Chapter 7: The Wedding

Chapter 7: The Wedding

To prove the Princess Zhao Yun wrong on the spot, the tyrant set the wedding date hastily. With just under two days of preparation, the grand day that drew worldwide attention arrived.

Lu Changping thought about the tyrant's unusual behavior last night and slept later than usual, not expecting to be woken up by the palace staff before dawn the next day.

It turns out that the tyrant had sent a group of colorfully dressed palace nannies to attend to his grooming and makeup.

Lu Changping knew well that these nannies had spent their entire lives in the palace and were all seasoned experts.

Realizing that having them assist with dressing and makeup could risk revealing his disguise as a man in women's attire, he excused himself by claiming a dislike for overly bold bridal makeup, and had Ji Yue dismiss them all.

Due to the tyrant's previous high-profile declarations, Lu Changping had become a person well-known to everyone in the Northern Guard Imperial Palace.

Even the maids working in the neglected parts of the palace could hear gossip about "His Majesty's sole favorite, a stunning beauty from the village," during their leisure time from other palace sisters.

Everyone regarded Lu Changping as the apple of the Emperor's eye, obeying him without question, fearing to accidentally follow in the footsteps of a palace servant who had been executed the day before.

Lu Changping himself was acutely aware of the exaggeration in these rumors. Tales of the domineering sovereign's favorite or a village girl transforming into a phoenix were all fabrications.

From his observations, Xie Xuan Yuan's thought processes had never been normal up to this point.

If one day, such a tyrant could truly fall for someone...

At this thought, Lu Changping's hand trembled slightly, accidentally thickening the right eyebrow with his eyebrow pencil.

Annoyed at his mistake, he wiped away the erroneous stroke, thinking: It was all because the image of the tyrant falling for someone else was too enchanting, he couldn't help but lose control of his hand.

After finishing his makeup, he changed into his wedding dress.

Before leaving, he even found a secluded corner to secretly stuff a couple of moderately thick pads into his chest area.

This gave the usually too-flat area a bit of curvature, subtly suggesting an alluring modesty through the luxurious and heavy wedding attire.

Lu Changping even began to hope that Xie Xuan Yuan would be a bit more debauched tonight, and not waste his efforts in presenting himself so attractively...

When the auspicious time arrived, the luxurious sedan waiting at the palace gate was lifted by eight eunuchs. After a short and shaky journey, it steadied in front of the Hanguang Hall, where grand ceremonies were held in the Northern Guard Palace.

To Lu Changping's surprise, Xie Xuan Yuan was already waiting at the entrance of the hall.

The tyrant was also dressed in his finest today.

In their previous encounters, Lu Changping had only seen Xie Xuan Yuan in high-collared, long-sleeved black attire, as if he wished to cover every inch of his skin tightly. From a distance, he resembled a sleek, black crow come to life.

But Xie Xuan Yuan, in his bright red wedding attire, looked exceptionally handsome, truly a sight for sore eyes.

The vivid red complemented his striking features, overshadowing his typically somber and unhealthy aura, making one feel that he should naturally be a spirited and bold young man.

Even Lu Changping, who had always been critical of the tyrant, had to admit that Xie Xuan Yuan no longer resembled a crow demon but rather seemed like a proud Jinwu standing atop the mythical Fusang tree.

Although, a Jinwu still somewhat resembles a crow...

As Lu Changping observed the tyrant, the tyrant was also scrutinizing him closely.

Their gazes inadvertently met in the air, and Xie Xuan Yuan was the first to reveal a satisfied smile. He then extended a hand with aloof arrogance, signaling for Lu Changping to obediently take it.

Lu Changping, being straightforward, decided that since he aimed to seduce the tyrant, he should get into character sooner. He boldly grasped the cold hand and followed him up the steps of the Hanguang Hall.

From a distance, the two of them, matching in looks and height, truly seemed like a perfectly matched pair.

