Chapter 138: Joined in Marriage

Chapter 138: Joined in Marriage

Twelve golden screens embroidered with peonies partitioned the inner chamber. Near the nanmu step bed, a handy wall desk was placed, on which rested a fragrant citrus plant, above it hung a wooden carved frame holding a polished deer antler.

At this moment, the antler trembled slightly, its glossy dark brown surface under the candlelight faintly reflecting the suddenly swaying golden embroidered curtains.

A slender, fair hand emerged from behind the curtain, tightly grasping the tassel on the edge, stretching the brocade curtain taut, then abruptly releasing it, causing the carved fragrance ball hanging at the top to swing wildly, unable to settle.

In February, the gauze windows were closed, yet the candle on the crane-shaped copper stand still flickered.

The lone hand hanging outside the curtain was grasped, its fingers tightly interlocked with another. Inside the curtain, there were heavy breaths, and a husky voice whispered, "Don't bite, let it out."

This command was not forceful, so the person addressed did not comply, still firmly biting her own left hand, refusing to let out any sound of discomfort. However, amidst the slight ripples, faint sounds escaped, like fish in a summer pond, splashing water droplets that landed by her ear, burning her cheeks red.

Xiao Sheng chuckled softly, brushing the sweat-dampened hair from Jiang Hui's face, whispering in her ear, "Let it out."

Yet, Jiang Hui refused to heed these words. She turned her head away, avoiding the gaze of the sharp-eyed man above her, her misty eyes glancing upwards at the embroidered phoenix on the canopy, wishing for the night to pass quickly.

The husky voice continued by her ear, saying, "Hui'er, call me 'third brother'."

"Third brother…"

Jiang Hui opened her mouth, then felt a slight pain on the back of her hand. Anger surged within her, and she glared fiercely at Xiao Sheng, withdrawing her left hand to hug his neck and biting down on his throat.

Such behavior was beyond decorum. If she were a consort chosen through selection, she would have been taught in the Storage Palace to serve the Emperor with chastity and gentleness, and under no circumstances to harm the dragon's body.

But Jiang Hui was not a consort selected through the palace draft. Under the dim candlelight, she was not the ethereal, serene moonlight beauty who had just come of age. She was Princess Anning.

Princess Anning ground her teeth, controlling her voice, and said angrily, "I won't say it!"

Although Jiang Hui remained silent, for some reason, Xiao Sheng became even more excited. By the time everything calmed down, it was nearly the hour of Chou.

The western annex had been prepared early with a warm bath. Palace attendants had set up fragrant bath beans, brocade towels, nightgowns, and honeyed snacks, then quietly withdrew.

But Jiang Hui was unaware of this. When she awoke again, she found herself back on the step bed. The outermost layer of the embroidered golden cloud brocade curtain had been lifted, leaving only a thin layer of gauze hanging down.

The candlelight was dim, and she felt groggy, half-thinking it was time to get up. Suddenly, the faint sound of scissors rubbing startled her back to full awareness.

"Your Majesty?"

Seeing her awake, Xiao Sheng smiled, placing the copper scissors on the wall desk outside and softly asked, "Hui'er, you're awake? Can you help me with this? How should it be tied?"

He handed her two strands of hair and a red string.

Jiang Hui was slightly stunned, examining the items in her hand. The red string had obvious creases, indicating many attempts at tying it, yet without success.

Propping herself up, she combined the two strands of hair, quickly tied them with the red string, and handed them back to Xiao Sheng, then chided, "Your Majesty, you're doing this in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Xiao Sheng coughed lightly, not answering her question. He tucked the tied hair strands into a prepared sachet and hung it on the bedpost. After all this, he got out of bed barefoot, walked across the dry, soft rug, blew out the candle, and returned to the bed in the dark.

The golden hooks of the curtain clicked softly, a gentle breeze brushed their faces, and the bed curtains were fully lowered.

Xiao Sheng lay beside Jiang Hui, squeezing closer, wrapping his arms around her, and murmured, "Sleep."

Jiang Hui hummed softly in response and closed her eyes.

In the deep darkness, she suddenly remembered her youth.

She recalled being rescued from Liubo Lake by palace maids, wrapped in a cloak, insisting on learning to swim. Back then, the Crown Prince of An Kingdom was only known as Chen Yuan, without the nickname Xianyu, and the Third Prince…

The Third Prince was still a silent and reserved prince, always following Prince Yuanhui, known for his kindness and brotherly love.

The kind and brotherly Third Prince, together with Chen Yuan, was on his way to Qingheng Garden to deliver the game hunted by the Fourth Prince to Prince Yuanhui. Passing by Liubo Lake, they heard the wailing of the palace maids from the bridge, crying out, "Princess Anning has fallen into the water!"

The Crown Prince of Anguo was the fiancé of Princess Anning, and the Third Prince was her cousin and was always benevolent and filial. It made sense for them to rush over together.

However, it was only now that Jiang Hui clearly saw the look in the eyes of the Third Prince, who was always a step behind the Crown Prince of Anguo in her memories.

It turns out, everything started so early, even earlier than she had thought.

Bound by marriage, sharing a pillow, and in death, to be companions in the netherworld.

Now, she dared not indulge in such extravagant hopes.

The next day was set for both the imperial and noble ladies to pay their respects to the Empress.

Jiang Hui, seated at the highest position in Mingluan Hall, was assisted by the female officials of the Shangyi Bureau. They guided the ladies, dressed in court attire, to recite congratulatory words and perform the kneeling ceremony three times before finally taking their seats.

Wan Song and Shan Zha, along with other palace maids, stepped forward to serve tea, then quietly retreated to the side.

This was the time for exchanging formal courtesies.

The noble ladies from outside the palace were all respectful and cordial, their words elegant and refined. As for the ladies of the inner court, regardless of their jealousy from the previous day, they all wore smiles today, careful not to show any hint of envy.

After the greetings from the imperial and noble ladies, Princess Huaiqing entered the hall with her younger siblings, kneeling and bowing, saying, "Your children pay respects to Mother Empress, wishing you great joy and everlasting happiness!"

These imperial children, with the youngest, Princess Huayang, nearly three years old, required nursemaids to assist them in their formalities, but they were still able to recite auspicious phrases.

Jiang Hui kindly responded, "Please rise."

Before her words finished, Huayang had already rushed to Jiang Hui, clutching her hand excitedly, exclaiming, "Mother! Huayang did it!"

Her words were abrupt, but Jiang Hui understood – Huayang was referring to the auspicious phrases taught by Nian'er and Pomegranate, which she had learned.

Smiling, Jiang Hui lifted her into her arms, praising, "Huayang is so smart!"

Hearing her mother's praise, Huayang wriggled joyfully in Jiang Hui's embrace.

Jiang Hui glanced at the other imperial descendants who had risen and spoke a few caring words to them. After instructing the attendants of Princess Huaiqing and the Second Prince to be extra vigilant, she let them disperse.

Hongyu entered from outside and respectfully said, "My lady, the Emperor has sent Eunuch Anjing to invite you to Liangyi Hall for a meeting."

Hearing this, Jiang Hui understood that the party from the Marquis of Ningyuan's residence had arrived.

——

Note: (1) From the poem "The Peacock Flies Southeast."