glanced around at the gathered nobles. "Is it tradition for the court to interfere in what happens in the Crown Prince's bedchamber?"

A chill spread through the hall.

No one dared to respond.

The Empress Dowager's face tensed, but she maintained her gentle demeanor. "Of course not, Your Highness. But since the cinnabar mark has not faded, we must confirm—"

Before she could finish, a eunuch suddenly hurried forward, bowing deeply.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, this servant presents the proof of consummation."

The room fell silent.

The eunuch carefully unwrapped a piece of red silk, revealing the blood-stained wedding sheets.

The sight of the deep crimson stains was undeniable.

The Empress Dowager's face darkened.

Xu Nuan's gaze flickered towards Susu her trusted maid insisted on following her to the palace , who stood quietly in the corner. So, she had succeeded in retrieving the sheets in time.

The emperor's expression eased, and he turned to the Empress Dowager with a tone of finality.

"The matter is settled. Xu Nuan is Crown Princess. Proceed with the coronation."

The Empress Dowager's lips pressed into a thin line, but she could do nothing.

With no room left for argument, she lifted the Phoenix Coronet and placed it atop Xu Nuan's head.

The moment the coronet settled into place, Xu Nuan felt its weight—not just in gold and jade, but in responsibility and power.

She had won.

As the court bowed in acknowledgment of their new Crown Princess, Xu Nuan felt a presence beside her.

Li Feng leaned in slightly, his voice so low that only she could hear.

"You planned this," he murmured, his tone unreadable.

Xu Nuan smiled subtly, her eyes gleaming. "I simply prepared."

His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he huffed softly—half in amusement, half in frustration.

Even as he played the part of the cold and indifferent prince, she had caught him slipping.

And as they stood together before the imperial court, side by side, unshaken, it was clear—

Xu Nuan was not just a Crown Princess.

She was a force to be reckoned with.

A Quiet Moment of Gratitude

In the stillness of the late afternoon, when the palace gardens were bathed in a gentle, amber glow, Crown Princess Xu Nuan made her way through a secluded corridor toward the private inner court. Every step was measured and graceful, her heart beating with quiet determination. Today, she sought an audience with Empress Ming—not in the grand halls of ceremony, but in the quiet intimacy of a hidden chamber, where secrets and gratitude could be shared without the prying eyes of court.

The ornate wooden door, carved with subtle images of dragons and phoenixes, swung open at her touch. Within lay a room of refined simplicity: soft cushions, a low table adorned with a delicate porcelain teapot, and the faint fragrance of incense drifting in the air—a reminder of many calculated moves that had altered the course of her destiny.

Empress Ming, resplendent in a robe of understated elegance, sat by a window overlooking the palace gardens. Her eyes, cool and calculating as ever, softened momentarily upon seeing her daughter-in-law approach. Rising with measured grace, the Empress Ming welcomed Xu Nuan with a nod that mingled both authority and genuine warmth.

"Your Highness," Xu Nuan began, her voice steady yet imbued with heartfelt emotion, "I have come to express my gratitude for your foresight."

Empress Ming inclined her head, her gaze appraising yet kind. "Gratitude, you say? Tell me, what has prompted such thanks?"

Xu Nuan paused, her eyes reflecting the memory of the previous night's tumult and triumph—the calculated use of the aphrodisiac incense that had sealed their union despite the trials that threatened to cast doubt on her purity. "In the face of tradition and scandal, your decisive actions ensured our union was recognized and respected," she explained softly. "The evidence you orchestrated, the retrieval of that crimson-stained sheet—it safeguarded my position as Crown Princess and honored the bond between Li Feng and me. I am aware that such measures were not taken lightly, and I appreciate the strength of your conviction."

A small, enigmatic smile played upon Empress Ming's lips, her eyes glinting with both pride and a hint of amusement. "In this court, every move must be calculated. You, too, must learn that survival often demands that we play with fire, even if it burns our hands. I acted not out of malice, but from a desire to see our family united and formidable."

Xu Nuan's expression softened further as she stepped closer. "Your foresight has not only preserved my honor, but also strengthened the very foundations of our future. I am humbled by your wisdom and the risks you took on my behalf."