However, the reality was such that they had only ascended a few steps when Xie Xuan Yuan, slightly displeased, began to nitpick: "The padding at your chest looks awkward; you should remove it when you have a chance."

Upon hearing this, Lu Changping turned his head, giving the tyrant an innocently aggrieved look, clearly unwilling to admit that his chest was augmented.

Xie Xuan Yuan, accustomed to having his way and never one for tact or pleasantries, continued mercilessly upon seeing Lu Changping's denial: "I've known you long enough; do you think I don't know what you're really like?"

With that, his gaze meaningfully lingered on the spot where Lu Changping had stuffed padding inside his clothing.

The tyrant was insinuating that he was flat-chested!

Lu Changping halted in his steps, nearly undone by the tyrant's infuriating comments. Was being too committed to cross-dressing a fault?

It was rare for the tyrant to have pleased him the day before, leading him to decide to earn the tyrant face in front of others. Little did he expect that such a rare kindness would not be reciprocated.

Perhaps Lu Changping's change in expression was too evident, for Xie Xuan Yuan quickly realized the inappropriateness of his previous remarks.

He seldom reflected deeply but eventually understood the issue at hand.

Just as no man likes to be told that certain parts are too small, no woman enjoys mockery for being flat-chested.

The more attractive the person, the more they seek perfection.

Though the "Miss Ping" he was leading had an impeccable celestial appearance, she must be dissatisfied with her figure, hence the adjustments on her wedding day.

Unfortunately, her small act of vanity was ruthlessly exposed by him...

Xie Xuan Yuan felt a twinge of regret, yet he did not wish it to be noticed.

He carefully chose his words, continuing in an indifferent tone: "Ah Ping, you are you, unique and without need for change.

In my view, if all beauties in the world were to look the same, indistinguishable and devoid of uniqueness, that would be truly tragic.

Who needs specific standards to judge beauty? If I deem her beautiful, then she is beautiful."

Lu Changping was initially surprised by the tyrant's rare earnest words, but realizing the essence of "If I find her beautiful, then she is beautiful," he saw the reality.

The tyrant remains a tyrant, essentially saying that Xie Xuan Yuan doesn't mind marrying someone flat-chested, as long as he finds her pleasing to the eye.

The steps at the entrance of Hanguang Hall were long enough that by the time the tyrant led his beauty, Lu, to the top, a subtle truce had temporarily been reached between them.

Dressed in their finest, the pair stood on the high platform, exuding an indescribable harmony from afar.

However, the peaceful atmosphere did not last long, as it was now the tyrant himself who wore a sullen expression.

Xie Xuan Yuan had always known that the beauty by his side was tall, but it was only when they stood together that he realized just how exceptionally tall she was.

Such height, uncommon even among ordinary women, let alone average men, made the beauty standing upright appear subtly taller than him by an inch.

He had unwittingly married a stunning beauty with a height of eight feet...

Xie Xuan Yuan frowned imperceptibly, trying to appear unconcerned, yet his gaze involuntarily drifted towards Lu Changping's feet.

If he found out that someone had given his "Miss Ping" platform shoes today, he would surely have that person executed!

At first, Lu Changping felt slightly apprehensive when he noticed the tyrant glancing at him sideways, but he was not foolish and quickly understood what the tyrant was looking at.

So, the tyrant was jealous of his taller stature...

Lu Changping felt a smidge of pride. The tyrant's concern over this meant he fully believed in his female identity.

With this realization, Lu Changping did not cater to the tyrant's fragile ego; instead, he stood even taller.

Since the tyrant still suspected he was wearing platform shoes to appear taller, he decided to shatter that last illusion.

Pretending to admire the distant view, he deliberately took a few steps in the tyrant's direction, naturally revealing his embroidered shoes in the process.

...Though exquisitely made, they were definitely flat-soled.

Lu Changping watched as the tyrant's gaze lingered on the thin soles for a moment before revealing a slightly frustrated expression, feeling a sense of triumph and greatly uplifted.

