Chapter 20 020 Night Talk After Marriage

Chapter 20: Wedding Night Conversation

The figure on the bed was petite, lying askew, her red bridal gown blending into the brocade quilt, only her snow-white face dazzlingly bright. Qin Yan watched her open drowsy eyes, a confused expression instantly clearing at the sight of him, flustered as she sat up, smoothing her clothes while remembering to grab the bridal veil and draping it back over her head quickly.

Qin Yan’s brow furrowed deeper, shocked by her carelessness. She had fallen asleep and even removed the veil before he entered—didn’t she know to wait for her husband to lift it?

With the wine going to his head, his tone became harsher: "I’ve already seen it, what are you covering?"

The tone was harsh—he was angry. Qiao Wanyue had been uneasy inside, knowing he’d be upset if he caught her sleeping. Sure enough, just as she expected, she let out a soft huff.

She let out a faint "oh" and reached up to pull off the veil, but Qin Yan, watching her, caught her wrist. "Don’t pull it off," he said.

It was his duty to lift it—no bride should uncover herself.

She "oh’d" again, lowered her hands, and stayed still. What a fussy man—what does he want, anyway?

Her face, hidden under the veil, she grew impatient. Just as she was about to ask, she felt the room brighten as the veil was lifted and held in his hand.

She glanced sideways, suddenly shy, lowering her sparkling, moist eyes, quiet and obedient. Her pale earlobes flushed pink, soft and tempting to pinch.

Qin Yan glanced twice, swallowed hard, quickly looked away, and stood to pour two cups of wine. After finishing the cross-cupped wine, they exchanged a glance and lapsed into silence.

Now that it had come to this, even the boldest girl would feel shy and nervous. She had heard it hurt—how much?

The red candles flickered, casting a rosy glow through every corner of the room. The air thickened with an amorous, intimate atmosphere.

Qiao Wanyue peeked up to see Qin Yan open the door and speak to someone outside. After a while, he came back but didn’t approach the bed—he sat by the table instead.

She sat still, finally taking the chance to look around. The room was spacious, the furnishings elegant and opulent, but the overall atmosphere felt gloomy—nothing bright or lively. It lacked vitality.

Qiao Wanyue thought that if she stayed here long-term, she’d place some colorful decorations. That chaise lounge, for instance, could be replaced with redwood, and she would put bright flowers in the room.

Her eyes darted around, her mind wandering, when Qin Yan glanced over and sighed helplessly. "Come eat something."

She had been in the room all day, likely hungry, so he had the kitchen bring food.

Qiao Wanyue looked up to see a table full of dishes, her stomach instantly growled with anticipation. She lifted her skirt, hurried over, and scanned the table full of food. "Wow, looks delicious."

They sat across from each other, each with a set of chopsticks. Qiao Wanyue helped herself, asking, "Are you hungry, too?"

The man wore the same red robe as she did—handsome, with gentle features, like a figure from a painting, unrealistically handsome.

"I didn’t eat at dinner, they kept forcing drinks on me."

"Oh."

It was rare for his colleagues to have a chance to make him toast without his getting angry, so they all came at him, no wonder he reeked of wine.

She ate while saying, "You’re not drunk—you can hold your liquor well."

"Not bad."

She gave another "oh," focused on her meal, not looking at him or speaking.

Compared to her wolfing down her food, Qin Yan ate elegantly, slowly, as if he dignified the food itself.

He chewed slowly, his gaze fixed on her. After a moment, he said, "There’s something I need to say."

"Hm? Go ahead."

Qiao Wanyue glanced at him, her expression unchanged, unconcerned about what he was about to say. Qin Yan set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said, "Ah Zhen was my first wife, now deceased. She passed away years ago, and I can’t simply set her aside. So I often go to Qingxin Temple to burn incense and visit my father-in-law at the Lin residence. I hope you can be tolerant—don’t get upset or feel jealous."

Qiao Wanyue paused in the middle of swallowing, then swallowed—not upset by his words, but surprised that Qin Yan would speak so openly about Lin Aizhen. He was straightforward and had nothing to hide.

After a moment of shock, she nodded gently, speaking calmly, "I won’t be angry or jealous. You and Sister Lin were lawfully wedded spouses. If you took a new wife and forgot the old, that would be ungrateful and undeserving of his position. I’m not that petty."

Her eyes sparkled, her tone sincere and earnest, not like a lie. Qin Yan studied her for a moment, then nodded with a slight smile. He hadn’t misjudged her—though playful and willful, she was kind-hearted, understanding, and tolerant—a fine girl.

He watched her eat without picking up his chopsticks again. When the roasted chicken on the table released its aroma, he was about to serve her a piece, but Qiao Wanyue put down her chopsticks, tore off a drumstick with her hands, and ate it directly.

Qin Yan froze, his face darkening. He inwardly sighed at her unrefined way, far from graceful. Remembering her previous behavior, he thought it better to impose some rules to avoid future trouble.

"One more thing."

Qiao Wanyue looked up, chewing busily. How could such a small mouth hold so much? Qin Yan couldn’t help staring curiously.

"What else?"

He never finished his sentences, and tonight he was especially talkative.

He averted his gaze and said gravely, "Now that you’re in the Hou Mansion, you must abide by the clan rules, conduct yourself appropriately—I won’t mistreat you."

She blinked and nodded repeatedly. Before marriage, she had learned through inquiries that the monthly allowance for the lady of the Hou was twenty times what she had before, with eight new sets of clothes each month, plus jewelry and gifts—quite a good deal, basically a dream life.

