Chapter 22 [22] The Day of Returning Home
【22】/First release
That night, Sima Jing did not come to the bridal chamber.
Yun Ran was very tired after being out all day, and had no time to think about whether Sima Jing would come or not. He ate a full meal in a hurry and then took a bath.
It was not until she was lying on the big red wedding bed decorated with auspicious patterns of dragon and phoenix that she realized that there was one less person beside her and the bed suddenly became very spacious.
This is—
marvelous!
She wants to sleep sideways, sideways, or rolling around, any way is fine!
On the couch in the outer room, Qingling, who was in charge of keeping watch, listened carefully to the noise inside, fearing that his young lady would be so worried that her eyes would become blurry.
After all, today is only the second night of their wedding, and the prince is too cruel to let the young lady stay alone in the empty room.
I listened for a while, but there was silence inside.
Qingling was puzzled, so she walked lightly to the bedside and opened a crack to look inside.
But he saw that in the dimly lit wedding bed, his young lady was lying in the middle, her arms hugging the big red quilt, snoring softly in her sleep.
Qing Ling: “…”
Well, she was worrying about nothing again.
Although my lady has a good character and doesn't mind anything, if she continues to be so careless, will she and the prince really be married in separate rooms for the rest of their lives?
Yun Ran was unaware of Qing Ling's worries. She slept soundly and deeply, and even dreamed of her master and senior sisters in Shuiyue Temple.
When I woke up, I looked at the gorgeous vermilion lacquered bed in front of me and felt a little lost.
But this loss was soon diluted by the joy of returning home -
I can see my father, mother, brother and sister-in-law again today!
Even though they hadn't seen each other for only two days, she felt as if she was in another world. She didn't want to waste even a minute, so she jumped out of bed and started her morning exercises.
The time agreed with Sima Jing to go out was at 9:00 PM, and Yun Ran got on the carriage at 15:00 AM.
Just as she was sitting in the carriage, wondering what the Xishiqiang wine her fourth brother had bought tasted like and how it compared to the peach blossom wine she used to drink, she heard a flurry of greetings coming from outside the carriage: "Long live Your Highness."
Yun Ran was slightly startled and sat up straight.
The next moment, a large hand with slender knuckles lifted the royal blue curtain.
Against a large mass of bright and warm early winter morning light, a tall and slender smoky-black figure bent over and walked inside.
Yun Ran's gaze inevitably fell on the man's face——
In fact, when a person's appearance is too outstanding, it is really difficult to restrain your eyes from looking at them too much.
As soon as Sima Jing entered, he noticed her gaze.
Ever since he was two or three years old, he knew that he was born with a good appearance.
The concubines and maids in the palace, the noble ladies outside the palace, and even the tutor who enlightened him, would praise him for his handsome appearance and beauty, saying that he was not like an ordinary person.
And just as much praise as this appearance brought him, it also later brought him much humiliation and trouble.
He hated this.
"Stop staring at me."
Sima Jing sat down by the window, his dark eyes glaring at Yun Ran: "Otherwise, I'll dig out your eyes."
Yun Ran was just about to say hello to him when the smile on his face froze due to these harsh words.
He ate sulfur rice early in the morning. Is that so rude?
Her smile faded and she frowned, "What's wrong with you? I haven't said a word yet, how did I provoke you?"
Sima Jing said nothing, only ordered outside the car: "Let's go."
Seeing that he deliberately ignored her, Yun Ran became even more depressed, and two voices rang in her mind at the same time -
A voice, hands on hips, gritted its teeth and said, "What's so arrogant about him? He's always talking about two or five million, as if she owes him a hundred strings of cash. If she doesn't want to pay attention to him, then she doesn't care!"
A voice waved a handkerchief and said, "Forget it, forget it. Didn't you already know he wasn't normal? Why bother with a weirdo? We still have to go back to the family later. If things get too awkward, won't you be the one who suffers? It took three requests to get this return!"
In order to make today's return visit perfect, Yun Ran silently recited the "Classic of Purity and Tranquility", but decided to focus on the overall situation and not argue with him.
But that doesn't mean she has to swallow her anger.
After all, she is a very reasonable person.
"Your Highness, have you ever heard of the saying 'food, sex, and nature'? It means that eating and lust are human nature."
"For example, a newborn baby, though ignorant and without thoughts, knows when it's hungry to eat, when it's thirsty to drink, when it's tired to sleep. It cries loudly when it sees something scary, and instinctively reaches out to something beautiful. These are all natural instincts."
"Maybe I stared at you for too long just now..."
