On the third, Hua Manman was sat at her dressing table to have her makeup done for half the day.
The redness and swelling on her face had long since faded.
Thanks to the Snow Jade Ointment, the skin on her face was now even more delicate and smooth, like the finest white porcelain, without a single flaw.
When the nanny came to perform the bridal face-threading, she saw how fine Hua Manman's skin was and simply waved her hand, saying it wasn't necessary. "The Second Miss is already perfect as she is."
As dusk fell, Hua Manman bid farewell to her parents and family.
Shielding her face with a fan, she was carried out of the Uncle's Mansion on her third brother's back, step by step, until she was placed inside the carriage sent by the Prince Zhao Mansion.
Amid the joyous clamor of gongs and drums, the grand wedding procession made its way to the Prince Zhao Mansion.
Even though he was only taking a concubine, the Prince Zhao Mansion still showed great respect to the Zhong'an Bo Mansion, ensuring the wedding was a grand and lively affair.
Princess Ningyang even attended in person, accepting the newlywed couple's ceremonial bow in her role as the groom's maternal grandmother.
As night fell and the lanterns were lit.
The guests gradually departed.
The Prince Zhao Mansion grew quiet once more.
Hua Manman sat on the bed, which was draped in vermilion bedding, restlessly waving the fan in her hand.
The fan's round, gauzy surface was bright red, embroidered with auspicious dragons and phoenixes in golden thread. A Heart-shaped Lock Jade Pendant dangled from the end of its handle.
As she waved the fan, the Heart-shaped Lock Jade Pendant swayed, making a crisp, tinkling sound.
It was early summer and already quite warm. Her layered wedding dress was unbearably hot, but she couldn't take it off. All she could do was lift her skirts to reveal her fair, straight legs and fan herself to cool down.
Si Yun stepped outside the door for a look, then quickly returned.
"Second Miss, the Prince is here!"
Hua Manman quickly dropped her skirt to cover her legs and raised the fan in front of her face.
Soon, the sound of a wheelchair grew closer.
The fan was taken from Hua Manman's hands.
She looked up at the man in the wheelchair.
Li Ji was dressed in a vermilion, round-collared brocade robe. His black hair was swept up and secured with a golden crown, and his narrow eyes were fixed on Hua Manman.
In those jet-black eyes, there seemed to be a sea of stars, yet also a bottomless abyss.
They were impossible to read.
By now, everyone else had withdrawn, leaving only Prince Zhao and his new bride, Lady Hua, in the bridal chamber.
Hua Manman's cheeks flushed as she called out shyly.
"Prince."
Her voice was delicate and soft, as if brimming with deep affection.
Li Ji twirled the fan, making the Heart-shaped Lock Jade Pendant at the end of the handle spin and jingle.
He looked at the young woman before him, as radiant as a peach blossom, and asked nonchalantly, "Why were you unwilling to marry me?"
Hua Manman hadn't expected Li Ji's first words to be so blunt.
Fortunately, she had already prepared her lines.
She secretly pinched her thigh hard. The pain made her eyes redden and her lashes tremble, making it look as though she was on the verge of tears.
"Because I had heard that the Prince was a terrifying man. I was frightened, and so I was afraid to marry.
It wasn't until I saw the Prince's grace for myself that I knew the rumors were all lies.
Not only is the Prince not frightening, but you are also incomparably handsome, elegant, and possess an extraordinary air. You're incredibly good-looking!"
At the end of her speech, she seemed overcome with shyness, blushing as she lowered her head.
Li Ji used the fan to lift her chin.
Hua Manman was forced to look up again, revealing a pair of beautiful, shimmering eyes. The corners were tinged with a peach-blossom red, creating a look that was both innocent and alluring—breathtakingly beautiful.
Li Ji stared intently into her eyes, and her inner thoughts echoed in his mind—
'Damn, my thigh hurts so much! That pinch definitely left a bruise. I shouldn't have done it so hard.'
Li Ji's expression didn't change as he continued, "Besides my appearance, what do you think of my character?"
Hua Manman's eyes filled with adoration. "The Prince is, of course, a man of noble character—honorable, wise, mature, and impartial. A truly good person!"
And yet, her mind helpfully supplied the description of Prince Zhao from *Palace Intrigue*—
'Li Ji is sinister, treacherous, moody, and unpredictable. He is vengeful over the smallest slight and kills without blinking. He is a villain through and through!'