Four Delicate Offenders – CH 030

Chapter 30. Hold On, Kiss Me.

Watching him walk up the corridor, the lanterns hanging from the eaves illuminating his figure, moving layer upon layer from behind the golden silk curtains until he gradually disappeared at the end of the wooden corridor.

Having strained her shoulders for so long, she finally dared to relax. Looking around, she saw that they were all the people she had brought, and she felt less restrained. Yunpan rubbed her shoulders and sat back on the bed, smiling as she said to Nanny Yao and Qin-Dan, “Getting married is more tiring than rushing from Youzhou to the capital overnight.”

This was the most vivid metaphor. She still remembered that day, disheveled and filthy, emerging from the inspector’s warehouse in the pouring rain, her clothes damp and sticky against her skin. When the escort brought them before the Duke of Wei, she tried her best to appear composed, but in his eyes, she must have still looked quite pathetic!

Now, looking back, she felt embarrassed. She had thought they would never cross paths again, but unexpectedly, it had turned out like this. Although she had been manipulated and brought to this point by a twist of fate, the marriage was truly complete, the ceremony had been held, and there was no turning back. She would now spend the rest of her life with that person.

Nanny Yao understood her thoughts and gently comforted her, “Everyone goes through this. The wedding is the most complicated and important event of one’s life. It will be fine from tomorrow onwards. After you’ve met your grandmother-in-law and mother-in-law, there will be at most some visits to relatives and friends; there will not be any other troubles.”

Yunpan nodded. “I am a little unsure about meeting the elders tomorrow. Please guide me, Nanny.”

Nanny Yao smiled. “Madam is always very composed. I am only here to give you courage; you do not need my guidance. The elders in this mansion are all very kind. Just relax and serve them diligently; no elder will have the heart to criticize you.”

These were all polite words; after all, in someone else’s home, every word had to be carefully chosen. The next day, Nanny Yao would naturally instruct her on the proper etiquette for meeting the elders. A new bride visiting someone’s household could not be careless in any way; not to mention others, even Old Lady Hu was not someone to be trifled with. This was why Lady Ming had sent her as a maidservant.

However, this was not the time to concern herself with such things. Nanny Yao said, “Madam has had a long day; please rest for a while. The Duke will perform the grand ceremony upon his return.”

Yunpan was surprised. “Was the grand ceremony not already completed? Why is there another one?” But as soon as she spoke, she understood from the servants’ smiles that the so-called grand ceremony was naturally the ceremony between husband and wife.

She became somewhat apprehensive. After the marriage was arranged, her aunt and the head maid had come to teach her about the ways of husband and wife. She had been confused at the time, but she roughly understood what it meant. She had thought it was something far off, but now it was truly upon her, and she would be sharing a bed with someone she had only met two or three times. The thought sent shivers down her spine, and her heart pounded with anxiety.

Her expression slowly dimmed. Nanny Yao and Qin-Dan, seeing this, could not help but worry. Nanny Yao said, “The Duke is a gentle and pure gentleman, unlike those boorish men outside. Madam, do not be afraid.”

Yunpan felt embarrassed and did not want to bring this up openly, so she shook her head and said, “It’s alright. I am just in a new place and a little unaccustomed to it. I will be fine in a while.” Seeing their worried stares, she laughed instead, “I am perfectly fine. Why are you all looking at me like that? You’ve been busy all day, and you have not eaten anything yet. Go outside and get some food; do not go hungry.”

Outside the porch, pastries were prepared for the maids and servants who had accompanied her in the dowry. However, people from the Duke’s Mansion knew their limits. They would not die from hunger for a night. If they abandoned the new bride and indulged in their own feasts, it would only tarnish the reputation of the Duke’s Mansion and cause the lady to be gossiped about behind her back. Therefore, no one left the inner chamber.

The servants were cautious, and Yunpan had to be even more self-possessed. She placed her hands on her knees and sat upright, and even if her neck stiffened, she would at most turn her head to glance at the room’s layout—that was the most casual action she could muster.

