Xie Yao could not speak. Or rather, just as she was about to, Gu Changze claimed her lips in a firm, deep kiss. She could only let out a soft, whimpering sound—broken gasps escaping her—as his hands guided hers to undo the fasteners at her waist.
Her outer robe slipped away, and his burning body pressed against hers. In the hazy lamplight, she felt a sudden coolness as he cast aside her undergarments; warm kisses rained haphazardly on her shoulders, and his fingertips traced her slender waist before cupping her soft, fragrant bosom. As he leaned down, warmth enveloped her.
Xie Yao’s eyes widened as a tingling sensation surged from her heart, making her body go limp. “Your Highness…” Her mind went blank, flustered by this unfamiliar pleasure; her fingers tightened, leaving faint scratches across his fair back.
Gu Changze let out a low, stifled groan without pausing his movements; beads of sweat from his brow dripped onto her skin, making her shiver and tremble.
Her eyes were misty, her hair slightly disheveled; in the dim light, the red marks he left upon her body were clearly visible—traces that were at once intimate and unmistakable.
He seemed particularly enamored with her slender wrists, leaving a trail of kisses halfway up her arm until Xie Yao finally couldn’t help but flinch.
“Don’t keep doing it there…” She tried to pull away, but Gu Changze held her waist in a firm, unyielding grip, leaving her unable to move. “Where else did he touch you today?”
In the intimacy of the bed, his voice lacked its usual clear, smooth tone, sounding instead somewhat hoarse and strained; Xie Yao’s mind was hazy, and she could barely make out his words.
“What…?”
“Here—did he touch this spot?”
Gu Changze lowered his head and pressed warm lips against her collarbone. When he didn’t hear an answer, he gave the spot a firm, deliberate nip before asking again.
“Hmm?”
“N-no…”
The bite didn’t hurt; instead, it sparked an unbearable, teasing itch. As if to stoke the sensation further, his hand trailed down from her collarbone.
“What about other places? Here…” His kisses moved from her shoulder down to her waist. “And here… did he touch these parts too?”
“No… I only…” Xie Yao’s voice came in broken fragments. “I was just pushing him away…”
Only then did she realize Gu Changze had witnessed the encounter. She tried to explain herself, but his movements kept stealing the words right from her lips.
Yet Gu Changze seemed to have no interest in explanations; the dark intensity in his eyes faded, and he held her close, bowing his head to leave his mark on every inch of her skin.
It was as if he were gazing at a flower he had nurtured for ages—a bloom that had grown slowly under his care and finally reached full maturity. Yet, he was in no rush to pry open the bud and savor its exquisite beauty; instead, he took his time, gently coaxing her to lose herself in this sea of enchantment.
Her voice—whether sobbing or pleading—sounded so sweet to his ears, stoking the heat rising within him. He cradled the blossom, bestowing gentle kisses and tender care, soothing her until her taut nerves finally relaxed.
Only then did he lean down to pour the fullness of his love into her.
A bright red quilt covered them both; traces of tears lingered at the corners of Xie Yao’s eyes. The candlelight flickered in the draft, and when the room plunged into darkness, she wrapped her slender arms around his neck, her grip tightening sharply enough to leave scratch marks across his back. His movements alternated between gentle and forceful, drawing a fine sheen of sweat to her brow as she clung to his neck, gasping softly.
The young man gripped her waist firmly, tenderly kissing away the tears at the corners of her eyes; in the darkness, Xie Yao could not see the dark, possessive look in his gaze.
“Stay away—A-Yao, stay away from him.” He whispered the words amidst his low, ragged breathing, his fingers locking tight around her wrists. The red wedding candles swayed in the breeze, burning long into the night before finally flickering out.
Past the midpoint of the *Chou* hour, Gu Changze’s voice sounded, hoarse and low, in the room.
Xie Yao was utterly exhausted, too weary to even lift her eyelids, as he gathered her into his arms and carried her to the washroom. The rising steam eased her fatigue as a large, warm hand scooped up water to bathe her gently.
