It was impossible to tell how much time had passed. Jiang Ruan only woke when she felt the room had grown slightly cooler. As she groggily came to, she noticed the maids had all retreated at some point. Still somewhat dazed, she instinctively turned toward the sound coming from behind the screen.
The enormous colored glass screen was a masterpiece of nature, intricately carved with a scene of mandarin ducks playing in water. The rising steam had fogged its surface, and as Jiang Ruan stared at it, she suddenly sensed something amiss. It was then she realized the pattern on the screen had subtly shifted—no longer the auspicious ducks but a far more intimate scene between a man and a woman. The hotter the steam grew, the more vivid the image became, its poses and movements unmistakably suggestive.
Jiang Ruan was no innocent maiden. In her past life, when she had entered the palace, the instructing matrons had distributed booklets on such matters. But this screen, so opulent in its craftsmanship, must have concealed its secret well—otherwise, given Xiao Shao’s upright nature, he would never have allowed such a thing in his chambers.
Unbeknownst to her, this screen had been a gift from the Brocade-clad Guards, pooled together from imported Western goods. The glass itself was naturally formed, flawless in color, and meticulously carved by master artisans. When exposed to steam, it revealed its hidden design—a playful addition for noble households to spice up their private moments. After all, what better way to rekindle passion after a bath than with such an enticing sight? Even Butler Lin had approved it, and the guards had been quite pleased with themselves, silently expressing their hopes for their master’s marital bliss. Neither of the newlyweds, however, had any idea.
Jiang Ruan was still staring blankly at the screen when she failed to notice the figure behind it rising from the bath. With a splash, Xiao Shao stepped into view.
Startled, Jiang Ruan froze. Xiao Shao, rarely seeing her so fixated on something, followed her gaze—only to stiffen the moment he saw the screen. Realizing what she had been staring at, Jiang Ruan’s face burned crimson. Normally, she could suppress her emotions with ease, but with Xiao Shao present, she felt an inexplicable discomfort, even a hint of flustered irritation. Her eyes darted about before she finally stole a glance at his expression.
Xiao Shao appeared far more composed. Without a word, he draped his outer robe over the screen, obscuring the scandalous image. Fresh from his bath, he wore only a snow-white undergarment, his ink-black hair slightly damp and cascading over his shoulders. His strikingly handsome features softened in the lamplight, though his usual calm demeanor was betrayed by the faint flush at the tips of his ears.
As he approached, Jiang Ruan tensed. Though she told herself nothing would happen, her fingers unconsciously clenched the bedding. Noticing her reaction, Xiao Shao paused, then stopped a few steps away with a resigned look. "I’ll sleep on the divan," he said.
By the window stood a soft couch, and Xiao Shao moved to fetch a quilt. Jiang Ruan glanced at it—the divan was too close to the window, and the night breeze would surely chill him. After a moment’s hesitation, she steeled herself and said, "Why bother with the divan? We still have to keep up appearances. Just sleep here." She shifted inward, making space beside her.Xiao Shao was taken aback, a flicker of something peculiar flashing in his gaze as he looked at Jiang Ruan without speaking. Jiang Ruan felt secretly annoyed—why did her words sound like an invitation? She cleared her throat lightly, perhaps trying to mask her earlier awkward expression, and boldly removed her outer robe. She then glanced at Xiao Shao again. "We've been busy all day—aren't you tired? If you are, go to sleep quickly. We have to enter the palace tomorrow. I'm going to sleep first." Her words were quick and crisp, her demeanor seemingly calm and composed, yet Xiao Shao couldn't help but curve his lips slightly. He usually wore a cold expression, making others feel he carried an air of intimidation, but when he smiled, it was like the first clear day of spring—radiant and breathtaking, almost enough to make one stare in a daze. Jiang Ruan stared at him. "What are you laughing at?"
"Sleep without worry," he said meaningfully. "I'm very tired and don’t feel like doing anything."
Jiang Ruan’s face instantly burned again, while the culprit of her embarrassment leisurely climbed onto the bed. The wedding quilt lay before them, broad and luxurious, sprinkled with fine incense, yet none of it compared to the intoxicatingly crisp scent of the young man beside her. Xiao Shao shared half the quilt with her, turning his back, but the gleam of amusement in his eyes was unmistakable.
How Jiang Ruan finally fell asleep that night was something she couldn’t quite recall. Since Zhao Mei’s death, she had almost never shared a bed with anyone. Lying on the spacious bed with someone beside her should have been a highly unsettling experience, yet when she held the dagger Xiao Shao had given her, she ultimately didn’t place it under her pillow but tucked it away in a box. Sharing a bed with someone had never been a warm experience for her—like Jiang Quan and Zhao Mei in her past life, who had shared a bed but not their hearts. And she had once dreamed of Ye Li becoming her lifelong companion, only for that very dream to deceive her for an entire lifetime.