However, the room’s elegance perfectly matched her expectations. It certainly exuded an air of wealth; after all, it was a noble household, and every item was of the highest quality, exquisitely crafted.

But despite its grandeur, it did not appear gaudy. For example, the vase on the desk was not filled with fresh flowers but with two dried lotus pods. This clash of refinement and simplicity created a Zen-like, back-to-nature feel.

The night deepened, and listening closely, she could hear the lively commotion from the front courtyard. Yunpan sat there quietly, and after a while, she indeed felt drowsy.

Normally at home, she would go to sleep around the hour of Hai ^{(9 PM)} at the latest, but tonight she lingered until almost midnight. She sighed inwardly, thinking that she could no longer be so self-centered. As a married woman, she had to fulfill her duties. She wondered how her husband usually dealt with things—was it just this one night, or did he come home late every few days?

Her eyelids felt incredibly heavy, as if she could not lift them… Drowsy and confused, she suddenly heard Qin-Dan softly calling her name. Startled, she quickly opened her eyes and found the Duke of Wei already at her bedside, a slight smile in his eyes. He said, “I am sorry to have troubled you tonight, Young Lady.”

He called her “young lady” again, seemingly blurting it out without thinking, and only realized it afterward. A hint of embarrassment crept into his slightly tipsy expression. “I am sorry; I drank a little too much.”

Yunpan, feeling a little embarrassed that he had seen her dozing off, stood up and said, “I will have someone prepare some hangover soup for you, Your Grace!”

He said it was not necessary. “I am not drunk yet; I will be fine after a rest.”

Rest? Where to rest? It would not be appropriate to rest in the recliner; the servants in the bedroom would not allow it.

So, when it came time to remove the sash, the skilled maidservant came to help him remove his outer garment, and naturally, the groom himself had to untie the sash around the bride’s waist.

He seemed somewhat at a loss, each outstretched finger hesitant, before finally carefully grasping a corner and slowly pulling the sash from her waist. The servants had nothing more to do; they bowed, wishing the master and lady a long and happy marriage, and before leaving, they removed all the candles from the room. The bridal chamber was instantly shrouded in a dim light, with only the red lanterns hanging from the eaves faintly illuminating half the room.

Yunpan’s heart pounded anxiously; only now did she feel a sense of fear. She had never been alone with a man before, especially in such a confined space, immersed in darkness.

Darkness bred fear. She clutched her skirt helplessly. When her eyes could not keep up, her ears became unusually sensitive. She could hear every breath he took, and the slightest movement of his made her freeze in terror.

He simply sat beside her, his scent clean and free of any trace of alcohol, and softly asked, “Are you afraid?”

Yunpan did not answer. In truth, this question was difficult to answer appropriately. To say she was afraid would be to lose her composure on her wedding night, making her seem petty and pathetic; to say she was not afraid, how could a young woman be so at ease sharing a room with a grown man?

Therefore, silence was the safest course of action.

However, the person beside her chuckled softly, his deep voice confined in the space, like a scratch on the heart.

“I am a little nervous; I hope you will forgive me.”

It was already rumored that the Duke of Wei had no one he liked, and because of this, the Empress Dowager had no other choice but to target his new wife.

These days, when boys reach fifteen or sixteen, even if their friends did not engage in refined activities, their male elders did not hesitate to take them to brothels. Those brothels along the street, where stylishly dressed courtesans swayed and waved their sleeves all day long, seemed to shun a twenty-four-year-old man who remained chaste, whether in the capital or Youzhou.

Yunpan turned to look at him with surprise. In the dim light, he sat upright, showing no sign of overstepping his bounds.

Perhaps it was because of his poor health, she understood. “Your health is paramount, sir.”

He merely smiled, saying nothing, until, after a long pause, “My Lady, you have married me. I will treat you with all my heart. From now on, we will share both glory and disgrace. I ask that you treat me with the same sincerity.”

This marriage was not a product of mutual affection; each had their own plans, so estrangement was inevitable. “Actually, being honest with it might not be a bad thing,” Yunpan said. “Please rest assured, My Lord, I understand the advantages and disadvantages.”