Empress Ming reached out, lightly touching Xu Nuan's hand—a gesture of acceptance and a silent promise of support. "Remember, my dear, that in the palace, every decision we make echoes through the corridors of power. It is my duty to guide and protect what is dear to our family, even if it means making choices that others may not understand."

In that quiet moment, as the soft clink of porcelain and the distant chirp of evening cicadas filled the space, the bond between Empress Ming and Crown Princess Xu Nuan deepened—a union forged not merely by duty and blood, but by the unspoken understanding that in the treacherous dance of courtly politics, trust and loyalty were the most precious of treasures.

Xu Nuan smiled, her eyes glistening with quiet resolve. "I will remember your words and honor them with every breath I take. Thank you, Empress Ming."

The Empress Ming nodded, her gaze returning to the garden beyond the window. "Go now, and carry our legacy with strength and wisdom. The future of our empire rests on our shoulders, and I have every faith that you will shine as the Crown Princess should."

With that, Xu Nuan bowed respectfully before departing, her heart fortified by the warmth and guidance of her mother-in-law—a beacon of strength in the labyrinthine shadows of imperial power.

In the Depths of Winter: The Crown Prince's Soliloquy

Later that night, as the final echoes of the coronation faded and the palace settled into an uneasy silence, Li Feng withdrew to his private war room—a chamber carved from cold marble and shadow. The only light came from a few strategically placed lanterns whose flickering flames cast long, dancing shadows along the stone walls.

Seated at a massive, austere desk, Li Feng's gaze was fixed on a scroll of state affairs, but his mind drifted to the previous day's tumult—the challenge to his union, the public scrutiny, and the undeniable evidence of that fateful, incendiary night. His features were set in an expression of frozen resolve, his eyes dark and unyielding.

His trusted bodyguard Lu lan entered quietly, waiting for Li Feng's permission to speak. When the Crown Prince finally regarded him, his voice was as cool and precise as a winter's gust.

"You will report to me every detail of tonight's intelligence," he said, each word clipped. "No sentiment, no hesitation. Our enemies thrive on weakness—on emotion."

Lu lan accustomed to Li Feng's unyielding demeanor, bowed his head. "Yes, Your Highness."

For a long moment, Li Feng stared into the distance as if confronting a memory of that passionate, uncontrolled night. A slight tightening of his jaw betrayed the inner conflict he refused to reveal. Then, almost imperceptibly, he shook his head and set his scroll aside.

"Weakness is a luxury I cannot afford," he murmured more to himself than to his advisor. "I must be ice in a sea of fire. Our empire demands a leader who is unbending, unyielding—even when tested by fate or by the designs of others."

He rose, moving to the narrow window that overlooked the palace gardens, where the moonlit pathways lay in stark, silvery contrast to the dark earth below. The chill in the air seemed to mirror the chill in his heart. His reflection in the window was that of a man of striking beauty and steely resolve—one whose eyes burned with the promise of ruthless discipline.

In that quiet moment, Li Feng's thoughts hardened further. He recalled the scandalous whispers, the evidence of their union—a testament to both their passion and his momentary lapse. Yet, as he looked out at the ordered rows of trees and the perfectly trimmed hedges below, his inner monologue became a silent vow:

"I will show no remorse. Emotions are the enemy of command. Every action, every decision, must be weighed not by the softness of the heart but by the iron of resolve. I have tasted vulnerability, and I will purge it from my soul. I am Crown Prince Li Feng—cold, precise, and destined to rule with an unyielding hand."

His voice, though low, carried the finality of an edict. "Let the court whisper and the enemies conspire. I am unbreakable. The past is sealed, as is our union. Henceforth, I will be the embodiment of strength—a ruler whose heart, like winter's ice, remains forever unmelted."

As the lanterns flickered against the stone walls, Li Feng turned away from the window, his expression unreadable once more. Outside, the palace slept unaware of the storm that brewed behind the calm façade of its future emperor—a storm that promised no quarter to weakness, and no warmth to soften his cold, calculated resolve.