Chapter 67

Chapter 67

A man tasting intimacy for the first time is like a wild horse that has slipped its reins—there is no stopping him.

On their wedding night, Han Zhang tormented Shen Qinglan over and over, indulging himself all night long until the dragon and phoenix candles burned out and dawn broke before he was finally sated and rested.

With such excess of pleasure, naturally, neither of them could get out of bed the next day.

And because the Han family's courtyard was small, Grandma Han and the others, forced to listen to the noises all night, weren't surprised when the married couple didn't show up in the morning. They were dazed and confused.

The reason was simple.

What kind of man could be so capable, actually able to carry on for an entire night?

This was reality, not a storybook. How could married women like Han's mother not know a real man's abilities?

Truly, their eldest son was outstanding—not only was he brilliant in his studies, but even in this aspect, he left everyone far behind!

But the eldest son being so formidable was a good thing. The more formidable he was, the better the Han family's chances of having children.

At the thought of a great-grandson, Grandma Han could not stop smiling and immediately instructed Han's mother:

"Go quickly to Butcher Liu's and ask if there's any mutton today. If not, have the eldest son's father go to the river and catch a soft-shelled turtle. We'll make a nourishing soup for the young couple."

"When the young couple's bodies are well-nourished, our Han family's great-grandson will come... Oh, and keep Dong Geer, Nian Xiaozi, and the other little rascals from making noise at home today. Be careful not to disturb the eldest son and his husband..."

Maybe her great-grandson had already taken root last night. She couldn't let these wild children scare away her future great-grandson!

"Alright, Mother, you rest. I'll go right away."

Han's mother nodded joyfully, agreeing repeatedly.

There was not a trace of displeasure on her face about the newlyweds not getting up in time for the morning tea ceremony.

Not to mention that Lan Geer came from a noble background and the Han family dared not slight him.

But also, her son was already twenty before getting married. She wanted to hold a grandchild soon too. Only a fool would make trouble now. She hoped more than anyone else that her son and his husband would grow even more affectionate—that was the best!

Thinking of holding a grandchild, Han's mother practically walked with a spring in her step.

The Han family didn't mind at all that the couple slept in...

But Shen Qinglan, who didn't wake up until afternoon, was mortified beyond words.

"Husband, it's all your fault!"

As soon as he woke up, Shen Qinglan opened his eyes and, with shame and annoyance, pushed Han Zhang away. Thinking back to last night's wild scenes, he buried his face in the quilt, mortified to death.

Although, aside from the initial confusion, fear, and discomfort, he had also found pleasure later and felt blissful beyond compare, his husband had truly gone too far.

He had said "stop" many times last night, but his husband simply wouldn't listen.

The more he begged, the more his husband persisted, and... he had also devoured every inch of him.

So embarrassing and so exhausting!

Han Zhang looked at the person buried like an ostrich in the quilt, let out a chuckle, and while pulling him out of the quilt, laughed heartily as he apologized.

"Yes, yes, yes, it's all my fault. But husband, this is only natural for a man. I finally managed to marry you. With you snuggled in my arms, how could I not get carried away?"

Then he flatteringly rubbed his husband's waist, asking, "Are you still sore? Let me massage it for you, alright?"

"You... don't touch me anymore. I'm fine, not tired at all."

Shen Qinglan shrank back into the bedding shyly, refusing to come out, only half his head showing, glaring at Han Zhang to show his anger.

But what he said was true.

Although they had been intimate all night, his body felt unusually relaxed and energetic, not at all the soreness and fatigue his mother had hinted at before the wedding.

It was so strange. After being that tired last night, he now felt as strong as an ox.

Shen Qinglan blushed and wondered to himself: Could he be naturally gifted?

Naturally gifted, of course, was impossible.

The reason he was so lively after a whole night of exertion was entirely because Han Zhang had used his supernatural power to give him a boost.

After all, Han Zhang wasn't a beast. How could he really be so reckless on his husband's first time without taking care?

Seeing that his husband was still sulking,

Han Zhang could only kiss his forehead and coax, "Alright, alright. In the future, if you don't allow it, I won't touch you. I'll listen to you in everything, okay?"

Unfortunately, the young lad had gotten wise this time and wouldn't be fooled.

Shen Qinglan complained bitterly, "You said the same thing last night! You kept saying 'last time, just one more time,' but it never really ended."

"And who was it last night that wouldn't let go of his husband?"

Han Zhang laughed heartily again.

With his power to heal any discomfort, his little husband had suffered no pain last night—only pleasure. Despite the verbal complaints now, he had been very bold and proactive last night.

Shen Qinglan also remembered his own reactions after finding pleasure, and he was so ashamed he couldn't lift his head. He buried his face in Han Zhang's chest, acting stubborn and petulant.

"I don't care, I don't care... I begged you later, but you still didn't stop. You didn't listen to me at all. You're a liar..."

He had promised to listen to everything he said, but on the wedding night itself, he broke his word!

"Alright, alright, I'm the liar, I'm the one in the wrong. This humble student apologizes to his husband. Please be merciful and forgive me, okay?"

He said this, but Han Zhang pulled the person into his arms, hugging him intimately and not letting go.

Shen Qinglan was just throwing a little tantrum. Leaning against Han Zhang's broad chest, feeling the warm touch of skin against skin with his beloved, the little firecracker quickly turned into a tame little rabbit.

"Husband, rub my waist. It doesn't hurt, but I'm so tired..."

He rubbed against him, acting coquettish.

