The Ugly Girl Is Actually A Goddess

Days

ned wide, and Empress Hui Su entered with a burst of energy. Her face shone with excitement, and behind

yfully, joining her hands together. "J

p crimson silk was embroidered with golden phoenixes and peonies, and its sleeves flowed like liquid fire. Jewel

press announced, her voice full of ex

uth felt dr

a bit reserved," she confessed, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "But don't worry! He's a good boy-just quiet. A little serious, m

eserved? Serious? That could mean anything from a

perfect," she assured her. Then, with a final excited clap of her hands,

holding up shining jewels to her face, Lu Hua caught Beihe's

full of hair ornaments. He looked

hours

he gentle sound of a nearby stream, it was the perfect escape from the heavy formalities of palace life. Today, she lounged on a sof

he whispered, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. "Even his

he never leaves his palace unless he has to. Some say he spends all hi

peaceful to me. At least I won't have to deal with a husb

"But what if he's too boring? Wh

Lu Hua replied dryly. "At least wood doesn

arguments, no demands... just peaceful silence." He paused, and then gasped suddenly. "Unles

f he's actually shy? Maybe he's just waiting for a

e he's a ghost who forgot he's dea

h the pagoda. "As long as he's not like the Second Prince,

o laughter, and the tension of

a step behind her. The Emperor had summoned her to the throne room, and she couldn't help but wonder,

ssed in deep indigo robes. It was him-the man she had bumped into on her first day in this wo

tsy beside her. "Your Highness," she mur

dened in surpris

Lu Hua with quiet amusement. "We meet a

"My lady, this is the Third Prince, Xuan Ji

hed fool, but this man... He carried himself with a quiet intensity

a schooled her expression into neutral

her maid. His polite smile froze as he took in her fine s

ou were one of the palace maids. Yet here you are, dressed like nobility with your

"His Majesty summoned me to the th

with a jade pendant at his waist, stilled. A slow

, stepping a little clos

t Lu Hua lifted her chin, holding her g

ted, then suddenly burst into laughter-a rich, unexpected sound th

er composure. "Something amusing, Your Highne

about to become my half-brother's bride. And here I thought you were just some lost little maid!" His laughte

erely sighed, trying to keep her voice steady. "Yes, well, the im

ce-over, this time with new appreciation in his eyes. "I must say, my twin bro

s voice called from down the hall. "La

ow. "Don't let me keep you from your audience. But I

ze following her, burning into her back. The tightening in her stomach t

one

rand throne room, the heavy doors swung open t

rom standing. Beside him, the Empress wore a tight-lipped smile, her sharp eyes fixed on the Second Prince. He lounge

med through the hall. "Pr

ress brightened. Their earlier irritation vanishe

ce, Beihe following closely beh

Lu Hua greeted,

hand dismissively.

air of eyes fixed on her. Glancing over, she f

lting awkwardly in his hand. His lips parted slight

adjusting his robes with a sense of awareness. His fingers fumbled as h

skirts with careful movements. Inside, s

ession kind. "Lady Chun, how have you been

sty is very kind to ask. The palace has been a wonder

any shame since she entered. He leaned closer to his attendant a

in defeat. "This servant do

itement. "We have wonderful news! Lady Chun's wedding preparations are all

hing bride. "This humble one is truly grateful for

nd Prince's wine cup tipped over, dark liquid spilli

ace going pale as he pointed a

ave you lost your mind, Dexiu?

calm face and his parents' stern looks. "But...but she's..." His voice trailed off as he looked at Lu Hua. He noticed her gracef

n his face as he realized who she was. She was the same bride he had rejected

was be

osed silently before he finally spoke,

s look. "Indeed. Unless you've s

eak, but no words came out. Then, he sat down hard, looking

wer a question from the Empress about flower arrangements.

t that the beautiful woman in front of him

on and disbelief. "I-I've reconsidered! If-if Lady Chun is willing, I will be

ond Prince could finish, the Emperor lifted h

om. "The divorce is done. The marriage was never consummated, a

tests fading away. His hands balled into fists at his

arrassment, clapped her hands softly. "Now, now, let's n

d it, showing a beautiful hairpin. It was made of fine gold shaped like a flyin

the Empress said, her voice kind.

s, lowering her head in thanks. "Your

d as he looked at the ground. The irony was sweet - the woman he had thought was not goo

er is settled. Lady Chun will marry the S

way his fingers gripped his

autumn air carried away the stress fr

ehind her sleeve. "Like someone just told him his favorit

y Ch

stopped walking and turned to see the Second Prince walking qui

e quickly bowed. "Your Highness," they s

the small sweat on his forehead and the look of hope in his eyes. "I... di

u Hua said smoothly, cutting him off. He

s marriage... Maybe you could change your mind? I see now how I... made a mistake." He l

let out a small,

But I'm afraid that can't happen. My stepmother has already...

face g

," Lu Hua said, bowing again and

nd Beihe followed her. They kept a proper pace until the

whispered. "After leaving you al

hase what they can't get." She looked back at the hallway, her lips smili

s were the soft swish of their silk clothes and, from far