After today, everyone had come to know the man called Squire Jiang.

He was someone Prince Ye held in high regard — Prince Ye treated him as if he were his own son.

Some had even recognized him as the current dynasty’s Third Prince. That the Third Prince had become one of Prince Ye’s men — how had that come to be?

At this moment, the situation across the entire country remained unsettled, and even those in the know didn’t dare speak carelessly of it.

What made the women most envious, though, was Qiao Mu, who had married so splendidly and grandly today.

In the midst of this standoff between north and south, that Prince Ye and the Commandery Princess were still willing to throw such a lavish banquet for her meant she must be someone of real importance.

And to think her husband was so extraordinarily handsome, and quite possibly of imperial blood — who wouldn’t envy her?

The magnificent procession made its way from the city lord’s residence to Prince Ye’s estate.

The townsfolk who followed along were also fortunate enough to be invited inside, to enjoy candy and pastries.

Under the guidance of the wedding matron, the bride and groom paid respects to heaven and earth, to their elders, and to each other as husband and wife.

Finally, they were led into the bridal chamber.

By the time the whole ceremony concluded, dusk had nearly fallen.

After being freshened up with the help of her sisters, Qiao Mu ate a little something and went to bed to rest.

Once Qiao Mu had settled in to rest, her sisters went back out to join in the festivities.

On such a joyous day, of course there was nothing to do but eat, eat, eat, and chat and laugh freely.

By the time of the evening meal, Qiao Mu had woken from her rest, been dressed up again, and emerged from the bridal chamber.

The great courtyard of Prince Ye’s estate was awash in red.

Everyone gathered around tables draped in red cloth, and the food was quickly brought out.

Feng Li, as the head of the household, sat at the center of the main table.

Beside him on one side were Feng Jiu’er and Di Wu Ya; on the other, Feng Jiang and Qiao Mu.

With this seating, Feng Jiang’s identity became obvious to all.

“Come, before we eat, let’s toast the bride and groom first.” Feng Jiu’er stood up, cup in hand.

She seemed to have already had a bit to drink — her small face was flushed pink, making her look both pretty and adorable.

Hearing her words, everyone at their table, and at the surrounding tables, stood up.

Seeing this, everyone else rose to their feet as well.

Across a dozen or so tables, over a hundred people stood, raising their cups.

Feng Jiu’er glanced around and raised her cup the highest of all.

“Come, let’s all wish the bride and groom a long and happy marriage, eternal harmony, and children soon to come!”

“A long and happy marriage, eternal harmony, and children soon to come!” everyone called out together.

Feng Jiang helped Qiao Mu up, and the two of them raised their cups together.

Feng Jiang’s cup held wine; Qiao Mu’s held water.

They looked at each other, arms crossed together.

“Whoo!” Some people couldn’t help but cheer.

“Crossed-arm wine, crossed-arm wine!”

The newlyweds turned to look at everyone at the same moment, then turned back to look at each other, raised their cups, and drank them in one go.

Amid the crowd’s cheering, Feng Jiu’er tapped her cup against Di Wu Ya’s.

Her hand, holding the cup, reached around Di Wu Ya’s long arm.

Di Wu Ya’s other long arm stretched out, his sleeve shielding the two of them from view.

He gently stroked Feng Jiu’er’s small head with one hand, while the arm holding his cup entwined with Feng Jiu’er’s slender little arm.

The two of them looked at each other, then lowered their heads and drank the wine in their cups.

“Whoo!” More cheers rose up.

No one wanted to miss out on the show between the prince and his consort.

By the time Di Wu Ya’s long arm lowered again, Feng Jiu’er’s face was even redder than before.

“Your Highness, my lady, when will we get to drink your wedding wine?” Yu Jingfeng called out loudly.

Di Wu Ya’s lips curved slightly as he took his girl’s hand and sat back down.

Everyone cheered once more.

“Right, when will you two treat us to your wedding wine?” Long Qi called out too.

Feng Jiu’er glanced at him and said, “Isn’t tonight not enough for you already?”

“Not enough — can we get more?”

The brothers started stirring things up again, but Feng Jiu’er paid them no more mind.

She picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of food in Feng Li’s bowl first, then turned and did the same for Di Wu Ya.

Today, Feng Jiu’er was genuinely very happy.

She thought back to how she and Qiao Mu had met just yesterday, and how today she had married this Miss Qiao off.

Feng Jiu’er wouldn’t forget everything she and this woman had gone through together, and hoped she would be happy for the rest of her life.

Feng Jiu’er poured herself a small cup of wine and looked toward Qiao Mu.

Qiao Mu happened to look over at her at the very same moment.

“Don’t drink too much,” Qiao Mu said, glancing at Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow, lifted the cup, and brought it to her lips.

Her lips moved slightly, saying something no one could quite catch, and she lifted her head gently to take a sip.

Someone ruffled her hair, and Feng Jiu’er tilted her head to the left.

“Father,” she called softly.

“Drink less,” Feng Li said quietly.

“Oh.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and set down her cup. “This wine isn’t good at all, I won’t drink any more.”

Feng Jiu’er knew her tolerance for alcohol wasn’t good — wasn’t she happy enough already?

Still, why hadn’t her tolerance improved even a little? Her body was perfectly healthy, after all.

A piece of meat, one of Feng Jiu’er’s favorites, was placed in her bowl.

Feng Jiu’er turned her head to the right, raised her eyes, her large eyes curving into crescents as she smiled, then looked away and lowered her head to eat.

Soon after, a stalk of green vegetable was added to her bowl as well.

Having finished the meat, Feng Jiu’er picked up a piece of green vegetable and placed it in Di Wu Ya’s bowl in return.

“You must be tired today, aren’t you?” She lifted her flushed little face to look at Di Wu Ya.

“Let’s finish eating early…”

Her willow-leaf brows lifted slightly as she leaned in closer to him and lowered her voice.

“…go back to our room, and train.”

Di Wu Ya extended his long arm around her small frame and rested it on her slender waist.

“Alright!”

After the evening meal, everyone went off to make mischief in the bridal chamber — everyone except Feng Jiu’er, who went the opposite direction with her man.

Feng Jiu’er stepped into their private chamber. No sooner had she shut the door and turned around than she was pressed against it by his tall, imposing frame.

Feeling the intense heat of his masculine presence, her breathing quickened instantly.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, we…”

Before Feng Jiu’er could finish her words, her soft lips were sealed shut.

She could do nothing but close her eyes and use all her strength just to breathe — everything else was beyond her.

Ninth Imperial Uncle’s kisses were always this domineering, but she had long since gotten used to it — not only did she not mind, she even looked forward to it a little.

Whether he was domineering or silent, every side of him, she loved.

Of course, her Ninth Imperial Uncle was no longer as cold and distant as he used to be.

Now, once he grew passionate, even she couldn’t withstand him.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle.” The woman lying on the bed opened her hazy eyes and looked up at the man before her.

Di Wu Ya glanced up, then suddenly lowered his body.

Feng Jiu’er closed her eyes, pressing her soft lips together, seeming a little tense.

But instead, the man simply slid past beside her, lay down, and pulled her into his embrace.

He still hadn’t hurt her.

Beneath the searing heat still lingering in the air, Feng Jiu’er took several deep breaths before slowly opening her eyes again.

“Ninth… Imperial Uncle.” Her voice carried a faint hoarseness.

“Sleep.” The man, eyes closed, gently stroked her head.

Feng Jiu’er looked at his firm jawline and bit her lip.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle.” She turned over, wrapped her arms around his neck, and looked down at him with lowered eyes.

“Are you sure you want to keep holding back like this? Actually, we could…”