153. The Wedding Night

In the kitchen, Jing Suyun, Aunt Liu, and Aunt Li were busy preparing dinner. Jing Qingxin had originally wanted to cook, but all three elders insisted that a bride should never have to handle the kitchen on her wedding day. Consequently, she was ushered out and sat in the main room, keeping Chen Mei and the others company.

"Sister-in-law, look at this," Chen Mei said with a sheepish expression. "I came over to help, but instead, I’ve ended up being the idlest one here. It’s quite embarrassing."

"What are you saying, sister-in-law?" Jing Qingxin replied with a reassuring smile. "Isn't Brother Zeng part of your family? Besides, we have plenty of hands here. If you were busy helping, who would look after Little Tiger? At his age, he can't be left without an adult."

After chatting for a while, Chen Mei finally felt at ease and returned to tending to her child.

Following dinner, Zhang Liangping mentioned that they would be returning to the city the next day. Aunt Liu and her son would naturally accompany them, and as for the Zeng Lin family, they were already scheduled to leave. Jing Qingxin wanted to persuade them to stay—surely her godparents could stay for at least two more days?

"Qingxin," Jing Suyun said, "I can't be away from my work at the hospital for too long. It wouldn't do to delay any further."

Seeing that everyone had professional obligations to attend to in this era of state-run institutions, Jing Qingxin could not insist further. To her surprise, Gao Shen did not try to keep them either; in fact, he voiced his strong agreement that they shouldn't neglect their work. Jing Qingxin found his behavior slightly odd, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why, as he was clearly looking out for their best interests.

Once plans were settled, the Zeng family headed to Captain Li’s house for the night, while Aunt Liu and Liu Gang joined the four members of the Li family in the neighboring courtyard.

After washing up, Zhang Liangping and his wife drew the curtains early, needing to rise at dawn for their journey. Jing Qingxin and Gao Shen returned to their inner room. Seeing the festive decorations and the bright red wedding bed, the reality of the day finally set in. Today, they were married, and tonight was their wedding night.

A blush crept up Jing Qingxin’s cheeks. She whispered a few words and slipped into the "Liuguang Brocade" space, failing to notice the tips of Gao Shen's ears turning red.

Inside the space, Jing Qingxin soaked in the bath, her heart fluttering as she thought of that red wedding bed. Although they had slept in the same bed before, their intimacy had always been limited to hugs and kisses; Gao Shen had always been remarkably restrained and considerate. But tonight was different. The thought of what lay ahead made her heart race.

After her bath, she changed into a new nightgown she had fashioned herself from red fabric bought in the city. It was a V-neck, knee-length slip dress. Having a paternal aunt who graduated from a prestigious design school meant there were plenty of related books at home, and thanks to the "Liuguang Brocade," her memory was exceptional; she had absorbed quite a bit of basic fashion design in her spare time.

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she stepped out of the space.

In the wedding room, Gao Shen was already washed and leaning against the bed, reading a book. As he sensed her presence, he looked up. Her long, silky black hair fell over her shoulders, and her fair face was flushed with a soft, rosy glow. A gentle smile graced her lips, making her look breathtakingly radiant.

Gao Shen’s gaze darkened. The red of her gown seemed to cast a sharp, piercing light in his eyes as he locked his gaze onto her. The skin exposed by the dress was crystalline and white, and the garment clung to her elegant silhouette. The glimpse of her collarbone and shoulders through the fabric held a lethal attraction.

A wave of heat surged through him. She looked like a seductive, blooming red rose, waiting to be plucked.

"Come here," he said, his voice deep and steady, though his eyes burned with intensity.

As she walked toward the bed, he pulled her into a spin, and she tumbled onto the red wedding bed. Their eyes met in the quiet room; the air was so still they could hear each other’s heartbeats.

"Gao Shen," she whispered, her voice low.

"Shouldn't you change how you address me? Qingqing," he murmured, leaning close to her neck. His voice was husky, magnetic, and laced with a seductive charm that pierced straight to her heart. The warmth of his breath and the way he whispered her name made her tremble, a current of electricity coursing through her limbs until she felt soft and boneless, her face burning.

"What would you like me to call you?" she asked with a smile, though she dared not look into his eyes—the emotions swirling there were too intense, as if they might consume her.

"What do you think?" he asked patiently, his gaze filled with affection.

"A-Shen," she breathed.

Before she could finish, her lips were claimed. Their mouths met, and the temperature in the room soared, the air thickening with a heady, intoxicating scent. Gao Shen felt the fire within him raging, every inch of his skin burning with an uncontrollable heat.

In that moment, nothing could stop the two lovers from pouring out their affection in a passionate embrace.

As Gao Shen’s kisses trailed down her slender neck, he left a trail of rosy marks upon her porcelain skin. Soon, the two lovers were joined as one, ascending together toward a sacred, blissful height.

***

*The red curtains reveal a charming grace,*
*A perfect match, side by side they embrace.*
*Blessed in this world with all they could hold,*
*Like mandarin ducks, a story of love untold.*

*The songs of the Odes bring joy to the heart,*
*A gentle breeze carries love, never to part.*
*Fragrant silk curtains, a bond deep and true,*
*The spring night is warm, with love ever new.*

*A match made in heaven, kindred spirits entwined,*
*Through thick and through thin, with hearts well-aligned.*
*A kiss in the chamber, the candles burn bright,*
*Each moment of spring is worth gold in the night.*