Chen Jinghan waved his hand. “It’s not cold, not at all. You wouldn’t know—when we were out fighting wars, conditions were far harsher than this!”
“Fighting wars?” Su Qing’er had never heard such stories before and immediately grew curious.
Propping himself on one arm and turning to face her, Chen Jinghan began recounting tales from the battlefield.
The more he spoke, the more animated he became. Before they knew it, midnight had passed.
Su Qing’er stifled a yawn. Noticing her fatigue, he said gently, “Wife, sleep now. If you still want to hear more, I’ll continue tomorrow.”
She hesitated to undress with him still awake. Perceiving her discomfort, Chen Jinghan rose, blew out the red wedding candles, and slipped back under his quilt, deliberately turning his back to her.
Only then did Su Qing’er slowly remove her bridal garments. After wearing them all day, she was truly exhausted.
Lying upon the soft bed, she quickly drifted into sleep.
Ironically, the general who could fall asleep instantly on the battlefield now tossed and turned.
He had once resisted this marriage as much as possible—yet now he cherished it all the more.
Such a wonderful wife—he had fallen hopelessly in love at first sight.
But when would they truly become one and share life side by side?
After half a night of restless thoughts, he finally drifted off as dawn tinged the eastern sky.
“Bang, bang, bang!”
Early in the morning, someone knocked at the door. “Young General, Young Madam, it’s time to rise. You must greet the Master and Madam.”
Chen Jinghan, still deep in sleep, shouted irritably, “So early—stop knocking!”
Su Qing’er was already awake. Quickly rising, she reminded herself that meeting her parents-in-law formally represented not only herself, but the entire Su family. She must not fail in courtesy.
Seeing her up, Chen Jinghan sprang out of bed and dressed in a few swift motions.
She was already neatly arranged, and when she noticed his rumpled attire, she couldn’t help smiling as she stepped forward to straighten it.
He stood rigid, allowing her to fuss over him, his arms stiff, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.
Taking out her handkerchief, she dabbed his forehead, puzzled. It wasn’t hot—why was he sweating?
After tidying himself, Chen Jinghan suddenly remembered something. Taking out a small knife, he pricked his finger and let drops of blood fall onto the bedsheet.
“You—what are you doing?” she began, then abruptly recalled the matrons’ pre-wedding instructions. Her face burned crimson, and she turned away.
She regarded him anew. Who would have thought a battle-hardened general could be so considerate?
“All done.” He opened the door.
Maids filed in to help them wash and dress. After some time, the couple went to greet his parents.
Su Qing’er felt uneasy. At home she had been the apple of her parents’ eyes, but here, she knew nothing of her in-laws’ temperaments. Would they be kind? Difficult? The thought alone made her anxious.
Noticing her slow steps, Chen Jinghan deliberately slowed his pace and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. My parents are easy to get along with. They’ll treat you like their own daughter.”
His reassurance soothed her somewhat. If only the Chen household were harmonious and affectionate—that would be enough.
In the main hall, General Chen and Madam Chen were already waiting.
Madam Chen had been muttering complaints—how could the new bride be late on her first morning? What sort of refined lady was that?
General Chen retorted, “If not for the Emperor’s decree, a daughter of the Su family wouldn’t have married into ours! You should count yourself lucky instead of nitpicking.”
She fell silent but remained displeased.
In her eyes, her son was the finest of men—fresh from military merit. Even a princess would suit him. The Su family, hardly of the highest rank—what made them so lofty?
Born to merchants and scarcely educated, she cared little for imperial decrees. What did such matters mean to her?
Moreover, she had glimpsed the bride the previous day—slender as a willow branch, thin and fragile-looking. She doubted the girl’s ability to bear children. The thought soured her mood, and she resolved to assert her authority at once.
Chen Jinghan entered with Su Qing’er. Together, they offered tea.
“Father, please have tea,” Su Qing’er said with graceful composure.
General Chen’s eyes crinkled with delight as he accepted it. “Good, good child. Now that you’re married into the Chen family, you are our daughter. You and Jinghan are equal in this house.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Warmth filled her heart. His kindly face reminded her of her own father.
“Mother, please have tea.”
She presented the next cup.
Madam Chen kept a stern face. Raising her voice, she said, “New bride, I’ve heard you’re from a distinguished household. Yet you don’t even understand basic propriety? Late on your very first morning.”
Chen Jinghan quickly interjected, shielding his wife. “Mother, Qing’er is timid—don’t frighten her. We don’t stand on so many formalities in this family. Besides, it wasn’t her fault. I insisted she sleep a little longer to recover.”
“You wretched boy! Married and already forgetting your mother? See if I don’t twist your ear!” Furious, Madam Chen made to rise, but General Chen grabbed her arm before matters escalated.
“Enough. The tea has been served. Go eat your meal,” he said briskly, dismissing the couple before trouble brewed.
Chen Jinghan exchanged a look with his father and quickly led Su Qing’er out toward the dining hall.
Shaken by the encounter, Su Qing’er felt unsettled. To be reprimanded publicly before the servants on her first meeting left her heart uneasy.
Chen Jinghan hurried to explain, “My mother is just like that. She hasn’t studied much and doesn’t know much about etiquette. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“Mm, I understand,” she replied, though a small knot formed inside her.
It was true she had been late, and correction was not unwarranted—but to embarrass her publicly was something she found difficult to accept.
Still, as an elder, her mother-in-law could not be confronted directly. She would have to find a way to coexist patiently.
Seeing her lingering distress, Chen Jinghan sighed inwardly. He knew his mother well—her heart wasn’t bad, but her sharp tongue was hard to endure.
Family matters, he realized, were more complicated than warfare.
To cheer Qing’er up, he secretly summoned Cuier and asked about her former preferences.
Once he learned the answer, he immediately dispatched a squad of soldiers to the marketplace.
Within half an hour, the soldiers returned—carrying nearly every flower available in town.
They filled the residence with blossoms until servants could scarcely walk without stepping on petals.
“Cuier, what’s all that noise outside?” Su Qing’er asked from the study, where she had been painting.
Cuier explained it was the Young General’s idea. All the flowers were gifts for the Young Madam. And for this, he had apparently earned another scolding from his own mother.
Su Qing’er didn’t know whether to laugh or scold.
That fool of a man—was he planning to open a flower shop at home?