Chapter 85

Chapter 87: The Wedding (Part 1)

She quickly summoned Chunyi and Xiamo. The two went to the bathing chamber to help Lord Xu bathe, while Eleven Miss gathered up some scattered belongings, changed into her sleeping garments, and sat on the bed waiting for Lord Xu.

After a while, Lord Xu emerged with slightly damp hair, pulled a quilt over himself, and lay down on the bed, saying, "Let's sleep soon. We have to go to the palace early tomorrow morning to express our gratitude for the imperial favor!"

To the palace to express gratitude?

Eleven Miss was startled, but then she thought about all the gifts they had received today and realized it was appropriate to go and thank them.

She murmured a soft "Hmm" in response, noticing that Lord Xu had already turned to his side and lay down. Looking at the half of the bed he had left for her, Eleven Miss let out a long sigh.

At least he's not entirely domineering...

She had Dongqing keep watch in the eastern side chamber and waited until Chunyi and Xiamo had finished cleaning the bathing chamber before quietly making her way to the bed.

A total stranger, sharing a bed for the night...

Eleven Miss couldn't help but feel a bit hesitant. Who knows what might happen?

As the thought crossed her mind, her gaze fell on the man.

He was lying with his back to her, slightly curled up, one arm under his head and the other resting naturally at his waist, seemingly deeply asleep.

She composed herself and observed more carefully, noticing that his breathing was long but steady. He was truly asleep!

Eleven Miss couldn't help but exhale in relief, her body relaxing.

But then she felt a bit amused at herself.

Even though this man was a stranger, he had absolute authority over her. If he were to attack her, could she even scream?

As the thought passed, her hesitation gradually faded.

Having lived through two lifetimes, surely she understood what marriage entailed? Since she had already married him, it was like sealing the contract with a handprint. Wasn't it too late to regret now? Wasn't it just hypocritical?

Eleven Miss asked herself, and her heart gradually returned to peace.

She smiled, leaned down gently, and carefully tucked his arm, resting at his waist, under the quilt. Then she turned to extinguish the lamp, pulled another quilt over herself, and quietly lay down next to Lord Xu.

In the darkness, her hearing and sense of smell became sharper.

The faint warmth emanating from Lord Xu and the subtle scent of wine in his breath made her feel a comforting warmth, and sleepiness quickly overcame her.

Tomorrow, we have to express gratitude... I can't make any mistakes... I need to rest well...

In her drowsiness, a strong arm pulled her closer.

Eleven Miss suddenly woke up.

A pair of rough, calloused hands had already slipped beneath her clothes...

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Eleven Miss opened her eyes wide, trying to see what kind of fragrance pouches were hanging at the four corners of the bed curtains.

But no matter how hard she tried, everything remained pitch black.

A gentle hand softly stroked her head.

Eleven Miss instinctively wanted to turn her face away from those hands, but even that small movement made her gasp in surprise.

She had never imagined that such an act could be so painful...

"Could you please call my maid in?" she whispered, seeking Lord Xu's consent.

Lord Xu's body visibly tensed up.

Eleven Miss was in no mood to care about anyone else's feelings.

The recent experience had been truly awful.

One was unable to relax, while the other seemed eager to get it over with...

For a long moment, Lord Xu remained silent.

Never mind! Let's just wait until dawn... Eleven Miss thought to herself, but Lord Xu rustled and sat up.

"I'll go and call your maid in!"

"Thank you," Eleven Miss murmured softly.

Soon, Dongqing came running nervously: "Miss—no, Madam—what's wrong?"

"Fetch me some water; I need to bathe and change clothes." Dongqing looked at her in surprise.

Eleven Miss's patience wore thin: "Is that not possible?"

"No, no, no," Dongqing stammered, flustered. "I'll fetch water for you right away!" The room brightened.

Eleven Miss soaked in the tub for a while, her body gradually relaxing.

After dressing and returning to the inner chamber, she found Lord Xu sitting by the bed, waiting for her.

"Sleep," he said flatly. "We have to rise early tomorrow." Eleven Miss noticed the bedding had been changed.

She nodded and slipped under the quilt, which still carried a faint scent of jasmine.

Later, Eleven Miss dreamed.

She dreamed of being chased by a giant; her legs were short, and she was caught after just a few steps... No matter how she pleaded for mercy, the giant wouldn't relent, then opened its enormous mouth and swallowed her whole. Eleven Miss awoke in a cold sweat.

Lord Xu, lying beside her, was alert and immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she exhaled deeply. "The quilt is too heavy!"

Lord Xu said nothing, got up, and called Dongqing to attend to her. What else could he do?

Eleven Miss smiled bitterly, fetched water to wipe herself down, changed clothes, and lay down to sleep once more.

But she couldn't fall back asleep, listening to the maids outside getting up, making the beds, and washing.

Madam Du emerged from the inner chamber, her smile spreading uncontrollably across her eyes and brows.

She knelt to salute Lord Xu and Eleven Miss: "Congratulations, Marquis, Madam!" Lord Xu nodded.

Eleven Miss somewhat uncomfortably lowered her eyelids.

Madam Du's smile deepened as she collected the white silk that had been spread on the bed the previous night into a carved red lacquer box. Then she had the kitchen send over lotus seed soup.

