Chapter 54

Amidst the vast expanse of parting sorrows, the sun slants low, and as he points his whip eastward, the horizon stretches to the ends of the earth. The fallen petals are not without feeling; they transform into spring soil to nurture the flowers.

As the red flowers scatter, all things in heaven and earth have their limits. A frail woman, from the moment of her birth, has her fate sealed. Nian Nu Er walked to the place where she once danced, atop the high platform, where a few red candles burned, and her sisters stood in two rows, their eyes filled with envy and blessings. Since the day she entered Xie Fang Lou, Nian Nu Er knew this day would come, when the red candles were lit, her body would melt with them.

Happy? Painful? At this moment, Nian Nu Er found that she had no feelings at all, only numbness and indifference.

After this night, the flower queen of Xie Fang Lou would change hands. She was not Li Shishi, and Zhao Yougong was not Emperor Huizong. Even if Li Shishi's body was no longer pure, with the emperor's protection, she remained the most captivating woman. But Nian Nu Er could not. Once deflowered, she would be Zhao Xiaojunwang's exclusive possession, unless he released her.

This night, the women in the building all wore smiles, but how many were genuine? Probably, even Nian Nu Er herself was not very happy.

Wu Mama, holding a handkerchief, saw the time and called out, and several women pushed Zhao Yougong, dressed in wedding attire, onto the high platform.

"The auspicious time has arrived, please do not miss the good moment, Your Highness!"

Zhao Yougong smiled, but he was extremely displeased. It was clearly just a show, yet so many rules had to be followed.

Wu Mama called for the first bow to heaven and earth, the second bow to the ancestors. Zhao Yougong and Nian Nu Er followed the instructions, but the second bow was somewhat amusing. Looking at the painting of Guanyin sending a child, Zhao Yougong wanted to laugh out loud. Today, he realized that Wu Mama was quite talented, using the painting of Guanyin sending a child to replace the ancestors.

After a series of rituals, the women in the building escorted the newlyweds to the bridal chamber. Along the way, they made many jests, but Zhao Yougong, experienced in such matters, responded with ease.

The bridal chamber was Nian Nu Er's own room, now transformed. The original calligraphy and paintings on the walls were gone, replaced by red silk. Paper flowers adorned the window frames, and the beams and pillars were decorated. It was clear that Nian Nu Er had prepared a lot for this night, but since it was all a pretense, why did she take it so seriously? Sometimes, he really couldn't understand the minds of women.

Once inside the bridal chamber, the rules were relaxed. The women in the building knew what was to come, and staying to laugh and play would only anger the young prince.

Wu Mama gave a signal and pushed the women out. Xiao Tan was not spared, and in an instant, the once noisy bridal chamber became abnormally quiet.

Nian Nu Er sat quietly by the bed, her delicate feet together, her hands folded. Her fingers were long and white, with pink nails that appeared translucent, like a layer of mica powder. In the candlelight, the quiet Nian Nu Er made Zhao Yougong's heart race. He took a few anxious steps forward, extended his right hand, and slowly lifted the mysterious red veil.

Nian Nu Er was beautiful, her eyes, her face, all etched in his mind. But Zhao Yougong knew that tonight's Nian Nu Er was different.

Her face, as beautiful as a lotus, showed no smile or sorrow. Her lively eyes no longer held their previous cunning.

Her lips, without a trace of rouge, still shimmered with a faint luster. Her small, cherry mouth, delicate and fair, with a fine eyebrow and deep black hair. Her alluring phoenix eyes, like a crescent moon, curved and captivating. Her eyes blinked, and her long lashes revealed a hint of mischief.

"Is the prince going to stare until dawn?"

Her charming face tilted slightly, her eyes narrowed, a mix of anger and allure.

Nian Nu Er hadn't changed at all. She was sometimes cute, sometimes charming, sometimes wise. He couldn't figure out which was the real her, or what she would be like in the next moment.

Zhao Yougong felt a growing concern. Why was he increasingly unable to understand Nian Nu Er?

Hesitantly, his hand touched her soft face, gently caressing it. Joy shone in Zhao Yougong's eyes, and his voice trembled, "Nian Nu Er... you are truly beautiful... you have bewitched me..."

What would happen next, Nian Nu Er knew very well. She raised her hand, her fingers lightly sliding over Zhao Yougong's hand, and said with a hint of melancholy, "Prince, may heaven protect you, for if you hadn't returned, I would not have waited for this day!"

"Didn't you wait for it?"

Zhao Yougong sat on the bed, extended his long arm, and gently pulled Nian Nu Er's supple body into his embrace.

Since it was their wedding night, why be coy?

The red wedding attire slowly slipped off, the candlelight flickered, and the purple silk robe fell beside the bed.

Over the years, how many women had Zhao Yougong experienced, even he couldn't remember. But seeing this flawless body, his breathing quickened. Perhaps it was due to shyness, a faint blush appeared on her fair skin, her long, slender legs tightly closed, trying to block the invading hand.

