Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The next day, Xie Yijue came to my door to apologize.
He sat in the front hall, his expression filled with regret.
“I was momentarily careless yesterday. I sent people to look for you later, but you were nowhere to be found… I am truly sorry.”
Yet, he did not utter a single word about why Ji Zhi had appeared or how long he had stayed with her.
I poured tea for him, a gentle smile on my face.
“I saw that the Heir had been gone for a long time without returning, and thinking that my sister might need comforting, I returned to the manor on my own. You need not dwell on it; it is enough that my sister is well.”
He gazed at me for a moment, the moved expression in his eyes deepening. “Yuntan, you truly are… understanding.”
“It is my fortune to have you as my wife.”
He took my hand. “In the future, I will certainly treat you well.”
I lowered my eyes, letting him hold my hand, and spoke softly. “Very well.”
The day of the grand wedding was a scene of boundless splendor.
Ten miles of red dowry lined the streets, and the sound of drums and music shook the heavens.
Ji Zhi entered the manor on the same day, but she was carried through the side gate in a single small sedan chair, without fanfare.
Inside the bridal chamber, the red candles burned bright.
When Xie Yijue entered, he already carried a hint of intoxication.
He lifted my bridal veil.
The candlelight flickered.
It cast a glow that made the features of the person before him look like a painting.
He carried an air of aggression that differed from his usual gentle restraint.
“Yuntan, I have come late.”
He called my name in a low voice, reaching out to stroke my cheek, his touch light and lingering.
His fingertips were warm.
He smiled. “It has been a long day… From this day forward, we are husband and wife as one, united in heart until our hair turns white.”
His voice was slightly raspy, thick with the scent of wine.
“You and I shall walk hand in hand, never to part in this life.”
The red candles flickered.
It was enough to make one drown in this sea of vivid color and warm light.
I tilted my head obediently and lightly rubbed against his palm.
I was as docile as a kitten.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he called out again in a low voice, “Tan’er…”
Just as he was about to lean down for a kiss-
“Lord Heir!”
A servant’s cautious report sounded from outside.
“Miss Zhi has a severe pain in her chest and is crying to see you…”
Xie Yijue’s movements froze, and the hazy tenderness in his eyes quickly faded.
It turned into a clear, sharp hesitation.
He looked at me. “Yuntan, if you are unwilling, I will not go.”
I sneered inwardly.
On the surface, however, I showed a considerate tenderness. “Go ahead. It is only natural for my sister to feel uneasy after just entering the manor. It will be fine once my husband goes to coax her.”
His expression relaxed.
I continued in a soft voice, “However, there are many eyes and ears about tonight. If people find out that my husband left me on our wedding night, I fear rumors will start tomorrow, saying that I do not have my husband’s love and respect. It might be difficult to command the household in the future.”
“I ask that my husband dismiss the attendants and go quietly, so that no one sees.”
Such meticulous consideration.
The emotion in Xie Yijue’s eyes nearly overflowed as he gripped my hand. “I will go and return quickly. You… wait for me.”
He rose and left in a hurry, the corner of his red robe brushing over the threshold before vanishing into the night.