AMLFS Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Prince of the Ning District Actually Married a Fool!

[This story leans towards slice-of-life, focusing on sweetness. The receiver is direct, sincere, and adorable, while the giver is gentle and doting, exhibiting a large double standard only towards the receiver. After a few chapters of adjustment, there will be steamy scenes!]

The eighteenth day of the twelfth month was extraordinarily lively in front of the Ning Wang Mansion.

The procession welcoming the bride was neatly lined up, stretching down the entire street.

As the Master of Ceremonies announced in a loud voice, “The auspicious hour has arrived—”

The procession grandly began to move forward.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district, dressed in a scarlet wedding robe, rode his horse at the head of the procession.

He was clad in red, his expression calm. His sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards his temples, and his long, narrow eyes were deep and held a glint of coldness.

His high, straight nose was as sharp as if carved by a knife, and his tightly pressed lips revealed no hint of joy or anger.

He was as aloof as a solitary pine in the cold night. Despite it being his wedding day, no happiness could be seen on his face.

The procession proceeded to the bustling city center, where the streets were packed with people.

A traveler who had just arrived in the capital asked, puzzled, “Whose wedding is this? Such a grand spectacle.”

A young man nearby replied, “Brother, you wouldn’t know, but for a royal wedding, this is considered a small affair. This is the wedding of the Prince of the Ning district.”

“The Prince of the Ning district? Who is he marrying?”

The traveler craned his neck to see as he asked.

“The Song family’s youngest son, Song Huaixi,” the young man continued.

“Young son? The Prince of the Ning district is marrying a male concubine?!”

The traveler exclaimed in surprise.

“Hey! Ancestor, please keep your voice down!” The young man quickly stopped him.

He lamented, “To think that the Prince of the Ning district is a man of outstanding talent, handsome and refined, with a distinguished family background and military achievements. He is the dream lover of so many noble ladies.

“But now, he has been ordered to marry a man. I wonder what he feels in his heart.”

Another person in the crowd chimed in, “It’s more than that! I heard that Song Huaixi is also an idiot.”

This statement drew a wave of sighs from the crowd.

At this moment, Song Huaixi, the subject of their conversation, was sitting on the bed, waiting for the welcoming procession.

Since childhood, his mind had been slow, and he didn’t understand what marriage was, nor had he ever seen one.

He showed no particular reaction to the fact that he was about to marry the distinguished Prince of the Ning district.

Instead, he had woken up too early and was now only concerned with yawning repeatedly, his head drooping as he drifted off to sleep.

It was rare to see a wedding where the bride was like this.

However, the fact that an idiot like him was marrying the Prince of the Ning district as his primary consort was already extremely absurd. So, anything strange was not surprising.

“Oh dear, young master, please don’t sleep. The welcoming procession has arrived.”

The matchmaker didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his appearance and stepped forward to shake Song Huaixi awake.

She then turned to instruct the maidservants, “Quick, bring the bridal veil to cover the princess consort’s head.”

Once the bridal veil was in place, the welcoming procession arrived at the Song Mansion at the appointed time.

“Mmm…” Song Huaixi, supported by the hands of the servants, was half-conscious as he was helped into the sedan.

Soon, joyous music began to play, accompanying them all the way.

In the winter, the spacious and luxurious sedan chair was lined with thick velvet carpets, making it very warm.

The sedan carriers swayed the palanquin gently, and Song Huaixi initially sat upright obediently.

But later, he could no longer resist the overwhelming drowsiness and fell asleep on the soft velvet carpet, accompanied by the music.

The wedding palanquin, filled with joy, arrived steadily at a magnificent residence.

A red silk cloth hung on the gold-lettered plaque, boldly displaying the words: Ning Wang Mansion.

The matchmaker following beside the sedan chair called out before it, “The auspicious hour has arrived, please princess consort step out of the sedan!”

The sedan chair remained quietly still, without the slightest movement.

The matchmaker called out again, but the sedan chair remained silent. The common people and guests gathered in front of the Ning Wang Mansion began to discuss among themselves.

The musicians also stopped playing, hesitating whether they should continue.

What was going on?

The bride was actually refusing to get out of the sedan chair. Could it be that she was dissatisfied with this marriage?

“Your Highness… this…”

The matchmaker looked at the Prince of the Ning district with a troubled expression, hesitant to speak. It was the first time she had encountered such a situation.

The Prince of the Ning district narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a hint of impatience.

He stepped forward and lifted the sedan curtain. What met his eyes was Song Huaixi in his wedding attire, obediently sleeping on the velvet carpet.

His fair face was pillowed on his arm as he slept soundly, and the bridal veil on his head had long fallen to the side. The pearls and jade on the phoenix coronet were scattered and tangled in his hair.

Zhao Fangye was stunned for a moment, his gaze fixed on that obedient, innocent face.

He never imagined that on their wedding day, his bride would be sleeping so carefree in the sedan chair.

