“Having drunk the ceremonial wine, may you raise your trays to eyebrow level until your hair turns white,” the unfamiliar woman spoke these auspicious words as she tidied away the wine cups and veil. Then, she led the maids who had helped with the wedding pole and ceremonial wine out of the room, leaving only Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling sitting on the bed.

The room was completely silent. From outside came the laughter and loud voices of guests, the singing of performers with their drawn-out notes—all bustling and lively—making the silence inside the room even more pronounced and peaceful.

Zhao Ling gazed at Fu Tingyun.

She wore a heavy phoenix crown, her fair cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Whether from shyness or from wearing the bright red wedding dress, her red lips were soft and moist, as elegantly beautiful as snow-covered plum blossoms in winter… He still remembered how he had once tasted those lips, warm and sweet like spring flowers… His gaze instantly became as hot as a summer day.

“Nan’nan!” Zhao Ling murmured, gently taking Fu Tingyun’s hand that rested on her knee.

Fu Tingyun’s face reddened even more.

She thought of the erotic paintings hidden at the bottom of her trunk.

Was she going to… tonight?

At this thought, her expression began to stiffen.

Zhao Ling thought about how he had been busy since the middle of the night yesterday. Without elders to help, they had managed everything themselves. Surely his Nan’nan must be exhausted too!

“Just bear with it a little longer,” he said softly, coaxing Fu Tingyun. “We only have four or five female guests, all wives of my subordinates. After we finish sitting on the bed, they’ll come in to see you. It will take at most two cups of tea’s worth of time before they leave. Once they’re gone, today’s wedding will be almost over. You don’t need to wait for me—you can take off your makeup, eat something, and rest early. After I finish entertaining the guests, I’ll naturally return to our room.”

Fu Tingyun nodded, her face completely red. Smelling the alcohol on his breath, she couldn’t help but stammer: “You, you should drink less!”

Zhao Ling grinned: “I know!” He leaned closer to her ear and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t get drunk.”

Drunk or not, what did it matter to her?

Fu Tingyun gave Zhao Ling a sidelong glance, feeling her face burning hot.

Zhao Ling just smiled, knowing Fu Tingyun was shy and not daring to tease her further. He quickly changed the subject: “When did you eat?”

Talking about ordinary matters made Fu Tingyun feel more at ease: “I had a bowl of mixed noodles before getting into the sedan chair.” Then she asked him, “What about you? When did you eat?”

“I only managed to gulp down half a bowl of leftover rice with the cooks at noon,” Zhao Ling deliberately sought Fu Tingyun’s sympathy. “The cook wanted to make a few special dishes for me, but Mo Yi and the others came early, so I had to eat hastily. Later, guests arrived one after another, and I exchanged pleasantries with this one and that one. I thought I’d have dinner after settling all the guests, but by the time I had arranged for everyone, it was time to send the sedan chair.” He sighed, “When our son gets married in the future, I’ll be there to help and guide him. I won’t let him be as rushed and flustered as I am now.”

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Someone knocked on the door: “Lord Zhao, the time has come.”

After drinking the ceremonial wine, the newlyweds were supposed to sit on the bed alone for half an hour, a custom called “sitting on the bed.”

Fu Tingyun was slightly surprised.

Had half an hour passed already?

She looked toward Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling’s lips parted slightly, as if he too was surprised.

Time had flown by as they chatted and laughed together, not feeling lonely or isolated at all.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile faintly, pushing Zhao Ling: “Hurry up and go!”

Zhao Ling said in a low voice: “Then wait for me!”

Fu Tingyun’s face burned intensely, and she turned her head away shyly, ignoring him.

Zhao Ling chuckled softly.

The unfamiliar woman had already pushed open the door and entered, with Lady Chen following behind.

Zhao Ling bowed to the two women with cupped hands: “Thank you both for your hard work!”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome.” Lady Chen was seeing Zhao Ling for the first time and glanced at him quickly. She smiled and said, “Everyone is waiting for Lord Zhao to toast! Don’t worry about Madam here, Mrs. Li and I will keep her company.”

Fu Tingyun was startled as she listened.

She, she was now actually a Madam… She thought of her eldest sister-in-law, who had married into the Fu family for over twenty years and was still called “Grandmother”…

Zhao Ling again thanked the two women before leaving the bridal chamber.

Lady Chen introduced the unfamiliar wedding assistant to Fu Tingyun: “…the wife of Li Yunxiang, Assistant Commander of the Left Banner Guard.”

Although Zhao Ling was a third-rank official, the Emperor had not yet bestowed an official title on him. Even if the Emperor did issue a title, it would generally be given to Zhao Ling’s mother first, before it would be Fu Tingyun’s turn… Since Li Yunxiang’s wife was addressed as “Madam,” she must have an official title.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but look at Mrs. Li a couple more times. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of A-Sen peering in at the bridal chamber door.

She couldn’t help but smile, waving to him.

But A-Sen scurried away.

Everyone laughed.

Lady Chen then said: “Is that your younger brother-in-law? He’s handsome.”

Before she finished speaking, a woman’s hearty laughter came from outside: “I’ve heard that the bride is very beautiful, today I must take a good look.”

Another woman laughed in agreement.

Fu Tingyun was surprised.

Two elegantly dressed women walked in. One appeared to be in her early forties, with a face like a full moon, beaming with smiles; the other seemed to be thirty-seven or thirty-eight, with an oval face and a quiet demeanor. Both were strangers to her.

Zheng San Niang emerged from the side, sweating profusely, and first introduced the full-faced woman in front: “This is Mrs. Wu.” Then she introduced the oval-faced woman: “This is Mrs. Ji.”

