“Third Master, you should hurry inside! It wouldn’t be good to miss the auspicious hour.”
The servant Fu Gui urged, “After all, today is your special day. Your mother also said she wants you to be well, and she will pray for you in the ancestral hall.”
Mu Shi’s father, Mu Qingtian, was granted the title of a prince of a different surname for his immense contributions during the founding of the nation and because he was the adopted son of the late emperor. Mu Shi’s mother originally entered the household as a consort with an official rank. However, later, Mu Qingtian voluntarily diluted his military power and requested to relinquish his princely title, becoming the current Marquis of Jianguo.
As a result, Mu Shi’s mother, who originally held an official rank, became a concubine without any status. Naturally, she felt resentful but helpless. After giving birth to a son, she became even more low-key for her son’s sake. Only in this marriage did she hope that Mu Qingtian would take charge and go to the palace to reject the Emperor’s marriage proposal.
Who would have thought that Mu Qingtian not only refused but also confined her to the ancestral hall.
This was also the reason why Mu Shi completely submitted to this marriage—otherwise, his birth mother would not have been released.
Upon hearing about his birth mother, Mu Shi lost his temper. “I understand.”
He took a deep breath and walked toward the bridal chamber.
In front of the chamber, he paused for a moment before pushing the door open.
Fu Gui breathed a sigh of relief. The Third Master had finally entered. He hoped things wouldn’t turn too ugly, as Third Young Madam was innocent after all.
When he entered, the bride was sitting upright on the bed. Perhaps because the room was too warm, she wore only a light pink-purple undergarment embroidered with poppy flowers, which outlined her perfect figure. Over it was a sheer nightgown, thin as cicada wings, revealing everything underneath at a glance. The two soft mounds were unbelievably large, and he unconsciously swallowed.
Seeing him enter, Yun Niang immediately got off the bed and smiled sweetly. “Husband.”
As she walked over, her chest seemed to surge like waves. She herself felt quite embarrassed. If only she were as flat as others, how much better it would be!
Mu Shi didn’t show any disdain in front of her. Instead, he said gently, “You’ve been waiting for me for a long time.”
Yun Niang lightly shook her head, revealing her perfect profile. Even without makeup, she looked radiant and alluring.
“Come, it’s late. We should rest now.”
At this moment, Yun Niang suddenly said, “I heard from Yuping that you returned from suppressing bandits and rushed to fetch the bride without rest. You must be exhausted. There’s no need to force yourself. It would be better to rest early.”
Of course, she was annoyed that Mu Shi had arrived late. Since the matter was already settled, if he was unwilling, there was no need to drag it out. Besides, she was afraid of pain!
Mu Shi was taken aback. Was she looking down on him?
He had thought Yun Niang would be the one frightened, as if the husband didn’t consummate the marriage on the wedding night, others would surely blame the bride. He had generously given her this face, never expecting that he would be the one deemed inadequate. The one thing men hate hearing most is being called inadequate.
Even those who truly are inadequate would muster all their strength. Otherwise, given this girl’s appearance, if a man like him didn’t touch her, others might suspect he was impotent.
The gentle expression on his face vanished, replaced by one that seemed as if he wanted to devour her whole. He picked her up in one swift motion.
Yun Niang leaned against his broad chest, somewhat surprised. She was by no means thin. Once, when she fainted at the estate, three maids couldn’t lift her. Yet Mu Shi had managed to pick her up effortlessly.
Mu Shi also felt uneasy, but this was something that had to be done. Under the covers, waves of passion surged, and the phoenixes danced in disarray.
The servants waiting outside the door came in three times to bring water. Fu Gui couldn’t help but think, wasn’t Third Master unwilling? Why was the battle so intense?
Inside the room, Yun Niang finally experienced what comfort felt like. She felt some pain, but there was no so-called tearing sensation. Instead, she felt as if she had reached the Western Paradise, as if her body had reached its utmost limit.
With a newfound taste for it, she said to Mu Shi, “I never imagined such a thing could be so delightful.”
Mu Shi was just about to fall asleep, utterly exhausted. After riding a horse for two days without rest, he had been forced to drink and then consummate the marriage. Once would have been enough, but fearing others would look down on him, he had pushed himself to do it three times. Just as he was about to sleep, she still wasn’t satisfied.
He had no choice but to pretend he was asleep.
Seeing no response from the person beside her, Yun Niang quietly lifted a corner of his blanket and slipped in. Thinking she was being stealthy, she left Mu Shi with no choice. He could no longer pretend to sleep and let out a soft sigh.
“Aren’t you hot?” Mu Shi had always slept alone, especially during military campaigns or when handling cases by himself.
Yun Niang pouted, “But I didn’t bring my doll, so I have to hug you, right? If I don’t have someone to hold, I can’t fall asleep.”
Mu Shi thought of all the women he had met in his life. Most were talented, witty, or knew how to charm and play coy, but he had never encountered a girl like this.
It was as if everyone’s doting on her was only natural.
“Fine, come here then,” Mu Shi had no way to deal with someone like this.
Yun Niang wrapped her arms around his waist—lean, strong, and almost her favorite part of him.
Exhausted, she fell asleep almost instantly, leaving Mu Shi, who was pressed tightly against her, in utter agony.
Early the next morning, Yun Niang woke up very early. Though she was often called lazy, she never let sleep interfere with her duties. Surprisingly, Mu Shi was holding her tightly.
As soon as she sat up, Mu Shi, always alert, woke up too. Looking at the person sitting up, his throat tightened. This…
Why wasn’t she wearing a stitch of clothing?
Yun Niang, however, was unfazed. Men might fall in love momentarily for looks, but interests always came first. What she needed to do now was to establish her footing. At the very least, Mu Shi shouldn’t dislike her. By making her stance clear, her days in the mansion would be easier.
As for being treated coldly, she didn’t think it was as severe as she had imagined.
When Nanny Hu came in to attend to her, her eyes and brows were filled with smiles. Beside her, Mu Shi was being attended to by Yuping and others, while Yun Niang was served by Nanny Hu and her personal maids. The servants were clearly divided.
Although Yuping had chatted and laughed with them the day before, she was, after all, one of Mu Shi’s attendants.
Mu Shi had no intention of personally introducing her to the servants in the courtyard. It wasn’t that he was deliberately avoiding it, but rather that this woman, aside from marital duties, held no appeal for him.
The wife he had imagined shouldn’t be like this. At the very least, she should be a capable helpmate, shrewd and competent enough to be useful. Looks were secondary; ability was what truly mattered.
But Madam Xia was more naive than clever and often put on airs. In short, she didn’t seem like someone who would succeed. Not only would she not succeed, but she might very well become a burden to him.
Yun Niang could naturally see that Mu Shi was very cold toward her. His passion in bed was likely just a perfunctory performance, probably out of fear that others might say he was incapable. Now, the boundaries between them were starkly drawn.
She was not the type to wait idly for opportunities—like being a dutiful daughter-in-law serving her mother-in-law—hoping for her husband to change his mind. She intended to win his heart first; if she grew tired of him later, she could simply discard him.
Thus, under the astonished gazes of Yuping and others, she squeezed herself next to Mu Shi and straightened his collar for him.