Chapter 25 “It’s Time for the Wedding Night”

Chapter 25: "Time for the Wedding Chamber"

My father had been swamped lately, but he still remembered my birthday and celebrated with me a day early.

The table was laden with all my favorite dishes and pastries. It had been a long time since we, father and son, had sat together so comfortably, eating and chatting.

Outside the window, the autumn wind had dyed the leaves crimson, hanging brilliantly on the branches, mirroring the distant moonlight like a flowing scarlet river. I raised my glass to the bright moon in the sky and asked my father, "Dad, do you think Mother has been watching over us from heaven all these years?"

My father gazed quietly at the tranquil night sky, where stars glittered and the moon coyly hid behind the clouds. His somber eyes seemed to well up with unshed tears as he said hoarsely, "Silly boy, of course she has. Your mother must have been watching over us, protecting us all along. That’s why we’ve been able to live peacefully all these years."

I looked at my father quietly and suddenly realized that, at some point, his once jet-black temples had been streaked with silver. Even his straight back had become slightly hunched, his expression etched with loneliness—he had already grown old before his time.

But my father was only forty. These changes shouldn’t have happened so soon. When did they begin?

I couldn’t grasp the passage of time, but my nose stung with emotion. In an instant, I saw the indelible marks left by time—it had made me grow taller and older, but it had also transformed my once heroically tall father into a lonely old man.

"Why are you crying all of a sudden?" my father asked, seeing the tears streaming down my face. He patted my head with confusion. "You’re so grown up now, yet you’re still crying like a child."

He teased me, but I only felt sad. I wiped the tears from my face haphazardly and tried to cover it up. "It’s the sand, the sand blew into my eyes. That’s why I’m crying."

"Alright, alright, it’s the sand in your eyes," my father always indulged me unconditionally. No matter what I said or did, he would always smile affectionately, gently pat my head, and say, "Alright, alright."

"Come, let’s have a toast, just the two of us."

My father was in high spirits and raised his glass to me. He rarely drank with me, let alone clinked glasses.

I found it novel and eagerly raised my glass, placing the rim slightly lower than his, and began to make a toast. "Today, as the birthday boy, Feng Muqiu makes a wish: I hope my father stays forever healthy, safe, and happy."

I truly suffered from my lack of education—even my blessings came out stumbling and quite rustic. Fortunately, my father never looked down on me the way Xie Yan did. In his eyes, I was always perfect.

"Alright, alright, don’t just make wishes for your father. Think more about yourself."

I shook my head. "I think everything is fine as it is. Having you, Dad, healthy and by Xiaoqiu’s side is more than enough."

I was already incredibly fortunate to have a father who loved me so much. And now, there was also Xie Yan. Although he was cold and detached, he had recently started to show some warmth. I believed things would only get better in the future.

Whenever I thought about this, I felt that heaven had truly been kind to me. How could a monster like me, an odious jinx, deserve such love and affection?

My father was unusually happy today, downing one strong liquor after another. His gaze drifted into the distance as he suddenly said to me, "Xiaoqiu, when you go to Jiangnan, behave yourself. Don’t cause trouble like you used to."

"You’ve grown up. I can protect you for a while, but I can’t protect you forever. You need to learn to control your temper. Unless someone goes too far, try to be merciful when possible."

I found it very strange. My father had never spoken to me with such compassion before. Although he presented himself as elegant and easygoing in front of others, when it came to me, he was meticulous and never let anyone who hurt me off easily.

But today, his words filled me with an unfamiliar sense of dread. I quickly asked, "Dad, why are you saying this? Is something wrong at court? Are you in danger? Can Xiaoqiu help?"

My questions exploded like a string of firecrackers. I even urgently reached for my father’s hand, but he gently patted mine and smiled unnaturally, slowly explaining, "Silly boy, I’m just worried you might get into trouble or be taken advantage of outside. What nonsense are you thinking?"

"Really?" I was somewhat skeptical. "Dad, don’t hide things from me. I’m nineteen now. I can share your burden, and I’ll listen to you and not cause trouble anymore. I can also help you with whatever is troubling you."

"Don’t bear all the pressure alone."

"My Xiaoqiu has grown up after all."

My father’s loving gaze fell on my face, as if he were seeing my mother through me. He sighed deeply. "It’s been nineteen years since your mother left me."

I didn’t know what it felt like to lose someone you loved, but as I looked at my father, I could faintly sense the longing in his heart for my mother.

Nineteen years ago, on this very night, he lost my mother—the woman he loved most in his life. She died because of me, yet he raised me with immense hardship.

