Chapter 21 Sleep?
The date was set for the 26th, and it wouldn't be changed without a doubt. However, preparations had to begin the day before. Madam Xie's body had to be sent away, and her remains couldn't be burned, lest they be discovered by spies from the Nine Chapters Manor. So, let's find a place to bury her; burying her under the flowers as fertilizer would be perfect.
With everything settled, the tailors in the market delivered the custom-made clothes. Shimi solemnly got herself a wedding dress, complete with a full head of standard floral headdress. Her maids also dressed appropriately, each wearing brightly colored clothes and two red velvet flowers in their hair.
They looked at each other, not knowing why they should be happy, but they were happy nonetheless.
Ali Dao examined his turban by the reflection in the water vat, and asked, "When the young lady marries into the Jiuzhang Mansion, will she bring Yanshi with her?"
Shimi said, "Once I've settled in there and set up a hiding place, I'll quietly take Yanshi over."
Ran Dian was a little worried, "We're going to be around strangers. What if we suddenly collapse while we're talking? What would we do then?"
Shimi said, "If we don't talk to strangers, that will be fine. Last time I went there, the officials from the Inner Palace arranged accommodations for me. I chased away all the strangers in that building, leaving the whole building empty for us to live in."
Yan Dian was delighted to hear this, "Jiuzhang Mansion is another, even larger place for people to leave, and it still houses a few of us, so we don't have to deal with outsiders."
Shimi said, "Yes, yes, it's just a change of residence. If anyone is investigating the whereabouts of the puppeteer, no one will know that we have moved into Jiuzhang Prefecture. There is a saying among strangers: the darkest place is under the lamp. The more dangerous the place, the safer it is."
Ran Dian nodded, then raised another question, "Will this implicate the Grand Tutor?"
That's a good question. Shimi had never considered it before. Only then did he think to consider it carefully. After thinking for a long time, he decided to accept it with a clear conscience, "This is not called implicating someone, it's called sharing the risk. Hopefully, he has the ability to protect himself. If not, then we can only abandon this one and move on to the next one."
Perhaps due to her seclusion since childhood, she didn't have much emotional connection to outsiders and matters, except for the Yanren she had spent a long time with. Lu Min was merely an object she could use to her advantage, and the so-called marriage was nothing more than creating a legitimate channel to move everything from Lirenfang into Jiuzhang Mansion, and incidentally, to obtain a proper title for herself.
The boxes in the dark room were carried out one by one and carefully counted. No one in the world dared to inspect the dowry of the Grand Tutor's wife. The materials she used every day were so openly transported into the Jiuzhang Mansion. Sometimes you really have to admire your own cleverness.
Counting them carefully, there were sixteen loose boxes. The remaining ones were more important; opening the lids revealed arms and legs. After all, ordinary puppeteers relied on flexible assembly, without such refined craftsmanship. Like the previous Lady Xie, the only effort involved was in creating her face. The reason she was captured for so many days was to carefully observe and deduce what she would look like at thirty. As for the torso and limbs, the girl's appearance was largely the same; they would grow back gradually after she moved in. That's why there was a seven-day plan. If they were to meticulously sketch her from head to toe, it would take at least two or three months to create one.
Alright, everything is in place. Seal it with tape and tie it with bright red silk. The twenty-odd chests are placed in the courtyard, and at first glance, it looks quite impressive. Now, all that's left is to wait for the Grand Tutor to come and fetch the bride.
The next morning, Shimi got out of bed and saw Ali Dao standing on the steps like a chicken, staring straight east.
"You watched it all night?" Shimi asked, rubbing his eyes.
Ali Dao nodded, hands on his hips. "It's dawn. When will the wedding procession arrive?"
He chuckled, realizing he was far more anxious than the bride. She strolled over to the well, broke off a willow twig, dipped it in salt, and rubbed her teeth, mumbling as she replied, "It's still early. Since it's called a wedding ceremony, the bride must be arriving after dark. The chest was safe and sound all night; you deserve all the credit. Now you can rest for a while."
When Yanren rests, they usually go back into their boxes. Once they have developed spiritual consciousness, they don't really want to go back after they come out.
Ali sat down on the spot and said stubbornly, "I have to keep watching."
Shi Mi was at a loss and was about to ask if they would be drinking chicken soup again in the morning when Ran Dian and Yan Dian came out holding two cut-out double happiness characters and pasted them on the front door, one on the left and one on the right.
This was already the greatest sincerity shown for the wedding ceremony; at least the atmosphere was well-crafted, and everything that should be included was there. With nothing else to do, they continued watering the flowers and dusting the house. For those who were spiritually inclined, an indispensable part of marriage was having readily available and varied meals in the Nine Chapters Mansion, no longer having to drink chicken soup all day—truly something to be thankful for.
As darkness fell, we finally heard a great commotion coming from the alleyway. The sounds of horses' hooves, gongs, and lively voices mingled together and surged in from all directions.
