Chapter 109

Chapter 109

Back in the carriage, Jiang Mo cried hard, and Chen Yingchou soothed her gently, "If you want to find Lord Jiang, I’ll send someone to search for him immediately. A Mo, seeing you cry like this makes me nervous."

Jiang Mo leaned against Chen Yingchou’s shoulder. "No need. I understand Father’s intentions. Father is only skilled in woodworking, not much of a writer, doesn’t know the ways of officialdom and commerce, and lacking in strategy. As a royal relative, his position can’t be too low, but he fears being unfit for the position and, even more, being dragged into court conflicts and exploited to cause me trouble. All along, Father only wanted to be a minor clerk in the Ministry of Works, living a peaceful life. This time, he didn’t want to return to the capital with me. Actually, it’s for the better—he can live more freely."

"A Mo, are you worried that Lord Jiang and his family aren’t living well?"

Jiang Mo looked up at him, sighed, and nodded.

Chen Yingchou thought for a moment. "Then how about this: we send people to find them but don’t disturb them. When you want to see them, you can take a distant look without letting Lord Jiang know. I’ll also have people protect them secretly. What do you think, my lady?"

Jiang Mo broke into a smile through her tears. "Of course, that sounds wonderful." She kissed Chen Yingchou on the cheek. "I have the best husband."

Chen Yingchou smiled indulgently. "Then can your husband ask for a reward?"

"What reward does my dear husband want?"

"Tonight we’ll stay at the town of Mancheng just ahead. Get a good night’s sleep, and you’ll know tomorrow."

Jiang Mo poked Chen Yingchou’s cheek. "Alright, I’ll do exactly as my husband arranges."

At the inn, Chen Yingchou lulled Jiang Mo to sleep, then sneaked out of bed and left with several guards.

The next morning, when Jiang Mo woke up and didn’t see Chen Yingchou, she opened the door to find a group of women standing outside—some young, some old.

"Oh my, you’re the bride! You’re so beautiful. I’m the bride’s escort."

"I’m here to comb the bride’s hair."

"I’m here to do the bride’s makeup."

"And the rest of us are here to bring the bride good luck and cheer."

Jiang Mo looked at the guard beside her. "What’s going on?"

Just as the guard was about to answer, two more guards ran up from downstairs, one carrying a phoenix coronet and red wedding gown, the other holding gold and silver jewelry.

Without asking, Jiang Mo had a good idea of what was happening.

"My lady, the lord said that on this day last year, he didn’t know who he was marrying, and he feels great regret. Today, he wants to make up for that regret."

Jiang Mo couldn’t even remember what day she had been married by proxy. She only recalled that she had been confined by Duke Qingguo to a suburban courtyard for training on the tenth day of the tenth lunar month. After that, her life was out of her hands, and she was manipulated until the day she married into the prince’s mansion—she had been scared and anxious, never paying attention to the exact date.

"What day is it today?"

The escort said, "Oh my, new bride, how can you not even know your own wedding date? Today is the twenty-fifth day of the eleventh month. And what does your soon-to-be husband do? Is he from some martial arts sect? How come he has so many sword-wielding subordinates? You know, last night he dragged us out of our beds with his men. If it weren’t for the generous amount of silver he gave, I wouldn’t have come."

"Mrs. Chen, it’s not because of the silver for me. I just love seeing true lovers get married. I would have come even without the silver."

"I’m not just here for the silver either. We’re all fortunate people here in Mancheng—with children and living parents. Since this girl has no relatives, and she’s getting married, they asked us to be her family for good luck. We earn silver and accumulate virtue. I’m more than willing."

"Oh, I was just saying that. Of course, I’m very willing too."

The guard glanced at the water clock. "Hurry up, the wedding procession will arrive soon."

At that, they immediately began dressing and adorning Jiang Mo.

Sitting before the bronze mirror, Jiang Mo felt a flood of emotions. Unlike her feelings on the day she was married by proxy last year, today her heart was as joyful as grass brushed by a warm wind in the fields, as light as a dragonfly fluttering over that grass—bright and leaping.

Amidst the chatter of the women, Jiang Mo completed her bridal attire.

Although the makeup and hairstyle were not as exquisite as that day, she felt that today she was truly the bride.

Firecrackers sounded outside the window, and people both inside and outside the inn gathered to watch.

The women covered her with a red bridal veil and helped her into the bridal sedan chair.

Along the way, there was music and fanfare, and the sedan chair stopped in front of a residence.

"Bride, step out—"

Jiang Mo lifted the sedan curtain and, under her red veil, saw Chen Yingchou’s outstretched hand. "A Mo, take my hand."

She placed her hand into his warm, dry palm. Her cold fingers were enveloped, and a wave of warmth traveled from her fingertips through her entire body. In this cold winter month, her heart felt like spring.

She stepped over the brazier, crossed the saddle, and bowed to Heaven and Earth.

There were no guests to witness the ceremony, nor was there a banquet. When the words "The ceremony is complete" came from the officiant’s mouth, the women who had followed to watch the excitement urged them into the main courtyard’s bridal chamber, then slammed the door shut.

"Groom, an hour of spring night is worth a thousand gold. Don’t waste it. We wish you a long life together."

The voices outside faded, but faint rustling could still be heard—the women were probably still there, eavesdropping by the door.

Through the veil, Chen Yingchou said, "A Mo, it’s time to lift the veil and drink the nuptial wine."

He led Jiang Mo to the bed, lifted the red veil with the auspicious rod.

Even though Jiang Mo’s face was deeply engraved in his heart, he still felt a tremor of excitement. "My lady, you are truly beautiful."

