Chapter 404 The Robust Imperial Consort 15 (1/2)

Chapter 404 The Robust Imperial Husband 15 Time flew by, and soon it was time for their wedding.

Bright red wedding candles burned, their flickering light illuminating the room with a warm glow.

The brocade quilts adorned with dragons and phoenixes, and the curtains with mandarin ducks playing in the water, all exude a festive atmosphere.

Ling Siran sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in an elaborate bright red wedding gown, his tall body stiff as a stone.

He could hear his own heart pounding like a drum, which sounded particularly loud in the silent hall.

The red veil on his head had already been lifted, but he still kept his head down, not daring to look at the beautiful figure sitting beside him.

The air was filled with a faint smell of alcohol and Zi Xi's unique cool fragrance, which mixed together and made him feel a little dizzy.

Those mocking words kept replaying in his mind.

Looking at her hands, calloused from years of martial arts training, with their large knuckles, her body—which was anything but graceful and even imposing—and the glaring number three on her wrist, she noticed her own.

Even though they were already married, he was still not good enough for her.

He couldn't even imagine how he could touch her, who was as noble and dazzling as the bright moon and pearl, with such an ugly body.

Zi Xi had also removed her heavy and complicated formal dress, wearing only a light red nightgown, her black hair cascading down like a waterfall, making her skin look even whiter than snow.

She looked at the man beside her who seemed to be shrinking into the ground.

Seeing Ling Siran's clenched fists and slightly trembling hands, and his lowered neck flushed with nervousness, he understood.

Zi Xi was neither shy nor expectant like a typical bride, nor was she impatient with his retreat.

She simply looked at him quietly for a moment, then gently reached out and placed her hand on his large hand, which was tightly gripping his robe and had white knuckles.

Zi Xi's fingertips were slightly cool. The moment they touched his burning skin, Ling Siran shuddered violently as if struck by an electric current, and almost reflexively tried to pull his hand back.

But Zi Xi tightened her grip slightly and held onto his hand as he tried to escape.

"This is your first time getting married, don't be afraid."

Her voice was soft, yet it broke the suffocating silence in the room with a strange, soothing power.

Ling Siran froze, his breath catching in his throat for a moment.

He looked up in disbelief and met a pair of phoenix eyes that were inches away from his.

Those eyes, which always carried a hint of mockery or aloofness, now appeared exceptionally tender in the flickering candlelight.

There was no disdain as I had expected, only a warm feeling of understanding.

Seeing the lingering fear and inferiority in his eyes, Zi Xi tightened her grip on his hand slightly, conveying a negligible warmth.

"Let's take it slow."

She looked at him and spoke slowly, word by word.

There was no coercion or urging, and no displeasure at all because of his nervousness.

It was just a simple promise.

Ling Siran stared blankly at her, at her tolerant expression.

The tension and inferiority I felt in my chest began to melt away little by little through these simple actions and words.

He cautiously and tentatively took her slightly cool hand in return.

With a soft crackling sound, the red candle burst into a joyful flame.

The long night has only just begun.

Life after the wedding was like a gentle stream.

The rumors circulating in the capital about the ugliest man and his extremely low fertility were somewhat contained due to Zi Xi's strong protection, but they still lingered in the shadows.