Chapter 95: Husband

Chapter 95: Husband

Qiu Huanian's palms grew warm.

A stream of heat emanated from where their skin touched, rushing through his entire body, reaching his eyes, where a surge of sourness welled up.

This was the greatest romance Du Yunse had given him, and what made it even more romantic was that every word he spoke was without any pretense or exaggeration, all stemming from truth and sincerity.

Qiu Huanian took a small breath.

"Alright."

Du Yunse smiled, like frost melting on bamboo leaves.

"Brother Hua, wait for me here tonight. Tomorrow at the auspicious hour, I will come to fetch you."

Qiu Huanian softly hummed in agreement, "Did you buy this small courtyard?"

"Yes, Jiu Jiu will come to accompany you later."

Jiu Jiu was Du Yunse's younger sister, but she was also the sister Qiu Huanian had taken care of along the way.

Having severed ties with the Qiu family, Jiu Jiu came to act as his family.

For the sake of the wedding procession steps, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse had to spend the night apart before the wedding.

As Du Yunse left, walking from the main house to the outer gate, he couldn't help but look back several times.

Each pause lasted a little longer.

Qiu Huanian leaned against the door frame, unable to suppress a smile.

"Go on, you need to conserve your energy for tomorrow's big day as the groom."

After speaking, his face flushed, and he closed the door with a snap.

Du Yunse looked at the tightly shut door, his heart also burning with warmth.

Not long after, Jiu Jiu arrived with Coral.

Qiu Huanian pinched her cheek.

"Jiu Jiu has really grown up, even managing to keep it a secret from me."

Jiu Jiu smiled, "Brother said he wanted to give Brother Hua a surprise, so of course we had to keep it well hidden."

"Brother Hua, come see, the wedding attire and jewelry for tomorrow's ceremony were all carefully chosen by us."

"Originally, following the wedding customs, we should have prepared a dowry for Brother Hua. But Brother said that everything in the house belongs to Brother Hua, so there's no need to separate a dowry, as it would only make it seem less."

"So I brought Brother Hua's money box over."

Jiu Jiu carried out a large wooden box made of walnut.

Qiu Huanian was not strict about money; he trusted everyone in the household. Everyone knew where the household money was kept, but they usually didn't touch it.

Inside the large wooden box were the deeds to the houses and fields in Du Village, the deeds to two properties in Xiangping Prefecture, the deeds to estates and shops in the prefectural city and the capital, and even the thirty acres of land recently granted to Du Yunse by the emperor.

Additionally, there were eight hundred taels of silver notes, the earnings from Qiu's Six Staples shop over the past six months combined with the rewards received.

Jiu Jiu said to Qiu Huanian, "Everything has been registered at the government office, all of it is Brother Hua's dowry."

Feelings are mutual. Qiu Huanian treats Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng almost selflessly, giving the two children a strong sense of security and confidence, so they don't worry about money.

The family's money was earned bit by bit by Brother Hua, and giving it all to him as a dowry, Chun Sheng and Jiu Jiu have no other thoughts.

After all, Brother Hua will never treat them badly.

Qiu Huanian looked at his family's assets and smiled as he closed the money box.

"Without realizing it, the family has become so wealthy."

Although it certainly can't compare to those big families, compared to ordinary wealthy households, it's not lacking in anything.

Previously, Du Yunse was a nobleman from a poor family, but now, in terms of family background, among the scholars, he is also among the upper tier.

Qiu Huanian asked, "How did you send out the invitations? I didn't hear a thing about it."

"Those who needed to be formally invited were invited separately long ago, the rest were sent invitations today. Brother's idea was that it doesn't matter if they come or not, as long as everyone knows about your wedding banquet tomorrow."

Qiu Huanian couldn't help but laugh, this is quite in line with Du Yunse's style of doing things.

Important matters are arranged early, and unimportant ones are not given much thought.

"Who did you invite in advance?"

"Brother Hua, guess?"

"The Zhu brothers, Xinbai, Aunt and Second Aunt, the Shu family of three, Wei Li, Yuan Ruo and Yuan Jia, Bing Qi and Bing Ba..."

Qiu Huanian listed his acquaintances and friends in the city, he had met many people in the past half year.

"No wonder the last time I went to the Zhu family to see Xinbai, he surprisingly pulled me to look at jewelry designs for a long time."