It took Fu Tingyun a moment to remember who these two women were.

Mrs. Ji was understandable since they didn’t live in the same hutong, but Mrs. Wu had sent her housekeeper to greet Fu Tingyun when she first moved in, after which there had been no further contact. She was surprised to see her at her wedding!

She smiled and greeted the two ladies.

Mrs. Ji commented: “She really is very beautiful.”

Mrs. Wu chuckled and said: “Otherwise, why would the Grand Empress Dowager have the idea to arrange this marriage?” She then warmly took Fu Tingyun’s hand and said, “Our two families are neighbors. Earlier, because of some family matters, I returned to my hometown and didn’t have time to visit. Now we must frequently visit each other.”

Fu Tingyun neither took such social niceties seriously nor found them difficult to handle. She smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Wu, warm and gentle like a spring breeze, causing Mrs. Ji, who stood quietly to the side with a slight smile, to gradually adopt a more serious expression.

When the conversation between Mrs. Wu and Fu Tingyun came to a pause, she inserted timely: “Originally, Lord Wu and Lord Ji were both planning to come for a celebratory drink, but because the Marquis of Wuding has reopened his household, and many of the former servants had been sold to wealthy families, even though everyone wanted to return the people, it would take time. Coincidentally, the Grand Empress Dowager arranged this marriage, and Lord Ji and Lord Wu were called by their superiors to help at the Marquis of Wuding’s residence. So we came first. When they have free time later, Lord Ji and Lord Wu will come to ask Lord Zhao for a drink.”

Fu Tingyun was quite surprised.

Mrs. Wu had already cast a thoughtful glance at Mrs. Ji and quickly added with a smile: “Madam Zhao has been in seclusion preparing for her wedding these days, so it’s no wonder she doesn’t know. The Grand Empress Dowager issued an imperial edict betrothing the Marquis of Yingchuan’s cousin, who is also the nineteenth young lady of the Fuguo Duke’s household, to her nephew.”

In Fu Tingyun’s mind appeared the image of a young girl wearing a peach-red gauze jacket with flower patterns, adorned with a red gold necklace, as bright as springtime.

She never expected that she would marry the Marquis of Wuding!

Fu Tingyun’s thoughts drifted slightly, and she heard Mrs. Li laugh and say: “The Meng family’s nineteenth young lady just came of age this year, right? Everyone says she is now the youngest marchioness.”

“That’s right,” Mrs. Wu smiled. “She’s a fortunate one.”

“Anyone who gains the favor of the Grand Empress Dowager is fortunate,” Mrs. Ji said, smoothly changing the topic. She said to Fu Tingyun, “I heard Lord Zhao’s parents have both passed away, and you’ll be living independently. If you need anything, just send a message to me. Close neighbors are better than distant relatives!” Then she smiled and said, “It’s getting late, and you’ve had a busy day. We’ll take our leave now. In a few days, when you’re less busy, I’ll send invitations, and we can all go to my place to appreciate osmanthus flowers and eat crabs!” She looked smilingly at Mrs. Li and Lady Chen.

Both women responded enthusiastically.

Mrs. Wu, having been upstaged by Mrs. Ji, couldn’t help feeling a bit displeased. She smiled awkwardly along with everyone else and took her leave with Mrs. Ji.

Mrs. Li and Lady Chen chatted a little longer before also saying goodbye.

Fu Tingyun heaved a long sigh of relief and quickly instructed Pearl: “Help me take off this phoenix crown.”

Pearl nimbly came forward, efficiently helping Fu Tingyun remove her makeup while sweetly asking: “Madam, what would you like to eat? I’ll go to the kitchen to get it for you.”

Fu Tingyun was too tired to have any appetite. After thinking for a moment, she said: “Just bring me a cup of clear tea.”

Pearl acknowledged with a “Yes,” while Kou’er had already gone to brew the tea.

Fu Tingyun nodded silently, thinking of Yu Wei, who was cleaning up back at the Sun residence.

Such capability—who would be fortunate enough to marry her in the future?

By the time she had finished tidying up, the distant sound of the second night watch could be heard.

Whether the people outside had drunk too much or because in the quiet of the night, even small sounds seemed amplified, the clamor outside grew louder.

Without waiting for Fu Tingyun’s instructions, Kou’er ran out to check and returned, reporting: “The other guests have all left, only Lord Mo and a few others are still drinking. Lord Mo is currently making our Master drink!”

“When one tops the imperial examination, and on the night of the bridal chamber…”

No wonder they were taking the opportunity to indulge.

Fu Tingyun smiled. Thinking that they wouldn’t disperse for a while, she said to Pearl: “I’ll go rest for a bit. You stay guard outside the room. Kou’er can go back to her room to rest and return to duty early tomorrow morning. If the Ninth Master returns, quickly come and call me.”

Pearl had just smiled and responded when a commotion came from outside.

Fu Tingyun hurriedly said: “Go quickly and see what’s happening.”

Although Zheng San and his wife and Lord Lü were outside, Fu Tingyun was still worried since Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng weren’t by Zhao Ling’s side, and he had no one to look after him.

After a while, Pearl returned: “Madam, Lord Mo is drunk and causing a disturbance. The Ninth Master and Lord Tao have taken Lord Mo to the study in the south wing. Zheng San Niang has gone to make sobering soup.”

This Mo Yi, whenever he appeared, trouble followed!

Fu Tingyun pouted and sent Pearl to check again.

However, Zhao Ling pushed open the door and entered, saying: “Don’t worry, Mo Yi just drank too much. A-Sen and Yan Qing are taking care of him over there. He’ll be fine.”