Chapter 53

Chapter 53

What should've been a cozy night for two ended up with Mu Mu sleeping in the middle and the two of them on either side.

At the slightest movement from the couple, little Mu Mu would roll over to Wen Zhi’s side and cling to her tightly.

This situation persisted until after the New Year.

The way Wen Zhi looked at Yun Songzhang was like the Cowherd gazing at the Weaver Girl across the Milky Way—aching with longing yet helpless to bridge the distance, yet he was right there in front of her every day.

Just when Liu Yiru finally took Mu Mu to play, Yun Songzhang ended up having to go on a business trip.

Home alone, Wen Zhi stared at the table full of vegetarian dishes with no appetite and complained to Wu Ma, "Do we have to eat rabbit food every day? Can’t we have some meat?"

Wu Ma hesitated, "But miss, you were just saying that you’d gained weight and wanted more vegetables to cleanse your system..."

Wen Zhi: Did I really say that?

"From now on, make meat dishes daily. I want meat."

Wu Ma: "Well..."

Fortunately, she didn’t stew in boredom for long before receiving an invitation to the *Dream Lock Palace* premiere.

Wen Zhi asked in surprise, "Wasn't the release date supposed to be Valentine’s Day? Why is the premiere on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year?"

Director Zhou explained, "I went to pray at the temple on New Year’s Day, and the Bodhisattva predicted it'd be a hit on the seventh."

Wen Zhi facepalmed—she’d forgotten Director Zhou's superstitious streak.

Director Zhou continued, "We’ve got the final cut ready. Would you like to preview it first? If there’s anything unsatisfactory, we can still make adjustments."

Wen Zhi had no patience for that and replied casually, "No need. Since it’s set for the seventh, there’s not much time left anyway. I trust your vision, Director Zhou."

Director Zhou chuckled and added, "If you have time, Teacher Wen, do bring Teacher Yun along!"

Way to twist the knife.

Yun Songzhang couldn’t make it, so Wen Zhi attended the premiere with Liu Yiru instead.

The two of them, one in red and the other in white haute couture gowns, stood out even among the crowd of celebrities—especially with two ridiculously cute children by their side.

Fans screamed incessantly as Wen Zhi held Mu Mu’s hand and walked inside, murmuring fondly to Liu Yiru, "This movie is kind of our love story's symbol—a happy ending. You wouldn’t believe it, but during the wedding scene, he lifted me effortlessly and carried me for a long distance without breaking a sweat..."

Liu Yiru teased, "Oh? So you’re quite satisfied with Mr. Yun, huh? Is he good for seven rounds a night?"

Wen Zhi shamelessly replied, "Only missed it by that much!"

If the fans had overheard their conversation, their fangirl fantasies would’ve crumbled instantly.

As soon as they arrived, Director Zhou personally greeted them, thanking Liu Yiru for recommending such a talented actor.

The four were ushered to the best seats in the theater.

As the lights went down, the film began.

The movie was beautifully shot, heart-stirring, and incredibly successful—so successful that it had most of the audience in tears.

But who the hell forgot to mention why it turned out to be a tragedy?!

What about the promised script revision and the happy ending?

After the movie ended, Liu Yiru held her hand, crying with teary eyes, and kept praising, "Sob, Xiao Zhi, it was so well done, truly the pinnacle of tragic romance aesthetics! Especially when Senior Tutor Shen died, and the wedding night scene—it absolutely destroyed me emotionally!"

People kept coming over to compliment her, and Wen Zhi was overwhelmed.

The script had been revised, and the happy wedding scene was indeed filmed. However, during post-production editing, the wedding night was placed after the Empress Dowager’s outburst and Senior Tutor Shen's grave illness, turning the blissful moment into his deathbed delusion.

This was probably Director Zhou's final act of defiance in the face of box office pressures.

And yet, she couldn’t argue with it.

After the premiere, the film’s reputation quickly spread, and its ratings soared. Many netizens who watched it were left in tears, lamenting how heartbreaking it was, flooding Wen Zhi’s Weibo with tearful comments.

Some declared they couldn’t go on living if Wen Zhi didn’t end up with Senior Tutor Shen.

Many began digging into Senior Tutor Shen’s real identity, only to discover he was Wen Zhi’s former rumored boyfriend—and the current CEO of Wen Corporation, with whom she shared a deep connection.

Netizens went wild, and the shippers went berserk.

They declared: "At this point, not getting married would be the real tragedy!"

