Chapter 285: The Wedding Night
The Crown Princess's expression was grim.
She stared coldly at Fang Xinyan and said, "Now that you are the Crown Prince's Side Princess Consort, your every word and action is closely tied to the Eastern Palace. By humiliating the Princess Consort of the Pacifying West, are you trying to sow discord between the Crown Prince and Prince Pingxi?"
"It was Yun Chu who humiliated me," Fang Xinyan bit her lower lip. "She only relies on the Yun family to make Prince Pingxi treat her so well. What does she have to be proud of..."
"You!" The Crown Princess took a deep breath. "It seems you still have Prince Pingxi in your heart, Consort Fang. The Crown Prince may be kind-hearted, but he will not tolerate everything. You had better watch your step."
With that, the Crown Princess turned and left.
Fang Xinyan touched her lower abdomen. Yes, she was now the Crown Prince's Side Princess Consort, carrying his bloodline. Why was she still thinking about Prince Pingxi?
She and Prince Pingxi had ultimately become adversaries. She was bearing another man's child, while he had married another woman. There was no longer any possibility between them...
The wedding banquet gradually drew to a close as dusk slowly descended.
According to tradition, the remaining guests—mostly scions of the imperial clan and some of Chu Yi's soldiers—could now proceed to the bridal chamber for the customary teasing of the newlyweds.
"Third Brother, the spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold," the Crown Prince slung an arm over Chu Yi's shoulder. "You've waited twenty-six years for this moment. Let's go liven things up."
Chu Yi removed the Crown Prince's hand. "Elder Brother, this is my spring night. There's no need for you to join in the fun."
"The whole point of teasing the newlyweds is the teasing itself," Gong Xi Prince flicked open his folding fan. "The more lively, the better."
Chu Yi lifted his eyes, the alcohol making his gaze thick and heavy. "I heard Consort Fang has just become pregnant and isn't feeling well. Shouldn't you, Crown Prince, return to the palace to accompany her?"
The Crown Prince slapped his forehead. "You're right. How could I have forgotten? Third Brother, I'll head back to the palace first."
Chu Yi then turned to Gong Xi Prince. "Second Brother, you've only just had your house arrest lifted. It might be unwise to stay out too long."
Gong Xi Prince snapped his fan shut and laughed heartily. "I never thought my cold-hearted third brother would be so protective of his new bride. The Yun family didn't misjudge you. In that case, I shall take my leave as well."
With the Crown Prince and Gong Xi Prince gone, the remaining imperial clansmen knew there was no reason to stay and quickly dispersed.
As the guests departed, the vast prince's residence gradually grew quiet, with only the sounds of servants cleaning up. Red lanterns hung under the eaves, swaying in the wind and casting a soft, warm glow.
Chu Yi arrived at the door of the bridal chamber.
He felt inexplicably nervous. Taking a deep breath, he reached out to push the door open.
Just then, a matron approached from the side, holding up a white handkerchief and presenting it to him.
The white handkerchief glowed like snow under the lantern light, almost glaring.
He frowned. "What is this?"
"Your Highness, this is the wedding handkerchief," Er Momo said with her head bowed. "It should be placed on the bridal bed tonight. This old servant will collect it tomorrow morning."
Chu Yi understood immediately and said coldly, "It's not needed."
Er Momo was taken aback. "Your Highness, it's the rule. Tomorrow morning, this wedding handkerchief must be sent to the Imperial Household Department..."
"The rule?" Chu Yi laughed. "Er Momo, you know full well the Princess Consort has been married before, yet you use rules to pressure me? Since when does this residence follow your orders?"Er Momo's face suddenly turned pale.
She was Chu Yi's wet nurse. From the first day he was born, she had held him in her arms and nursed him. A wet nurse was like half a mother, and over the years, Chu Yi had always respected her.
Because there was no mistress in the prince's residence's inner court, she had been managing all the household affairs. No matter what arrangements she made, the prince had never once objected. This was the first time in over twenty years that the prince had spoken to her in such a cold tone.
"Then... then..." Er Momo bowed her head deeply, "How should we explain this to the Imperial Household Department?"
"This is a matter of my private chambers. Since when do I need to explain such things to the Imperial Household Department?" Chu Yi said coldly. "Remember, the mistress of this residence from now on is the Princess Consort."
"Yes."
Er Momo bowed her head in acknowledgment.
Chu Yi pushed the door open and entered.
Yun Chu remained sitting upright at the edge of the bed, holding a fan that covered most of her face, revealing only a pair of eyes like spring water.
She had been sitting here for most of the day—her neck stiff, her back rigid, her entire body exhausted. But the moment this man entered, all those sensations seemed to vanish instantly, replaced by tension... Her heart seemed to leap into her throat, her palms grew damp with fine sweat, and her entire body tensed. She didn't know whether she was feeling fear or anticipation...
"Chu'er..."
Chu Yi slowly approached.
He had been drinking, and his voice was terribly hoarse.
The scent of alcohol washed over her, enveloping Yun Chu.
She missed a breath and quickly spoke: "Ting Xue, pour... pour the wine."
Ting Xue and Ting Feng immediately went to prepare—one arranged two red wedding cups while the other carefully filled them with wine.
This wine had been personally prepared by Ting Xue and closely watched by Ting Feng, who allowed no one to approach. The two of them were truly afraid, fearing a repeat of the scene from their wedding night six years ago...
The two cups were handed to them.
Chu Yi took his cup and sat on the other side of the bed. He reached out, and their arms intertwined as they drank the wedding cup together.
Ting Xue had prepared ordinary fruit wine—not strong, but rather light and sweet. Yun Chu drank hers all in one go.
Ting Feng stepped forward to collect the cups.
Ting Xue quickly made the bed.
The two maids bowed and said, "Congratulations on Your Highness and the Princess Consort's wedding. We shall take our leave now."
The wedding chamber door closed, leaving only the two of them.
Though the room was spacious and the bed large, Yun Chu inexplicably felt cramped.
She quickly stood up: "I... I'll take off my headdress first."
That girl Ting Xue—how could she just leave like that? She had no idea how to handle these lavish hair ornaments and wedding dress...
As she sat down at the dressing table, she saw a man appear in the bronze mirror.
The man reached for her bridal golden crown, carefully removed the hairpins, slowly loosened the black hair wrapped around it, and then gently took off the crown.
Yun Chu didn't feel the slightest discomfort.
Those hands that wielded swords and killed enemies could also deftly handle a woman's hair.
With his rough fingers and calloused palms, he removed all the ornaments from her hair.
She immediately felt much lighter.
She was just wondering what to say.
Suddenly, the man bent down, picked her up, and carried her to the bedside.
"Chu'er, you are so beautiful today."
From his voice alone, one could tell he had been restraining himself. The fire in the depths of his eyes spread like wildfire, rapidly growing and burning.
He placed Yun Chu on the bed.Yun Chu reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, taking the initiative to press her lips against his.
The man's lips carried the crisp fragrance of wine; though they appeared as sharp as a blade's edge, they were surprisingly soft...
For a moment, Chu Yi's pupils widened in disbelief.
Then,
He immediately seized control of the kiss...
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