Jiang Mo met Chen Yingchou’s eyes, which were like stars. She couldn’t help but recall that day of the proxy wedding, when she didn’t dare to lift her head. Now, her gaze roamed freely over his face. "My husband, you are truly handsome."

She leaned forward and gently kissed his eyes. "I must thank these eyes for once being blind."

If Chen Yingchou hadn’t lost his sight, she wouldn’t have married him by proxy.

"A Mo, do you know that these eyes were healed by you?"

If it hadn’t been for his desire to live a long life with Jiang Mo, he wouldn’t have dared to seek treatment.

Chen Yingchou picked up the wine cups and laughed with a sigh. "I recall that day I was very reluctant to drink the nuptial wine."

Jiang Mo took one cup from him. "That day, I was reluctant too."

Chen Yingchou looked deeply at her. "And today?"

Jiang Mo looped her arm around his without hesitation. Seeing Chen Yingchou still unmoving, she deliberately said, "What? Is my answer not clear enough? Or are you unwilling to drink the nuptial wine with me?"

Chen Yingchou hastily drank his wine. "Your husband is more than willing."

Jiang Mo also drank, then smiled. "My husband is so easy to tease."

She took the cup from his hand and placed it on the bedside table, then rose and walked to the bronze mirror. She removed the heavy phoenix coronet, examined

Jiang Mo immediately turned her head and said, "No. Because if I were dead, the Empress Dowager and those veteran ministers would agree to your posthumous title. Now that I'm alive, even if they're unwilling, the matter is already settled. They have no choice but to accept me as their Empress, but they must be displeased. It's better to keep a low profile."

"Don't worry, I've already arranged everything. Just wait for them to submit and acknowledge you as the Empress of Great Qi."

Chen Yingchou held Jiang Mo's shoulders and knelt beside her. "A Mo, from now on, in front of you, I am only your husband. You can treat me like an ordinary couple would. You can lose your temper with me, express your dissatisfaction to me, and don't mind what others think. I don't want you to feel constrained after returning to the palace with me, nor do I want you to regret entering the palace one day."

Jiang Mo looked down into Chen Yingchou's eyes. "If you never betray me, I will never leave your side. Chen Yingchou, I don't think I will regret this."

Chen Yingchou's breath caught, warmth welling in his eyes. He leaned forward, pressed one hand against the back of Jiang Mo's head, and kissed her.

He slowly stood up, wrapped his arms around Jiang Mo's waist, and lifted her up from the stool. He pulled her tightly into his embrace, hungrily kissing her lips, growing more urgent by the moment. His arms were like iron walls, binding her body as if he wanted to meld her into his own.

Jiang Mo let herself be led, step by step, to the edge of the bed. The man supported her waist with one hand and her head with the other, gently lowering her onto the bed.

...

At the peak of passion, Chen Yingchou stopped. He reached under the pillow and pulled out a small wooden box, taking out something Jiang Mo had never seen before.

"A Mo, don't worry. Since you're afraid of childbirth, we won't have children. Contraceptive herbal tea would harm your body, so from now on, I'll use this Western Regions sheep gut..."

This thing seemed difficult to put on. Chen Yingchou furrowed his brow, sweat streaming down his forehead. Jiang Mo took a handkerchief to wipe his sweat and soothed him gently, "Husband, don't rush."

...

The charcoal brazier in the room was blazing. Chen Yingchou braced himself with his hands on either side of her head. Below the white hair at his temples were eyebrows as dark as ink—such a stark contrast that it pained Jiang Mo's heart. Tenderness rippled out from his deep black eyes, easing the ache in hers. He was telling her that he was fine, truly fine.

Jiang Mo cupped the man's face with both hands, lifted herself up, and kissed him.

How could Chen Yingchou withstand such an advance from Jiang Mo? The blood in his veins boiled with passion. He cherished and adored her, tending the most precious flower in his arms...

The red candle guttered and was finally snuffed out as the sky turned pale blue.

Jiang Mo slept until nearly noon. When she woke, her whole body felt as if it had fallen apart, and she was too languid to get up.

Chen Yingchou whispered in her ear, "Awake, my dear? Should I carry you to the bath?"

Jiang Mo nodded. Chen Yingchou pulled the sheet over her, wrapped her up, and placed her into the bath. He stood behind her, washing her.

"Husband, I can do it myself." She reached for the cloth in Chen Yingchou's hand, but he didn't let go. "A Mo, I told you last night—I want us to be like an ordinary couple. What's wrong with a husband bathing his wife?"

Jiang Mo turned to look at him and couldn't help but laugh. "I'm just saying you're too slow. I'm not made of paper, you're being too careful. I'm hungry, and I want to finish my bath quickly so we can eat."

Chen Yingchou looked at the red marks on Jiang Mo's neck and shoulders, a little hurt. "Your skin turns red at the slightest touch. I'm afraid to use too much force..."

Jiang Mo took the cloth and began scrubbing herself, muttering under her breath, "What do you mean you don't dare to use force? Last night, you weren't exactly gentle."

Chen Yingchou hastily asked, "Did I hurt you? I'll be gentler from now on." He crouched beside the tub, looking at Jiang Mo like a child caught doing something wrong. "I just lost control. It won't happen again."

Jiang Mo shook her head helplessly. Right now, Chen Yingchou didn't look like an emperor at all. His vulnerable look made her want to cherish him.

"It doesn't hurt." She whispered in his ear, "You're really good, husband. I enjoyed it very much." She covered her bright red face with both hands. "Husband, please go out. I'll be right out."

His heart leaped with joy, unable to contain his happiness. "Alright, I'll go now."