At this point, she was slightly dissatisfied and muttered quietly, "But it won't be long." Then, she continued in a serious tone, "If you feel offended, you can tell me directly and I will apologize to you instead of gouging my eyes out."
"And I was staring at you just now simply because I'm attracted to beautiful things. I meant no harm."
As she said this, she couldn't help but glance at the man's face: "But Your Highness is so handsome, I really can't control my eyes... Well, at worst, I can just turn my back to you when I talk to you from now on."
After saying that, she turned around and faced him with only the back of her round and plump head.
Sima Jing: “…”
He only said one sentence, and she said so much.
Although she said she was apologizing to him, her words showed her unwillingness to accept the fact.
"Is this okay?"
Yun Ran faced the car wall, but his ears were always paying attention to the movements behind him. "Your Highness, since you are silent, I will take it as your consent. Then, before you speak to me next time, remember to greet me first and let me turn around."
Sima Jing: “…”
I didn't want to pay attention to such childish behavior, but when I thought of the gift list in my sleeve, I took a deep breath and said, "Turn it over."
Yun Ran didn't turn around: "Your Highness, is there something wrong?"
Sima Jing: "Take it."
Yun Ran: "What?"
Sima Jing: "Take it and you will know."
Yun Ran: "But if I turn my head, I will definitely look at you again. What if you get angry and dig my eyes out again?"
Sima Jing: “…”
"Oh yeah, I can close my eyes."
She found a solution while asking and answering herself. She turned around and stretched out her hand to him: "Your Highness, give it to me."
Seeing that she really closed her eyes, Sima Jing was speechless for a moment.
I placed the return gift list on the open little hand, but unexpectedly saw the thin calluses between her fingers and a very faint scar at the base of her thumb.
After pondering for a moment, he asked, "What's the matter with the scar on your hand?"
As soon as Yun Ran took the gift list, he turned his back.
When he asked, she only answered nonchalantly, "A few years ago, I went to the back mountain to chop wood. I wasn't paying attention and fell, and my palm hit a sharp rock. Luckily, it wasn't very deep. I went home and got some medicine to wrap it up. In four or five days, the wound scabped over and new flesh grew."
To Yu Yunran, this was just an ordinary little thing.
But Sima Jing looked at the petite figure with her back to him and couldn't help but think of the scene at that time.
A few years ago, she was only eight or nine years old, her arms were probably not as thick as firewood, but she had to go to the mountains to chop firewood. When she fell and got hurt, did she cry?
She must have cried.
A cut that can leave a scar must have torn the skin and flesh. How can I not cry?
The first time his skin was torn by the whip, he couldn't help crying because of the pain, let alone her, a little girl.
"cloud……"
Sima Jing pursed his lips and looked at the cherry-pink figure: "Yun Ran."
The figure paused, but didn't turn around: "Your Highness, is there anything else?"
Sima Jing: "Turn around."
Yun Ran felt puzzled, but still turned around, eyes still closed: "Your Highness, please tell me quickly if you have something to say. I haven't finished reading the gift list yet."
For a moment, Sima Jing felt that she was deliberately trying to anger him.
But her expression was innocent and her tone was sincere, as if she was really afraid of being gouged out by him.
His chest rose and fell twice, and he took a deep breath before saying, "Open your eyes and talk. I'll let you see."
Before he finished speaking, the young lady in the pink dress opened her eyes: "Really?"
Sima Jing had never seen such bright and lively eyes.
The light in the carriage was dim, but the moment she opened her eyes, her clear eyes like a stream were filled with light.
The water is sparkling and lush.
It's hard to look away.
"Really? I can look at you all I want and you won't get angry, let alone dig my eyes out?"
Yun Ran's eyes were filled with surprise, and upon closer inspection, there was a hint of triumph in them. "Man, keep your word, the ancestors are all listening in heaven!"
Sima Jing: “…”
He didn't believe in the faith, so he didn't care whether they listened or not.
But looking at the pair of joyful black eyes in front of him, he pursed his lips slightly and said, "Yeah."
Let her see what she wants, he just wants to have some peace and quiet.
…
The sky is bright and cloudless.
Because the newly married young lady was going to return home today, the Marquis of Changxin started to pack up and prepare early in the morning.
The vermilion lacquered gate stood wide open, and the big red lanterns from two days ago had not been taken down yet and were still hanging high. The two stone lions at the door had been polished until they were bright, and the copper rings in the beasts' mouths glowed warmly in the early winter sun.
