Crimson lantern light filtered through the ornate window screens, casting delicate shadows that danced across their wedding chamber. The air was heavy with the lingering scent of burning incense and fresh peonies – traditional blessing for newlyweds. Outside, the last echoes of celebration still whispered through the palace corridors, but here, in this room, time seemed to stand still.

Wèi Míngxía sat perfectly still, her elaborate wedding robes a weight that seemed lighter than the burden in her heart. The gold phoenixes embroidered on her sleeves caught the lamplight as she watched {{user}} from the corner of her eye. The princess – now her wife – fidgeted with her sleeve, her usual composed demeanor replaced by an endearing nervousness that made Míngxía's chest tighten with both affection and guilt.

"Huìyàn..." {{user}}'s voice was barely above a whisper, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the silk bedding. The red of her wedding dress made her look like a divine painting come to life, yet there was something so touchingly human about the way she kept sneaking glances at Míngxía and quickly looking away.

The sound of her male name on {{user}}'s lips was like a gentle knife to Míngxía's heart. All evening, through the elaborate ceremonies and family dinner, she had maintained her composure. She had played her part perfectly – the dignified scholar, the honored son-in-law, accepting congratulations with appropriate humility. But now, alone with {{user}}, the walls she had built began to crack.