The Sea of Clouds Imprisons the Heart: Prologue

The bright red lanterns and bright red curtains added festive colors to the large residence.

The sounds of firecrackers, the sounds of suonas[1] and drums, as well as the sounds of the guests' well wishes filled the place, bustling with noise and excitement, overflowing and reaching the sky.

"The bride has arrived!"

A loud announcement was heard from outside and all at once, the people in the main hall became silent as they turned their heads to look towards the entrance.

Dressed in a wedding outfit, the handsome, elegant and gentle looking bridegroom was surrounded and escorted out by a group of people to welcome the bride. The bridegroom's younger brother presented a bright red lacquered tray holding two tangerines to the bride and invited the bride out of the carriage.

"Bridegroom, please kick the sedan!"

Three kicks to the sedan, the bridegroom piggybacked the bride into the hall, a rice sieve over the head and stepping on pieces of ceramic. These were to ward off evil. Stepping over charcoal fire symbolizes thriving offspring and striding over the horse saddle represents safety or being safe and sound. Next were the three bows.

"First bow-to-the-heaven-and-earth!"

The bridegroom held the bride's hand and turned towards the outside of the hall. They were about to bow……

Bang!

The main door was kicked open by someone, a group of huge and tough looking men bursts in while holding sharp blades. The man leading the group had sharp brows and bright eyes, he was tall and dashing. He was also emitting an air of insolence, arrogance as well as some intractableness.

The bride was frightened by the commotion and jolted, causing the veil to slip off. It was an elegant appearance that could not be compared to the charms of outstanding beauties, but the tranquility seeping out from her bones gave the girl's beauty the touch of serenity and elegance belonging to a lotus pond with clear waters.

The intruder's eyes fell straight on the bride before turning to look at the bridegroom.

"As I have said, whatever you want, I can give it all to you. No matter how unique, rare or unusual the treasure is, even the most beautiful person, as long as you want it, I can give it all!"

The bridegroom looked calm and met his sharp gaze.

"I have also said, 'in this world, what I want is the only thing you will not be able to find and will never be able to give!'"

The bride pulled on the bridegroom's sleeve and a pair of eyes that could speak looked towards the man who was about to be her husband. She did not speak but signed, asking him, what was happening?

The intruder saw this scene and for a moment seemed to be stunned but in the next, he was laughing as he mocked coldly, "You rejected the most beautiful of ladies and instead want to marry an ugly and mute woman."

The bridegroom shot him a glance but went to hold the bride's hand, "She is my wife. She is the person who will grow old with me. We will have many children and grandchildren. She is the person whom I will be spending my whole life with. In my eyes, there will no longer be any woman who is more beautiful, neither will there ever be anyone who would understand me better than she does." He placed the veil back over her head as he said, "XiuRong, will you be willing to marry me?"

The woman nodded and obediently allowed him to hold her hand and turned her around.

Hearing what was said, the intruder's raised his brows furiously and with a sudden movement of his hand, he stole the sword from the person beside him. After that, he swung his arm and threw it.

In that instant, the knife turned into a flash of white light and with fierce murderous intent, it flew towards the bride and groom……

A "clang" could be heard after the knife flew past the bridegroom's cheek, almost touching, and was stuck into the wall, in the middle of the bright red, double happiness character. Chatters erupted outside the hall, but the bridegroom was still calm and collected.

The intruder said angrily, "Fang Xiao Zai! If you dare to marry her today, believe it or not, I will slaughter your Fang family!"

Among those seated in the hall, one stood up with a slam of his palm on the table in rage.

"Ye, Qing, Yun! Who do you think you are? Daring to threaten us in this manner? If you have the ability…… If you have the ability to……"

He was then seen clenching his fists and about to rush over but a person by his side pulled him quickly. It was a young master who looked gentler than the bridegroom. However, with just a glance, he made the person who sprung up in rage, fall silent and sit back down into his chair obediently.

It was just that he was evidently still unhappy but did not seem like he could act up. Hence, he hit the side table and he turned his head away as the tremor toppled the teacups.

The bridegroom slightly turned his head to the side, the corners of his mouth turned up gently and faintly, "I believe you but even if that is the case, I still want to marry her and will not need to worry about being alone on the road to the afterlife." He then turned to face the xi po[2], "Please continue."

The xi po had long been frightened and was trembling at the side, not daring to make a single sound.

Seeing the situation, the gentle young master spoke again, "Carry on with what should be done next. With this thing here, they would not dare to do much." He dangled a piece of common looking wood tag in the air as he spoke.

The intruder fisted his hands and his shoulders were trembling slightly, as though he was trying to control the endless amount of anger in his heart.

"Second bow to the parents–!" The xi po shouted.

The bride and groom both bowed before the parents sitting in the hall.

"Husband and wife bow to each other–!"

The intruder's pair of furious eyes was locked on and was glaring intensely at the bridegroom, watching as he finished the three important bows, watching as he brought his wife to offer tea to his parents……

His hand clenched tightly into fists, his nails sank into his palm, but it was like he could no longer feel pain.

The trail of blood snaking down looked like a red thread tied around his finger. However, the person who was supposed to be on the other end was……

Translator: Yeong

Proofreader: Grumpykit

QC: Xiao

Xiao's Comments: So…I did an oopsie~

I posted the first chapter without first posting the prologue…hehehe…

Anyway, here's the prologue, this is supposed to come first so read this first before the first chapter…so sorry about this!

Translator's Notes:

[1] A type of olden musical instrument kind of looks like a trumpet without the knobs

[2] Xi po (喜婆) is the woman who will guide and direct the wedding by shouting out auspicious phrases and directions.