Cheng Nianying was sixteen this year, still at an age when she was growing. And because she was constantly rushing from place to place, she expended a great deal of energy as well, so she alone ate more than half the dishes.
The nanny at the side wanted several times to say, “You mustn’t be so greedy,” but each time she forcibly held herself back.
Fu Yi tossed the handkerchief he had used to wipe his hands into the basket and asked, “Are you full?”
“I’m full.”
The nuptial wine from earlier had been delicious, and the food she had just eaten was delectable as well. Thinking of everything she had experienced today, Cheng Nianying felt as though she were in a dream.
The palace attendants gathered around to wipe her hands and said, “This servant will attend to the Commandery Princess’s bath and help her change.”
Cheng Nianying glanced at Fu Yi. Seeing that he had no other instructions, she followed them.
Once they had gone some distance away, the woman who had been standing behind Fu Yi all this time bent at the waist and asked, “Master, shall we leave?”
Fu Yi said, “Wait a while.”
The woman’s name was Mu He.
Most of the people serving at the Commandery Prince’s Residence had been assigned from the palace. Mu He was the manager and leader among the palace maids.
She had been at Fu Yi’s side for a long time, and only now did she dare to frown and say, “But, Master, it is time for you to take your medicine.”
“Bring it here.” Fu Yi stared at the large chest that was still in the room, appearing completely unconcerned.
Mu He had no choice but to give the order.
Thus, by the time Cheng Nianying returned after changing clothes, carrying the warm steam of her bath with her, the room was already filled with the smell of medicine.
Fu Yi was drinking it.
Only after he had finished did the palace attendants remove the bowls and utensils. He did not touch a single piece of the candied fruit placed beside him.
He looked very much as though he had suffered through the bitter taste.
Fu Yi wiped his hands once more, then raised his head to look at Cheng Nianying.
With her makeup washed away, she appeared even more innocent and sweet.
Like a lotus bud just beginning to bloom.
“Can you smell the medicine?” Fu Yi asked.
Cheng Nianying nodded.
“Unpleasant, isn’t it?” Fu Yi continued.
Cheng Nianying shook her head. “It doesn’t smell unpleasant.”
She had often taken a great deal of medicine in the past as well.
She had needed medicine to temper her bones, medicine for training, and even more medicine whenever she was accidentally injured. After smelling it so often, she had grown accustomed to it and could even compound it herself.
She walked right up to Fu Yi and sat down.
Fu Yi fell silent.
For a moment, he actually could not discern what trick this daughter of the Marquis’s household was playing.
How strange.
Just as the atmosphere sank into silence, Cheng Nianying suddenly lifted her sleeve. “They used some kind of fragrance on me just now. It’s very sweet. Do you want to smell it?”
He found the smell of medicine unpleasant.
Then she would let him smell something sweet instead.
Fu Yi suddenly smiled. “All right.”
He clasped Cheng Nianying’s wrist and, without revealing anything, gave it a sniff. “This is snow pear and honey sandalwood incense.”
Cheng Nianying responded with a soft “Mm” and committed the name to memory.
Mu He could not help calling out, “Master.”
She was worried that he might smell something harmful to his health.
Fu Yi released Cheng Nianying’s hand. “Prepare the bed.”
“Master?!” At this second call, Mu He could not even control the change in her tone.
The others also found it astonishing beyond measure. They exchanged a glance, then hurriedly and efficiently set about making the bed.
Cheng Nianying turned sideways and watched as they picked things such as longan, lotus seeds, and red dates off the bed. They picked out enough to fill an entire large bowl.
Fu Yi spoke from behind her. “These symbolize bearing a noble son early and having many children and abundant blessings.”
Cheng Nianying suppressed the curiosity in her eyes. “Mm.”
She had seen common women marry as secondary wives, and she had also seen beautiful women from the streets become someone’s concubines. In any case, none of them had received such an arrangement!
“Commandery Prince, everything has been put in order,” the nanny said as she came over and bent her knees.
Cheng Nianying hesitated, then asked, “Are we sleeping together?” If she had to return him in the future, it would probably be difficult to explain otherwise.
