Three peaceful days passed, and then Liang Feng accompanied me back to my family home for the traditional post-wedding visit.
Father greeted us at the gate, but before long, he turned to Liang Feng and said, “Son-in-law, please wait in the back garden for a moment. I have some private words for my… daughter.”
“Of course,” Liang Feng replied with his usual calm.
As soon as he left, Father grabbed my ear and dragged me into his study. “Why is it you? Where’s your sister?”
“She fell for a scholar and eloped,” I admitted.
Father frowned. “What kind of scholar would fall for her? And what would she see in a scholar?”
I hesitated. “I… I thought she was crying, and since I’m the man of the house, I had to protect her…”
Father pressed, “When has she ever cried? When has she ever needed your protection?”
I paused, realizing I’d been duped again. “Well… she never wanted to marry Liang Feng. That was always clear.”
“Then why did you marry him? Don’t tell me you wanted to?”
“Of course not! I just figured I’d stall for a few days , by the time Liang Feng realized, she’d be long gone.”
Father’s eyes narrowed. “You just wanted to embarrass him, didn’t you?”
He knew me too well.
Liang Feng had always been the model son, the capital’s most eligible bachelor. Father never stopped comparing me to him, saying if I were half as accomplished, our family would prosper for generations. He loaded me with lessons music, chess, calligraphy, painting , yet Liang Feng always outshone me, even attracting more admirers. All my hard work felt pointless.
If I could ruin his marriage, I’d be thrilled!
Father’s tone grew serious. “The Emperor arranged this marriage for his brother. Do you think he’ll just let you switch places and not care?”
I shrugged. “I doubt he’d execute our whole family. Besides, Liang Feng and I have shared a marriage for a few days now , he even calls you Father-in-law.”
Father paced, deep in thought. “Hasn’t he gotten suspicious, seeing you like this?”
“What do you mean, ‘like this’? He said I’m the most beautiful woman in the capital.”
Father cursed under his breath. “He must be blind.”
Just then, Liang Feng knocked. “Father-in-law, Yulin, are you finished talking?”
“All done!” Father called back, then shot me a warning look. “Don’t let him find out you’re disguised as a woman. Keep this up as long as possible.”
“Of course. I won’t even let him sleep in my room.”
Father looked a bit more at ease.
We joined Liang Feng in the garden. Father, forcing a smile, raised his cup. “Son-in-law, let me toast you first.”
“Thank you,” Liang Feng replied, sipping his wine and glancing around. “Strange, I haven’t seen Yulin lately.”
Both Father and I nearly choked.
“Now that I think about it, ever since the wedding, I haven’t seen Yulin , not even at the ceremony. Has he gone somewhere?”
Father forced a laugh. “He’s traveling, far away. Won’t be back for a year or so. Let’s not talk about him. Tell me, how are you two getting along?”
Liang Feng’s smile turned a little plaintive. “Father-in-law, everything is well, except for one thing, my wife won’t let me into her room.”
The table fell silent.
Father quickly passed the buck to me. “Ah, well, my daughter must have her reasons.”
I nodded. “I’ve only been married three days. I barely know you.”
“That’s understandable. I’ve always visited your family with Yulin… By the way, Father-in-law, you said Yulin’s away. Where did he go? If I travel for work, maybe I can visit him.”
Father’s face twisted as he tried to think of an answer, then he turned to me with a sigh. “Honestly, it’s a bit unfair not to let your husband into your room.”
I stared at him.
Liang Feng’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “If my wife and I were truly a couple, I wouldn’t have to wander the city looking for Yulin to drink with.”
Father promptly took his side. “You should open the door.”
“I’d like a private word with my father,” I said.
“Of course,” Liang Feng replied, unconcerned.
I pulled Father aside and whispered, loudly “What happened to not letting him in? Why’d you switch sides?”
“It’s obvious! If you won’t let him in, he’ll just come looking for YOU.”
“Our relationship isn’t close enough for him to drink away his sorrows with me, and now I have to share a bed with him!” I leaned against a tree, feeling my fate was truly unlucky.
“Don’t worry, I have a plan,” Father whispered in my ear, explaining his scheme.
That night, I sat on the bed, hair loose over my shoulders.
Liang Feng entered, pillow in hand, looking every inch the elegant prince. He lowered his gaze, ready to climb into bed.
“Wait,” I said.
He stopped obediently.
“In our family, a son-in-law must answer three questions before sharing a bed. For each correct answer, I’ll give you a lock of my hair. Only when you have three will you be my true husband.”
Liang Feng, ever the scholar, wasn’t fazed. “Please, ask away.”
“First question: Why did you choose me as your wife?”
“Because I like you, of course. I’ve admired you for a long time, even before we met. Your reputation as a prodigy is well known throughout the capital.”
His answer made me blush. “Do you… really know me?”
He smiled. “I’ve heard all about your brother, but you’re the one I truly wanted to meet.”
Smart people always like other smart people, I thought, a bit bitterly. Still, I cut a small lock of hair, tied it with red string, and handed it to him. “You passed the first question.”
“What’s the second?”
“Why should I like you?”
He laughed. “That’s harder. I could say I’m a prince, rich and powerful, but you’re the treasured child of a noble house you hardly care for such things.”
“I care a little,” I admitted.
He leaned closer, hands braced on the bed, his shadow falling over me. “Only time reveals true hearts. I’ll treat you well, and if you ever find happiness with me, you can give me your next lock of hair.”
“That’s not a tail , it’s my hair!”
He grinned and spread his bedding on the floor.
“You’re not even waiting for the third question?” I propped my chin on my hand, watching him on the floor bathed in moonlight.
“I haven’t passed the second yet. No need to rush.”
“Hmph, who says you’re my destiny…”
As I drifted off, I heard his gentle voice. “Yulin. Yulin.”
“Hmm…?”
“I’m afraid of the dark.”
“What?!”
“I can’t sleep on the floor alone. Could you lend me your hand? Otherwise, I keep imagining something under the bed.”
“Don’t scare me…” I muttered, but I slipped my hand into his.
The night was cool, but his palm was warm. He intertwined our fingers, pulling me close so my head rested on his chest. It felt like I slept to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
The next morning, Liang Feng was already dressed for court, his hair crown on the vanity and scissors in hand.
“Does your royal family have a tradition of exchanging locks of hair with brides?” I asked, remembering my father had made up that rule on the spot.
“Of course,” he replied smoothly. “But I’m partial to my little friend here, so I’ll make it easy for you.”
He snipped off a thick lock of hair, tied it with red string, and handed it to me. “Keep it safe.”
I stared at him. “Won’t you go bald, cutting so much at once?”
He blinked, then suddenly tickled me until I was breathless. Pinning me down, he bit my cheek gently. “In the Liang family, naughty kids get kissed.”
“I’m an adult! I’ll come of age this fall! Who’s a kid?”
He finally left for court. I lay in bed, sulking, wondering when my sister would return. And would Father’s three questions really keep Liang Feng at bay for long?
That evening, I changed to my clothing and swaggered into Azure Pavilion, only to hear someone announce, “Prince Liang is here!”
Chapter 02
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