Qiao Wanyue screamed in her heart: I agree!

Then Qin Yan added, "I’m busy with official duties and can’t accompany you every day. Let's be intimate three times a month, agreed?"

Qiao Wanyue’s eyes lit up with joy—a leisurely life with plenty of money, no need to face him every day—perfect!

It couldn't be more perfect.

What she didn’t know was that Qin Yan’s real reason was to prevent her from going to Feiyun Manor again, staying out all night and lying—keeping the Hou’s rules would prevent that. As for intimacy, he had seen how clingy she could be and feared she’d demand his company daily. Besides, a man should prioritize important matters over pleasure—three times a month was enough.

Qin Yan expected her to argue, but she agreed so readily that he was relieved, though puzzled. Why didn’t she ask why?

After a while, Qiao Wanyue remained quiet, focused on eating. She glanced up at him as if wondering why he wasn’t eating.

When she stayed silent, Qin Yan asked, "Do you have any requests? Feel free to bring them up."

Since he offered, it would be rude not to speak.

After finishing the drumstick, she wiped her hands with a handkerchief and asked, "Can I sleep in every day until I naturally wake up?"

"No."

Quick answer, as expected. Qiao Wanyue wasn’t disappointed—she just pouted and huffed at him. If he couldn’t agree to that, there was no point asking about anything else.

Seeing her expression, Qin Yan sighed helplessly. "Anything else?"

"Did you say these same things to Sister Lin before?"

Qin Yan hesitated for a moment. "No. There was no need."

"Why?" She jumped up in indignation. Why target only her? It wasn’t fair.

"Lord Hou, is it because I’m easy to bully?" she asked weakly, her face crumpled as if on the verge of tears, as though deeply wronged.

The man clenched his fist and explained, "Ah Zhen is different from you. She is gentle and virtuous, follows the rules, thinks about the bigger picture, and won't do anything out of line. But you are still unsettled. If not restrained, you might end up causing another incident like the one at Feiyun Manor."

Qiao Wanyue opened her mouth, then closed it again, realizing that Qin Yan's words actually made sense. She wanted to retort but couldn't find the words, so she pursed her lips and stayed silent.

"It's not about restricting your freedom. I just don't want to see you thrown into jail again."

With that one sentence, Qiao Wanyue had nothing more to say. Indeed, one cannot let others know about past misfortunes, or they'll have a hold on you.

She sighed inwardly, burped softly, and said, "I'm full."

"Mm, wash up and go to sleep."

Not mentioning sleep was one thing, but as soon as it was brought up, both of them immediately realized what was to follow. They exchanged an awkward glance and quickly looked away. It felt like they were overcompensating.

Qin Yan let her go first. She was wearing heavy garments and must be tired. Qiao Wanyue didn't refuse and called Hongmei in to attend to her, then went to bathe and change clothes.

Hongmei had deliberately added fragrant oil to the water. Qiao Wanyue wanted to stop her but it was too late, so she let it be. Soaking in the warm water, every pore seemed to open, and she let out a sigh of comfort.

After fifteen minutes, Qiao Wanyue came out dressed, her dark hair hanging down to her waist, her figure graceful. The ends of her hair swayed with the movement of her waist, enticing.

Qin Yan glanced sideways, his heart suddenly pounding, his breathing becoming heavier. He swallowed and got up to wash.

Hongmei was tactful enough—she attended to her mistress and then left. The others were even more perceptive and had long since made themselves scarce.

-

The festive room, the unfamiliar bed, the strange yet familiar scent—all told her that she was married, married to Qin Yan, and tonight was their wedding night.

Ah, so embarrassing.

She covered her face with her hands, thinking about what Qin Yan had said about three times a month. Well, at least it's not too bad. That thing is so tiring, the fewer, the better. She didn't want to tire herself out.

Hearing the sound of water, Qiao Wanyue unconsciously glanced in that direction. What would happen next? She was nervous and scared.

She closed her eyes, pretending to sleep, but her mind was in a jumble, filled with thoughts of Qin Yan and what was to come.

After a moment, the man came out from his bath, stopped by the bed for a while, let down the gauze curtain, and then climbed into bed.

The gauze curtain blocked some of the light, making the inside of the bed somewhat dim. For Qiao Wanyue, that kind of lighting was just right to hide any awkwardness or movements.

Her eyelashes fluttered gently. Qin Yan knew she was pretending to sleep and turned his head to ask, "Asleep?"

She replied nervously, "Mm, asleep."

Hearing this, Qin Yan curled his lips into a smile. She couldn't even pretend properly. Usually, she pretended well enough, but at the crucial moment, she failed.

The atmosphere was truly strange. Qiao Wanyue couldn't help stealing a glance. Qin Yan had closed his eyes and was sleeping. It seemed nothing would happen.

She wasn't exactly expectant or disappointed. Marital intimacy is a normal thing, but not doing it was also fine. Besides, she had heard that Qin Yan was impotent. Now it seemed most likely true.

Qiao Wanyue closed her eyes and fell asleep peacefully.

She didn't know that as soon as she closed her eyes, Qin Yan opened his. His dark eyes stared at her unblinkingly, like a black panther watching its prey.

His long arm tentatively reached out, paused in midair, then lightly landed on her lower abdomen, moving to her waist, resting on that slender waist.

Qiao Wanyue jumped awake. "No, weren't you asleep?"

The waist under his palm was slender and soft. The man's breathing immediately became heavier. "I didn't say I was sleeping."