Chapter 2 Rejected Early in the Morning...
Early in the morning, Shang Xu stood alone by the window, filled with worry. His wedding night had ended unhappily, and he feared that his days in the mansion would not be easy.
Having entered the household, he was destined to spend his life with her. Living under someone else's roof, a strained relationship with her would do him no good. Shang Xu planned to make amends first.
After some thought, he came up with an idea. He went to the kitchen. It was a cold day, and a bowl of steaming chicken soup would be just right to warm him up. After a busy day, he carried the food box to his study.
It was snowing lightly today. Shang Xu carried an umbrella the whole way, but a lot of fine snow still fell on him. The white snow blended into his moon-white cloud-patterned brocade robe, and the scattered water spots looked like blooming flowers.
Arriving under the eaves, Shang Xu methodically closed the umbrella, handed it to Qingzhu behind him, and reached out to touch the food box. The temperature of the food box he touched was warm, and he breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully it wasn't cold.
Hui Xue was waiting outside the study. When she saw him arrive, she stepped forward and bowed. "Your Excellency, is there something you need?"
"Hmm." Shang Xu bit his lip lightly and nodded slowly. He lifted the food box in his hand, and Yan Yize's cold and aloof features suddenly appeared in his mind. He couldn't help but feel uneasy. He hesitated for a moment, trying to ignore his unease, and said gently, "I made chicken soup for Your Highness. I wonder if it's convenient for Your Highness?"
Hui Xue glanced at the food box. "Please wait a moment, Lord Zheng."
"Okay." Shang Xu nodded, secretly relieved. As long as he wasn't rejected outright, he was fine with the opportunity. But soon, he was troubled again. What should he say when he saw Yan Yize?
He knew very little about her and had no idea how to win her favor. Shang Xu frowned, looking worried. Before he could figure it out, Hui Xue, who had gone in to report, came out.
Shang Xu quickly composed himself and looked nervously at Hui Xue.
Hui Xue stepped aside, gestured for him to come in, and said, "Zhengjun, please come in."
Knowing that she had agreed to see him, Shang Xu felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. After being married and going through the wedding ceremony, the two of them were in the same boat, and it was naturally good to win her favor.
If not, a moment of sadness flickered in Shang Xu's eyes, but that was alright. After all, he had been alone for so many years and he was used to it. Being alone was fine, but after being lonely for so long, he still had a sliver of hope.
He walked into the room with a nervous heart and immediately saw Yan Yize sitting at her desk. She was holding a pen in one hand, her expression serious, and she was writing something with her head down. From his angle, he could just take in her beautiful profile.
Shang Xu glanced at it once and immediately looked away, standing there awkwardly, his hand holding the food box unconsciously clenching. His heart, which had been relatively calm just moments before, immediately began to pound wildly, whether from nervousness and trepidation or for some other reason, he didn't know.
Yan Yize stopped writing at some point, raised his head, and looked at him with a faint, aloof gaze.
Shang Xu's heart tightened, as if a feather had lightly brushed against him, causing a slight itch. He quickly approached, carrying the food box, hesitated for a moment, and then looked at her cautiously. "Your Highness, I've made some chicken soup. Would you like a bowl to warm yourself up?"
Yan Yize glanced at the food box expressionlessly and said in a flat tone, "Put it down."
Shang Xu nervously put down the food box, and was just about to say something to ease the atmosphere between the two of them when he was caught off guard by what he heard.
"If there's nothing else, don't come again."
Yan Yize believed she was doing it for his own good. He always looked cautious around her, afraid of upsetting her. If he felt uncomfortable, she probably wouldn't feel any better either.
Upon hearing this, Shang Xu's heart sank, as if he were immersed in an icy river. His attempt to curry favor had failed. He nodded silently, "Yes."
Her displeasure was so clear that Shang Xu knew he should leave, but the thought of the virginity mark still on his wrist made him hesitate to leave.
If word got out that His Highness wouldn't consummate the marriage, people would only laugh at his uselessness and incompetence. Thinking of the mocking faces of the world, his resolve hardened. He clenched his fist, trying to find strength in it. After a moment's thought, he forced himself to speak, "Will Your Highness be busy tonight?"
Yan Yize glanced at him inquisitively, unable to discern the purpose of his question. After thinking for a couple of seconds, he shook his head. "Probably not in a hurry."
Shang Xu swallowed nervously, his clenched hands aching slightly from the force. He took a deep breath and boldly raised his eyes, but he still couldn't hide the fear in them. He steeled himself, intending to ask in one breath, but when he met her distant gaze, he suddenly lost his nerve. He gritted his teeth and stammered, "Your Highness...tonight, could you...could you come back?"
A blush rose behind Shang Xu's ears. He had never been in contact with a woman before, and such words were too bold for him. Right now, he only had one thought in his mind—to escape, to escape from her sight, to escape to a place where she couldn't see him. But he couldn't. He had already said it, and he couldn't let it all go to waste.
"Are you sure?" Yan Yize asked casually.
They both understood the deeper meaning in his words. Yan Yize's indifferent eyes fell on his drooping hands, his tightly clenched palms revealing his unease and anxiety. A hint of interest appeared in her eyes. So afraid, yet he still dared to invite her.
Shang Xu's fingertips turned white from the excessive force. There was no turning back now. Even though he was afraid and extremely unwilling, he had to agree. Consummating the marriage with her was his most urgent matter.
Only by consummating his marriage with her can he be considered the master of the mansion and have a place in it. Otherwise, if concubines or other wives enter the mansion in the future, his life will only become more and more difficult. He must find a way to survive before that happens.
After weighing the pros and cons, Shang Xu's wavering lessened somewhat. His eyes, which were fixed on hers, revealed determination. He nodded vigorously and replied, "I'm sure."
Yan Yize saw his struggle and thought that teasing the cat was fun, but she didn't like to force anyone. Although they were husband and wife now, who could say what would happen in the future? She glanced at him with little interest, then lowered her head, picked up her pen, and continued with the unfinished work.
"Next time."
Upon hearing this, Shang Xu felt a sense of relief, though he was also slightly disheartened. Yan Yize was indeed very handsome, but in reality, this was only the second time they had met. Last night was the first time. How could he not panic and be afraid of having an intimate relationship with someone he had only met twice?
He was conflicted; he wanted to consummate the marriage with her, yet he was also afraid to. Fortunately, she refused, and the heavy burden on his shoulders seemed to be lifted, allowing him a moment to catch his breath.
On the way back, the snow seemed to be falling even harder. Shang Xu stood in the snow with an umbrella, the wind howling in his ears, and everything in front of him was a vast expanse of white. The snow was falling and it felt as if he was the only person left in the world.
After standing for a moment, he reached out and caught the drifting snowflakes. The snowflakes melted quickly in his palm. He tried desperately to hold on, but to no avail. Shang Xu sighed, his eyes filled with endless sorrow. There are many unfortunate people in the world who have no control over their own lives.
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