It was supposed to be a day like any other…
Yan Beiqing: "...?"
The stench of smoke scratches at the throat of the young woman as she coughs from a simple intake of air. Everything in the area is lit ablaze amongst the screams and shouts of alarm coming from the other side.
This ocean of fire dances around the lone figure encased in this chamber without means of escape. Falling columns crash onto the ground with a horrifying rumble as shattered debris shoots out like deadly arrows.
Leaving startling marks of scorched skin and bleeding openings on her fair complexion.
[What is this?]
???: "Your Majesty!"
Faint shouts could be heard from beyond these collapsing walls.
Is it calling for her or someone else?
Bang!
A porcelain vase shatters beside the young woman's bare feet, startling her as that slender figure retreats.
But these actions prove fruitless as the intricate rug beneath curls from the devouring embers. Silk robes catch on fire in just the blink of an eye while the scent of burning fabric emits in the air.
[Help!]
The lithe figure scans her bewildered sights across the sea of flames in an attempt to find an escape.
However, it is of no use as this place has become a fatal cage.
???: "Your Majesty! Can you hear me?!"
The young woman wanted to shout, to holler, anything to get the attention of whomever is outside. Parch lips open and close to no avail as not even a faint whimper would sound from a damaged throat.
Time ticked away as did the sand of an hourglass…
Oxygen burns under the relentless roar of orange flames that crashes akin to waves onto the shore.
Pitter.. Patter…
A sudden shower of rain falls from the sky that grew grey in the fraction of a moment thunder strikes in flashes of radiant light.
The fire is being put out.
The Heavens above are crying from the injustice.
The people below shouts in tears of joy and relief.
???: "Your Majesty!!!"
???: "Quick! Some go in to save her Majesty!!"
But the young woman can no longer hear a single thing…
Consciousness is being enveloped by darkness…
Vrrr….
The young woman furrows her willow brows.
Vrrr….
A vibration of some sort is clawing at her unconscious state and that's not all. A faint noise from somewhere close resounds with an annoying disturbance.
???: "Hey!"
Jiang Zuoqing: "Hey! Yan Beiqing!"
"?!!"
Sharp eyes shot open with a deadly glint as the young woman sprang up in immediate action. A slender leg raised and kicked out with an explosive force straight towards the direction of the mysterious voice.
Bang!
A loud crashing resounded in the chamber followed by an equally vibrating holler of pain.
Yan Beiqing blinked a few times in a daze before regaining enough clarity to recall the current situation.
"... …"
Staring down at the perpetrator in cold arrogance whilst standing on top of the bed. The young woman folded her arms before questioning in an impassioned tone.
"Didn't I tell you not to enter my chamber unless given permission to? Why have you come?"
"Ugh…"
Jiang Zuoqing groaned in pain as he crouched on the ground huddled in a fetus position. Waiting until the ache subsided enough for him to stand up, the young president raised his sights with a pitiful glare.
"You! Yan Beiqing!"
Reddened eyes gave the man a charming appearance paired with unshed tears that held onto the edge of almond eyes. Akin to the image of peach flowers at dawn whereas those tears are the dew that clung onto red petal tips.
Yan Beiqing raised a brow at this display.
"... …"
President Jiang pinched his pale lips tight trying to search for the right words to say. He wanted to yell at the woman for kicking him but at this same time. It was him that broke the promise not to enter her room without permission first.
It was written in the contract and he was a man of his words until this moment.
In the end, feeling somewhat angry and ashamed, the young man merely lowered his sights with an unhappy expression. Lips pressed and rolled like dough while muttering in a low voice.
"Grandfather and grandmother are back, they want to see you."
Without waiting for the woman's further reply, the young man walked out while leaving the words, "I'll wait for you outside."
Closing the door behind in a flurry of footsteps.
Yan Beiqing: "Ha!"
The young woman released a light peal of laughter before jumping off the bed. Sharp eyes glanced at the vibrating phone left on top of the bed stand before releasing a scornful breath of air.
