Chapter 3 The Bridal Chamber "I have no interest in women from Chang'an."...
Xuan Niang had taught her about consummating the marriage.
Although the booklet was hot to handle, Ruan Yu still read it through carefully.
The more I looked at it, the more uneasy I felt.
But now, she has put all of that behind her, because the man in that booklet is completely incomparable to the one she saw today.
Therefore, the severity of this matter in Ruan Yu's mind naturally increased to a new level.
Back in the tent, Hela brought two maids: "These are Jin'er and Shun'er, they are from your Central Plains, and they will serve you in this tent from now on."
Ruan Yu thanked her again, and Haila patted her hand: "Mother just said that it's too late and you're too tired today, so there's no need to see her. We'll meet again tomorrow morning when the bride serves tea."
Ruan Yu's mother-in-law was a woman from the Central Plains. Ruan Yu didn't know her exact name, but she knew that she was once a beauty in Chang'an. Unfortunately, she heard that her health had been poor in recent years and she rarely came out to see people.
"There's nothing else to do today, let's rest."
Ruan Yu thanked her again, and Hela left.
"Quickly help me remove this headdress..." Ruan Yu immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and Xuan Niang and Qing Guo immediately stepped forward.
"Miss, you're exhausted today. It breaks my heart to see you like this."
Xuan Niang: "From now on, we need to change how we address you. We should call you Miss Ketun."
Qingguo: "Yes, Khatun."
Xuan Niang glanced at Jin'er and Shun'er beside her, asked them a few questions, and then sent them to do some rough work in the tent. Qing Guo and Xuan Niang helped Ruan Yu change her clothes. Xuan Niang whispered, "Kedun, take a bath first. His Highness will be back soon."
Ruan Yu was a little nervous: "Xuan Niang, I..."
Xuan Niang lowered her voice further: "Don't be afraid, Minister, I've already prepared everything." As she spoke, she slipped a small bottle into Ruan Yu's hand.
"This ointment will melt with temperature and won't harm the body. But if you find it difficult later, you can use it on..."
Ruan Yu's cheeks turned frighteningly red, but for her own sake, she still took it and then quietly hid it in her sleeve pocket.
After that, there was nothing more for her to do.
She bathed and dressed, silently waiting for Chaolu to return.
And so they waited, until almost midnight.
Ruan Yu was so sleepy that her eyelids were drooping when she finally heard footsteps outside the tent.
It's a bit heavy and a bit unstable.
Chaolu also had a servant named Afu, who was also a grassland man, but he looked young and honest.
"Your Highness, you're finally back. How could we keep the Khatun waiting until now... This servant will help you take a bath."
Chao Lu was a little drunk. He glanced at him and said, "No need, go and rest."
Afu shuddered: "Today is His Highness's joyous occasion—"
"If I say I don't need it, then I don't need it. Stop talking nonsense!"
Afu silently shut his mouth, "Yes..."
Ruan Yu was startled awake by this shout. All her sleepiness vanished, and she quickly got out of bed and sat properly on the edge of the bed.
The curtain was quickly lifted, and the man walked in.
Looking up, I saw the slender figure by the bed.
Without the elaborate and voluminous dress she wore during the day, she seemed even thinner. When she attended the banquet in the afternoon, she only ate two or three bites of food. Chao Lu was certain that even the rabbits in his own backyard probably ate more than her.
Ruan Yu hesitated for a moment, then stood up: "Fourth Prince..."
According to the rules, she is required to serve the other party.
The man merely glanced at her indifferently, showing no intention of expecting her to serve him, and quickly removed his thick outer robe.
"The grasslands are much colder than Chang'an, so wear an extra layer of clothing."
Ruan Yu: "?"
She never expected that her new husband's first words after entering the bridal chamber would be this.
Should we let her wear another layer of clothing?
Ruan Yu was wearing a red soft gauze robe, which was partially hidden, outlining the woman's beautiful figure.
Doesn't she know she's dressed too lightly?
But this was specially prepared by Xuan Niang for their wedding night...
