Kou’er responded and ran off with pattering feet.

Zheng San Niang smiled with pressed lips, then walked to the courtyard and listened carefully. Seeing that the main room was completely silent, she grinned, silently laughing as she turned and entered the woodshed, caught an old hen, slaughtered it, and set it to stew on the stove.

Soon after, Yu Wei returned. Seeing the main room’s door tightly closed and Xue Mei squatting on the ground picking vegetables, she was about to greet her when Xue Mei, hearing the movement, looked up and called out to Yu Wei: “Sister, San Niang says that the Ninth Master and Madam have been busy with the wedding and can finally sleep in, so we shouldn’t disturb them.”

The Ninth Master and Madam haven’t awoken yet?

Yu Wei nearly blurted this out when she saw Zheng San Niang appear at the kitchen door with a kitchen knife in hand, asking her: “Yu Wei, is everything at the Sun residence in Bensi Hutong all tidied up?”

“Everything is taken care of!” Yu Wei replied as Zheng San Niang beckoned to her. “Come, I’ve prepared three-delicacy dumplings today. Give me a hand.”

Yu Wei looked at the tightly closed door of the main room, then at the resolute Zheng San Niang, and finally went to the kitchen.

In the inner chamber, Fu Tingyun breathed a long sigh of relief.

Since childhood, she had been taught to “rise at dawn,” so sleeping until the sun was high felt somewhat like laziness. Although she had no elders above her, it was still her first day as a bride, and she couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy.

Her whole body was sore and aching.

She couldn’t help but twist her lips.

This Zhao Ling, he only knew how to be rough!

As the thought flashed through her mind, her face immediately became burning hot.

It was also her fault. Hearing him call “Nan’nan” in his hoarse voice, feeling him infatuated because of her, her heart softened. Not only was she unwilling to disappoint him, but even the various discomforts of her body became insignificant… allowing him to indulge freely. In the end, just seeing his satisfied face made her body feel strange… as if simply being pressed tightly against him gave her great joy.

Thinking of this, she shyly turned over.

Sixth Aunt had once said that men find such things pleasurable, but for women, it’s mostly painful.

At first, she did feel some pain, but later, her mind seemed to become somewhat hazy… her thoughts filled with Zhao Ling’s satisfied expression, what else could she remember?

Fu Tingyun felt her face grow even hotter.

A man’s pleasant scent wafted toward her, and a deep voice with a hint of hoarseness sounded by her ear: “Awake?” A warm, soft tongue carefully licked her shoulder: “Does it still hurt?”

It was precisely where the teeth marks were.

But Fu Tingyun thought of last night’s blush-inducing pants and entanglements… Overwhelmed with shyness, she couldn’t help stammering: “No, it doesn’t hurt!”

Zhao Ling looked at her face, red as the morning glow, but didn’t believe her.

A flash of guilt crossed his eyes as he gently caressed the teeth marks: “Nan’nan, I will never do this again.”

Fu Tingyun was stunned. She turned her head to look at where his fingers were gently stroking and saw a circle of teeth marks.

He, he was talking about these marks?

She had thought…

Fu Tingyun’s face burned.

Then she wondered, when had he bitten her?

She remembered that the first time he was somewhat reckless, but later, when she felt slightly uncomfortable, he kissed her until she was dizzy… Could it have been then that he bit her?

However, it didn’t seem to have hurt much.

Fu Tingyun looked up to see a flash of regret cross Zhao Ling’s face.

“It’s fine, really,” she quickly reassured him. “It doesn’t hurt at all, truly. It’s just that my skin is sensitive. Sometimes when I bump into something, it either leaves no mark, or if it does, it doesn’t fade easily…”

Zhao Ling thought of their time as refugees, how she had never uttered a word of complaint despite the hardships.

Was she comforting him?

His heart filled with more guilt as he held her tightly, burying his head in her shoulder: “Nan’nan…” Yet he didn’t know how to express his remorse.

Fu Tingyun sensed his unease and felt he was making too much of it. She wasn’t made of porcelain, how could she be so delicate… Besides, she could tell that last night, although he appeared calm, he was fumbling nervously, as if he had never experienced such things before… How could she blame him for hurting her?

She gently embraced him and said softly, “Let’s get up? It’s almost time for lunch.” She teased, “You might not be hungry, but I am.”

Besides, there was no point in dwelling on this. He would treat her well in the future.

Zhao Ling couldn’t help but smile slightly.

He silently thanked Buddha for allowing him to meet her… They were so in tune with each other’s hearts!

Zhao Ling made an affirmative sound and sat up, picking up the undergarment discarded nearby: “Let me help you dress!”

“No, no need.” Fu Tingyun’s face turned so red it could drip blood as she snatched the undergarment, pulled the bedcover up, and rustled about under it, dressing herself.

Zhao Ling admired her charming, shy coyness, but noticed her expression suddenly stiffen slightly.

“What’s wrong?” He immediately pounced over. “Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

“No, no!” Fu Tingyun avoided his gaze, too embarrassed to lift her head.

Between her legs, sticky fluid was flowing out… The first two times, he had helped her clean up… Near dawn, she was exhausted and groggy, yet he still wanted to fool around, and she had indulged him… Then she fell asleep… naturally neglecting everything else.

“Go call Pearl for me,” she said quietly. “Have her help me wash up.”

Zhao Ling’s eyes brightened at her words, and he eagerly said: “Let me help you!”

Fu Tingyun thought of his burning gaze when he had helped her wash before, and shyness flashed in her eyes as she said softly, “No,” wrapping herself in the quilt.

