Chapter 53: The Bridal Chamber. A Wedding Night Should Be Like This.

After eating, Su Zhenyue washed up simply.

There were many distinguished guests today, so Nanxing was not entirely at ease. Seeing that there was nothing more for her to do here, she went off to get busy.

Su Zhenyue sat alone by the bed, secretly taking out that booklet. After flipping through two pages at random, she tossed it aside again.

She was, after all, still afraid.

And this was a fear she could not speak of to others.

…

The most excited person about Shen Ji’s wedding today was, surprisingly, the bearded Shi Jun.

He was Prince Yan’s trusted guard. Despite his full beard, he wasn’t very old, only twenty-eight. That night at the Dragon King Temple, he had snatched the medicine from Su Zhenyue’s hand and later helped fight off the black-clad assassins.

The two sides had a sense of becoming friends through fighting.

While Shen Ji was recuperating at the Yan Prince Manor, Shi Jun often visited, expressing both disdain and interest in his sleeve arrows, crossbow bolts, and the like. Over time, they became quite familiar with each other.

Shi Jun hadn’t read many books, but he had a natural respect for scholars. This was true for Mr. Fei—the middle-aged scholar from that night—and it was also true for Shen Ji.

However, his excitement manifested in plying people with wine.

“Drink, drink, drink! It’s not an option not to drink.”

Shen Ji’s alcohol tolerance was average, and he didn’t want to drink much. But today was a joyous occasion, and he couldn’t make the scene too unpleasant. So, after a few cups, he began to feign drunkenness.

“Drunk already? Is your tolerance this bad?” Shi Jun was incredulous.

Ping An quickly said, “My young master is just not good with alcohol.”

“Then you drink for him.”

“The wound on my back hasn’t fully healed yet,” Ping An’s excuse came readily.

Shi Jun found this uninteresting and turned to drink with others.

Ping An, meanwhile, hurriedly helped his young master back to his room.

However, the moment they left the banquet, before they even reached the door of the bridal chamber, the young master who had been dead drunk suddenly opened his eyes.

Shen Ji’s gaze was clear. Where was there even a trace of drunkenness?

“Alright, you can go get busy. Keep a close eye on Prince Yan’s side.”

He was a distinguished guest; not the slightest mishap could be allowed.

“Rest assured, Young Master,” Ping An quickly guaranteed.

However, Ping An didn’t need to worry too much about this matter, because Yan Wangfei was present.

Yan Wangfei was deeply cherished by Prince Yan, and everyone around him held her in exceptionally high regard.

She watched over the crowd, letting them have their fun but not allowing any mischief.

Everyone agreed without exception.

Thus, after the group finished eating and drinking, they left the County Yamen Back Residence and went to an inn.

Prince Yan also wanted to take this opportunity to see Anle County at night.

It was nearly the hour of hai, and the night was deep and heavy.

With a creak, Shen Ji pushed open the door to the bridal chamber.

Su Zhenyue’s heart trembled, and she subconsciously looked over.

In the candlelight, Shen Ji strode toward her.

She shot to her feet. “Cousin…”

Seeing that she had removed her hairpins but was still wearing her wedding attire, Shen Ji raised a brow, somewhat surprised. “Why didn’t you change out of your clothes as well?”

“I… I wanted you to see me in it again.” Su Zhenyue’s cheeks were flushed, her watery eyes sparkling, but her voice was very soft. “There were so many people just now, and my makeup was so thick. I was afraid you didn’t get a clear look.”

Shen Ji chuckled. After studying her for a moment, he said earnestly, “It’s beautiful. A different kind of beautiful from usual.”

Su Zhenyue smiled. She knew she was exceptionally beautiful, but hearing him praise her personally was a different feeling altogether.

“Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?”

Shen Ji shook his head. “I ate at the banquet just now. I’m not hungry. What about you? Are you hungry?”

“I’m not hungry either, I’ve already eaten. Did you drink? Do you want some water? I’ll pour you some.”

As she spoke, she walked to the table and picked up the teapot.

“No need. I’m not drunk, I only had two cups.” Shen Ji came up behind her and reached out to stop her from pouring.

The gesture made it seem as if he were hugging her from behind.

It was the height of summer, the weather was hot, and the wedding robes they wore were thin. The moment he drew near, Su Zhenyue felt the scorching heat behind her. Her body shivered uncontrollably, and she almost lost her grip on the teapot.

She let out a flustered “Oh” and hastily put the teapot down. “Then let’s not drink.” She then turned around, gave him a light push as naturally as she could to put a little distance between them, and asked, “Do you need to wash up?”

“I’ve already washed.”

