Youthful Glory

Ming Tan felt somewhat dizzy. It wasn't particularly strong or pungent wine, yet swallowing it made her feel as if she were already intoxicated. Indeed, a faint blush had risen to her cheeks—though whether it was from the ceremonial wedding wine or something else, she couldn't say.

The red candles in the chamber flickered brightly, yet the two of them remained silent for a long while. Nervously, Ming Tan thought back to the illustrated manuals she'd secretly perused at Bie Yu Tower. The wine had been drunk—wasn't it time now to disrobe and retire for the night?

Stealing a glance at Jiang Xu, she tentatively reached out with her small hand.

Jiang Xu's grand crimson wedding robes were exceedingly intricate, with countless layers inside and out. Ming Tan's fingers trembled as she fumbled with the fastenings, a light sheen of perspiration forming on her brow before she finally managed to undo the outer garment's clasps.

As she steeled herself to continue, Jiang Xu suddenly recalled Shu Jingran and Zhang Huaiyu's advice—don't remain silent, don't let the young lady feel awkward, remember to make conversation. After the prolonged quiet, he abruptly asked in a stiff tone, "Are you skilled at the qin?"

Ming Tan paused, then nodded hesitantly.

He continued, "I heard that at the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet two years ago, you performed a piece of your own composition."

Again, Ming Tan nodded. "Does my lord wish to hear it?"

Before Jiang Xu could formulate a response, Ming Tan's thoughts raced—he even knew about her self-composed performance at the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet? Could it be that her husband had been captivated by her qin music back at Daxiangguo Temple?

This realization filled her with both delight and heightened nervousness. Taking half a step back, she feigned composure as she curtsied gracefully, venturing, "Then... this unworthy wife shall... make a fool of herself?"

Oh no! The moment the words left her lips, she remembered how during the Shangyuan Palace Banquet, when Gu Jiurou had offered to "make a fool of herself," her now-husband had promptly told her not to bother. His single remark had nearly ruined the entire banquet—would her wedding night be destroyed by this same phrase?

Initially, Jiang Xu hadn't given it much thought, but noticing Ming Tan's sudden change in expression, he recalled what he'd said to that young lady from Marquis Cheng'en's household during last year's Shangyuan Palace Banquet when she offered to "make a fool of herself."

And precisely because of "what he'd said," his now-wife had formed rather strong prejudices against him, even gossiping with friends at Tingyu Tower about him being an arrogant, uncouth brute with no manners.

Ming Tan cautiously peeked up through her lashes—only to meet Jiang Xu's gaze, which for once carried a trace of emotion. After a moment's contemplation, he suddenly said, "Not foolish at all. This prince only thinks my wife is exceedingly beautiful."

—This too was something Shu Jingran and Zhang Huaiyu had taught him: to compliment her.

Ming Tan was stunned.

Had... had her husband just praised her beauty?

Before she could react, she suddenly found herself swept up into a bridal carry. By the time she regained her senses, she was already lying on the bed. The intricate crimson garments that had frustrated her attempts to unfasten now fell away one by one before the red candles were extinguished...

Ming Tan's traitorous little heart began pounding uncontrollably again. With her hands properly folded over her abdomen, she could sense a tall figure lying down beside her, accompanied by lingering traces of wine and sandalwood.

Yet, contrary to what the illustrated manuals depicted, there were no further actions.

As some of her tension eased, Ming Tan couldn't help but tilt her head slightly to look at the man lying beside her, her voice soft as she ventured, "My lord?"

"Hmm."

So he wasn't asleep yet.

Didn't he intend to do anything?Of course, Ming Tan couldn’t bring herself to ask such a question aloud and could only ponder it silently in her heart. After lying still with her eyes open for a while, her restless hand inched toward Jiang Xu beneath the quilt. She thought to herself,

Even if we don’t do anything, surely holding hands is fine, right?

When she first touched his large hand, it remained unresponsive and cool to the touch. Only after she clasped it and gave a gentle squeeze did his hand slowly envelop her small one, pulling it to rest at his side.