Wen Zhi scrolled through the flood of congratulatory messages and, surprisingly, her mood lifted.

Without hesitation, she posted their marriage certificate on Weibo.

Then Weibo crashed.

What’s it like when your favorite fictional couple becomes real?

*Dream Lock Palace*’s box office kept climbing, thrilling the producers and Director Zhou.

The Assistant Director called to congratulate her first, then smoothly shifted the topic: "Would Teacher Wen and President Yun be open to making a joint appearance and giving fans some sweet moments?"

Wen Zhi: "No. What happened to the promised happy ending? Why didn’t you consult me during editing?"

The Assistant Director feigned ignorance: "We did ask if you wanted to review the final cut so we could make adjustments if needed, but you said no. After the film’s release, your fanbase grew, and even Wen Corporation’s stocks surged. Plus, Director Zhou has already submitted the film for an international festival—there’s a good chance you’ll win another Best Actress award. Isn’t that great?"

Truly directors—one’s slick, the other’s silver-tongued.

Wen Zhi: "Fine. On the fifth of next month, Yun and I are holding our wedding. You can bring a crew to livestream it—just remember to bring a gift."

Recognizing this was a huge favor, the Assistant Director readily agreed: "Of course! Director Zhou, the producers, and I will prepare a grand gift together."

The wedding dress and his tuxedo had been in preparation since the day they registered their marriage. The wedding itself was set at the five-star WENNUAN Hotel in the city center, exclusive to wedding guests.

In the top-floor dressing room of the hotel, the wedding dress designer and Liu Yiru were helping Wen Zhi into her gown. Everything fit perfectly—except the bust, which felt a bit tight. As Liu Yiru worked the side zipper, she asked, "Didn’t they take exact measurements before making this? Why is it smaller now?"

The designer was also puzzled: "We did measure, and even re-measured after Lunar New Year."

Wen Zhi sighed. "My husband feeds me like I’m livestock—he’s terrified I’ll starve."

Liu Yiru teased, "If seven times a night isn’t enough, make it ten. Burn those calories right off."

Wen Zhi: "Don’t think I haven’t tried."

Since the zipper refused to close, she had a sudden idea. "Actually, there’s a backup dress at the family home—the one I wore for our engagement photo shoot a couple of days ago. I’ll have someone fetch it."

Liu Yiru: "You had a backup all along?"

Wen Zhi pulled out her phone and called Yun Songzhang, asking him to have someone retrieve it. Yun Songzhang was greeting guests in the foyer and initially thought of having Uncle Zhong or Secretary Xia go back, but remembering the wedding gown was in their room, he decided to go himself.

It wasn't far anyway.

He drove to the old house, quickly got out of the car, and headed to the master bedroom on the second floor.

Opening the wardrobe, he took out the packaged wedding gown and was about to leave when a gold-thread-embroidered silk pouch suddenly fell out.

Puzzled, Yun Songzhang bent down to pick it up and examined it. When he opened it, a section of red prayer ribbon peeked out. He recognized it immediately—it was the prayer ribbon they had hung at Xishan Temple during filming.

What was Xiao Zhi doing with this?

A glint flashed in his eyes as he automatically unrolled the red ribbon. Inked calligraphy characters brushed across it—his own handwriting from back then.

When had this ended up in Xiao Zhi’s hands?

Had she seen his words on the ribbon?

Had she recognized him?

Yun Songzhang carefully recalled the shift in Xiao Zhi’s attitude toward him and froze. Was her sudden change due to knowing he was Shen Yizhi?

So… had Her Majesty always loved him, just as he had always held her in his heart?

The realization burned his eyes, and a sudden, overwhelming need to see her surged within him.

Slipping the red ribbon into his pocket, Yun Songzhang grabbed the wedding gown and hurried out. The staff scarcely had time to greet him before his car was already gone.

He drove straight to the hotel, carrying the wedding gown and the pouch, pushing through the crowd to the elevator. Just as he stepped out, he ran into Lin Jiyao at the door of the dressing room. Nodding, he was about to push the door open when Lin Jiyao called out to him.

With strained patience, Yun Songzhang asked, “What is it?”

Lin Jiyao congratulated him, then handed over an old wooden box. “Here, you should have this now.”

Suspicious, Yun Songzhang took it and opened it. Inside lay a glittering star-shaped hairpin—one he had seen before. Xiao Zhi had its twin by her bedside.

