Chapter 171 Calling Him "Master" from the Bedside
Xie Qi was still wearing silver armor, with bloodstains still on it, as if he had just come down from the battlefield.
He was tall and slender, with a straight nose, thin lips, and a sharp jawline. His peach blossom eyes had a natural upward curve, as if they contained a thin layer of watery light, but they did not appear effeminate at all. Instead, they had a sharp and ruthless aura.
"Upon learning of your marriage, I rode back at top speed," Xie Qi's voice was hoarse with thirst, "I just wanted to see you before your wedding."
A few strands of sweat-dampened black hair clung to his cheeks, rising and falling gently with his rapid breathing.
"What is it, Young Master Xie?" After her initial surprise subsided, Jiang Zhi calmed down, got up, and went to the table to pour him a glass of water.
Xie Qi drank it all in one gulp, and only then did the burning sensation in his throat subside.
He took out a fist-sized turquoise from inside his clothes. Seeing that there were still traces of blood on it, he wiped it with his sleeve somewhat embarrassedly before handing it to her.
"This is a spoil of war obtained from the leader of the Northern Barbarians, presented as a wedding gift for you. In the eyes of the northern nomads, turquoise can ward off evil and disaster, protect peace, and is a symbol of status and position."
Jiang Zhi hesitated for a moment and did not answer.
He traveled thousands of miles day and night to come back, just to deliver a congratulatory gift?
"Zhizhi got married, and she won't even accept my wedding gift?"
He had a faint smile on his face, but a fleeting look of melancholy crossed his eyes.
Jiang Zhi sighed inwardly, took the stone and rubbed it in her palm, "I'll accept it, thank you."
Seeing her looking so fearful, Xie Qi said softly, "You don't need to be afraid. I just want to say a few words to you."
He should have said these words to her before he led his troops into battle.
Jiang Zhi shook her head. "Young Master Xie, what's done is done. If we bring some things up, we won't even be able to be friends anymore."
Xie Qi felt a tightness in his chest.
She didn't even give him a chance to confess?
Xie Qi could no longer maintain his smile. He felt as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing that no matter what he chose, he would only be shattered to pieces.
"Your Highness must be exhausted from your journey. Please go back and rest," Jiang Zhi said, dismissing him.
The noise outside has subsided, and Shen Ci'an will likely be here soon.
She had planned this wedding night for a long time, and she couldn't let it all fall apart at the last minute.
Xie Qi looked at the woman under the candlelight.
In fact, the wedding dress was too ordinary, without even embroidery, but it still couldn't hide her stunning beauty.
Her skin was softer than mutton fat, and her eyebrows were tinged with light pink rouge, as if bathed in moonlight, making her gentle and moving.
If only he could marry her.
Xie Qi sighed softly, and finally couldn't help but step forward and hold her hand. "Zhizhi, if Shen Ci'an treats you badly after we get married, you can divorce him and be my wife."
His peach blossom eyes held a subtle light, earnest and sincere, reflecting the passionate and undisguised feelings of a young man.
Before Jiang Zhi could speak, a cold snort came from the doorway.
"Your Highness, you can rest assured that I will definitely not give you that opportunity."
The door was opened, and Shen Ci'an, dressed in wedding attire, stood in the doorway with a cold face.
Because of entertaining guests, he drank a few cups of wine, his face flushed, and even his usually cool eyes were tinged with a hint of drunkenness.
His gaze was fixed on Xie Qi's hand holding Jiang Zhi's. "Today is my wedding night with Miss Jiang. If Young Master Xie comes to offer his congratulations, please come to the front courtyard for a cup of wedding wine. If it is for other matters, we can only discuss them another day. I apologize for not seeing you off."
His arrival dispelled the travel-worn, blood-stained smell that Xie Qi had brought, and a faint scent of alcohol filled the room.
Xie Qi, caught in the act of sneaking into the bridal chamber, showed no embarrassment. He merely tugged at the corner of his lips and said, "I've only come to deliver Miss Jiang's wedding gift. Lord Shen is being far too anxious."
"Now that you've finished delivering, please go ahead." Shen Ci'an stepped into the room and pulled Jiang Zhi's hand out of Xie Qi's palm.
He then led her to a shelf next to a washbasin and carefully washed the hand that Xie Qi had just held.
Jiang Zhi knew that Shen Ci'an was unhappy, so she let him do as he pleased.
Xie Qi's face darkened, and his dark eyes flashed with a sharp light.
"I've had the kitchen prepare a late-night snack. Miss must be hungry after a long day. Would you like the servants to bring it up?"
Shen Ci asked Jiang Zhi in a soft voice.
Jiang Zhi was indeed very hungry, and nodded.
Shen Ci'an then glanced at Xie Qi and said, "I'll call in a maid to serve you. Is Young Master Xie sure you want to stay here?"
Xie Qi grinned, a smile tinged with provocation. "Zhizhi, what I said just now was the truth. I hope you'll consider it carefully. I'm not that kind of old-fashioned person. Even if you've remarried, I'll treat you the same as before."
After saying that, he ignored Shen Ci'an's furious expression and strode away with an aura of iron-blooded ruthlessness.
Shen Ci'an carefully wiped the water droplets off Jiang Zhizai's hands before calling a maid to bring in a late-night snack.
It's a milk pudding that Jiang Zhi likes.
After she finished eating and rinsing her mouth, the old women filed in, sat on the bed, and helped them drink the nuptial wine after their hair was tied. Only then did the room quiet down again.
Since Shen Ci'an had been silent, Jiang Zhi couldn't help but ask, "Does the teacher intend to ignore me forever?"
Shen Ci'an pursed her lips, "I'm not ignoring you."
She was just angry at Xie Qi.
“Ever since I returned to the capital, the Master has been avoiding me,” Jiang Zhi’s voice couldn’t help but complain. “Is it because the Master is not satisfied with this marriage?”
“Of course not,” Shen Ci’an realized Jiang Zhi’s misunderstanding and immediately explained, “I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have been so anxious and deliberately avoided you. I won’t do it again.”
“Even if the teacher is not satisfied, there’s nothing that can be done,” Jiang Zhi snorted, took his hand, and looked at him with a bright smile. “Now that the wedding is over, the teacher can’t possibly cancel the engagement.”
Shen Ci'an's heart skipped a beat when she gently hooked his palm with her little finger.
He suddenly realized that they were already married.
They were not a couple pretending to be in a bandit stronghold, but a real couple who could share a bed and grow old together.
The touch of the palm was soft and delicate, and he couldn't help but clench his fist. The wine he had just drunk seemed to be taking effect now, and his head was spinning. His usually calm heartbeat was now trembling irregularly.
Under the candlelight, Jiang Zhi, dressed in her wedding gown, was breathtakingly beautiful.
He couldn't help but lower his head and plant a kiss on her forehead.
"Shouldn't we change how we address you, Miss?" His voice was hoarse.
Jiang Zhi narrowed her eyes, a malicious smile on her face, "But I feel that the title 'Master' is... taboo, isn't it?"
Shen Ci'an was taken aback.
I didn't feel anything about this formal and serious title at first, but after hearing what the young lady said...
He couldn't help but picture the young lady blushing, tears welling in her eyes, calling him "Master" from her bedside.
His eyes suddenly changed.
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