The bathroom connected to the bridal chamber was filled with steam, and the large bathing pool was scattered with flower petals, their delicate fragrance lingering pleasantly in the air.
After removing all her clothing, Hua Zhi stepped into the water and lay down. Ying Chun and Bao Xia entered the water together, while Nian Qiu knelt on the edge, carefully tending to her mistress's long hair. Liu Xiang moved lightly on tiptoe, bustling back and forth to prepare various items.
With her eyes closed, Hua Zhi indulged in the meticulous care of her maids, momentarily transported back to the fifteen stable years of her past. In those days, she had only needed to enjoy life—the sky was held up by others, matters were managed by others, and she had no worries. It was truly a time of leisure. Now, her state of mind had changed, and she could never return to that frame of mind.
But it was worth it.
She had Yan Xi now.
As she thought this, Hua Zhi’s eyes and lips curved into a smile. Back then, even amidst hardship, she hadn’t felt it was bitter. Now, with the passage of time, those struggles seemed insignificant. What she possessed now was the most real.
Ying Chun gently massaged her mistress’s arm and softly reported, "Steward Chen informed me that no servants have been assigned to attend to you and the young master in your daily routines, so I have arranged the staff we brought with us."
"Arrange it as you see fit. Warn those below not to get arrogant—I won’t tolerate it."
"Yes, I understand."
Opening her eyes and sitting up slightly, the water rippled against her chest, revealing a lovely sight.
"I will be a mistress who lets you hold your heads high. In return, you must conduct yourselves appropriately and bring me honor. A harmonious relationship between master and servants can become a beautiful tale."
All four maids respectfully assented.
Helping up Ying Chun and Bao Xia, who were closest to her, and glancing back at the other two, Hua Zhi lay down again. "I won’t say that I’ve held you back. Even though you’re a bit older now, there’s no need to worry about marriage. In due time, I will help you find suitable matches."
"Miss…"
"Don’t say you won’t marry. Life has a hundred flavors, and marriage is one of the most important. You must taste it to know whether it’s bitter or sweet. I don’t need you to sacrifice your entire lives for me."
Their mistress’s words left the four maids unable to defy her, and they softly agreed.
"I will always take responsibility for you, no matter when."
"Yes."
Fu Dong entered carrying a bowl of soup and paused upon hearing these words. She wanted to say that she truly wished to stay by her mistress’s side forever, to cook delicious food for her all her life, but she didn’t dare. They all knew that their mistress felt guilty for having delayed their lives because of her, even though they never felt that way.
The groom did not keep his bride waiting long. Shortly after Hua Zhi had finished freshening up, he returned to the room with a faint scent of wine. His gaze fell upon A Zhi, softened and warmed by her bath, and he couldn’t look away.
Hua Zhi smoothed her hair and handed him a change of clothes. "Go wash up."
Gu Yanxi immediately headed to the bathroom, his obedient demeanor making the maids stifle their laughter.
"You may all retire and rest now."
"Yes."
The maids knelt together before the bed. "We wish you a lifetime of happiness, peace, and smooth sailing, Miss."
Hua Zhi smiled. "You will see it with your own eyes."
The maids smiled too. Yes, they would always be by their mistress’s side. Even if they married, they would marry within the prince’s residence so they could witness their mistress’s happiness firsthand.
By the time Gu Yanxi emerged from the bathroom, the room was empty of others, leaving only his new bride sitting on the edge of the bed, her smiling eyes curved as she waited for him.He walked over and knelt by the footrest, leaning against A Zhi's lap with a sigh. "I've finally married you."
"Yes, you kept your promise—you married me with an eight-bearer Sedan Chair." Hua Zhi combed through his hair with her fingers. The man's hair was exceptionally soft, much like how he wasn't as unyielding as he appeared on the surface. Had he not faced such upheavals in life, he would have been a gentle and mild-mannered person—filial to his elders, caring toward his younger siblings, marrying and having children at the appropriate age, naturally progressing from The Heir to a prince, living a stable life.