Ran Dian and Yan Dian opened the door, and Lu Min, dressed in formal attire, appeared outside the threshold. Behind him was a luxurious and exquisite wedding carriage, adorned with gold foil and colorful silk, befitting a proper wedding.
The bride's side, on the other hand, was relatively straightforward. There was no coy resistance, no pressure to marry, and certainly no weeping before the wedding. The groomsmen, entering the house somewhat bewildered, saw the bride, clearly extremely pleased with the marriage, already standing in the courtyard, adorned in her finest attire and holding a peacock fan as a veil. Without seeing any elders or relatives, not even her parents, they readily exchanged marriage certificates and boarded the wedding carriage.
They turned the carriage around and returned to Jiuzhang Prefecture with great fanfare. Jiuzhang Prefecture was prepared with great pomp and circumstance; with the Grand Tutor now in charge of Zhongdu, the entire city was expected to respond to his wedding.
With a bang, fireworks burst into the sky, illuminating the entire city. In an instant, the whole city erupted in excitement as clusters, piles, mountains, and seas of fireworks exploded in the air, illuminating the previously hazy night.
In Shimi's memory, the last time she saw so many fireworks was fourteen years ago on the Lantern Festival at Baiyujing. She was six years old then, nestled in her wet nurse's arms, her face tilted back, letting the colorful fireworks ignite her eyes. Time flies, and now the vibrant fireworks are reflected in her eyes, but only because she hastily married someone else.
Since Chong'an City changed hands two years ago, there has never been such a grand celebration. A magnificent fireworks display to send her off on her wedding was, in a way, a brief moment of joy she brought to Chong'an City.
The wedding carriage moved slowly forward, the procession stretching as far as the eye could see. After a long journey, they finally entered the Jiuzhang Mansion, its majestic gates wide open, the ground covered with red felt. The carriage stopped, the doors opened, and the Grand Tutor personally came to greet her, extending a clean, strong hand towards her in the brilliant lamplight.
Lu Min, at twenty-seven, looked younger than his peers, perhaps due to his pampered upbringing. His meticulously crafted attire, from head to toe, particularly his black robes, gave him an almost sharp, handsome appearance.
Without hesitation or shyness, Shimi placed her left hand into his palm. She continued to hold the fan with her right hand. The distance from the main entrance to the auditorium was quite long, and while her arm was aching from holding it up, the biggest problem was that the fan blocked her path, making walking difficult.
Several times, her hand unconsciously lowered, almost revealing her eyes, but Lu Min subtly supported her arm, forcing her to raise the screen fan again.
"How much longer?" she asked in a low voice, sounding a little impatient.
He said quickly, "At most half an incense stick's time. There are many guests in the hall. If you can't hold on, you'll be the one who loses face."
Shi Mi was immediately dissatisfied, thinking to herself that this person really knew how to distance himself. Since she couldn't embarrass him, she had to hold the fan firmly in place. Fortunately, the matchmaker quickly finished singing the song about removing the fan and covered her veil.
Then, amidst a chaotic cacophony of laughter and chatter, she was surrounded and led to a wedding ceremony. After the ceremony, a jumble of official boots appeared before her, and in a daze, she was led into the bridal chamber.
Fortunately, there was no one in the bridal chamber, and even the part about seeing the bride was omitted. Shimi pulled off her veil and got up to look for someone. When she got to the door, she saw Ali Dao and the others coming from the corridor. They told her, "The trunks have all been moved upstairs and locked in the west room."
As the three were about to enter, they saw an official from the Imperial Household Department rushing towards them with his maids. Just as Ali Dao raised his foot, the official shouted, "Wait!"
Ali Dao staggered from the shout, pointing to his nose in surprise and asking, "Are you calling me?"
The official in charge of the inner palace said that was true. Since he was brought by the new wife, he could not speak rudely. If it were anyone else, they would have dragged him away and beaten him up long ago. How could a man other than the Grand Tutor enter the bridal chamber? Even if he was a member of the bride's family, he should know some manners.
Ali Dao was truly puzzled, "I am the Queen's maidservant."
Fortunately, Shimi taught them before the wedding ceremony to change how they addressed her. If they were to call her Ami in front of others, that would be truly disrespectful and lacking in manners.
The official in charge of the inner palace forced a smile. "Even a maidservant is not allowed. No outside men are permitted in the bridal chamber." As he spoke, he waved his hand and summoned two servants. "Take this maidservant to the lower room to rest and have some cakes and pastries."
The Yan people have no need for food, but being forced to eat isn't out of the question. Ali Dao struggled as he was being persuaded to leave, pointing at Ran Dian and Yan Dian and asking, "How can they stay?"
The official said, "They are young women, and young women have special permission to stay in the bridal chamber to serve you."
Ali Dao was dragged away, and the official was almost certain that the servant had lost his mind. He then bowed to the new lady and said, "Why has Your Majesty come to the door? Are you waiting for Your Majesty? Your Majesty is entertaining guests outside and will come in later to perform the nuptial cup ceremony with Your Majesty."
So Shimi was helped back by the maid, who, without saying a word, covered her head with the veil and made her sit on the edge of the bed.