"Hurry up, the palace's carriage has arrived at the market gate!"
The gatekeepers had changed into brand new navy blue robes and were briskly directing the servants: "Today is the first time my aunt is returning home since her marriage. If there is even the slightest mistake, you will be punished with a beating."
The servants knew how much their master valued this young lady, and they also knew that the prince she married was a ruthless character who must not be treated lightly. They immediately stretched their necks and became extremely alert.
The gate of Xuanhuafang, where the Marquis's Mansion was located, was already crowded with people who came to watch the fun.
"Hey, you guys, this daughter of a marquis is truly blessed! She was abducted so far away by human traffickers when she was little, and it's already a rare sight to be found alive and well after all these years. Now she's married to a man who is unlucky for his wife, yet she's still able to live peacefully. Tsk, what a stroke of luck!"
"That's right! When I saw her getting into the bridal sedan that day, I was so worried for her even though I was squeezed in among the crowd. I was afraid that this beautiful woman would be carried in upright and carried out sideways."
"Pfft, pfft, pfft, stop talking nonsense! Don't you know that Princess Jing is a Taoist practitioner? Maybe her compassionate heart moved the heavens and she received the blessing of the Three Pure Ones."
As soon as these words came out, everyone suddenly realized, "No wonder she was able to survive, it turns out she is the disciple of the Three Pure Ones."
"It seems that the Three Pure Ones are really powerful. I will go and pay my respects to them later."
Suddenly, someone shouted from the front: "Here they come! It's the royal guard!"
The people who were originally talking in a loud voice suddenly fell silent, as if being pulled by an invisible thread, standing on tiptoe and stretching their necks, all looking towards the street corner.
Accompanied by the tinkling of imperial bells, a long procession marched towards the market entrance. The two chestnut horses at the front of the procession held their heads high and chests puffed out, with the tassels on their golden saddles swaying gently, shining brightly. Following them was a carriage with red wheels and a canopy, and several ordinary carriages with green curtains filled with return gifts.
This is the ceremonial procession of Prince Jing’s Palace.
When the people thought that the vicious Prince Tiansha was sitting in the carriage with red wheels and a canopy in the middle, they dared not breathe.
Only a few immature children were so amused by the noise that they clapped their hands. The adults beside them immediately covered their mouths and said, "Shut up! Or King Jing will catch you and feed you to the snakes!"
The children's faces turned pale with fright and they dared not make a fuss anymore.
Yun Ran in the carriage also noticed something strange——
Before she reached the market entrance, she heard a lot of noise, but when she got closer, the noise outside disappeared completely.
She lifted a corner of the curtain and peeked out.
This glance made her frown.
Both sides of the streets in the market town were crowded with common people, but they seemed to have been fed a mute drug and said nothing. They just stared at the ceremonial guard with their eyes wide open.
The morning sun shone brightly on Xuanhuafang, but the silent streets were so eerie that it made Yun Ran's scalp tingle.
She turned around and asked, "Why aren't the people outside saying anything?"
Sima Jing raised his eyelids.
He said nothing, but his eyes were dim and contained a hint of mockery.
Yun Ran immediately understood: "Is it because... I'm afraid of you?"
"But you didn't do anything to them. You just walked out the door and crossed the street. Why would they be afraid of you?"
"Or did you cause trouble for the people who were talking outside your carriage before?"
Sima Jing was too lazy to explain and just said, "Don't ask about things that have nothing to do with you."
Yun Ran: “…”
Just as she was about to say that they were now grasshoppers sitting in a carriage and that this matter was not unrelated to her, the carriage slowly stopped.
The voice of the chief eunuch Chang Chun came from outside: "Prince, Princess, we have arrived at the Marquis' Mansion."
Upon hearing this, Yun Ran immediately forgot about the grasshopper incident and was about to get out of the car, lifting her skirt, but her arm was suddenly grabbed.
Yun Ran paused, and looking back along the bony hand, he saw Sima Jing say calmly, "I will go first, and you will go later."
“…”
Well, he is the prince and he is the biggest, so he should go first.
She was a magnanimous person and didn't bother with him about these things.
However, he actually took the initiative to grab her hand?
Hadn't this man been so arrogant the night before yesterday, saying, "Don't touch me"? Humph, the governor is allowed to set fires but the people are not allowed to light lamps. How weird and arrogant!
Just as I was complaining in my heart, I heard two crisp knocks on the car wall outside.
Only then did Yun Ran realize that Sima Jing had already gotten out of the car.
“Here I come!”