Jiu Jiu laughed, "Brother Xinbai was the first to know, these days we managed to keep it from you, thanks to his help, often inviting you to the Zhu family to chat, giving us the opportunity to arrange things."

"Brother Hua guessed all the people who were invited in advance, but guessed too few, half are missing."

"Half? That exaggerated?"

Jiu Jiu was mysterious, obviously not wanting to say more.

Qiu Huanian simply laughed, "Then I'll wait for the surprise tomorrow."

That night, Qiu Huanian slept alone in a strange room, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Thinking that tomorrow night would be the moment when spring night is worth a thousand gold, he rolled over with the quilt and buried his face in the pillow.

Besides nervousness, there was more anticipation and excitement.

But these things couldn't be told to a little girl like Jiu Jiu, Qiu Huanian had to digest them alone.

The next day, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, Qiu Huanian was groggily awakened.

He instinctively wanted to call out to Du Yunse, but after a second, he realized where he was now.

Meng Yuanling and Su Xinbai arrived soon, and Wei Li also came from the village to help.

Su Xinbai was over five months pregnant, already showing, and was carefully supported by Dian Mo as she sat down in the room.

Others were bustling around, helping Qiu Huanian change into his wedding attire, comb his hair, and apply light makeup.

The natural red mole on the forehead of a young man was the best adornment. Qiu Huanian, with his red lips, white teeth, and smooth complexion, didn’t need much makeup. Wei Li simply brushed a light touch of powder on his face with a brush—just for the sake of ceremony.

The two main houses were not far apart. After changing clothes and finishing the decorations, there was still some time before the auspicious hour. Qiu Huanian gathered his sleeves, lifted the hem of his robe, and carefully sat down on a chair, afraid of damaging the exquisite and luxurious wedding attire.

Meng Yuanling, feeling bold, vowed to tease Qiu Huanian today.

"Brother Hua, when Brother Yun Se comes to fetch you later, how many challenges should we set for him?"

"What if it’s too hard, and he can’t pass? What if he can’t marry our Brother Hua?"

Qiu Huanian smiled and said, "Try making it impossible for him. I’m looking forward to it."

Meng Yuanling, "..."

—It’s going to be hard, but for himself.

Su Xinbai couldn’t help but laugh.

Qiu Huanian looked at him, "Are you feeling well today? Is it okay for you to leave so early?"

Su Xinbai shook his head, "I’ve been much better this month. I definitely had to come for your wedding banquet."

After chatting for a while, the grand sound of wedding music finally came from outside the courtyard wall.

Coral ran out and peeked through the door crack.

"He’s here, he’s here! The groom has arrived!"

Firecrackers crackled at the courtyard gate, one burst after another, lasting for a long time.

Qiu Huanian placed the fully embroidered red veil over his head, and his vision darkened. He could only see his hands resting on his knees.

He heard Du Yunse’s voice outside, and his heart began to race.

The challenges for fetching the bride had been agreed upon earlier by Meng Yuanling and the others. There were literary tasks like composing poems and essays, martial tasks like throwing arrows into a pot and archery, and miscellaneous activities like drinking, answering questions, and solving riddles.

The courtyard gate was wide open, and the commotion had attracted countless neighbors to watch.

As a versatile warrior, Du Yunse faced no obstacle that could stop him along the way.

Seeing him advance effortlessly, many people cheered and applauded.

Dressed in the same bright red wedding attire, Du Yunse finally walked into the room and stood before the veiled Qiu Huanian, showing a hint of nervousness.

Qiu Huanian’s voice came from under the veil.

"I have one last challenge here. Pass it, and you can fetch me."

"Please, Huanian, go ahead."

At this point, even if it meant climbing mountains of swords or descending into seas of fire, he wouldn’t back down.

Qiu Huanian extended his fair and delicate hands.

Du Yunse understood and grasped his hand, disregarding any formalities.

"I ask you, who am I?"

The question was abrupt and left everyone puzzled, but Du Yunse seemed to have an inkling of understanding.

Du Yunse tightened his grip, firmly holding onto the person before him.

"You are Qiu Huanian, the one I first met on the eve of Qingming last year, the man I am marrying today."

Qiu Huanian responded with a smile, acknowledging that he had passed the test.

