Like the happy ending in a fairy tale, peaceful days continued. Aaron and the queen discussed the wedding schedule. Delia and the king talked about the restoration before and after the Ioventi war. Then, as they brushed against each other, they exchanged their breaths in secret. Climbing to the top floor of the palace, they exchanged warmth while looking at the garden under construction. As the greenery in the garden deepened, so did their emotions. “It’s really splendid,” Delia exclaimed with a small sigh. The intense scent of olive trees filled the air with each inhale. Delia and Aaron were affectionately walking along the completed promenade. Of course, the queen was between them. “It was restored quite quickly.”
“There is an abundance of available manpower, so that’s the case.” The relaxed personnel following Aaron’s cheerful words immediately stood firm. Recalling the hardships endured under the supervisor, the eyes of Colin and Dyke turned red. The queen turned her body towards Colin and Dyke and addressed them, “You’ve worked hard all this time.” A dignified greeting, accompanied by a smile, instantly relieved Colin and Dyke’s hearts. Perhaps more sensible than their supervisor. Colin and Dyke responded with a respectful gesture, looking at the elegant queen. Thanks to the Imperial Army’s tireless efforts day and night, the palace garden was completed faster than planned. The area that once had a large flower bed, feared by Aaron, had transformed into a fountain. The path around the fountain stretched straight to the main gate of the palace, making it easy for carriages and horses to move. Neatly trimmed landscaping staff lined both sides of the path.
Delia looked around the garden and exclaimed, “Subjugate, the Empire is precise in everything. Even the garden.”
“We utilize geometry when creating the garden. The paths are straight, and the overall layout is symmetrical. We also precisely calculate and plant the landscaping trees,” explained Aaron, skillfully pointing out various features of the garden.
Delia’s verdant eyes, like a magnet, followed Aaron’s fingertips.
“However, there are still some shortcomings, so we’ve decided to bring in technicians from the Empire.”
Aaron gazed at Delia’s intricately scattered headpiece, his eyes delicately curved.
“What will change when they arrive?”
“We will install machines that spout water streams into the lake. Just by having water spray from various angles, it will be beautiful enough.”
“Indeed, the Empire is strong in technology.”
The Imperial-style garden created in Ioventi would become a symbol of harmony.
In the face of the new future, Delia’s eyes sparkled.
Delia turned to the queen affectionately and asked, “Mother. As Subjugate says, wouldn’t it be amazing once the fountain is completed?”
The queen smiled and nodded, “Certainly.”
“Once the sculptures you ordered are installed, Ioventi Palace will look like heaven.”
Excited voice, eyes sparkling with anticipation, a refreshing smile.
Her daughter’s heart was already strolling through heaven.
Everything in the world seemed like heaven.
“As you say, it will indeed be beautiful.”
The queen gently clasped Delia’s hand as if she might fly away with golden wings.
It was fortunate.
That at least one of them was happy.
“Mother. Shall we host a tea party for the noblewomen of the capital?”
“Yes.”
“Even an outdoor party in midsummer would be nice.”
“That sounds good too.”
No matter what Delia suggested, the queen simply nodded gently.
“I hope the fountain is completed soon.”
To the disappointed Delia, Aaron offered words of sweet promise, soothing her.
“We will make it perfect before the wedding, Princess.”
Delia responded to Aaron’s playful and courteous demeanor with a small smile.
She gathered the hem of her dress and slightly bent her knees, offering a curtsy.
“I’ll be looking forward to it, Subjugate.”
The scent of full bloom flowers permeated through the swaying dress.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me guide you to the back of the palace. As the queen requested, a new path has been decorated in the courtyard. We’ve planted lemon trees and native Ioventi laurel trees that the king likes. You will surely be pleased.” As Aaron escorted the queen towards the courtyard,
The queen exerted strength into the hand raised on Aaron’s arm.
It was a very faint sound of footsteps. However, Aaron, whose every attention was focused on the two women, reacted immediately.
“What’s the matter?”
“The beauty of the courtyard is undoubtedly something to look forward to, but…”
The queen gently withdrew her hand and stepped back.
May blessings be upon the path of these two.
She earnestly wished them well and released them.
“I’m not feeling well and will go in now.”
“Mother, where are you feeling unwell?”
To Delia’s worried question, the queen lightly shook her head.
“No, I walked for too long and feel a bit tired. Since Meredith and I will return to the palace first, you can explore a bit more with Subjugate.”
Assured by the queen, Delia looked up at Aaron.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
