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Ghost in the palace

Chapter 266: The Bride Door Games · Nov 02, 2026

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Chapter List (462)

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251 Chapter 251: a game of mahjong 2026-11-02
252 Chapter 252: a gentle farewell 2026-11-02
253 Chapter 253: — Before Dawn, A Quiet Departure 2026-11-02
254 Chapter 254: Hidden Bonds and Quiet Changes 2026-11-02
255 Chapter 255: — A Heart That No Longer Runs Away 2026-11-02
256 Chapter 256: Threads of Joy and Hidden Worries 2026-11-02
257 Chapter 257: Whispers, Games, and Hidden Currents 2026-11-02
258 Chapter 258: Whispers After the Banquet 2026-11-02
259 Chapter 259: Shadows Beneath the Palace 2026-11-02
260 Chapter 260: Calm Before the Storm 2026-11-02
261 Chapter 261: Smiles Over Tea, Shadows Beneath Words 2026-11-02
262 Chapter 262: — A Day in the Market 2026-11-02
263 Chapter 263: Midnight Panic, Quiet Care 2026-11-02
264 Chapter 264: The Joy of Betrothal Preparations 2026-11-02
265 Chapter 265: The Day of Guo Da Li 2026-11-02
266 Chapter 266: The Bride Door Games 2026-11-02
267 Chapter 267: — A House Filled With New Bonds 2026-11-02
268 Chapter 268: The Morning After & The Final Celebration 2026-11-02
269 Chapter 269: Beneath the Lanterns, the Game Deepens 2026-11-02
270 Chapter 270: The Whisper Beyond Shadows 2026-11-02
271 Chapter 271: The Court of Power and the News of Death 2026-11-02
272 Chapter 272: The Same Words, Different Deaths 2026-11-02
273 Chapter 273: promises and silence 2026-11-02
274 Chapter 274: storm rising 2026-11-02
275 Chapter 275: The Price of Independence 2026-11-02
276 Chapter 276: Walking Away with Dignity 2026-11-02
277 Chapter 277: Chains Beneath Silence 2026-11-02
278 Chapter 278: Quiet Distance, Hidden Storm 2026-11-02
279 Chapter 279: A King Among Strangers 2026-11-02
280 Chapter 280: The Shrine of Unspoken Truths 2026-11-02
281 Chapter 281: Morning Warmth, Midday Quiet, and News from the Unseen 2026-11-02
282 Chapter 282: — The Silence That Should Not Exist 2026-11-02
283 Chapter 283: Words Left Unsaid 2026-11-02
284 Chapter 284: Whispers Beneath the Shrine 2026-11-02
285 Chapter 285: Whispers Before the Storm 2026-11-02
286 Chapter 286: Calm Above, Silence Below 2026-11-02
287 Chapter 287: A Stifling Calm 2026-11-02
288 Chapter 288: — A Flower and a Doubt 2026-11-02
289 Chapter 289: Shadows Behind Loyalty 2026-11-02
290 Chapter 290: When Questions Have No Answers 2026-11-02
291 Chapter 291: The Weight of Helplessness 2026-11-02
292 Chapter 292: Whispers in the Shrine 2026-11-02
293 Chapter 293: The Darkness That Swallowed Her 2026-11-02
294 Chapter 294: Voices Beyond the Darkness 2026-11-02
295 Chapter 295: The Darkness She Could Not Remember 2026-11-02
296 Chapter 296: Forgotten Memories 2026-11-02
297 Chapter 297: The Forgotten Empress at the Shrine 2026-11-02
298 Chapter 298: — A Heart That Refused to Let Go 2026-11-02
299 Chapter 299: Plans Beyond the Palace Walls 2026-11-02
300 Chapter 300: Whispers Beneath the Shrine Lanterns 2026-11-02

Morning sunlight poured brightly over the capital.

But today—

The Cheng residence was even brighter.

Red banners hung across the gates.

Lanterns swayed gently.

Music echoed faintly from inside.

—

Today was not an ordinary day.

—

Today—

The groom’s side had come to ”win the bride.”