“Your Highness, let us rest now.” Her voice remained slightly hoarse, tinged with the languor that follows intimacy. Gu Changze gazed tenderly at the woman in his arms, gently brushing back a lock of her hair.
“Are you very sleepy?”
“Mm…”
Just as Xie Yao was about to nod, her vision suddenly darkened; Gu Changze had turned her over in his arms. A familiar kiss landed on her smooth, bare back.
Xie Yao instinctively gripped the rim of the bathing barrel as her senses sharpened, and she called out in a trembling voice: “Your Highness?”
“It will be over soon.” The murmured words came from behind her; moonlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating the silhouettes of their entwined figures.
An hour later, Gu Changze called for fresh water.
*
When Xie Yao awoke the next morning, daylight was already streaming brightly through the room.
The warm spring sun fell across her face. Her delicate features were nestled against a cascade of dark hair. She struggled to pry open her heavy eyelids and glanced around. Scarlet bed curtains and matching drapes greeted her eyes. A crimson brocade quilt was piled over her body, and an arm rested lightly around her waist, holding her in a gentle embrace.
Xie Yao hadn’t yet realized where she was; she merely lifted her eyelids slightly before drifting back toward sleep. At her slightest movement, the person beside her opened his eyes.
“Awake?” That low, husky voice jolted her groggy mind awake. She looked up and met Gu Changze’s deep, dark gaze.
“Your… Your Highness?” She spoke the words, then dazedly realized she was in the Eastern Palace. She had become Gu Changze’s wife just yesterday. The moment that realization struck, memories of the previous night came flooding back. She remembered how the hands now resting on her waist had stirred such pleasure within her; how that familiar voice, amidst the darkness, had gently soothed her pain and tension while coaxing her on, time and time again, until the break of dawn finally brought an end to the passion. Later, when they went to bathe, he had even…
Xie Yao’s face flushed a deep crimson. Not daring to meet Gu Changze’s eyes, she bit her lip lightly and muttered a silent complaint. Wasn’t he supposed to be a sickly invalid? Hadn’t he just returned from the Shanglin Garden to recuperate? Yet, judging by last night, he certainly didn’t look like someone who had been ill for so long.
“It’s already a bit swollen; if you keep biting it, the Imperial Grandmother will blame me when we go to pay our respects today.”
Just as Xie Yao sat there in a daze, a warm finger pressed against her lips, freeing them from her teeth.
Gu Changze leaned in close, studying her expression. “Why is Ah Yao blushing so? Were you thinking of something you shouldn’t?” He chuckled softly, his clear eyes seeming to see right through her thoughts.
Xie Yao glanced at him; if the Empress Dowager noticed anything amiss when she went to pay her respects, it would be entirely this man’s doing.
“Paying respects… By the way, what time is it?” Xie Yao asked, looking at him.
“It’s the second quarter of the Chen hour.” (around 7:30 a.m.) Gu Changze glanced at the hourglass.
New brides were expected to enter the palace to pay their respects at the first quarter of the Chen hour, and as the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, they could not afford to be late. Hearing this, Xie Yao immediately panicked.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” As she spoke, she moved to throw back the covers and get up. But the moment she stretched an arm, the marks caught her eye. Red traces crisscrossed her skin, carrying unmistakable signs of intimacy.
Only then did Xie Yao remember that beneath the brocade quilt, she was completely unclothed. Her face flushed scarlet as she looked at the amusement in Gu Changze’s eyes.
“Your Highness!” A note of gentle reproach colored her voice. How could he not even put some clothes on her?
“We made a bit too much of a fuss last night. When we returned, you were already fast asleep, and I was afraid of waking you.” Gu Changze raised a hand to his lips and coughed lightly twice, suppressing the smile in his eyes. His explanation sounded perfectly reasonable, but Xie Yao had not forgotten the events of the previous night. Knowing his excuse was far from convincing, she bit her lip and said. “Please go outside first. I need to get dressed.”
