"Your Majesty!"

"Royal Brother!"

An expressive looking man dressed in a golden robe promptly replied in the same manner.

Xu Rui gestured with his hand, "Forego the formalities! One is my blood younger sister while the other is my childhood friend and brother-in-law so there is no need."

Ji Rufeng held on to his wife and smiled, "It is unavoidable"

Xu Rui noticed his good friend was likened to a ray of lovely spring suns.h.i.+ne and that his character has even softened a little. He jokingly teased, "I am the one who is making a fuss. It is so good to see that you two are so courteous with each other."

Ji Rufeng was aloof and expressed his thanks instead, "Rufeng must also thank your majesty for observing the favour of the late Emperor."*

*TL-note: Rufeng is referring to the marriage to Xu Mo pre-arranged by the late Emperor.

The two good friends conversed back and forth while Xu Mo was left awkwardly on the side.

When they all sat down, it was lunchtime and the benevolent Emperor permitted them to eat with him.

……

The benevolent Emperor raised his eyebrow, "The proposed coequal husband* is an outlaw."

*TL-note: Equal in ranking as Ji Rufeng.

"Yes." Ji Rufeng calmly continued, "The name is Yunfu and has been an acquaintance of the princess for a while. He has also been treating the Princess" illness so he is not exactly an outlaw."

"Oh! Let"s hear about it." He exclaimed with some interest.

"He is considered a hermit and likes to lead a simple life."

Xu Mo continued to quietly eat the delicious fine food before her. Although it was normal to share wives in the Jing Kingdom, all future husbands whether equal or lower in rank had to be approved first by the foremost legitimate husband who dealt with it overall.

The benevolent Emperor listened to the praises and felt he did not need to be too concerned. But for someone without any background and was to become the coequal husband then it did not seem appropriate. It was for the Princess after all, "What about as a side husband."*

*TL-note: Like a male concubine.

Her heart tightened at this and slowly looked up but it was not her place to say anything. Although Yunfu did not care about t.i.tles, this would be a great disservice to him.

Ji Rufeng as if he felt her inner struggle became bitter and only began to speak after a long while, "He and the Princess have shared sufferings together. It would seem meagre to establish him only as a side husband."

The benevolent Emporer let out a sigh as they both had a peculiar expression on their faces, "So be it, let him be a coequal husband!"

They both sat in silence in the carriage upon leaving the palace.

Xu Mo felt a hint of sadness from the person beside her but she did not know how to comfort him. Yunfu was her friend and Ji Rufeng was her husband but in reality, she still thought about monogamy. Although Rufeng and her were familiar in flesh yet despite everything she still felt like a stranger at heart. He was unfathomable, seemingly gentle but concealed all his emotions from prying eyes.

Ji Rufeng knew he should not have lost the composure of being the foremost legitimate husband but how could he not. The past few nights he had struggled to sleep whenever he thought that she would be in another man"s bosom.

Xu Mo was deep in thought and slowly drifted into sleep. She had initially wanted to rest a while earlier in the carriage as she slept late but he dragged her into his l.u.s.t once again.

He looked at the person leant against his shoulder. Those long curved shapely eyebrow and thick eyelashes like two littles fans lay downwards concealed her beautiful soulful eyes. Her complexion was au naturel* like her usual laid-back self against her delicate straight nose and plump cherry lips. The only thing she was not laid-back about was their marriage arrangement but no matter, in the end, she was still compelled to compromise. When compared to himself, Yunfu was more well-matched with her more since they both enjoyed solitary.

*TL-note: Without elaborate treatment, dressing, or preparation i.e. no cosmetics.

She showed care for them due to morals not out of love. She was like a good child who has yet to understand love and let them get what they wanted.

After a period of self-reflection, Ji Rufeng slowly composed himself and lifted her into his embrace so she could sleep more comfortably in a better position.

He peeked at the faint bruise on her waist and recalled his own greedy demands these past countless nights. If her health had been better, she would not be so weak and starved looking. Maybe it was a good thing to have Yunfu around for both his medical expertise and so he could take care of her too. But because of her body and him afraid to hurt her, there were still many intimate joys they still have not attempted yet.

……

Xu Mo woke up the next day while Ji Rufeng was at court. After a good rest and feeling refreshed, she washed up, ate breakfast then headed to the study. When she made her way there, a man dressed in the usual white walked leisurely towards her.

If he were asked to change into something else then it will probably have to wait until the wedding!

The man was now right in front and her face turned hot when she thought about the wedding.

"How come you are here."

Yunfu took off his mask and placed it on his waist to reveal his breathtaking complexion. He reached out his hand to stroke her face and he felt its softness instantly on the palm of his hands. The chilliness in his eyes slowly began to dissolve, "What day is our wedding to be held."

Xu Mo"s body became stiff from his light strokes and feebly replied, "Don"t know yet. They still need to calculate the birthdate characters* to pick a lucky day."

*TL-note: This is a Chinese astrological concept that a person"s destiny or fate can be divined by the two s.e.xagenary cycle characters a.s.signed to their birth year, month, day, and hour. This type of astrology is also used in j.a.pan and Korea.

Yunfu frowned at this. He had initially thought this meant they could marry but did not realise it was going to be this complicated.

"Do you want to rest and drink some tea." Xu Mo a.s.sumed he must be tired from his journey and uttered the suggestion.

Yunfu nodded then grasped her hand and lead her inside the house like a master.

  Chapter 9