She raised her hand to smooth her hair, adjusted her dress, and only after making sure everything was in order did she lift the curtain.
I didn't expect that when I leaned out, I saw the man in the smoky black brocade robe standing quietly beside the car.
Seeing her come out, he pursed his thin, pale red lips into a straight line, and then stretched out his hand towards her.
Yun Ran: “……?!”
Was he going to help her out of the carriage?
Yun Ran was deeply shocked, and the people from the Changxin Marquis Mansion who had been waiting in front of the gate to welcome the king were all shocked again with their eyes wide open.
The reason why I said "again" is because I just saw that King Jing himself actually came, and he was wearing a brocade robe and jade belt, and had a handsome appearance, which completely subverted the hideous and terrifying image of a monster in the minds of most people present.
This shocked everyone.
As for the second shock, it was naturally that King Jing, who was rumored to be cold, cruel and unkind, actually took the initiative to help his little aunt get off the carriage.
How is this cold and cruel, how is this inhumane!
He is clearly a virtuous, elegant, graceful, considerate and gentle son-in-law!
Under the gazes of everyone, Yun Ran suppressed her surprise and pretended to put her hand on the man's broad palm naturally.
Sima Jing held her hand and helped her out of the car.
Feeling the warmth wrapped around the back of his hand, Yun Ran was still a little dazed.
It turned out that his hands were not as cold as those of a snake or scorpion, but were warm.
That’s right, he is a human being.
Yun Ran chuckled lightly, then looked at the man beside her who was still holding her and didn't seem to be willing to let go. She felt an inexplicable feeling in her heart.
But there was one thing she was sure of, that was after feeling his body temperature, she was no longer so afraid of him.
It seems that holding hands is a good thing.
Yun Ran thought so and held the man's hand.
Sima Jing's fingers suddenly froze.
But it was only for a moment, and he frowned and looked at her.
Yun Ran seemed unaware, his eyes only looking forward, looking at the Marquis of Changxin and his brothers, smiling: "Daddy, big brother, second brother, third brother, fourth brother, I'm back!"
Marquis Changxin and his companions wanted to cheerfully agree as usual, but today the five of them straightened their collars and bowed, saying, "Your Highness and Princess, we respectfully welcome you. May you and your Highness be blessed with good health."
Yun Ran was slightly startled and subconsciously went forward to help.
But her hand was firmly held by the man. She turned around and saw Sima Jing's expression was cold and cold. "Father-in-law and my uncles, there is no need to be so polite. Please go into the mansion."
After saying that, without waiting for Marquis Changxin and the others to stand up, he pulled Yun Ran and strode inside.
"Hey, Your Highness—"
As Yun Ran was being dragged away by him, he turned around and said, "Don't walk so fast, my father and the others haven't caught up yet..."
Sima Jing turned a deaf ear to it.
He really hates crowds.
There was a huge crowd of people at the door, and I felt annoyed just by looking at them for a moment.
If he hadn't agreed to her in a moment of confusion yesterday, he would never have been willing to stay a moment longer.
It wasn't until Sima Jing led Yun Ran through the gate that the Marquis of Changxin suddenly came to his senses: "Hurry, hurry, hurry, follow!"
The four brothers of the Yun family looked at each other with complicated expressions.
Their brother-in-law is really outgoing. If you don’t know him, you would think this is Prince Jing’s Mansion.
Not long after, Madam Zheng and several sisters-in-law who had been eagerly waiting at the second gate finally saw the figure they had been waiting for.
But next to the graceful cherry-pink figure, there suddenly appeared a tall and straight smoky-black figure.
The smile on Zheng's face froze slightly.
Li Wanrong and the other two looked at the handsome young man, and their eyes flashed with surprise at the same time.
When their eyes fell upon the beautiful young couple holding hands tightly together, they all smiled knowingly.
Even Li Wanrong and Qian Sijin, who had always been at odds with each other, couldn't help but exchange glances at this moment: "Look, they are such a perfect match."
Lu Lingzhen, who was caught in the middle: "..."
Oh, I envy the tacit understanding between my eldest sister-in-law and my third brother’s wife.
"Mother! Sister-in-law, sister ...!"
Just now, he was dragged all the way by Sima Jing. He had long arms and legs and took big steps. Yun Ran followed him breathlessly. He really wanted to ask, "Is there a ghost chasing him from behind that is causing him to walk so fast?"
Therefore, she also harbored a bit of revenge at this moment, and took the initiative to strike back, pulling Sima Jing forward and said: "Let me introduce you, this is my husband, His Royal Highness Prince Jing."