Had it not been for Xie Xuan Yuan's tactless exposure of him stuffing padding into his chest, why would he intentionally reveal his shoes to prove his height?

The setback he had suffered earlier regarding his height had now been compensated for, and Lu Changping was quite satisfied with the outcome of this win-lose situation with the tyrant.

Unexpectedly, Xie Xuan Yuan suddenly sighed softly beside his ear: "Actually, it's better for a woman to be taller. A taller woman would likely give birth to taller princes in the future."

What sort of outrageous statements are these?

They were only pretending to be intimate, yet the tyrant was even considering having children in the plan?

This time, Lu Changping truly couldn't hold back and glared fiercely at the shameless tyrant in front of everyone.

Little did he expect that the tyrant, having just gained the upper hand verbally and unfazed by the glare, simply waved his hand generously: "Well, I know you're shy, we can talk about these matters slowly in the future."

What a statement about discussing it slowly in the future...

……

Having verbally tormented the mute beauty Lu to his satisfaction, Xie Xuan Yuan then redirected his attention to the main topic of the day.

He looked impatiently at the attendant beside him responsible for gathering intelligence on Princess Zhao Yun's movements, urging: "Wasn't it said that the princess would arrive in the capital today? What time is it now, and why hasn't she arrived?"

The person being questioned had already turned pale, but still replied with suppressed fear and respect: "Your Majesty, the envoys from Nan Chu said there was a mishap on the way, but they will surely enter the palace to meet you today, no matter what."

Xie Xuan Yuan sneered, his eyes full of determination: "What mishap could there be? It's nothing but their pampered princess throwing a tantrum on the way, unwilling to marry me."

"Unfortunately for her, I am not her indulgent imperial brother. Once she enters the Bei Wei Imperial Palace, her good days will be over..."

Before he could finish, he saw a group of palace servants leading the dusty envoys from Nan Chu towards the Huan Guang Hall not far away.

Seeing only the envoys and no princess, Xie Xuan Yuan's expression grew even more displeased.

The palace attendants, witnessing his mood, knew all too well that the envoy from Nan Chu and the absent Princess Zhao Yun of Nan Chu were about to face misfortune...

Knowing his life was at risk for not delivering the princess as promised, the envoy from Nan Chu hadn't even approached Xie Xuan Yuan before he knelt down with a thud, saying in a mournful voice:

"Your servant, Cui Yue, the marriage envoy from Nan Chu, greets Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I must report that Princess Zhao Yun was attacked by assassins on her way here and is currently missing.

I humbly request Your Majesty to dispatch men to join the soldiers of Nan Chu in searching for Princess Zhao Yun!"

Xie Xuan Yuan was startled by the news but clearly did not believe it entirely. With a cold expression, he said sharply:

"King Lu of Nan Chu was reluctant to send his princess for the marriage alliance from the start. Now, instead of committing suicide to apologize for your failure to protect her, you come to tell me she has been kidnapped by assassins. How do I know this isn't a play orchestrated by Nan Chu's monarch and ministers to refuse the marriage alliance?

Since it was Princess Zhao Yun of Nan Chu who breached the agreement first, I see no need to adhere to our previous arrangement of marriage. Once I marry the beauty by my side and declare it to the world, I will then hold Nan Chu accountable for their betrayal and abandonment."

Upon hearing this, the envoy was both angry and frightened, about to argue with the tyrant for justice, but unexpectedly caught sight of a familiar figure...

Author's note:

Regarding the height issue between Xiao Lu and Xiao Xie, after some research, I've decided to use the Qin-Han standard for "chi," making eight chi approximately 185 cm.

Xiao Lu is 185 cm, and Xiao Xie is an inch shorter, about 3.33333 cm...

Although there's a trend in recent years for taller characters in certain genres, I still can't picture a 190 cm cross-dressing boss...

But both Xiao Lu and Xiao Xie are indeed tall, that's for sure.