Unconsciously, Ming Tan’s lips curled into a smile.

Outside, the moonlight flowed like water, faintly illuminating the red glow of the lanterns. Unable to sleep, Ming Tan suddenly asked in a soft voice, “Husband, when His Majesty arranged our marriage… were you willing?”

Jiang Xu, eyes closed, gave a quiet “Mm.”

“And last year, during the Lantern Festival palace banquet, when His Majesty and Her Highness intended to select a consort for you… did you ever consider marrying another young lady?”

“No.” He had never planned to marry at all.

“Hmm… Everyone in the capital knows that Second Young Master Shu, Commander Lu, and the heir of Duke Ping are close. But why are you also acquainted with them? I’d never heard of it before. And you and Second Young Master Shu… Mmm—!”

Before Ming Tan could ask anything further, the man beside her abruptly turned and covered her, silencing her next words.

The thin layers of her crimson sleeping robe loosened with a light tug, slipping open at her waist, while the same rough hand that had held hers now pressed against her delicate skin.

Jiang Xu’s darkened gaze burned with desire.

Perhaps because his reputation for ruthlessness preceded him, others assumed he was devoid of passion, forgetting that he was barely past twenty—a man in the prime of his vigor.

Since he had taken a wife, regardless of the circumstances, he had never intended to leave her untouched. He had merely thought there was no need to rush, given the long days ahead. Yet while he was unhurried, his wife seemed quite impatient.

……

Outside, Suxin and Lü’e, who were keeping watch through the night, had heard no movement for most of the evening. Their hearts had grown cold with worry—it was said that if a groom was displeased, he might not consummate the marriage on the wedding night.

But just as they were nodding off, heavy, unrestrained panting and their young mistress’s soft whimpers suddenly spilled from the room. The intermittent, delicate sounds made the two unwed maids blush furiously, their hearts racing.

The commotion continued unabated for half the night.

By the third watch, water was requested.

Suxin led the young maids in to deliver it, but the lingering scent of intimacy inside was so overwhelming that they dared not even glance toward the bed.

Keeping her eyes firmly downcast, Suxin caught only a glimpse from the corner of her eye as their young master wrapped their mistress in a brocade quilt and carried her to the bathing chamber.

……

Less than an hour later, water was requested again. When Suxin entered with the maids this time, she discovered that the water from the bathtub had spilled all over the floor.

Without needing to think too hard, they understood what had happened.

The young master may seem cold,

they mused,

but he certainly has no restraint in this matter.

It wasn’t until nearly the fourth watch that the bridal chamber finally quieted.

Ming Tan, thoroughly embarrassed, burrowed under the quilt, too ashamed to face Jiang Xu. She no longer dared to hold his hand—in fact, she wished they could each have separate quilts and avoid touching altogether!

And those

avoidance-of-fire

manuals were all lies! When actually doing

that

, she couldn’t recall any of the instructions—her husband had taken complete control!

……

In the stillness before dawn, Jiang Xu rose.

Glancing at Ming Tan, who lay curled up and still fast asleep, his gaze lingered briefly before he casually tucked the quilt more securely around her.According to protocol, today was the day to enter the palace and express gratitude—another round of tedious formalities.

When Ming Tan woke up, the memory of this made her soreness all the more pronounced. Blushing, she watched as the matron collected the handkerchief bearing the proof of her virginity, then clutched the corner of the quilt and asked softly, "Where is His Highness? Isn't today the day to enter the palace and give thanks?"

"His Highness, mindful of you, has already sent word to the palace, saying it would be fine to go tomorrow instead," Lü'e answered briskly, her eyes sparkling with delight, clearly overjoyed that her young mistress was so cherished by her husband.

Suxin was equally pleased and added, "His Highness went out to practice martial arts before dawn and specifically instructed us not to wake you. He said to have breakfast together once you were awake."

The matron teased from the side, "Why are you two still calling her 'young mistress'? It should be 'Consort' now!"