What could I possibly repay him with? I couldn’t even avoid causing him trouble. My face, so similar to my mother’s, only made him more sorrowful.

Thinking of this, I suppressed the guilt and regret in my heart and, as usual, threw my entire body against my father, being clingy. "Dad, don’t be sad. If Mother knew you were so sad, she would be heartbroken in heaven too."

Whenever my mother was mentioned, my father would immediately come back to life. He wiped his tears with his sleeve and smiled at me. "I’m not sad. I can’t let your mother know I cried. She had a bad temper—she would definitely scold me from heaven."

"Right, right." I nodded, clinging to my father like a sticky plaster, and assured him, "I understand what you said, Dad, and I’ll remember it. I won’t cause trouble or fight anymore. Besides, you’ll always be there for me. Even if I’m in Jiangnan, I believe you’ll come to rescue me immediately."

"You," my father sighed at my behavior, which never stayed well-behaved for more than three seconds, and patted my head. "You’re so grown up, yet you still cling to your father like this. When I was your age, you could already run errands on the street."

"Feng Muqiu is forever three years old! I’ll always cling to Dad! I’ll always cling to Dad!" I knew exactly how to act spoiled and mischievous in front of my father, making him laugh joyfully. I then asked, "Dad, when will you come to Jiangnan to be with me?"

"Once things settle down, I’ll go to Jiangnan to bring you back."

"Okay, Dad, you can’t lie to me. Pinky promise with Xiaoqiu. Come on, Dad." I became very childish in front of my father, forcing him to pinky promise with me. "If you break your promise, your nose will grow long."

"Alright, it’s getting late. Go back to your room and rest. I’m going to the ancestral hall to talk to your mother." The moment my father thought of my mother, he showed no attachment to me and left breezily.

His figure disappeared into the quiet, tree-lined path, flanked by dangling wisteria blossoms. As he walked, the hem of his clothes brushed against the fluttering petals, filling his sleeves with their fragrance.

I stared blankly at his receding figure. It was this broad back that had carried my frail self through my childhood, giving me endless warmth.

Now, walking alone, I could feel the immense loneliness he carried. I wanted to chase after him but suddenly realized that his destination wasn’t me—it was my mother.

Only my mother could give him comfort. She was where his heart belongs, while I was not. I was just his immature, wayward child who worried him endlessly.

I drank some more wine alone under the moonlight, estimating that Xie Yan would arrive soon, and hurried back to my room to change clothes.

Everything in the room had been personally arranged and purchased by me. I still remembered the scornful looks from the shopkeeper and the whispers of others when I went to buy the wedding candles and robes.

They hid in the shadows, calling me a "male prostitute" and saying I was a monster—a monster who liked men—and that I had the audacity to seduce the Crown Prince shamelessly.

I ignored them and asked the shopkeeper to wrap my purchases. But no matter how many times I called out, the shopkeeper didn’t respond. He merely glanced at me disdainfully and continued with his work.

"Shopkeeper, I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?" I asked, my tone turning harsh due to his disrespectful attitude.

Only then did the shopkeeper stop what he was doing, lazily looking at me and curling his lip dismissively. "Understood. How could I dare disobey the Crown Princess’s orders?"

The moment the words "Crown Princess" were uttered, my mind reeled. My fingers twisted tightly into the hem of my clothes, and I was speechless for a long time.

Rumors spread like wildfire in the streets. I had prepared myself to endure everyone’s mockery when I was at the Crown Prince’s residence. But when it actually happened, I didn’t know how to bear it. I clenched my fists tightly, unaware that my sharp nails were digging deeply into my palms.

"Hahaha, the Crown Princess? He’s just a male prostitute who offered himself up—nothing more than the Crown Prince’s cast-off shoes."

"With that look, you can tell he’s not someone who’ll stay quiet."

"Hey, don’t say that. Be careful his father hears. His father is the Prime Minister."

"So what if he’s the Prime Minister? With a good-for-nothing son like that who chases after men, instead of disowning him, he spoils him. Spoiled fathers raise spoiled sons."

I didn’t call my guards to beat up those gossiping behind my back as I usually would.

I felt weary and fearful. If the matter reached the Emperor, Xie Yan would be implicated, and my father would lose face. I could only endure it, biting my lower lip so hard that I could taste blood in my mouth, but I didn’t make a sound.

"Here." The shopkeeper handed me the wedding robe. I quickly reached out to take it, wanting to leave this unpleasant place as soon as possible. But his hand slipped, and my wedding robe fell to the ground, covered in dust.

"I really, really didn’t do it on purpose. You won’t blame me, will you?"