Fu Yi watched the changes in her expression between her brows and eyes, while a light laugh escaped his lips. “Why do you ask? On the night of the bridal chamber, of course we should sleep together.”
Cheng Nianying showed not the slightest embarrassment. Her gaze swept from his upper body to his lower body, and she said quietly, “But you’re ill…”
Fu Yi interrupted her. “Are you afraid I’ll pass my illness to you?”
“No, I’m not afraid. All right, then… let’s sleep.” Cheng Nianying thought that he probably could not move anyway, so it would not really matter.
Fu Yi lowered his eyes. “Why are you all still standing there?”
Mu He clenched her teeth, then bit her lip. “Master…”
The nanny hurriedly said, “Yes, yes, we should all withdraw.”
Mu He still insisted, “Please allow this servant to help Master change.”
Fu Yi did not reprimand her, and allowed Mu He to remain and remove his outer robe.
At this point, no matter how unwilling Mu He was, she had no choice but to obediently leave and close the door behind her.
Fu Yi, dressed only in his inner garment, appeared even gentler.
He held out a hand to Cheng Nianying. “Help me.”
Cheng Nianying immediately hauled him up, even using her considerable experience to let Fu Yi lean against her back.
Fu Yi: “…”
She was quite strong.
Cheng Nianying helped him onto the bed and tucked the quilt around him.
Forget about loathing or resistance—there truly was not even the slightest trace of unwillingness in her.
It was only when she climbed into bed after him that Fu Yi caught a hint of nervousness from her.
Only a hint.
She pulled over another quilt and covered herself, then suddenly sprang up from the bed. “I forgot to put out the candles!”
She went over to the candlestick and extinguished the candles one by one.
The firelight reflected off the side of her cheek, making her brows and eyes astonishingly bright.
It was a vitality utterly at odds with the imperial city.
The room went completely dark.
“All done,” she said softly, walking back with light footsteps.
But remembering that she usually made hardly any sound when she walked and might frighten people, she deliberately made a little rustling noise as she climbed back into bed.
Outside the door.
When Mu He turned around and discovered that all the candle flames had been extinguished, her throat instantly tightened, and even her voice became unsteady. “Master, he… could he really be going to… consummate the marriage?”
The nanny lowered her voice and advised, “Miss Muhe, this was a marriage arranged by His Majesty and solemnized through proper rites. Of course they must consummate it.”
Mu He swallowed that difficult breath and descended the steps. “It’s not for any other reason. I’m only worried that Master’s body cannot endure a whole night like this.”
“Master entered officialdom when he was young and has always had a mind of his own. He will never allow others to sway him. Miss Muhe, you’re worrying over something unnecessary,” the nanny said helplessly.
Mu He fell silent.
She turned her head and caught sight of the Wuning Marquis’s Residence servants keeping watch not far away. A flash of disgust swiftly crossed her eyes.
Then she sat down on the steps.
She had to keep watch through the night and be ready whenever her master summoned her.
Meanwhile, the people from the Wuning Marquis’s Residence were both terrified and overjoyed.
“Does this mean… we’ve finally made it through this ordeal?”
*
After that, the Commandery Prince Danshuo did not speak again.
The two of them each occupied half the bed. Neither touched the other, and there was even less of a romantic atmosphere between them.
Cheng Nianying secretly let out a sigh of relief, but she still did not sleep soundly. That was simply the instinct of an assassin at work.
The next morning, when the palace attendants came to knock on the door, she heard someone beside her say, “Come in.”
Cheng Nianying woke with a start and sat up.
A palace attendant came forward to help her out of bed, and, noticing the faint dark circles beneath her eyes, thought that she truly looked as though she had been tormented for the entire night.
However, when she turned and saw that the bedsheets remained as neat as before, she knew that nothing had happened.
The palace attendant brought her a fresh outfit and helped her change. When they were halfway through, Cheng Nianying remembered that the Commandery Prince was still on the bed.
She turned around and dove back onto the bed to help him.
Before her hand could even touch him, Mu He pushed her aside.
Mu He’s tone was cool. “This is not something the Commandery Princess should do. I’ll take care of it.”