Chapter 1: With This Body, I Celebrate Your Wedding

Liu Shunhua awoke at dusk.

The night’s torrential rain had left the crabapple blossoms standing solitary beneath the eaves, their sparse shadows trembling upon the mottled green wall. Cold moss crept along the corner where rainwater soaked the fallen petals scattered across the ground.

Though spring had arrived, the West Bamboo Courtyard remained shrouded in a chilling desolation.

The window was half open, the wind billowing the worn silk bed curtains in a languid dance. Liu Shunhua coughed several times before mustering her frail strength to sit up slowly.

After a burst of commotion outside, the faint strains of string music drifted in. Listening carefully, she recognized the melody as “The Peach Tree Blossoms.”

Dazed and disoriented, it took Liu Shunhua a long moment to recall that tomorrow would be her husband’s joyous wedding day.

Spring was lovely, peach blossoms reflecting fresh beauty.

He Xuanhui had finally gotten his wish he was to marry Liu Danrou.

Fangcao was brewing medicine under the corridor eaves. Hearing Liu Shunhua’s coughs, she hurried inside to support her as she sat up.

“You’re awake at last, Madam. Let me fetch your medicine.”

Then, as if remembering something, she pressed her lips together and fell silent.

Liu Shunhua offered a faint smile. “How could I still be called Madam? From now on, address me as you did before I married.”

After today, the Prime Minister’s residence would still have an eldest daughter in law but it would no longer be Liu Shunhua.

Liu Shunhua listened intently for a long while. This very melody had been played on her own wedding day with He Xuanhui.

When she first married He Xuanhui, Liu Shunhua had been filled with joy.

Everyone in Chang’an knew that Prime Minister He had assisted two emperors and wielded immense court authority even the current sovereign showed him deference.

She had assumed the Prime Minister’s eldest son would be arrogant and unapproachable. So before the wedding, she had secretly observed him. To her surprise, he was humble, courteous, and gentle as jade, like warm spring sunshine that inexplicably brought delight.

Liu Shunhua had once believed marrying He Xuanhui was a blessing.

At that time, the Liu family’s status was modest: her father merely served as Minister of Agriculture, her brother had yet to gain prominence, and her younger sister Liu Tanghua was not yet Empress.

With such origins, she could never have aspired to marry into the Prime Minister’s household.

It was only by chance that she saved the Prime Minister’s mother, who then praised her as peerless before a gathering of distinguished guests at her birthday banquet.
After the banquet, the Prime Minister’s wife who had long been disregarded by the old matriarch rushed to the Liu residence to propose marriage, hoping to win the matriarch’s favor through this union.

Only after entering the household did she learn that her husband He Xuanhui had a beloved sweetheart held dear in his heart.

On their wedding day, He Xuanhui abandoned her alone in the bridal chamber, retreating to his study to drown his sorrows in wine and making her the laughingstock of the household.

Throughout their marriage, to prove his devotion to his beloved, He Xuanhui rarely visited the inner quarters and never consummated their union.

His heart belonged to Liu Danrou, daughter of the Prince of Pingyang. The two were a devoted couple, like immortals entwined.

Their marriage had only occurred because the Prime Minister’s and Pingyang Prince’s households were estranged, and the Prime Minister’s wife had stumbled into arranging it.

All these years, He Xuanhui never abandoned his determination to marry Liu Danrou, painstakingly mediating to reconcile their families.

With the old matriarch’s passing, Liu Shunhua’s last shred of value vanished completely.

Then Emperor Rui died, throwing the court into turmoil. Prime Minister He supported the exiled Prince Liu Jiusheng’s ascension to the throne. His youngest daughter He Rongxuan coveted the Empress position, but the new Emperor withstood the Prime Minister’s pressure, insisting on appointing Liu Tanghua who had shared his hardships as Empress.

Overnight, her mother in law treated her with increasing harshness, and He Rongxuan subjected her to constant ridicule and sarcasm.

Her days in the ministerial residence grew increasingly unbearable.

The servants in the inner courtyard were all shrewd individuals, adept at shifting with the wind. Seeing Liu Shunhua neglected, they cast her countless disdainful glances both openly and covertly.

Her husband, He Xuanhui, always stood by indifferently, watching coldly.

She couldn’t understand why He Xuanhui, who seemed so gentle and refined, could be so cold and detached toward her.

Later, she gradually came to realize a truth: even the brightest sunlight has places it cannot reach.

He Xuanhui was like that distant sun in the sky, with his own chosen places to shine upon.

Liu Shunhua soon came to terms with it and had long since let go.

Ten days ago, her mother in law had condescended to visit early in the morning. Using Liu Shunhua’s failure to produce an heir in three years as an excuse, she demanded that Liu Shunhua step down from her position as the eldest daughter in law of the ministerial residence and demote herself to a concubine.