After a moment’s pause, Zhao Fangye, unwilling to waste time at the mansion gate, bent down and personally carried the person out of the sedan chair.

Song Huaixi was wearing a skirt and covered with a veil. He mumbled something in Zhao Fangye’s arms but didn’t wake up. His head tilted to one side, revealing a pointed chin.

The onlookers were all stunned, not expecting the prince to be so different from what they had imagined.

They shouted auspicious phrases like “A hundred years of harmony.”

The sound of gongs and drums rang out once again.

Zhao Fangye, being a military man, didn’t pay much attention to the rituals of the Master of Ceremonies. He skipped the formal bowing ceremony and carried the person into the bedroom.

Song Huaixi only felt a daze and was placed somewhere soft. He turned over and continued to sleep.

He had woken up too early today, almost in the middle of the night.

He was bathed, his face shaved, and he was made up and dressed. It was exhausting.

Therefore, when his body touched the soft bed, he fell into a deep sleep.

Outside the bedroom, there was a cacophony of voices and clinking glasses until evening.

Song Huaixi was awakened by hunger.

He drowsily opened his eyes, and a large expanse of red immediately flooded his vision.

Song Huaixi realized that he was in an unfamiliar room, and his first thought was, “What a beautiful house.”

The floor was covered with a thick carpet woven with exquisite patterns. The room was surrounded by display shelves.

Either priceless porcelain or precious potted plants were placed on them.

In the center, a pear wood round table held melons, fruits, and snacks tied with red silk, as well as a pot of wine and a set of cloisonné enamel wine cups.

The unfamiliar scenery made Song Huaixi feel a little flustered, and the scarlet brocade quilt embroidered with dragon and phoenix patterns reminded him that he was married.

But what did marriage mean? He didn’t really understand.

One day, a high-pitched eunuch came with a yellow cloth and said a bunch of things he didn’t understand.

Later, he got married.

“So hungry.”

Song Huaixi’s stomach rumbled. He was about to reach for a snack on the table when the voices outside the door made him immediately retract his hand and stand still.

“Your Highness.”

“Mm, you may all leave,” a deep voice said.

“Yes.”

The door opened.

Zhao Fangye, still wearing his wedding attire, entered the room and saw the person who had been lying on the bed fast asleep now standing by the table, staring blankly at him.

Zhao Fangye glanced at him, walked to the other side of the table, sat down, and said to him, “Come here.”

Song Huaixi stood still.

The person in front of him had an extremely handsome face, and his sharp eyebrows gave him a sense of oppression.

His expression was indifferent, and his light-colored eyes looked at Song Huaixi without any extra emotion.

Song Huaixi had never seen such a good-looking person before, like an immortal.

His gaze was immediately drawn to him. Was this the Prince of the Ning district?

Seeing that he didn’t move, Zhao Fangye didn’t urge him but focused his gaze on the hand he was holding his stomach with.

He casually asked, “Hungry?”

“Hungry.”

Song Huaixi’s gaze remained fixed on him, and he nodded blankly.

“Here.”

Zhao Fangye picked up a piece of lily cake from the table and handed it to him.

An immortal was giving him something to eat. Song Huaixi couldn’t believe it and reached out to take it tentatively.

But unexpectedly, Zhao Fangye grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward.

Song Huaixi was startled, and Zhao Fangye’s handsome face was close to his.

Being so close to an immortal, Song Huaixi’s heart pounded non-stop, and his entire body stiffened as he stood in front of him.

Zhao Fangye placed the cake in his hand and ordered, “Eat.”

Song Huaixi’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly held the lily cake and nibbled at it in small bites.

Zhao Fangye pinched his pointed chin and sized him up.

He had the face of a beauty in the making, with delicate eyebrows and eyes, and pure, innocent dark eyes.

His red lips were carefully biting the lily cake, and his big eyes darted around uneasily, not daring to meet the person in front of him.

Zhao Fangye’s hand wrapped around his waist and squeezed it.

He was not very tall and very slender, and his skin was fair and delicate, like fine mutton fat jade, soft to the touch.

It seemed that the Minister Song had raised his son very well.

Zhao Fangye looked at his flustered appearance and sneered.

He only felt that today’s events were extremely absurd. Now that the war in the Northwest was settled, he had long expected the emperor to be eager to get rid of him, but he didn’t expect it to be in this way.

Minister Song’s official position was ordinary, and he had no real power. He had no daughters, only an elder son who was already married.

The remaining youngest son was congenitally deficient and had been foolish since childhood. The old emperor humiliated and guarded against him in this way, truly expressing his aversion to him thoroughly.

He was the emperor’s eldest son, but the emperor didn’t like him at all.

Zhao Fangye had no interest in the throne, but that didn’t mean he was insensitive to the emperor’s actions.

Suppressing his emotions, Song Huaixi had already finished eating the cake. Zhao Fangye took another piece and placed it in his hand.

Although he was angry, he wouldn’t bother with an idiot.

Zhao Fangye sat in the chair and said, “Do you know what you did today, little fool?”

