Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 24

Lingxi pressed her palm against the ground, using all her strength to support herself.

Li Cai turned back to look at her, his knee brushing forward as he reached out to hold Lingxi.

Zhao Qingsui leaned out from behind the curtains. When she saw the people below, her gaze darkened.

“Why are you in such a sorry state?”

Her eyes shifted slightly, landing on the man kneeling on the ground, held down by guards. He was nearly sprawled flat, his clothes torn in multiple places.

“Your Highness, the situation was urgent. Lord Lu jumped off his horse to capture the traitor, and thus… ended up like this.”

“A group of people, trying to capture one man, and this is the result?” Zhao Qingsui asked coldly.

“Please calm your anger, Your Highness.”

Li Cai helped Lingxi to kneel down again.

“Please calm your anger, Your Highness.”

The rest of the officials from the Court of Judicial Review followed suit, bowing their heads.

The surrounding temperature dropped instantly, and silence fell over everyone.

Lingxi stared at the patterns on the stone tiles, her mind blank. All she could hear was the wind brushing past her ears and the dull sound of horses’ hooves striking the ground from time to time.

“Make way for Her Highness!”

“We humbly send off Your Highness.”

Li Cai supported Lingxi to the side of the road. The carriage passed by, leaving behind the faint sound of gravel mixing with the rhythmic clatter of hooves echoing in her ears.

Lingxi lowered her head, yet she felt as if a gaze lingered on her, making her uneasy.

“Lord Li, Lord Lu, please rise.”

Lingxi looked up to see Su Rui walking toward her. It seemed that Her Highness had already left in the carriage.

A subordinate helped Lingxi to her feet.

“Lord Lu, this is the ointment that Her Highness specially ordered me to give you.”

Only then did Lingxi notice the elegant white porcelain bottle in Su Rui’s hand.

“Apply it to the wounds daily. In a few days, they will heal.”

Holding the bottle in her palm, a cool sensation spread through her bl00d, soothing the burning pain.

Yet Lingxi couldn’t even tell if the burning sensation came from her injuries or something else entirely.

“Thank Your Highness.”

Lingxi was assisted back to the Court of Judicial Review. As she sat down to rest, she noticed that most of her exposed skin only had minor scrapes from rolling on the ground. The more painful injuries, likely bruises, were hidden beneath her official robes.

A subordinate brought her water. The clear surface reflected the dirt on her face.

She couldn’t tell if the bloodstains on her right cheek were from the enemy or herself. Meanwhile, the left side of her face was smudged with black soot, making her look as if she had just crawled out of a furnace.

Lingxi thought that if not for her official robes, people might mistake her for an actor in a play.

“Miss Su Rui, why are you here?”

Lingxi paused as she washed her face, preparing to stand up. However, before she could fully rise, a group of people entered her vision. Someone gently pressed her down to sit again.

“Lord Lu, please sit. Let me examine your injuries.”

One hand touched her wrist to check her pulse, while another person opened a medical kit. The thick scent of medicine spread around her, enveloping her in its bitterness.

This seemed excessive.

“Her Highness specifically ordered the Imperial Physicians to tend to you all.”

A voice came from behind the layers of people standing before her.

All of them?

Lingxi glanced around in realization. Yet, in the entire room, she was the only one being restrained.

Then, Su Rui clapped her hands, and a group of maids entered carrying food boxes.

“These are gifts from Her Highness, prepared by the palace chef, as a token of appreciation for the Court of Judicial Review.”

The boxes were opened one by one, revealing exquisite pastries of various shapes and colors, meticulously crafted.

“We are grateful for Her Highness’s generosity. The Court of Judicial Review will not disappoint His Majesty and Her Highness.”

Li Cai bowed to Su Rui. After exchanging a few words, she left, but Lingxi could still feel her scrutinizing gaze before she departed.

The Imperial Physicians treated Lingxi’s wounds, prescribing both internal and external medicine. Once they finished, Lingxi let them tend to others.

After all, as a woman, she had to tend to her internal injuries herself.

Lingxi carefully spread out the burnt fragments she had salvaged from the courtyard’s brazier. The edges crumbled into black ash. As she examined them piece by piece, she suddenly spotted three remaining characters:

“Flower Moon Night.”

Lingxi searched through records all night without finding an answer. Instead, she was met with a court announcement from the Ministry of Rites, presenting an auspicious date to the emperor.

“Very well. Let the marriage proceed without delay. Cough…”

Watching Zhao Cong’s worsening condition, Lingxi felt a vague sense of unease.

On the wedding day, the bridal procession was grand. Soldiers on horseback escorted the entourage, stretching along the streets, where countless citizens gathered to watch.

The sound of drums and gongs echoed endlessly. Lingxi rode her horse, scanning the crowd with unfocused eyes before lifting her gaze to the road ahead. For some reason, her hands gripping the reins felt inexplicably cold.

Beneath her calm exterior, a rising tide surged within her heart, threatening to drown her.

It was a strange feeling.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the wind lift the curtain of the bridal carriage, revealing a glimpse of red fabric inside.

Upon arrival at the manor, Lingxi dismounted. The sound of drums roared, music played in unison, and the curtain was suddenly lifted. Su Rui helped the bride out of the carriage.

Lingxi froze momentarily, shifting her gaze while absentmindedly rubbing the embroidered dark-blue patterns on her sleeve.

The person beside her was adorned in a crimson robe embroidered with phoenixes, a bejeweled crown atop her head. Yet, the striking red seemed to lose its brilliance the moment her hand lightly rested on Lingxi’s arm.

As they walked forward, the smooth and delicate touch of her palm moved ever so slightly, sending a faint tingling sensation up Lingxi’s spine.

Zhao Cong sat high above, exuding an air of authority.

Lingxi, feeling somewhat dazed, mechanically followed the ceremonial rites. She bowed to Zhao Cong, then to the heavens and earth, and finally, as she faced her newlywed partner, she traced the outline of her features through the thin red veil.

During the evening banquet, the flickering candlelight cast shadows upon the gathered figures. After bidding farewell to Zhao Cong, Lingxi made her way directly to the bridal chamber.

The rear courtyard was quiet and dim. As she walked through the corridor, rounding a corner, a soft light suddenly came into view.

Like a lighthouse emerging in the vast sea, guiding her way.

Lingxi hesitated before the door, raising her hand, yet unable to knock.

“Who’s there?”

A cold voice came from inside.

“Your Highness.”

Lingxi took half a step back and bowed slightly.

“Enter.”

She pushed the door open. The candlelight inside spread like a tide, enveloping her figure.