Gu Changze raised a brow at her words, the meaning in his eyes perfectly clear. After everything they had seen of each other the night before, and only now she was concerned about modesty?
Meeting his gaze, Xie Yao’s face grew even hotter. She could only look back at him in silent embarrassment. Although they had already shared a husband-and-wife intimacy the previous night, she was still shy and thin-skinned. She simply could not bring herself to change clothes openly in front of him.
Their eyes met.
After a moment, Gu Changze smiled leisurely. “You really want me to leave?”
“Your Highness! If you keep delaying, we won’t make it in time to pay our respects. Then Father Emperor and Grandmother Empress Dowager will blame me.” Xie Yao bit her lip as she chided him. Though her words were full of complaint, the displeasure in her eyes carried little intimidation. Instead, in her agitation, she tugged the brocade quilt aside slightly, revealing glimpses of the scenery he had become quite familiar with the night before.
Gu Changze’s eyes darkened for a moment, and only then did he slowly withdraw the arm draped around her waist. Although she wore nothing beneath the covers, he was properly dressed in his inner robe. Rising to his feet, he walked behind the screen.
“Your Highness, go ou…”
“You’re certain you want me to leave?” Gu Changze gently interrupted her, his gaze dropping to the floor.
The aftermath of the previous night hadn’t been cleaned up yet. Their clothes still lay scattered everywhere across the room.
The moment Xie Yao looked down and saw the scene, she couldn’t finish her sentence.
Only after Gu Changze had gone behind the screen did Xie Yao throw back the covers and pick up the undergarments at her side to put them on. Her fair, unblemished skin was covered with red marks. Most notably, two distinct bite marks remained on her collarbone. After carefully dressing herself in an inner robe, she slowly climbed down from the bed.
The soreness and weakness that had plagued her before sleeping had eased considerably after half a night’s rest, though her body still felt somewhat limp. Looking at the mess scattered all over the room, she could not bring herself to call the palace maids to clean it up. Embarrassed, she bent down, intending to tidy everything herself.
No sooner had she lowered her head than an arm wrapped around her waist. The man who had supposedly gone behind the screen was suddenly beside her again. Gu Changze lifted her into his arms and set her back down by the bed. “Rest for now. I’ll do it.”
The young Crown Prince bent down and gathered up the ceremonial wedding robes scattered across the floor. Then he went to the bed and straightened the rumpled brocade quilt and bedsheets. Only after finishing did he call for the servants to enter.
Qingyu came in with a procession of Eastern Palace maids and immediately spotted Xie Yao sitting by the bed. “Attend to the Crown Princess and help her prepare.”
Qingyu hurried forward and assisted Xie Yao to the dressing table before the bronze mirror.
After washing and grooming, the maids brought the auspicious ceremonial attire she was to wear that day. In less than fifteen minutes, Xie Yao changed and walked toward the table.
Breakfast had already been laid out.
When Gu Changze saw her approach, a ripple of emotion flashed through his eyes. On the second day of the wedding celebrations, bright crimson remained the customary color. Xie Yao rarely wore such vivid shades, yet the red palace gown only made her appear even more dazzling and radiant. Her glossy hair was arranged in an elegant high coiffure, adorned with golden hairpins and jade ornaments. Every smile and every glance was captivating enough to draw all eyes to her.
After they finished breakfast together, it was already the third quarter of the Chen hour, around 7:45 a.m. Only then did Gu Changze leisurely instruct the attendants to head to Qianqing Palace.
On the second day after the wedding, the Emperor and Empress were already seated in the main hall early in the morning. Several high-ranking consorts had also arrived before dawn. Yet after waiting a full two hours, there was still no sign of the newlyweds.
The Noble Consort was anxious to go look after her own son. Her brows had long since knitted together in irritation, and she had grown thoroughly impatient. The Emperor had already sent people out several times to urge them along. By the third quarter of the Chen hour, even the smile on his face could no longer be maintained. “Someone, go to the Eastern Palace and…”
“The Crown Prince has arrived! The Crown Princess has arrived!”