The officials and maids didn't leave, so she could only sit up straight and endure it. Finally, she heard footsteps approaching from afar, and she could tell that it was Lu Min. The moment the veil was lifted again, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then she saw Lu Min turn around and sit down next to her. From the gratified expression on the official's face, she could tell that the bride and groom were indeed a pleasing sight to behold and a perfect couple.
Many rituals have been simplified, but the most important step cannot be omitted. A split gourd ladle, connected by a red rope, is presented to them, filled with wine. The officiant chants a blessing and invites them to drink.
So the two turned around and sat facing each other, clinking their ladles together before drinking. Shi Mi drank it all in one gulp, her throat burning from the spiciness. Ran Dian, sitting next to her, picked up a piece of candied fruit from the plate and quickly stuffed it into her mouth.
It could be said that none of the people the bride brought were quite normal, but after the initial shock, everyone seemed to have gotten used to it. The master of ceremonies said some auspicious words and led everyone out, leaving only four people in the bridal chamber. Ran Dian and Yan Dian asked them, "Shall we leave?"
There was no need for that. In Lu Min's eyes, the Yanren was no different from the tables and chairs in the room. The only thing to do was to instruct the person in charge of the tent: "Jiuzhang Prefecture is not Lirenfang. Every word and action here is being watched by countless eyes. Keep a close eye on your people and don't give others any leverage over you if you want to live a long life."
Shi Mi smiled and said, "Of course I will keep a close eye on them, but isn't it a bit much for you to warn your wife like that on your wedding night?"
A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face; he truly hadn't expected to get married so hastily. But since it was a fait accompli, he needed to ensure their safety. He said, "This is just a routine notification; I hope the lady understands what I mean."
Shimi nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I understand. Are you going out to entertain the guests again? Will you come back after the banquet?"
He said he wasn't coming back, and that "the young lady can get some rest."
“That won’t do,” Shimi said. “If you don’t come back on our wedding night, the whole of Chong’an will know that we’re sleeping separately. Wouldn’t I, as the Grand Tutor’s wife, lose all face? How will I be able to show my face in public after that?”
The Grand Tutor looked at her with a complicated expression, probably because countless thoughts were churning in his mind at that moment, and he was having a mental battle.
Shi Mi continued to comfort him, "It's not like we haven't slept together before, Grand Tutor, don't make things difficult for him."
Good words, but they all sounded different coming from her mouth. Lu Minlu was silent for a moment, then turned and left.
Ran Dian and Yan Dian immediately leaned in and asked, "Have you slept together?"
Shimi said yes, "When traveling to and from Baiyujing, they almost always slept together."
"Oh," Yan Dian said, "then you're going to have a baby."
The astute man scorned her, saying, "Why do you always want to have children! You just slept a few times, where would a child come from?"
For the Yan people, the simple act of sleeping is complex. Sleeping is a solitary activity, but for two people, especially a man and a woman, sleeping together constitutes the essential element for having a child. The reason they aren't having a child now is simply because the time isn't right yet; when the time comes, the child will naturally be born.
"Then do you think the Grand Tutor will return tonight?" Ran Dian asked.
Shi Mi said, "If he doesn't go back to the bridal chamber, I'll go to his bedroom to find him. I'm determined to let everyone know that he and I are a real couple, not just pretending."
Ran Dian nodded in agreement, "We'll find Ali's knife, then go back to sleep and won't disturb you at all."
They became increasingly perceptive and tactful, but Shimi still had to emphasize to them: "This place is not like the Lirenfang, where you can hide in boxes every day. Here, you have to sleep in beds, at least in front of others."
Yan Dian chuckled dryly, "Then tell me, if someone finds us lying motionless on the bed, won't it scare them?"
So it was a difficult problem. Although the servants were forbidden from entering the building at will, there was no guarantee that there wouldn't be any accidents. So after much discussion, they decided that their large wooden chests still had to be placed next to the bed. The wooden chests were too important to the Yan people; they were their only place to rest and recuperate.
Ran Dian and Yan Dian had no idea what Ami was going to do next. In any case, it seemed like there was a lot to do on their wedding night. Since they couldn't get involved, they stood there idly for a while before going to look for Ali Dao.
Fortunately, Ali Dao hadn't gone far. The official wanted to take him to where the servants were supposed to stay, but he refused without hesitation. A servant must be aware of his duty; to be more than ten feet away from Ami is to neglect one's duty.
“They are indeed people brought by the Queen; they are different from us,” a waiter said sarcastically.
Someone stuck out their tongue and patted their chest, saying, "When he entered the bridal chamber, he really scared me to death."
"Hey, is it an old custom in Laoyin Pass for a man to call himself a 'bedmate'?"
They gossiped, but it didn't harm Ali's sword. The Yanren used in combat, without the pins removed from behind their ears, were harmless, possessing the mental capacity of a six or seven-year-old child. Unless they pointed their fingers at him and shouted insults, he basically couldn't understand them.
