Chapter 143 continues
Lu Jinlan frowned and thought for a moment, "I left early this morning and just got back. I barely spoke ten words to you today. I didn't do anything. How did I bully you?"
Hearing this, Yuanzhen felt even more aggrieved and choked up, saying, "Yes, you were out all day, and when you came back you didn't even bother to say a word to me. I am your husband, and we lie in the same bed every day, yet you do nothing."
"You're just bullying me. You're taking advantage of my young age and ignorance, taking advantage of the fact that I'm not as seductive as other men. No matter what I do, you don't like it. I'm even wearing clothes like this, and you don't even bother to look at me."
His intermittent sobs finally made Lu Jinlan realize that he had mentioned the clothes to her so she could see them. As for why he wanted her to see them, she understood without him saying it.
Lu Jinlan was at a loss for words. To be honest, Yuan Zhen was extremely handsome and had a great figure. He was a charming young man who could captivate anyone without having to do anything.
At first, she was actually a little tempted by having someone like that lying next to her every day.
But Lu Jinlan saw that he was confused and that every time she teased him, he would be frightened like a startled bird, so she couldn't bear to force him to do anything.
As she said, such things are only interesting when they happen naturally. As an emperor, surrounded by all the beauties in the world, she disdained to force a naive young man.
Moreover, Lu Jinlan had witnessed all sorts of seductive tactics in the palace. The palace servants, vying for the emperor's favor, had all cultivated themselves into shrewd and calculating individuals. In truth, she preferred men with simple, pure hearts, like Yuan Zhen—simple, innocent, gentle, considerate, virtuous, and charming.
She liked him, and out of consideration for his young age, she didn't force him. Unexpectedly, this led to a misunderstanding.
As for this kind of clothing... Yuan Zhen found it novel, but Lu Jinlan was used to it.
In the palace, she saw at least four or five male concubines pass by. Xiao Heng, Yu Mian, Chu Yi, and who else she couldn't remember.
Anyway, it might seem novel once or twice, but it gets the same after a while. So when she glanced at it, she didn't think much of it at the time.
But this indifferent reaction made Yuanzhen think that she had no interest in him at all.
Yuanzhen grew increasingly distressed, and clear tears streamed down her face. "If you disliked me because I had loved other women, why did you marry me in the first place?"
Lu Jinlan retorted, "Who said I disliked that you ever liked Lu Jinlan?"
Yuan Zhen said urgently, "Don't mention that name! I'm Lu Er's husband now, why are you still bringing her up? I've never met her, I've long forgotten about her."
Lu Jinlan was speechless. "Okay, okay, let's not talk about that person. But I have to make it clear that I've never looked down on you for liking anyone else. Didn't I say to let bygones be bygones? Besides, I know that you like me now."
Yuan Zhen nodded. "You know, you know... Since you don't dislike me for liking other people, then you must dislike me for being dull and boring."
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "Who said that?"
Yuanzhen pursed her lips and honestly said, "My uncle said that women like men who act like noblemen when they go out, like master husbands at home, and like libertines in bed. My second uncle said I'm like a block of wood, no wonder you don't like me."
Lu Jinlan chuckled softly, while Yuan Zhen said angrily, "You're still laughing at me? I'm heartbroken."
Lu Jinlan smiled and shook her head. Seeing the tears clinging to his thick, long eyelashes, she reached out and wiped them away, saying with pity, "Don't be sad. I've never disliked you. I think you're very interesting."
"Really?" Yuan Zhen didn't believe it. "Then why... why don't you want me?"
Lu Jinlan grasped his hand. "Weren't you always very scared?"
Yuan Zhen quickly hugged her, "I'm not afraid anymore."
He feared being abandoned by his wife more than being caught in a trap.
Lu Jinlan patted his back, "Let go of me first."
"No." Yuan Zhen hugged her even tighter.
He thought, he couldn't lose to those men outside. Hmph, what's so hard about seducing a woman? Those men outside will hold her tight and never let go, and he'll hold her tight and never let go either.
Lu Jinlan chuckled twice, "If you don't let go, how am I supposed to take off your clothes?"
Yuan Zhen immediately fell silent, obediently letting go of Lu Jinlan's hand and waiting patiently for Lu Jinlan to make her move.
As nimble fingers unbuttoned his shirt, Yuan Zhen couldn't help but mutter softly, "Should I do it myself?"
Lu Jinlan continued working, smiling as she asked, "Are you talking to yourself or discussing something with me?"
Yuan Zhen moved closer, feeling hesitant and uneasy, and mustered up the courage to kiss her lips.
This was the first time he had taken the initiative to kiss her. Lu Jinlan was stunned for a moment, then lowered her eyes and said, "Continue."
Yuan Zhen pursed his lips and kissed her in the same way. Feeling the smile on her lips, he mustered up his courage and began to unbutton her nightgown.
A nightgown as thin as a cicada's wing was thrown on the ground, and another one followed, covering it tightly.
The bed curtains were drawn, and a few whispers could be faintly heard.
The man said nervously, "My uncle said that a man's first time will be very painful."
The woman calmly replied, "No, I have experience."
*
That night, Yuan Zhen went out of his way to please Lu Jinlan, captivating her completely. The two made love several times before finally resting.
Yuanzhen mumbled sleepily, "Uncle is such a liar, it doesn't hurt as much as a bear trap."
"A bear trap," Lu Jinlan laughed. "Your uncle is probably pretending to know what he's talking about. Has he ever been married or not?"
Yuanzhen said in a low voice, "I heard from the elders that when he was young, he married a rich young lady to bring her good luck, but not long after, the young lady died of illness. My uncle has been a widow ever since."
Lu Jinlan was silent for a moment, then said, "He's a pitiful person too. You should take care of him more often."
