Cuiming and Hongye had already set out meat sauce and wine cups on the table beside the bed.
After the couple ate the meat sauce together and drank the nuptial wine, it was time for them to consummate their marriage.
Qin Yuan's right sleeve was pressed down by Gu Jinghui's left sleeve for quite a while.
This signifies the husband's role as the head of the household.
This was meant to symbolize that in the future, Qin Yuan would always defer to Jing Hui, like a wife in harmony.
She had prepared her thoughts and was about to speak when Gu Jinghui gently lifted her chin with two fingers. When she looked up, she met a pair of eyes as bright as stars, their pupils reflecting only her.
Qin Yuan's throat suddenly felt dry, and her fingers curled slightly as she gripped her sleeve.
"My lord..."
"Call me husband."
"My husband."
Qin Yuan's voice was soft, with a hint of shyness.
Gu Jinghui then put his hand down and said, "It's time to eat and drink."
"Um."
Qin Yuan got up, faced west, and sat down at the table. Gu Jinghui came over and sat opposite her. The two of them picked up their chopsticks at the same time and ate the meat sauce.
This meat sauce is made from the meat of the same animal, and after eating it, one can say that husband and wife are one.
Next comes drinking the nuptial wine.
Gu Jinghui squinted as he watched her face gradually turn red, his Adam's apple bobbing, and said, "You really have a low alcohol tolerance. As expected of a civil official's daughter, you're so delicate and frail."
Qin Yuan lowered her eyes and remained silent.
The wine cup in her hand was taken away by Gu Jinghui and placed aside.
"Withdraw."
Hongye and Cuiming removed the things from the room, closed the door, and stood guard outside to serve.
Only the two of them remained inside.
Qin Yuan's hand was grasped by Gu Jinghui, who pulled her into his embrace. His chest was warm against her back, and the strong smell of alcohol wafted up, accompanied by his heavy breathing that brushed against her ear.
"Shouldn't it be time to go to bed?"
Qin Yuan hadn't even taken off her phoenix crown yet, and the maids had already been sent away by him, so she had to do it herself. Qin Yuan was in a flurry of activity, and Gu Jinghui, seeing the trouble, also came to help, but only made things more chaotic.
Qin Yuan then urged him on, saying, "Husband, why don't you go change your clothes first?"
Gu Jinghui seemed to realize that he had made things worse, and reluctantly stopped and went to the clean room.
Qin Yuan then called Hongye and Cuiming in, helped her remove her hair ornaments, and changed her into her nightgown.
The nightgown was also rushed out by Jinxiu Pavilion. It was embroidered with a hundred children pattern and the inner lining was a bib with mandarin ducks playing in the water. The waist was slender and the chest was full and plump, which looked very attractive.
Hongye muttered, "I don't believe the Marquis would be willing to do that."
Qin Yuan urged her, "Find the Marquis's sleeping robe and put it on the embroidered stool by the bed."
After dismissing Hongye, Qin Yuan also went to the clean room to wash up.
When she came out, the room was quiet. Gu Jinghui was lying on the side of the bed, also wearing a red nightgown. His long, black hair was spread out on the jade pillow, and his eyelids were closed, as if he had fallen asleep.
Qin Yuan moved quietly, and as she approached, Gu Jinghui opened his eyes and said softly, "You sleep inside."
“I’ll sleep outside so I can better serve my husband.”
These women were all taught before they got married.
Qin Yuan's voice was soft and gentle, yet very persistent.
“No need,” Gu Jinghui said. “I usually get up early to practice martial arts so as not to disturb you. In the past, I was always served by servants. In the army, I was used to doing things myself.”
Qin Yuan understood that this was an explanation of his habits.
"good."
Qin Yuan sat at the foot of the bed and took off her red embroidered shoes, revealing a pair of fair and slender jade feet. Gu Jinghui's gaze fell on her seemingly casually. Qin Yuan felt flustered by his stare and hurriedly climbed over Gu Jinghui. She felt his body suddenly stiffen, and then the world spun around her as she landed on a broad and firm chest.