Not talking to outsiders is the best way to protect oneself. Ali Dao ate pastries one after another until Ran Dian and Yan Dian came to find him, and then he went back with them.
Fortunately, this independent pavilion within the Jiuzhang Mansion was now theirs. The Grand Tutor had set up their bridal chamber here for their convenience. They could freely explore every room, carrying their own luggage, and find their own comfortable lodgings.
Shimi stood by the window, watching them each enter the bedroom opposite. The detached building was brightly lit and decorated, and even though no one was around, it didn't feel deserted.
Faintly, one could hear laughter and chatter outside the building. Chong'an City had six guards, each with a general and left and right captains. These military commanders were not only skilled in battle, but also had powerful voices. Given Lu Min's current inability to hold his liquor, it was uncertain whether he could even make it back upright.
The booming sounds continued incessantly; fireworks were still going off in the city, as if they were free. Shimi pulled over a chair, propped his chin on his hand, and sat by the window to enjoy the spectacle. Most of the time, peace and quiet were nice, but the occasional liveliness didn't seem so bad.
After watching for a long time, it finally began to decline. It's getting late, probably past midnight.
She figured the groom probably wouldn't be coming back, since the noise outside had faded and disappeared. She started considering whether to barge into Lu Min's bedroom; it wasn't far from the covered bridge anyway, and she could wait for him while she slept, no matter when he returned.
As luck would have it, just as she was about to grab her bedding, a group of people came over from the connecting corridor. Lu Min, dressed in a dark red ceremonial robe, showed no signs of being drunk. When he reached the entrance to the courtyard, he raised his hand and waved, causing the servants behind him to stop and immediately retreat from the detached building.
He walked with impeccable poise, maintaining his dignity and demeanor perfectly, almost convincing Shi Mi that he had truly withstood the entanglements of the guests. But after only two steps, he stumbled, and as he braced himself against the wall, the jade pendant on his sash struck the railing beside the steps with a sharp crack, shattering into pieces on the floor.
He bowed his head for a long time, then squatted down and picked up the broken jade pieces.
Seeing this, Shimi had no choice but to come out and help him. She reached out to support him, and he was slightly drunk, with a refreshing scent of wine on him. Turning to look at her, he said with regret, "On such a joyous day, to break the jade is perhaps an ominous sign."
Shimi didn't take it seriously, saying, "What's this about good or bad omens? Where did all this superstitious talk come from?"
He gestured his hand towards her, saying, "Look."
It's a pity to waste such a fine jade. Shi Mi took it from his hand and said, "Give it to me. There's plenty of red silk in the house. Just tear off a piece, wrap it up, and bury it under the crabapple tree to break the curse."
The real challenge now is something else entirely: this fleshy body is so heavy, I can't even lift him, I can only drag him along. Fortunately, he's not completely drunk; he walks with a slight limp and his speech lacks its usual clarity.
Shi Mi settled him in the armchair and poured him a glass of water. "If you can't drink, just pretend. Are you out of your mind? Are you really going to gulp it down?"
He slowly raised his eyes. "The wine offered to the guests was replaced with water. Otherwise, would I still be sitting here?"
Shimi asked, "Then how did you get so drunk?"
His hand holding the cup trembled slightly. "The wine we share is the real wine."
Shi Mi then realized that the reason he had stumbled so drunk was because of those two cups of wine.
"Tsk, it seems I still need more experience. Abstaining from alcohol completely is not an option, and getting drunk can easily lead to trouble." She thought for a moment and said, "Starting tomorrow, I will drink a cup with my evening meal every day, and I will eventually get used to it."
He didn't speak, his head was lowered, his wrist rested limply on the armrest, and the teacup swayed gently between his fingers.
Shimi quickly went to take it, muttering, "This is so troublesome. I feel like a woman serving her alcoholic husband..." But he was holding it very tightly and she couldn't get it off. She said anxiously, "Let go quickly, or the cup will break."
He finally released his fingers, looked up, and smiled at her. His smile was breathtaking, and Shi Mi was quite pleased, even more so by his actions. "I thought you weren't coming back; I was even planning to go look for you."
He sorted through his memories. "Wasn't it the woman who told me to come back?"
“I was the one who asked you to come back. I was a little surprised by the Grand Tutor’s obedience. Actually, I’ve said time and again that the wedding should be simple, but why didn’t you listen? A marriage certificate is enough; there’s no need for such a grand affair.” She said, laughing happily, “Look at all the fireworks and banquets, it’s so elaborate that I really thought I was getting married.”
The smile on his face gradually faded, and he asked intently, "Doesn't that count?"
As for the person who is confused, well, it's just that it's different from what I imagined.
Those two glasses of wine slowed his speech considerably, and he seemed to be pondering deeply. "What kind of marriage does the young lady envision? An arranged marriage by her parents, or one based on mutual love? There are countless arranged marriages in this world. Whether they suit each other or not, once the wedding ceremony is over, it's considered complete, without question. Someone of my status should have had a grander wedding ceremony, but it's already been simplified. What more could I ask for? It's a major life event, and I don't expect there will be a next time. I strive for a perfect life and don't want to leave any regrets."
