Сhapter 23: Веauty Undеr the Lamрlight, Еvеn Моrе Enсhаnting
“…Yеs.” Thе wedding mаtron and mаidsеrvants dаred nоt sау morе, сurtsied, аnd filеd оut оnе bу оne.
Rеlying оn hеr memory, Ning Hеng madе her wау tо thе Tranquil Нeart Соurtуаrd wherе Lu Yun Jue rеsided. Outsidе thе gаtе, оnly twо young maidsеrvаnts wеrе wаiting. Upon seеing hеr аpрroаch, theу hurriеdlу bоwed, “Your Нighnеss.”
With no idlers tо disturb, this plaсе wаs еven quiеtеr, the faint rustling of wind through bamboo lеavеs bаrеlу аudible.
“Мmm.” Ning Heng pushеd oрen thе doоr and entered the wedding chamber.
Inside the room, red candles burned brightly, decorated festively and warmly.
Ning Heng’s first task was to have A Chan quickly help her remove the heavy phoenix crown that felt as if it could crush her to death.
She now thoroughly understood the weight her cheap husband carried in the heart of his cousin, the Emperor.
Not only had the Emperor personally come to escort the bride, but even the ceremonial standards of the wedding attire and phoenix crown rivaled those of palace consorts. Magnificent as they were, the weight… was substantial, nearly breaking her neck.
After changing out of the elaborate wedding attire, she comfortably bathed, washing away the fatigue of the day.
Only after eating something did Ning Heng have the leisure to walk to the canopy bed and take a look at her unconscious new husband.
As the saying goes, viewing a beauty under lamplight makes her three times more enchanting.
Lu Yun Jue was also dressed in a red wedding robe matching hers today, lending a touch of vitality to his pale face.
His eyes were tightly closed, long lashes casting quiet shadows like butterfly wings. His breathing was shallow as he lay quietly beneath the brocade quilt, his lips a faint pink, resembling an exquisite doll that could be manipulated at will.
Ning Heng suddenly felt a pang of regret that she was not skilled in painting; otherwise, she could have painted a portrait of the beauty lying in repose, to admire leisurely in her spare time.
“A Chan, the silver needles.” Ning Heng placed her fingers on Lu Yun Jue’s wrist.
Previously, hindered by so-called propriety between men and women, and with Lu Yun Jue’s condition still stable, she had not examined him. Yet in just a few days, he was now lying here stiff and unconscious.
If she delayed a few more days, she might truly become a widow.
Ning Heng sighed. This “fending off misfortune with a wedding” had nearly turned her into a real widow.
“Here, Elder Sister.” A Chan swiftly handed over the silver needle pouch, also helping to strip off Lu Yun Jue’s clothes, revealing his bare chest.
Ning Heng fed Lu Yun Jue a black medicinal pill and glanced casually while disinfecting the needles.
“Take off the lower part as well.”
Thus, completely unaware, Lu Yun Jue was thoroughly examined by his new wife.
Nothing was left unseen.
Lu Yun Jue’s condition was an old, chronic illness, with his foundation already ruined. It was only because he had not consumed much of the poisoned wine back then that he had not long descended to the underworld.
Palace struggles for succession had always employed every possible means.
Even Ning Heng could not guarantee she could cure him to a large extent. For now, she could only use golden needles to protect his failing heart meridian, and later slowly nurse him back to health, allowing him to live a few more years.
After the acupuncture, combined with a medicinal bath, more than an hour had passed by the time they finished.
Ning Heng was pregnant, so A Chan naturally became the human porter, skillfully carrying this “brother-in-law” from the bed to the bathtub, soaking him for the required time, then fishing him out and moving him back to bed.
She and A Jian had done plenty of such assisting work since childhood and were long accustomed to it.
As for “not looking at what is improper”—it was just flesh and blood, nothing particularly remarkable.
Ning Heng was exhausted and directly nestled into the inner side of the canopy bed, pulling the brocade quilt over herself. “A Chan, I’m sleepy…”
“I’m going to sleep. You go rest too. Your room is in the eastern side courtyard next door.””Mhm.” A Chan tucked the blanket around Ning Heng, blew out two candles, and quietly withdrew.
The double happiness character hung in silence, red candles flickering.
The wedding night of the Rui Prince and his consort passed in tranquil peace—one unconscious, the other fast asleep.