—

Arrival at Cheng Residence

The grand gates of the Cheng family opened slightly—

Then stopped.

—

Outside stood:

The Duke

The Empress

Her Uncle

Lian Rou (the groom)

His close friend

Lian Hua (younger sister)

—

And behind them—

Servants carrying gifts.

Red boxes.

Silk trays.

Jewelry.

Sweets.

—

Lian Hua whispered excitedly,

”This is the fun part.”

—

The Empress smiled slightly.

”Yes.”

—

Inside—

Giggles echoed.

—

The bridesmaids.

Waiting.

Ready.

—

The Door Blocked

The moment they approached—

The door slammed shut.

—

”STOP!”

A loud female voice came from inside.

—

”No entry without passing!”

—

Lian Rou sighed.

”...It begins.”

—

Lian Hua grinned.

”Good luck, brother.”

—

The Empress folded her arms calmly.

Watching.

—

Round 1 — Red Envelope Bribery

A small window opened.

A bridesmaid peeked out.

—

”No money, no honey!”

—

Lian Hua laughed.

”They’re serious.”

—

Lian Rou signaled to his friend.

A stack of red envelopes appeared.

—

He handed one.

—

Inside—

Silence.

Then—

”Too little!”

—

Another voice shouted,

”Add more!”

—

The friend groaned.

”This is robbery.”

—

The Empress smirked slightly.

”Pay properly.”

—

More envelopes were passed.

—

Still—

”NOT ENOUGH!”

—

Lian Rou sighed deeply.

”...Fine.”

—

He added more.

—

Finally—

The door opened slightly.

—

”Pass!”

—

Laughter erupted.

—

Round 2 — Bride Trivia

Another bridesmaid stepped forward.

Holding a scroll.

—

”Answer correctly—or no entry!”

—

Lian Rou nodded.

”...Ask.”

—

First question:

”What is the bride’s favorite food?”

—

”...Sweet lotus pastry.”

—

”Correct!”

—

Second:

”Her shoe size?”

—

”...Small.”

—

”Too vague!”

—

Lian Hua whispered,

”Say properly!”

—

”...Size 36.”

—

”Correct!”

—

Third:

”When did you first meet?”

—

Lian Rou paused.

Then—

”...Under the lantern festival.”

—

The bridesmaids went quiet.

—

Then—

”PASS!”

—

Chen Ruyi, inside the room, covered her face.

Blushing deeply.

—

Round 3 — Physical Challenge

The door opened slightly more.

—

But—

Another bridesmaid stepped out.

—

”Not so easy!”

—

”50 push-ups!”

—

Lian Rou froze.

”...50?”

—

”Yes!”

—

Lian Hua laughed loudly.

”Do it!”

—

The Empress leaned slightly.

”...You can.”

—

Lian Rou took a breath.

—

Then—

Dropped down.

—

1...

2...

3...

—

Everyone began counting.

—

By 30—

He slowed.

—

By 40—

He struggled.

—

By 50—

He collapsed.

—

”PASS!”

—

Cheers erupted.

—

Round 4 — Declaration of Love

Now—

The door opened halfway.

—

But one final barrier remained.

—

”Confess!”

—

”Declare your love!”

—

Lian Rou stood still.

—

”...In front of everyone?”

—

”Yes!”

—

Lian Hua whispered loudly,

”Say something good!”

—

The Empress smiled quietly.

Watching.

—

Lian Rou took a step forward.

—

His voice steady.

—

”Chen Ruyi.”

—

Inside—

She froze.

—

”I don’t promise a perfect life.”

—

”But I promise—”

—

”To stand beside you.”

—

”In every moment.”

—

”Whether bitter or sweet.”

—

Silence.

—

Then—

The bridesmaids screamed.

”PASS!”

—

Round 5 — The Four Flavors of Life

A tray was brought out.

—

Four bowls.

—

”Sour.”

”Bitter.”

”Spicy.”

”Sweet.”

—

”Eat all.”

—

”To prove you accept life.”

—

Lian Rou looked at the tray.