“Huaixi is not a little fool.” After swallowing the lily cake in his mouth, Song Huaixi retorted softly, “Married.”

“Heh. Do you know what marriage means?”

Zhao Fangye chuckled and pinched his childish face.

Song Huaixi didn’t dodge and rubbed the pinched spot himself, clutching the lily cake and thinking.

“Mother said that it means living with my husband from now on and not being able to go home anymore.”

“Is it just not being able to go home? Didn’t she tell you anything else?”

Zhao Fangye pinched his wrist and pulled him closer, slowly approaching him, “For example, what is your husband’s name?”

Looking at that handsome face, Song Huaixi couldn’t help but swallow, and his heart beat rapidly.

He blurted out, “Zhao Fangye.”

“Very good, little fool. Remember this prince’s name.”

Song Huaixi nodded obediently, but his thoughts drifted away.

He didn’t expect that marriage would be with an immortal.

Zhao Fangye didn’t know what he was thinking and thought that he didn’t know his situation in the mansion.

After all, he had no interest in men, let alone an idiot.

Since the old emperor wanted to deliberately annoy him, he would go along with the old emperor’s wishes and just keep him as a vase in the mansion.

After a busy day, he was also a little hungry. Zhao Fangye asked the maids to bring some cakes in and put them on the table for Song Huaixi to eat.

Song Huaixi held the cake and nibbled obediently, stealing glances at him from time to time.

He’s really good-looking! Song Huaixi couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

Zhao Fangye thought that although this person was foolish, he was still quite obedient and looked decent. Keeping him in the mansion wouldn’t be too much trouble.

Seeing that he had eaten enough, Zhao Fangye said, “Are you full?”

“Full,” Song Huaixi said, licking the crumbs from the corner of his mouth.

“Since you’re full, then let’s wash up and go to bed.”

Although Zhao Fangye had no interest in the little fool, if he didn’t spend the night in the little fool’s room tonight, the emperor would cause him trouble again.

He naturally hated trouble and felt that it was better to have less trouble than more.

The maidservants who were waiting outside the door came in to help them wash up. Zhao Fangye was used to being in the military and didn’t like being served. He sent them to serve Song Huaixi.

The maidservants took off Song Huaixi’s heavy formal attire, helped him change into his sleeping clothes, and used hot water to wipe away the thin layer of makeup on his face.

After everything was ready, they sent him to the bedside and retreated.

Song Huaixi looked at Zhao Fangye sitting on the edge of the bed and said shyly, “Are you going to sleep with me?”

Hearing this, Zhao Fangye glanced at him, “This is your and this prince’s wedding chamber. Where else do you want this prince to sleep?”

Song Huaixi was still a little shy and said timidly, “But Mother said that when you grow up, you should sleep by yourself.”

Zhao Fangye raised his eyebrows at his shy face. It seemed that he wasn’t completely foolish.

“What else did your mother say? Did she tell you what to do on your wedding night?” Zhao Fangye’s tone was playful.

Song Huaixi thought seriously and then looked at him and shook his head. His eyes were pure, “Um… I don’t know.”

This marriage was very rushed. Although Madam Lin had hired a tutor, she didn’t say much about the matters between two men.

Firstly, this marriage was really absurd, and secondly, with Song Huaixi’s intelligence, he might not be able to understand it.

Again and again, they just went through the motions and brushed it off.

Zhao Fangye knew that he didn’t understand the meaning and didn’t say anything more. He turned over and got into bed, “Sleep.”

“Oh.” Although he was strange, Song Huaixi still obediently climbed into bed and lay down.

Lying next to Zhao Fangye, Song Huaixi’s heart felt like it had a running deer inside. He tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

His eyes were wide open in the dark, and he listened to the even breathing coming from his side and asked, “Are you asleep?”

Zhao Fangye didn’t answer. He was quiet for a while and then started to move again.

Zhao Fangye had drunk a lot of wine at the dinner party and was a little sleepy, but he said helplessly, “Be quiet.”

“But I can’t sleep.” Song Huaixi felt aggrieved and said honestly, looking at the bed tent.

It was the first time he had slept with someone.

When Song Huaixi started moving again, Zhao Fangye turned over and pointed at his acupoint, “Troublesome. Go to sleep!”

Song Huaixi was amazed when his acupoint was pointed, and he felt it was very interesting.

But he couldn’t make a sound, so he stared at Zhao Fangye adoringly with blinking eyes.

Feeling Song Huaixi’s fiery gaze, Zhao Fangye had to raise his hand to cover his eyes and said in a slightly gentler voice, “Be good, close your eyes.”

Covered his eyes gently, Song Huaixi was a little shy.

But his heart didn’t feel so uncomfortable anymore, and he slowly fell asleep.

In the dark, Zhao Fangye opened his eyes. He should have been tired and fallen asleep, but now he was looking at Song Huaixi, thinking about how to draw a clear line with him.

But he didn’t know that this person was specially sent by heaven to love him.