A fire burned in his abdomen, and his manhood was ready. He wrapped one of her legs, teasingly playing with her delicate foot.

Her toes were slightly red, plump, and Zhao Yougong couldn't resist leaning forward to lick them. Nian Nu Er, being a virgin, couldn't withstand such teasing, her chest heaving, her hands covering her face, "Prince, don't tease me..."

"Quickly!" He breathed hotly on her hand, "My beauty, will you still call me prince?"

"Lord..." Her voice was weak, like a mosquito's hum.

"My lady, your lord is here!"

Zhao Yougong's movements were gentle, and when he pierced that barrier, Nian Nu Er's fine eyebrows furrowed, her long, beautiful legs tightly wrapping around the man's waist.

"Pain..."

Drops of red fell like plum blossoms, and a few moans echoed, like the aftertones of heaven.

The first night was always unbearable. Nian Nu Er fell asleep early, but Zhao Yougong was uncomfortable, as the fire in his abdomen had not yet been fully extinguished.

The spring breeze blew, a crescent moon hung on the tree branch. The same moonlight, the same night, but different people, different feelings.

If Nian Nu Er felt a burning passion, Li Shishi felt a profound loneliness.

The crescent moon was distant, and the Bian River evoked a sense of boundless loneliness. Looking at the familiar scenery, Shishi felt a deep fear. Despite the many people who adored her, she felt no warmth. The night wind at midnight was like a cold knife on her face.

A stray dog ran by, and Shishi smiled bitterly.

She realized she was much like the stray dog, wandering, wandering, with no path to return. She was lonely, isolated, and uncertain, but only in the darkness could she truly express these feelings.

In her life, she had once loved someone, but he was a false sage.

Zhou Bangyan, Zhou Bangyan, her Mr. Zhou, why didn't he take that step back then? The pretense of respect and the hypocrisy of the court had worn her out.

When the sun rose again, Zhao Yougong was already walking along the Bian River, dressed neatly and with a refined demeanor.

The scenery of yesterday cannot be retained, but today's beauty is by his side.

He smiled slyly, touched his stomach, and thought, "I'm so hungry, I really miscalculated. If I had known, I would have stayed at Xie Fang Lou to eat something." Thinking about it, Nian Nu Er was truly delightful.

Zhao Xiaojunwang ate a few baozi, and no one dared to ask for money. Xiao San, used to acting on his behalf, walked through the West Market and picked up some cooked food. Seeing Zhao Yougong finish the baozi, Xiao San quickly handed over the meat pie he had stolen, "Sir, it's just out of the oven, still hot!"

"Good, Xiao San, your eyesight has improved, well done, well done!"

"Where, sir, you're joking, isn't it all due to your guidance?"

As the saying goes, if the top beam is crooked, the lower beams will be askew. With Zhao Yougong being such a person, how could his lackeys be any good?

When he returned to the mansion, he saw a group of imperial guards standing at the gate, led by a small official.

Seeing Zhao Yougong approach, they all bowed, "I am Mao Wenyu, the head of the Iron Latch Camp, sent by the emperor to protect the Chu Mansion!"

"Hmm, you are dismissed. Do your job well, and I won't let you down. Xiao San, give the brothers some money for wine!"

Xiao San smiled and threw a few strings of coins to Mao Wenyu. With the tip, the dozen soldiers were all delighted and showered Zhao Yougong with flattery.

The once quiet Chu Mansion suddenly gained a lively atmosphere with the addition of the imperial guards, but Zhao Yougong's heart was filled with cold laughter, and he was not at all happy. From now on, he would have to be more careful if he wanted to sneak out of the mansion.

That night, around the hour of the Ox, Zhao Yougong quietly opened his eyes, softly called out, and confirmed that Mochun and Muxue were asleep. He then quietly pressed their acupoints.

Although Mao Wenyu had divided the twenty guards into two teams to patrol, it did not stop Zhao Yougong.

Leaving the mansion, he soon arrived at a small courtyard in the southern part of the city. Climbing over the wall, he expected to have to knock on the door, but to his surprise, Dugu Qiubai was practicing swordsmanship in the yard.

Dugu Qiubai was truly a unique and eccentric person, practicing swordsmanship in the yard at night. Had his head been kicked by a donkey?

He opened his mouth to mock, but before he could stand still, Dugu Qiubai suddenly threw his sword with his right hand. The sword flew like lightning, heading straight for Zhao Yougong's face.

Cursing inwardly, Zhao Yougong dared not hesitate, lowered his head, and quickly crouched down.

"Dugu, did I offend you?"

Zhao Yougong's eyes widened. If he couldn't deal with Dugu Qiubai, he would tie him up and whip him now.

Before he could stand up, a light turned on in the house, and a figure slowly walked out. Seeing the person's face, Zhao Yougong's mouth opened, and he couldn't utter a word.