So, putting on a show that makes you happy is considered an explanation to yourself. The louder you shout the slogan of perfection, the more you are covering up the biggest imperfection.
Shi Mi felt that on such a joyous day, he shouldn't be too pessimistic, so he said, "Who says there won't be a next time? I'm a very understanding person and I love to help others. As long as the Grand Tutor has any needs, whether it's abdicating or dying suddenly, I'm willing to do it."
She spoke so casually and lightly that he felt mocked. "Does the lady know I can't live without her, that's why she treats me so lightly?"
Shi Mi hurriedly waved her hand, "No, I'm just making a statement, it won't delay you. After all, this marriage is somewhat forced."
In fact, she was quite sincere and spoke the truth, but Lu Min heard it as having ulterior motives.
Even a light drink can make you tipsy. He sat at the table, one hand resting on the edge, and chuckled, "If a young lady is so understanding and righteous, then what was the point of the puppeteer's efforts? He went to great lengths to bring you to my side, just to hold a wedding ceremony with me?"
He's not stupid; he's always been wary of them. Now, under the influence of alcohol, he's starting to test her with his words again.
Shi Mi was also adept at feigning compliance. "Yan Shi was like a teacher and father to me. He was worried that I wouldn't be able to get married, so he forced me into your marriage. Besides, you need my help right now, so marrying me wouldn't be a loss. I've already married, so my long-cherished wish has been fulfilled. The rest is up to you."
He looked straight at her. "What if I divorce you tomorrow?"
Shi Mi was startled. "Are you out of your mind? You're going to divorce me tomorrow? I may have a good temper, but don't think I don't. Even if we're hard to get along with, it's still necessary to put up with each other for a year or two. You'd better think it over."
He listened to her words, his anger turning to displeasure, then to sneer, before finally letting go. "A tense wedding night is really spoiling the mood. Now that you're married, does the bride know what to do next?"
Shimi said, "Yes, I know. Do you want me to undress you and serve you until bedtime?"
He didn't speak; his eyes, clouded by the wine, were now obscured by the glow of the red candles, concealing their usual sharpness.
Knowing that Mi Xindao was truly courageous, he started to challenge her. She was fully aware of his disgust for puppeteers and puppeteers, and the most important thing on their wedding night had become a strange form of battle. Now it was a matter of who could endure the disgust longer.
With a flick of her fingers, she said, "Come, let me help the Grand Tutor change his clothes."
He slowly stood up and spread his hands. "My wife, from today onwards you should call me husband."
"Husband it is," she said, "changing the way I address you is no problem for Shimi." She grabbed the jade belt hanging at his waist and said with a smile, "If you like hearing me call you that, then I'll call you husband eight hundred times a day."
She loosened his belt, and he did not refuse, but asked her, "Does Master Yan want you to be my real husband, or does he only want to use the title of Grand Tutor's wife to achieve some other purpose?"
Her hair was as black as clouds, and when he lowered his head, he could smell the rich fragrance emanating from her hair. Shi Mi was surprised by his conjecture, "I helped you escape your predicament and even gave you a wife as a favor. Such a great kindness, and you actually doubt the intentions of the Puppet Master. Grand Tutor Lu, you really have the suspicion of being ungrateful after you've served your purpose."
He looked at her with a half-smile. "So, you mean you want to be a real couple?"
“Go ahead,” Shimi said. “Don’t worry about me. I have many years of cultivation and have seen all kinds of storms. It’s you who should be more cautious, as your foundation is unstable. If you accidentally hurt yourself or break something, you’ll have to trouble the Puppet Master to repair it… How embarrassing would that be!”
His expression indeed changed after hearing her words. "What did you say? You bumped yourself? You broke it? It seems the lady is deliberately humiliating me again."
Shi Mi laughed awkwardly, "Look at your temper, I didn't mean that, why are you misinterpreting it? We're really family, that's why I gave you this advice. If it were someone else, they wouldn't care whether you live or die."
In short, she hurt the man's pride, and he now glared at her with predatory eyes, showing none of the affection and tenderness he had shown when he begged her to prolong his life.
Shimi looked innocent, placing her fingers on his collar, "Want to continue?"
He looked at him now, unable to even feign politeness; it was more like enemies meeting with intense hatred. The alcohol was strong, yet he insisted on determining who was better, "Continue."
Shi Mi agreed, saying she knew this body very well, even better than he had imagined. She quickened her pace, swiftly stripping off his formal attire, then reaching for his undergarment. Before he could speak, she swiftly stripped his upper body completely naked.
Excellent. Her skin was smooth and her figure was well-proportioned. The three-inch scar in the middle of her sternum was only slightly thicker than the thread used to sew the sole of a shoe, and its pale pinkish-red color was not at all jarring, but rather rather charming.
Her hands itched again, not out of a desire to tease him, but simply out of habit and instinct. However, just as she was about to touch him, she suddenly realized his hand had slipped inside her wide sleeve, climbing upwards, creating shimmering waves on the satin. She was momentarily dazed; she was always the one exploring the Yanren's body, never imagining that one day she would be the one being taken advantage of.