Although he hadn’t had many cups, some wine had inevitably spilled on him when others toasted him as he tried to avoid it. Afraid she would find the smell unpleasant, he had bathed and changed his clothes before re-entering the bridal chamber.

“Then…”

Shen Ji smiled. “Mianmian, you don’t need to be nervous.”

Su Zhenyue’s lashes fluttered. I am nervous, she thought, but maybe it’s also fear. She composed herself and said in a low voice, “Cousin, let’s talk for a while, shall we? I want to talk with you.”

“Alright, why not?” Shen Ji’s brow quirked, his tone casual.

Su Zhenyue closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, her expression was much more resolute. She reached out, took two of Shen Ji’s fingers, and sat down with him at the table.

“I didn’t expect Prince Yan and the others to come. Was it Prince Yan who presided over the wedding today?”

“Yes,” Shen Ji nodded. “It was originally supposed to be Advisor Zeng, but it was hot today and he had a bit of heatstroke, so he wasn’t around at the time.”

“So that’s how it was.”

Shen Ji’s gaze lingered on her for a moment. “Aren’t you hot? Are you sure you don’t need to change?”

Su Zhenyue thought to herself: Actually, it is a little hot.

“Then wait a moment, I’ll go change.” Su Zhenyue stood up, went behind the screen, and quickly bathed and changed into her nightclothes.

However, when she emerged from behind the screen, she saw that Shen Ji was no longer at the table.

He was half-reclining on the bed, holding the sachet from their hair-tying ceremony in one hand and a small booklet in the other.

Su Zhenyue was instantly alarmed. Where did a booklet come from in the bridal chamber?

Without time to think, she hurried forward a few steps and, feigning carelessness, reached out to snatch it.

Shen Ji seemed to have been prepared. With a flick of his brow, he deftly moved his hand away.

Su Zhenyue couldn’t pull back in time. Not only did she fail to grab the booklet, but she also tripped and fell right on top of him.

Shen Ji directly wrapped his arms around her and asked with a smile, “In such a hurry?”

“I’m not in a hurry…” Mortified and embarrassed, Su Zhenyue suddenly raised her hand and finally managed to yank the booklet back. But now, half-held in his arms, she had nowhere to hide it.

Just as she was fretting, she heard Shen Ji’s voice from above her head. “But I am.”

His voice was extremely low, like a private whisper between lovers.

Su Zhenyue froze unconsciously. Her face grew redder, and even the tips of her ears were burning.

Shen Ji had already half-straightened up, naturally pulling her onto his lap.

Summer nightclothes were light and thin. Though there was fabric between them, the scorching heat still spread uncontrollably through her entire body.

Her breath seemed to catch for a moment.

Shen Ji’s gaze was blazing as he stared at her intently.

Su Zhenyue’s heart gave a lurch. Nervousness and helplessness coexisted, mingled with a touch of fear.

She abruptly avoided Shen Ji’s gaze, not speaking, only turning her head away.

Under the lamplight, her cheeks were a rosy red, as if rouged.

Shen Ji’s heart stirred. He lowered his head and kissed her cheek. While she was stunned, he moved on to kiss the tip of her nose, then her lips.

Su Zhenyue hesitated for a few breaths, then steeled herself and wrapped her arms around him.

This was undoubtedly a signal of encouragement.

Everything that followed was a matter of course.

The red dates, peanuts, and other items scattered on the bed were swept to the floor, and the bed curtains embroidered with the Hundred Sons Thousand Grandsons Pattern were let down. Not far away, the Dragon and Phoenix Wedding Candles cast a warm red glow, which appeared hazy and indistinct through the curtains.

Unconsciously, her nightclothes were removed.

The fear that had been hidden deep inside surged up once more.

Just as Shen Ji was about to take the next step, Su Zhenyue’s body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Noticing something was amiss, Shen Ji was slightly alarmed. He propped a hand beside her cheek and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I… I’m a little scared,” Su Zhenyue opened her eyes and answered in a low voice.

She thought it was probably not “a little,” but much more than “a little.” She had thought she could just endure it, but she hadn’t expected him to see through her.

“Scared?” Shen Ji was a bit surprised, but his heart immediately filled with tenderness. It was normal for people to have some fear of the unknown. Moreover, given her pitiful background, she most likely didn’t know much about it.

He pondered for a moment, then lowered his head again and kissed her delicately, from her forehead and glabella down to her chin and collarbone, kissing his way down, bit by bit.

—Shen Ji had no experience in this area, but he was a born learner. Before the wedding, he had specially asked someone to buy some books and paintings to study, and he reckoned he should be able to let her experience some of the pleasures of the bedchamber.

Guessing that she was probably aroused and preparing to continue, he happened to glance up and saw her face was pale, with what looked like tear tracks at the corners of her eyes.

