The bridal carriage stopped in front of the palace gates.
I could hear the drums beating, the people cheering. Everything looked and sounded the same as I remembered. But this time, I wasn't the same.
A eunuch gently opened the carriage door. "Your Grace, we have arrived."
My heart beat faster. Not out of joy but anger. Fear. Strength. I stepped out slowly, my hands steady even though my chest felt tight. The red veil over my face covered my expression, and I was glad for it. No one could see the storm in my eyes.
This was it.
The beginning of the end again.
The palace courtyard was filled with ministers, generals, and noble families. Everyone stood in silence as I walked past them, toward the golden steps leading up to the ceremonial hall.
At the top stood Zhao Rui.
The Emperor.
My husband-to-be.
The man who would one day order my death.
He looked just as I remembered him tall, proud, and dressed in gold. His dark eyes watched me as I approached. In the past, I had thought those eyes were warm. Kind. Safe.
Now, I saw them.
They were sharp, cold, always calculating.
But he smiled.
As if he hadn't broken me once before.
We stood side by side in front of the High Priest. My heart was beating so loud, I could barely hear the ceremony. The priest's voice echoed around us, full of sacred words and tradition.
I kept my head bowed. My hands were folded neatly in front of me. I played the perfect bride. Quiet. Obedient. Soft.
But inside, I was making a vow of my own.
I will not forget what you did. I will not forgive you. I will never love you again.
The priest said, "His Majesty may now lift the veil."
My breath caught.
This was the moment.
Zhao Rui reached out with both hands and slowly lifted the red veil from my face. The silk slid off my head, and the world felt strangely still.
Our eyes met.
He looked into my face, my young, untouched face, and smiled.
"You are more beautiful than I imagined," he said softly.
I wanted to laugh.
He had said the same thing in my first life.
I remembered how flattered I was, how my cheeks burned with joy. I had smiled so brightly, foolishly thinking it was love.
This time, I said nothing.
I simply bowed my head again.
The ceremony continued. We performed the traditional bows first to the heavens, then to the ancestors, and finally to each other.
Every time I moved, I felt the weight of my past pressing on me. I knew what was coming in this palace. I had lived through it once already. The lies. The traps. The blood.
But now, I would be ready.
I would not be caught off guard.
The moment the final bow was complete, the court cheered.
We were husband and wife.
Again.
After the ceremony, a grand banquet was held. The palace was decorated with red and gold lanterns. Music filled the air. Food and wine were served endlessly.
I sat next to Zhao Rui at the high table. My smile never reached my eyes.
I could feel him watching me.
In the past, I would have looked at him with love. I would have leaned closer and whispered shy words. I would have believed we were truly a couple.
But now, I was only watching him for weakness.
For cracks in his mask.
"Are you nervous?" he asked, leaning slightly toward me.
I met his eyes. "No, Your Majesty."
He looked a little surprised by my calmness. I saw a flicker of curiosity in his gaze.
"You don't have to call me that now," he said. "We are husband and wife. You may call me by name, Rui."
I lowered my eyes and gave a soft smile. "As Your Majesty wishes."
He chuckled, but I saw the faint shadow in his expression. He didn't expect me to act this way. Not today. Not on our wedding day.
Good.
Let him wonder.
Let him be confused.
At one point during the feast, I saw her.
Consort Mei.
She wasn't a consort yet, not at this time. Just a beautiful, noble lady from the Mei family, dressed in light blue, with a fan hiding her smile.
Our eyes met briefly.
She looked at me with hidden jealousy.
In the past, I had been kind to her. I welcomed her into the palace when she entered the harem. I treated her like a sister.
And she repaid me by destroying me.
By planting false letters in my study.
By framing my brother for treason.
By feeding lies into Zhao Rui's ears until he believed them more than he believed me.
This time, I would not let her get close.
I would not give her the chance to strike first.
The banquet dragged on, filled with false smiles and empty laughter. I kept quiet, listening, watching. Every word, every glance, they were all tools I would use later.
Eventually, the guests were dismissed, and the Emperor led me to the bridal chambers.
The room was covered in red and gold. The bed was large and decorated with phoenix patterns. Candles glowed softly, and the smell of incense made the air heavy.
Zhao Rui turned to me with a smile. "You've been quiet today."
I lowered my gaze. "I have nothing to say."
He took a step closer. "Do you regret marrying me?"
My eyes rose to meet his. "Should I?"
He stared at me for a moment. I could tell he wasn't sure how to answer. The Lian Hua he remembered from this morning would have blushed and said no. Would have shaken her head and reached for his hand.
But I only stood still.
Let him see this new version of me.
Let him feel it.
The Emperor smiled slowly. "You're… different."
I tilted my head slightly. "Is that a bad thing?"
He laughed softly. "Not at all. I find it… interesting."
I smiled back, just enough to keep him wondering. "Then let us both look forward to this marriage… Your Majesty."
That night, I sat on the bed long after he left.
In this life, Zhao Rui wouldn't touch me, not yet. We had years before things would fall apart in the last timeline. But I had no plans to let it get that far again.
I walked to the window and looked out at the dark sky. The moon was full and bright. My reflection stared back at me in the glass.
In the past, I was just a pawn on his board.
In this life, I would be the player.
No more trust. No more weakness. No more blind love.
This time, I would stay ahead of them all.
And one day, when the time was right…
He will kneel at my feet and regret everything.