Chapter 145: The Bridal Chamber
"Drink the nuptial wine, and live in harmony till old age," said the unfamiliar matron, offering auspicious blessings as she gathered the wine cups and the bridal veil. Leading the maids and serving women who had assisted with the ceremonial implements and the serving of the nuptial wine, she withdrew, leaving only Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling seated on the bridal bed.
The room fell into quietude. Outside, the laughter and chatter of guests and the lilting melodies of the performers drifted in, their lively clamor only accentuating the serene tranquility within.
Zhao Ling studied Fu Tingyun.
She wore a heavy phoenix crown, her fair cheeks tinged with a faint blush—whether from shyness or the crimson of her wedding gown, he couldn’t tell. Her lips were soft and moist, as elegant and exquisite as winter’s Xuemei blossoms... He remembered tasting them once, warm and sweet like spring flowers... His gaze grew as scorching as summer heat.
"Nannan," Zhao Ling murmured, gently taking Fu Tingyun’s hand where it rested on her lap.
Fu Tingyun’s face flushed even deeper.
She thought of the erotic paintings hidden at the bottom of her dowry chest.
Would she really have to... tonight?
At this thought, her expression stiffened slightly.
Zhao Ling, recalling how he had been busy since the middle of the night without the help of elders, knew his Nannan must be exhausted too.
"Bear with it a little longer," he coaxed her softly. "We only have four or five female guests here, all wives of my subordinates. After the sitting ceremony, they’ll come in to see you, but they’ll leave after no more than two cups of tea. Once they’re gone, the wedding will be practically over. You don’t have to wait for me—go ahead and remove your makeup, eat something, and rest early. I’ll return once I’ve finished entertaining the guests."
Fu Tingyun nodded, her face burning, and catching the scent of alcohol on him, she stammered, "Y-you shouldn’t drink too much!"
Zhao Ling chuckled. "Understood!" Then he leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "Don’t worry, I won’t get drunk."
What did it matter to her whether he was drunk or not?
Fu Tingyun shot him a glare, her face aflame.
Zhao Ling merely grinned, knowing she was easily flustered, and quickly changed the subject. "When did you last eat?"
Speaking of mundane matters put Fu Tingyun more at ease. "I had a bowl of assorted noodles before getting into the sedan chair," she replied, then asked, "What about you? When did you eat?"
"I only managed half a bowl of leftovers at noon, eating by the stove with the cooks," Zhao Ling said, deliberately playing for her sympathy. "The cook wanted to prepare a couple of dishes just for me, but Mo Yi and the others arrived early, so I had to make do with a quick bite. After that, guests kept trickling in—I exchanged a few words with this one, greeted that one—and by the time I’d settled everyone in, it was already time to send out the bridal sedan." He sighed. "When our son gets married someday, I’ll be right there to guide him so he doesn’t end up as flustered as I am now."
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but giggle.
A knock came at the door. "Lord Zhao, the time has come."
After drinking the nuptial wine, the newlyweds were to sit together on the bed for half an hour—a ritual known as "sitting the bed."
Fu Tingyun was slightly surprised.
Had it already been half an hour?
She glanced at Zhao Ling.
His lips parted slightly, as if equally astonished.The two of them chatted and laughed together, making time pass quickly without feeling lonely or bored.
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but smile slightly and nudged Zhao Ling: "Hurry up and go!"
Zhao Ling whispered, "Then wait for me!"
Fu Tingyun's face burned with embarrassment as she turned away, ignoring him.
Zhao Ling chuckled softly.
An unfamiliar woman pushed the door open, followed by Chen Shi.
Zhao Ling cupped his hands in salute to the two women: "Thank you both for your trouble!"
"Not at all, not at all," Chen Shi, who was seeing Zhao Ling for the first time, quickly glanced at him and smiled, "Everyone is waiting for Lord Zhao to toast! Don't worry about your wife here—Madam Li and I will keep her company."
Fu Tingyun was startled to hear this.
She... she was now being addressed as "Madam"... Thinking of her elder sister-in-law, who had been married into the Fu family for over twenty years and was still called "Mistress"...
Zhao Ling thanked the two women again before leaving the bridal chamber.
Chen Shi introduced the unfamiliar well-wisher to Fu Tingyun: "...the wife of Li Yunxiang, Deputy Commander of the Left Standard Guard."
Although Zhao Ling held a third-rank official position, the Emperor had yet to bestow any honorary titles. Even if such titles were granted, they would typically be given to Zhao Ling's mother first before Fu Tingyun... Since Madam Li was addressed as "Madam," she must have already received such an honor.
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but take a few more glances at Madam Li, catching sight of A Sen peeking around the door of the bridal chamber from the corner of her eye.
She couldn't help but smile and beckoned to him.
But A Sen scampered away in a flash.
Everyone laughed.
Chen Shi remarked, "That must be your brother-in-law? He's quite handsome."
Before she finished speaking, hearty laughter came from outside: "I've long heard the bride is beautiful—today I must take a good look!"
Another woman chimed in with laughter.
Fu Tingyun was taken aback.
Two elegantly dressed women entered. One appeared to be in her early forties, with a round, moon-like face and a beaming smile; the other was around thirty-seven or thirty-eight, with an oval face and a serene demeanor. Both were complete strangers.
Zheng Sanniang, sweating profusely, emerged from the side and introduced the round-faced woman first: "This is Madam Wu." Then she presented the oval-faced woman: "This is Madam Ji."