With the attendant’s announcement, Gu Changze entered from outside the hall, hand in hand with Xie Yao. Both wore red on the second day of their wedding celebrations.
Xie Yao’s features were gentle and elegant, while Gu Changze’s handsome brows and bright eyes gave him a striking presence. Walking side by side, they looked like a perfectly matched pair. Reaching the cushions prepared for them, they knelt together. “Your son greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress.”
Servants immediately presented tea. Xie Yao accepted it with composed dignity and offered a cup to the Emperor first.
Naturally, the Emperor had no intention of making things difficult for her. He accepted the tea with a kindly smile, presented her with a generous gift, and offered a few warm words of advice before it was the Empress’s turn.
Since the Emperor had chosen not to comment on their late arrival, the Empress was even less inclined to do so. She drank the tea with her usual graciousness and presented a gift that was proper and appropriate in every respect.
Following protocol, Xie Yao expressed her thanks for the imperial favor.
After presenting tea to the Emperor and Empress, the couple was supposed to proceed to Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. Just as Gu Changze was about to lead Xie Yao away, the Noble Consort let out a charming laugh and said: “Your Majesty, just look at this. Sister Hui and I have been waiting here for quite some time, yet it seems our Crown Princess has no intention at all of paying her respects or serving us tea.”
Xie Yao immediately turned toward her. The Noble Consort cast her a disdainful glance. She had never thought highly of Xie Yao.
Back when Prince Xie was still alive, the Sixth Prince had proposed marriage to her only to be politely refused. Ever since then, the Noble Consort had harbored resentment, believing that Xie Yao had bewitched her son. Later, the incident at Shanglin Garden occurred. Although the investigation ultimately proved the Third Prince was responsible, the Noble Consort still couldn’t help holding a grudge against Xie Yao. After all, she knew perfectly well what outrageous thing her own son had done that night.
Since the Noble Consort treated her with little kindness, Xie Yao naturally had no fondness for her either. “According to the customs handed down by our ancestors, a newlywed bride serves tea to her parents and elders. My Father Emperor and Mother Empress have already accepted my tea. The Sixth Prince already has a princely consort, so surely, Noble Mother Consort, you received your daughter-in-law’s tea long ago. How, then, has it come to be demanded from me?”
The Noble Consort had not expected Xie Yao to answer so sharply. She shot her a glare. “No matter what, I am still one of your mother consorts. Is the Crown Princess not being rather lacking in propriety?”
“Whether the Crown Princess possesses propriety or not is not for Noble Consort to decide.” Stepping in front of Xie Yao, Gu Changze’s normally gentle eyes grew noticeably colder. “The Sixth Brother’s injuries have not yet healed. Noble Consort should devote more attention to him instead, lest he once again fall victim to someone else’s schemes.”
His tone remained calm and refined, but the warning was unmistakable.
The moment he spoke, the Noble Consort immediately cast another resentful glance at the Empress. If not for that wretched woman and the Third Prince, how could her son be bedridden recovering from his injuries now?
With a single sentence, Gu Changze redirected the conflict. The Noble Consort no longer had the opportunity to continue making things difficult for Xie Yao. Leading Xie Yao past her, he turned his gaze to Consort Hui seated behind her.
Consort Hui was known for her gentle and kind nature, and Gu Changze treated her with considerable courtesy and respect. “This is Mother Consort Hui.”
Xie Yao immediately understood his meaning. Seeing Consort Hui smiling warmly at her, she promptly bowed in greeting. “Your daughter-in-law pays her respects to Mother Consort Hui. May Mother Consort Hui be blessed with good health.”
Consort Hui quickly rose and helped her up. After looking her over for a moment, she smiled. “The Crown Princess is gentle, graceful, and beautiful. Truly excellent. If the former Empress is aware of this in the next life, she would surely be greatly comforted.”
At once, Xie Yao understood that the Empress she referred to was the late Empress who had already passed away. That was Gu Changze’s true mother. “Thank you for your praise, Mother Consort Hui. I am not worthy of such compliments.”