Shen Ruyu had always imagined her wedding day would be quiet. Not grand. Not joyful. And certainly not watched by the entire capital like a caged spectacle. But nothing about her life had been quiet since the night her family was slaughtered.
The carriage stopped.
Outside, drums thundered through the air—slow, heavy beats that seemed to echo inside her bones. She lifted the red silk veil covering her face and peeked through the window slit. Rows of armored soldiers lined the streets, their silver spears gleaming under the winter sun. Their discipline was impeccable; not a single man broke formation.
Of course. They belonged to him. General Lu Zeyan. The empire's coldest, youngest commander. A man whose name made seasoned warriors straighten their backs. A man rumored to have killed three warlords before his twenty-fifth year. A man who rarely smiled, never apologized, and certainly never loved. Yet today, he was taking a wife — Her. Shen Ruyu, the last surviving daughter of the disgraced Shen household.
She let the veil fall back down, breathing in slowly. "This marriage is the only path left for you, Ruyu". Her fingers clenched around the jade pendant in her lap. The only relic that remained of her mother.
The Shen family had once been respected scholars—quiet, loyal citizens who avoided politics. But that did not save them. One winter night, the estate burned, and every witness mysteriously disappeared. Officials claimed it was an accident. The people whispered it was a purge.
Ruyu knew the truth. Her family had been framed. And someone powerful wanted every Shen dead.
She should've died that night too. She did die—at least in the eyes of the empire. But fate had spared her. Or cursed her. She hadn't decided which. The carriage jerked forward again.
Ruyu inhaled. Today's event was not a wedding. It was a disguise. A mask for her revenge. A shield to survive long enough to uncover the truth. A marriage chosen not with her heart—no, that organ had been shattered long ago—but with cold calculation.
Lu Zeyan needed a bride for political reasons.
She needed a husband powerful enough to protect her identity. A contract marriage. She hid her sharpness beneath silk, her intelligence behind lowered lashes. The general believed she was timid, docile—perfectly harmless. Just as she intended.
The carriage door opened. Cold air swept inside.
"Madam," a soldier said respectfully, "General Lu awaits."
Her pulse quickened. Ruyu lifted her skirts and stepped down. Her embroidered shoes touched the stone path leading into the grand courtyard of the Lu estate. And then—she saw him. General Lu Zeyan stood beneath the ceremonial archway. Tall, commanding, dressed not in lavish wedding robes but in his formal military attire. Black armor. Silver pauldrons. A crimson cloak flowing behind him like blood on snow. His expression was unreadable. Carved from ice.Soldiers on both sides stiffened at her appearance.
Ruyu lowered her gaze demurely, but her heart pounded. She had seen the general from afar during imperial ceremonies, but up close, he was more intimidating. His presence swallowed the entire courtyard. A man born for battlefields, not brides. She reached him slowly, her steps light, almost hesitant.
A cold voice spoke above her. "Shen Ruyu."
She lifted her head a fraction. His eyes—obsidian, sharp as unsheathed blades—locked onto hers through the thin veil. For a heartbeat, she forgot her practiced breathing. That gaze could dissect a man. Or a woman. Or a secret. Her palms grew slightly damp.
He didn't help her up the steps. He didn't offer his arm. He simply turned, cloak sweeping behind him, and said— "Follow."
Not gentle. Not polite. But controlled, precise, and commanding. The soldiers didn't react. This was normal for their general. Ruyu's lips curled faintly under the veil.—"Good."
A man who kept others at a distance would not pry too deeply into hers. She followed him into the ceremonial hall. Servants scattered like frightened birds. Lanterns glowed against tall pillars. Everything looked grand but cold—just like the man she was marrying.
The wedding rites were brief.–
A bow to heaven.
A bow to ancestors.
A bow to each other.
Lu Zeyan's movements were efficient, almost indifferent. Her hand brushed his only once, and even through her sleeve, she felt the warmth of his skin—unexpected for a man with such ice in his veins.The moment passed quickly.
Before she could steady her thoughts, the officiant announced: "The marriage is complete."
Applause echoed through the hall. Ruyu lowered her eyes as the servants approached to escort her to the bridal chamber. But just as she took a step, a gloved hand caught her wrist.Not harsh. Not gentle. Just firm enough to halt her. She froze.
General Lu Zeyan stood close, his broad frame blocking out the lantern light. The soldiers pretended not to see. His voice dropped, soft but cold enough to slice marble."Whatever you're running from," he said, "the Lu estate is not a place for hiding secrets."
Her heartbeat stuttered. So he knows… something. She forced her voice to tremble. "G-General Lu… I—I only wish to be a proper wife."
His eyes flicked down to her shaking fingers.When he spoke again, it was almost a whisper. "Proper wives don't lie."
Her breath caught. He released her wrist as if nothing had happened.–"Go."
Ruyu lowered her veil again and obeyed. But behind her modest steps, her mind raced. How much does he know? Did he suspect her identity? Did he sense she wasn't the meek little bride everyone believed she was? No. Impossible.
