Chapter 037: The Newlyweds Serve Tea

Chapter 037: The Newlyweds Serve Tea

Perhaps Lin Yingxue was tired; she fell asleep quickly. Fu Jiaze, however, was not used to having someone beside him. At first, his eyes were closed, but when he heard the even breathing from beside him, he opened his eyes.

The dragon and phoenix candles in the bridal chamber were meant to burn all night. Without anyone trimming the wicks, the flames had elongated, casting an even brighter light throughout the room. Through the candlelight and the gossamer curtains, Fu Jiaze observed Lin Yingxue beside him.

She slept with a gentle demeanor, her long hair spread out like clouds on the pillow, her eyelids covering her dark, bright eyes, and her long, curled lashes innocently closed.

Dressed in white underclothes, she had neatly tied the neckline, and her hands rested on her abdomen, lying still.

Fu Jiaze poked her face with his finger. Startled by this sudden poke, her lashes fluttered, and she let out an indistinct whimper. When Fu Jiaze had already awakened her, she stopped murmuring, merely turned over, curled up, and placed her arms over her cheeks as if blocking others from disturbing her.

This action was somewhat amusing, and Fu Jiaze's lips curved slightly.

Even though Lin Yingxue had made an effort to wear her sleeping attire neatly, she preferred loose clothing. Now, as she turned to her side, a section of her smooth, delicate skin at her neck was exposed, partially covered by the neckline that hid a faint red mark left by Fu Jiaze.

Seeing that red mark, Fu Jiaze couldn't help but recall their wedding night.

He kissed her, feeling the softness and grace of her body. Lacking experience, their first time was brief. He had a premonition that the second time would be much better, so he pulled his blushing new wife back for another round.

As expected, the second time brought a blush to her face and a seductive tone to her voice.

If it weren't for her discomfort, he could have continued again.

Thinking about it, Fu Jiaze wondered why some people enjoyed intimate acts with strangers. The shyness and beauty should be shared only with one person, without needing maidservants to experience such sensory pleasures beforehand. It should be experienced naturally upon marriage.

He pecked her cheek, causing her long lashes to flutter again. She turned over once more, facing him now, and held onto his arm, seemingly enjoying the warmth of human contact. After settling into this position, she remained still.

Her warm breath spread with each rise and fall of her chest, and Fu Jiaze simply pulled her closer, closing his eyes.

/

It might have been midnight or the third watch of the night when Fu Jiaze fell into a deep sleep until a knock on the door woke them both.

They needed to serve tea and pay respects soon. Lin Yingxue wore a bright red robe with auspicious patterns, her hair styled into a round bun, revealing her entire face.

After finishing her hair, Ye Zi opened a box, seeming unsure how to choose. Lin Yingxue said, "Let me do it."

Looking through the box, she felt there was nothing suitable, so she opened another jewelry box.

Neither Fu Heng nor Fu Bin lacked money, and they had sent many gifts. Lin Yingxue had few pieces of jewelry before, and now faced with various options, she didn't know how to match them.

Hesitantly, she took out a lotus-shaped hairpin with red gemstones and placed it in her hair, asking, "Is this too extravagant?"

Ye Zi thought it looked fine and said, "It’s okay."

The hairpin was beautiful but didn't quite match the styled bun.

Fei Yan suggested, "When I was with Miss, I learned some fashionable makeup techniques. Shall I help you with your makeup?"

Ye Zi knew only basic makeup and hadn't wanted to take over Lin Yingxue's grooming initially. Seeing Lin Yingxue's higher demands, Fei Yan volunteered.

Ye Zi sighed in relief, saying, "You should have said so earlier."

Lin Yingxue smiled, "Ye Zi doesn’t really enjoy dressing up. With fewer people here, she handles most tasks. You’re very welcome to help; I’m not good at choosing either."

With that, Fei Yan would handle future grooming.

"Second Miss is skilled at embroidery, which means she has a good sense of color coordination. She just needs time to get used to having so many accessories. Once she tries them all, she'll know how to match them better."

Based on Lin Yingxue's outfit, they chose a flower hairpin, paired with lighter green peridot earrings and a matching necklace.

Lin Yingxue had already shaped her eyebrows the previous day, so only a slight touch-up was needed, along with a bit of lip rouge.

Thus dressed, she exuded elegance and freshness, blending richness with youthful charm.

Fu Jiaze had already prepared himself and sat drinking tea. Seeing Lin Yingxue with her married woman's hairstyle, lifting away the stray hairs, he noted that while this style often made faces look larger or hair appear sparse, Lin Yingxue's features seemed even more refined, her neck appearing longer.

"This looks perfect," Fu Jiaze said. "Our family is small, so things are simple. We’ll serve tea and then eat together."

Lin Yingxue agreed.

