The Crown Princess’s expression was very unpleasant.

She stared coldly at Fang Xinyan. “Now that you are the Crown Prince’s consort, your every word and deed is intimately connected to the Eastern Palace. You embarrassed Princess Pingxi—do you want to create discord between the Crown Prince and Prince Pingxi?”

“It was clearly Yun Chu who embarrassed me.” Fang Xinyan bit her lower lip. “She’s only relying on the Yun family to make Prince Pingxi treat her this way. What does she have to be proud of…”

“You!” The Crown Princess took a deep breath. “It seems you still have Prince Pingxi on your mind. Consort Fang, the Crown Prince is merely good-natured by character, but that doesn’t mean he can tolerate everything. You’d better conduct yourself properly.”

The Crown Princess flicked her sleeve and left.

Fang Xinyan touched her lower abdomen. Yes, she was now the Crown Prince’s consort, carrying the Crown Prince’s bloodline. What was she still thinking about Prince Pingxi for?

She and Prince Pingxi had ultimately reached opposing positions. She was bearing children for another man, and he had also married another woman. It could never be anymore…

The wedding banquet slowly drew to a close, and at this time, dusk was also gradually falling.

According to custom, at this time, the remaining guests could go make merry in the bridal chamber. These people were mostly imperial clan descendants and some of Chu Yi’s soldiers.

“Third Brother, a moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold.” The Crown Prince put his arm around Chu Yi’s shoulder. “You’ve lived for twenty-six years and finally have this moment of spring night. Let’s liven things up.”

Chu Yi removed the Crown Prince’s hand. “Imperial Brother, this is my spring night. You all need not join in the excitement.”

“Making merry in the bridal chamber—it’s all about the merriment.” Prince Gongxi unfolded his fan. “The more merrymaking, the better.”

Chu Yi raised his eyes. The wine made his gaze somewhat thick. “I heard Consort Fang just became with child and is feeling unwell. Crown Prince Imperial Brother should return to accompany her.”

The Crown Prince slapped his forehead. “That’s right. How did I forget this matter? Third Brother, I’ll return to the palace first.”

Chu Yi looked at Prince Gongxi and spoke. “Second Imperial Brother has just been released from house arrest. Staying out too long might be inappropriate.”

Prince Gongxi closed his paper fan and laughed heartily. “I didn’t expect Third Brother, such a cold-hearted person, would cherish his new bride so much. The Yun family chose the right person. Then this elder brother will leave first.”

Once the Crown Prince and Prince Gongxi left, the remaining imperial clan sons knew there was no need for them to stay either and scattered like birds and beasts.

With all the guests dispersed, the enormous Prince’s residence gradually quieted down. Only the sounds of servants cleaning up remained. Red lanterns hung under the eaves. When the wind blew, they swayed back and forth, emitting a warm, dim glow.

Chu Yi walked to the entrance of the bridal chamber.

He became inexplicably nervous. He took a deep breath before reaching out to push the door open.

At this moment, a matron walked over from the side, holding up a white handkerchief with both hands and presenting it before him.

The white handkerchief appeared snow-white under the lantern light, somewhat glaring.

He frowned. “What is this?”

“Your Highness, this is the wedding consummation cloth.” Nanny Er said with lowered head. “On the wedding night, it is placed on the new bed. This old servant will come collect it tomorrow morning.”

Chu Yi understood immediately and said coldly, “Not needed.”

Nanny Er was stunned. “Your Highness, this is the rule. Tomorrow morning, this wedding consummation cloth must be sent to the Internal Affairs Bureau…”

“Rule?” Chu Yi laughed. “Nanny Er clearly knows the Princess Consort is remarrying, yet you use rules to pressure this prince. When did Nanny Er become the one in charge of this Prince’s residence?”

Nanny Er’s face turned deathly pale.

She was Chu Yi’s wet nurse. From the first day Chu Yi was born, she had held him in her arms and nursed him. A wet nurse was equal to half a mother. Over these years, Chu Yi had respected her greatly.

Because there was no mistress in the Prince’s residence’s inner quarters, all household affairs were managed by her. No matter what she arranged, His Highness had never said a word against it. This was the first time in over twenty years that His Highness had spoken to her in such an icy tone.

“Then… then…” Nanny Er bowed her head deeply. “How should we explain to the Internal Affairs Bureau?”

“This is a matter of this prince’s chamber. When did it need explanation to the Internal Affairs Bureau?” Chu Yi said coldly. “Remember, the mistress of this Prince’s residence from now on is the Princess Consort.”

“Yes.”

Nanny Er lowered her head in acknowledgment.

Chu Yi pushed the door and entered.

Yun Chu still sat properly at the edge of the bed, holding a fan in her hand, blocking most of her face, revealing only a pair of eyes like spring water.

She had been sitting here for most of the day. Her neck was stiff, her back was rigid. She was utterly exhausted, but when this man entered, these sensations seemed to disappear instantly, replaced by nervousness… Her heart seemed to leap to her throat, her palms secreting fine, dense perspiration. Her whole body was tense, not knowing whether she was afraid or anticipating…

“Chu’er…”

Chu Yi slowly approached.

He had drunk wine, and his voice was terribly hoarse.

The smell of alcohol came at her, enveloping Yun Chu.

Her breathing skipped a beat. She quickly spoke up. “Tingxue, pour—pour the wine.”

Tingxue and Tingfeng immediately went to prepare. One person set out two red wedding cups, the other carefully poured two cups of wine.

This wine had been personally prepared by Tingxue, with Tingfeng watching over it the entire time, not allowing anyone to approach. The two of them were truly frightened, afraid that the scene from the wedding night six years ago would repeat itself…

The two cups of wine were handed to the couple.

Chu Yi held his wine cup and sat on the other side of the bed’s edge. He extended his hand, his arm intertwining with Yun Chu’s arm.

The two simultaneously drank the nuptial wine.

What Tingxue had prepared was just ordinary fruit wine. It wasn’t strong but rather quite sweet. Yun Chu drank it all in one gulp.

Tingfeng came forward to collect the cups.

Tingxue quickly made up the bed.

The two curtsied. “Congratulations to Your Highness and the Princess Consort on your wedding. This servant will withdraw first.”

The wedding chamber door was closed, leaving only two people.

The inner chamber was clearly very large, the bed clearly very big, yet Yun Chu inexplicably felt it cramped.

She quickly stood up. “I—I’ll remove the hair ornaments first.”

That girl Tingxue—how could she just leave like that? With all these magnificent hair ornaments and this wedding dress, she didn’t know what to do…

She had just sat down before the dressing table when she saw a man appear in the bronze mirror.

The man reached out and placed his hand on her bridal crown, carefully removing the hairpins, slowly pulling apart the dark hair wound around, then cautiously removing the crown.

Yun Chu didn’t feel the slightest discomfort.

Those large palms that wielded swords and slayed enemies could also wind through a woman’s hair.

Those rough fingers, those calloused palms, removed all the ornaments from her hair.

She immediately felt much lighter.

She was pondering what to say.

The man suddenly bent down and lifted her up, walking to the bed.

“Chu’er, today you are truly beautiful.”

From his voice, one could tell he had been suppressing himself all along. The flame in the depths of his eyes rapidly expanded and burned like a prairie fire.

He placed Yun Chu on the bed.

Yun Chu reached out to embrace his neck and actively kissed his lips.

The man’s lips carried a crisp wine fragrance. Lips that looked as sharp as a blade’s edge were exceptionally soft…

Chu Yi’s pupils showed a moment of disbelief.

Immediately after.

He seized the initiative…