Chapter 34: Newlywed

Chapter 34: Wedding Night

Clutching the Annanzhou Army's tiger tally, Cheng Yi barely slept a wink all night.

He hadn't expected Shen Yichen to entrust him with something so important.

His young husband had entrusted him with everything, holding nothing back.

But Cheng Yi could not reveal the secret buried in his heart to him.

Guilt weighed on him, so he could only make it up by treating him even better.

As for the matter of his brother and father, even if he hadn't asked, Cheng Yi would have investigated it for him anyway.

With Cheng Yi's promise, Shen Yichen finally slept soundly.

Cheng Yi's mind was burdened with too many concerns, and now with the tiger tally in his possession, his head was full of schemes and plans for what lay ahead...

Before he knew it, the sky was already lightening.

But just then, urgent shouts came from outside—it was Wei Xiao.

"Master, Master, wake up quickly!"

Cheng Yi shot up in bed.

Being roused at this hour could only mean trouble.

But as he got up, someone grabbed his sleeve from behind.

Turning his head, Cheng Yi saw Shen Yichen, still half-asleep, propping himself up and looking at him with a puzzled expression.

"Are you getting up?"

The neediness in his voice was something even he didn't realize.

Cheng Yi's voice instantly softened:

"Still early."

He tucked him back under the covers. "I've got things to take care of. You stay in bed and sleep."

Shen Yichen wanted to ask more, but Cheng Yi said firmly:

"Be good and listen."

Shen Yichen obediently burrowed back under the covers. It felt strange—like being pampered.

This feeling was new, and it made him... want to sink into it without realizing.

He kind of liked it.

Cheng Yi opened the door to find Wei Xiao standing there, looking anxious.

"Master."

"Why the panic?"

"Master, the young master has returned."

Big Brother is back?

Cheng Yi's first reaction was joy, but then he saw Wei Xiao's worried face, and his heart sank.

"What's going on? What happened to Big Brother?"

Wei Xiao quickly explained.

Just now, the young master had returned to the residence—but he was carried in unconscious. Wei Xiao had only heard from Sui Yuan, the young master's attendant, that the young master was hurt and that he should fetch the second young master quickly.

He'd rushed over to get him, so he didn't know the details of the injuries.

The second Cheng Yi heard "injured," his heart clenched. Vivid images of the horrors from his past life flooded his mind uncontrollably, and the image of his brother's suffering left him unable to think straight.

No one knew his heart was in his throat, but his steps, though faster, stayed steady.

He couldn't afford to lose his cool.

He finally reached the main hall, where Wu An was also rushing in. Cheng Yi didn't even glance at him as he strode in.

"Don't tell Mother yet."

Wu An was momentarily stunned, feeling like he was seeing that terrifyingly imposing second young master from that day again—a presence that made you inexplicably uneasy.

"Yes."

"How's Big Brother? Someone tell me exactly what happened."

Cheng Yi's face was cold and stern—not like a seventeen-year-old, but like a seasoned authority figure, unflappable in a crisis.

The moment he stepped in, his heavy, oppressive presence filled the room. Even the officials from the Court of Judicial Review instinctively stood, snapping to attention, not daring to show any slack.

Sui Yuan, Cheng Lang's personal guard, hurried forward.

"Second Young Master, don't worry. Our young master only has minor injuries. He's unconscious simply because he rode through the night without rest and is exhausted."

Hearing this, the weight in Cheng Yi's heart lifted, but his face showed nothing.

"What exactly happened?"

Sui Yuan then explained everything.

Their mission had brought them to Jingzhou. After some digging, the clues led to Liuyun Temple in neighboring Liaozhou, so they headed there next.

They traveled as fast as they could, not daring to stop even at night. But when they got to Liuyun Temple, they found the person they were looking for had already been taken.

Cheng Yi didn't even blink at this, but inwardly he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He'd long expected his brother to follow the trail there. In his past life, his brother had investigated Liuyun Temple and that's what brought trouble down on him.

This time, having gotten there first, it seemed his brother's fate had already changed.

Sui Yuan went on.

After realizing someone had taken the person first, the young master worried the culprit had caught wind and would be on guard. So he decided to rush back to the capital as fast as possible.

But bad luck never comes alone—no one expected Liaozhou to be hit by days of torrential rain.

The torrential rain not only delayed their journey but also triggered flash floods and even landslides, making their way home even harder.

As a result, they were delayed for several days. Now that they had finally made it back, they never expected to find the mansion having a wedding celebration going on.

Cheng Lang's injury was caused by a falling rock during the journey, but luckily it was only a minor wound that would heal with rest.

However, having traveled through the night while injured, his body couldn't handle it, which led to his current condition.

Hearing this, Cheng Yi was completely relieved. He told Wu An to properly thank the officials from the Dali Temple and had the family doctor carefully check and bandage his brother's wound.