…
Meanwhile, the Duan Prince’s Estate presented an entirely different scene.
As the groom, Helian Xu was still in the front hall entertaining guests. The wedding of the Duan Prince’s heir drew all the nobility, and he was surrounded by well-wishers urging him to drink, making it difficult for him to slip away anytime soon.
In the bridal chamber at the rear courtyard, Xue Wan sat upright by the bed, veiled under a large red headscarf, waiting.
“Miss, the heir hasn’t returned yet. Have some dried fruit to tide you over…” Chun Xuan whispered, heart aching for her mistress who had gone hungry all day.
Xue Wan was indeed starving. She had risen early for the wedding and been busy from morning till night without eating a thing. Now her stomach was empty, and she felt terribly uncomfortable.
But before she could reach for the plate of candied fruit Chun Xuan offered, the stern-faced old matron standing guard nearby spoke up.
“Heir Consort, according to the estate’s etiquette, you must not eat before the heir returns.”
Her gaze swept over Chun Xuan, carrying a hint of reprimand. “Moreover, now that you have married into the estate, you are no longer a ‘miss’ but should be addressed as ‘Heir Consort.’ If the servants lack propriety, it reflects poorly on the mistress as well.”
Chun Xuan paled at the words, murmuring, “…Yes, this servant understands.”
Beneath the headscarf, Xue Wan instantly clenched her teeth, her fingernails digging into her palms.
What was this? Barely married, and an old woman dared to reprimand her trusted maid to her face?
Was this an outright attempt to intimidate her, bullying her because she was a “foster daughter” by birth?
Already displeased with Helian Xu’s foolish demeanor, she now felt even more humiliated and resentful. Xue Wan’s chest felt as if stuffed with a heavy, damp lump of cotton, yet she forced herself to endure. “…The matron is right.”
After sitting stiffly for what felt like an eternity, Xue Wan’s legs nearly numb, commotion and footsteps finally sounded from outside.
Amid the noise came a servant’s loud announcement: “The heir has returned!”
Helian Xu had drunk quite a lot today.
He usually didn’t drink much, but today was his joyous occasion, and he was happy. Guests came to toast him one after another, and in his simple-mindedness, he didn’t know how to refuse.
He accepted almost every toast, downing each cup as soon as it was offered.
Fortunately, Helian Xu remembered that it was his wedding night and that his dear Wan’er was waiting for him in the chamber, so he didn’t drink himself into a stupor right there in the front hall.
Helian Xu was already burly in build—tall and robust. Now, drunk and unsteady on his feet, he needed several servants supporting him together to stagger along.
All the way, he grinned foolishly, muttering, “Hehe… Wan’er, I’m back… hehe…”
As he entered the bridal chamber, enveloped by the warm fragrance inside, Helian Xu belatedly realized—
He reeked of strong alcohol, enough to overwhelm anyone. Would Wan’er dislike it?
The old matron had already placed the wedding scale in his hand. “Heir, the auspicious hour has arrived. Please lift the headscarf for the Heir Consort.”
Helian Xu’s face was flushed red. He straightened up unsteadily, struggling to focus his vision, and clumsily used the wedding scale to carefully lift the large red headscarf.
Under the flickering candlelight, Xue Wan’s meticulously adorned face was revealed—willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and cherry-red lips.
Utterly delicate and pitiable.
Helian Xu stared, dumbstruck, his mouth agape. “Wan’er… you look so beautiful today, even more beautiful than the fairies in paintings…”Yet, Xue Wan felt not a shred of joy in her heart.
Ever since Ning Heng returned to the estate, her standing in the family had plummeted, leaving her utterly displeased.
Now, having just married into this household, an old matron dared to openly provoke her—how could the days ahead be any better?
Gazing at Helian Xu before her, who even after his best efforts to dress up still resembled a clumsy, foolish bear, and breathing in the overwhelming stench of alcohol, her heart swelled with a mix of bitterness and disappointment.
Before she could even speak, tears began to stream down her cheeks.
Helian Xu’s drunkenness was instantly jolted away by fear, leaving him flustered and unsure what to do. Clumsily, he reached out to wipe her tears but hesitated to touch her. “Wan’er, my dear sister! What’s wrong… is it because you don’t like me drinking?”
“I’ll never drink again, not a single drop! Wan’er, please don’t cry… your tears are breaking my heart…”