The Male Lead's Harem Belongs to Me (GL) - Chapter 33.1
The moonlight poured down into the courtyard like a layer of bright, indifferent white frost.
After Liu Shuwei finished speaking, she continued to sit on Jiang Han’s lap, hugging her. However, her eyes, brighter than the moonlight, were fixed on Jiang Han’s. Her voice was filled with tenderness: “Sister, will you leave the prince’s mansion in the future?”
Jiang Han was held by Liu Shuwei and didn’t dare to move. Her mind was filled with the collapsing plot and a sense of avoidance. She wanted to deceive herself, telling herself that her feelings for Liu Shuwei were just pity and affection. However, when she met Liu Shuwei’s eyes, the accelerated heartbeat reminded her that her feelings for Liu Shuwei had long since changed.
“I…I…” Jiang Han avoided Liu Shuwei’s gaze, lowering her eyes and saying, “Not for the time being.”
Liu Shuwei’s gaze swept over Jiang Han’s face, unseen by Jiang Han. The possessive and loving look in her eyes was enough to frighten anyone. “Not for the time being” meant she would leave in the future. So, was her sister going to abandon her?
In an instant, the fear in Liu Shuwei’s heart spread. She looked at Jiang Han’s evasive expression and felt a pang of pain. Had her confession scared her?
Liu Shuwei’s eyes flickered, and she slowly got off Jiang Han’s lap.
Jiang Han didn’t look up and didn’t notice the change in Liu Shuwei’s emotions. She only heard Liu Shuwei’s voice return to its usual calmness, saying, “Okay, no matter where you go, sister, you’ll always be my sister.”
Jiang Han didn’t look up, still immersed in her own world. When did she start to like Liu Shuwei? Why hadn’t she noticed it? And what about Liu Shuwei? What did Liu Shuwei feel for her? If Liu Shuwei’s feelings for her had also changed, what would happen to the plot of this world? Would the original book have a mysterious power to push the plot back on track?
Jiang Han’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts. Just as she was about to look up at Liu Shuwei, she suddenly realized that she was alone. Liu Shuwei had left at some point, leaving only a cold back view.
Jiang Han was confused and began to make wild guesses. Liu Shuwei probably just regarded her as a caring sister, right? That’s why she was so attached to her?
Jiang Han shook her head, smiling bitterly. She hadn’t expected that a trip outside would not only fail to solve the problem but also create a new one.
Jiang Han silently decided that it was best not to disrupt the plot of the book unless necessary. She would observe for a while after their marriage. If Qi Ze was good to Liu Shuwei, she would quickly divorce Qi Ze.
The original owner was already dead, and returning was impossible. She might as well go back to the general’s mansion and live off her family.
••••
On the other side, after Liu Shuwei returned to her room, Shui Lu brought her a bowl of hangover soup, saying, “Miss, how can you drink? You’re getting married tomorrow. If you…”
Before she could finish, Liu Shuwei choked and coughed. Shui Lu quickly stopped talking and patted Liu Shuwei’s back gently.
Liu Shuwei paused for a moment and continued to drink the remaining half of the hangover soup. Then, her eyes flickered as she glanced at the window, “Shui Lu, you can go out now.”
Shui Lu responded and left the room. Liu Shuwei stood up and walked to the window, opening it. As expected, she saw a small letter. She put the letter away and looked out into the courtyard again, finding that the figure was indeed gone.
Liu Shuwei closed the window and sat on the edge of the bed, opening the letter with a serious expression. After a moment, her gaze gradually darkened.
The letter contained the information she had asked Jiang Yun to investigate that day. She had only told Jiang Yun the suspicious points about the horse incident and vaguely made it seem like Qi Ze wanted to harm Jiang Han. As expected, Jiang Yun took it to heart.
They had agreed to exchange messages today. As she hoped, Jiang Yun had indeed found something. Qi Ze didn’t expect that someone getting up to use the toilet at night would see him feeding the horse.
In other words, Qi Ze had indeed only fed the white horse grass. The meaning behind this was thought-provoking. Liu Shuwei looked down for a long time, then put the letter in the candle flame and burned it. She then opened the door and walked out of the room.
When Shui Lu saw her suddenly come out, she asked nervously, “Miss, where are you going?” Her miss had secretly drunk alcohol when she wasn’t looking, and now she was going out in the middle of the night. If something happened, she would be in big trouble.