It was a birthday gift from Madam Wen to Xiao Zhi.

Uncle Zhong had once mentioned that Xiao Zhi had lost one.

So it had been with Lin Jiyao all this time.

Under Yun Songzhang’s gaze, Lin Jiyao scratched his head. “There's no point in me keeping this. It’s yours now. You'd better take care of it, or…”

“I know,” Yun Songzhang said, closing the lid. “Thank you.” Then he pushed the door open again.

Lin Jiyao exhaled deeply, as if relieved of a burden, and walked away.

At the same time, inside the dressing room, Wen Zhi saw him arrive and quickly stood up. “Did you get the dress?”

Then she noticed something strange about him—the corners of his eyes were red as he stared at her.

“Songzhang?”

Yun Songzhang composed himself, took a deep breath, and turned to Liu Yiru and the stylist. “Would you mind giving us a moment?”

Exchanging a glance, Liu Yiru and the stylist discreetly excused themselves.

The door closed, and Wen Zhi asked, "What's wrong?"

Yun Songzhang shook his head, placed the wedding dress aside, walked over, and gently embraced her. His voice was tender and affectionate: "Nothing, Yizhi, I’m just so happy at the thought of you marrying me."

"It feels a bit unreal."

"I thought something serious had happened." Wen Zhi chuckled as she hugged him back.

They held each other for a full five minutes before finally starting to put on the wedding dress.

The wedding proceeded on time. Media and paparazzi who caught wind of the event tried to sneak in for photos, but the hotel's strict management barred anyone without an invitation.

The only permitted live broadcast came from the film crew, making them the biggest winners. The Assistant Director and Director Zhou were beaming with joy.

On the live stream, Wen Zhi, holding a bouquet, walked toward the impeccably suited Yun Songzhang with Mu Mu supporting her. Sen Sen, Xiao Xiao, Chen Yueliang, and Wen Xiaowen followed behind, carrying flower baskets.

The wedding venue was immersed in a sea of purple flowers, dreamlike in its beauty.

The moment the groom kissed the bride, the shipping fans finally felt no regrets.

"Aww, Movie Queen and Senior Tutor Shen are finally together! All the tears I shed in the cinema were worth it."

"Movie Queen and Senior Tutor Shen must be happy forever!"

"Aww, so sweet."

"*Dream Lock Palace* was truly the work that sealed their love. Is making a movie the new rich-people wedding trend?"

"Aww, Ship them forever! Stay sweet forever!"

While the audience and guests reveled in the sweetness, Wen Zhi found the wedding exhausting. If not for the anticipation of the wedding night, she might have bailed halfway.

Yun Songzhang rubbed her shoulder and whispered, "Should I ask Movie Queen Liu to accompany you upstairs to rest? I’ll take the heat for the rest."

"Sister Liu took Mu Mu and Sen Sen to her place," Wen Zhi replied softly. "I’ll go to the room myself. Take it easy on the drinks—ask someone to help if needed."

Yun Songzhang’s lips curved slightly. "Mhm."

Wen Zhi nodded apologetically to the guests and headed back to the bridal suite alone.

She had woken up early and endured a long day. The moment she entered the room, she wanted to sleep after taking off her dress.

But she forced herself up, scrubbing away the fatigue and the alcohol clinging to her before lying down, reminding herself not to fall asleep—it was her wedding night, after all.

Yet the more she resisted, the sleepier she became. In the end, her eyes closed, and she drifted off.

Half-asleep, she felt someone lift the blanket and slip in beside her. The familiar scent of pine resin mixed with floral notes from his bath enveloped her. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled against him, murmuring drowsily, "Yizhi, you’re finally here..."

The hand stroking her hair paused briefly before he responded in a low voice, "Mhm."

A cascade of kisses deepened, tender and intoxicating. Wen Zhi leaned into his embrace as the frost-kissed night stretched on, a scatter of stars twinkling outside... The man, usually so poised and gentle, now seemed like a man consumed by craving.

By dawn, Wen Zhi was too exhausted to even lift her eyelids. She pushed weakly at him and grumbled, "You greedy thing..."

His large hand soothed her gently, as if comforting a child. A satisfied sigh brushed her ear: "My queen..."

Lulled by his voice, Wen Zhi soon fell back asleep.

Outside, morning mist swirled. Yun Songzhang held her close, gazing at the glittering Pearl Tower in the distance. In this life, he had finally gotten everything he ever wanted—everything was complete.