She still remembers the amazed look in Xuan Niang's eyes back then—
"Although the girl is young, she has a beautiful figure. She is still a flower waiting to bloom. Once she meets a husband who is willing to cherish her, he will naturally understand how wonderful she is."
Clearly, she didn't encounter it.
Ruan Yu absolutely did not believe that Chao Lu's expression just now was one of concern; his cold gaze even contained a hint of disdain...
Speechless, Ruan Yu lost all interest and simply grabbed a loose-fitting outer robe to wrap herself up tightly.
After saying those words, the man went around to the back.
At that moment, the sound of water came from the bathroom.
...
Ruan Yu waited a while longer. When she returned, the man walked straight past her and lay back down on the bed without even glancing at her.
Even if Ruan Yu was slow to realize, she would eventually understand that her husband seemed to dislike her.
But she believed she hadn't done anything wrong.
Ruan Yu was at a loss. The next moment, she heard Chao Lu's deep voice: "The grasslands are not suitable for you women from Chang'an. You are unlucky."
Ruan Yu paused for a moment, then pursed her lips.
"It is my blessing to marry Your Highness."
No sooner had he finished speaking than he heard the other person let out a soft chuckle.
"I am the least favored Taiji. Chang'an was already reluctant to marry me. What good fortune do I have?"
Ruan Yu didn't respond. This marriage was a political alliance, and it must have a purpose. She couldn't figure out what the other party meant, so she didn't dare to say anything more.
"You are a princess of Chang'an, what are you afraid of?" the man spoke again, his tone laced with sarcasm and probing.
Ruan Yu suddenly looked up and met Chao Lu's gaze. Her heart was pounding. Did this mean... the Chaha tribe already knew her identity?
Indeed, Hua Lun had already been chosen, but the matter was changed at the last minute. The status of the woman who was to be married off for political reasons was lowered again and again. The grasslands are not stupid.
After a moment's thought, Ruan Yu decided to tell the truth.
"I dare not deceive Your Highness. I am just an ordinary woman, not a princess."
Chao Lu was not surprised at all, clearly having known all along.
His hawk-like eyes sized Ruan Yu up and down. After a moment, he closed his eyes and said, "If His Majesty the Emperor says you are who you are, then you are. Don't let it slip when you go out in the future."
"yes."
Chao Lu did harbor resentment. His status was special, and he had known for a month that the emperor of the Central Plains had gone back on his word and switched the goods. However, for the sake of the overall situation and his mother's reputation, he could only endure it for the time being.
Silence returned to the tent. Ruan Yu glanced at the person on the bed, who had already closed his eyes.
He...didn't intend to consummate the marriage with me?
Ruan Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that Chaolu probably didn't like her, Ruan Yu couldn't say whether she was happy or not. Anyway, they were two strangers, so she decided to just make do for now.
She was at a loss as to whether to go to bed or not. After much hesitation, Ruan Yu decided to turn off the lights first.
Even the few small lights in the farthest distance were a bit dazzling.
She slowly walked over and used the candle scissors to extinguish the few small candles, making the room slightly darker. Just as Ruan Yu put them down, she heard the man speak again: "Sleep."
"good……"
Ruan Yu slowly walked over.
Although there were still dragon and phoenix candles inside the tent, having stared at the campfire for so long tonight, her eyes were suddenly not used to the dim light. Coupled with the unfamiliarity of the surroundings, Ruan Yu tripped over something without noticing.
She gasped softly, feeling herself lunge forward, when at the same time, a dark figure suddenly sat up—
"What are you doing?!"
Ruan Yu felt herself being caught, but the iron-like arm gripped her tightly, making her extremely uncomfortable...
"I……"
The man's heavy breathing was right next to her ear. Then, Ruan Yu felt herself being lifted up like a rag doll and shoved into the blankets. Then, the man beside her stood up—
"Since you Central Plains people are unwilling to accept this marriage, there's no need to force yourselves into this! This marriage will not last! Besides, you are too delicate; you'll be torn apart by wolves here! Starting tomorrow, you'd better stay with my elder sister and be filial to my mother. I have no interest in women from Chang'an."