Liu Shuwei’s eyes flickered, “It’s nothing. I’m going to ask the princess about some things to pay attention to tomorrow. I’ll be right back. It’s late, you should go to sleep.”
Seeing that her miss looked serious, Shui Lu replied, “Yes.”
Seeing Shui Lu walk away, Liu Shuwei walked towards the pond.
Under the moonlight, the long-quiet pond was finally disturbed by the sound of splashing water. A woman was at the edge of the pond, burying half of her body in the water. The water was cold at night, and the woman’s eyelashes trembled. Soon, she buried her entire shoulder, leaving only her head above the water.
••••
The next day was the auspicious day for Prince Qi to take a concubine. The prince’s mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, filled with joy.
Before dawn, Liu Shuwei got up to put on makeup and change clothes. The old women responsible for dressing and makeup had arrived at the courtyard gate early, waiting for the master’s orders.
Liu Shuwei looked particularly haggard today, her face pale, her eyes dull. If one looked closely, they could see her body trembling under her clothes.
She looked at her face in the mirror and asked, “Hasn’t the princess come yet?”
Shui Lu shook her head, “No.”
Liu Shuwei didn’t speak, but her eyes suddenly dimmed. Soon, the old women who were to do her makeup arrived. They smiled and said auspicious words to ask for tips, then walked quickly to Liu Shuwei. Just as they were about to praise her, they were caught off guard by Liu Shuwei’s haggard face.
The old women were startled, “Miss Liu, what’s wrong? Why is your face so pale?”
Liu Shuwei moved her eyes, “Don’t worry, I’ve always been weak. I was a little nervous last night and didn’t sleep well, so I look a little haggard today. Please cover it up with makeup.”
She then signaled to Shui Lu, who took out a piece of silver. The old women immediately smiled and accepted it, patting their chests to assure her, “Don’t worry, young lady. My skills are famous for miles around. I guarantee you’ll be the most beautiful person today.”
Liu Shuwei smiled weakly, forcing herself to be energetic, “Thank you.”
Jiang Han rushed over when the makeup was half done. She hadn’t been able to sleep last night and had only fallen asleep just before Liu Shuwei was about to get up. If Chun Zhu hadn’t noticed that she hadn’t come out and gone to wake her, Jiang Han would have broken her promise today.
Jiang Han waved to stop the people in the room from bowing to her, then walked quickly to Liu Shuwei’s side, panting slightly, “Sorry, Weiwei, I overslept today.”
Seeing her come, Liu Shuwei felt better. She looked at the person next to her in the mirror. Jiang Han had rushed over after a quick wash and had simply tidied her hair, so she didn’t look as refined as usual. However, in Liu Shuwei’s eyes, she was the same as always.
Liu Shuwei curled her lips slightly, “It’s good that sister came.”
Jiang Han looked down at Liu Shuwei. Her makeup was only half done, but it had already covered up her previous sickly look, making her look much more lively.
Jiang Han didn’t dare to look too much. She glanced at her and turned to look at her room, saying, “Just relax and get married today. Those people from the Liu family won’t cause trouble.”
Jiang Han was afraid that the Liu family would disrupt the wedding, so she asked her second brother to bring people to keep an eye on things. It wasn’t to ensure the wedding went smoothly, but to protect Liu Shuwei’s reputation. As for the wedding, she hoped that the male lead would suddenly have an accident and the wedding couldn’t proceed.
Time passed, and Gu Hanyun and the others arrived one after another. The small room was filled with people and liveliness. Jiang Han relaxed a little and chatted with them, but her eyes kept glancing at Liu Shuwei’s face.
They joked with Liu Shuwei while chatting about other things. Today was a joyous occasion, and no one noticed Liu Shuwei’s abnormality.
Soon, Liu Shuwei’s makeup was finished, and only the headdress was left. It was still early, so Gu Hanyun and the others surrounded Liu Shuwei, expressing exaggerated admiration.
Gu Hanyun exclaimed, “Wow~ Weiwei is so beautiful!”
Chang Qianjiao’s eyes were filled with amazement, and she shook her head and smiled, “No wonder the prince is so infatuated with our Weiwei. If it were me, I would also try to marry Weiwei.”