After all that fuss, it was fully daylight.

It was only then that Wen Wanning arrived upon hearing the news, her eyes all puffy, clearly from crying.

Luckily, by then Cheng Lang had been cleaned up, looking tired but not scary or anything.

With Cheng Yi reassuring her and bringing up his own new marriage, Wen Wanning finally felt at ease and returned to her Jinhua Garden.

His brother was probably too exhausted—he didn't even wake up through all that commotion. Cheng Yi decided to head back to Yuxiu Studio and wait for his brother to wake up.

After all, he was a married man now, and if he didn't go back, his husband would worry.

Moreover, his young husband had just moved into the marquis's estate; leaving him alone would only make him more nervous.

Sure enough, when Cheng Yi got back, Shen Yichen was already up, looking a bit uneasy.

The second he saw Cheng Yi, his eyes lit up.

"You're back? Everything taken care of?"

Cheng Yi took his hand like it was the most natural thing.

"It's my big brother who's back."

"The young marquis? He came back in the middle of the night?"

Shen Yichen was somewhat surprised.

Cheng Yi had told him before that his brother went to Jingzhou on official business half a month ago and couldn't make it back for their wedding.

He couldn't help but worry—did coming back in the middle of the night mean something bad happened?

"Yeah, he got a minor injury, but nothing serious. Once he wakes up, I'll bring you to see him."

"Alright."

Shen Yichen was a bit nervous, but he had to face it eventually.

Technically, they should go pay respects to his in-laws early in the morning, but he didn't know the rules of the marquis's household or what he should be careful about. No one had told him any of this, and Cheng Yi hadn't said anything either.

It was already fully daylight, but seeing that Cheng Yi was still taking his sweet time, he got anxious and decided to speak up.

"Should we... go pay our respects to the marquis and the lady?"

Cheng Yi could tell he was nervous and started teasing him.

"Why aren't you calling me 'husband' now?"

Shen Yichen's face turned red, and he was too embarrassed to say anything, but then he saw Cheng Yi look like he just had a sudden realization.

"Oh, I get it—last night you called me 'husband' because you needed something from me. Now that you don't need me anymore, you stopped calling me that."

Cheng Yi even put on a disappointed face after saying that.

"That's not it!"

Shen Yichen was completely speechless. How could this guy be like this? He wasn't like this before they got married.

"I don't believe you, unless you say it right now so I can hear it."

"I..."

How could he possibly say that out loud!

"Ah~"

Cheng Yi sighed. "Thought so."

"Husband!" Shen Yichen just went for it. "Husband, husband, husband! You happy now?"

Cheng Yi smiled with satisfaction, pressing his lips together. "That sounds good. Call me that from now on."

Shen Yichen rushed over and pushed him toward the door, trying to quickly change the subject.

"Let's hurry. We don't want to keep her waiting."

Cheng Yi let himself be pushed along but corrected him as they walked:

"Not 'the lady'—'Mother.' Chen'er, you need to get used to it fast."

Even Cheng Yi himself didn't notice how doting his tone was.

The two arrived at Jinhua Garden, where Wen Wanning was indeed already waiting for them.

Knowing how hard Shen Yichen's life had been at the Minister's residence, she already felt sorry for him. Now, seeing Shen Yichen all dressed up, she liked him more and more every time she looked at him.

Especially when he stood next to her tall, proud son with that shy, awkward look, she felt the two kids were just a match made in heaven.

She couldn't help but think—if these two gorgeous people had kids, wouldn't they be absolutely stunning?

Oh, just thinking about it got her all excited.

So when Shen Yichen knelt and called her "Mother," she quickly took the tea he offered and pulled him up, her eyes full of warmth.

"From now on, just call me 'Mother' like Yi'er does. It feels more intimate."

Shen Yichen pursed his lips and stole a glance at someone, and seeing the encouraging look in his eyes, he finally said, "Mother."

Not seeing his father-in-law, Shen Yichen didn't ask and didn't show any sign of abnormality.

He had heard the rumors about Marquis Zhongyong. Since Cheng Yi hadn't told him much, he wouldn't pry.

"Ah~ That's right."

Wen Wanning truly liked him more and more.

How could this child be so handsome? And so well-behaved, with such a pleasant voice—the complete opposite of that mischievous rascal beside him.

If Shen Yichen knew what she was thinking, he would surely be mortified.

Well-behaved and proper? Him?

Who was the one who shaved his stepbrother's head? And who was the one dumping slop from the top of the wall?

Shen Yichen felt incredibly awkward as she pulled him along. All these years, he'd been on his own, never once feeling warmth like this—especially from an elder.

For a moment, his emotions churned and he had no idea how to respond, just standing stiffly as she fussed over him.

Cheng Yi noticed his unease and quickly jumped in to rescue him:

"Mother, let him go! Don't forget he's my husband! I haven't gotten my fill of holding him yet!"

