When Jiang Yueheng returned to the bridal chamber, he saw his bride slumped fast asleep on the bed, her small feet still resting on the footstool.
Perhaps sensing the gaze upon her, Liu Qingwu slowly opened her eyes and propped herself up with an unaffected expression. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol as she met his gaze without evasion: “Shall I call someone to assist you with washing up, husband?”
“No need.” Jiang Yueheng stared at her for a few breaths before turning to enter the washroom.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, Jiang Yueheng emerged with a towel drying his accidentally dampened hair. Steam clung to him, his ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall down his back. His sleep robes, wet in places, clung to his chest, revealing hints of skin beneath.
Such beauty instantly dispelled Liu Qingwu’s drowsiness.
Jiang Yueheng followed her gaze downward, where the contours of his chest were faintly visible through the damp sleepwear.
“Shall we retire?” Liu Qingwu obediently slipped under the covers, blinking her large eyes as she lifted a corner of the quilt in silent invitation.
Jiang Yueheng stood frozen for a moment before approaching unhurriedly. He drew the bed curtains on both sides and lay down beside her.
Candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows.
No one could tell who made the first move, but soon they were embracing, lips meeting in warm, moist breaths.
The red quilt tumbled in waves of passion.
Afterward, the man above rolled off, and neither spoke as they lay side by side catching their breath.
Liu Qingwu stared blankly at a point in the darkness. The duration wasn’t short, but the technique was mediocre—it ended just as she was beginning to feel something.
Moments later, the man beside her rose and fetched water from the washroom in the dark, cleaning himself by moonlight.
Liu Qingwu blinked, silently watching him work.
When he lay down beside her again, carrying a faint dampness, she slowly moved closer. At least he knows to clean up afterward, she thought. He’s quite considerate. Poor technique can be improved with time.
Sensing her approach, Jiang Yueheng turned slightly and placed a hand on her slender, soft waist, gently patting her back. “Sleep.”
They slept soundly through the night. At mao hour (5-7 am), Jiang Yueheng woke at his usual time. Looking down, he found a pale jade arm draped across his chest and a leg thrown over his waist.
Turning his head, he was met with a sleeping face—skin like congealed cream, cheeks flushed pink, completely unguarded.
He reached out and moved the arm from his chest back to its owner’s side, then lifted the quilt to slowly extricate his legs from the bed.
Jiang Yueheng dressed quietly, went out to summon servants for washing water, then returned to the bedside. He gently shook the sleeping beauty, trying to rouse her.
The figure on the bed merely waved her arms vaguely before rolling over and burying herself deeper into the blankets.
Jiang Yueheng was taken aback—he’d never encountered such a situation and was momentarily at a loss.
Witnessing this, Lianxin nearby was frantic with anxiety: My lady! You’ve just married into this household! Could you at least pretend!
As Liu Qingwu showed no signs of waking and the morning greeting time approached, Lianxin gathered her courage and stepped forward: “Shizi, perhaps allow this maid to try?”
Hearing this, Jiang Yueheng glanced at her, stepping back two paces to make room but not leaving.
“Miss? Miss?” Lianxin gently shook her a couple of times. Seeing her mistress remained motionless, she discreetly slipped the hand hidden from Jiang Yueheng under the quilt, pinching while murmuring, “Miss, wake up quickly! The time for morning greetings is almost here!”
Liu Qingwu was sleeping soundly when a mosquito-like buzzing suddenly sounded in her ears. She initially intended to ignore it, but a sharp pain began spreading from her waist, growing increasingly intense with each passing moment.
She slowly opened her eyes to find her maid Lianxin’s face hovering close. Just as she felt puzzled, she heard Lianxin mention that the time for morning greetings was approaching.
Reason gradually returned as she remembered this was her first day married into the Hou Manor, and she needed to pay morning respects.
Seeing Liu Qingwu awake, Jiang Yueheng pretended not to notice Lianxin’s transgression and quietly went to wash up.
