My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 79: Wedding Night.

　　As soon as the Crown Prince entered, the officials from the Ministry of Rites quickly followed.

　　Xie Jue hurried along; along the way, there were guests coming forward to pay their respects and offer congratulations, but this couldn't stop him.

　　Only Xiao Qibai came forward, standing before him.

　　Although he was a subordinate of the Crown Prince, as Yun Ling's brother, Xiao Qibai still had a few words to say.

　　“Your Highness's wedding is a joyous occasion. As a subject, I offer my congratulations today. But as Ah Ling's brother, I wish to offer a few words of advice. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”

　　Xie Jue stopped, “Speak.” 

　　Xiao Qibai said, “Although my younger sister is intelligent and capable in every way, and I know Your Highness's affection for Ah Ling, as her brother, I am very pleased. But Ah Ling also has a bit of a temper. If there are any shortcomings or offenses, I hope Your Highness will be tolerant and not take it to heart.”

　　Xie Jue: “Naturally.”

　　After Xiao Qibai gave his advice, feeling relieved, he had nothing more to say and stepped aside.

　　Just as Xie Jue was about to lift his foot, another official came forward to pay his respects and offer congratulations.

　　Repeatedly delayed, Xie Jue was becoming slightly impatient.

　　Finally shaking off those people, he quickly went to Yun Ling's courtyard. Passing through the long, winding corridors, with the gentle murmur of water flowing under the artificial hills, he stepped through the moon gate and saw several maidservants supporting Yun Ling, dressed in her wedding attire and wearing a phoenix crown, slowly walking out.

　　Her eyebrows curved like a crescent moon, her face as white and smooth as jade, her rouge lightly applied, her lips as bright as peach blossoms, adorned with a pair of jade earrings. She was truly captivating, a vision of beauty.

　　Xie Jue paused.

　　His gaze fixed on her face.

　　Yun Ling happened to look up, and their eyes met.

　　But it was only a moment; before she could speak, she heard the Ministry of Rites official urging them not to miss the auspicious time.

　　After bidding farewell to her grandparents, her father, and Lady Liu, Yun Ling was escorted out of the Xiao residence by the family's mamas and maidservants and entered the bridal sedan chair. The Crown Prince mounted his horse and rode towards the palace.

　　Old Madam Xiao listened to the sound of the music gradually fading into the distance and couldn't help but wipe away her tears with a handkerchief.

　　Xiao Mingrong hadn't felt much emotion, but seeing her grandmother cry, her own eyes gradually reddened.

　　She felt the pang of separation for the first time.

　　Upon entering the Eastern Palace, even more elaborate rituals awaited.

　　Ancestor worship, kneeling before Heaven, etc. Fortunately, Emperor Jingning was currently incapacitated, so some steps were omitted.

　　By nightfall, the exhausted Yun Ling was finally escorted to the Crown Prince's bedchamber.

　　But the Crown Prince still had to host a banquet for the officials and couldn't spare any time.

　　Lǜyī and Lǜshuǐ, her dowry maidservants, also came to the Eastern Palace. However, although these two maidservants were impeccable in their manners, it was their first time in the Palace, and they appeared somewhat reserved.

　　Yun Ling sat on the bed to rest.

　　Looking around, she immediately noticed red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds scattered on the bed.

　　It symbolized early offspring.

　　This wasn't her first time in the Crown Prince's sleeping quarters, so she wasn't unfamiliar with it.

　　She gestured for the palace servants who were about to attend to her to withdraw.

　　The bedchamber immediately fell silent.

　　The phoenix crown on Yun Ling's head was so heavy that it caused a slight ache in her forehead, but since he hadn't returned yet, she couldn't take it off.

　　After a tiring day, she was both fatigued and sleepy.

　　And she didn't know when he would be back.

　　The wedding candles on the table slowly burned. Yun Ling sat down, her body relaxed, and her eyelids gradually drooped involuntarily.

　　She had gotten up before dawn today and had slept for less than three hours last night.

　　Seeing that the Crown Princess was asleep, the palace servants didn't dare to disturb her. Lǜyī and Lǜshuǐ, though anxious, felt sorry for their young lady. They figured that since His Highness the Crown Prince hadn't returned yet, they could wake their lady when he did.

　　Therefore, Yun Ling leaned against the headboard, slowly closed her eyes, and truly fell asleep.

　　She slept for a good half-hour.

　　She slept soundly, but in her dreams, she felt a burning gaze on her face, making it impossible for her to sleep peacefully. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly woke up from her slumber. 

　　As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw him sitting beside her, quietly watching her, his deep phoenix eyes filled with unclear emotions.

　　Yun Ling came to her senses, her watery eyes blinking. “Your Highness, when did you return? Why didn't you wake me?”

　　“Just now.” Xie Jue leaned down, close to her face, almost touching her nose. “Why didn't you sleep on the bed?”

　　“I was waiting for Your Highness to return.”

　　They hadn't yet drunk the ¹nuptial cup.

