Chapter 485: Tying the Knot as Husband and Wife
It was precisely this gesture that made Shen Yueshan completely at ease entrusting Shen Xihe to Xiao Huayong, leading to Shen Yungan’s silent action earlier—a display of familial intimacy.
However, neither Shen Yungan nor Shen Yueshan knew that Xiao Huayong had even revealed the palace’s secret passages to Shen Xihe. From this moment on, he could be considered entirely transparent with her.
The shock in Shen Xihe’s heart had yet to subside even after returning to the Eastern Palace with Xiao Huayong.
By her side was Ziyu, who adored reading romantic novels and couldn’t resist sharing them with others. The maids often gathered to tell sentimental stories, and Shen Xihe had overheard many of them. Having witnessed affectionate couples in the Northwest, she had always believed that love could not last, never doubting that genuine feelings existed in the world.
Yet, everything Xiao Huayong had given her was profound beyond her imagination.
“Don’t look at me with such moved eyes,” Xiao Huayong whispered, lowering his head to kiss her eyelids. His warm, husky voice sounded by her ear, his gaze intense as if a fire burned within. It was as though a fierce beast lurked in his eyes, struggling to break free, making her somewhat afraid. Yet, she felt compelled to yield to him, unconsciously wrapping her arms around his neck as he leaned in to kiss her…
In the pale light, the night grew cold, yet their intimacy outshone what was seen by the pillow;
With timid strength, she curved to meet him, their necks entwined, dark hair tangled.
No sound was uttered, the music silenced, deep tenderness conveyed through slow rhythms;
Under the hibiscus canopy, the moon slept low, fleeting were the spring nights of passion.
On the second day after the wedding, even the Crown Prince and his consort had to follow folk customs by paying respects to the elders. Shen Xihe accompanied Xiao Huayong to the Empress Dowager’s palace, where they served her tea. The Empress Dowager, delighted, prepared many gifts for Shen Xihe.
After a brief stay there, they estimated that the Youning Emperor had finished his court session and set off for the Hall of Bright Governance.
“Take the carriage,” Xiao Huayong said as the carriage stopped at the Empress Dowager’s palace gate. He lifted Shen Xihe into it and sat beside her.
“Let me go,” she protested, embarrassed by the onlookers. “I can walk. Riding like this will surely lead to gossip.”
Just thinking about it made her blush with shame.
“What gossip?” Xiao Huayong teased, glancing at her.
Shen Xihe glared at him—how shameless he was!
Amused by her reaction, Xiao Huayong took her hand and kissed her fingertips. “Just sit. Everyone knows I’m frail—it’s my decision to take the carriage. What does it have to do with you? Should I let the Crown Princess walk to the Hall of Bright Governance while I ride? If word reached my father-in-law, how would I dare accompany you on your return visit the day after tomorrow?”
Shen Yueshan was staying until Shen Xihe’s return visit before heading back to the Northwest.
Only then did Shen Xihe realize that, in others’ eyes, he was a fragile porcelain doll. She hadn’t considered that, only thinking of…
Xiao Huayong couldn’t help but laugh aloud. Shen Xihe tugged his sleeve. “Be more restrained. You’re supposed to be ‘frail and sickly’.”
Laughing so robustly—wasn’t he afraid of arousing suspicion?
“These are all trusted people. If strangers approach, I’ll naturally hold back,” Xiao Huayong whispered deliberately, leaning close to her ear before kissing her earlobe.
This provoked another glare from Shen Xihe, while Xiao Huayong smiled with the satisfaction of a cat that had stolen a treat.Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong arrived at the Hall of Bright Governance. The Youning Emperor had just finished his morning meal. Due to the grand court assembly, His Majesty had to attend court on an empty stomach and could only eat after the session ended.
The Youning Emperor did not make things difficult for them. He perfectly played the role of a benevolent father, presenting them with generous gifts before allowing them to return to the palace to rest.
She was married now, having moved into the Eastern Palace—a place familiar to her. Perhaps because she had frequented it before the wedding, or perhaps because of the man beside her who had become her husband, she felt no discomfort, confusion, or unease.
However, while organizing her dowry and taking inventory of the Eastern Palace’s affairs, she unexpectedly came across a painting.
The painting was no stranger to her—it was a portrait she had painted according to Xiao Huayong’s request. He sat beneath a tree with one leg bent and the other stretched out. But now, resting on that outstretched leg was a young woman—herself. When had she painted herself into it?
She took the painting and went to find Xiao Huayong. "Xiao Beichen, how do you explain this?"
Xiao Huayong was reviewing memorials assigned to him. Lifting his eyes to the painting, a flicker of guilt crossed his gaze, quickly replaced by grievance. He sighed deeply. "One night, I dreamed of this. I’ve longed to be close to Youyou even in my dreams, yet you’ve never given me the chance. So, I added a few strokes to the painting to console my yearning."
Shen Xihe: …
How could he make such an audacious act sound so pitiable, as if she had driven him to it?
Had she discovered this before the wedding, Shen Xihe would have undoubtedly destroyed it. Before the marriage was finalized, anything could change. Imagine if she hadn’t married Xiao Huayong—such a painting would have left her unable to defend herself.
But now they were wedded, having already consummated their marriage. The painting no longer seemed inappropriate, so Shen Xihe had no choice but to accept it.
Then, she noticed a knotted cord—the very one Xiao Huayong had coaxed from her during the New Year’s Eve vigil two years prior. Wrapped around the knot was a strand of black hair. She recalled when her cousin married and she went to Linchuan County; Xiao Huayong had sent her a letter every day, each containing a strand of hair. There was no doubt whose hair it was.
After a brief glance, Shen Xihe was about to look away when Xiao Huayong suddenly embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Husband and wife tying their hair—Youyou still owes me a lock of yours."
This custom wasn’t traditional; only couples deeply in love before marriage would intertwine their hair after wedding. Though Xiao Huayong brought it up, Shen Xihe had no intention of refusing. "How can I cut my hair if you don’t let me go?"
Xiao Huayong fetched scissors himself, snipped a lock of Shen Xihe’s hair, then cut one of his own. He divided both into two halves, braiding one half of each together to form two strands.
Understanding his intention, Shen Xihe turned and brought two scented sachets she had embroidered, handing one to him.
Xiao Huayong looked up and gave her a gentle smile, offering her one of the braided strands made from their hair.
They exchanged the strands, each placing one into their sachet. Xiao Huayong hung his at his waist. "From now on, I’ll wear this every day."
Gently touching the sachet, his eyes sparkled with an idea. "But the color of this sachet may not match every outfit. Youyou, would you mind making more varieties?"How could Shen Xihe not understand his little thoughts? She smiled faintly in acknowledgment. Earlier while searching for her scented sachet, she had spotted the handkerchief embroidered with Fairy Ribbon that Xiao Huayong had stolen from her. The handkerchief lacked finished edges, so she took it out, threaded a needle, and began stitching the borders.
Having gone out in the morning and returned late in the afternoon, the update was delayed. Nevertheless, today's solid 20,000+ words were completed without any filler.
Let me explain about the Nuptial Wine here. The "巹" refers to a type of gourd, commonly known as bitter gourd. The earliest form of exchanging wedding cups didn't involve wine glasses but rather these bitter gourds, which is the origin of the term "Nuptial Wine."
(End of Chapter)
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