Dawn had yet to break.0

Cui Huayin lay quietly in Li Yuan’s arms, a light quilt pulled to her shoulders, revealing skin as pale and smooth as white jade. Li Yuan was behind her, his chin resting gently on her shoulder, still half-asleep.1

She, however, had already opened her eyes—though even that effort left her drained, as if every muscle in her body had melted away. Simply moving a finger brought on waves of fatigue.1

On the sheets lay a brilliant red stain, glaringly bright. Seeing it, Cui Huayin closed her eyes again. Hearing Li Yuan’s breathing shift behind her, she spoke in a cold, clipped tone, “Don’t think that just because of last night…just because we’ve performed our vows that I’ll become meek and adoring.”1

Li Yuan paused. It seemed his new wife had a rather unusual temperament. He only gave a noncommittal, “Oh,” and pulled her closer, drifting back to sleep.0

Truth be told, Cui Huayin was more striking than any other woman...2