The emperor arranged my marriage, and I was wed to my childhood sweetheart, Xie Muyao.
When I paraded through Xijing with a procession of wedding gifts stretching ten miles, the whole city envied me.
But Xie Muyao defied the imperial decree.
He abandoned me and the wedding procession on the spot, rushing off to save He Zhaoyue, who was threatening to take her own life.
He made me a laughingstock before the entire world.
I threw back my veil and stepped down from the sedan chair.
Pointing at the only man following behind the lead horse, I said, “You. From today on, you're my husband.”
A year later, Xie Muyao, who had been staying away to avoid the scandal, had no choice but to return for the emperor's birthday celebration.
He stared at my slightly rounded belly, his eyes bloodshot, and ground out, “Lin Qingwan, you...”
“Ah...”
I waggled a finger at him, my tone smug. “You should call me Sister-in-law.”