Meng Yuanling muttered softly, "Such a simple question, what is all this about?"

Su Xinbai smiled, "They naturally have their own language that only they understand."

Du Yunse lifted the hem of his robe, turned around, and squatted down. Meng Yuanling, Wei Li, and Jiu Jiu helped Qiu Huanian onto his back.

Previously, Du Yunse had often carried Qiu Huanian, but this was the first time he was formally carrying him on his back.

Du Yunse's shoulders were broad, and Qiu Huanian lay steadily on his back, his fingertips peeking out from the sleeves of his wedding robe, clutching at Du Yunse's chest.

Amidst the sounds of celebration and congratulations, Du Yunse carried Qiu Huanian out of the courtyard, and the firecrackers rang out once again.

Chun Sheng, after lighting the firecrackers, ran to Jiu Jiu's side, chuckling. The siblings handed out wedding candies to the onlookers along the way.

Qiu Huanian was helped into the bridal sedan, and Du Yunse held his hand for a few seconds before reluctantly letting go.

The journey from the small house to the main house was only a few minutes, and soon the wedding procession arrived home.

Following tradition, Qiu Huanian stepped out of the bridal sedan, crossed the fire basin and the saddle, and together with Du Yunse, each holding one end of a large red silk flower, they proceeded to the main hall for the wedding ceremony.

With no direct elders present, the altar in the main hall bore the tablets of Du Yunse's parents and Mei Xueer.

Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian synchronized their bows to heaven and earth, then to their parents, and finally, facing each other, they bowed deeply.

For the rest of their lives, no matter the storms or the bountiful harvests, they would walk hand in hand.

...

After the ceremony, Qiu Huanian did not stay in the room for long. Once Du Yunse personally removed the veil, they both stepped out.

They were holding a belated wedding banquet, not truly entering for the first time, so there were not as many strict formalities.

Both courtyards were filled with seats, and even the small courtyard Qiu Huanian had just left was set up. Guests who couldn't find a seat here were led over there to enjoy the feast.

Qiu Huanian saw many familiar faces in the courtyard and finally understood what Jiu Jiu meant by "half are missing."

"Auntie Fuyue, Auntie Qiuyan, Sister Liuhua, Xia Xing, and you brought Yun Kang and Youge... Why are you all here?"

Meng Fuyue smiled and said, "When Yunse sent the letter to the village announcing the good news, he mentioned this and invited us to the city to witness the ceremony."

"The village has finished the autumn harvest, and it's the slack farming season. After discussing, we all thought we couldn't miss your big day, so we came together."

Youge, now over four years old, had been well cared for in the past year, looking plump and fair, with no trace of the near-starvation he had suffered under Zhao.

Qiu Huanian touched the little tuft of hair on Youge's head.

"Do you remember me, Youge?"

"It's the big brother who has candies at home."

Wei Liuhua patted her young lad, "Look at this child."

Qiu Huanian smiled, "Big brother has even more candies now. Youge, stay a few more days and try them all."

Jiu Jiu and their close friends were invited in advance. Together with relatives and friends from Du Village and the city, there were about thirty to forty people. The rest only learned about the news yesterday after receiving the invitations.

The two courtyards combined had a total of fifty tables, barely enough to accommodate the wedding guests.

The wedding invitations were sent out on a large scale only yesterday afternoon, so many families couldn't adjust their schedules in time to attend in person.

However, the message was delivered, and gifts had to be sent. Du Yunse, the newly minted Jieyuan, was highly sought after. At least, servants were sent with gifts by everyone who received an invitation.

Jiu Jiu was in charge of overseeing these matters, and the place for recording gifts was busy all day.

The long lists of gifts left Meng Fuyue, Wei Liuhua, and others wide-eyed. Although they had known that Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian's family's situation was different from before, seeing it firsthand still amazed them.

However, after deducting the gifts Qiu Huanian had previously sent out and those that would need to be reciprocated in the future, the actual amount left in hand wasn't particularly large.

A wedding that was the talk of the entire city proceeded smoothly, and by evening, the guests began to leave.

Several elders who were already married and had children, following the custom, prepared the wedding bed, said auspicious words, and then quietly closed the door, leaving the time and space entirely to the affectionate newlyweds.

Inside, the red candles burned brightly, and the pink gauze curtains exuded a spring-like atmosphere.

