Song Chuyi deeply felt that men’s words couldn’t be trusted. Even the words of someone like Zhou Weizhao, who was usually so proper and refined, couldn’t be trusted. She angrily raised her hand and slapped it on the water, splashing up a spray.

This was truly too much bullying! She genuinely suspected that she had cried too much, which led Zhou Weizhao to think she could be bullied. Gritting her teeth, unable to bear it any longer, she reached out to catch Zhou Weizhao’s wandering hand and stared at him with cat-like eyes: “Zhou Weizhao!”

She actually dared to call him by his name directly—this was the first time she had called his name. The little cat’s earlier anxious and vulnerable appearance had vanished without a trace. With bared teeth and claws, she raised her little paws trying to warn him. Zhou Weizhao pulled her into his arms, suppressing a laugh as he responded with an “mm,” but the hand holding the jade spoon remained improper. Every so often he would forget about the spoon, his hand gradually kneading upward along her waist.

This was truly intolerable. Song Chuyi’s face flushed bright red, her eyes brimming with anger. She reached out and pushed Zhou Weizhao forcefully outward. Zhou Weizhao slipped and fell into the pool.

But even as he fell, he didn’t forget to pull Song Chuyi along with him. So Song Chuyi sank into the pool with him, choking on water and coughing violently several times. Fortunately, Zhou Weizhao was quick to react and caught her in one swift motion, pulling her up, or she would have choked to death.

Only then did Zhou Weizhao stop fooling around. He dressed himself, then found a set of nightclothes for her from the cabinet. He reached out to lift her from the water, dried her off, and personally helped her dress, coaxing her in a gentle voice: “Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Don’t be angry.”

Song Chuyi was carried in his arms back to the inner chamber and placed on the bed. She no longer even had the strength to retort. Squinting, she gave a small yawn. Zhou Weizhao had her lean against him, took a cloth, and meticulously dried her hair bit by bit. He placed the drowsy her on the bed before getting off the bed himself.

Before long, he lifted the covers and crawled back into bed, turning Song Chuyi over, his hand about to burrow into her clothes again.

She finally erupted in anger, grabbing his mischievous hand and calling out harshly: “Zhou Weizhao!”

Zhou Weizhao wasn’t afraid of her. He laughed out loud with a snort, his bright eyes staring at Song Chuyi’s opened eyes full of anger, looking rather innocent as he waved his hand: “I’m afraid you’re in pain. I’m applying some medicine for you…”

Song Chuyi was left speechless. She bit her lip and stared at him for a long moment before snatching the small jade gourd from his hand: “I… I’ll do it myself.”

She stared at him pitifully, with an expression that said she wouldn’t do anything unless he turned away. Zhou Weizhao had no choice but to cooperate by turning his head away from her. Only when he heard her hurriedly say it was done did he take a cloth to wipe her hands and pull her into his arms: “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Go to sleep quickly.”

Song Chuyi had always been someone who dreamed a lot. Ordinarily, she would wake once or twice throughout the night, never sleeping soundly. Later, she could only sleep through the night by relying on the calming incense that Zhou Weizhao had Qing Zhuo bring. But somehow, perhaps because she was extremely exhausted, when she opened her eyes again, dawn had already broken.

Counting carefully, it had been decades since she had shared a bed with anyone. Yet she felt no unease or discomfort at all, sleeping safely through the night nestled in Zhou Weizhao’s arms like a cat.

She was awakened by the tickling sensation at the back of her neck. The first thing that met her eyes when she opened them was rice-white silk nightclothes. She was held against his chest, sleeping as if he were cradling a baby. Only at this moment did she finally smile happily.

Zhou Weizhao rested his chin on her head, opening his eyes drowsily. Upon waking to see her smiling with curved eyes and brows, he couldn’t help but feel cheerful as well, asking her softly: “What are you laughing at?”

Song Chuyi had slept with her head on Zhou Weizhao’s arm all night—something that would have been unthinkable before. Someone as pampered and precious as Shen Qingrang, it was already merciful of him not to make her serve as padding beneath him. She shook her head to toss that fly’s name out of her mind and hugged Zhou Weizhao’s neck with a light laugh: “Laughing at how silly you are!”

He hadn’t changed position even once throughout the entire night, his arm serving as her pillow all night long. If that wasn’t silly, what was?

Zhou Weizhao moved his already numb arm and his fingers that were somewhat swollen from poor blood circulation, not caring at all that she called him silly. With a smile on his face, he flicked her forehead: “I’ll call someone in to attend to your washing up.”

Outside, Nanny Xu and the others heard sounds from within. After knocking and receiving permission, they filed in one after another. The nanny who had kept watch last night also came in with them, holding a rosewood box. She first bowed to Song Chuyi with congratulations. Song Chuyi acknowledged her and waited for Qing Tao and Luyi to come help her up. Only then did Nanny Xu place the wedding night proof cloth into the rosewood box held by that nanny, and also gave her a thick red envelope.

Zhou Weizhao had already changed his clothes and come out. After Song Chuyi finished washing and changed her clothes, they had breakfast together before heading to Taiji Hall to kowtow to Emperor Jianzhang. Eunuch An smiled as he welcomed them in, his attitude respectful and warm.

Emperor Jianzhang had just finished breakfast. Upon seeing them, he didn’t say much, speaking some words about marital harmony and ordering many rewards to be bestowed before commanding them to go to Qingning Palace.

Recently, the Grand Secretariat had been extremely busy with matters concerning Hubei, and Emperor Jianzhang hadn’t entered the rear palace for quite some time. Zhou Weizhao held Song Chuyi’s hand: “Once our wedding is complete, the Imperial Guard should have results.”

There should indeed be results—they had waited long enough. Song Chuyi nodded.

The atmosphere in Qingning Palace was undoubtedly much livelier compared to Taiji Hall. Not only had Crown Princess Lu arrived early, but Princess Rongcheng and Princess Duanhui had both entered the palace today to sit at the side. Additionally, the Princess Consort of Prince Lu and the Princess Consort of Prince Su were also present. Zhou Weizhao led Song Chuyi to first bow to Empress Lu and pay their respects.

Empress Lu was so excited her voice trembled slightly. She repeatedly called for them to rise quickly, reached out to beckon Song Chuyi forward, held her hand with a smile, and instructed her with some words about taking good care of herself and bearing children. She also bestowed many gifts.

Since their heart-to-heart talk, the slight reservation Empress Lu had felt toward Song Chuyi in her heart had vanished, and she became exceptionally good to Song Chuyi. Before the marriage, she had specially bestowed many items to add to her trousseau.

Now that the wedding had taken place, she was even more affectionate toward Song Chuyi. She smiled and chatted with her, then squeezed her hand with some hesitation. After a long moment, she ultimately didn’t say anything, only patting her hand: “If Weizhao bullies you in the future, you mustn’t endure it. Tell his mother consort, and she will certainly give him a good scolding.”

These words made everyone laugh. Princess Rongcheng, the Princess Consort of Prince Lu, and the Princess Consort of Prince Su all presented gifts as well.

After sitting for a while longer, Empress Lu smiled and had everyone disperse, then instructed Crown Princess Lu to lead them first to the main hall of the Eastern Palace to kowtow to the Crown Prince: “Let him know that Weizhao has married.”

Crown Princess Lu’s smile remained unchanged. She responded softly in acknowledgment and led Zhou Weizhao and Song Chuyi out toward the Eastern Palace.