July 15th, third year of Kaiyuan.
An auspicious day.
Dusk filtered in through the window lattice, dyed into a soft orange glow by the bright red wedding candles.
The candle flames flickered, bathing the entire bridal chamber in a hazy, dreamlike warmth.
Mei Terumi sat quietly on the bed.
She wore a bright red satin qipao, its splendor restrained, warm to the touch.
The red was rich yet perfectly measured, never ostentatious, making her snowy skin seem almost translucent.
Golden thread embroidered plum branches along the dress, winding upward from her waist. White plum blossoms stood proudly upon them, as though real flowers had been pinned to her chest.
The collar and slit were fastened with plum blossom buttons carved from blue jade. That touch of cool blue was like the sky after fresh snow, adding three parts elegance and seven parts noble reserve to her crimson bridal attire.
The close-fitting cut fully outlined the mature curves of her girlish figure—her waist so slender it seemed it could snap with a single grasp, her breasts full, their undulating lines rippling in the candlelight like spring water.
Beneath the high-slit skirt, her long beautiful legs were crossed, neither too plump nor too thin, wrapped in sheer black stockings that glimmered faintly between light and shadow, more enticing than bare skin.
Her toes rested lightly on a pair of black satin heels trimmed with gold, every step brimming with charm.
Cold beauty and seductive grace came naturally to her, like a red lotus blooming in the darkness, its roots steeped in affection and its flowers blazing brightly.
The newlywed wife rested her hands atop her knees, fingertips stroking the satin of her qipao.
Those eyes, always so alluring and affectionate, capable of stealing the souls of countless men, were now fixed on