Chapter 32 Don't listen to what a man says...
On the second day of the wedding, according to custom, the newlyweds were to pay their respects to their parents-in-law and offer tea between the hours of Mao (5-7 AM) and Chen (7-9 AM). However, the princess had sent someone early in the morning to inform them that the prince and the crown prince were both injured and needed to rest, so the tea ceremony would be postponed until Si (9-11 AM).
So when it was broad daylight, Feng Mian was still putting on makeup in front of the dressing mirror.
Baili Xunzhou had been waiting idly at the door for a long time. He was dressed in an indigo round-necked robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a pouch embroidered with the double happiness character, looking exceptionally simple and refreshing.
He leaned against the door, holding the darts he usually played with, and casually shot them at the target on the door.
His bedroom had been completely transformed by his mother and was now unfamiliar to him. In the past, when he lived alone, there was only a bed and a desk, with his collection of swords and halberds hanging on the wall. It was empty and cold, no different from a barracks.
Now, the room is decorated with exquisite ornaments. Layers of gauze curtains and drapes are arranged, and a twelve-panel screen separates the bedroom. A dressing mirror inlaid with mother-of-pearl is placed there, and the woman's jewelry and rouge are laid out on the dressing table. A faint fragrance permeates the air.
The only thing left for him was a dartboard by the door, which he used to love playing with, so that he would know that his mother had not forgotten her son even though she had not married, and that he still had a place in her heart.
As Wu Liu was adjusting Feng Mian's hair ornaments with red gold inlay, Liu Ying came to report that the prince and princess had finished dressing and could now go over to pay their respects.
Feng Mian then lifted her skirt and slowly moved to Baili Xunzhou's side.
Yesterday, the phoenix crown made her neck ache, and even after sleeping all night, it was still a bit stiff when she woke up. But etiquette could not be disregarded, so she couldn't style her hair in a simpler way today. She also had to wear the crimson gold headdress given to her by the princess. Now she could only stiffen her neck and bear it.
Fortunately, I slept quite well yesterday and my mind wasn't foggy.
Baili Xunzhou does have one good point: he doesn't snore.
Before the wedding, Feng Mian heard some of the nannies complaining in private that her husband's family snored loudly at night, making it impossible for them to sleep, which made her quite worried.
Last night, Baili Xunzhou lay upright on the edge of the bed, while Feng Mian slept on the innermost side, as if separated by a silver river.
Feng Mian was worried that if Baili Xunzhou snored in the middle of the night and kept her awake, should she wake him up? She had heard that martial artists were very alert at night. If she went to wake him, would she be punched without any explanation?
I worried for half the night, but then I gradually fell asleep listening to the steady breathing of the person next to me, and slept soundly until dawn.
Baili Xunzhou caught sight of Feng Mian approaching, casually tossed the last dart in his hand onto the target, straightened up, and asked succinctly, "Let's go?"
Seeing Feng Mian nod, he turned to leave, but was grabbed by the corner of his sleeve.
He turned around in confusion and saw Feng Mian standing upright at the door, extending a hand towards him.
What's the meaning?
He glanced at the hand extended in front of him; it was fair and slender, with delicate nail polish on the fingertips—a very beautiful hand. He then looked up at Feng Mian, who tilted her head slightly, raised her chin, and gestured towards her hand, indicating that he should take it.
Today, she wore her hair in a mature woman's bun, adorned with elaborate and exquisite hair ornaments. Around her neck was a colorful lily of the valley pearl necklace, exuding both nobility and elegance. When she slightly tilted her head, she appeared playful like a girl next door, adding a touch of freshness to her appearance.
Bai Lixunzhou's hands, which were hanging by his sides, froze instantly, and he asked somewhat awkwardly, "Is this necessary?"
“How can newlyweds go their separate ways? Didn’t His Highness say last night that you would listen to me until we were divorced? When we’re out together, you should at least give me, your legal wife, some face, right?” Feng Mian stretched her hand forward again, indicating that this was necessary.
He did seem to say that last night.
They were truly blinded by the hope of "divorce".
Baili Xunzhou was somewhat reluctant, but when Feng Mian stared at him urgingly with her clear, stream-like eyes, he still hesitantly reached out his hand.
The moment her fingertips touched her palm, Feng Mian took her hand.
Feng Mian happily took the man's hand and walked forward, trying to make sure that the servants passing by could see their hands clasped together.
She was actually lying to him; it's rare for newlyweds to hold hands and visit the parents-in-law.
She was merely trying to create a false impression. If the people around Baili Xunzhou saw this, they would surely think that she, the Crown Prince's consort, was very favored by the Crown Prince, and they would naturally be less wary of her, making it easier for her to monitor Baili Xunzhou.
As the weather gradually warmed up, the flowers and plants in the Prince's mansion grew lush and verdant, and Feng Mian and Baili Xunzhou strolled among them like a perfect couple.
Baili Xunzhou's hands had held guns and swords, but he had never held a woman's hand before. He felt that the place where his palms touched was as soft as tofu. After holding her hand, he felt as if he had lost a hand. He dared not move at all, for fear of hurting her.
All the way there, almost all his senses were focused on his palms. He was so nervous that he was almost sweating. Finally, he arrived at the main hall and saw his parents. He hurriedly let go of his hands and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing the two children enter hand in hand, the princess's eyes lit up. Then, she saw Baili Xunzhou release his hands as if granted a pardon, and together with Feng Mian, they greeted her and the prince. The princess could only give her son a look that said, "What a spineless son."
When she turned to look at Feng Mian, the princess smiled gently again and beckoned her to come forward, "Good child, come here quickly."