It was hot and fragrant with soapberry aroma.
"Husband," Qin Yuan exclaimed softly.
A soft chuckle came from outside; someone was eavesdropping.
Qin Yuan's face grew even hotter.
Outside the tent, the light from the dragon and phoenix candles shone into the tent, making Gu Jinghui's face appear even more handsome in the red candlelight. His resolute face, handsome chin, high nose bridge, and deep eyes were truly captivating.
Qin Yuan stopped struggling and nestled softly in Gu Jinghui's arms, smiling as she said, "Husband, I have something to ask you."
Gu Jinghui's hand, which had reached towards her collar, slowly moved down to embrace her waist.
"What?"
Qin Yuan asked, "What is the purpose of marriage between men and women?"
Gu Jinghui seemed to be taken aback for a moment, then said, "It serves the ancestral temple above and continues the lineage below."
Is this what it means to carry on the family line and ensure the continuation of the family line?
Qin Yuan then asked, "If that's the case, why is the Marquis delaying his marriage?"
Gu Jinghui's hand slid down her waist, and his voice turned cold: "I'm busy fighting the war, how could I have time to come back and get married? Do you think I'm too old, or that I'm a rough man?"
Qin Yuan quickly grabbed his sleeve and said, "Your Excellency is in the prime of your life, handsome and strong. How can you say you are old? I am overjoyed to marry such a great man as Your Excellency. How could I possibly complain? When we get married, the Qin family and the Gu family will be united forever. I will take into account the dignity of both families and plan for Your Excellency in every way."
"What exactly does Yuan'er mean?"
Gu Jinghui's voice carried a hint of intimacy.
Qin Yuan frowned, looked up at his sharp jaw, and said, "Yuan'er has just married into the Marquis's mansion, so it's inevitable that she's feeling uneasy... Yuan'er is worried that you have a concubine or other plans, so it's best to find out the truth first."
"Concubine?"
Meeting Gu Jinghui's ambiguous gaze, Qin Yuan's heart clenched, as if she were being stared at by a ferocious beast, and the hairs on her body stood on end.
After waiting for a while, Gu Jinghui said calmly, "I don't have any concubines, it's just that..."
"Just what?"
"I need to make this clear to you. When I was fighting in the northern frontier, I was ambushed from behind. One of my subordinates took the fall for me and survived. I promised to take care of his wife and children."
"Is it Lady Zhao's husband?"
Gu Jinghui glanced at her and said, "Yes."
"My husband is a man of deep affection and loyalty. I wonder what he plans to do with them?"
"I have adopted two children as my godsons, and I will take care of them as my own children from now on. Naturally, Madam Zhao will also be living in the mansion..."
Gu Jinghui hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
This hesitation is rather subtle.
Qin Yuan said solemnly, "Today, that Lady Zhao also came to the bridal chamber. I wish my husband and I could be loving and affectionate for a long time. Seeing that she is still in mourning, I inevitably feel offended. My sixth sister-in-law advised her to leave, but Lady Zhao insisted on seeking justice from the Marquis. I am worried that I have offended our distinguished guest, and I am also worried that the Marquis has other plans for her."
Gu Jinghui's face darkened.
Qin Yuan understood that she had spoiled his mood.
But tonight, with gratitude and her children as her support, Zhao Niangzi is bound to cause trouble, so she must make sure to say something beforehand.
Since Gu Jinghui values this marriage and has agreed to the two families becoming husband and wife, he should be mindful of her dignity in every way and not cause any embarrassing incidents.
Whether or not the marriage is consummated is not important to Qin Yuan.
Suddenly, a commotion arose in the courtyard.
Gu Jinghui frowned in displeasure.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "It seems that Lady Zhao has come to see the Marquis."
Gu Jinghui: "?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
