Logging into the Game World Early and Starting with a Royal Marriage to the Empress

Xia Chen sat quietly on a cushioned chair.

Warm light danced across the beams adorned with gold tracery and vibrant hues.

A sandalwood long table stood at the hall’s center, draped with a brocade tablecloth of exquisite embroidery.

Around it, jade screens gleamed faintly, sealing off the world’s clamor.

Xia Chen sat alone, his demeanor unruffled, akin to a still, fathomless abyss.

Silent maids stood by, pouring tea—he didn’t strike up talk, unusually hushed.

…

“Jade Pool!”

Deep in the courtyard, in a modest boudoir, Yaoguang sat before a dressing mirror, murmuring those two words after Zi Yue’s full report.

The tarnished bronze reflected a face of flawless beauty. Zi Yue stood behind, lifting a wooden comb through her cascading three thousand strands of raven hair.

“I keep feeling the Imperial Son-in-Law meant something—he’s odd about ‘Heavenly Phoenix.’ It’s like I’ve no secrets before him, as if he sees right through me!”

Zi Yue’s delicate brows knit, her expression puzzled.

“Seems my betrothed’s sharper than we thought—seventeen years, lying low, biding his time, masking his edge.”

Yaoguang wore a light inner robe, fresh from her bath—her skin glowed rosy, radiating allure.

“But why is this so—why would the Imperial Son-in-Law conceal his sharpness and brilliance, setting him apart from us?

“Could it be his years in the marquisate were rough—someone out to harm him, smother him in the cradle—so he cloaked himself as a mediocrity?”

Zi Yue frowned, her crisp voice tinged with gentle confusion.

“Fourteen years back, the Marquis of Andong marched to the Eastern Wastes, siring his second son—Xia Hao, they say, a prodigy. Both the Marquis and his wife doted on him, neglecting Xia Chen.

“But Xia Chen’s the eldest legitimate son—with that status, the marquisate’s title must pass to him…”

Yaoguang’s voice carried a mature, steady timbre—ripe with wisdom.

Her beauty bloomed like spring peach blossoms—cheeks dainty and flushed, every inch of skin smooth as alabaster jade.

Her eyes shimmered like autumn pools, their ripples stirring the heart.

She was breathtaking—an immortal stepped from a painting, dimming all else.

Zi Yue, behind her, gazed at that oft-seen face in the mirror—still entranced, eyes locked.

Snapping back, she spoke: “Princess means the Marquis of Andong wants the title for his younger son, Xia Hao—but Xia Chen’s in the way, so he’d move against the Imperial Son-in-Law…

“But tigers don’t devour their cubs—even unseen for fourteen years, could he strike so cruelly?”

Zi Yue’s reasoning chilled her spine—picturing Xia Chen’s face, his calm, confident smile, she ached. How had he survived the marquisate all these years?

So much peril, so much pain, surely!

No wonder he’d clashed with the marquisate, splitting off.

“I don’t know the full why—maybe I’ve guessed wrong!”

Yaoguang shook her head, a trace of doubt lingering—she felt trapped in some mental misstep.

“What’s he up to now?”

Suddenly, Yaoguang glanced at Zi Yue in the bronze mirror, shifting gears.

“He’s sitting there quiet—not prying, not asking, just sipping tea!”

“Patient, huh. Li Wenzhong’s word says Xia Chen loves military tomes—steady-hearted, general material. Today proves it!”

Yaoguang’s smile curved.

“Zi Yue, what’s your take on him?”

“General Li rates him high—city rumors can lie, but his loyalty to you’s ironclad; he wouldn’t mislead.

“I’ve met the Imperial Son-in-Law twice—can’t say if he’s a born commander, but he’s no common sort, far from mundane!”

Zi Yue paused, combing Yaoguang’s hair, mulling.

Yaoguang heard her out, silent—room still.

After a stretch, she nodded.

“Maybe we can win him over—he might truly be my husband someday. Some things can’t skirt him.”

Her lively eyes flickered with thought.

“Oh—cut back on General Li Wenzhong from now on. He’s Dragon Martial Guard Senior General now—his role’s shifted.

“My father’s suspicion runs deep—he’ll have eyes on Li Wenzhong, watching for ties. We’ve got to tread light!”

“Yes, Princess—I’ll ease off. Unless it’s dire or a game-changer needing the General, I won’t tap that hidden piece!”

Zi Yue’s face hardened—she grasped the stakes.

“Fetch my phoenix jade hairpin—I’ll wear it today!”

Yaoguang eyed her flawless reflection, abrupt.

“Didn’t Princess say it’s too gaudy—better low-key?”

Zi Yue blinked—His Majesty gifted that famed hairpin. In Dawu’s lore, Emperor Wuzong unearthed a rare ruby, blood-red like phoenix veins—thrilled, he summoned the land’s top jade smith and a Celestial Master to craft it.

Its first bearer—Wuzong’s empress.

Now, six hundred years on, Emperor Wen gave it to Yaoguang at sixteen—she’d worn it once.

Today, again!

“I’ve few standout pieces—this hairpin’s it. Perfect to spruce up.”

Zi Yue smiled, saying no more, fetching it.

Her heart knew—Princess, born radiant, shunned ornaments since fifteen to dull her edge.

All to leave a lifeline for the other refined young ladies and noblewomen in their chambers.

Yet the mansion held plenty—today’s phoenix jade pick showed care.

Zi Yue gently lifted a jade box, revealing a hairpin—fiery red, feathers carved vivid, pulsing with life, primed to rise reborn.

“With this, Princess, your aura’s transformed!”

Zi Yue’s eyes glazed, awed.

“This Literary Gathering’s packed with talents—calls for care.”

Yaoguang studied herself, musing—half-explaining to Zi Yue.

“More like for the Imperial Son-in-Law, I’d say!”

Zi Yue grinned, teasing—their bond tight, no bounds.

Yaoguang’s ears pinked, quickly veiled—eyes calm again.

“Nonsense—go check on Xia Chen! Waiting this long—don’t let him think I’m slighting him. I’ll be right there!”

Yaoguang nudged Zi Yue—her smile twinkled as she slipped out.