Xiao Jin Yu gazed at her for a long while before finally lifting the bridal veil.
Chu Chu, with her eyes delicately lined and lips tinted red, carried an added allure in her delicate features. Xiao Jin Yu, having drunk quite a bit, was somewhat dazed. As he looked at her, she seemed like a fully bloomed red lotus—pure yet passionate. He felt both an urge to possess her madly and a sense that even the lightest touch would be a desecration. His gaze greedy, he reached out and carefully traced her features inch by inch. "So beautiful..."
Where his fingers brushed, her skin warmed slightly. Chu Chu instinctively nestled closer into his embrace. "Wang Ye, you are beautiful too..."
Chu Chu had never seen Xiao Jin Yu in red before. Now, wrapped in such a vibrant color, he appeared entirely warm, making her involuntarily want to draw nearer, and nearer still...
His hands traveled from her neck down her spine, outlining her graceful waistline. He kissed her gently along her brows and eyes, but the more he kissed, the more unreal it felt—as if everything before him was a beautiful yet illusory dream. His initially tender caresses grew urgent, breaking through her crimson wedding gown to touch her warm, delicate skin. Light kisses deepened into passionate ones, leaving Chu Chu breathless.
"Mmm... Wang... Wang Ye..."
Her instinctive struggle burned away the last shreds of Xiao Jin Yu's rationality. Pressing her pliant body against the bed, he removed all barriers between them, covering her soft, fragrant form with slow, lingering kisses. This being the first time he kissed her like this, Chu Chu felt as if her entire body were aflame—both fervent and fearful. Her hands wandered over his slightly feverish skin as she squirmed restlessly, calling out his name repeatedly.
The moment he pressed into her, a sudden pain made Chu Chu tremble. "Mmm..."
Sensing the change in her, Xiao Jin Yu regained a sliver of reason. But with her arms tightly wrapped around his waist, he couldn't move. Instead, he softly stroked her body and whispered hoarsely by her ear, "Don't be afraid... I'm here..."
"Wang Ye..."
"Be good, don't be afraid..."
"I like you... I like you the most..."
"Good girl..."
Soothed by his comfort, Chu Chu relaxed. Xiao Jin Yu kissed her gently, carefully guiding them both to their peak. They lingered until exhaustion overcame them, then fell asleep locked in a tight embrace.
It was rare for Xiao Jin Yu not to ponder the coming dawn before sleep—this time was an exception.
Because he knew exactly what awaited him upon waking.
Something he had longed for, for a very long time.
She was now his rightful wife.
☆ 62 Prince An Manor Chronicles
One year, the realm was peaceful, the world tranquil. Crimes decreased rather than increased, and the generals of Prince An Manor idled within the Royal Mansion, well-fed with little to do.
One night, Prince An suddenly ordered Wu Jiang, the third-rank General of the State and chief guard of the manor, to urgently summon all available generals to the Hall of Ten Admonishments. Seeing Wu Jiang's stern expression and earnest tone, none dared delay and hurried to assemble.
Yet Prince An did not appear for a long time. The impatient, imperially appointed constable Tang Yan asked Wu Jiang, "Do you know what this is about?"
Wu Jiang replied, "I do not."
The censor Zhou Yun frowned and said, "An urgent summons deep into the night is unprecedented. There must be a major case."Tang Yan scoffed, "Nonsense! When have you ever seen seven people handling a major case together? Has the sky fallen? Has the earth collapsed?"
Zhou Yun found this reasonable, but when he glanced around the hall at the assembled officials, he suddenly realized with alarm, "Why hasn't Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Jing Yi arrived?"
Someone among the seated officials reassured him, "You should know this isn't about bringing misfortune upon us."
Everyone agreed this was true.
Wu Jiang also said, "His Highness's intention concerns the peace and stability of the state."
The assembly immediately became solemn.
Shortly after, Prince An arrived. Everyone paid their respects, all wearing solemn expressions and standing ready as if prepared for battle.
Prince An declared, "His Majesty, while reading classics daily, came across ancient wisdom and was startled to realize we have significant shortcomings. Fearing these might endanger the state given our important positions, he has commanded me to urge reforms."
Everyone responded, "We will certainly reform!"
Prince An continued, "We who serve the public have always prized purity and integrity. However, His Majesty believes that those who are excessively pure remain entirely separated from impurity, becoming stubborn and clouded in judgment, unable to comprehend the nature of corruption. When incidents occur, they might easily be exploited by treacherous individuals, potentially losing sight of the bigger picture."
Everyone bowed their heads in agreement.
Prince An announced, "Your being of marriageable age yet without wives is indeed a serious concern. I have specifically tasked Jing Yi to follow your preferences and find each of you a beauty from renowned establishments in the capital to spend tonight with. Tomorrow, submit a thousand-word report to me detailing the actual circumstances. Those who indulge excessively will be fined one hundred taels of silver, while those who gain enlightenment will receive a hundred-tael bonus. Maintaining composure is the baseline expectation - neither rewarded nor penalized."
The officials looked at each other as if facing a formidable enemy, yet dared not disobey the order. Thus they departed shoulder-to-shoulder with stern determination.
However, royal mansion documents being confidential, the full details remained unknown. It was only known that after that night, all seven officials received hundred-tael bonuses and deeply felt the emperor's boundless grace. Meanwhile, Jing Yi remained secluded in his residence with gates tightly shut and heavily guarded, unable to emerge for several months.
☆、63 Jing Yi's Farming Chronicles
One day, the weather was clear and bright, with a gentle breeze blowing pleasantly.
【Jing Mansion, small grove in the back garden, Jing Yi sleeping sprawled out on the ground in a starfish position, clothes in disarray】
Wu Jiang 【with serious, expressionless face】: His Highness summons you urgently.
Jing Yi 【yawning and rubbing eyes】: I've submitted all my case files...
Wu Jiang 【serious expressionless face】: His Highness has important matters to assign.
Jing Yi 【quietly getting up from the ground】: Oh...
Wu Jiang 【serious expressionless face】: Why were you sleeping here?
Jing Yi 【shaking head】: Drank too much last night, can't remember...
Wu Jiang 【serious expressionless face】: Then who is this unclothed woman?
Jing Yi 【looking around confused】: Where... (⊙o⊙)!
【Prince An Manor, Hall of Ten Admonishments】
Wang Ye 【looking casually】: The weather has been quite nice these past couple days.
Jing Yi 【with harmless smile】: Absolutely! Absolutely!
Wang Ye 【looking casually】: The flowers have all bloomed, the leaves have all turned green.
Jing Yi 【with harmless smile】: Yes! Yes! Yes!
Wang Ye 【looking casually】: Must still be a bit cold sleeping under the trees in the garden at night, no?
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