After saying that, he turned around and strode out of the tent.
Ruan Yu was stunned after the man stuffed her into the quilt, and sat there blankly listening to him babbling on and on.
It took him a while to come to his senses.
Not planning to consummate the marriage, not interested?
Although Ruan Yu felt a sense of displeasure at being ignored, she thought of the man's large size and savage nature.
hehe.
She's not that cheap.
Throwing herself into someone's arms?
Ruan Yu twitched her lips.
She didn't care if she didn't want to sleep; it wouldn't bother her. The rushed wedding ceremony and the fatigue from days of travel had left her exhausted. As soon as her body touched the soft bedding and bed, almost instantly, drowsiness washed over Ruan Yu like a tide. She didn't force herself and closed her eyes.
...
The guards around Chaolu took turns keeping watch at night. Tonight, Has and the others were already drunk, while only Yang Chong was still faithfully performing his duties.
Upon seeing Chao Lu, Yang Chong's eyes widened.
Chaolu merely glanced at him indifferently before walking to the stable to fetch his horse.
Yang Chong quickly followed.
Chaolu did not gallop; he simply rode his beloved horse for a short ride around the area. On the vast grassland, the moon's soft light shone down, and the gentle breeze caressed the grass.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Chao Lu turned around and glanced at the person following behind him. Normally, Yang Chong would have been nagging him to talk things out, but for such a big thing as him not being in the bridal chamber on their wedding night, this person had become mute again.
Yang Chong lowered his eyes: "Your Highness can only assist you in important matters; I dare not interfere in matters concerning the inner quarters."
Chao Lu gave a sarcastic smile: "Then I'll order you to guess how I got here."
Yang Chong hesitated for a moment: "The newly arrived Khatun does not suit Your Highness's taste."
"I'm not interested in women, so it's not a question of whether they suit my taste or not."
"That is because the Dian□□Tie Qatun is tired from the journey and is physically weak."
Chao Lu scoffed.
Sensing his displeasure, Yang Chong finally pursed his lips and said, "Your Highness, I do not believe that the Khan's request for you to marry a woman from the Central Plains is a sign of disrespect. On the contrary, there are tribes on the grasslands that are eyeing us covetously, and our truce agreement with the Central Plains is about to expire. The Khan must make preparations in advance."
Chaolu looked at him again and moved his lips: "Tell me in detail."
"There is an old saying in the Central Plains: to repel external aggression, one must first pacify the internal. The Aohan tribe is ambitious, and the Great Khan has been patient with it for a long time. Now is the time to establish a marriage alliance with the Central Plains to show friendship between the two nations. We can also take this opportunity to open up trade with Suzhou and strengthen the power of the grasslands. The marriage alliance is a grand plan, and the Great Khan has entrusted this grand plan to you."
Chao Lu remained silent.
"Is that so? The Khan has many sons, some of whom are of higher status than me. Why not give them to them? It would show that the Central Plains are valued more."
Yang Chong: "Your Highness, you are of a suitable age but do not yet have a wife. The First Prince and the others have already married, and the Third Prince has several women... How can the Great Khan be at ease? It is the Great Khan's fatherly love to arrange a marriage for you when you reach the appropriate age."
Chao Lu pressed his temples: "In the end, you're just a lobbyist."
Before Yang Chong could say anything more, Chao Lu waved his hand. "Alright, you may leave. I'll be back shortly."
Yang Chong: "...Yes."
Chaolu rode alone to a distance, bent down to stroke the mane of his beloved steed, and a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes.
From as far back as he could remember, his father Khan disliked his mother, and all of his Khan's Khatuns could bully and humiliate them.
He couldn't understand why, if she didn't like him, she had given birth to him and his older sister with his mother.
And why, then, did it have to be him who arranged the marriage alliance?
A note from the author:
----------------------
Chaolu, please remember your words~~~[doge emoji]
The next update will be at midnight on the 7th.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