She entered the bathroom to refreshen herself for this new life and beginning.
Thirty minutes later…
Click.
Wearing an ankle length yellow cheongsam embroidered with elegant blooms of magnolias. Yan Beiqing exited her chamber to see a bewildered Jiang Zuoqing standing two steps away.
His eyes are wide with flashes of surprise and bewilderment to see the appearance of his newly wed wife.
It is the first time he felt that he has a new understanding of this woman, appearance wise.
Truth be told, there is no hate nor like in this sudden relationship tied by words of marriage.
There is more respect between two strangers than affection as well as suspicion which stems from his grandparents reaction to this woman?
Imagine his surprise when he received a call two weeks ago from the two elders who were sent to the hospital.
One demanded him to marry the woman who sent them to the hospital. The other threatens him to do the same unless he wants to see them die from sadness.
What can this poor president do but to abide by their commands? It's not like he has a partner or anything and it would help him drive away potential problems with the opposite gender.
But still…
Scanning the woman up and down with a suspicious squint, the young man seems to be planning something when a warm palm covers the expanse of his stomach.
Jiang Zuoqing: "What are you-?!!"
"Sorry." Yan Beiqing gave a sudden apology which shocked the young president into a state of bewilderment.
Rubbing the frozen president's stomach in rhythmic circles, the young woman continues to speak in a soothing tone.
"I had a nightmare just now so I might have unconsciously poured my emotions out on you. That's not right so I apologize."
"That kick was also a subconscious action, I have experience in martial arts so be careful next time. Try not to wake me up like that again because I don't want you to get hurt."
"Are you still angry with me?"
The woman raised her sights with a gentle curve of the lips.
It was akin to the vibrant breeze of a spring prairie which caressed the surface of the man's pulsing heart.
The palm which was pressed over his clothes felt scorching despite its tender touch.
Inducing a thread of inexplicable heat and emotions to run through every part of the limbs and veins. Creating a sphere of fire that whirled at the pit of his stomach like snakes burrowing underground.
Jiang Zuoqing: "!?"
Taking a startled step back, a faint flush colored the man's ears as he cast his sights aside. Flitting furtive glances the young woman's way, he murmured in a voice loud enough to be heard.
"My stomach still hurts but I'll forgive you since you apologized so heartfeltly. Hmph!"
Saying so, the young president sauntered away down the stairs without looking back. Wholly forgetting that he was supposed to escort his wife downstairs to meet his grandparents.
But it doesn't matter.
Minutes later, under the guidance of the respectful butler Yan Beiqing entered through the double doors of the chamber. The first thing which caught her eye were the figures Jiang Zuoqing and an elderly couple standing at the center of the room.
The president seems to be arguing with the two elderlies, or more accurately, persuading them in a helpless tone.
"Grandmother, grandfather, just sit down, please. Yan Beiqing will arrive soon, why do you have to stand up like this to wait for her?"
"I heard from the butler that you have been standing like this since the moment you came back. It's not good for your bones to stand for so long."
"Didn't the doctor warn us not to put too much stress on the legs? Please, just sit down for a little bit, you can stand back up later when she arrives."
No matter the words their grandson used to persuade the two elderly, the couple did not once reply. Choosing to continue their straight posture while ignoring their grandson akin to a pair of guardian statues in the chamber.
"The young madame has arrived." The butler declared, causing the trio in the room to jolt in surprise.
In an instant, three pairs of sights locked onto the elegant woman who had entered.
Jiang Zuoqing furrowed his brows while striding forward in a displeased tone, "why are you so late? Come quickly, my grandparents are waiting for you."
Before the young man could reach his wife, two blurred figures pushed him aside to stand in his place.
Thud!
Under the bewildered gaze of the butler and man, two figures, one male, one female knelt down on the floor. Their whole being prostrated before the young woman as cries of joy and sadness intermingle into a single heartfelt howl.
"Your Majesty!!"