Shen Ji’s heart sank at once, and much of his passion dissipated. He tried his best to remain calm and took her hand instead. “If you’re really scared and not ready, then let’s take it slow. We can… another day.”

He had always been confident and unwilling to force others. He had thought that with mutual affection, the consummation of marriage was the most normal thing in the world. But since she was resistant to it, he would put it aside for now.

With that, he was about to get up to bathe.

However, the moment he moved, someone hugged him from behind. “Cousin, where are you going?”

Su Zhenyue’s voice was unlike its usual self—a little soft, a little shaky, with a hint of unease. In the dark of the night, it sounded exceptionally alluring.

Her soft body was still half-pressed against his, and the air was filled with her sweet scent.

“I’m going to take a bath.” Shen Ji’s Adam’s apple bobbed with difficulty. He gently patted her hand, forcing himself not to look at her.

He could postpone the rites of Duke Zhou, but he didn’t have that much self-control. On their wedding night, with the woman he loved by his side, he would definitely need to take more than a few cold baths tonight.

“Don’t. Don’t go yet.” Su Zhenyue didn’t let go. She was afraid, but she also knew that it was proper for a husband and wife to be intimate on their wedding night. From the moment she had first taken the initiative to get close to him, she had known this day would come.

Moreover, she loved and respected him, and she wanted him to be happy, not disappointed.

Su Zhenyue thought for a moment, then leaned over to kiss his lips and whispered, “Cousin, kiss me more. It’ll be much better if you kiss me.”

This wasn’t to coax him; in her dazed state just now, the fear had indeed faded a little.

Her voice was extremely low; if they weren’t so close, he wouldn’t have been able to hear her at all.

At this moment, her watery eyes were sparkling, her cheeks were rosy, and though she was scared, she was still boldly encouraging him.

Shen Ji’s pupils constricted, and he readily deepened the kiss.

Since she said kissing her would make it better, Shen Ji paid extra attention, observing her reactions closely as he kissed her.

At first, he was mostly trying to soothe her and let her get used to it. But her skin was fair, whiter than frost and snow, and his kisses left faint, light marks. Especially when he kissed her earlobes, navel, and other places, her body would turn a faint pink, and her toes would curl unconsciously.

Shen Ji gradually figured out a pattern and lingered in these few places. Later, as if being mischievous, he deliberately moved downwards.

In her daze, Su Zhenyue was suddenly startled. She had asked him to kiss her more, but why was he kissing her everywhere?

She wanted to speak up and stop him, but when she opened her mouth, only soft, broken moans came out.

…

The Hundred Sons Thousand Grandsons curtain concealed their “mischief.”

After a long while, Shen Ji’s voice was deep, clearly holding something back. “Is it okay?”

The blush on Su Zhenyue’s face had not faded, and the corners of her eyes were also tinged with rouge. Her hair was slightly disheveled and damp. She nodded and raised her arms to hug his neck.

The excruciating pain she had imagined did not arrive as expected.

It hurt, but it was bearable.

She took a deep breath, tilted her head back slightly, and kissed Shen Ji’s chin.

With her tacit approval and encouragement, Shen Ji continued again. But in the end, he didn’t dare to be too unrestrained. After barely completing the rites of Duke Zhou, he sounded the retreat.

It was Su Zhenyue, however, who could clearly feel the burning heat of that part of him. She gently poked his arm and whispered, “I think I’m still okay.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Su Zhenyue nodded lightly, her face red.

He was good to her, so naturally, she wanted to be good to him too.

A young man is full of vigor and vitality, and he was already exercising difficult restraint. With her words, how could Shen Ji control himself any longer? He immediately gripped her arm and began the next round of attack.

Although he didn’t have much practical experience, he had certainly studied a lot of theory. He also paid attention to her reactions and adjusted his strategy in time.

At first, Su Zhenyue just wanted to cooperate with him and make him happy. But gradually, she also began to experience a little bit of pleasure.

Although it wasn’t much, it was enough to dispel a good deal of her fear.

…

Mindful that it was her first time, Shen Ji ultimately did not indulge himself completely.

Never mind, he thought. I’ll take it slow. There’s plenty of time in the days to come.

He carried her behind the screen for a quick wash, then removed the messy bedding and replaced it with a fresh set.

By this time, it was nearly the fourth watch of the night.

Su Zhenyue had thought that after tossing and turning for half the night, with another person beside her, she wouldn’t be able to sleep. Unexpectedly, not long after lying down, she fell into a deep slumber.

The next day, when she opened her eyes, the sky was already bright. The Dragon and Phoenix Wedding Candles on the distant table had long since burned out, leaving only a pool of wax tears on the tabletop.