It took Fu Tingyun a moment to recall who they were.
Madam Ji was understandable—they didn't live on the same street. But Madam Wu had sent her housekeeper to greet Fu Tingyun when she first moved in, then there had been no further contact. Who would have thought she'd appear at the wedding!
Fu Tingyun greeted both women with a smile.
Madam Ji said, "Indeed, she is very beautiful."
Madam Wu chuckled, "Otherwise, why would the Empress Dowager have taken it upon herself to arrange this marriage?" She then warmly took Fu Tingyun's hand, "Our families are neighbors. I had to return to my hometown earlier due to family matters and didn't have time to visit. Now we must visit each other often."
Fu Tingyun was neither taken in by such polite remarks nor daunted by them. She engaged with Madam Wu gracefully, her demeanor as gentle and warm as a spring breeze, causing Madam Ji, who had been standing quietly by with a smile, to gradually adopt a more serious expression.When the conversation between Madam Wu and Fu Tingyun came to a pause, she interjected at the right moment: "Originally, Official Wu and Lord Ji both wanted to come for a celebratory drink. However, since the reopening of Wuding Marquis's residence, many of the former generational servants had been sold to wealthy families. Even if families wished to send them back, it would take time. On top of that, the Empress Dowager bestowed a marriage decree, so Lord Ji and Official Wu were both pulled away by their superiors to assist at Wuding Marquis's residence. We came ahead first. When they have some free time, Lord Ji and Official Wu will come to Lord Zhao for that celebratory drink."
Fu Tingyun was quite surprised.
Madam Wu, having thoughtfully glanced at Madam Ji, quickly added with a smile: "Madam Zhao has been preparing for marriage in her chambers these days, so it's no wonder you didn't know. The Empress Dowager issued an Imperial Decree, betrothing Marquis Yingchuan's cousin—the nineteenth young lady of the Duke of Fuguo's household—to her own nephew."
Fu Tingyun's mind flashed to the image of that bright, spring-like young girl, dressed in a peach-colored gauze blouse with floral patterns and wearing a gold necklace.
To think she would marry Wuding Marquis!
Fu Tingyun was momentarily lost in thought when she heard Madam Li say with a laugh: "The nineteenth young lady of the Meng family has just come of age this year, hasn't she? Everyone says she's now the youngest marquise."
"Indeed," Madam Wu chuckled. "She's truly blessed."
"Anyone favored by the Empress Dowager is blessed," Madam Ji remarked, deftly shifting the topic as she turned to Fu Tingyun. "I heard Lord Zhao's parents have both passed, so you'll be living on your own. If anything comes up, just send word to me. After all, a good neighbor is better than a distant relative!" Then she smiled and said, "It's getting late, and you've had a long day. We'll take our leave now. Once you've settled in, I'll send invitations for everyone to come to my place to admire osmanthus flowers and enjoy crabs!" With that, she glanced cheerfully at Madam Li and Chen Shi.
The two readily agreed.
Madam Wu, feeling somewhat upstaged by Madam Ji, forced a smile and followed the others in bidding farewell.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Madam Li and Chen Shi also took their leave.
Fu Tingyun let out a long sigh of relief and immediately instructed Zhenzhu: "Quickly take off this phoenix crown for me."
Zhenzhu swiftly stepped forward, deftly helping Fu Tingyun remove her ornaments while asking considerately, "Madam, what would you like to eat? I'll fetch something from the kitchen."
Exhausted, Fu Tingyun had no appetite. After a moment's thought, she said, "Just brew me a cup of light tea."
Zhenzhu acknowledged, and Kou'er went to prepare the tea.
Fu Tingyun nodded inwardly, thinking of Yu Wei, who was handling matters at the Sun residence.
Such a capable woman—who would be fortunate enough to marry her in the future?
By the time she finished tidying up, the faint sound of the second watch could be heard.
Whether it was because the guests outside had drunk too much or because the quiet of the night amplified small noises, the clamor outside grew louder.
Without waiting for instructions, Kou'er ran out to check and returned to report: "All the other guests have left, only Lord Mo and a few others are still drinking. Lord Mo is urging our master to drink more!"
The joy of passing imperial examinations and the bliss of a wedding night—no wonder they were indulging in celebration.
Fu Tingyun smiled faintly. Realizing the gathering wouldn't end anytime soon, she said to Zhenzhu, "I'll rest for a while. You keep watch outside. Kou'er can retire for the night and return for duty early tomorrow. If Ninth Master returns, come and wake me immediately."Zhenzhu had just responded with a smile when a commotion erupted outside.
Fu Tingyun quickly said, "Go and see what's happening."
Although Zheng San, his wife, and Master Lu were outside, she couldn't help but worry, knowing that neither Jin Yuanbao nor Yang Yucheng were by Zhao Ling's side to look after him.
Shortly after, Zhenzhu returned. "Madam, Lord Mo has had too much to drink and is making a scene. Ninth Master and Lord Tao have taken him to the study in the south wing. Zheng Sanniang is already preparing sobering soup."
This Mo Yi—nothing good ever happens when he's around!
Fu Tingyun muttered under her breath and sent Zhenzhu to check again.
But Zhao Ling pushed the door open and entered, saying, "Don't worry. Mo Yi is just drunk. A Sen and Yan Qing are taking care of him over there. He'll be fine."
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Dear sisters and brothers, I'm truly sorry. These past two days have been a whirlwind of busyness. Even though I knew there was a recommendation, I couldn't manage double updates...(>_
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