She looked at him with complicated emotions. Strictly speaking, he was already a living person. Being touched by a man whose mind was stronger than his body was a very strange feeling.
Unable to contain herself, she broke out in goosebumps. He noticed and teased, "My wife's skin is uneven and pitted. Is it because the material isn't of high quality, or was it always like this?"
Shimi laughed through gritted teeth, “Each bump represents a little bit of affection for my husband. The more bumps you touch, the more I like him.”
Taking a step back to advance was a tactic she often used. His hand stopped on her shoulder, seemingly caught in a dilemma. She quickly shrugged and urged him, "Why aren't you moving? You can move forward or backward, it's fine."
His face was paler than usual, but his demeanor remained unshaken. "I don't need you to teach me."
A slight smile appeared on Shimi's lips. How could she not know how uncomfortable he was? He insisted on getting close to the woman he disliked. He must be living a life worse than death!
Her slender, delicate shoulders pressed against his palm, as if they might transform into two snakes at any moment, unexpectedly biting him. He was carefully weighing the pros and cons. If he truly became her husband, would that mean he could keep her, or at least not worry about her dying? But such an unknown person was unpredictable. He had no doubt that one day she would disappear without a trace, and finding her then would be as difficult as climbing to heaven.
“My lady is different from other women in the world; you seem to have come here to play in this world.” He gently stroked her shoulders. “We’ve known each other for almost a month now, and we’ve spent a few days together in the same carriage, but that hasn’t helped me get to know you better.”
Shi Mi casually replied, "That's how it is for people without parents, children, or relatives. Without any ties, worldly customs can't bind me. Do you want to understand me? Spend enough time together, and you'll eventually see through me." Then he asked, "Shall we just stand here like this, maintaining this posture while we talk?"
He didn't respond, but continued to gaze at her with deep eyes.
Sigh, hesitating is such a waste of time. Shimi said, "I've always wanted to see what your lower body looks like. May I take off your lower garment?"
Like a boulder thrown into calm water, Lu Min's composed facade crumbled. He knew she wasn't exactly subtle, but he hadn't expected her to be so blunt. He should have refused outright, but he managed to steady his voice and say, "Don't rush."
Shi Mi didn't quite understand. "What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for someone to come and save you? Last time, when Yan Shi asked you if you had someone in your room, you said no. But now, looking at the way you touch me, you're clearly an expert."
He swallowed hard, thinking to himself, "So this is what it means to be an expert?" He had intended to have a showdown with her, but judging from the current situation, he was stopped at her arm, while she was already planning to remove his lower garment.
His frozen fingers had to move. Moving forward was impossible, so he chose to move backward, his hand caressing her slender back. He could feel her prominent shoulder blades and slightly hunched spine, and he was secretly surprised; so this was what a woman's body was like. But the turmoil in his heart wouldn't cloud his judgment. He asked, seemingly casually, "How did you meet the Puppeteer, my lady?"
Feeling uncomfortable from his touching, Shimi wanted to escape from his grasp, and her body instinctively leaned forward. But leaning forward was riskier, so in order to find support, her forearm pressed unceremoniously against his chest and abdomen.
"That's good enough," she replied casually. "Didn't I tell you? My parents gave me away. Once, while hiking in the mountains, I accidentally fell off a cliff, but luckily, a puppeteer saved me. Although I survived, my arms and legs were broken, and I had to stay in bed for the rest of my life. The puppeteer asked me if I wanted a new body, and I agreed without even thinking about it."
"How old were you then?" he asked slowly, stroking her skin.
Shi Mi said, "He's not very old, maybe twelve or thirteen."
"Can this physical form predict what it will look like when it grows up? I thought it was limited to the adult body, but I never imagined that the puppeteer's skills were so superb."
"Those who are determined to become masters are no different from ordinary people in terms of birth, aging, sickness, and death. The exquisite skills of the Master Yan are beyond our comprehension."
He was thinking, probably using her back as a table, tapping his fingers repeatedly. Shimi was getting annoyed by him, and retaliated by squeezing his pectoral muscles with her fingers. "Alright, don't you think it's weird for us to talk like this? You choose between going to bed or sitting down."
Then, without saying a word, they each withdrew their hands.
If it were someone who knew better, a tug on their sleeve would be enough to fix it, unlike him, who had to put his inner robe back on and then put his outer robe back on.
They exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat awkward. Lu Min said, "The young lady's marriage to me was not of her own volition, and neither was mine. Since we are not mutually attracted, there is no need to force it. We can be husband and wife in name only, but treat each other with respect in private. Is that acceptable?"
Shi Mi said, "That's what I think too. Grand Tutor, you've really hit the nail on the head."
Lu Min nodded. "Then each of us can stay wherever we prefer. There's no need for us to live together?"
Shimi thought for a moment and said, "On the first and fifteenth of each month, I'll just go through the motions. I won't bother you at other times, and I hope Grand Tutor won't bother me either."
