Wish You All the Best - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

When Jiafu was married, besides the maids like Tanxiang and Muxiang who had traveled with her, Madam Meng had also let Nanny Liu, who had served her for years, come along. Once Pei You’an had unveiled the bride and left, the lively atmosphere of laughter and celebration vanished, leaving the bridal chamber in silence. Nanny Liu entered with the maids to help Jiafu remove her crown, jewelry, and ceremonial cape. After taking off the heavy wedding robes, only three layers of clothing remained. She then changed into a bright red silk robe with a cloud-patterned shoulder wrap specially tailored for the occasion. The collar and chest were embroidered with four-joined "ruyi" cloud patterns, while beneath, she wore satin trousers with subtle creeping lotus patterns and a red woven-gold satin skirt. Compared to the overly formal attire from before, this was no less festive but added a touch of gentle allure.

Jiafu had not eaten since noon. Now that everyone was gone and only familiar faces remained, the tension she had held all night dissipated, and she slowly began to feel the hunger in her stomach—it felt as though her front was pressed against her back. However, she had no appetite. After taking a few sips of the chicken broth Nanny Liu had ordered brought in and peeling half a Jiangnan honey mandarin orange, she couldn't eat anymore. Nanny Liu ordered the maids to clear the table, then personally helped Jiafu wash her face and rinse her mouth with aromatic liquid. Once everything was finished, she told Jiafu to sit on the edge of the bed and wait for the groom’s return.

Jiafu waited for a long time before she finally heard faint footsteps outside again, and the maids and nannies in the corridor were calling out, "Master."

Jiafu couldn't help but become nervous again. She sat up straight, eyes fixed on the door, her hands clenched tightly together under her long sleeves. Nanny Liu heard it too and led the maids to welcome him. A moment later, the door gave a light creak, a figure stepped into the bridal chamber, and Pei You’an had returned.

He didn't seem to have had much to drink; his gait was steady. After entering, he removed his headpiece himself and ordered everyone to withdraw. Nanny Liu glanced at Jiafu, signaling her to go serve him, then smiled and led the maids out, closing the door behind them.

More than a year had passed. Tonight, seeing Pei You’an appear before her again—unlike before, with people all around, they were now alone—Jiafu’s heart beat rapidly. Remembering her mother’s repeated instructions, she steadied herself, rose from the edge of the bed where she had been sitting all night, walked quietly behind him, mustered her courage, and whispered, "Husband, let me help you change."

Pei You’an had his back to her, taking off his outer coat. Hearing her speak, he paused, turned his head, and exchanged a glance with her.

They were very close, and Jiafu finally saw clearly that he probably hadn't drunk much, yet his eyes were still veiled by a faint haze of intoxication.

He uttered a soft "mm," said, "Thank you for the trouble," and placed his removed outer coat into her outstretched hands. He then walked past her and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Jiafu stood there for a moment, holding his clothes. She remembered the time they lived together in Wuding, when he would return every night and she would compete with the servants to take his coat. Sometimes he would smile, and other times he would be expressionless, but she had never felt the slightest bit awkward.

Tonight, he was her husband, and she was his wife. Yet, he was so polite.

Jiafu put away his clothes, turned around, and slowly returned to his side.

He sat on the edge of the bed, and she stood beside him, watching him without blinking.

The red candles cast flickering shadows. For a moment, neither spoke.

A while later, he seemed drunk—overcome by the wine—and raised a hand to rub his forehead. Without looking at her, he mumbled, "It’s late, you should rest, too." With that, he lay down, still wearing three layers of clothing, his innermost undergarment looking perfectly neat, without a single wrinkle.

Jiafu gave a soft "mm," turned her back to him, and slowly undressed until only her inner garments remained. She climbed onto the bed on tiptoes and finally lay down beside him.

She huddled her body, facing him, sharing the long brocade pillow embroidered with the "hundred sons and ten thousand blessings" pattern, yet there was a foot of space between them. He lay on his back, eyes closed as if asleep, his breathing even, not even his eyelashes moving.

Jiafu closed her eyes at first, then slowly opened them, gazing at the contours of his half-exposed profile. After watching for a long time and recalling her mother’s advice, she gathered her courage after much hesitation and slowly moved closer to him, reaching out a soft arm to secretly wrap around his waist.

Pei You’an’s eyelashes flickered slightly.

Jiafu knew he was awake and didn't dare to look at him.

"Husband..."

Jiafu called to him softly, her voice barely a mosquito’s hum. Her eyelashes fluttered as she closed her eyes, and her head rested gently on his shoulder.

Pei You’an did not respond, nor did he push her away. A moment later, he said, "I have married you, and I will protect you. From now on, you must be honest and never again harbor improper thoughts." His tone was calm.

Jiafu was startled, her body stiffened, and she slowly opened her eyes and lifted her face.

He had opened his eyes, too, and tilted his head slightly; their gazes met over the pillow.

His eyes were pitch black and cold, devoid of any tenderness.

The flush on Jiafu’s face faded away, and the arm that was draped over his waist slowly retracted.

"I understand... It was my fault... I shouldn't have treated you that way..."

She didn't dare to look at him anymore, feeling utterly dejected. She lowered her eyes and mumbled.

"The past is past. Now that you have entered my home, you will inevitably be with others day and night. Regarding Brother Quan, if you do not like the child, just keep your distance from him in the future. Come to me if there is anything. Remember, I do not allow you to use underhanded means to achieve your goals again, nor are you to lie to me—no matter the reason."

If Jiafu had only felt shame before, hearing these words come out of his mouth now made mere shame far too inadequate to express her current state of mind.