But then they would never have met. Although the Hua family had never explicitly refused marriages into the imperial family, none of their ancestors had ever formed such an alliance. It was only with her that this precedent was broken.
With countless emotions swirling in her heart, Hua Zhi said, "I've also kept my promise—from now on, I will definitely be part of your life."
Gu Yanxi smiled. Indeed, neither had broken their word to the other. Even the gates of hell couldn't stand in the way of their union.
Lifting his head, Gu Yanxi caressed A Zhi's cheek, his fingers sliding to the nape of her neck as he leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met, gentle and tender.
Hua Zhi parted her lips, deepening the kiss—softly, lingeringly, in the most intimate way.
After a moment, Gu Yanxi pulled back and saw A Zhi's slightly flushed face, her lips now crimson, her eyes shimmering like rippling water. A trace of uncharacteristic shyness graced her expression, yet her demeanor was filled with wholehearted trust.
Suddenly, Gu Yanxi recalled the rainy night of their first encounter. Though at her limit, she had stubbornly stood at the forefront, shielding those who should have protected her. Even her last ounce of strength was used precisely where it mattered most. That version of A Zhi had been as sharp as an arrow, and he had wondered then what it would feel like to be protected by her.
Later, he finally became the one she shielded and tasted that feeling. Then, growing greedier, he desired even more. Now, at last, his wish was fulfilled—he had become the one closest to her, the most intimate, beyond compare.
His once monochrome life had finally gained color.
Seeing him remain motionless for so long, Hua Zhi wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled against him, her voice husky. "Are you waiting for me to take the initiative?"
"How dare I let the Princess Consort exert herself?" Gu Yanxi pressed close to her, propping himself up before lowering his body to push her onto the bed. Then, holding her, he rolled over, switching their positions so A Zhi lay atop him.
Hua Zhi's already loose robes had come undone during their movements, revealing nothing beneath. The red silk gown accentuated her snow-white skin.
Gu Yanxi took the opportunity to lift his head and plant a kiss, watching with satisfaction as a pale patch of skin gradually flushed red. This person was his now. From this day forward, he no longer needed to restrain his passions with propriety.
"A Zhi..." His low call seemed to emerge from the depths of his heart. Gu Yanxi flipped over, pinning her beneath him. With one long pull, her clothes slipped away entirely. With his other hand, he untied his own sash, and his soft silk robe fell beside the bed. The bed curtains dropped, and beneath the mandarin duck quilt, crimson waves surged.
After the storm subsided, neither slept. Gu Yanxi gently stroked A Zhi's smooth back, his eyes and lips curved in a contented smile. Hua Zhi, resting on the man's chest, narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.
"Yan Xi."
"Hmm."
"Do you think it was Zhuang Zhou dreaming he was a butterfly, or the butterfly dreaming it was Zhuang Zhou?""Whichever gave you what you desired is the real one." Gu Yanxi answered without hesitation. "Even if it were the butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou, as long as the one marrying me is you, as long as the one staying by my side is you, what does it matter if we live in the butterfly's world?"
Hua Zhi's lips curved upward. Exactly—as long as she held her present happiness in her hands, as long as this man was hers, as long as her family's protection was genuine, as long as everything she possessed truly existed, that was enough. Who cared whether it was Zhuang Zhou dreaming of the butterfly or the butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou?
"Do you still remember those symbols on the lantern we made on the Lantern Festival?"
"Of course I remember. You said you'd tell me on our wedding day."
"That phrase meant 'I adore you,' Yanxi. I adore you. I gave you my heart long ago."
Gu Yanxi couldn't contain his radiant delight. He lowered his head and kissed her crown. "Likewise, A Zhi. I adore you too."
PS: Main story complete! My recent updates have been terribly inconsistent—my apologies to everyone. Ladies, if there's anyone's side story you'd like to read, please leave comments in the review section. Kongkong will consider writing a few. Also, regarding the previous event about following the Giant Whale public account—the character illustrations are now ready. You can go check them out by replying with "Xi Hua Zhi" three characters.
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