She had acted flawlessly these past weeks.
And Lu Zeyan… he was distant, uninterested in domestic affairs. He had no reason to investigate her. Her pulse steadied. As she entered the bridal chamber, Ruyu reminded herself— A single sentence cannot shake your resolve. Focus, Ruyu. You came here for revenge, not romance.
The chamber door closed behind her. Servants left, whispering excitedly. She walked toward the mirror. The room was beautiful—red silk drapes, phoenix embroidery, candles flickering like small, dancing stars. Yet there was a faint coldness beneath everything, as if no warmth could survive in General Lu's house.
Ruyu lifted her veil at last. Her reflection stared back, Soft eyes, wide and clear, surveyed her own image. Below them, lips like flower petals rested gently, their natural color a subtle blush. Her skin, flawless and luminous as the first snowfall, framed her face, contrasting beautifully with her long, flowing ginger hair that cascaded past her shoulders, catching the light like spun copper revealing a visage of innocent beauty. A perfect mask.
She reached into her sleeve and pulled out the jade pendant again. The only witness left of her past. She held it against her heart. "Father… Mother… I've stepped into the lion's den," she whispered. "I will find the truth. I swear it."
A sudden cold gust blew out one of the candles. Ruyu turned sharply. The door opened.
General Lu Zeyan entered without ceremony, his cloak falling over the floor like a shadow. He removed his gloves slowly, eyes never leaving her. She stiffened. He approached her—unhurried, confident, a predator stalking a small white rabbit.
His voice was quiet. "Shen Ruyu."
She bowed slightly. "Husband." The word felt foreign on her tongue.
He stopped only a few steps away."You may deceive the empire," he said, "you may fool the gossips… but do not mistake me for a blind man." Her breath trembled. He leaned in, lowering his head until his lips were close enough to brush her ear.
"In this mansion," he murmured, "every smile hides a knife. Every servant has a master. Every shadow has eyes."
Her fingers tightened around the pendant. He continued, even softer— "If you wish to survive… stay close to me."
For the first time, Shen Ruyu felt her carefully crafted mask falter. Was he warning her?Threatening her? Protecting her? Before she could ask, he straightened, his expression closed off once more."We begin a public life tomorrow. Until then, rest."
He turned to leave— But paused at the door.
Without looking back, he added: "And Shen Ruyu… whatever lies you have wrapped yourself in, do not bring them into my battlefield."
The door closed behind him. Ruyu's heart pounded violently. Not from fear. But from realization. Lu Zeyan was not indifferent. He was watching her. Thoroughly. Quietly. Dangerously.
Her plan to remain unnoticed… had already failed. And yet— A slow, cunning smile curled on her lips. "If the general wants to play," she whispered, "then I will dance."
The candle burned low into the night, casting trembling halos of gold across the bridal chamber. Shen Ruyu remained still before the mirror, watching her own reflection as if studying a stranger. Her lips held the faintest curve—one that did not belong to a frightened new bride, but to a woman who had survived hell and learned how to smile through it.
Outside, the distant clang of metal echoed through the vast Lu estate. Sentries patrolled. Servants whispered. Somewhere, a dog barked once and was instantly silenced. The entire mansion was a fortress. And she had just walked into its heart to marry its master.
Ruyu touched the jade pendant once more before hiding it inside her inner sleeve. Stay close to me, he had said. A warning. A threat. A promise. His voice still lingered at the shell of her ear, uncomfortably dangerous. She sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the shifting shadows. Every shadow has eyes. Lu Zeyan's words repeated in her mind long after his footsteps faded.
Then came another sound—soft, almost too delicate to hear. A flutter of fabric. A breath.
Ruyu stilled—'Someone else was in the room.'
She did not move her head, only lowered her lashes to narrow her field of vision. In the reflection of the bronze mirror, a faint silhouette shifted in the corner behind the screen. Too light-footed to be a soldier. Too calm to be a panicked servant. A spy. On her wedding night.
The Lu estate was a nest of political intrigue. Zeyan's mansion was rumored to be filled with hidden factions—loyalists from the northern border, aristocrats from the old dynasty, and new nobles seeking favor with the emperor. Each had their own agents.
Quietly, she reached for the ornate hairpin tucked in her hair. A gift from the Empress herself. Beautiful. Sharp. But before she could move, a cold voice drifted from the shadows.
"Forgive the intrusion, Madam." Ruyu's muscles tightened. A young woman stepped out—perhaps in her early twenties, dressed in the red-and-black uniform of the general's personal servants. A rank higher than ordinary maids. Her expression was unreadable, polite yet assessing. "I am Bai Mei," the woman said, bowing. "Assigned to attend to you."
Assigned—by whom? Lu Zeyan? The Empress? Or someone else entirely? Ruyu allowed her voice to tremble with timid delicacy.
"I… I didn't hear you enter." Ruyu questioned
"That is the intention." Bai Mei straightened, eyes sharp. "The General prefers efficiency and vigilance in the bridal quarters. For your safety."
Safety. Dangerous word. Ruyu offered a small, shy smile. "The General is… very cautious."