She had long since forgotten the matter of the "frozen dragon brain" scent, but at this moment, she was reminded of it.

So, he had never forgotten the lie she once told him. He just had never brought it up in front of her before.

And tonight, after marrying her, he finally said it to lecture her.

Jiafu shrunk back and raised her eyes to look at him again.

Having finished, he closed his eyes, his expression calm, as if he had fallen asleep again.

"I... I will remember..."

After answering with this short sentence, as if it had drained all her strength, Jiafu slumped her neck, motionless.

The room fell silent, and only the sound of his breathing remained.

Jiafu no longer leaned against him. Just as she had moved out earlier, she quietly and inch by inch moved away until she wouldn't touch even a corner of his clothing.

She held her breath and slowly turned over. As soon as she closed her eyes, tears slid down and rolled to her ear.

She didn't dare to sob, but the tears wouldn't stop, silently soaking a patch of the pillowcase.

"Why are you crying?"

A moment later, she heard his voice from behind. She shook her head frantically and mumbled, "I’m not crying."

"You are clearly crying." After a pause, she heard him add.

Jiafu couldn't hold back anymore; she choked out a sob. Eyes closed, she murmured, "If you find me so annoying and look down on me so much, why did you marry me? I already told you before that I don't care about that matter anymore, and I never forced you to marry me."

Pei You’an turned his head to look at her back. He hesitated and said, "When did I say I find you annoying or look down on you? I was just teaching you to be honest in the future and not to resort to crooked schemes."

"You clearly find me annoying and look down on me..."

Jiafu sobbed, "...Don't worry, I won't pester you... In the future, when you have someone you truly care for..."

As she said this, grief welled up in her heart. She tried her best to hold it back, but the tears flowed even more uncontrollably, falling like broken pearls, and she cried more and more sorrowfully.

"Enough nonsense. Stop crying..."

Pei You’an said from behind again. His voice was much softer than before, tinged with a cautious tone of coaxing.

Jiafu buried her face in the pillow, her shoulders heaving, her voice muffled: "...I can't help it... leave me alone..."

Pei You’an sat up, leaning halfway against the head of the bed, turning to look at her back. A moment later, he leaned down slightly, reaching out a hand toward her. Just as he was about to touch her shoulder, he stopped.

"Don't cry..."

Jiafu continued to sob.

"What do you want me to do to make you stop?"

Jiafu ignored him.

Pei You’an was silent for a moment and suddenly said, "If you keep crying, I’m going to the study." Having said this, he made as if to get off the bed.

Jiafu stopped instantly. Subconsciously, she turned her face around, opened her large, tear-filled eyes wide, and looked at him.

Pei You’an let out a slow breath. Glancing at her tear-stained face, he turned and got out of the bed.

Jiafu watched his retreating back as he left the bed, her heart pounding, her face losing its color once again.

She hadn't intended to be tearful and annoying in front of him. She had just felt so ashamed and hurt that she couldn't help but shed a few tears.

On her bridal night, if he really grew tired of her weeping and abandoned her to go to the study, she wouldn't need to see anyone tomorrow; she might as well just dig a hole and bury herself.

"Eldest Cousin!"

Jiafu scrambled off the bed, lunged forward, and hugged his waist tightly from behind, refusing to let go.

"I'll stop crying, please don't go..." Her voice still had a sobbing tone, but she was trying hard to suppress it.

Pei You’an felt a soft, fragrant warmth press against his back, and his abdomen was hugged by two soft arms. Still sitting on the edge of the bed, his shoulders paused slightly. He then lowered his head, gently unfastened her hands, and stood up.

"Eldest Cousin... I really won't cry anymore..."

Jiafu sat on a pile of quilts, looking up at him with panic-stricken eyes, her voice pleading, a crystal tear hanging at the corner of her eye, ready to fall, looking utterly pitiful.

Pei You’an looked at her for a moment and then turned away.

Jiafu watched him enter the washroom. When he came out, he had a wet towel in his hand. He returned to the bed, leaned down, and reached out to wipe her face. After wiping her face, he whispered, "Behave, and I won’t go."

Jiafu nodded immediately. The tear at the corner of her eye "ploped" and fell; she hurried to wipe it away and quickly lay back down, closing her eyes.

A moment later, there was another person beside Jiafu; Pei You’an had also laid back down. For a long time, an arm slowly reached over and pulled her close.

Jiafu felt him gently unfastening her clothes.

She kept her eyes tightly shut, her body trembling slightly.

"Don't be afraid. If it hurts, tell me."

He carefully removed her undergarments, lifted her soft, smooth waist and hips, placed a silk handkerchief underneath her, and as he gently pressed down upon her, his lips brushed her earlobe and he whispered.

Her earlobe was burning like fire, while his lips held a slight coolness, like the temperature of his skin.

Throughout the entire process, he was extremely gentle, yet he made no extra movements and did not kiss her at all. Only when he had just entered her and she, overwhelmed by the pain, gripped his shoulders and let out a thin sob, did he pause to kiss away a drop of fragrant sweat from her forehead.

Afterward, he wiped her body while she lay there with eyes closed in bashfulness, placed the handkerchief stained with her maiden’s blood to the side, then put his own clothes back on and lay back down neatly.

That night, Jiafu’s heart was sweet one moment and bitter the next, rising and falling, waking and sleeping, while the man beside her seemed to be in a deep sleep, not turning over once nor touching her again.

Before the fifth watch, while it was still dark, a knocking sound came from outside the door. Servants had come to summon the newlyweds to rise, pay respects to the parents-in-law, and offer sacrifices at the ancestral shrine.