Feng Mian took two steps forward, and a maid brought over a teacup. She took it with both hands, knelt down, and said, "Please have some tea, Your Highness."
The princess took the tea and sipped it gently before helping Feng Mian up. "Now that we're family, there's no need to be so formal. It's time to address each other differently."
Feng Mian was stunned. The word "mother" was extremely unfamiliar to her. She would only say it a few times in her heart when facing her mother's memorial tablet on the anniversary of her death each year. At this moment, she did not know how to open her mouth.
She pursed her lips, and under the expectant gaze of the princess, finally opened her mouth and softly called out, "Mother."
"Oh, my good child." The princess responded readily, her eyes crinkling with laughter. She took off the jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Feng Mian's hand. "This jade bracelet was passed down from my maternal grandmother's generation, and now I pass it on to you."
"Thank you, Mother."
Feng Mian felt a warmth in his heart and accepted the tea without much hesitation. He then offered the teacup to the Prince of Dingbei, saying, "Please have some tea, Father."
Normally, he only had a stubborn son who would argue with him. When the Prince of Dingbei saw his obedient new daughter-in-law, he was delighted and quickly agreed. He took out a red envelope and handed it to her, saying, "I heard that you are very fond of running shops, so your mother and I have picked out a few for you."
"Thank you, Father."
Who would complain about having too many shops under their name? Feng Mian happily put the red envelope away carefully.
The princess took her hand, patted it gently, and asked with concern, "Did you sleep well last night? Did A-Zhu bully you?"
The prince cast a puzzled glance at him: Who was peeping through the window last night? Is it necessary to ask again?
The princess didn't give him a single glance, but waited with a smile for Feng Mian's answer.
Secretly spying on someone isn't something that can be done openly, so it's better to show concern in person so that the wife knows their feelings and stance.
Feng Mian shook his head and said, "His Highness is doing well."
He appears to be a benevolent prince who cares for his people and is persistent in his desire to divorce her.
"If Azhu bullies you, just tell me and your father, and we'll both stand up for you." The princess made it clear that she was completely on Feng Mian's side, and then asked, "By the way, what was your childhood name?"
"I was born on the day of Xiaoman, so my nickname is Xiaoman."
“Natural and simple, it’s a good name. From now on, I’ll call you Aman, okay?” The princess thought to herself. “Man” means complete and abundant, and also has a sense of inclusiveness. “Zhuo” means carving and sharpening. In this way, even their nicknames match so well.
Feng Mian had no objection, and Aman sounded even more intimate. She had breakfast with Feng Mian, accompanying the prince and princess. It was clear that the cooks in the manor had fully grasped her preferences, as half of the breakfast consisted of her usual favorite dishes.
In addition, the princess looked after her constantly and watched her eat with a loving expression. She ate too much without realizing it and went out the door holding her waist. Wu Liu fed her a pill to help with digestion.
Bai Lixun felt a sense of relief as he stepped out of the main courtyard. He had been sitting on pins and needles throughout the meal, with his father and mother glancing at him every now and then as they watched him take care of his new wife.
The father even put on a gentle and refined demeanor, forbidding him from eating too fast, insisting on chewing slowly and sitting at the table with him. Heaven knows that in the past, the two of them would compete to see who could eat faster.
Let him keep pretending, and see how many meals he can keep up.
"I won't see you back." Baili Xunzhou said goodbye to Feng Mian at the courtyard gate. "Tell the people captured by the Luanyi Guard to be sent to the dungeon as well."
He turned and walked away, but the sound of footsteps following closely behind him could be heard.
He turned around and saw Feng Mian following behind him.
Baili Xunzhou: "You're going too?"
Feng Mian looked at him with a straight face: "I sent people to capture them, so of course I have to go and hear why they are targeting me."
“Prisons are bloody places, and you’ve probably never seen torture before. Plus, you’re physically weak. If you get sick from the fright, I won’t be able to explain it to you.”
Since Feng Mian had decided to go, she had naturally made preparations. Besides, it wasn't like she hadn't seen bloody scenes before.
"I know what I'm doing, Your Highness, please rest assured."
Feng Mian was determined to go, and Baili Xunzhou couldn't stop her, so he could only watch her get into the carriage.
When Shanyi led the horse over, he was still sighing at the carriage.
Shan Yi leaned closer and asked softly, "Young Master, shall we still get a divorce?"
Baili Xunzhou looked at him with an expression that said, "What nonsense are you asking?"
Shan Yi explained, "It's all over the manor now. They say that you and the Crown Princess even hold hands when you go to see the Prince and Princess. You're so affectionate. It's clear that your feelings for each other have progressed rapidly on your wedding night..."
Upon hearing this, Baili Xunzhou's ears turned red, whether from embarrassment or anger, he muttered under his breath, "Don't you have anything else to do all day? You even dare to gossip about me?"
Shan Yi looked completely innocent: "There are only a few masters in this manor. If we don't gossip about you, whose are we going to gossip about? Nobody cares about their subordinates' love lives..."
He shrank back after being glared at by Baili Xunzhou, and dared not say another word.
However, after hearing what Shan Yi said, Baili Xunzhou realized why the princess insisted on holding his hand. Wasn't it just to make everyone think that they had a good relationship?
He really cares a lot about saving face.
Baili Xunzhou could ignore what others said, but he had to make it clear to his attendant, "The princess and I have already agreed that when the time is right, we will get a divorce."
Shanyi didn't understand, so she simply stopped asking.
Anyway, he heard from the maids in the mansion that you shouldn't listen to what a man says, but rather look at what he does.
He'll wait and see what the Crown Prince will do in the future.
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