"Caution is survival," Bai Mei replied. Behind her gentle tone was steel. "As you will soon learn." Ruyu tilted her head, studying the woman. Her eyes, though respectful, held neither warmth nor malice—only a soldier's discipline. A loyal one, perhaps.
After a moment, Bai Mei approached the bed and knelt. "Madam, I am instructed to prepare the nightly arrangements."(Meaning: she was here to confirm whether the marriage was consummated.)
Ruyu's face warmed, though the blush was an act. "There is no need. The General has retired for the night."
Bai Mei's fingers paused for a fraction of a second. "Is that so? The General is not known to leave duties half-done."
Ruyu lowered her gaze demurely, hiding her smile. "Then perhaps I am simply not a duty tonight."
The faintest twitch of amusement crossed the maid's eyes. Only for a heartbeat. "I see," Bai Mei murmured. "I will report accordingly."
Report… to whom?...Before Ruyu could ask, the maid bowed again. "If you require anything, Madam, I will be stationed outside the door."
"Thank you," Ruyu said softly. Bai Mei slipped out as quietly as she had come.
Silence descended again. But this silence felt heavier. A reminder that the Lu estate had already begun evaluating her—testing her reactions, weighing her usefulness, measuring her lies.
Ruyu lay down beneath the red canopy. But sleep did not come easily. Every creak of the wood, every gust of wind, every soft step outside the chamber reminded her she was surrounded by enemies. Allies. Or something in-between. She touched the pillow. Cold. He hadn't intended to stay. Good. Distance was safer. Yet her heartbeat whispered an inconvenient truth: "If you wish to survive… stay close to me." Lu Zeyan's nearness had rattled her more than she wanted to admit.
**Morning**
The first light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains. Outside, the courtyard echoed with disciplined shouts as soldiers began their morning drills. Their synchronized movements shook the ground faintly—like the heartbeat of a great beast.
Ruyu rose and dressed in a simple yet elegant light-gold qipao. No heavy embroidery. No bright colors. A quiet wife. A forgettable one. As she stepped out of the chamber, Bai Mei was already waiting.
"Good morning, Madam. The General requests your presence at the main hall."
"Now?" Ruyu blinked. "Has he returned?"
"He never left," Bai Mei replied.
Ruyu's steps faltered for a second. "He spent the night… working?"
"General Lu spends every night working." Bai Mei bowed slightly. "This way."
They walked through long, echoing corridors. The grand estate was massive—courtyards connected by covered walkways, koi ponds reflecting the pale morning sky, and ancient stone statues watching silently from the gardens. Yet beneath the beauty was a subtle tension. Servants moved with caution. Guards stationed at every turn. As if the mansion itself was bracing for war. They reached the main hall. Bai Mei pushed open the heavy doors.
Ruyu stepped inside—then stopped. General Lu Zeyan stood at the head of the long table, already dressed in full uniform. Black tunic. Medals pinned with precise symmetry. Boots polished to a cold shine. His presence filled the hall effortlessly. But what caught her attention was not him. It was the map spread across the table.
A detailed military map of northern provinces. Circles marked in red ink. Names of warlords. Supply routes. Barracks. Numbers scribbled in the general's sharp handwriting. He was planning something....Something big.
Ruyu masked her interest immediately, bowing. "Good morning, General."
Lu Zeyan lifted his gaze slowly. Those obsidian eyes pinned her in place. "You are late." She stiffened. It wasn't even an accusation—just a fact. "I did not receive instructions to rise earlier," she replied softly.
"A wife should not need instructions," he said, turning back to the map. "She should understand."
Ruyu's fingers curled discreetly. "I will try to understand better."
"You will," he said simply. "Sit."
She obeyed. A servant brought tea. She poured for him first, her movements practiced and gentle. Lu Zeyan watched her hands. Not her face or her posture. But Her hands.
"Steady," he murmured. "Too steady for a sheltered girl."
Ruyu froze for a fraction, then lowered her eyes. "I practiced, General. I wanted to be… suitable."
"Hm." He took the cup without further comment. But the air was no longer neutral. It sharpened—like a blade being slowly drawn.
"Today," he said, "you will meet members of the Lu household." he said "Of course, You will answer when spoken to." His tone cooled. "You will not volunteer information."
She hesitated. "Do you believe I cannot speak properly?"
"No." His eyes flicked up, unreadable. "I believe you speak too little or too well. Both are dangerous." Her breath stilled.
He continued, voice level. "And, Shen Ruyu… yesterday's warning remains."
Her pulse quickened. "Do not bring lies into your battlefield?"
"No." His gaze darkened. "Stay close to me."
Something trembled in her chest. She forced her tone gentle. "I will obey."
"Good." He straightened. "Because there are already whispers about you."
"Whispers...?" she asked "About what?"
"About your past. Your family. Your sudden appearance." He stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. "Someone is curious about you, Shen Ruyu."
Her heartbeat thundered. "Who?"
Lu Zeyan's answer was soft– too soft. "Everyone."