As Liang Xiao's retreating figure faded from view, Xiao Qing sighed, then gently pinched Zhen Mi's cheek, her heart filled with emotion.
This little lass had always hidden her true feelings so well, only to reveal them on his wedding day.
Outsiders would say she admired Liang Xiao because he had shown her immense kindness. Who would have imagined that this young girl's mind was as mature as any adult's…
“Greetings to the son-in-law! Don't forget to drink the cross-cupped wine, son-in-law!” Xun’er, Diao’er, and Yao’er, guarding the door, bowed to Liang Xiao.
“You've returned from the feast? Go take care of the goddess quickly, you don’t need to mind us.” Liang Xiao said with a dry chuckle.
No matter how shameless he was, he couldn’t let others eavesdrop outside!
The three maids obediently agreed. As they turned their backs to Liang Xiao and left, their eyes held a peculiar glint. They returned to Jian Qinwan’s room.
Confirming that the area was clear and suitable for nocturnal activities, Liang Xiao then pushed open the door to Luo Qingxue’s room and stepped inside. His gaze fixed, he froze.
The bride inside sat by the bed, her veil once again covering her face.
“Wife, are you addicted to lifting the veil?”
Liang Xiao walked over with a smile.
Upon hearing Liang Xiao’s words, the bride began to tremble violently.
Liang Xiao was startled and quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Did you catch a chill?”
“No…” the bride stammered.
Sensing that the voice wasn’t Luo Qingxue’s, Liang Xiao’s expression changed. He gently lifted the veil, his face filled with astonishment.
“Goddess, why are you in Qingxue’s room?”
The bride before him was none other than Jian Qinwan!
“This, um, I…” Jian Qinwan dared not meet Liang Xiao’s gaze, merely hiding to one side of the red canopy, stammering.
Liang Xiao knitted his brows slightly, a pout on his lips. “Really, if you were so eager to enter the bridal chamber with your husband, you could have just said so. We could have skipped the drawing of lots.”
Jian Qinwan could no longer hold back, chiding, “How could I… it was all my good elder sister’s idea!”
“Ah? What does Qingxue mean by that?” Liang Xiao was dumbfounded.
Jian Qinwan mumbled, “She, she said that I still owed her for the Tian Jing, and I should repay it by taking her place and consummating the marriage with you first…”
Liang Xiao instantly understood and fell silent.
It seemed the girls had been pestering his Shuang'er with questions, making Shuang'er afraid.
Luo Qingxue also worried that she would be the next to be interrogated relentlessly, so she sent Jian Qinwan to scout ahead…
Jian Qinwan began to earnestly defend herself, “You know me, I've always been someone who repays kindness. I can’t owe anyone anything…”
Upon hearing this, the previously silent Liang Xiao burst into laughter. He took Jian Qinwan’s hand, pulled her up from the bed, and sat her by the table, pouring wine.
“You have this day too?” After they drank the cross-cupped wine, Liang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh, feeling incredibly joyful in his heart.
This enchantress had teased him for half a year, and today she was so flustered!
“You, you don’t go looking for Sister Qingxue anymore. I’m someone who repays kindness…” Jian Qinwan’s face was still red, wishing she could find a piece of tofu to smash herself to death with.
“I’m looking for you, so what?” Liang Xiao said with a playful smile.
Jian Qinwan was speechless for a moment before managing to eke out a word: “Oh…”
Gazing at the new bride who was fumbling awkwardly, Liang Xiao found her more endearing the more he looked.
But when he recalled her past relentless testing, teasing, and seduction towards him, Liang Xiao’s blood began to boil. He stood up and pulled Jian Qinwan towards the bed.
“Do you remember how many times your husband has held a grudge against you these past six months?”
Jian Qinwan’s breath hitched. After a long pause, she looked around furtively. “Huh? Did I? I have amnesia. I don’t remember anything. You’re so magnanimous, let’s not dwell on it…”
She’s learned to play dumb with me too?
Looking at the bride who was so shy she didn't know where to hide, Liang Xiao couldn’t help but smile. He raised an eyebrow. “Whether you remember or not, your husband is going to have his way with you, this enchantress, today!”