She had been tense at first, but Xiao Shao closed his eyes almost immediately, sleeping soundly and peacefully—so much so that even Jiang Ruan was surprised. As the leader of the Brocade-clad Guards, she refused to believe Xiao Shao was someone so lacking in vigilance. Yet he slept so trustingly, as though the space beside her was the safest place in the world. Watching him, Jiang Ruan gradually calmed down, her turbulent emotions settling into an unfamiliar sense of peace.
The red candles silently shed their wax as time flowed quietly by. In this moment, the bridal chamber held no passionate romance, nothing of love or desire—only a gentle warmth. It was as if the bone-deep hatred and the cruelty beyond mortal realms had, amidst the festive scarlet, taken on a trace of earthly comfort.
At the first light of dawn, when the faintest rays of sunlight filtered in, Jiang Ruan opened her eyes. She was surprised she had slept so soundly through the night and instinctively turned her head. The first thing she saw was the man’s breathtakingly handsome face.
Perhaps because she had just woken up and was still at ease, Jiang Ruan didn’t know why she didn’t look away. Instead, she rolled onto her side, propping her chin on her hand as she studied the young man before her. Xiao Shao slept quietly, his usual aloofness softened into a gentle tranquility. Her gaze drifted downward, tracing his closed eyes, straight nose, thin lips, refined jawline, and finally settling on his jade-like collarbones.This man truly possessed an exceptional appearance. The faint sunlight slanted over, casting a gentle golden hue upon his features, making him appear as handsome as a celestial being. His snow-white underwear had somehow come undone, revealing jade-like porcelain skin faintly visible beneath the garments, tempting one to reach out and touch. Jiang Ruan found herself momentarily dazed, her mind muddled, and actually reached out to stroke it. The skin beneath her fingers was incredibly smooth, slightly cool to the touch like fine silk, an utterly comfortable sensation.
"Feeling alright?" A low, husky voice suddenly sounded by her ear, startling Jiang Ruan so much that she withdrew her hand as if burned. Xiao Shao had woken up at some point and was now looking at her with an amused half-smile before sitting up and adjusting his collar.
Jiang Ruan initially felt a bit guilty, but seeing his final gesture, she grew somewhat indignant. What kind of expression was that? Did he think she was some kind of aggressive, lustful woman?
Her expression, as if she had swallowed a fly, clearly amused Xiao Shao. The corners of his lips lifted as he reached out to pat her head. Finding the sensation pleasant, he even ruffled her hair a few times before casually remarking, "Shall I call your maids in?"
"No need." Jiang Ruan sat up herself. She was also only wearing snow-white underwear but paid no mind to Xiao Shao’s presence as she retrieved clothes from the chest and walked behind the folding screen. The screen displayed an ordinary design of mandarin ducks frolicking in water, yet as Jiang Ruan passed by, the sight of the wedding gown draped over it reminded her of last night’s awkwardness, making her breath hitch slightly. She hadn’t summoned Lianqiao and the others not for any particular reason, but because Xiao Shao was, after all, a man. Since nothing had happened on their wedding night, it wouldn’t feel entirely comfortable in front of others.
Lost in these thoughts, she changed her clothes. By the time Jiang Ruan emerged from behind the screen, Xiao Shao had also changed. As it was the second day of their marriage and they were to visit Empress Dowager Yide in the palace, Xiao Shao had chosen a dark red court robe, which accentuated his jade-like elegance and noble bearing. Jiang Ruan, too, wore a water-red lantern skirt embroidered with butterflies—a vibrant color that suited her perfectly, her eyes shimmering with an alluring glow.
Jiang Ruan found it odd that Xiao Shao didn’t even have a single maid around, but then it occurred to her that most of the household staff were men, and Xiao Shao wasn’t the type of young master who needed constant pampering. Noticing his collar was still open, she walked over to fasten it for him.
She performed the action so naturally that Xiao Shao was momentarily taken aback. Jiang Ruan’s head was bowed, and the gentle fragrance of the young woman drifted to his nose, impossible to ignore. Her fair fingers deftly fastened his collar with tender, quiet movements, stirring an inexplicable warmth in Xiao Shao’s chest. Suddenly, he felt the urge to kiss her forehead.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Lianqiao’s voice came from outside: "Has the young mistress awakened? I’ve brought hot water."
Xiao Shao paused, and Jiang Ruan called out, "Come in."
