Qī Yòu had long put down her bowl, gazing at the figure standing in front of the wedding candles. As a new bride, she was too much at ease. The shyness that appeared when people made noise during the day seemed to have never existed. Without the phoenix crown and jade pendants as adornment, without makeup, her face no longer had its radiant glow, but it was absolutely not ugly either.

  On the contrary, he felt that such a Hua Ruochu made him more comfortable and more... real.

  The bowls and chopsticks were put away, hot water was also prepared and placed in the ear room. Yun Shu led Ya Tou to squat down and bow together, "I wish Miss and Master a happy old age together, we slaves will retire."

  The two people who were lost in their own thoughts came back to reality, looked at each other and fell into silence. Qi You was never a talkative person, while Hua Ruochu... she was still adapting to her new identity.

  Just as Hua Ru was thinking about what to say, Qi You suddenly stood up, the effects of the wine not yet fully worn off, and staggered before steadying himself. "I'm going to take a bath."

  Watching the man go to the ear room behind the screen, Hua Ruochu stood still for a while before slowly walking to the bedside. When was this white cloth laid out? A pile of red revealed just a hint of white, too eye-catching. The man had concubines, but women still had to prove their chastity. This was the biggest difference between two worlds. In her previous life, if she encountered such a situation, she would first find someone to break her body before discussing marriage.

  Sat down on the bed, picked up a corner of the white silk and pondered what would happen if I hid this thing and handed in a pristine piece tomorrow... I reckon I can leave the Qi manor as I wish, but my heart has a bit of reluctance, losing reputation to gain freedom seems like a loss.

  Staring blankly into space, the woman's fingers were hooked on that white cloth. Qi You came out and saw this scene, his heart suddenly softened a bit. No matter what kind of person she was in her maiden home, whether she was reserved or simple and naive, now she was just a woman who had left her parents and married him, at the age of seventeen, it was normal to feel uneasy.

  She walked over to him and sat down, naturally taking the handkerchief from his hand to wipe his hair, her movements gentle and soothing.

  "Are they giving you a hard time?" Qi You said in the quiet room with a good atmosphere.

  Hua Ru's actions didn't pause for a moment, nor did she intend to hide anything, "You should know their nature better than me."

  "Let them be, don't put them in your heart. You are the master, they won't dare to go before you. If they provoke you, don't be polite, just use your means. People who bully the weak and fear the strong are everywhere, especially in a big mansion like this, where there are many people, there are many thoughts."

  As soon as Hua Ru's mouth curled up, she knew that Qi You had always been silent and never spoke nonsense. This time, he said so much, was it because he was worried that she, who came from a humble background, would not be able to adapt to this life and get bullied, or was he worried that she would hold him back?

  Maybe she should think of him in a more positive way?

  "What if...the people in your room provoke me? I'll deal with them, you won't immediately turn around and deal with me, will you?"

  On the wedding night, before they even entered the bridal chamber, they were already discussing such matters. Qi You didn't know whether to say that this new wife was too naive or too rational; in his opinion, it was probably the latter, "You are the legitimate wife, managing them is your duty."

  "With your words, husband, I feel much more at ease in my heart. I just hope they won't bully me because of my young age."

  Her hair was almost dry, so Qiyou turned around and took her hand, peeling off the cold eyes to warm up. "As before, I won't be at home for many days, so you'll have to take care of things at home. If there's anything that can't be solved, and I'm not at home, just go find Grandma, she'll side with you."

  On their wedding night, they didn't rush to the bridal chamber but were talking about this. Is it really okay? Hua Ru nodded with a slight tilt of her head, "I've saved up."

  Qī Yòu still wanted to instruct a few more sentences, the Qī estate may not be as large as before, but there will be no shortage of internal affairs, and the new wife is only 17 years old, he can't help but worry, even if this wife is not someone he likes and marries, but since they have a nominal relationship, he doesn't want to change people halfway.

  He couldn't say a word in front of those eyes that seemed to understand everything. Perhaps he could have some expectations from his little wife.

  Hua Ru smiled slightly, and the candlelight made her look even more gentle. She leaned forward, her hand stroking Qi You's face, then his neck, and further down, her fingers nimbly untying the buttons of his middle garment, revealing a sturdy chest inside.

  "Do I need to bring my own clothes?"

  Is this the style of a martial artist? Qi You wasn't an ignorant young man who didn't understand emotions, he had a personal maid serving him since he was 16 years old, and later on, he even took two concubines. Occasionally, when dealing with the prince, he would also need to put on a show, but there has never been a woman like Hua Ruochu, whose movements were not very skilled, and could even be said to be simple, yet even her light and flirtatious actions seemed natural, as if they should be that way, without any hint of sensuality.

  But at this moment, he was on fire, and he didn't think that little bit of alcohol could make him lose control. He clearly knew it was the woman in front of him, smiling brightly as she looked at her, who had set him ablaze.

  This is his wife, what else can be thought of?

  Pinning him down on the bed, there seemed to be a spark of fire jumping in Qiu Yu's eyes, he hadn't been this excited for a long time, his body and mind were both.

  "As before, as before..."