—

”...This is unnecessary.”

—

”Do it!”

—

He sighed.

—

One by one—

He ate.

—

Sour—his face twisted.

—

Bitter—he nearly coughed.

—

Spicy—he turned red.

—

Sweet—finally relief.

—

Everyone laughed loudly.

—

”PASS!”

—

Round 6 — Face Full of Love

Next—

A strange game.

—

”Catch items... using only your face.”

—

Lian Hua burst into laughter.

”This is ridiculous!”

—

Small items were hung.

—

Lian Rou had to grab them—

Without hands.

—

He tried.

Failed.

Tried again.

—

Finally succeeded.

—

The crowd cheered.

—

Round 7 — Passing Food

Final challenge.

—

Seaweed strip.

—

”Pass using mouth only.”

—

Lian Rou stared.

”...No.”

—

”Yes.”

—

His friend stepped forward.

”I’ll help.”

—

They both leaned.

—

Carefully.

—

Almost dropped it.

—

Caught again.

—

Finally—

Success.

—

”PASS!!!”

—

The Door Opens

The final barrier—

Gone.

—

The doors opened fully.

—

Inside—

Chen Ruyi sat.

—

Dressed beautifully.

—

Red wedding robes.

—

Elegant.

Radiant.

—

Lian Rou stepped forward slowly.

—

For a moment—

The world quieted.

—

Then—

He smiled.

—

”...I came.”

—

She smiled back.

—

”I know.”

—

Behind them—

Cheers exploded.

—

Lian Hua jumped.

”They did it!”

—

The Empress stood quietly.

Watching.

—

Her heart warm.

—

This—

Was happiness.

—

Simple.

Bright.

Earned.

—

And as the groom finally reached the bride—

—

The beginning of a new journey—

Had truly begun.

Winning the Bride & A House Full of Laughter

The moment the final door opened—

Cheers erupted across the Cheng residence.

The tension of the games dissolved instantly into celebration.

Laughter.

Clapping.

Teasing voices.

—

At the center—

Lian Rou stood facing Chen Ruyi.

She sat gracefully on the bed, dressed in radiant red, her veil slightly lifted—

Her cheeks flushed.

Her eyes shining.

—

For a brief moment—

Everything else disappeared.

—

”...I came for you,” he said softly.

—

Chen Ruyi lowered her gaze.

”...You took long enough.”

—

Behind them—

The bridesmaids burst into laughter.

—

”After all that effort, you still complain!”

—

Lian Hua rushed forward.

”Of course she will! You made him suffer!”

—

”You enjoyed it!”

—

”I did!”

—

The room filled with noise again.

—

The Empress stood slightly aside.

Watching quietly.

—

Her lips curved into a soft smile.

—

This happiness—

This warmth—

She had almost lost once.

—

But now—

She held it again.

—

The Bride Is ”Won”

Following tradition—

Lian Rou stepped closer.

—

He extended his hand.

—

Chen Ruyi hesitated for a brief second.

Then—

Placed her hand in his.

—

That simple gesture—

Marked everything.

—

The bridesmaids clapped loudly.

—

”Take her properly!”

—

”Don’t drop her!”

—

Lian Rou sighed.

”...I won’t.”

—

He gently helped her stand.

—

Their hands didn’t separate.

—

And in that moment—

They weren’t just two individuals anymore.

—

They were—

A pair.

—

Families Meet Formally

Soon—

The playful atmosphere settled slightly.

—

Because now—

Came the formal part.

—

In the main hall—

Both families gathered.

—

The Duke and his elder brother stepped forward.

—

Facing—

Chen Guowei and the Cheng elders.

—

The atmosphere shifted.

More respectful.

More composed.

—

But not cold.

—

The Duke spoke first.

”We thank the Cheng family for raising such a fine daughter.”

—

Chen Guowei nodded.

”And we thank the Duke family...”

”For accepting her.”

—

A pause.

—

Then—

Both men smiled slightly.

—

The tension eased.

—

Because this wasn’t negotiation anymore.

—

It was agreement.

