Full-Month Ceremony, If I Cannot Marry You I Will Take You by Force

The Phoenix Palanquin led the way, escorted by Imperial Guards in full armor. From the Imperial Palace to Feng Manor, every three steps was a checkpoint, and the fully armed guards stood tall and straight like cypress trees on both sides of the road, protecting Serena Feng and Little Dumpling as they entered the palace.

The crowd of onlookers had long been blocked off by officials. They stretched their necks trying to see, but could only make out the shape of the Phoenix Palanquin—nothing of what was inside.

Serena Feng cradled Little Dumpling, sitting calmly inside the Phoenix Palanquin. She was perfectly at ease with such a grand procession, her eyes closed as the cheers of the people swept past her ears.

As the Mother of the Nation, scenes like this would become commonplace for her. She had to get used to it. Since she had chosen this path, she was determined to do her best and adapt to her new identity as quickly as possible.

Little Dumpling was fearless too. At just one month old, he showed no sign of being intimidated by the spectacle. His bright eyes darted around, bubbles forming at his lips as he babbled away. Serena Feng snapped back to attention, pinched his chubby cheeks, her eyes full of tenderness. Little Dumpling responded with a goofy grin, and mother and son laughed together in the palanquin.

Unlike the joyful scene inside the Phoenix Palanquin, the people outside had their own thoughts—some envied, some were jealous, but most offered blessings. For ordinary citizens, the emperor’s wedding had little to do with them; as subjects, they felt only deep admiration and respect for the imperial couple, never daring to harbor the slightest irreverence.

Among the crowd, a man and woman stood out from the ordinary people: Storm Cloud Bu and Bella Qin. Storm Cloud Bu’s beard was scruffy, his eyes lifeless, and his whole demeanor was that of a fallen vagrant—nothing like the master of Heaven’s First Consortium. As for Bella Qin...

No one knew how Storm Cloud Bu managed it, but despite their hardships, Bella Qin hadn’t grown thinner—in fact, she’d become noticeably rounder, her once delicate beauty gone. Her belly was swollen, her clothes filthy, her hair tangled, and she reeked of sourness—all clear signs of her current state.

Bella Qin, who’d never lifted a finger for herself, was utterly helpless without servants to care for her. In the past, Storm Cloud Bu might have swallowed his pride and tended to her personally, but now...

Storm Cloud Bu shot Bella Qin a cold glance, regret and struggle flickering in his eyes. Bella Qin, oblivious to his turmoil, kept her gaze glued to the Phoenix Palanquin, as if she could bore a hole through it with her eyes.

That was supposed to be hers... The Phoenix Palanquin was hers, Lance was hers, and the woman basking in all this glory and admiration today should have been her, not Serena Feng.

Serena Feng is a thief who stole everything that belonged to her.

"It's all your fault—it's all because of you! Lance will never want me again!" Bella Qin was heartbroken, and as usual, took out her anger on Storm Cloud Bu, hitting and kicking him.

Thud, thud, thud... Despite their hardships, Bella Qin’s blows grew stronger, each punch landing with a heavy sound. Storm Cloud Bu didn’t dodge or stop her, letting Bella Qin hit him while he stared, unblinking, toward the direction of the Su estate...

He had come to the capital wanting to burn incense for Vincent Su, but after days of wandering outside the city, he still didn’t dare go.

He couldn’t face Vincent Su!

Outside the city, when Bella Qin heard the news that Lance was to make Serena empress, she went mad and insisted on entering the capital, and for reasons he couldn’t explain, Storm Cloud Bu brought her along.

Their luck wasn’t bad—they arrived just in time to see Serena Feng basking in glory, entering the palace amid the cheers of thousands.

The Phoenix Palanquin moved farther and farther away, and the crowd slowly dispersed. Storm Cloud Bu stood motionless, numb to Bella Qin’s blows...

Bella Qin kept hitting him, still unable to vent her anger. Seeing the Phoenix Palanquin recede, she ignored Storm Cloud Bu, lifted her skirt, and pushed forward through the crowd: "I’m going to find Lance! Lance will definitely forgive me. I wasn’t willing—it was Storm Cloud Bu who forced me..."

"Lance, you promised my parents you’d take care of me for life! You can’t go back on your word!"

Bella Qin ignored the jostling crowd, stumbling forward. She fell hard, her belly cramping in pain, but she didn't care—she climbed back up and kept running...

She was determined to enter the palace, to become empress, to be the woman everyone envied!

"Idiot!" Storm Cloud Bu turned his head, eyes following Bella Qin. When he saw drops of blood falling at her feet, his expression changed instantly. He strode over and grabbed her: "Come with me."

"No! Let me go, let me go! You’re a bad man—let me go!" Bella Qin struggled desperately, not caring about the child in her belly, fighting to break free from Storm Cloud Bu's grip.

"Let you go? Let you go so you can chase after Lance? Do you really think Lance will still want you?" Storm Cloud Bu sneered, his eyes flashing with contempt.

"I’m Lance’s fiancée! He’s supposed to marry me, not Serena Feng!" Bella Qin shouted loudly. No one cared about her earlier words, but at the mention of 'Serena Feng,' people began to take notice.

But a filthy man and a crazy woman weren’t enough to cause a real stir. Most people just thought she’d lost her mind wanting to be empress, glanced at her, then went about their business. Only a few spies lingered in the crowd, quietly watching the pair.

Their movements were subtle, but no matter how secretive, they couldn’t fool Storm Cloud Bu. His gaze grew dark as he scanned the area, then he hoisted Bella Qin and headed straight for the nearest pharmacy.

"Storm Cloud Bu, let me go! Let me go! Do you hear me?" Bella Qin kept struggling, but Storm Cloud Bu had lost all patience. He knocked her out with a chop to the neck: "Face reality, Belle. You’re carrying my child. Forget Lance... No man—anywhere—would ever marry you now."

Storm Cloud Bu showed no mercy, dragging Bella Qin to the pharmacy. After getting the medicine prescribed by the doctor, he vanished with her into the Capital. The spies tailing him quickly realized they’d lost track of them.

This was just a minor episode. Even if Storm Cloud Bu took her away, or if Bella Qin somehow made it to the palace gates, she’d never get inside. The towering palace walls weren’t so easily crossed—unless Ninth Royal Uncle was willing, Bella Qin would never see him again in this lifetime.

The Phoenix Palanquin arrived at the palace gates, and Ninth Royal Uncle himself came forward to help Serena Feng and her son down.

Today, Serena Feng wasn’t wearing the empress’s phoenix robes, but the formal attire of the Phoenixfield Heiress: black cloth edged in gold, noble and mysterious; wide, flowing cloud-sleeves; flashes of golden light; and a skirt that rippled in waves with every step. No excessive ornament was needed—her every movement exuded elegance.

"She’s beautiful," William Wang stood at a distance, watching Ninth Royal Uncle, Serena Feng, and their son walk hand in hand toward the main hall. He was happy for Serena Feng, but an unspoken sadness lingered in his heart...

He had once dreamed of leading Serena Feng in a bridal sedan, hand in hand, bowing together as husband and wife. Now, all of that was just wishful thinking—even seeing Serena Feng in the future would be difficult.

"Let’s go." General Warren Yu clapped William Wang on the shoulder, shaking his head in confusion.

He’d never understand William Wang’s feelings, nor did he want to. General Warren Yu’s philosophy was simple: if he fancied a woman, he’d take her—whether she agreed or not. If he couldn’t marry her, he’d just seize her and make sure she couldn’t escape...