　　Xie Jue's thin lips curved into a slight smile. He gestured for the palace servants to bring the wine. He took a cup, offered it to her for the ceremonial exchange of cups, and then tilted his head to drink the wine in one gulp.

　　He had already drunk quite a bit of wine today; a faint blush colored the corners of his eyes, but he wasn't drunk.

　　After drinking the wine, he dismissed all the palace servants with a wave of his hand.

　　Only the two of them remained in the bedchamber, so close that their breaths mingled.

　　She could smell the wine on him.

　　One of the wedding candles sputtered and went out.

　　Only now did Yun Ling finally feel a sense of being married.

　　Xie Jue reached out and removed the phoenix crown from her head. Sure enough, a bright red mark was pressed into Yun Ling's fair forehead.

　　“Your Highness, why did you drink so much?” Yun Ling smelled the wine on him and worried that he would have a headache the next day. He wasn't a heavy drinker, and the court officials wouldn't dare to force him to drink.

　　Xie Jue's thumb slowly stroked the faint red mark pressed into her forehead, like a touch of cinnabar on jade, soft yet alluring.

　　His eyes darkened gradually. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, his voice low and husky, imbued with an unspoken desire. Instead of answering her question, he asked, “What should you call me?”

　　Yun Ling froze for a moment.

　　Her curled eyelashes trembled. After a moment, her soft red lips slowly uttered two words, “Husband.”

　　Xie Jue's eyes deepened, his long fingers cupping her cheek. The redness at the corners of his eyes became even more pronounced, like burning flames.

　　His thin lips kissed the red mark on her forehead, then her nose bridge, her nose tip, and continued downward, finally turning his head to gently capture and suckle her lips. His Adam's apple bobbed.

　　“Hmm.”

　　“The world says there are three great joys in life: meeting an old friend in a foreign land, achieving success in the imperial examinations, and the wedding night.”

　　“Today, I have experienced one of them.”

　　Although she was already his, the moment he saw her in her wedding attire walking towards him in the Xiao residence, Xie Jue's earlier impatience vanished completely, and his emotions surged like never before.

　　He had never experienced such anticipation and joy in his life.

　　He was so happy that he drank all the wine that the ministers poured for him for the first time. 

　　Lowering his head, he buried himself in her soft neck, his burning kisses falling on her ear, then gently sucking on the tender flesh of her neck. “Ah Ling, are you happy?”

　　Yun Ling was ticklish from his kisses and shrugged her shoulders, wanting to laugh. She couldn't help but curve her eyes.

　　Seeing that she didn't answer, his kisses intensified, and his arms around her waist tightened.

　　She couldn't help but lift her chin slightly. “Your Highness, don't…”

　　She was exhausted from the day and was sweating.

　　He kissed the sweat from her neck.

　　“Hmm?”

　　Xie Jue made a sound in his throat, but his kisses didn't stop.

　　He didn't care at all.

　　Yun Ling, unaccustomed to this, changed her words. “Husband.”

　　“I am also extremely happy to marry Your Highness.”

　　Xie Jue's hand went to her collar, but Yun Ling quickly grabbed his hand to stop him. “No, I haven't bathed yet.”

　　……

　　Palace maids entered one after another, pouring bucket after bucket of hot water into the large tub. Steam rose in the bathroom, like gauze or mist, hazy and blurry.

　　Yun Ling removed the gold hairpins and jewelry from her hair and washed off her makeup before lifting the beaded curtain and entering.

　　Once in the water, the hot water enveloped her, seeming to wash away all her fatigue.

　　Lǜshuǐ was just about to help Yun Ling bathe when the beaded curtain swayed again.

　　Yun Ling looked up and saw him enter as well, dismissing the two maidservants.

　　Immediately afterward, he shed his clothes and entered the tub.

　　Hot water overflowed, splashing everywhere.

　　The tub was spacious enough for her to bathe alone, but with him in it, it felt cramped. Her back was pressed against the side of the tub, surrounded by rising steam, creating a feeling of being trapped.

　　And in a way, she was.

　　The water rippled, her fair and tender skin visible, her hair slightly damp. Her eyes, soft like spring water, were even more deadly than the sharp edge of a cold blade.

　　An inescapable enchantment, a poison willingly drunk.

　　He hadn't touched her for two months.

　　His eyes, dark red at the corners, narrowed slightly.

　　The sound of splashing water echoed as Xie Jue leaned over, pushing her into a corner. He grabbed her hands, wrapping them around his neck, and lowered his head to kiss her deeply.

　　Yun Ling couldn't escape. Her lips were sealed, and a muffled sound escaped between their intertwined lips, “Husband... I haven't finished washing…”

　　The soft and seductive “Husband” from her lips only further fueled Xie Jue's passion.

　　“...We can wash later…”

　　……

　　……

　　Yun Ling was carried out of the tub and laid on the soft bed. The silken curtains of the bridal bed fell, obscuring the bright candlelight.

　　On the crimson wedding quilt, her dark hair was scattered, contrasting with her fair skin in a striking way.

　　The red mark on her forehead from the phoenix crown had faded, but new marks appeared elsewhere.