She understood that Liu Dianrou, being a noble princess and He Xuanhui’s beloved, could not possibly enter the household as a concubine.

Her greatest support, her younger sister, Empress Tanghua, had already passed away.
Liu Shunhua pondered silently, delaying her response.

The Prime Minister’s wife, thinking she intended to cling stubbornly to her position as the eldest daughter in law, hurled indirect insults before leaving in a huff with her attendants.

At dusk, He Xuanhui stepped into the inner courtyard, bathed in the evening glow.

Liu Shunhua remained listlessly reclining, not bothering to rise.

He Xuanhui sat in silence for a long time before speaking slowly, “I intend to marry Liu Dianrou. I’m afraid this will require some sacrifice from you.”

Liu Shunhua agreed without hesitation, “Very well.”

She had long grown weary of this ministerial residence a rusty, iron cage.

She had no desire to rot away silently within these walls.

She only wished to seize this opportunity to fly beyond these layered courtyards and truly live anew.

Perhaps because Liu Shunhua had agreed too readily, He Xuanhui’s expression in the flickering lamplight was shadowed and unreadable. After a moment of silence, he instructed her not to leave the West Bamboo Court in the coming days.

Before she could even broach the topic of divorce, He Xuanhui had already left with evident impatience unwilling to spend even a moment longer with her.

Since that day, Liu Shunhua had not seen He Xuanhui again.

He Xuanhui was likely busy with the wedding preparations, after all, he had waited a long time for this day.

Outside, the ceremonial music had shifted to banquet melodies and dance tunes, clamorous like a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix. It was clear that the morrow would be a day of great festivity.

Fangcao’s brow was tightly furrowed, her eyes red rimmed. “Miss, if the new mistress enters the household… I’m not afraid of hardship, but I worry about how much more suffering you’ll have to endure.”

Liu Shunhua took Fangcao’s hand, comforting her softly, “In these three years, what hardships have we not endured? What humiliations have we not suffered? Don’t be afraid. Wait a little longer, and we’ll return home together.”

Fangcao looked up in surprise. “Miss, do you mean… return to the Liu residence?”

Liu Shunhua nodded. She had long since planned her escape route.

He Xuanhui had successfully married Liu Dianrou yet still kept her in the West Bamboo Court doubtless for his own calculations.

It had only been half a year since the late Empress’s passing, and the ministerial residence had already elevated He Rongxuan to the position of Empress.

To hastily expel her from the residence now would appear rather unseemly.

He Xuanhui kept her here merely to preserve the ministerial residence’s reputation.
However, she could petition for divorce herself.

This way, the ministerial residence would not bear the stigma of being harsh and unfeeling.

Tomorrow was He Xuanhui’s joyous wedding day. Perhaps in his happiness, he would consent.

If He Xuanhui refused, there was still Liu Dianrou to consider.

No woman would wish to share her husband with another not even an utterly unloved one.

By invoking Liu Dianrou’s position, He Xuanhui would surely make concessions.

After Liu Shunhua finished her medicine, the sky had already darkened completely.

After washing up and changing into clean clothes, she headed toward He Xuanhui’s study.

The path from West Bamboo Courtyard to He Xuanhui’s study wasn’t particularly close, but by taking a secluded shortcut rarely used, one could arrive in mere moments.

Dark clouds veiled the moon, phoenix tailed bamboos stood dense and shadowy, the bamboo grove stretched deep and gloomy, and the surroundings were terrifyingly silent.

An inexplicable unease gripped Liu Shunhua’s heart, making her quicken her pace.

She soon reached the west window of the study. Just as she was about to circle around to the main entrance, she heard low murmurs coming from inside.

“Father, I was just about to head over. Why have you come in person?”

“Your place is quiet, with fewer prying eyes. It’s more convenient for talking.”

Liu Shunhua hadn’t expected the Prime Minister to personally visit He Xuanhui’s study.

With the grand wedding scheduled for tomorrow, the Prime Minister’s arrival at this hour clearly demonstrated his regard for both the ceremony and Liu Dianrou.

Assuming it was merely last minute instructions about wedding details, Liu Shunhua saw no need to avoid eavesdropping and quietly waited outside the window.

After a rustling sound, a deep voice spoke again.

“How are the preparations for tomorrow?”

“Rest assured, Father. The Emperor’s itinerary is fully under our control. His Majesty will attend the wedding tomorrow, and we’ve arranged personnel along his return route to the palace.”

Liu Shunhua shuddered. What did He Xuanhui mean by that?

“Ensure there are no mistakes. Also, if there are any casualties, handle the aftermath with extra care to avoid giving anyone grounds for criticism.”

He Xuanhui acknowledged, then after a moment’s hesitation asked, “Father, must we really go this far?”

Thud! The Prime Minister slammed his cup heavily on the table.