—

Union.

—

The Empress Observes

From the side—

The Empress watched carefully.

—

She noticed everything.

—

The way her father spoke calmly.

—

The way Chen Guowei held dignity—

But also relief.

—

This alliance—

Was not just about marriage.

—

It was about balance.

Power.

Trust.

—

And yet—

Amid all that—

There was genuine happiness.

—

Teasing Begins Again

But of course—

Formal moments never lasted long.

—

Because—

Lian Hua was present.

—

She leaned toward Chen Ruyi.

”So, sister-in-law...”

—

Chen Ruyi blinked.

”...Already calling me that?”

—

”Yes.”

—

Lian Hua grinned.

”You have no escape now.”

—

The room laughed.

—

Then—

She turned to Lian Rou.

”You cried during push-ups.”

—

”I did not.”

—

”You almost did.”

—

”That was sweat.”

—

”Emotional sweat.”

—

Even the Duke chuckled softly.

—

The Empress Joins

The Empress stepped forward slightly.

—

Looking at both of them.

—

”You did well.”

—

Lian Rou nodded.

”...Thank you.”

—

Chen Ruyi smiled gently.

”I’m glad you came.”

—

The Empress’s eyes softened.

”I wouldn’t miss this.”

—

Even Lady Chen Is Teased

Then suddenly—

Lian Hua’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

—

She turned toward—

Lady Chen, who had arrived with the family.

—

”Sister Chen...”

—

Lady Chen looked at her calmly.

”...Yes?”

—

”When is your turn?”

—

The entire hall froze.

—

Then—

Laughter exploded.

—

Even the elders couldn’t suppress smiles.

—

Lady Chen’s expression remained composed.

But her fingers tightened slightly.

—

”That depends,” she replied smoothly.

—

”On what?” Lian Hua pushed.

—

Lady Chen glanced briefly—

Toward the Empress.

—

Then back.

—

”On fate.”

—

The Empress noticed.

But said nothing.

—

Younger Sister Joins the Chaos

Now—

Even the Empress’s younger sister joined.

—

She leaned toward Chen Ruyi.

”Sister-in-law...”

—

Chen Ruyi laughed.

”You too?”

—

”Yes.”

—

She pointed at Lian Rou.

”He worked very hard.”

—

Chen Ruyi nodded.

”I saw.”

—

”He should work like this always.”

—

”I agree.”

—

Lian Rou sighed.

”I regret coming here.”

—

Everyone laughed again.

—

Emotional Moment

Then—

The Grandmother stepped forward.

—

Her voice softer.

—

”Enough teasing.”

—

She looked at Chen Ruyi.

—

”You are part of this family now.”

—

Her words carried weight.

—

Chen Ruyi’s eyes softened.

—

”...Thank you.”

—

Then—

She turned slightly.

Looking at her own father.

—

For a moment—

Emotion flickered.

—

Because this—

Was a transition.

—

A daughter—

Becoming a bride.

—

The Emperor Watches

At a distance—

The Emperor stood quietly.

—

Watching everything.

—

The laughter.

The teasing.

The warmth.

—

And her.

—

The Empress.

—

Moving freely.

Smiling.

Alive.

—

His gaze softened.

—

”...This suits her.”

—

More than the palace ever did.

—

But—

He knew.

—

He would bring her back.

—

Not to cage her.

—

But to protect this smile.

—

Closing the Scene

As the formalities ended—

The house returned to celebration.

—

Food was served.

Music began.

Voices filled the halls again.

—

Lian Hua continued teasing.

The younger sister joined her.

—

Chen Ruyi laughed more freely now.

—

Lian Rou—

Still trying to defend himself.

—

And the Empress—

Stood among them.

—

No longer distant.

—

No longer alone.

—

But part of something—

Real.

—

Warm.

—

Alive.

—

And as laughter echoed through the Cheng residence—

—

Everyone knew—

—

This was not just a marriage.

—

It was the beginning of something bigger.

—

A bond between families.

—

And a future—

Filled with both love—

And challenges yet to come.

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