　　Her red lips, like crushed petals, were soft and swollen, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

　　Perhaps she was too tired; even the wedding curtains seemed to have a double image.

　　Yun Ling was sweating again, feeling as if she had drowned. She buried her face in the quilt helplessly. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was almost suffocating... unable to speak, like a crumpled doll, broken and almost lifeless. 

　　Even breathing was difficult.

　　At that moment, Xie Jue pressed his chest against her back, his body close to her thin, white back. He held her face, turning it towards him, and leaned down. Despite his forceful touch, he pleaded, “Ah Ling, kiss me.”

　　Sweat dripped from her eyelashes.

　　Hearing the heavy desire in his voice, Yun Ling couldn't refuse him. With difficulty, she lifted her chin slightly and gently pressed her lips against his. 

　　Xie Jue's fingers, holding her cheek, tightened uncontrollably. He lowered his head and deeply kissed her lips, parting them with his tongue.

　　Yun Ling felt like she was going to die…

　　Sweat soaked the hair at her temples. Before passing out, she murmured two words, “²Xi Pa…”

　　Yun Ling's breathing gradually evened out; she had truly fainted.

　　Xie Jue seemed oblivious, his palm cupping her face as he kissed her sweat-dampened forehead, then her nose, and her cheeks, again and again. 

　　Finally, he kissed her swollen lips. His voice, still husky from passion, said to her, or perhaps to himself, “Nonsense.”

　　“You are my life. How could I kill you...?”

　　It turned out that before fainting, Yun Ling had unconsciously spoken her thoughts aloud.

　　Only her steady breathing answered him.

　　Xie Jue called for water, fearing she would catch a cold. He wrapped her in a quilt and personally carried her to the bathroom.

　　After washing her, he gently placed her on the bed, covered her with a quilt, and lowered the silken curtains.

　　He dismissed all the palace servants.

　　He got out of bed, picked up the sword resting on the table, drew it, and without blinking, cut his thumb. Bright red blood welled up. Xie Jue took the wedding handkerchief and smeared the blood on it.

　　A shocking red stain appeared on the white handkerchief.

　　In the morning, a matron would come to check for the sign of deflowering. But Yun Ling had already been taken by him; where would the blood come from?

　　But if there wasn't any, it would lead to unpleasant rumors, which is why she was still thinking about it before she fainted.

　　Xie Jue would not let her bear such things; he had already planned for this.

　　Putting away the sword, he tossed the bloodstained white handkerchief onto the bed, then climbed into bed, lifted the covers, and hugged her tightly. Closing his eyes, he slowly fell asleep. 

　　——

　　The next morning, the warm morning sun streamed through the window, dispelling the darkness in the bedroom.

　　It was too warm under the bed curtains. Even in her sleep, Yun Ling felt she couldn't breathe. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

　　The first thing she saw was the crimson wedding quilt.

　　She paused for a moment.

　　Then, her thoughts gradually cleared. Yesterday... she had fainted.

　　She had actually fainted in bed! The thought made Yun Ling blush.

　　She didn't have much time to dwell on it; it wasn't early, and she should get up.

　　But when she moved, she realized that she was being held tightly from behind, his strong arm securely around her waist, preventing her from moving.

　　At that moment, a knock came from outside the door.

　　Yun Ling gently pushed his arm. “Husband, we should get up. The matron is outside…”

　　Although she didn't need to go and pay respects to the Emperor and Empress, as the Crown Princess, she should still be up.

　　There would be a three-day break after the wedding.

　　Xie Jue buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her sweet, soft scent, unwilling to wake up.

　　“Husband…”

　　Yun Ling called out to him softly again.

　　Xie Jue: “...Mmm.”

　　The palace maids and the matron outside waited for a while before finally being allowed to enter.

　　They came in carrying water.

　　The silken curtains were already lifted, and the Crown Prince stood by the bed, letting the Crown Princess fasten his sash.

　　Lǜyī and Lǜshuǐ set down the water. They had intended to help the Crown Princess dress, but seeing this, they stopped in their tracks.

　　Yun Ling finished fastening his sash. Just as she was about to get out of bed, he scooped her up into his arms, giving her no time to object.

　　All the palace servants in the hall dared not look, immediately bowing their heads.

　　The matron who was checking the white handkerchief found the bloodstained one on the bed. Immediately, she beamed, carefully put the handkerchief away, and retreated.

________________

Glossary:

¹The nuptial cup, known as 交杯酒 (jiāo bēi jiǔ) in Chinese, is a significant symbol in ancient Chinese weddings, representing the union and commitment of the newlywed couple. It's a ritual where the bride and groom interlock their arms and drink from two connected cups, signifying their shared future and the merging of their lives.

² ‘Xi Pa’ (喜帕) in a Chinese wedding refers to the bridal veil that covers the bride's face. 

The veil is traditionally a red cloth that symbolizes good luck and prosperity. It is worn by the bride during the wedding ceremony and is often lifted by the groom at a specific point in the ceremony, signifying the union of the couple. 

The veil is a significant part of Chinese wedding traditions, representing both the bride's beauty and her transition from her family to her new life with her husband.

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