Shen Wangshu shrank back.
No one had told her before she came that the conditions of the Zhen State General were so inhuman. Even Shen Wangshu, who had seen great storms and waves, knew she could not handle it.
When she saw him, she seemed to be frightened. Her face turned pale in an instant, and even her voice trembled slightly.
Chen Ting, already tense and hesitant, felt even worse. Having lived for years on the edge between life and death, his body was riddled with wounds, covered in hideous, terrifying scars—ugly and frightening. It was only natural that she would be unwilling.
Although he had prepared himself beforehand to be disliked, hearing her say “no” with his own ears still hurt Chen Ting. After retying his belt, he turned and left. The door closed with a sharp click.
……
After being rejected, staying here shamelessly would be far too embarrassing.
Shen Wangshu: “……?”
He just left like that? He was still aroused!
Although Chen Ting left without saying a word, his expression dark and frightening as he went, Shen Wangshu heard him thinking sadly to himself:
“There truly will never be anyone in this world who draws close to me.”
“Everyone is afraid of me and avoids me. Even my bride on our wedding night does not like me. I did not even mind her background—how can she despise me!”
“Staying here will only add to the heartbreak and embarrassment. I might as well leave.”
Shen Wangshu, who heard everything: “……”
So thin-skinned. She had only asked a tentative question—was that really necessary?
Anyone who did not know better would think the Zhen State General utterly despised his wife. He had left the bridal chamber before even half the wedding night had passed, yet he was clearly the one who walked out on his own!
Shen Wangshu sat on the bed in a daze for a while. Before long, Taohong, who had been waiting at the door, cautiously came in. The red wedding gown had been stripped off and lay by the bed. She did not dare to lift the curtain rashly, only catching sight of her mistress’s slender back wrapped loosely in snow-white underclothes beneath the red gauze canopy. Unsure, she asked, “Madam, shall I call for water?”
Earlier outside, Nanny Liang had corrected their etiquette: after marriage, they could no longer call her “young lady” and had to address her as “madam.”
People had been waiting outside all along, ready to prepare the water. Yet as they waited and waited, they ended up seeing the general storm out and slam the door… no one knew what had happened inside.
If the marriage had been consummated, the time seemed a bit short, did it not?
Hearing Taohong’s thoughts, Shen Wangshu sighed and spoke up for her thin-skinned husband: “Call for water. I’ll wash my face.”
Taohong understood at once—nothing had happened.
While she felt relieved for her mistress’s future happiness, she could not help but worry. As she carefully applied rosewater to her mistress’s face and removed her makeup, she asked softly, “The general left in anger just now. Madam… did you quarrel with him?”
Shen Wangshu closed her eyes and splashed water onto her face herself. In ancient times, rosewater smelled nice, but its makeup-removing effect was mediocre. After washing several times, her face still felt slick. She resolved to try making some soap herself when she had time. Hearing Taohong’s question, she calmly shook her head. “No.”
“Then why…” After finishing, a fresh, unadorned face like a lotus blossom appeared. Shen Wangshu casually pulled her underclothes together and lay down under the covers. Seeing that she seemed completely unconcerned, Taohong asked, “You’re going to sleep just like that?”
“Yes. We have to get up early tomorrow to serve tea.” Shen Wangshu was extremely sleepy. She had been exhausted all day. Now that she finally did not have to deal with anyone, why wouldn’t she sleep? Chase after him? Give the general some time to process things on his own.
Besides, this body was weak and often ill. She had finally cultivated a good habit of early sleep and early rising at the Xiahou residence. She could not break it because of tonight.
Taohong had no choice but to blow out the wedding candles and go out, instructing the others to withdraw as well.
After slamming the door and leaving, Chen Ting did not immediately leave the Xuanji Courtyard. He found an unoccupied rockery and leaned there alone for a while. When his body returned to normal and he looked at the lights still glowing in the bridal chamber not far away, he began to feel a bit regretful.
In the heat of emotion, he had left like that, leaving her alone in the bridal chamber. If word got out, it would likely sound bad.
But the regret lasted only a short while. Chen Ting recalled the boundless spring scenery hidden beneath the fiery red wedding gown—the skin like jade and snow, the slender waist he could encircle with one hand. His throat rolled, and in the end he lowered his gaze in disappointment.
Forget it. These past few days his emotions had been unstable, and he was prone to losing control and hurting others. It was better to spend the night alone, as he always had.
Fortunately, she had rejected him just now.
The candles in the bridal chamber went out. She was probably asleep… truly broad-minded, not even thinking of coming out to look for him.
The night wind swayed the shadows of the trees and cooled Chen Ting’s restless heart. He could not return to the bridal chamber tonight… he would spend the night in the study.
Shen Wangshu slept the entire night without the slightest psychological burden. When Taohong woke her the next day, it was still dark outside.
She lifted her head and saw a tall figure seated at the table not far away, drinking tea. It was Chen Ting, already washed, dressed, and waiting for her.
Shen Wangshu instantly woke up and called out properly, “Husband.”
Chen Ting responded with a sound. There was no joy, anger, resentment, or bitterness on his face, as though he had not been the one who left in a huff the night before.
With him standing guard at the side, Shen Wangshu noticed that Taohong’s hands were trembling the entire time she helped her dress, clearly terrified. In her heart, she nervously muttered, “I didn’t see clearly yesterday—the general is far too imposing… He was so angry last night. He didn’t lay a hand on madam, did he? Madam wouldn’t be able to withstand even one punch from him…”
Shen Wangshu grasped the little maid’s arm and said softly, “Don’t be nervous.”
Seeming to notice that his presence made both mistress and servant uncomfortable, Chen Ting suddenly stood up. “I’ll wait outside. It’s still early—there’s no need to rush.”
Although he said there was no need to hurry, Taohong still dared not delay. With that oppressive presence gone from the room, she quickly and deftly styled Shen Wangshu’s hair into a dignified married woman’s coiffure. The clothes she chose were neither too bright nor too plain, giving her a gentle, virtuous look that elders would find pleasing.
After washing and dressing, they went out, and Chen Ting was indeed waiting at the door.
He walked straight ahead alone. With his long legs and tall stride, he soon put a considerable distance between them. Shen Wangshu looked at his back, thought for a moment, then took the initiative to catch up. “Husband.”
Chen Ting looked at the sleeve of his robe that she had grabbed. His throat moved. “Mm.”
He was clearly awkward, still bothered by her rejection of him the night before. Yet this morning he had appeared on time, ready to accompany her to serve tea to the elders.
Shen Wangshu quickly analyzed this taciturn, awkward personality. It was obvious he responded to softness, not force—he needed coaxing.
She did not dare touch his hand casually. Instead, she stepped forward and gently grasped his sleeve, her eyes curving as she softened her voice and played the weak card. “Husband, you’re walking too fast. I can’t keep up.”
The man’s steps halted. He did not say anything, but he did slow down. Nor did he refuse her hold on him. That light, gentle pressure was enough to soothe the heart that had been restless all night.
“So she doesn’t hate me. She just wasn’t ready.”
After an entire night of inward struggle and self-reflection, the Zhen State General thought to himself.