That's a heartless remark. Lu Min laughed, "You're marrying me, young lady, just so you can change your place of residence?"
Shi Mi exclaimed in surprise, "You actually guessed it!"
There's no need to hide anything; it's a symbiotic relationship after all, and some superficial secrets can still be shared.
Lu Min pondered for a moment and then said, "The day I met the Puppet Master, he said that he wanted to pass on this unique skill and carry it forward. To be honest, young lady, these two sentences have always made me uneasy. If I understand correctly, in the future, when people walk towards us in the market, no one can tell whether they are living people or puppets. Then the rules and laws of the world will be rendered meaningless."
Shi Mi gazed at him with a smile, "Grand Tutor, you have a broad road to walk on, yet you refuse to even offer others a narrow bridge? There are many suffering people in the world, and Master Yan's compassion in saving people is not wrong."
Lu Min said, “Compassion is good, but I still need to ask Master Yan to be cautious. A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. If one day it attracts the whole world to fight over it, it will be difficult to protect yourself then.”
The advice sounded perfectly reasonable, and it seemed like everything was for the good of the puppeteer, but the dismemberment and deboning were ultimately just to protect his own secret.
Knowing that the master was used to feigning ignorance, he said, "Exactly, exactly. I have also advised Master Yan in this way, and Master Yan will consider it carefully. You know, craftsmen are obsessed with passing on their skills and are always worried that the craft will be lost in their hands, and that they will be letting down their master."
He chuckled. "Is it just for the sake of inheritance? I thought the Puppet Master wanted to create a utopian world where there were only three kinds of people: living people, pseudo-people, and puppet people."
One has to admire his intelligence; he had seen through some things long ago. But then again, the previous incident of the resurrection of a former dynasty general had already revealed his true intentions. Unless it was a secret plot, it was bound to be exposed to the world one day.
However, it wasn't the right time yet, so the lie had to continue. Shi Mi said, "You've met the Puppet Master. No matter how capable he is, he's still just a mortal, and his energy is ultimately limited. There are three kinds of people in the world, and if two of them want his blood, he probably won't survive."
Her explanation seemed reasonable enough, but the way he looked at her always held a deeper meaning; he still didn't trust her. Shimi was tired of trying to outsmart him, so she covered her mouth and nose and yawned. "Want to sleep?"
I don't know if he's worn off from the alcohol, but he just casually replied, "Sleep."
On their wedding night, the entire Jiuzhang mansion was filled with servants, so returning to one's own bedroom in the middle of the night would be discovered. Besides, it wasn't the first time they'd slept together, so there was no need to be coy.
Shimi greeted, "The bed is very big, you can sleep at whichever end you like, just don't sleep sideways and get in the way of me stretching my legs."
She walked to the bedside, waving her sleeves, removed her headdress and wedding dress, and lay down on her back.
He stared at her for a long time, then silently took off his clothes and got into bed. After thinking for a while, he finally grabbed a pillow and lay down next to her.
Shimi turned over and saw his profile; his nose was high and straight like a mountain. She slept in a casual position, but he lay ramrod straight. She couldn't help but ask him, "You're so serious during the day, but you sleep like a corpse at night. Aren't you tired?"
The Grand Tutor, who was never to be offended, automatically forfeited his superior privileges when in her presence. Usually, one's status is defined by being high above the masses, looking down upon the lowly. If you encounter someone who dares to defy you, she'll knock you over if you even dare to step in her way. You're lucky if you can retain your dignity; what more could you ask for in terms of prestige?
He closed his eyes, not even looking at her, and said, "This way, it won't stop you from stretching your legs."
Shi Mi said, "I'm not that open and wide. This bed is a full ten feet wide. Please make yourself at home and don't be so reserved."
She saw him frown, raise his hand to touch his forehead, and whisper, "Two sips of wine... and it's giving me a headache..." He then slowly turned to his side, staring at her with wide eyes, "You want me to lie like this?"
She grinned. "That's how it is, we feel a kind of mutual appreciation." As she spoke, she reached out and touched his chest. "Don't mind it, I guess I'm used to it."
This time, his face didn't turn pale, but rather reddened, and he said angrily, "Lady, you should control your hands."
Shi Mi said in a serious tone, "The uses of hands are nothing more than these, why bother with what they do? When you need my help, you will take them off and offer them to me yourself. Now I'm just sitting here doing nothing, but you're acting all uncomfortable. How interesting."
So this was a truly absurd marriage, rife with complex emotions. She was like a lawless street urchin, indulging in unrestrained behavior in the strictly hierarchical Jiuzhang Prefecture, while the Grand Tutor, as the ruler of Zhongdu, had no choice but to tolerate her.
Feeling helpless and humiliated, he could only close his eyes again. He then heard her mutter, "Why hasn't anyone come to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber?"
He didn't answer, and just when she thought he had fallen asleep, he said softly, "There were too many people around, so I had Neizan stop them."