Lord Xu and Eleven Miss ate the lotus seed soup, after which Lord Xu was "invited" by Madam Du to the main hall, where the full-fortune woman opened Eleven Miss's face, combed her hair into a round bun of a married woman, and inserted the auspicious gold hairpin sent by the Xu family.

Madam Du smiled warmly at the delicate Eleven Miss. "Let's go greet the elder madam."

Eleven Miss, accompanied by her maids, followed Lord Xu to the elder madam's quarters.

Third Lady was helping the elder madam with her tea and, upon seeing Eleven Miss, quickly came out to greet her: "I heard you're heading to the palace to give thanks first, then meeting relatives in the afternoon?"

"Yes!" Eleven Miss nodded with a smile.

Third Lady's eyes showed a hint of envy. "Then you should leave early, so you don't delay the family introductions this afternoon."

Eleven Miss gave a small smile.

Then they watched as Madam Du handed the intricately carved red lacquer box to the elder madam and whispered a few words in her ear. The elder madam's eyes rested on Lord Xu and Eleven Miss, a pleased smile spreading across her face.

Lord Xu and Eleven Miss approached to formally greet the elder madam. As it was their first meeting and the day after their wedding, they respectfully kowtowed three times.

"Please, rise quickly!" The elder madam was all smiles, then took out a carved red lacquer box with birds and flowers as a gift for Eleven Miss. "Here are some pieces from my collection; please take them and wear them."

Since the gift was boxed, Eleven Miss couldn't see what was inside, but she thanked her and accepted it with a smile.

The elder madam smiled and asked Madam Du to escort them out. "Leave early and return soon!"

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Eleven Miss trailed behind Lord Xu as they passed through a south-facing corner gate to the courtyard where they had received the imperial decree the day before. They bypassed a seven-room hall, directly reached the ceremonial gate of the outer courtyard, and then boarded a carriage to the palace.

The Emperor was still in the morning court, so they first went to the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager appeared to be in her mid-thirties, fair and plump, with a very ordinary appearance. If not for the air of superiority she carried, she might easily be mistaken for a common housewife on West Gate Street.

Eleven Miss was slightly taken aback by her appearance.

Lord Xu formally expressed his thanks to the Empress Dowager. However, the Empress Dowager lectured Eleven Miss at length on the importance of a woman's virtue and her duties to her husband.

Eleven Miss stood quietly, hands at her sides, listening intently and reminding herself to remain respectful and humble to avoid displeasing the Empress Dowager.

As she spoke, a maid announced, "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

The Empress Dowager paused and smiled at Lord Xu, "Perfect timing, you won't need to visit the Empress separately."

The Empress appeared to be around Lord Xu's age, of average height with a shapely figure. She shared his large, expressive phoenix eyes and had a sweet smile, making her a striking beauty.

Contrary to expectations, she was warm and approachable.

After paying her respects to the Empress Dowager, she smiled at Eleven Miss. "This must be the bride." Her voice was clear.

Lord Xu respectfully responded, "Yes."

The Empress then smiled. "It must be tiring for you to come to the palace so early to give thanks."

The Empress Dowager smiled. "This reflects well on both the royal family and the Xu family."

The Empress responded with a smile, "Yes."

Lord Xu then thought of the ten hectares of land bestowed by the Emperor, and the topic gradually shifted to the Empress Dowager's brother, the Earl of Shouchang. "...Although Ding kiln products are good, they are not cheap, not something ordinary families can afford, and they have already formed their own school, making it difficult to break into. I think it would be better to find a place in Jingdezhen to open a kiln, the cost is low, and it comes quickly."

The Earl of Shouchang was in the porcelain business for the imperial household.

The Empress Dowager was indeed very interested. "...Tell me more about it!"

Lord Xu began to talk about maritime trade recently. He spoke about buying low and selling high, hiring ships for sea voyages, and underwriting investments... The Empress Dowager was so intrigued that she bluntly asked Lord Xu if he was involved in maritime trade.

"I merely heard about it from others," Lord Xu laughed. "I stayed in the northwest for a long time, and my knees hurt during windy or rainy weather. The imperial physician said it is a symptom of rheumatism and that I need to rest for a few years. So I have been inquiring to see if there is anything to pass the time."

Miss Eleven cast a thoughtful glance at Lord Xu.

The Empress Dowager nodded gravely, "You have been campaigning far and wide all these years; it is time for you to rest for a few years."

Just as they were speaking, the Emperor arrived following the morning court session.

Miss Eleven followed the female officials of Cining Palace (the Empress Dowager's residence) to withdraw to a side chamber.

Some people surreptitiously glanced at her and whispered, "...Did you see, the Yongping Marquis's second wife..."

"She's so young..."

Miss Eleven sat there calmly, allowing them to scrutinize her.

After roughly the duration of two cups of tea, a female official came to lead her to the Empress Dowager: "Her Majesty, the Emperor has left."

The Empress accompanied him.

Lord Xu and Miss Eleven lingered briefly, chatting with the Empress Dowager. After a few moments, they excused themselves, citing the approaching noon, and departed the palace to return to Hehua Lane (their residence).