When fortune and misfortune were unpredictable, intelligence was paramount. No wife wanted to see her husband fall from grace. The old custom of “a wife’s glory comes with her husband’s” still held true when all hope was lost.

He slightly turned his face away, glancing outside. “It’s getting late; let’s settle down.”

He had washed himself before entering the bridal chamber, afraid the lingering smell of wine and food on his clothes would bother her. While Yunpan sat in the canopy bed, a maid brought her clean water to wash herself. It was incredibly hot; getting married in the sixth month was the most unpleasant time. Fortunately, the night was not as scorching as during the day, and sitting there calmly, she could feel a touch of coolness in the night breeze.

Yunpan looked at him, at his hand reaching out to her, his slender, white fingers just as they had been when they first met in Youzhou.

Perhaps every couple went through this process, from strangers to gradually becoming familiar, with all the conventional steps to take. But when his fingertips touched her neck, she could not help but flinch. He paused slightly, then finally removed her inner robe.

The inner robe was quite heavy; removing it brought a sense of relief, but in this environment, it was impossible to truly relax.

Yunpan sat there, dizzy and disoriented. He had done everything for her. She had completely forgotten her aunt’s instructions the night before to undress her husband. Her mind was blank, constantly replaying thoughts like, “How did I get married? Will I really live with this man from now on?”

Gently untying the ties of her inner robe under her armpits, he paused to look at her face. Her bewildered expression was completely different from that rainy day; she simply let him do as he pleased.

A bead of sweat crept up her skin. He looked away, laid her on the soft mandarin duck pillows, and took off his own inner robe to comfort her. This was a real, warm person; leaning against her, she no longer felt alone. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. She seemed deeply shocked, staring at him, speechless, as if he were a lecher. He propped himself up and looked her over; the soft, delicate girl seemed unable to accept excessive intimacy between a man and a woman.

The wedding ceremony should not be interrupted, but her face was deathly pale; she must have been terrified.

He could only coax her, “Si Si, from today onwards, we are husband and wife. You can tell me whatever you are thinking.”

Yunpan used all her strength to control her trembling body, not knowing how to answer him, and despising herself for being so cowardly. Being so frightened on their wedding night would probably make the groom laugh at her.

He was not displeased and was very tolerant of her timidity. He placed his hand on the back of her hand, his fingers slipping between hers, and clasped it tightly, saying, “Do not be afraid.”

His hand was slightly cool but dry and clean, and his sharp eyes were filled with beautiful, tender affection.

Yunpan comforted herself, telling herself that this man had a heart of pure crystal, unlike those filthy men… Look, he did not take advantage of her vulnerability, nor did he look down on women. He thoughtfully arranged for reliable escorts and even prepared water and food for them… He was a good man.

The good man kissed her, his kiss slowly moving down her forehead to the tip of her nose, then stopping at her lips. They could feel each other’s breath.

Both were people who followed propriety; on their wedding night, they should do what was expected of them. Even with their hearts pounding, they tried to remain calm. He kissed her… Hmmm, Yunpan felt her face burning. She could not breathe and felt ashamed, wanting to pull away. Deep down, she knew he was her husband, but her mind told her he was still a stranger.

He relaxed his brow. With this kiss, he discovered the girl was fragrant and soft. He could even imagine her, both angry and shy, sitting there with her cheeks puffed out, bouncing back like a soft mountain when poked.

Their kisses proceeded smoothly and methodically. After leaving her lips, he moved to find her delicate shoulders and neck. But just as he leaned down, she instinctively braced herself against his chest.

He paused, knowing she was resisting; perhaps their previous intimate actions had pushed her to her limit. His initial passion quickly cooled. He pulled away, apologizing, “I was too impulsive.”

However, such impulsiveness should have been allowed. Yunpan, both embarrassed and flustered, clutched her slipping robe, hastily saying, “My Lord, I was rude.”