"Mm," Yuan Zhen responded, remembering her uncle's words of advice.
Although she was exhausted and felt sleepy, Yuan Zhen still leaned over and gave Lu Jinlan's ear a sweet kiss.
"My wife, I want to be with you forever."
"Okay, go to sleep."
Yuan Zhen refused. He leaned against Lu Jinlan and pleaded softly, "You said you wanted to be with me forever, okay?"
Lu Jinlan closed her eyes and grasped his hand in return, saying vaguely, "I want to too."
"Swear it."
"childish."
Please.
"..." Lu Jinlan opened her eyes, looked at his pitiful eyes, and raised her chin. "Go get paper and pen, I'll write you a note."
Yuanzhen's eyes lit up, and she quickly jumped off the bed barefoot. Without even putting on her shoes and socks, she hurriedly grabbed paper and pen, as if afraid that Yuanzhen would change her mind.
Lu Jinlan dipped her brush in ink and wrote a single character in one fluid stroke: "Take it."
Yuan Zhen picked up the paper, blew on the still-wet ink, and examined it carefully by the candlelight, turning it over and over. He asked in confusion, "Why did the mistress write the character 'who' on it?"
Lu Jinlan laughed heartily, resting his head on his arm. "That's not the word 'who,' it's the word 'approved.' My true oath... is simply 'approved,' without all those fancy words."
Yuanzhen smiled and carefully put the calligraphy away. "I'm going to frame this tomorrow. You promised, so you can't go back on your word."
Lu Jinlan patted the spot next to her, "If you keep bothering me, I'll change my mind. Come to sleep."
Yuanzhen quickly blew out the lamp, then smiled and got into bed.
*
The next morning, Yuanzhen helped Lu Jinlan change his clothes and put on his boots, preparing him to go out.
Seeing that he was becoming more and more skilled, Lu Jinlan whispered a few words in his ear, "You see, you get better at everything the more you do it..."
Yuanzhen blushed immediately and scolded, "If you keep saying such indecent things, you can wear it yourself."
Lu Jinlan feigned innocence, "What did I say?"
After flirting for a while, Lu Jinlan left feeling refreshed.
As soon as she stepped outside, she found Yuanzhen's uncle standing in the courtyard. Upon seeing her, he hurriedly and respectfully said, "Greetings, Alliance Leader."
Lu Jinlan smiled and nodded, "When did Uncle arrive? Come in and talk to him. Yuanzhen has been talking about you."
"Okay, I'll go right now." He replied as he moved into the room.
Yuanzhen had just finished folding the quilt when her uncle came in mysteriously and nervously closed the door.
"So, did it work last night?"
Yuan Zhen smiled, "Of course... it was a success."
The uncle remarked with admiration, "It seems your second uncle, Huixian, is quite capable; that piece of clothing of his really came in handy."
Yuan Zhen scoffed, "It has nothing to do with the clothes; it's because she cares about me. Uncle, where did you hear that a man's first time is like being caught in a trap?"
The uncle quickly said, "I figured it out myself. Think about it, if you put such a thick finger into such a small lotus root hole, wouldn't it hurt?"
Yuan Zhen was speechless for a moment, and stammered, "It's different. Anyway, I don't feel that much pain."
The uncle curled his lip and said, "Oh, that's because your wife is capable and cares about you. People who have been educated are different. Go and ask around if you don't believe me."
"The men who got married last year were all butchers and hunters. Some of them were illiterate, rough country women who would grab onto their men and not let go, and they would cause them a lot of trouble."
“They all told me when they came back that it was incredibly painful the first time they consummated their marriage. They were too embarrassed to say it in front of their wives, so they had to force themselves to endure it and pretend that they really enjoyed it. Otherwise, their wives would be unhappy.”
Yuan Zhen smiled slightly. "I'm not forcing myself; I actually quite like it."
He chatted with his uncle for a while, then saw him off. He tidied up the house and washed Lu Jinlan's clothes. Back in his room, he became happier the more he looked at the words.
He vaguely remembered that his sister had items for mounting calligraphy and paintings, so he simply took the paper and went to find Ji Yun Tieshu.
*
Ji Yun Tieshu had just been able to get out of bed and was doing rehabilitation exercises in her room with crutches when Yuan Zhen entered and exclaimed happily, "Sister, you can get out of bed now!"
Ji Yun Tieshu laughed and said, "Thanks to the Alliance Leader, my legs are working again. Before long, your sister will be back to normal."
"That's wonderful!" Yuanzhen exclaimed excitedly. "Since she came, our family has been blessed with a series of happy events."
Ji Yun Tieshu hurriedly asked, "Is there any other good news?"
Yuan Zhen's face flushed. "It's nothing. Isn't my marriage to her a joyous occasion?"
Ji Yun Tieshu couldn't help but sigh, "My sister has been through so much lately and hasn't had time for you. How has the Alliance Leader treated you? Now that you're married, you have to manage the household and serve your wife. You can't be as carefree as before. Are you getting used to it?"
Yuanzhen nodded and said, "It's great! Before, we just played around all day, but it got boring after a while. Now, I see her off every day and wait for her to come back, so there's something to look forward to every day. She treats me very well. Anyway, sister, you don't need to worry about me. When we have our wedding, you can't drink because you're recovering from your injury. Once you're fully recovered, we'll invite you to a drink again."
Seeing the joy on his face, Ji Yun Tieshu felt slightly relieved. Noticing the piece of paper in his hand, he asked, "What is this?"
Yuanzhen smiled and said, "She wrote this for me. She said that this character is equivalent to a vow of eternal love. Sister, where are your framing tools? I want to frame this calligraphy."
Ji Yun Tieshu glanced at it, his expression turning serious. He said in a deep voice, "Bring it here first, let me take a closer look."
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