Early spring, Year 38, Northern Yan.
This winter was suddenly unusually cold. It was clearly already early spring, yet icy white snowflakes still drifted gently from the sky.
The cold wind howled and shrieked as if cutting into every fiber of skin and flesh, yet the capital of Northern Yan – Mòyáng City – was extremely bustling.
Last year, before General Zhèn Guó, Shàngguān Hào, left the capital, His Majesty had promised that the day he returned victorious would also be the day Shàngguān Sù and Prince Jìn, Lóng Zǐyuǎn, would marry.
But as it coincided with the New Year, the wedding date was moved to early spring this year.
Speaking of Shàngguān Sù, although she was the eldest daughter of General Zhèn Guó, Shàngguān Hào, she was also Northern Yan’s ugliest woman, extremely hideous. Furthermore, five years ago she contracted a strange illness, so Shàngguān Hào sent her to Vânmíng Mountain to recuperate.
And now, the ugliest woman was marrying the most handsome prince.
The entire Mòyáng City was incredibly bustling, and what made people discuss most eagerly was the rumor that three days ago, the General’s Residence, on its way to welcome Shàngguān Sù back to the capital, had unfortunately had her abducted by mountain bandits while passing through Gǔmǎ Road.
“Brothers, have you heard? The ugliest woman, Shàngguān Sù, was gang-raped to death by mountain bandits! Fortunately, our most handsome prince can finally breathe a sigh of relief.”
A man in green robes said.
“What relief! I heard that Shàngguān Sù isn’t dead either; she miraculously came back to life and even did something shocking.”
“To take revenge, she then gang-raped those twenty-something mountain bandits back.”
“What’s even more unimaginable is that all twenty-something mountain bandits were squeezed dry to death by her…”
A middle-aged man, his eyes shining, said.
“Heavens, is this ugly woman so formidable? Gang-raped twenty-something at once? And squeezed them dry to death…?”
A bearded uncle swallowed a mouthful of saliva, opening his eyes wide in shock.
Immediately after, he exclaimed frankly:
“This ugly woman is too formidable…! Truly unimaginable…! Twenty-something strong mountain bandits…”
The man in green robes thought of Prince Jìn, Lóng Zǐyuǎn, and immediately after, with a sympathetic expression, said:
“Will that most handsome prince still dare to marry such an ugly woman?”
“How can he not marry her? The late emperor bestowed the marriage, and furthermore, Shàngguān Sù’s father is a meritorious general who guards the nation, holding military power.”
“No matter the reason, His Majesty would not favor Prince Jìn.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, with such a formidable ugly woman, can our handsome prince endure it?”
In the crowd, someone said humorously:
“I’m afraid he’ll be eaten until not even his bones remain…”
“Tsk, tsk…! This most handsome prince is truly pitiful.”
“During the day, he suffers fright, and at night, he’s cruelly devoured by the ugly woman…! Only a handsome prince could possibly ‘enjoy’ such a blessing…”
As soon as this person finished speaking, everyone around immediately burst into laughter.
The reason people weren’t afraid of the cold wind and gathered outside was because today the ugliest woman would return to the capital, and this was the only road she had to take to reach the General’s Residence.
A crowd of people all wanted to see this rumored ugliest woman with their own eyes.
……
At this moment, in a room on the second floor of Zǐlíng Winehouse, Lóng Zǐyuǎn, dressed in precious and exquisite black robes, his eyes sunken and filled with cold killing intent, was completely devoid of his former elegant demeanor.
The man beside Lóng Zǐyuǎn, dressed entirely in red robes, his countenance was, surprisingly, three parts more beautiful than a woman’s.
A pair of soul-captivating phoenix eyes, with alluring corners that revealed a hint of seductive charm. His thin lips were slightly pressed, the corners of his mouth curving into a sarcastic, humorous smile as he spoke:
“Viễn, your princess consort is truly formidable! You are so blessed!”
Clearly, this person was one who enjoyed watching a spectacle, completely disregarding the feelings of the person involved.
As Shen Yeming teased, Long Ziyuan’s gaze grew even colder, fiercely fixing on the man in red. Gritting his teeth, he said:
“Shen Yeming! You don’t need to envy. This prince will help you achieve your wish. Now, this prince will immediately enter the palace and ask Imperial Brother to arrange your marriage to that ugly woman, just as you wish!”
“Sigh, this young master actually quite desires such good fortune, but alas, my Prime Minister’s residence is too humble; both the General who guards the nation and that formidable young lady would find it an eyesore. This young master can only look on with envy and jealousy.”
It turned out that the man in red was none other than the Prime Minister’s eldest son.
“Shen Yeming!”
Long Ziyuan’s handsome face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, his knife-like eyes radiating sky-high killing intent as they fixed on Shen Yeming.
“Viễn, don’t be angry, don’t be angry. Too much anger will harm your health. You must accumulate blessings. You should know that not everyone is as blessed as you, Prince Qi.”
Shen Yeming wasn’t comforting him at all; he was clearly adding fuel to the fire. One could practically see hundreds of sparks of anger erupting around Long Ziyuan.
Just at this moment, outside the Purple Spirit Tower, someone, it was unclear who, called out:
“Quick, look! Isn’t that the carriage from the General Who Guards the Nation’s manor?”