Yu Weiwan was also speechless with admiration, nodding in agreement.
Even the old woman who did Liu Shuwei’s makeup was filled with pride, praising, “In all my years of doing makeup, this girl is truly the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Her charm and beauty would make any man obsessed.”
Surrounded by compliments, Liu Shuwei looked up at Jiang Han, her beautiful eyes rippling.
Like a calm lake disturbed by a pebble, Jiang Han’s heart couldn’t help but flutter. She swallowed softly, almost forgetting to breathe. One glance was enough to disturb her mind, and her heart pounded.
Jiang Han couldn’t help but think, How does Qi Ze deserve her?
Liu Shuwei looked at Jiang Han, asking for her opinion with her eyes. Jiang Han was dazzled, praising, “You look so beautiful, Weiwei. If I were a man, I would definitely steal you away from the prince today.”
Liu Shuwei’s lips slowly curved into a smile, then relaxed.
The old woman saw that it was almost time and began to arrange Liu Shuwei’s hair and headdress. Gu Hanyun and the others made way, gathering around Jiang Han. Gu Hanyun was still going on, “She’s really too beautiful, Weiwei is too beautiful.”
Jiang Han looked at her amusedly, teasing, “What’s wrong? Isn’t Kui’er the most beautiful in your heart?”
Gu Hanyun froze, then smiled awkwardly, “Isn’t it different kinds of beauty?”
Jiang Han smiled but didn’t speak. The other concubines, smelling the gossip, curiously asked her, “Gu Gu, who is this Kui’er the princess is talking about?”
Gu Hanyun was overwhelmed, trying to explain. Chang Qianjiao, after hearing the explanation, said directly, “Great, you two went to the Seven…”
“Shhh!” Before Chang Qianjiao could finish, Jiang Han and Gu Hanyun instinctively covered her mouth.
Chang Qianjiao mumbled, removing their hands, and said, “I want to go too. Remember to call me next time.”
Jiang Han: “…”
While they were chattering, Liu Shuwei’s attire was finally complete. In a while, Qi Ze would come to pick her up, and they would parade through the city for good luck.
The old woman and the others who helped with the makeup and dressing received their tips and left. Gu Hanyun and the others surrounded Liu Shuwei, their eyes filled with admiration and envy.
Jiang Han made an excuse to go see if Qi Ze had escaped. Actually, she just couldn’t bear to see Liu Shuwei in her wedding dress being taken away by Qi Ze, couldn’t bear to see Liu Shuwei and him worship heaven and earth and enter the bridal chamber, and couldn’t bear to see Liu Shuwei’s eyes only filled with Qi Ze.
Jiang Han went outside and took a deep breath. She could hear the lively sounds from the prince’s mansion next door, even in the courtyard. Although it was just a concubine’s wedding, Qi Ze had invited many officials to witness it.
She stood at the courtyard gate, with the gatekeeper beside her. Seeing that she looked unhappy, the gatekeeper understood. It seemed the princess was truly deeply in love with the prince. He wondered why the prince had asked him to observe the princess and the other concubines.
Soon, the auspicious drums sounded from next door. Jiang Han forced a smile and went back to the room to remind them, “The prince is coming.”
Since Liu Shuwei had no family, some of the wedding rituals were omitted.
Jiang Han and the other concubines went outside to wait at the gate. Liu Shuwei, wearing her bridal veil, was helped out of the room by Shui Lu.
The fiery red wedding dress draped over Liu Shuwei, and the embroidered mandarin ducks on her veil were particularly dazzling. Jiang Han couldn’t see Liu Shuwei’s expression, only her slender neck, which looked as white as jade porcelain against the wedding dress.
Jiang Han clenched her sleeves, but smiled, “Congratulations, sister. You’re entering the prince’s mansion today. From now on, we’ll be true sisters.”
Liu Shuwei paused slightly. Jiang Han could see her nod gently.
Jiang Han was overwhelmed with emotions, thinking, Well, if Weiwei really loves Qi Ze, then so be it. After all, she was just an outsider. Without her interference, Liu Shuwei would definitely become the mother of the nation. If she interfered, she might make things worse.
Qi Ze was already outside. The sound of gongs and drums was very loud, even through the gate. Jiang Han smiled at Shui Lu, “Go on, protect your miss well.”