The whole Li family was currently kneeling in the hall of Li Manor to hear the imperial edict brought by an imperial eunuch from the palace. Everyone's thoughts were different but no one dared to show any expression on their face.
The edict said something which was expected by some present there.
The imperial eunuch in loud and solemn voice read out the imperial edict in his hands.
"The honorable Prime Minister Xi Ying of Imperial court is bestowed matrimony by His Majesty, The Emperor, with the virtuous and honorable daughter of General Li, Rui from the Li Clan on the first full moon of winter. "
Virtuous and honorable.
Even the imperial decree seemed to be mocking the entire Li Clan.
The most surprised person was General Li and Li Rui because they didn't hold any hope for the current bestowed marriage.
Li Rui had not expected that man to be in such an honorable position.
In a trance with very stiff steps, she stood up to take the decree from the imperial eunuch reminding herself at every step.
This was an imperial decree. She can not deny it.
From the past two days, what she had listened was how Princess Wenling looked after she saw her and Prime Minister Xi in a room, the love she held in her heart for Prime Minister Xi. Hearing the incidents that described the fondness and admiration of Princess Wenling towards Lord Xi, she concluded that her being drugged was not planned by Princess Wenling.
Li Rui knew her that much. Because Princess Wenling never plotted against her without giving her some hint. She found pleasure in seeing her cautious and guarded look and her still falling in her trap was the most pleasurable thing for First Princess.
Amidst all this, two questions remain unanswered.
Who drugged her?
Why did Lord Xi agree to marry her?
General Li's thoughts were no different from his daughter's. He didn't know how to feel about this imperial decree. With complicated eyes, he looked at his daughter still holding the decree of marriage.
He didn't know what waited ahead for her.
First Full moon of winter. Only one week was left for the wedding.
The week passed in a daze. After a full one week, two sedan chairs were lifted in the city. One from the Yi family for Yi Huiqing and one from the Li family for Li Rui.
Both the weddings were bestowed by the royal Emperor but people's opinions differ for the two weddings.
*~*~*~~*~*~*
Li Rui was sitting on the bed wearing her red bridal dress. Her face was covered with the veil. It was midnight and her first wedding night in Xi Manor but no one entered the bridal room yet.
The midnight passed. One hour passed and the closed door of the room finally opened.
Xi Ying closed the door and came to the bed without any hurry. As his hands uncovered Li Rui's face, the smell of alcohol from his body wafted through her nose. The long, white, and slender fingers pinched her chin to raise her head. Seeing those bewitching eyes, his heartbeat fastened unknowingly and he glanced away.
In a swift motion, with one hand he held her waist and pressed her on the bed. His other hand gripped her neck. There was no trace of ambiguity in the air.
Xi Ying felt the soft and smooth skin under his hand. The neck was so thin and frail. He could twist it with one movement of his hand.
"How does it feel to be this Lord's wangfei hm? Is it worth the scheming you had done?"
The voice was filled with mock and contempt.
There was no change in Li Rui's expression and she looked at him fearlessly waiting for his next action like a wooden doll.
Her father's words ringed through her ears.
Rui, you may have to suffer a little in Xi Mansion but Father can assure you that Lord Xi is the right person for you in the circumstances we are. Father knows that child. He may not like you but he would never harm his own wangfei.
All this was within her expectations. Even if her father had not told him, she didn't expect any kindness from the person who was plotting against her family with the Emperor.
It is just that her father was simple-minded.
He might not harm her but he would not protect her also. So with him or without him, there was no difference.
"Tell me was it worth it? You sacrificed your own chastity for whom? What kind of a disgusting woman you are to buy the drug from a brothel house under your own name."
The question came again but with that also came some information she didn't know.
Getting no response from the woman underneath him, Xi Ying got up and left the room leaving Li Rui stunned with his words.
The next day, the whole Xi Manor knew that Lord Xi left the bridal room after half an hour he entered the room.
The new wangfei was left alone on her first wedding night.