Su Zhenyue’s heart jumped. How did I sleep so late?

She saw Shen Ji lying on his side next to her, propping his head up with his hand and gazing at her. Who knew how long he had been watching.

Seeing her awake, Shen Ji’s brow twitched slightly. “You’re awake?”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“We don’t have to pay respects to any parents-in-law, so why get up so early?” Shen Ji then asked, “How do you feel?”

Su Zhenyue thought that was true; since there were no elders, no one would find it strange. She answered in a small voice, “I’m fine.”

Shen Ji sighed and said deliberately, “But I’m not.”

“What’s wrong with you?” Su Zhenyue was puzzled. Was he complaining that he wasn’t satisfied?

Shen Ji didn’t answer, only turning over to show her his back.

From his shoulder to his back, there were several thin scratch marks, clearly made by fingernails.

Su Zhenyue recalled the scene from last night, and her cheeks flushed hot. She gave him a push. “Don’t talk about that.”

Shen Ji let out an “Ouch,” a faint smile playing on his lips. “I can’t talk about it? I thought you were going to compensate me.”

“What compensation do you want?” Su Zhenyue blinked.

“That depends on what compensation Madam wishes to give.”

Su Zhenyue thought for a moment. “I’ll cook for you myself today, how about that?”

Shen Ji didn’t say whether that was good or not, only leaning close to her ear and whispering something.

Su Zhenyue’s cheeks grew even hotter. After a long moment, she said, “We’ll talk about it later, later.”

Shen Ji smiled slightly, knowing full well that this meant she wasn’t opposed.

He began to look forward to the night’s arrival.

…

Just as they finished breakfast, someone from outside reported, “My lord, a distinguished guest has come to visit.”

“A distinguished guest?” Su Zhenyue composed herself and asked Shen Ji in a low voice, “Is it Prince Yan?”

“Probably.”

Prince Yan and his party had not left last night and were still in Anle County. Other than him, there shouldn’t be any other distinguished guests.

“Then you should go quickly.”

He was the future emperor, after all. Su Zhenyue didn’t dare to be the least bit negligent.

Shen Ji gave a soft “en,” squeezed her hand lightly, and then got up to leave.

The “distinguished guest” the personal guard mentioned was indeed Prince Yan.

Upon seeing Shen Ji, a slight smile appeared on Prince Yan’s face as he teased, “The bridegroom is glowing with success. Congratulations, congratulations.”

Shen Ji bowed his head in salute and offered his thanks.

Prince Yan waved his hand. “No need for formalities. I’ve come this time not only to congratulate you on your wedding but also to discuss another matter with you.”

—He had originally intended to say it yesterday, but held back because it was Shen Ji’s wedding day.

“Please speak, Your Highness.”

“Regarding that secret matter you mentioned before.” Prince Yan didn’t mention the Eastern Palace, but pointed towards the east and lowered his voice. “I sent people to investigate but found nothing unusual.”

Shen Ji frowned slightly. Nothing?

“From the intelligence brought back by the spies, the theory of rebellion is absolutely impossible. As for a private affair…” Prince Yan mused, “He has always abided by the rules and has no contact with the imperial concubines. Besides the women of the Eastern Palace, in the entire palace, he is only close to Zhaoyang Princess.”

Previously, Shen Ji had told Prince Yan that the Crown Prince sending assassins a thousand li to silence him likely meant the Crown Prince had a major, unspeakable secret.

Prince Yan had keenly realized this was an opportunity.

—He could spend his entire life as just a vassal prince, but if the heir apparent lacked virtue and was unfit to be a ruler, why couldn’t he seize the opportunity in time? They were all descendants of the Xiao clan; who was worse than whom?

So he had sent people to investigate secretly.

In Prince Yan’s view, in a heavily guarded place like the Imperial Palace, in the Imperial Garden, it was unlikely to be a plot of rebellion or murder. The most likely scenario was an illicit affair that he feared would be discovered.

For example, the heir apparent having an affair with a stepmother…

Who would have thought that after more than a month, there would be no results at all.

Disappointed, Prince Yan couldn’t help but wonder if they were heading in the wrong direction, or if Shen Ji had missed something.

But a thought stirred in Shen Ji’s mind. “Zhaoyang Princess?”

Hearing Prince Yan mention “Zhaoyang Princess,” he couldn’t help but recall the various details from the night of the Qionglin Banquet.

That night, not only was the Crown Prince acting strangely, but the princess’s attitude was also very odd.

Prince Yan sighed. “Zhaoyang Princess is his full-blooded sister, from the same mother.”

Something seemed to flash through his mind. Shen Ji suddenly looked up. “His full-blooded sister?”