Shi Mi was somewhat disappointed. "If you don't let me see, how will those people know I'm your wife?"
His tightly closed eyes opened a crack. "Why do you insist that people know who you are?"
“Because this is an identity I’ve worked so hard to obtain. Everyone has to have a background to live in this world. With this identity, I don’t have to worry about others suspecting that I’m a fake.” She said, blinking slowly. “You are too. Precisely because you are the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, apart from the person who poisoned you, no one will question why you suddenly recovered.”
He was silent for a moment, then asked her, "Where is Yanshi now? Is he still in Liren Alley?"
Shi Mi said, "He left this morning. There's no need for him to officiate the wedding; he has his own place to go. But don't worry, when the time comes, he will send a servant to see me."
"Is your relationship with the Puppeteer really that strong?"
She seemed to be getting sleepy, muttering, "We need him to stay alive, and he needs you to keep him safe, right? Mutual need is much more useful than a strong relationship... Ugh, I'm sleepy, going to sleep."
She could fall asleep instantly, and indeed, she remained silent. But this spacious wedding bed was like a racetrack. While she was relatively quiet and well-behaved in the small carriage, once the boundaries were blurred, she started rolling around on the bed. Even though there was plenty of space, she insisted on squeezing in, leaving you nowhere to sleep, and sometimes even making you fall off the bed.
He couldn't remember how he managed to hold on until the next morning, when the morning light shone through the window screen and he opened his eyes, he confirmed that he had indeed only occupied a strip about a foot wide. Her feet were kicking his calves, and he felt pain all over his body, as if he had been beaten all night.
Beyond her, he saw a bed as vast as the clouds, and looking back, his body seemed to be hanging on the edge of a cliff, about to fall.
He nudged her irritably, and she finally opened her sleepy eyes, murmuring, "What? Is it time for breakfast?"
He gestured for her to look left and right. She sat up, said "Oh," grabbed one of his arms, and roughly dragged him to the center of the bed.
He was speechless. Lately, he often felt suffocated and a deep sense of powerlessness had arisen outside the court.
Shimi smiled awkwardly, "I'm not usually like this. Maybe I was too tired yesterday. I was busy in my dreams, running back and forth all night."
So his waist and legs were covered in bruises. If it weren't for those two glasses of wine last night, he would have crawled to the outer room even if he was unconscious.
"Take another nap," she said with a gentle smile. "Don't officials get marriage leave? Did you ask Bai Yujing for leave?"
Before he could answer, a court official's voice came from outside the door, cautiously reporting: "My lord, a reward has arrived in Dragon City. Please accept the reward and express your gratitude, my lord and the Queen."
There was no other way; he had to get up. Lu Min sat down, looked himself up and down, then scrutinized her again. Seeing that they were both ready, he then told the person waiting outside to come in.
The eunuchs and attendants, upon receiving the order, filed in to assist them with washing and changing. Shimi's hair was styled into a bun, adorned with elaborate jewelry, and she was dressed in heavy ceremonial robes. Ran Dian and Yan Dian, who were outside the door, tried to enter several times, but were forced to push their way out of the crowd and stood at the door calling out to the Lady.
Shi Mi waved her hand, telling them to step aside first. She explained that grand scenes required meticulous attention to detail, and that even she herself couldn't do such a task.
After finally finishing the preparations, I was immediately helped to the main hall. That was the place where the Nine Chapters Mansion held grand ceremonies. The glazed tiles in the room were polished to a mirror-like shine, and when you stepped on them, it felt like walking across a vast ocean.
Lu Min took her hand and led her to kowtow. She was initially disdainful, but seeing the large amount of gold and silver piled up on the tray, she reluctantly bowed to the money.
Because the Emperor of Yan Dynasty remembered the Grand Tutor's meritorious service in establishing the country, in addition to rewarding him with material gifts, he also bestowed upon his new wife the title of Lady of Laoyin County. Using the entire county of the Grand Tutor's hometown as a means of support for the lady was a great honor and a great favor.
The Grand Tutor and his wife kowtowed to express their deep gratitude. After the grand ceremony, all that remained were the formalities of human relationships. The eunuchs who came to bestow the favor received generous rewards, all of which were arranged by the officials and advisors, and did not require the Grand Tutor to condescend to inquire about them.
In the deep, spacious hall, the glazed tiles reflected the luster of gold and silver. Shimi looked up at the money and asked, "May I take some?"
Lu Min looked down at her, "You like it?"
Shimi said, "Of course, I'm very poor."
He was quite generous, saying, "Take as much as you can."
She asked again, "Is this really true?"
He didn't even raise an eyebrow, probably thinking that she couldn't carry much with just two hands.
Since that's the case, we must broaden his horizons. Shi Mi elegantly snapped his fingers, summoning Ali Dao and Ran Dian Yan Dian. The strength of the Yanren is boundless; Yan Dian can carry a large person for a hundred miles at night, so a thousand taels of gold is nothing to her.
So, to his astonishment, they easily carried away all the gold and silver and left.
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Author's note: 200 small red envelopes~
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