The shopkeeper exaggeratedly covered his mouth, pretending to tremble fearfully. I said nothing, simply brushed the dust off the robe and headed for the door.

"Hahaha, he's usually so arrogant and domineering, but now he's like a scared turtle, haha."

"I just saw his eyes were red, that pitiful look—what man wouldn’t be captivated? Even our usually aloof Crown Prince couldn't resist his beauty."

"The Crown Prince is just playing with him. Why wouldn’t he take someone who comes offering to warm the bed, especially one so stunningly beautiful? If he were given to me, I’d lock him up so no one else could see him."

"I really want to see what he’s like in bed—if he’d look as tearful as he did just now, with tears as beautiful as pearls. Ah, I can’t stand it anymore. I need to hurry to the Southern Wind Pavilion to find a performer to cool this heat."

The voices behind me never ceased. All kinds of crude, vulgar remarks fell on my ears, making me wish I could bite off my own tongue. But I couldn’t cause trouble. I couldn’t bring trouble to my father or Xie Yan. I could only endure.

Fortunately, the wedding robes looked passable on me. At least today there was one thing to be happy about.

I hadn’t prepared wedding robes for Xie Yan. I didn’t think he would like it. I had considered preparing one for him, but I was afraid of hearing his rejection. His refusal would hurt me more than the insults from others.

I was afraid he would say no to me, afraid that my sincerity would vanish in an instant. So I only prepared one for myself. That way, it would be my own choice to become his wife. Xie Yan wouldn’t feel any burden, and I wouldn’t have to anxiously await his reaction.

I wore wedding robes in the men’s style—a bright red ceremonial gown woven with mandala flowers, which made the small mole at the corner of my eye seem even more alluring.

Today, I didn’t tie up my hair, letting my dark hair flowed down. I stood gracefully before the mirror. The person in the bronze mirror had dark, clear eyes, vivid red lips, and hair flowing like clouds around my face. The striking red accentuated my snow-white skin and slender waist.

I thought it looked quite satisfactory. I hoped Xie Yan would like it.

I pasted the double-happiness character on the window lattice, lit the red candles, changed the bedding to a festive red, and even blushed while placing some peanuts, red dates, and other nuts on the bedding.

This was a wedding custom I’d heard about before—they say placing these will bring the blessing of children. I didn’t know if it was true, but I did it for good luck, not because I actually wanted to have children with Xie Yan.

I hadn’t told Xie Yan about my birthday, planning to surprise him. But tonight, Xie Yan was unusually late.

Usually, he would already be in my room by nightfall. But now, even as the tree branches outside the window were filled with cawing crows, I still hadn’t seen any sign of Xie Yan.

I waited on the soft couch, reading storybooks until the third watch sounded. I was starting to doze off when Xie Yan finally slipped in through the window. His cool gray eyes flickered with confusion when he saw the festive decorations in the room. "What's all this?"

I was too embarrassed to tell him what I was thinking. I just stood up from the couch, took two quick steps, and hugged him, murmuring, "Why are you so late today?"

Hearing my question, his body stiffened almost imperceptibly. Then, pretending nothing was wrong, he kissed my forehead and said lightly, "The Emperor summoned me to discuss matters today."

"Oh," I wasn’t very interested in court affairs. I just pulled away from his embrace, turned in front of him, and asked rather proudly, "Xie Yan, how do I look today?"

Xie Yan didn’t answer. His deep phoenix eyes seemed to ignite, his burning gaze falling on my slightly open collar and cinched waist. With a long arm, he pulled me into his embrace and said hoarsely, "Wedding robes?"

His hot breath brushed faintly against my ear, turning it red. Only then did I start to feel shy. My voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. "Will you marry me?"

Xie Yan clearly heard me but pretended not to, nuzzling my ear and feigning ignorance, asking, "What?"

This made me a little angry. I struggled out of his arms and paced around the room, pointing out all the things I had prepared.

I pointed to the red double-happiness character by the window, then guided him to look at the flickering red candles on the desk, and finally pointed to the nuptial wine on the table. I lifted my chin slightly and said, "Today happens to be this young master’s nineteenth birthday. I’ve made a big decision. I’ve decided to marry you. Are you willing?"

I was so nervous my palms were sweating, but I had to act casual, looking arrogantly at Xie Yan’s expression.

I thought he would laugh coldly at me for being delusional, mock me like those vulgar commoners for overstepping. But he didn’t.

He stood there gracefully, his ivory-white robes making him look as elegant as jade, as ethereal as an immortal. The cold moonlight shone on his face, blurring the line between dream and reality.

His deep gray eyes held mine, like a quietly flowing river reflecting my image—bright red robes, pale skin, dark hair, biting my lower lip hard.