Lianqiao and Zisu entered carrying basins of water. Seeing Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao’s intimate posture, they were momentarily stunned. Lianqiao lowered her head and giggled, thinking how much the two resembled an ordinary married couple. She had initially worried that her young mistress, paired with such an aloof prince, would share a cold and formal relationship. But the way the prince had looked at her mistress just now—it was unmistakably tender.Zisu, being steady by nature, only glanced at the bed and saw it neatly made with no blood-stained handkerchief in sight. She immediately understood the situation, unsure whether to feel tense or relieved, her expression turning complex for a moment.
But no matter what she thought, it was ultimately Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao's business. By the time the two had finished washing up, Butler Lin had already arranged for breakfast to be served. Though it was just simple congee and side dishes, each dish was exquisitely prepared with great care. The moment Butler Lin entered the bridal chamber, his eyes darted around restlessly. When he spotted the wedding robes draped over the screen, his face paled. Then, upon seeing the neatly arranged bedding, it turned a shade of green. After cycling through these colors several times, he finally couldn’t help but heave a long sigh at Xiao Shao, nearly beating his chest in frustration.
Xiao Shao didn’t even lift his gaze, completely ignoring Butler Lin’s theatrics. Jiang Ruan, too, had no intention of engaging with him. The old man was mischievous beyond his years, often spouting shocking remarks that even left her speechless at times. Today, with Butler Lin teetering on the edge of collapse, she simply kept her head down and focused on eating, refusing to spare him another glance.
Feeling snubbed and deeply wounded in his pride, Butler Lin indignantly stormed out. Once outside, he glanced at the sun and couldn’t hold back a few tears, wailing loudly, "Master, Madam, this old servant has failed you—"
"How was it?" Jin Er leaped down from the rafters in an instant. "No steamy action?"
"Steamy my foot!" Butler Lin roared in anger. "His Highness and Her Highness looked as chaste as could be." None of the anticipated passionate scenes had unfolded. What was the point of Xiao Shao forbidding anyone from eavesdropping outside the bridal chamber? No one wanted to watch the two of them sleep under the covers like that—it had cost the entire household a sleepless night for nothing. "Master, you really need to get a clue!"
"I knew it!" Jin Er was overjoyed, stretching his hand out to his fellow subordinates above. "Pay up, pay up! How much did you all bet yesterday?"
They had even wagered on whether Xiao Shao would consummate the marriage with Jiang Ruan. Seeing this, Butler Lin flew into a rage and bellowed, "No gambling in the manor!" But then, recalling the situation with Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan, he couldn’t help but grow anxious again. If his master could remain a gentleman even in front of such a screen and a beauty like Jiang Ruan, could it be that he had... issues in that department? Butler Lin shuddered at the thought, wiping sweat from his brow as he silently resolved to seek out Xia Qing later for answers—and perhaps a few medicinal prescriptions to test.
...
After breakfast, Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao prepared to enter the palace to meet Empress Dowager Yide. The carriage outside was already ready. Though Butler Lin was deeply regretful about the unconsummated marriage, he had arranged everything meticulously for the first few days after the wedding. The carriage, unsurprisingly, was another extravagant touch of his.
Once seated inside, Jiang Ruan finally couldn’t resist asking the question on her mind: "Is the Brocade Hero King Manor really that wealthy? Butler Lin spends so lavishly."
From the account books she had reviewed earlier, the manor’s finances were indeed prosperous, but the numbers were vague and lacked clarity. She had little understanding of household management.Xiao Shao was accustomed to seeing Jiang Ruan's shrewd demeanor, as if there was nothing in this world she couldn't handle. It was rare to see her so curious, and he found it utterly endearing. With a smile, he replied, "Indeed, there's plenty of silver."
He spoke with such seriousness that Jiang Ruan felt a pang of frustration. She had always believed the imperial family to be the wealthiest, yet even a mere steward from Xiao Shao's household could be so extravagant. Truly, comparisons were odious. Glancing at Xiao Shao again, she couldn't help but feel it was rather unfair. With a faint smile, she teased, "With so much silver, how much do you plan to share with me?"
Her intention was merely to jest, but Xiao Shao gazed at her, pausing thoughtfully before replying, "All the silver in the household is yours to manage. Take as much as you wish, my Princess Consort."
He enunciated the last two words—"Princess Consort"—with deliberate clarity, his voice deep and melodious, sending a flutter straight to her heart. Jiang Ruan's lips twitched. Xiao Shao's dark eyes remained fixed on her, amusement flickering within them. She turned her head away, momentarily at a loss for words, and could only cough lightly before murmuring, "Thank you."
(End of Chapter)
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