Prologue

"Brother, you're finally back." Pei Nan put his hand on Gu Shao's shoulder. He could not believe the man in front of him was really his brother. He never imagined the brother he knew who liked to wear the finest silk and always dressed to impress was now in a dusty tan outfit.

Being in the army for 2 years, Gu Shao had come back with a broad shoulders, a defined build and the sun had been kind to him, giving him sun-kissed tan skin.

Gu Shao smiled. "It's good to be back."

Then Pei Nan scrunched his brows annoyed after what you may call their tearful reunion. "You were summoned to come back a month ago. Why are you only back now?"

Gu Shao playfully smiled once more. "Am I not here now?"

Pei Nan only gave him a disapproving look.

"Did you really think I would miss my own wedding? Even though I'm marrying a woman I've never met, I am after all the country's greatest gentleman. Would I really leave a beauty to tend to the wedding ceremony by herself?" He joked.

After exchanging greetings, Gu Shao went to greet the emperor and empress. His last minute appearance nearly infuriated his father and gave his mother a heart attack. This was a marriage by royal decree and if he really did not show up, his father would be the laughing stock.

Later that night after he had tried his wedding attire, Gu Shao brought a jar a wine and entered Pei Nan's room. Pei Nan was alone as his wife Pan Yu Mei and 2 child were at the Xie Family's estate. She would be returning tomorrow with the bride.

Pei Nan arched his brow. "You're getting married tomorrow and you want to drink? Don't you think you should be getting some sleep? Tomorrow is your big day. You wouldn't want to look like a panda running on an hour of sleep would you?"

"Then this panda would be the most handsome man in the city." Gu Shao set the two cups on the table. "It's my last night as a young, handsome and single man. I ought to celebrate." He spoke as he filled both their cups to the brim. Then he picked his up and urged Pei Nan to pick his up.

"Cheers!" And the two downed their drinks.

No matter how much Gu Shao tried to hide his unease with his normal flirty self, Pei Nan could tell he was unhappy. "What's bothering you?" He finally asked.

Gu Shao drank another cup of wine before he sighed. "I just don't understand. How can they just decree a marriage out of the blue like this. Especially to a woman I don't even know. How can two people who don't love each other marry?" He spoke his dissatisfaction.

This time Pei Nan poured the wine. "Shao, I believe you and Lady Xia will get along. From what mother has said, Lady Xia has been studying at the prestigious women academy for 5 years now. She is a beauty who excels in music, literature and the four arts. If anyone deserves to marry Prince Gu Shao, it would be Lady Xia."

"Any women can have beauty and talent, but to find one who understands you is rare."

The two continued to talk and drank for what seemed like hours and just like that the next day came.

Every nobleman and woman attended this grand wedding. It would be the grandest wedding of the year.

Both bride and groom completed the ceremony and the bride was sent to the nuptial room while Gu Shao was left entertaining the guests.

A couple hours passed and the bride was still sitting calmly on the edge of the bed with both hands on her lap with her bright red veil covering her face.

Then she heard the loud commotion outside as some of the guests accompanied Gu Shao.

The door pushed open.

Gu Shao was pushed in.

And the door closed. This all happened within less than a minute.

Gu Shao sighed as he walked to the table and poured the nuptial wine and slowly walked over to his bride and sat next to her.

"Since we are married, you can call me Gu Shao and I'll address you as Mu Ying." He calmly spoke as he began to lift the veil.

He barely got a hold of the corner of the veil when she gripped his wrist. Her grip was tight and strong. How is this a delicate woman, he thought. There was no way this was the gentle woman Pei Nan had told him about. He was still lost in thought when she spoke.

"Dear husband..."

Even her voice gave him chills. She sounded as if she had a bone to pick with him.

"I think you have mistaken. My name is Xia Mu Yi."