Shen Yichen's eyes went wide in disbelief. Who was talking? Was that something you could just say out loud?

He whipped his head around and shot him a fierce glare.

"You, you... you have no shame!"

Cheng Yi didn't just not care—he actually raised an eyebrow at him, as if to say, "Relax, I've got you. I'm saving you here."

"!"

Shen Yichen felt like he was meeting this person for the very first time. How could he be so bold in front of his elders? "Not having his fill"—how could he say something so scandalous in front of his own mother?

He wished he could find a hole to crawl into and disappear.

Wen Wanning rolled her eyes at the boy's antics, but her words were full of affection.

"You little stingy thing! Fine, fine, I'll give him back—here's your precious husband, returned to you."

Wen Wanning pretended to be annoyed as she pushed Shen Yichen toward Cheng Yi, then casually slipped a delicate little wooden box into his hand—a welcome gift.

Cheng Yi casually pulled him into his arms, and before he could react, had already grabbed his hand and laced their fingers together.

Shen Yichen tried to pull away but couldn't break free.

Was he really going to be this shameless in front of his elders?

Was this really okay?

Cheng Yi winked at him.

Shen Yichen was mortified, not daring to lift his head, afraid to imagine how red his face must be.

But at the same time, his heart ached with a bittersweet pang. So this was what it felt like to be doted on by a mother—you could be this carefree.

So this was what being loved felt like.

If his father were still here, would he tease him like this too, with such affection?

Wen Wanning watched their interaction, feeling both gratified and shocked. Gratified that the kids had grown up, gratified that they got along so well—but shocked that her little troublemaker could be so thoughtful and caring.

After saying goodbye to his mother, Cheng Yi asked about his elder brother's condition. When he learned his brother still hadn't woken up, Cheng Yi took his young husband to the Duke Zhenguo's residence.

"I'll take you to meet Grandfather, Uncle-in-law, and the rest of the family."

"Mm."

Shen Yichen was a little nervous, unconsciously straightening his posture.

"Don't worry, Grandfather and Uncle-in-law are really easygoing. Just be yourself."

"Mm."

Shen Yichen smiled, but his hands unconsciously clenched.

In the past, he could just not care, doing whatever he wanted, indifferent to everyone. But they were different.

They were Cheng Yi's family. He could tell from Cheng Yi's words how much he valued them.

So of course, he wanted to make a good impression and not cause Cheng Yi any trouble.

Luckily, just as Cheng Yi had said, they were all incredibly easy to get along with.

Uncle-in-law seemed really kind. Even though he ran the entire Duke Zhenguo's residence, he didn't put on any airs in front of Shen Yichen—unlike the noble husbands around Wang Shuci, who looked at him with disdain or nitpicked everything.

Uncle-in-law was just so down-to-earth.

Shen Yichen thought to himself, Father, look—your little Chen'er has met good people. Brother, you can rest easy too. Chen'er has made it.

Even the old duke—rumored to be rough, terrifying, and radiating a murderous aura—turned out to look kind and gentle.

Maybe afraid of scaring him, the old duke even deliberately softened his voice.

"Now that you're married, live well together. If this little brat dares to bully you, come straight to me and tell me. I'll take care of him."

Cheng Yi immediately started begging for mercy when he heard that.

"Grandfather, what are you talking about? I'd spoil him rotten—how could I ever bully him?"

Shen Yichen found it all so new. He couldn't help but muster his courage and look up at the old duke.

But he happened to catch the old duke's gaze—extremely complicated, as if he were looking through him at someone else.

The old duke also gave him a generous welcome gift. But Cheng Yi, with his thick skin, wasn't satisfied—he started picking out more himself, looking like he wanted to empty the old duke's entire private treasury for his young husband.

It scared Shen Yichen so much that he kept signaling him with his eyes, and finally had to physically stop him.

That's enough, enough, really!

The old duke was so annoyed by this little rascal that he huffed and puffed, but in truth, he didn't stop him at all—clearly indulging his nonsense.

Shen Yichen marveled inwardly. So the rumors that the Duke Zhenguo doted on Cheng Yi without limits were all true.

Afterwards, Cheng Yi had Fu Zi take Shen Yichen to his residence, Cangsun Residence, to wait for him there.

That was his residence in the duke's mansion—a place he'd stayed in far more than Yuxiu Pavilion, as Cheng Yi had told him on the way over.

The grandfather and grandson clearly had things to discuss, and Shen Yichen could obviously tell.

Besides, he also wanted to see what the place where Cheng Yi grew up was like.

The moment Shen Yichen left, the atmosphere in the room changed completely.

Both grandfather and grandson's faces turned serious at the same time.

Cheng Yi got straight to the point:

"Grandfather, I want to know what really happened with Duke Anguo's rebellion back then."

The old duke sighed. "I knew you were going to ask that."

And with that, he drifted into his memories.