Suxin and Lü'e exchanged glances, then curtsied with suppressed smiles. "Yes, this servant greets the Consort."

Ming Tan flushed even deeper and tugged the quilt higher, half-reserved and half-eager as she instructed, "Then hurry and help me dress for breakfast. His Highness must be hungry after practicing martial arts."

Suxin and Lü'e both chimed in agreement.

The day before the wedding, Suxin and Lü'e had come with the matrons from the Marquis Jing'an residence to prepare the bridal chamber, taking the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the palace kitchens. Uncle Fu, the steward of the palace, seemed genuinely welcoming of the new mistress, showing no inclination to cling to authority. He had already given orders that whatever the Consort required should be prioritized, and the kitchens naturally obeyed their every instruction.

Before long, Lü'e had styled Ming Tan's hair into an elegant newlywed updo and selected an intricate and elaborate gown—after all, it was her wedding period, and overly plain attire would be inappropriate. Only her brows were lightly brushed, appearing slightly faint.

By the time Jiang Xu entered the room, the breakfast Suxin had ordered earlier was being served in a steady stream.

He paused at the doorway of the inner chamber, watching the procession of maids entering, and hesitated for a moment.

Soft Jade Congee, Golden Milk Pastries, Crab Roe Pearl Buns, White Jade Dumplings, Sweet Cheese with Green Pear... This breakfast spread consisted of no fewer than ten dishes.

At the sight of him, Ming Tan's delicate face flushed pink, her lashes fluttering. She rose and curtsied properly, murmuring softly, "Husband, you must be tired from practicing martial arts. Please, have breakfast."

Jiang Xu, clearly not yet accustomed to the sudden presence of a delicate and beautiful young consort in his household, remained silent for a moment before nodding and taking his seat.

As soon as he sat down, four or five maids surged forward in succession, offering him water to wash his hands and a towel to wipe his face.

Though born into the imperial family, well-versed in etiquette and accustomed to the most exalted standards befitting a crown prince's heir, after his father's passing, he had ceased to care for such elaborate formalities. A life lived on the edge of a blade left little room for fastidiousness.

Jiang Xu disliked extravagance, but considering his young consort had just entered the household and was accustomed to a life of luxury, he said nothing and patiently washed his hands and wiped his face before beginning the meal.

As Jiang Xu ate, Ming Tan also took small, refined sips of her congee, stealing glances at him from time to time.

When she noticed his bowl was empty, she hurriedly signaled a maid to refill it. Seeing that he seemed to want a pastry, she quickly served him one.

Only after eating for a while did Jiang Xu remember the principle of reciprocity and serve Ming Tan a piece of pastry as well.

Ming Tan was overjoyed. When Jiang Xu seemed nearly finished, she set down her porcelain spoon and suddenly asked with reserved eagerness, "Husband, do you think my makeup today looks... acceptable?"

Jiang Xu looked up.

"..."

Had she not mentioned it, he wouldn't have noticed she was wearing any.Seeing his Consort still waiting for him to elaborate, he thought for a moment and decided to follow Shu Jingran and Zhang Huaiyu's advice from last night about "complimenting her," replying simply: "Very nice."

But Ming Tan wasn't entirely satisfied with this response. Cupping her face in her hands, she tilted her head slightly and said, "Husband, take a closer look."

Jiang Xu: "..."

Ming Tan leaned in closer and hinted: "The eyebrows?"

Suddenly understanding, Jiang Xu said, "A bit too light."

No sooner had he spoken than Lü'e approached cheerfully, holding out the eyebrow pigment: "Would His Highness care to draw the Consort's eyebrows?"

Ming Tan added somewhat shyly, "If it's not too much trouble, husband? A Tan felt something was off when doing them myself today. For today's makeup and outfit, would you say curved willow brows or distant mountain brows would suit better?"

Jiang Xu examined the eyebrow pigment from the dressing case for a long while before suddenly looking up and asking, "How does one use this? What are curved willow brows? And what are distant mountain brows? What's the difference?"