Han Zhang indulged him, nodding with tender eyes, "Alright, husband will rub it for you."

The couple lingered in bed, neither wanting to get up, never tiring of the warm embrace.

But they had to get up—there was still the tea ceremony today. They had already delayed half a day; they couldn't really let the entire day slip by.

Fortunately, thanks to the power nourishing their bodies, both were full of energy. After a little lying-in, they called for the young servant to help them wash up.

Han Zhang felt no discomfort at all being attended to while washing.

Although a man of modern times, Han Zhang, having achieved great success in business, also knew how to savor life. Even though modern nannies and butlers were not as extravagant as ancient servants, they remained exceptionally attentive.

Thus, being served by others came naturally to Han Zhang.

Once the couple finished preparing themselves, news of their arrival spread throughout the Han household. Family members promptly set aside their tasks and gathered in the main hall to await the long-delayed tea ceremony.

Following tradition, they knelt and presented tea.

Han Zhang spoke first: “Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother—we sincerely apologize for keeping you waiting. Last night being our wedding night, I got carried away and made rather a commotion, thereby delaying the ceremony. Please do not hold it against us.”

“I’m truly sorry, Father and Mother—it’s entirely Qinglan’s fault. Please accept this cup of tea…”

Beside him, Shen Qinglan was so mortified he could barely lift his head, yet he forced himself to offer the tea, bracing himself for his in-laws’ reprimand.

After all, what groom presents tea so late on the very first day of marriage?

No matter how spoiled or headstrong he normally was, he couldn’t possibly justify himself now.

Fortunately, the Hans were different—ambitious and broad-minded, unwilling to dwell on such trivialities.

One who relies upon one’s spouse’s family must possess the proper self-awareness; arrogance in that regard is no path to lasting harmony.

Han’s mother immediately accepted the teacup with warmth, personally helped Shen Qinglan rise, affectionately patted his hand, and teased lightly:

“Quickly get up—how could this possibly be your fault? It’s all that reckless elder brother! He’s usually so composed, yet last night in the bridal chamber he turned utterly impetuous—without a thought for anyone else…”

Grandmother Han expressed even greater tenderness: “You must be utterly exhausted from yesterday! That elder brother is something else—how could he carry on like that with a newlywed husband? Sit down and rest. The kitchen has prepared turtle soup using a village recipe passed down for generations. Lan Geer, be sure to drink several bowls later to restore your strength.”

Second Aunt Han and Third Aunt Han remained silent, yet their eyes brimmed with sympathy as they gazed at Shen Qinglan.

“Our eldest nephew is truly formidable—wonder if his husband will manage to keep up in the future?”

By contrast, Han’s father, Second Uncle Han, and Third Uncle Han looked upon Han Zhang with undisguised admiration and pride.

“Elder Brother truly is the family’s Qilin Son—he’s truly extraordinary!”

The Han family’s adolescent children didn’t fully grasp the nuances, but since the courtyard was small and Shen Qinglan’s maids and pages kept shuttling back and forth to the kitchen to heat water, they too realized Elder Brother and his husband had stayed up extremely late the previous night.

Dong Geer, remembering instructions to treat his brother-in-law with utmost respect and care, quickly chimed in with concern:

“Right—Elder Brother’s husband, you must drink two more bowls of turtle soup later! The village aunts all say this soup is the best for nourishing the body. You and my brother stayed up late last night making babies, so you really need to replenish your strength!”

Shen Qinglan’s face flushed crimson…

He truly didn’t need quite *that* much concern.

Han Zhang, too, felt slightly embarrassed—a rare occurrence—and rubbed his nose. He swiftly changed the subject to ease his husband’s discomfort:

“Father, Mother—we haven’t yet presented the tea ceremony gifts.”

“Oh! We were chatting so happily we nearly forgot the most important matter…”

Hearing this, Han’s mother playfully scolded once more and promptly retrieved a red cloth bundle from her bosom, handing it over.

“Lan Geer, our family possesses little of material value—the ancestral heirlooms were all lost during the war. This silver lock was crafted according to the clan registry. Every daughter-in-law and husband in our Han family receives one after marriage… It holds no great monetary worth—merely a symbolic token of status. Please don’t think poorly of it.”

The silver lock bore the most common cloud motif.

Engraved upon it read: “Shen Qinglan, husband of Han Qinzhang, sixteenth-generation descendant of the Quyang Han clan, of the Qin generation (Qin character lineage).”

Indeed, the item held little intrinsic value—but Shen Qinglan held it joyfully, for it signified the marital bond between him and his beloved, formally acknowledged by their ancestors.

“Mother, I truly love this silver lock. I’ve also prepared gifts for Father, Mother, Grandmother, Uncles, Aunts, and younger siblings. I’m not skilled in embroidery, so I couldn’t sew garments myself—I’ve instead selected ready-made items. Please don’t think less of them either.”

Shen Qinglan then presented the carefully prepared gifts.

For the Han family’s women and children, he offered hairpins, bracelets, and other fine jewelry; for the men, he presented ornamental waist pendants.

Though none were priceless treasures, each piece was worth at least several dozen taels of silver.

Additionally, he gifted one nourishing ginseng root to Grandfather and Grandmother Han—and another to Han’s father and mother.

Collectively, these gifts were sufficient to purchase the entire Han household.

Upon receiving them, every Han family member shared the same unspoken thought…

“No wonder everyone dreams of marrying into a wealthy family—this husband they’ve gained is truly exceptional!”