Fearing that he would run away, Yun Ran held the man's arm tightly: "Your Highness, this is my mother, this is my eldest sister-in-law, the fourth wife of the Li family, my second sister-in-law, the second wife of the Lu family, and my third sister-in-law, the eldest wife of the Qian family..."
She introduced them one by one, and Zheng and her sisters-in-law also bowed one by one.
Sima Jing only nodded and said, "No need for formalities, mother-in-law," when Zheng saluted.
None of the sisters-in-law gave him a straight look. He just frowned and stared at the arm that Yun Ran was holding tightly.
She hugged him so tightly that even through her thin coat, he could tell that the warmth against her arms was not entirely due to the fabric.
His breathing became a little rapid.
Angry that she was getting too aggressive and acting recklessly, completely ignoring his warnings -
But due to the occasion, he could only endure the warmth coming from the intimate touch and restrain himself from pushing her away.
Fortunately, after a while, Marquis Changxin and his sons caught up, panting slightly.
Everyone entered the front hall together.
Although Sima Jing was a son-in-law, he was a first-rank prince.
Zheng tacitly reserved the other seat for him.
But Sima Jing took Yun Ran's hand and sat directly on the side.
Zheng was slightly startled and exchanged glances with Marquis Changxin.
Marquis Changxin pondered for a moment and shook his head slightly.
Zheng understood and walked over to sit down calmly, but she was quite puzzled in her heart.
When I saw this prince in the palace before, he was so unruly that he even ignored the Queen Mother and His Majesty. But now he actually gave up the seat of honor and condescended to sit on the side seat.
This is to put the identity of the son-in-law of the marquis before the status of the prince.
For the Marquis of Changxin and his wife, it is undoubtedly a good thing that their son-in-law is willing to respect them, their two elders, and give them dignity, but... but why do they feel it is so unreal?
It's as hazy and weird as a dream.
Although they had only been apart for two days, Yun Ran had a lot of things she wanted to share with her family. But she could also see that Sima Jing was sitting there with a majestic figure like a devil, and the family members were all restrained and couldn't speak freely.
Although Sima Jing cooperated and did not show a cold face, he had drooped eyelids and exuded a cold and chilling aura that kept strangers away. Changxin Hou and others did not know how to start a conversation.
This can't go on.
"There's still some time until lunch. Why don't you take advantage of this time and show His Highness around our house?"
Yun Ran chose to sell her brothers without hesitation, as for herself——
"Mother, sisters-in-law, let's go to the backyard and talk."
Yun Ran said: "I have so many things to say to you!"
Zheng and her three sisters-in-law were naturally overjoyed and agreed without hesitation.
"Okay, listen to Ranran. Dalang, you brothers, entertain the prince well."
"Yes, husband, go ahead."
The four brothers of the Yun family: "..."
Do you really not care whether they live or die?
They also want to chat with their sister.
Sima Jing glanced at the different expressions of the people in the Yun family, and finally his gaze fell back on Yun Ran's fair and delicate face with a smile on her face, his eyes slightly dimmed.
After giving him up, do you still have the nerve to smile?
Yun Ran felt a chill on his spine. He turned around and met the man's murky gaze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
After guessing the reason, she ignored the formalities and walked directly to his side, leaning over and whispering, "I know Your Highness enjoys quietness and doesn't want to be bothered by formalities. When we get to the garden, tell my eldest brother that you're tired. My eldest brother is very smart, and he will definitely arrange for you to rest in the guest room immediately."
"However, during lunch, I'll have to trouble Your Highness to come out and support the occasion. After you finish eating, you can go back to your room and rest. No one in the mansion will disturb you."
"I know I've put you through some hard times today, but...but considering I've agreed to your three requests, please bear with me..."
The soft breath accompanied by the sweet fragrance of a girl penetrated into the ear, as if a small hand was scratching it, hot and itchy.
Sima Jing only listened to the "three requests", and the rest of the words seemed to be blocked by the enthusiasm. His long fingers hidden in his sleeves clenched tightly.
Too outrageous.
He thought that her intimate touches today had repeatedly crossed his bottom line.
If it were someone else, he would have been dragged away and his hands and tongue would have been chopped off to relieve his worries.
But she...
she.
Blame him.
It was he who foolishly agreed to her request, giving her the opportunity to take advantage of him.
Now he could only think about how to punish her for those three requests, so as to explain his repeated frustration today.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: Ranran: Breathe.
Sima Er: Very clever.
-
I'm here. Sorry for the long wait. See you tomorrow.
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