Originally, Fu Jiaze stayed in a small house bought by Fu Heng years ago when he came to the capital for exams. Now that Fu Bin's identity as his uncle was revealed, Fu Bin could openly care for his nephew.

He selected an elegant courtyard in the southern part of the city and gifted it to his nephew and his wife. The owner of the house was a scholar, and the garden was meticulously arranged, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of the southern regions.

Before entering, they saw Fu Wanan nodding off, her maid gently nudging her. Fu Wanan rubbed her eyes and greeted Fu Jiaze with "Brother," then happily called Lin Yingxue "Sister-in-law."

Fu Wanan, who was slow to react and had no peers as friends besides her brother and maid, had been told by the family that her sister-in-law was also family, close in age. Seeing Lin Yingxue, she eagerly approached her.

"Sister-in-law, let me lead you inside."

Lin Yingxue glanced at Fu Jiaze, who nodded, and allowed Fu Wanan to pull her along.

Fu Wanan's hand was warm, and the heat transferred through her palm, making Lin Yingxue feel a soft, warm sensation in her heart.

Fu Wanan genuinely welcomed her as a sister-in-law, likely taught by Fu Heng. This meant her future mother-in-law would probably like her too.

Lin Yingxue's spirits lifted as she was led into the house by enthusiastic Fu Wanan.

"Uncle, Mother, Brother Qin, I've brought my sister-in-law in."

As Lin Yingxue had anticipated, Fu Bin, Fu Heng, and even the usually expressionless Qin Yuanting, greeted her warmly, presenting her with thick red envelopes.

Fu Heng said, "We're family now."

Fu Wanan nodded vigorously, "Family."

She circled around Lin Yingxue like a puppy, having few peers, and everyone encouraged her to bond with her sister-in-law. Fu Wanan clung to Lin Yingxue.

For a moment, Fu Jiaze felt a twinge of concern. His sister was slow to react and spoke slowly. Would Lin Yingxue find her annoying?

Lin Yingxue did not find Fu Wanan annoying and listened to her attentively, which made Fu Heng breathe a slight sigh of relief. She had always thought that Miss Lin was very temperate, and now it seemed to be true.

Fu Jiaze needed to prepare for the spring examinations next year, and if he were to become an official, he would only be busier. Fu Heng herself also had business to attend to, so she feared her daughter would spend more time with Lin Yingxue.

Although her daughter had maidservants around her, if this sister-in-law disliked her, her daughter would be too lonely. Fortunately, Lin Yingxue had a good temperament.

Fu Heng had already given Lin Yingxue a thick red envelope, and now added a piece of her own warm jade. Fu Heng once received two pieces of warm jade; one she kept for herself, and the other she gave to her daughter. Now that Lin Yingxue was kind to her daughter, she was even more willing to give Lin Yingxue more.

Fu Heng persuaded Lin Yingxue to accept the warm jade, and suddenly a thought came to her mind: what if her daughter-in-law were Miss Lin?

This thought flashed through her mind, and Fu Heng couldn't help but follow this train of thought. That proud and spoiled Miss Lin would likely not be as gentle with her daughter.

Fu Heng quickly dismissed this absurd thought. Although her son almost married Lin Baozhen, the marriage did not happen, and Lin Baozhen should now be receiving guests at the Weiwu Marquis Mansion.

/

Lin Baozhen indeed was receiving guests. Yesterday, there was a significant incident at the Lin residence's gate. The subsequent wedding ceremony went smoothly until just before consummation, when Lin Baozhen initially refused.

Xie Yuan, delighted by his marriage, deliberately forgot about the incident at the Lin residence's gate and drank quite a bit during the banquet. By the time he entered the bridal chamber, he reeked of alcohol, causing Lin Baozhen to cover her nose.

"Let me go wash up first," Xie Yuan said to Lin Baozhen.

Lin Baozhen's expression softened, but Xie Yuan had drunk too much, and washing up could not completely remove the smell from him.

"You can sleep on the arhat bed over there," Lin Baozhen demanded assertively.

In her dream, on their wedding night, she had gotten angry and refused to let Fu Jiaze approach her, and he respected her wishes. However, Wei Wuhou was different; he married to consummate the marriage and have children.

Wei Wuhou had experienced many women. Initially forcing Lin Baozhen, making her unwilling, he soon made her enjoy the experience.

Xie Yuan was pleased to see the bloodstained handkerchief and carefully stored it away. The next morning, he took Lin Baozhen to meet the relatives in the mansion.

As Lin Baozhen stepped into the hall, she suddenly remembered that in her dream, Fu Wanan had greeted her. Although the young girl was pretty, she was not very smart, which made Lin Baozhen dislike her.

Upon entering the hall, Lin Baozhen felt Old Lady Ma take her hand. Her eyes sparkled as she slipped a bracelet off her wrist. "Good, good, my son Yuan has truly married a beautiful wife."