Du Yunse's Adam's apple bobbed as he walked over to Qiu Huanian and began to undo his wedding attire.

"This outfit is too heavy. Brother Hua has been wearing it all day; take it off and rest."

Qiu Huanian pressed his hand.

"Is it really just to let me rest?"

Du Yunse smiled without answering, his eyes filled with desire, tightly enveloping Qiu Huanian.

They removed their outer garments and decorations, clinked their cups lightly, and drank the strong wedding wine from connected cups.

Step by step, they walked to the edge of the kang, now draped with red gauze curtains and covered with a large red wedding quilt, and sat down.

Du Yunse's exceptionally handsome face took on a different kind of charm at this moment, like a devil disguised as a deity, tempting Qiu Huanian to fall, making him instinctively tense and his mouth dry.

He cleared his throat, trying to grasp a bit of initiative.

"Yun Se, you haven't practiced this before, have you?"

Du Yunse slowly raised an eyebrow, "Has Brother Hua practiced it?"

"Of course not!" Qiu Huanian struggled to suppress the heat on his face.

It's the wedding night, what's wrong with being bold?

"But we're at home now, you have to listen to me." Qiu Huanian tried to make himself sound more confident.

Du Yunse lowered his eyelids and curled the corner of his mouth.

"Then Brother Hua, teach me."

Teach, teach...

Qiu Huanian's mind flashed with countless explosive theoretical knowledge that was not meant to be shared with outsiders.

His heart raced as he actively moved forward in the dim candlelight, lifting his leg to straddle Du Yunse, pressing closely against the other's waist and abdomen.

Both of them were left with only a thin layer of inner clothing, and Qiu Huanian could feel the other's scorching skin.

Du Yunse's lips carried a smile as he gazed at Qiu Huanian, like a proud white wolf, indulgingly waiting for his next move.

Qiu Huanian reached out to open Du Yunse's collar.

His fingers trailed down.

Qiu Huanian's body paused, and he shivered unexpectedly.

Du Yunse suddenly grabbed his wrist, and after a dizzying turn, firmly encircled Qiu Huanian in his arms.

Du Yunse's breathing was rapid, his skin glistening with sweat, showing no trace of his usual noble demeanor.

Qiu Huanian wasn't afraid; instead, he curled his lips, wrapped his arms around Du Yunse's neck, and deliberately breathed softly into his ear.

"Husband, it's our wedding night, what are we waiting for?"

"Ah..."

Clothes were torn off, and kisses as dense as if they wanted to take everything away fell continuously.

Qiu Huanian's eardrums were struck by the intense sound of his heartbeat.

He whimpered softly, the line from his jaw to his neck forming a beautiful and fragile arc, like a white swan stretching its neck. Du Yunse's arms tightly held him, as if wanting to merge him into his very bones and blood.

Qiu Huanian scratched and clawed at Du Yunse's back, leaving deep and shallow marks.

Du Yunse, feeling heartache, slowed down, but Qiu Huanian urged him on.

After a long while, Du Yunse's last bit of rationality wanted to pull out, but Qiu Huanian wouldn't let him leave.

His voice was intermittent, soft and sticky, like fine feathers brushing against the skin.

"You've... taken the medicine."

"The first time..."

"...let it in."

Du Yunse leaned down to kiss his lips, blocking all words, making the person in his arms completely imbued with his own scent.

Qiu Huanian, exhausted, curled up in Du Yunse's arms, feeling like a melted custard bun.

The two embraced quietly for a while, and Du Yunse got up to fetch hot water to clean Qiu Huanian.

But Qiu Huanian wrapped himself around Du Yunse with both hands and feet.

"The night is still long, let's do it again, husband." He now called it out with great ease.

Du Yunse's eyes were deep, with a brewing desire that was startling.

"Your body hasn't fully recovered yet." His voice was hoarse and sensual.

"Just for tonight, let's indulge." Qiu Huanian, having tasted the sweetness, cooed, "You checked my body just now, didn't you? If you didn't check thoroughly, check again."

The last thread of rationality in Du Yunse's mind snapped.

He leaned down, pressing his naturally seductive little fox beneath him once more.

All night, the brocade quilt was tossed in red waves, and the loving mandarin ducks slept with their necks entwined.

...