“Are you still clinging to such womanly compassion when our He household is already balancing on the edge of a precipice?” Prime Minister He roared angrily.

He Xuanhui stood rigid, back straight, head bowed, not daring the slightest negligence.

Seeing him like this, the Prime Minister’s anger subsided slightly. He sighed deeply, “Outsiders see our He family as basking in imperial favor and glorious reputation, but even the mightiest warship can capsize in stormy seas. The Emperor will eventually settle accounts with the He family. If we don’t act now while I still hold some influence at court, this great ship of ours will truly sink after I close my eyes for good.”

He Xuanhui choked up, “Don’t worry, Father. For the He family, for Mother and younger sister, I know what must be done.”

Mentioning the Prime Minister’s wife, Prime Minister He sighed helplessly, “Your mother has been too spoiled by me, always acting without considering consequences. I never imagined she’d be so reckless as to secretly commit such foolishness…”

Before Liu Shunhua could process this, a sharp shout pierced the air: “Who’s there?”

It was the patrolling guards of the estate.

Startled awake, Liu Shunhua turned and desperately fled.

Hearing the commotion, Prime Minister He and He Xuanhui hurried out of the study.

He Xuanhui frowned deeply, “Did you see who it was?”

The guard captain hesitated, “It seemed… it seemed to be the Young Madam.”

Liu Shunhua stumbled frantically along the path, dense branches scratching her cheeks until blood seeped out in fine lines, stinging with burning pain.

Surrounded by darkness, she couldn’t see her direction, only knowing she must keep running forward. Yet it felt as if a giant hand had clenched her tightly in its palm the more she ran, the more despair gripped her.

This was the Prime Minister’s estate. There was nowhere for her to escape.

As scattered clouds cleared, a crescent moon hung high in the sky, its clear light bathing the earth. Liu Shunhua seemed to see boundless radiance.

She turned and ran determinedly in one direction.

He Xuandu Second Young Master He Xuandu was still here.

He was the only one who could help her.

Blazing flames illuminated the entire chancellor’s estate, with panicked shouts rising and falling incessantly.

Liu Shunhua stood dazedly in the courtyard, watching servants scurrying back and forth with wooden buckets in frantic haste.

Chancellor He arrived with He Xuanhui, following the guards who had been pursuing Liu Shunhua.

Ignoring the cornered Liu Shunhua, Chancellor He grabbed the courtyard steward and demanded, “What happened? Where is the Second Young Master?”

The steward trembled as he replied, “The Second Young Master… he’s inside. I’m afraid… I’m afraid he’s already…”

Chancellor He roared, “Nonsense! Everyone search for him! I want to see him alive or his body dead!”

A soot covered servant nearby choked out, “Your Excellency, I already rushed in earlier. I saw the Second Young Master lying on the bed… already… charred. The bedchamber collapsed there was truly no way to retrieve him…”

The fire grew increasingly fierce with the wind, thick smoke billowing through the courtyard. Eaves and pillars continued to be devoured by the fire dragon until they could no longer hold, and the entire building collapsed with a thunderous crash. Broken beams fell into the fishbowl under the corridor, the few remaining goldfish struggling briefly on the scorching ground before falling silent.

The light in Liu Shunhua’s eyes gradually dimmed as she stared blankly at the raging fire before her.

He Xuandu was dead.

He was right there beneath these flames.

In a daze, Liu Shunhua stepped toward the fire step by step.

He Xuanhui stared at her in astonishment before shouting, “Liu Shunhua! What are you doing? Come back!”

Liu Shunhua slowly turned her head, the blazing firelight reflecting on her perpetually pale face.

On her face, He Xuanhui saw a strange radiance like hibiscus flowers blooming to their fullest, awaiting only their twilight fall, carrying their innate destiny as they moved toward their end.

She looked at He Xuanhui, her eyes completely calm. “I know that after hearing your secrets, I cannot survive. Rest assured, I will end myself. But the Liu family has already lost the Empress we have no power to block your path. I beg you, spare my family.”

He Xuanhui rushed forward several steps, reaching out urgently. “Liu Shunhua, listen to me! Don’t be impulsive! Come back first!”

Liu Shunhua smiled brilliantly, enunciating each word clearly. “He Xuanhui, tomorrow is your wedding day. I offer myself to congratulate your new marriage.”

Her sleeves fluttering in the wind like a moth, Liu Shunhua resolutely threw herself into the sea of fire, disappearing into the boundless spring night.

The flames quickly consumed her clothing, the dazzling crimson resembling the red bridal veil she had worn on their wedding day.

That day, he had hesitated for a long time, ultimately failing to lift her red bridal veil with his own hands…
He Xuanhui stumbled madly toward the fire as if trying to grasp something.

Dust and ash swirled upward, billowing toward the heavens. In his palm, only emptiness remained.