Jian Qinwan, who had been blushing furiously, finally flew into a rage. Unexpectedly, she stretched out her hands, pushed Liang Xiao onto the bed, and then jumped on top of him, sitting down.
“Look closely, I’m the one having my way with you!”
“I’m having my way with you, understand!”
“I! Am! Having! My! Way! With! You~~~”
Jian Qinwan, in the posture of a victor, repeated herself three times, dragging out the last syllable before bursting into giggles.
Liang Xiao watched her alluring demeanor, feeling his blood pressure rising. He laughed and said, “You want to have your way with me?”
“That’s right! This Rakshasa is going to have her way with you today!” Jian Qinwan tried her best to maintain her defiance, putting on an arrogant air.
Suddenly, Jian Qinwan remembered her mother’s demand for a child within five years. She lowered her head and began counting on her fingers.
“It’s been half a year already. Pregnancy takes ten months. Oh dear! It looks like there’s less than four years left!”
Jian Qinwan was suddenly overcome with a sense of urgency. She stared at the smiling Liang Xiao, and using the same tactic he often used on her, she cupped his chin and huffed, “You rogue flower-picker, are you not understanding what’s good for you? Hurry up and give this Rakshasa a few children, do you hear me?”
She’s already accumulated a whole notebook of grudges against me, how can she still be so arrogant, so brazen?
Looking at Jian Qinwan’s queenly demeanor, Liang Xiao was dumbfounded, but he could already sense that Jian Qinwan was merely putting on a brave front.
Liang Xiao couldn’t help but ask with a smile, “What if I refuse?”
“How dare you refuse? I! I will…” Jian Qinwan racked her brain, starting to count on her fingers again. In the end, she couldn’t think of any way to force Liang Xiao into submission.
Liang Xiao smiled and said, “Do you know that having relations against a woman’s will is illegal?”
Jian Qinwan’s face turned red. “What are you talking about…”
Liang Xiao pouted and said, “Therefore, I cannot go against your will. I have decided to submit to you.”
Jian Qinwan was stunned. She lowered her head, started counting on her fingers again to sort out Liang Xiao’s logic, and then suddenly realized. “You dare to be so glib right under this Rakshasa’s nose… Hmph! Enough nonsense, just obediently submit, this Rakshasa will go easy on you~”
Liang Xiao quickly shielded himself with both hands. “You’re that desperate for my body…”
Jian Qinwan blurted out, “I, I am desperate for you! So what…”
Seeing Jian Qinwan’s pretty face almost bleeding with shyness, Liang Xiao stopped teasing her. He smiled slightly. “It’s alright, I’m desperate for you too.”
…
Under the covers, facing the final moment, Jian Qinwan could no longer maintain her arrogance. She whimpered, “I want to go home…”
“This is your home now,” Liang Xiao replied.
Jian Qinwan weakly said, “I want to go back to my room…”
“This is our bridal chamber now,” Liang Xiao replied.
Jian Qinwan covered her face with one hand. “I want to go back to my own room…”
“Ah? Really? Your husband will take you back,” Liang Xiao responded with a smile.
Jian Qinwan’s lips parted slightly, her face red. She wrapped her arms around Liang Xiao’s neck.
…
A crescent moon slowly rose, symbolizing the maiden’s transformation.
That night, the other four brides tossed and turned, each lost in their own thoughts.
The next morning, Jian Qinwan hid under the covers, leaning in Liang Xiao’s embrace. She secretly glanced at the fresh crimson stains on the bedsheet.
Her once fair face was once again flushed with a seductive blush. She said softly.
“You really are a scoundrel! How many lifetimes must I have wronged you to meet such a troublesome fate as you…”
Liang Xiao held Jian Qinwan and said, “What? You used to say you accumulated blessings over lifetimes to meet me, and now you say you wronged me over lifetimes? As expected, the more beautiful a woman, the more she deceives.”
“I’m not lying, you’re both good and bad…” Jian Qinwan was about to explain when she felt a sharp pain again, and bit her lower lip.
Liang Xiao dared not joke anymore. He kissed her forehead, his face filled with concern.
Jian Qinwan then reminded him, “That, that heirloom treasure…”