ep 4
Kim Taehyung’s bridal quarters within the Jade Dragon Sect were carved of white jade and moonstone. Candlelight flickered against dragon carvings, casting long shadows across the red bridal bed.
Taehyung, now dressed in simple black robes with silver embroidery, stood by the window with a cup of flower wine. He was deep in thought, swirling the liquid slowly.
The soft sound of footsteps echoed—his “bride” entered, dressed in shimmering phoenix-red robes, long black hair adorned with the Phoenix Clan ribbon, face still hidden behind a veil.
He turned, eyes narrowing slightly.
kim taehyung
“You’ve been silent the whole journey,” Taehyung said, voice calm.
kim taehyung
“Is this shyness… or fear?”
jeon jungkook
Jungkook lowered his head and bowed properly. “This humble wife… greets the Zongzhu.”
Taehyung chuckled, but something about the tone unsettled him. The voice was… too clear. Too androgynous.
kim taehyung
Strange… she’s smaller than I imagined. Too light in my arms when I carried her out of the palanquin. Her waist—feels like it would snap under my palm.
His eyes drifted to her chest, once again. Flat.
He sipped his wine again, turning toward her with an amused smile.
kim taehyung
“My lady bride… you truly are unlike any I’ve met. But still—why hide your voice behind formality? Will you not speak with me like a husband and wife should?”
Jungkook’s hands trembled inside his sleeves.
Taehyung stepped forward, closing the distance slowly. He reached out, fingers grazing the edge of the red veil.
kim taehyung
“May I see the face of the one who was chosen to be mine…?”
Jungkook’s heart stopped.
But just then—a loud gong echoed outside.
“Zongzhu!” a voice shouted beyond the doors. “Urgent news from the southern watchtower!”
Taehyung froze. His eyes narrowed.
He turned and left in a rush, leaving Jungkook standing alone—half-relieved, half-terrified—still a bride hidden behind silk and lies.
Night Before the Wedding – Dressing the Hidden Bride
A private chamber within the Phoenix Clan’s inner palace. Candlelight flickers against an ornate mirror. Silks rustle. The tension in the room is so heavy it could slice through air.
Jungkook pouted as he sat stiffly on the dressing stool, his small frame wrapped in layers of soft crimson silk. His expression was utterly miserable.
jeon jungkook
“Muqin… this feels weird… why is there so much cloth?!”
Ye Ji, eyes tired but lovingly patient, adjusted the bridal sleeves carefully.
jeon yeji
“This is your sister’s wedding robe, made from fire-silk. You should feel honored to wear it, Xiao Gu-niang.”
jeon jungkook
“But I’m not a Gu-niang!” Jungkook whined, cheeks puffed. “I’m Jungkook, I’m your Di-er Gongzi! Why does everyone want to turn me into Jieun?!”
Li Xuan, kneeling behind him, looped the Phoenix Clan ribbon through Jungkook’s loose black hair. Her cold fingertips brushed his scalp, but her tone was calm and serious.
Li xuan
“You must endure this. For your family. For your people. And…” she hesitated, “for your life.”
jeon jungkook
Jungkook lowered his gaze to the red shoes waiting at his feet. “What if… what if he knows right away I’m not a girl?”
jeon yeji
Ye Ji paused. Her voice trembled. “Then... your Fuqin will be ready to die with the clan.”
Jungkook’s eyes widened, panic blooming in his chest. Li Xuan reached forward, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Li xuan
"That is why you must act. Be the Phoenix Princess for a little while. I will be by your side. If that dragon bares his fangs... I will rip them out.”
Hidden behind a sheer crimson veil, Jungkook was led forward by two maids—Li Xuan and Feng Qing—his hands trembling slightly under the embroidered sleeves.
As they stepped into the public eye, whispers rose instantly.
“Heavens… look at her skin… is she even real?”
“The Phoenix Clan bride is more divine than a moon fairy…”
“Even behind the veil… that face… those eyes…”
Jungkook’s cheeks burned behind the veil. He leaned closer to Feng Qing and hissed in a whisper:
jeon jungkook
“Everyone’s staring! I feel naked! Why is this outfit so tight?! I feel like a dumpling wrapped for steaming…”
Feng Qing giggled softly, her soft hands helping him walk gracefully in the platform shoes.
feng Qing
“Gongzi, please don’t say dumpling—these ladies will faint from shock.”
Li xuan
Li Xuan's sharp whisper snapped from the other side. “Stand straight. You are a bride of the Phoenix Clan. You cannot waddle like a duck.”
jeon jungkook
“I’m not waddling!” Jungkook snapped in a whisper. “I just can’t breathe in this thing…”
Despite his complaints, Jungkook walked with gentle steps, his every movement a reluctant poetry. And the crowd—mesmerized.
Even the most stoic cultivators forgot to blink as he passed by.
“She’s… not human. That’s divine beauty.”
“What if the Jade Dragon Zongzhu falls for her instantly? He’ll never let her leave the mountains…”
Jungkook swallowed hard. He could feel hundreds of eyes on him.
And somewhere in the middle of the crowd stood Jeon Ying, proud and smiling, his eyes watching the bride with brotherly warmth—completely unaware…
That he wasn’t seeing his sister walk toward marriage.
But his own baby brother.
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