He said softly to me, "Yes."

Instantly, my mind lit up with countless fireworks. I felt so dizzy with joy I didn’t know if I was in an illusory beautiful dream or reality. It wasn’t until Xie Yan walked up to me, his cool kiss landing on my lips, his strong arm tightly encircling my waist, that I realized—this wasn’t a dream.

Xie Yan kissed me with focus. His thick eyelashes were tinged with the soft moonlight, casting fan-like shadows. His jade-white face was as cold as the snow on the mountains, like a jade Buddha gazing down upon mortals from a temple.

I secretly traced his elegant brows, his tall nose, even his cool, firm lips with my eyes.

I once thought gods only existed in dreams. If I did something disrespectful to a god in a dream, I would be punished. But I didn’t know that gods also have love and desire—everything is an indulgence of his favor.

The moon of my heart had finally fallen into my arms.

Overjoyed, I sat quietly on Xie Yan’s lap, breathing lightly. Every kiss was a test for me, who never learned to breathe during kisses. But Xie Yan was different. He always kissed me with a cold expression. If it weren’t for the fire in his eyes, I would have thought he was unmoved.

It was already late at night. The autumn wind rustled the leaves, and the shadows of the trees fell through the window into the empty space. My shallow breathing was especially obvious in the silence.

Xie Yan was never one for words. His hand gently patted my back, his long eyelashes fluttering as his gaze fell on the nuptial wine on the table.

I was the one who proposed marriage, but in my excitement, I had forgotten the proper procedures. It wasn’t until Xie Yan asked me, "Where’s the bridal veil?"

"Ah, oh," I replied belatedly, "I couldn’t buy one on the street today."

Actually, the shopkeepers weren’t willing to sell to me. They whispered behind my back, calling me indecent. Thinking of this, I bit my lower lip hard, a displeased expression on my face.

Xie Yan seemed a little regretful. He sighed softly and reached out with his long fingers to free my lip from my teeth. "We’ll get one next time."

"Next time for what?" I asked urgently, but he pressed his lips together, unwilling to answer. He just glanced at me with his gray eyes, as if I were asking something obvious. His ears turned slightly red as he handed me the nuptial wine from the table.

"Once you drink this, you can’t go back on your word."

His tone was light, but his sharp phoenix eyes stared at me like a wolf eyeing its prey, full of raw desire.

His look, as if he wanted to devour me whole, made my heart skip a beat. I could only say meekly, "I—I wouldn’t dare go back on my word."

"What if you do?"

Xie Yan’s voice was full of distrust, as if remembering our previous unpleasantness. He slammed the nuptial wine down on the table with a bang, then fiercely pinched my face, forcing me to look up at him.

He looked menacing, like a tyrant bullying the common people. "If you go back on your word again, what should happen?"

I wasn’t as strong as him. My face hurt from his pinching, and I couldn’t help but tear up.

I knew he was holding a grudge over our last breakup, afraid I would back out again. I could only raise three fingers to swear, my words muffled by his grip. "If—if there’s a next time, I’ll accept any punishment."

"Any punishment?"

His narrow phoenix eyes burned with intense fire. Even the hand pinching my cheek slowly moved to my neck, gently rubbing it. His cool fingertips felt like a snake’s flickering tongue, making my skin shiver.

Xie Yan was warning me—if I backed out again like last time, he would grind my bones to dust or devour me until nothing remained. The thought made me tremble all over. I could only nod desperately. "No, I won’t go back on my word."

"How can you guarantee it?"

He still didn’t believe me. His fingertips moved from my neck to my lips, forcefully entering my mouth, stirring my tongue until it felt sore and swollen, even disrupting my breathing.

I could only shakily reach for that cup of nuptial wine. Seeing this, Xie Yan withdrew his hand and looked at me coldly, as if waiting for me to prove my loyalty.

I had no choice but to pour the nuptial wine into my mouth, clutch Xie Yan’s lapel, and lean in.

He glanced down at me lazily but didn’t refuse my kiss. Instead, he gently held my waist and kissed me back more deeply, stealing my breath away.

After drinking the nuptial wine, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything about entering the bridal chamber. For once, I docilely stayed in Xie Yan’s arms, quiet as a kitten.

Xie Yan’s hand occasionally brushed my ear, gently kneading my earlobe until my ears and face were flushed red. Then he suddenly leaned close to my ear, kissed it, and said hoarsely, "It’s time for the bridal chamber."

"Author’s Note:"

I’ll chip in for the gift money—200 from me.

Dear moderators, there are no descriptions below the neck. Please don’t misunderstand.