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

Xia Chen harbored a tranquil spirit, awaiting in stillness!

Until Zi Yue approached, her purple robes swaying lightly.

“Imperial Son-in-Law, apologies for the wait—the princess will be here shortly!”

Zi Yue curtsied, her lotus steps gliding close, lips parting to speak.

“It’s fine!”

Xia Chen shook his head, his gaze still steady.

Zi Yue couldn’t tell if he truly meant it or masked some pique—after all, he’d waited through three cups of tea.

“The princess just finished bathing—she dressed up specially to meet you, Imperial Son-in-Law, so it took a bit longer. Please forgive the delay.”

Zi Yue added, wary of missteps with the princess.

Xia Chen smiled faintly, shaking his head.

“Zi Yue Girl, you’re overthinking—I’ve nothing pressing now; a little wait’s no trouble!”

Xia Chen brushed off such trifles—whether a power play or honest primping, it barely fazed him.

Yet a shroud of unease clung to his heart—since stepping into the princess’s mansion, he appeared serene and steady, yet inwardly remained ever vigilant, treading with care.

From past-life tales, the Second Princess hid deep—frighteningly so.

The Crown Prince and Third Prince clashed bloody—till the Third, cornered, launched the Gate-Seizing Coup in a desperate bid.

The Second Princess stayed low—unseen—until the coup’s final breath, stepping forth to end the storm.

Swift, precise, ruthless!

Another reason she loomed unfathomable: even with the royal line gutted in the coup, eight vassal kings—distant kin—held succession rights.

By custom, a lesser branch should rise.

Yet civil officials and martial clans backed a woman—the Second Princess—to ascend.

That was chilling!

Clearly, she’d long won them—drawn them to her banner.

Such cunning spun the realm in her palm.

Now this fearsome figure was his betrothed—and he’d meet her. How could Xia Chen not brace twelvefold?

Half-player with a cheat he might be, but he never underestimated this world’s natives.

Past-life players proved it—slaughtered and toyed with by these “primitives.”

What gnawed deeper: how did he die in that coup?

Accident—or did the Second Princess crush him mid-quell?

Doubt festered.

“Imperial Son-in-Law, the princess approaches!”

Zi Yue’s voice broke his haze.

Xia Chen heard the soft, measured tread of footsteps and turned toward the side hall. A woman stepped forth from behind, her beauty peerless and captivating—his expression faltered briefly, for she was indeed the most stunning person he had ever encountered.

Behind her trailed a sprightly, charming girl—Li Wei!

“Greetings, Princess!”

A flicker of awe, then Xia Chen rose, bowing respectfully.

Regardless of his speculations, right or wrong, he had to perform the full charade now.

Yaoguang scrutinized the man before her, a flicker of emotion rippling through her exquisite eyes.

He was the finest she’d met—looks flawless.

“No need for ceremony—rise!”

Yaoguang steadied her voice, cool and even, yet a faint smile—unnoticed even by her—tugged her lips.

Li Wei peeked from behind, eyeing Xia Chen with curiosity.

Catching her stare, Xia Chen nodded—then looked away.

“Sit!”

Yaoguang waved him to the seat opposite—maids streamed in, bearing delicate dishes, small but artful, rich in color, scent, and taste.

“Hungry?”

Yaoguang faced this striking youth, breaking the ice.

“Not really!”

Xia Chen nodded calmly.

The room fell still—Yaoguang gazed at the mounting delicacies, seeking words to pierce the hush, but no topic surfaced.

Ever eloquent and astute, she found herself at a loss for words today, somehow—her betrothed, this man before her, deviated subtly from the image she had envisioned.

Reports painted Xia Chen warm as jade, humble, noble—kind to all, ever smiling.

Today, he fit—yet too flat, even chilly.

Her brow creased—why?

Meeting her shifted him—reports off?

A woman’s first hunch cuts true—Xia Chen thought he’d masked well, polite and proper, but Yaoguang sensed a rift.

The two sat before the dining table, momentarily speechless.

Zi Yue frowned—outgoing or not, the Imperial Son-in-Law wasn’t shy. No nerves here—why so cold?

“Heard His Majesty praised your literary flair—any prep for today’s Literary Gathering?”

Yaoguang’s brain trust, Zi Yue couldn’t let this gloom fester. First meetings needn’t spark love—but shouldn’t curdle into awkward unease!

Her words snapped the silence.

“Just a warrior here for the show—to glimpse Dawu’s young talents!”

Xia Chen smiled, replying light—he’d caught his slip. Prejudging her as his future killer bred wariness.

But nothing’s happened yet—betrothed mere months. His brother, future Dawu pillar—King Zhendong Xia Hao—was just thirteen.

Past-life rumors tied Xia Hao to the Empress—intimate, some said.

Xia Chen mused—close, maybe, but lovers? Likely lies—remnants of fallen Dafeng and Daqing sowing tales.

Decades reigning, the Empress cowed all—no rival stood. Lovers? They’d have wed openly.

Later, in the Spiritual Energy Revival’s dawn, she vanished—strangely.

Whispers pointed to Xia Hao…

Not baseless—Dawu’s collapse profited him most.

Judging cause by effect gave Xia Chen an edge—but risked bias.

He jolted awake—whatever the riddle’s truth, he stood in this tide now. Feel it, live it.

As for the outcome—whether it can be altered—he would strive with all his might, undaunted by any hardship or peril!

With that, Xia Chen flashed Yaoguang a radiant grin.