The panicked expression on Hong Tianbao’s face as he rushed in gave Jin Qianqian a start. "What’s wrong?"

Hong Tianbao wiped the sweat from his forehead and said nervously, "Madam, you have to go see, quickly!"

"Where’s your young master?" Jin Qianqian’s heart hammered in her chest. "Why isn’t he with you?"

Hong Tianbao stomped his foot. "I can’t really explain it. You’ll understand when you see it."

"You silly boy, are you trying to worry me to death? Don’t just stand there, take me there now. You can explain on the way."

At that moment, a thousand different scenarios flashed through Jin Qianqian’s mind. Her limbs felt weak, but she forced herself to keep going, lifting the hem of her skirt as she ran for the main gate.

"This way, Madam." Hong Tianbao carefully led the way. Jin Qianqian followed, and behind her were Qing Mei and her two companions, who had tagged along out of concern. All of their faces were grim. They questioned Hong Tianbao several more times, but the boy just stammered, refusing to give a clear answer.

"It’s just up ahead," Hong Tianbao said, looking guilty. He averted his gaze, not daring to meet Jin Qianqian’s eyes.

Jin Qianqian stared at the impressive gate before them. "Why did we come here?"

She had passed by this area before while strolling through the city. It was filled with the private villas of high-ranking officials. ’Did Ancient Wenheng accidentally offend some dignitary?’

But she quickly shook her head. Ancient Wenheng had been spending a lot of time with Bai Jinglie, the Heir of Marquis Wu’an, recently. These people wouldn’t be so foolish as to cross him.

Filled with a lingering unease, she pushed the gate open and went inside, not noticing that Hong Tianbao had stopped Sanqing from following.

The courtyard before her was exquisitely beautiful, but Jin Qianqian was in no mood to admire it. "Wenheng! Ancient Wenheng..."

But the entire courtyard was empty, and no one answered. Just then, she heard a faint noise from the main house up ahead and thought she could vaguely make out Ancient Wenheng’s voice.

Jin Qianqian frowned, ran over, and pushed the door open. Before she could even get a clear look at the room’s interior, she was pulled into a familiar embrace.

Recognizing the familiar scent, Jin Qianqian finally relaxed. Her eyes fixed on the man before her. "What is all this about?"

Ancient Wenheng kept an arm around her, turning her slightly so she could take in the room’s decor.

In the northwest corner of the room stood a dragon-and-phoenix wedding bed. It was covered with a thick, red satin mattress embroidered with dragons, phoenixes, and the double happiness character. The bedding included a vermilion-colored satin quilt and matching pillows. In the very center lay a complete set of a phoenix coronet and robes of rank. On the wall behind the bed hung an auspicious couplet, with a painting of peony flowers in the middle. Against the wall stood a pair of ornate "hundred treasures" cabinets.

Ancient Wenheng rested his head on her shoulder, their cheeks pressing together. "I wanted to give you a wedding that was truly ours... a wedding night that was truly ours."

Jin Qianqian felt her eyes begin to well up. "Is this what you’ve been busy with all this time?"

Ancient Wenheng said, "This will be our home from now on, too. Even though we can’t have a grand wedding banquet right now, we should still have all the proper ceremonies."

"Then... what about this courtyard?" Jin Qianqian felt like she had a million questions, but it took her a long moment to force that one out.

Ancient Wenheng replied, "An occasion this momentous should naturally be celebrated in our own home. I purchased it some time ago. From now on, you are the mistress of this house."

Jin Qianqian thought back to the hurried glimpses she’d gotten on her way in. "This courtyard is quite large, and it must have been very difficult to acquire."

Ancient Wenheng gently squeezed her small hand. "Thanks to Prince Bai, an official here was being reassigned. Even if we don’t live here in the future, it can serve as a small private villa. When we’re old, we can move back here."

"You’re thinking so far ahead," Jin Qianqian said with a laugh. "By the time we’re old, you might not want to make such a long journey."

Ancient Wenheng said, "Don’t worry! As long as you want to go, I’ll accompany you anywhere."

"Why did you choose today of all days?" Jin Qianqian gently stroked the large, red "double happiness" character on the table, having turned into a veritable question machine. "Today is the Little New Year."

"You’ve forgotten another important day," Ancient Wenheng said, looking at his little scatterbrain and deciding to give her a hint.

Jin Qianqian frowned. "Besides the Little New Year, what other day is it?"

"Your birthday."

"My birthday is in August..." Jin Qianqian trailed off, then stopped. ’The original owner of this body was born on the Little New Year, wasn’t she? How could I have forgotten that?’

Ancient Wenheng cupped her face in his hands. "Happy birthday, my dear wife."

Jin Qianqian understood then. This was her eighteenth birthday, her coming-of-age.

At the thought of the room filled with festive red, a blush spread across Jin Qianqian’s cheeks.

Ancient Wenheng walked over to the canopy bed, picked up the phoenix coronet and robes of rank, and knelt on one knee before her, holding up the wedding attire. "When I see you not, my thoughts are by the eastern wall. I wish to follow you and return to our home, to grow old with you, until the end of time.

Jin Qianqian, please be my one and only bride."

Tears streamed from the corners of Jin Qianqian’s eyes. She bent down to help him up. "Ancient Wenheng, for the rest of our lives, please take good care of me."

Ancient Wenheng took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from her eyes. "This is a happy day. We should be smiling."

Jin Qianqian nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you!"

Ancient Wenheng stroked her hair. "I know you’ve been wronged."

Their original bodies had already gone through a hasty wedding ceremony, so many things could no longer be done openly. By preparing this bridal chamber and creating a sense of ceremony, he hoped to prevent any future regrets for them.

Jin Qianqian’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the phoenix coronet and robes in his hands. "I want to try it on."

Ancient Wenheng, of course, had no objection. He took her hand and led her to an adjacent side room. Inside, several unfamiliar maids were already waiting, along with the previously forgotten Sanqing. When they saw the couple enter, they all curtsied in greeting.

"Help your madam get ready," Ancient Wenheng said, carefully placing the phoenix coronet and robes he was holding onto a table. "I will wait for you in the main room." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

After an incense-scented bath, with her hair and makeup done, a joyous Jin Qianqian had the red bridal veil placed over her head as dusk fell.

Qing Mei carefully helped her into the bridal chamber, then quietly slipped out.

Ancient Wenheng walked over and took her hand. "My wife, this is a wedding for just the two of us. With heaven and earth as our witness, let us go through the rites."

Jin Qianqian nodded slightly. Beneath the red veil, her face was exceptionally radiant, and two deep dimples appeared, revealing her joyful mood.

She suddenly had the urge to record this beautiful moment. A complete set of camera equipment materialized in her hand. "Wenheng, set up this camera on the side. Let it be our witness, too."

A wide smile spread across Ancient Wenheng’s face. "Excellent. When we are old and gray, we can take this out and reminisce about this wonderful day."

He found a good angle, set up the tripod, adjusted the camera, and only then did he walk back to take Jin Qianqian’s hand.

With no master of ceremonies present, Ancient Wenheng quietly took on all the roles himself.