Between pushing down and being pushed down, Lu Qianqiao felt he could better accept choosing the former. So he stepped forward, gently grasping the soft shoulders of the bride on the bed. His hesitation lasted only an instant before he prepared to push her down.
Xin Mei suddenly raised her hand to stop him: “Wait.”
…She had been the one in such a hurry before, and now that they were finally married, she was telling him to wait?
He wouldn’t wait.
The phoenix crown was gently removed, his fingers searching through her thick hair arrangement, slowly pulling out a hairpin.
A strand of long hair slipped down.
Xin Mei looked up at him, then at the window behind him. After a pause, she asked: “You… you really plan to consummate the marriage with the window open?”
Lu Qianqiao turned around to see the window wide open, with a group of little demons from the Imperial Tomb all crowded outside, staring wide-eyed and biting their fingers as they watched them.
“…”
The hairpin slipped from his hand to the floor.
Tao Guoguo was busy covering her little brother’s eyes to prevent his pure mind from being corrupted, Si Lan was busy pulling people away, and Yinglian… Yinglian was nowhere to be seen, probably hiding somewhere again making voodoo dolls.
Only Scholar Zhao had moved a table to sit in front of the window, piled high with snacks and tea. While munching away, he smiled lecherously at him: “General, just go ahead boldly, we’ll cheer you on. If there’s anything you don’t know, I guarantee I’ll teach you properly.”
Lu Qianqiao walked over expressionlessly and said: “Leave.”
With a whoosh, the group of demons scattered like birds and beasts—the General’s accumulated authority over so many years was indeed no joke.
Scholar Zhao swept half a table of melon seed shells to the floor, walked over, and secretly stuffed him a paper ball while winking and whispering: “General, in these matters, men sometimes inevitably lack vigor. Here’s something good for you.”
Lu Qianqiao opened the paper ball to find two small pills of extremely obscene color and shape wrapped inside.
Scholar Zhao’s beard trembled: “You’ll know once you use them, I don’t tell just anyone about this.”
The two pills were stuffed up his nostrils. Lu Qianqiao yanked the window shut, locked it, and pulled the curtains tight.
…The wedding night atmosphere didn’t seem to have much left. He turned around to find Xin Mei had somehow removed her wedding dress and was sitting at the table wearing only a water-red silk skirt, eating noodles with chopsticks.
The noodles were mixed with sesame oil and sprinkled with crushed peanuts and walnuts, taking the auspicious meaning from their names.
Xin Mei thoughtfully served him a bowl and called out: “Come eat something, you must be hungry?”
He had gone through knife mountains and oil cauldrons, busier than breaking stones with his chest—it wasn’t easy.
Seeing her mouth glistening with oil from eating, he couldn’t help but want to laugh. The tension hidden in his heart all day finally dissipated. Lu Qianqiao walked over to pick up the bowl, lifted a chopstick of noodles to her mouth, and said softly: “These are meant to be fed to each other, open your mouth.”
Xin Mei obediently opened her mouth and also lifted chopsticks for him: “So your clan’s custom isn’t drinking from wedding cups, but eating wedding noodles.”
A few crushed peanuts stuck to her lips. Lu Qianqiao gently wiped them away with his hand. For some reason, he thought of the first time he brought her to the Imperial Tomb, locking her in that dark little room. When he pushed open the door, he saw her eating pagoda tree flower cakes with her head down—soft black hair, soft cheeks, and crumbs stuck to her face.
She was like a little white rabbit.
“Xin Mei, come here.”
He put down his bowl and gently grasped her wrist. With a tug, she slid from the chair onto his lap, taking the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck.
“Lu Qianqiao.” She pressed her face against his cheek. “You didn’t bring the demon-binding rope today, did you?”
“Mm, didn’t bring it.” He smiled.
“Then close your eyes, I want to kiss you.”
He once again obediently closed his eyes, his beautiful thick lashes trembling slightly. Xin Mei held his head, liking what she saw more and more, and lowered her head to plant firm kisses on both his cheeks.
He… was disappointed again.
Just as he was about to open his eyes, his lips suddenly felt soft—a light kiss flavored with sesame oil, peanuts, and walnuts.
Without deep and entangled passion, she kissed for a while then moved away. The candlelight reflected in both their eyes, bright and dancing.
Both their faces were somewhat red.
“How well have you learned?” she asked quietly.
Lu Qianqiao paused, then reacted, but didn’t blush. He just lowered his head and smiled, asking back: “And how well have you learned?”
“Should be… not bad.”
“Words are no proof.”
Then she would take direct action.
Xin Mei reached out, fumbling to untie one of his sashes. A beautifully shaped collarbone was revealed.
Untying another, a small patch of chest appeared—firm and lean.
He remained motionless, just watching her undress him.
Xin Mei frowned: “Why aren’t you undressing me? Did you really learn it?”
Lu Qianqiao thought for a moment: “You go first.”
He wanted to respect her in this regard.
Xin Mei smiled knowingly: “Hmph, you actually still don’t know, do you? Then watch carefully, I’ll teach you.”
His outer robe was gently untied, removed, and slid to the floor. Then his inner garment—his chest was now fully exposed in the firelight. Beautiful collarbones, firm muscles. She hesitated, then raised her hand to touch lightly. The skin was burning hot, intense heartbeats transmitted through her palm.
“…Don’t be afraid.” She comforted him. “Come, get on the bed with me.”