With her maids’ assistance, Liu Qingwu swiftly completed her washing and dressing. By the time everything was done, there remained only the time it takes for one incense stick to burn until Chen Time.
Jiang Yueheng, having finished his preparations, sat watching Liu Qingwu complete her toilette. When she was ready, he summoned servants to bring the prepared breakfast.
The West Courtyard was approximately the time needed to drink a cup of tea away from the Zheng courtyard on foot, so they had sufficient time.
The breakfast consisted of plain congee and steamed buns. Without being picky, Liu Qingwu finished her meal in a few bites.
“Let’s go,” Jiang Yueheng said, leading the way out.
Liu Qingwu followed half a step behind, observing the broad shoulders and slim waist of the man before her, his back straight and imposing. She had verified last night that he appeared lean in clothes but was well-built without them.
Suddenly, the person ahead stopped. Liu Qingwu looked up in confusion.
Jiang Yueheng glanced down and, seeing her genuine puzzlement, stepped back half a pace so they stood side by side.
Liu Qingwu instantly smiled, her eyes crinkling: “Huaijin, let’s go~”
In the Zheng courtyard, the Houye and Hou Furen sat in the seats of honor, smiling.
Jiang Yueheng took the tea cup handed by a maid, knelt on the cushion, and respectfully offered it: “Father, please have tea!”
Liu Qingwu promptly knelt beside him, presenting tea and kowtowing: “Mother, please have tea!”
The entire process flowed smoothly and gracefully, a pleasure to behold. Even Hou Furen, who was originally a Chang Princess of the imperial family, had to admit that the Liu family had taught proper etiquette quite well.
Her smile grew more genuine as she affectionately offered some words of advice.
The Hou Manor had a simple household structure.
The Houye had married a princess and originally resided in the Chang Princess residence. Later, having rendered meritorious service, he was enfeoffed as the Yongning Hou, after which the couple moved into the Hou Manor with their son.
The Houye’s parents lived with his elder brother at the Jiang residence. The elder Jiang brother was currently assigned to Longnan and not in the capital.
The Houye and his wife had two sons: the elder Jiang Yueheng and the younger Jiang Yueran. The Hou Manor had early on petitioned for the establishment of the Shizi. Jiang Yueran worked hard, choosing to join the army at a young age to earn honors and currently stationed at the border, unable to return.
Thus, today’s greetings only required paying respects to the Hou Furen.
A maid behind Hou Furen perceptively presented the gift—an exquisitely carved jade pendant, warm and smooth to the touch, radiating a gentle luster.
Liu Qingwu beamed with joy, thanking her crisply, clearly delighted with the gift.
Seeing this, Hou Furen’s fondness for her grew even more. Having encountered many duplicitous people, she particularly appreciated such genuine sincerity.
“Hao Ge’er is still sleeping next door. Let me take you to see him.”
Hou Furen led everyone to the side room where Hao Ge’er was sleeping soundly. The wet nurse hurriedly rose to curtsey, but Hou Furen waved her off: “Quietly, don’t wake Hao Ge’er.”
The wet nurse retreated to the side.
“Third Sister, come take a look?” Hou Furen called softly.
Liu Qingwu stepped forward—this was her first time seeing Hao Ge’er. During her previous visits to Hou Manor for condolences, the household had kept the child hidden, fearing any ill effects.
Now there was no trace of the legendary frailty. The soft, chubby child was sleeping soundly, smacking his lips as if dreaming of something delicious. His plump little fists were clenched tightly. Liu Qingwu extended her index finger, attempting to slip it into his tiny hand—hm, it wouldn’t fit.
“The manor has few people, so we don’t stand on ceremony. Except for the first and fifteenth days of the month, we usually dine in our own courtyards. You may return now.”
After watching the child for a while, Hou Furen considerately dismissed the newlyweds to their small courtyard after lunch, understanding it was their first day of marriage.