Chapter 583: 668
The lively atmosphere in the front hall continued, with guests busy forming connections and matchmaking. Today’s wedding couldn’t be in vain.
But the back quarters had quieted down, as the young ladies returned to their rooms, leaving the night to the three new brides of the day.
Red lanterns hung in the corridor, adorned with the character for happiness. At the end, the bridal chamber was much the same. Even with two new mistresses, it felt quite empty.
In the bridal chamber, Han Jingyun sat upright on the bed covered with a red quilt, her perfect figure hidden beneath a wide wedding dress.
The quilt was scattered with dates, longans, peanuts, and sunflower seeds, symbolizing the wish for many children.
As a princess of the Wan Kingdom, raised with noble etiquette, Han Jingyun hadn’t moved a muscle since entering the bridal chamber, enduring patiently as time slowly passed.
Truth be told, she never thought she would marry in this lifetime.
The royal family was gradually being eroded by the Ning clan. Her brothers, potential heirs to the throne, were consistently persecuted by them. Her once robust father was declining day by day. Han Jingyun couldn’t believe there wasn’t any foul play by the Ning clan.
In such an environment, Han Jingyun naturally shouldered the burden of the royal family, vowing to eradicate the Ning clan.
However, relying on her strength alone was insufficient. In the Wan Kingdom, she saw no hope for the future.
At that time, Ning Fenglai’s eldest son pursued her. It wasn’t truly pursuit but leveraging the Ning clan’s power to force her father to betrothe her to him.
Feigning weakness, she found an opportunity to send Lord Li Yuwen to the Great Song to seek aid. She had thought if the Great Song didn’t help, she’d rather die than let him defile her.
Unexpectedly, she saw a glimmer of hope.
So, after enduring many hardships, she finally arrived in the Great Song.
Initially, she thought Chen Mo was just another man greedy for her body, but for the sake of saving the Wan Kingdom, she had no choice but to agree.
Yet it turned out she misunderstood Chen Mo.
He was genuinely sincere to her.
He rejected the Ning clan for her sake.
Han Jingyun, too, could marry the one she loved, marry for love.
She thought to herself, in the future, she would serve the prince well, not failing his sincere treatment. It was best to bear him a few plump sons.
She had inquired; although the prince had many wives and concubines, she hadn’t heard any news of pregnancy.
She had to try her best.
To serve the prince well tonight, she had even read many shameful booklets...
Suddenly, her ears perked slightly as she heard the door open. The familiar footsteps—it was undoubtedly the prince...
Han Jingyun couldn’t help but feel nervous, her hands clenched under her wedding robe: "Prince...no, my husband, is that you?"
Since they had already completed the ceremony, she had to address him differently.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Chen Mo closed the door, stepping forward and gently lifting the bridal veil with a measuring stick.
The veil lifted slightly, revealing her gentle and lovely face. Her red lips were vibrant and glossy.
"Is this bridal gown styled after the Wan Kingdom?" Han Jingyun’s wedding dress wasn’t as vibrant as those in the Great Song, but it had a cyan bird embroidered on it.
Han Jingyun nodded: "This is the Cyan Simurgh bridal dress, worn only by the Wan Kingdom’s royalty."
"Shall we follow your Wan Kingdom customs tonight for the bridal chamber?" With three brides to attend to, Chen Mo had plenty of time to chat with his beloved.
"Ah...is that alright?"
"Of course. Do Wan Kingdom newlyweds drink cross-cupped wine?"
"...Yes." In truth, she didn’t know how Wan Kingdom newlyweds conducted themselves on their wedding night, as it was her first marriage. Without a betrothal, she had no reason to know, but Chen Mo’s devotion filled her with joy. Perhaps...
"Dear wife, in the Wan Kingdom bridal chamber, does the bride take the lead?"
After drinking the cross-cupped wine, Chen Mo initially planned to kiss Han Jingyun, but she unexpectedly pushed his shoulder until he fell onto the bed, then she...
Han Jingyun’s face turned crimson as she nodded. She learned this from the little pamphlets, where it was annotated that this way, the husband wouldn’t have to exert so much effort...
"Is that so?" Chen Mo was genuinely taken aback.
Han Jingyun barely murmured a response.
"Then you take the lead..."
...
An hour later, Chen Mo emerged from Han Jingyun’s bridal chamber.
How should he put it? Wan Kingdom customs in this regard weren’t ideal.
The pace never picked up for the longest time, leaving Chen Mo anxious yet unable to rush while the other party thought it was too fast and wanted to slow down.
Honestly, the speed didn’t even qualify as high speed.
But what could Chen Mo do, having promised his wife to adhere to Wan Kingdom customs?
He could only make up for it with the other two brides.
...
The night was deep, and the moon was bright.
The bridal chamber was serene.
In the silent room, the dim candlelight flickered gently, and the air held a faint fragrance.
Cao Xiyue was alone, not having waited impatiently since her mother had just left the bridal chamber.
Before that, her mother was with her, talking about some "grown-up" matters.
How Prince Zhen Nan, as a First Grade Martial Artist, surely would excel in that regard.
She even taught her some tricks to please a man.
She said, regardless of the man’s status, as a woman and especially as a bride, one must know how to act coquettishly and beg for mercy.
There’s supposedly no man who doesn’t cherish a woman who knows how to act coquettishly or beg for mercy.
Coquetry, Cao Xiyue understood.
But she couldn’t comprehend begging for mercy.
This was supposed to be a wedding night of great joy, why beg for mercy?
That’s what Cao Xiyue asked.
In response, Cai replied with a question, like that night at the ruined temple you didn’t beg for mercy...
After speaking, Cai left with a meaningful expression, leaving Cao Xiyue confused and bewildered.
Nevertheless, Cao Xiyue didn’t dwell on it. As time gradually passed, Cao Xiyue’s initial excitement transformed into nervousness. She didn’t know how to handle it.
She studied the classics, but none taught wedding night matters, though they instructed her to support her husband, teach her children, and abide by the female virtues.
Just as she pondered, there was a slight creak at the door.
Cao Xiyue’s whole body trembled. She hurriedly sat up straight, touched her head, ensuring the veil was in place, and then listened carefully for footsteps approaching the door.
The door closed.
He was about to lift the veil...
She should have prepared a smile so that when the red veil lifted, she could sweetly call him husband. Then they could drink cross-cupped wine, and she’d close her eyes, leaving it to him. He’d surely know what to do.
Only...
Cao Xiyue waited a moment, then noticed through a tiny gap in the veil, a large hand reaching for her belt, gently undoing it.
???
Wasn’t he supposed to lift the veil first?
Could it be that her mother was wrong?