  She reached out to wrap her arms around the man's neck, and Hua Ruochu leaned in to peck him on the corner of his mouth. Accepting this man was easier than she had imagined, and she considered herself quite lucky - at least Qi You wasn't someone who repulsed her.

  Qī Yòu was even more unbearable due to Huá Rú Chū's actions. No man could resist a passionate woman like fire, especially when this woman was his legitimate wife.

  He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, then her eyes, nose, and finally landed on her lips, lingering for a while before continuing to move down. His hands didn't idle either, always moving slightly faster than his mouth, leaving every kiss imprinted on her pale skin. Soon, Hua Ruyi was left with only one piece of clothing, a bellyband, and the exposed areas were covered in red marks everywhere.

  As her pants were pulled down, her breathing quickened a bit. Hua Ruxin's mind was a little dazed - she had really become his wife, really... they would soon be consummating their marriage, and from now on, her life would be inextricably linked with this man's.

  The man's rough breathing was clearly audible, the hardness beneath him pressed against his legs, hmm, quite substantial, relatively speaking, it seems that tonight will be a bit of a tough night.

  Qī yòu was extremely satisfied with the passionate yet inexperienced reaction of this body, grabbing her hand and putting it around his neck, "As before, I'm coming in."

  She tightened her arms around the man's neck, and Hua Ruochu didn't make a sound, using her actions to express her intentions.

  He slowly pushed into her, his hardness aching, and covered her mouth with his own, catching every stifled moan she couldn't hold back. Using the greatest gentleness of his life, he made sure not to hurt her, as the new wife felt wonderful to him.

  Hua's face scrunched up in pain, not wanting to show her weak side, she buried her head into the man's neck and rubbed against him, the pain of losing her virginity was truly unbearable.

  Qī Yòu knew she was in pain, and he kept kissing her to comfort her, trying his best to hold still. He didn't want to appear too eager, and at 16 years old, having already experienced romantic feelings, he shouldn't be so eager. But at this moment, he really couldn't help himself. The place where he was erect was wet and tight, and it seemed like there was a suction force inside that was pulling him in. He suspected that if his endurance was any weaker, he would have surrendered directly.

  Big drops of sweat dripped onto her face, Hua Ru opened her eyes to look at the man who had taken possession of her, her voice trembling with pain, yet inexplicably evoking a sense of pity, "Qi You, you are my husband."

  Qī Yòu gazed deeply at her, "Yes."

  "You said you would respect me."

  "I will make it happen."

  "You must be good to me and cannot favor the concubine over your wife."

  "No one can surpass you."

  "If someone tells on you, you must also believe me."

  "I'll try my best."

  Hua Ru's eyes fluttered, and for a moment, she thought she would cry. Although she knew that men's words in bed were not to be trusted, she was still moved, because this man's sincere promise brought her a moment of comfort. She had been walking alone for too long, so long that she had almost forgotten what it felt like to have someone by her side. So, occasional weakness was permissible, wasn't it?

  "Qiu Yu, as long as you treat me well, I will definitely treat you well too, you have to trust me."

  Qī Yòu gently touched the eyes of his subordinate, and for a moment, the vulnerability that flashed in his eyes made him heartache. He didn't know what love was; the Qī family had never produced a romantic fool. As a noble family, they always put interests first, and all these years, he hadn't had time to like anyone. If he had to put someone in his heart, he would rather put his first wife there.

  No matter how she behaves in front of others, at least he can be sure that in front of him, she is trying her best to show her true self. Not talking about love or not, from the beginning, she wants to spend a peaceful and stable life with him, this is enough. He doesn't have time for romantic adventures, can't always be by her side, and spending their lives together in harmony is his greatest hope.

  "I trust you, will be good to you, you help me take care of the family's affairs, respect our grandparents, and we'll live a good life."

  Hua Ru smiled and narrowed her eyes, right, just live a good life, no need to love so passionately, she just wanted to live a peaceful life, and earn some extra money on the side. She had always believed that as long as there was enough food at home, she wouldn't be worried, money could make her life better, allow her to freely realize some new ideas, and make it so that no one in the Qi Manor dared to bully her. Money wasn't a good thing, but it could deal with some not-so-good things, and who knows, maybe it would even help with something big later on. The title of "virtuous wife" was also not something she would disdain.

  "Does it still hurt?"

  "It's much better, don't endure it anymore." It still hurts, but the fact that he can take care of her and endure to this extent is already quite difficult. If something goes wrong later on, she will be at a disadvantage, and she still wants to have a child!

  He finally waited for this sentence, Qi Youxian first exited and then slowly pushed in again, repeating several times, until he was sure that it didn't hurt as much as before, and only then did he start to move vigorously. Except for the first time they met, he hadn't lost control like this in many years.

  The candlelight flickers, the bed curtains flutter, the man's coarse gasps and the woman's moans intertwine into a harmonious wedding night, who can say this isn't the beginning of love?

  PS: This chapter is just for this bed scene, I've been writing since this afternoon and it's still a bit awkward. Don't mind me, dear readers, please give me a recommendation vote, and happy International Women's Day.