He rubbed his forehead, saying, “No, I was so focused on the formalities that I forgot to ask about your feelings. Anyway, the wedding is already arranged. If you do not like it, we can consummate the marriage in a couple of days.”

So, tonight could be left unsaid? But she hesitated. Under her pillow was the handkerchief; Nanny Yao had said it was necessary. Not only that, but tomorrow she must present the handkerchief to the Princess of Liang for her inspection. This was a crucial step in the wedding ceremony; if it was omitted, she would face criticism, and life in the household would be difficult. If the elders in the household were deliberately reprimanding her, she might even be sent back to her parents’ home.

What to do? She reached under her pillow and nervously presented the handkerchief to him. “This… I need to show it to Mother tomorrow…”

Even in the dim light, she could see the bewildered look on his face, but only for a moment. He took the handkerchief and casually placed it on the small table beside the bed, saying only, “You do not need to worry; I will plead with Mother tomorrow.”

But no matter how much he pleaded, the wedding ceremony was still unfinished. Yunpan sat anxiously, her heart filled with worry.

He seemed to sense her hesitation. In the dim light, he rose from the bed and went to the table. Yunpan looked at him with surprise; his thin undershirt draped low, outlining a slender figure. The sound of rustling oiled paper, followed by the clinking of cups and saucers, filled the air. Soon, he returned, carrying a teacup and a paper package, and handed it to her, saying, “I had this prepared. Have a bite.”

On the wedding night, the bride was usually not allowed to eat anything, lest she need to relieve herself during the ceremony and cause embarrassment. But now that it was just the two of them, everything was negotiable.

Yunpan opened the package and saw several neatly arranged pieces of sweet pastry. She could never resist these, so she said, “Then I will not be polite!” Her eyes crinkled with a smile as she carefully picked one up and put it in her mouth. Being able to enjoy a sweet treat in the middle of the night was truly delightful.

He diligently held the oiled paper for her. In their boudoir, there were no burdens of social status; they were simply two people keeping each other company, their shared love of food bringing them together.

Yunpan ate her fill, but fearing the servants outside might overhear, she whispered, “I’ve heard that Ban Tower’s fresh sugar-filled spring cocoons are exceptionally good, and their signature wine, ‘Qiongbo,’ is very popular with the people of the capital. Shall we go try it sometime?”

A young woman talking to you about food and wine was different from the manipulative exchanges between men in officialdom. It was about the small, everyday joys, the subtle sentiments, and the warmth of everyday life, like a copper bell hanging in the spring breeze, its gentle resonance echoing when it was blown.

She spoke sincerely, and although he felt she was still quite childish, he nodded approvingly. “Let me know when you’d like to go, and I will have someone reserve a private room. You will not have to sit with those commoners.”

Yunpan agreed, ate two more bites, and rinsed her mouth with the tea he offered. This time, she felt more at ease lying down; her stomach was not empty, and a sweet fragrance wafted through the exquisite bed curtains.

They did not consummate their marriage, but they still had to lie in the same bed. He turned his head, covered his mouth, and coughed twice, and then said apologetically, “In winter and late at night, my throat often itches, and I cough more often. I am afraid I will disturb you.”

Yunpan said it was alright, “Your Grace does not need to suppress your cough. I sleep soundly at night and will not hear you.”

This was the first time his newlywed wife had tried to accommodate him; her approach was a little clumsy, but it was all out of good intentions.

He smiled and agreed, leaning back on the pillow and gazing at the canopy ceiling. Each child on the Hundred Children Canopy was embroidered with lifelike detail. The spot beside him was always empty; now that someone was sleeping there, he felt a little uneasy.

She was probably truly exhausted; her breathing quickly became even, and she fell silent. The late night in the capital was a bit chilly, so he pulled a thin blanket over her. Seeing that she had let her hair down, her long, dark hair spread out on the pillow, he worried he might accidentally crush her, so he reached out and smoothed it.

The cool strands of hair flowed through his fingers, as soft as a dream.

He sighed. His marriage, which had involved the entire court, was finally settled. This, he thought, would probably be how his life would be from now on.