The door creaked open, and Zhao Yan stepped into the room, his tall frame silhouetted against the dim light of the corridor. He was dressed in red wedding robes, the rich fabric embroidered with golden patterns that shimmered under the flickering glow of the red lanterns.
His mask gleamed ominously, the polished surface reflecting the crimson light, adding an air of mystery and danger to his already imposing presence.
As the door closed behind him with a resounding thud, Zhao Yan froze.
His sharp gaze swept over the room, his lips pressing into a thin line as disbelief washed over him.
The chamber was a disaster.
The bedspread was rumpled and crooked, one corner hanging off the mattress. A stool lay toppled on its side, and a decorative vase was leaning precariously against the wall, as though it had been kicked. Containers on the table were slightly ajar, their lids scattered haphazardly across the surface.
He clenched his fists, his composure fraying as he took it all in.
This is the bridal chamber? he thought, his eyebrows twitching.
And then, as he stepped forward, his gaze flicked to the ground.
A small, round object rolled to a stop near his feet. He bent down, picking it up and inspecting it.
A liquor bottle.
Zhao Yan brought it closer to his nose, his suspicions confirmed as the rich scent of alcohol wafted up. His brow furrowed, his lips twitching in a mixture of disbelief and suppressed amusement.
This woman… was drinking?
He straightened, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room again. Hua Jing was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is she?" he muttered under his breath, his tone low and dangerous.
Setting the bottle down with a sharp clink, Zhao Yan began to search the room. He moved with purpose, checking behind the curtains, glancing under the table, even peering into the corners as if she might have somehow shrunk herself.
No sign of her.
His patience, already wearing thin, began to crack. "Hua Jing!" he called, his voice echoing through the room.
No answer.
Just as he turned toward the bed, a soft giggle reached his ears.
It was faint, barely audible, but it was unmistakable. His head snapped toward the sound, his gaze narrowing.
The giggle seemed to come from the far side of the room, near the wardrobe. He strode over, his steps deliberate, and flung the doors open.
Nothing.
Then, another giggle, this time from the opposite corner.
Zhao Yan's jaw tightened.
Is she playing games with me?
He turned swiftly, moving toward the next sound. His sharp movements caused the air around him to stir, his robes billowing slightly as he crossed the room.
Yet again, there was nothing.
The giggles moved again, bouncing from one side of the room to the other like an elusive phantom. Zhao Yan's frustration mounted with every step, his composure unraveling.
This woman is making me play hide and seek. On our wedding night!
Hua Jing was having the time of her life.
She had tucked herself behind the screen in the corner of the room, peering through a tiny gap to watch Zhao Yan move about like a restless predator. The alcohol coursing through her veins made everything funnier, and she had to press her hand to her mouth to stifle her giggles.
When she saw him storm toward the wardrobe, only to find it empty, she bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud.
He looks so serious! she thought, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Her gaze flitted to his mask, the shining surface glinting ominously in the red light.
I wonder what he looks like under that thing, she mused, her mischief escalating.
Fueled by the liquor and her own audacity, she couldn't resist letting out another giggle.
The sound caught his attention immediately.
Zhao Yan spun around, his sharp gaze zeroing in on the corner where Hua Jing was hiding. Her breath hitched as she ducked lower, but before he could approach, she darted out and slipped behind the bed.
Her laughter bubbled up again, escaping before she could stop it.
Zhao Yan froze, his frustration reaching its peak.
"Hua Jing!" he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Come out now."
His command only made her giggle harder.
Zhao Yan strode toward the bed, his movements swift and purposeful. Hua Jing peeked out from behind it, catching a glimpse of his robes swishing dramatically as he approached.
He's like a dragon about to breathe fire, she thought, grinning.
As soon as he was close, Hua Jing darted to the other side of the room, her bare feet barely making a sound on the floor. She crouched behind another piece of furniture, her heart pounding with exhilaration.
Zhao Yan turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. He could feel her presence—hear the faint rustle of movement—but she was always just out of reach.
"Are you a child?" he bit out, his tone laced with irritation. "This is ridiculous."
He wondered what he did in his past life to be stuck with such a child for a wife!
"That's your opinion," Hua Jing quipped from her hiding spot, her voice teasing.
The alcohol in her system was making her bold and the more it rushed, she became even more bold!
Zhao Yan's hand twitched at his side. He took a slow, deliberate breath, his jaw tightening as he tried to keep his temper in check.
He could not believe this was going to be his life!
"This is your last chance," he warned. "Come out now, or—"
"Or what?" Hua Jing interrupted, popping her head out from behind the screen with a grin. "You'll scold me to death?"
Zhao Yan's patience snapped.
In his whole life, no one dared to speak to him in such an uncouth manner!
Hua Jing was the first and he wanted to ensure she was the last!
He lunged forward, but Hua Jing darted away, her laughter ringing out as she moved to yet another hiding spot.
Zhao Yan studied her movements. Her steps were wobbly, that he could see and it was probably caused by the alcohol yet even though she was drunk, her steps were still very sharp!
It was as if she had received some kind of training when she was younger but the information he had gathered stated that she was never allowed out of the Hua mansion and in this age girls were not very interested in martial arts.
His brows shot up: Just who in the world was this woman?
Just as he was lost in thought, Hua Jing who had been having fun all this while suddenly popped her head out from the red curtains. She was pouting,
"Are we not playing anymore?