An Unexpected Audience

The servant's announcement sent another wave of tension through the hall.

An imperial messenger.

At any other wedding, such news would have been a great honor.

Today, however, it felt like a disaster waiting to happen.

The guests exchanged uneasy glances.

Only moments ago, Li Ruoxi had publicly rejected a marriage approved by the Emperor himself.

And now the palace was involved.

The timing couldn't have been worse.

Ruoxi felt her stomach tighten.

'Don't tell me the Emperor already knows...'

Before anyone could react, the servant continued.

"His Majesty has sent gifts and a decree to bless the union between the Li and Shen families."

The hall immediately became even quieter.

Several nobles looked as though they wanted to disappear.

The blessing decree had arrived.

But the marriage itself had just been canceled.

For the first time that day, even Li Guowei's expression became serious.

The situation had become far more complicated than a simple broken engagement.

Because now the dignity of the imperial family was involved.

Ruoxi lowered her gaze.

'Great.'

'I reject one marriage and immediately offend the Emperor.'

'What a wonderful start to my second life.'

A heavy silence settled over the wedding hall.

Nobody dared to speak.

The celebration that had filled the manor only moments ago had completely disappeared. The cheerful atmosphere was gone, replaced by unease and anticipation.

Outside, the festive drums had long since fallen silent.

Inside, hundreds of eyes remained fixed on the entrance.

The imperial messenger was coming.

Ruoxi slowly exhaled.

The sleeves of her crimson wedding robes hung heavily at her sides as she stood beside her father.

For the first time since arriving in this world, she felt a tiny bit relieved.

At least she wasn't facing this alone.

Li Guowei stood firmly beside her, his expression calm and composed.

It was almost as if the scandal unfolding before the entire capital didn't bother him at all.

Yet Ruoxi knew better.

As Prime Minister, he understood exactly how serious the situation had become.

The sound of footsteps echoed from outside.

Then a palace eunuch entered the hall.

Behind him followed several attendants carrying ornate wooden boxes decorated with golden dragons.

The guests immediately lowered their heads.

"The Emperor's messenger has arrived!"

Everyone bowed.

Everyone except the imperial messenger himself.

The eunuch's sharp gaze swept across the hall.

At first, he seemed pleased.

After all, he had come to deliver blessings for a wedding.

Then he noticed something strange.

The bride and groom were standing apart.

The atmosphere was tense.

And the expressions on the guests' faces were anything but celebratory.

A flicker of confusion crossed his face.

"Prime Minister Li."

The eunuch frowned.

"Has something happened?"

Nobody answered immediately.

The silence itself became the answer.

The messenger's eyes narrowed.

Slowly, his gaze shifted toward Ruoxi.

Then toward Shen Mochen.

Then toward the red ribbon lying abandoned on the floor.

His expression froze.

The entire hall held its breath.

Even Ruoxi felt her heartbeat quicken.

'This is bad.'

'Really bad.'

The eunuch looked back at Li Guowei.

"Prime Minister..."

His voice became noticeably slower.

"Please do not tell me the wedding has been canceled."

No one spoke.

The silence stretched.

Long enough for the messenger to understand everything.

His eyes widened.

The attendants behind him looked equally stunned.

For several seconds, nobody moved.

Then the eunuch suddenly laughed.

A short laugh.

Not because he found the situation amusing.

But because he couldn't believe it.

"In all my years serving in the palace..."

He shook his head.

"This is the first time I've arrived to bless a marriage that no longer exists."

Several nobles nearly fainted on the spot.

Ruoxi wanted to bury herself underground.

'Wonderful.'

'Absolutely wonderful.'

'I've become a historical scandal within three chapters.'

The messenger rubbed his forehead.

Then, unexpectedly, he looked at Ruoxi.

"You were the one who canceled it?"

The hall immediately became quiet again.

Ruoxi could feel everyone staring at her.

Waiting.

Judging.

Gossiping.

She straightened her back.

"Yes."

The messenger blinked.

Clearly, that wasn't the answer he had expected.

After all, rumors throughout the capital claimed that Li Ruoxi was obsessed with Shen Mochen.

Yet here she was rejecting him before the entire empire.

How strange.

How very strange.

For the first time, genuine curiosity appeared in the messenger's eyes.

Before he could speak again, another attendant suddenly rushed into the hall.

Unlike the others, he wore the uniform of the Crown Prince's palace.

His breathing was uneven, as if he had hurried all the way here.

The moment he entered, the atmosphere changed.

Even the imperial messenger looked surprised.

The attendant immediately knelt.

"I bring a message from His Highness, the Crown Prince."

The entire hall froze.

Ruoxi's eyes widened.

The Crown Prince?

Why would the Crown Prince be involved?

She was certain this hadn't happened in the novel.

The attendant raised his head.

Then, before everyone present, he delivered a single sentence.

"His Highness wishes to know why Lady Li has refused the marriage."

The hall erupted into chaos.

And for the first time since arriving in this world—

Ruoxi realized she might have attracted the attention of someone far more dangerous than Shen Mochen.

To be continued...

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