It was precisely because she couldn’t refuse his playful smile that she had yielded to him. He had said he would help her wash, but before the water droplets on her body were dried, he had carried her back to bed…

Now it was daylight, and this time she would not agree no matter what.

Zhao Ling thought of that white, delicate body that had captivated his soul and couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Yet he also knew that if he really helped her wash, whether he could restrain himself was another matter. Despite this, he hesitated for a moment before making up his mind, putting on his undergarment and getting out of bed: “I’ll go call Pearl for you.”

Only then did Fu Tingyun breathe a sigh of relief.

After washing up, Fu Tingyun deliberately styled her hair in a peony bun, wore pearl hairpins, inserted a red gold “Everything as Wished” hairpin inlaid with white jade, and wore a pair of small red gold lilac earrings.

Pearl, who was helping her dress, couldn’t help but exclaim: “Madam, you are so beautiful.”

Today was her first day as a bride, and she should dress festively.

Fu Tingyun smiled and wore a red jacket embroidered with gold all over, then went to the hall.

But she didn’t see Zhao Ling.

As she was wondering, Kou’er walked in with a grin.

“Madam,” she greeted Fu Tingyun with a bow, “Lord Mo has awakened, and the Ninth Master has gone to see him. He said he would have lunch with Lord Mo in the south hall and told you not to wait for him.”

Fu Tingyun nodded.

Kou’er entered the inner chamber to help Pearl tidy the room.

With nothing to do, Fu Tingyun went to the kitchen.

Zheng San Niang, Yu Wei, and Xue Mei were all there.

“Madam, please sit,” Zheng San Niang spoke to Fu Tingyun while her hands never stopped cutting pickled radish strips. “I’ve stewed chicken soup with ginseng and wolfberry. Madam should have a bowl first.” She gestured for Xue Mei to serve the soup.

Yu Wei, who was tending the fire at the stove, put down the firewood upon hearing this, wiped her hands, and cleared the small square table in the kitchen.

Fu Tingyun began discussing matters in Bensi Hutong with her and learned that Old Master Lü had gone over early to help settle everything. She nodded and said, “Later, prepare four-color gift boxes and go there again. Say it’s by my order, thanking the Sun mother and daughter for their great help. Tell them that after a month, I will personally visit to express my gratitude.”

Yu Wei acknowledged.

Xue Mei had already brought the ginseng and wolfberry chicken soup.

Fu Tingyun took a sip, finding it extremely delicious, and instructed her: “The Ninth Master and Lord Mo are in the south hall. Send some over to them too!”

Hearing this, Zheng San Niang interjected: “Later, when the Ninth Master entertains Lord Mo in the south hall, it won’t be too late to serve it then.”

So they were giving her special treatment!

Fu Tingyun didn’t mind. After drinking the soup, she went with Yu Wei to the storeroom to check inventory.

Xue Mei asked Zheng San Niang: “Why not give the Ninth Master and Lord Mo some to drink?”

Zheng San Niang glared at her: “The Madam has been through hardship and needs to nourish her body properly, so she can give birth to a healthy young master.” She added, “In the future, keep your eyes peeled. When you see plump, large hens, buy them!”

Xue Mei made an understanding yet not quite comprehending “Oh.”

Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun looked at the neatly arranged dowry items and nodded with satisfaction, smiling at Yu Wei: “It’s evident that Mrs. Li is also a very gracious person.”

Yu Wei smiled and said: “Of course. Otherwise, Master Gan wouldn’t have invited Mrs. Li to be the wedding assistant here.”

Fu Tingyun thought for a moment and said, “Later, prepare two more sets of four-color gift boxes. Besides Lady Chen’s, we should also visit Mrs. Li.”

Yu Wei smiled and acknowledged.

After lunch, Fu Tingyun had Pearl go instruct Zheng San to prepare a carriage for Yu Wei, but Pearl returned to tell her: “Master Zheng San has escorted Lord Mo home.”

Should they hire a sedan chair or carriage for Yu Wei to deliver the gifts?

That would make the Zhao family seem too financially strained.

As Fu Tingyun was pondering this, Zhao Ling walked in.

“Mo Yi lives near us in Second Lane Hutong. Zheng San will be back in at most half an hour.”

Fu Tingyun was relieved.

Then Zhao Ling discussed with her: “Why don’t we visit Four Happiness Hutong tomorrow?”

The bride traditionally returns to her parents’ home three days after the wedding.

Although she was no longer a daughter of the Fu family, Zhao Ling still respected the Fu family members.

While Fu Tingyun very much wanted her mother to know she had married well, she thought of the slap her father had given Zhao Ling on the face, and she shook her head: “Just have Yu Wei go instead.”

But Zhao Ling said seriously: “A’Qun, if you’re not afraid I’ll offend your esteemed father and elder brother, let’s go back for a visit. I think your mother must be very worried about you.”

He referred to her father and brother as “your esteemed father” and “your esteemed brother,” but called her mother “mother-in-law.”

Fu Tingyun thought of her father and brother’s cowering appearance back then, and suddenly felt a weight lift from her heart.

Yes, what was there to fear!

If not for concerns about her, could her father’s slap have landed on Zhao Ling’s face?

As long as she stood firm, what did Zhao Ling have to worry about?

“Alright, let’s go see my mother,” she said, raising her eyebrows with a sweet smile. “But you mustn’t be like a spineless shrimp.”

“Don’t worry!” Zhao Ling smiled. “As long as you don’t blame me, it’s fine!”