Chapter 2

Chapter 2

My eyes flew open as the lingering scent of wine invaded my mouth.

Pei Miao’s hand was clamped firmly around my waist, and I was completely enveloped by his presence. I froze in his arms, dazed.

Pei Miao let out a soft chuckle and nipped at my lips. When I let out an instinctive, low cry, he pushed past my teeth.

My breath grew hot as I swallowed. My body went limp, and the world spun as I was pressed down into the bedding.

Pei Miao’s ink-black hair spilled over his shoulders, his inner robe falling open to reveal a chest that rose and fell with heavy breaths. He leaned down to kiss the tip of my nose. “Do not fear. Your Husband will be gentle.”

The red candles cast a warm glow over the swaying curtains. Pei Miao was true to his word, treating me with the utmost tenderness. In the latter half of the night, he called for water twice to wash. My mind was a hazy fog as I eventually drifted off to sleep in his arms.

As I entered my dreams, my only thought was that this was quite different from what the illustrated storybooks had described.

Floating Cloud Courtyard was surrounded by a vast grove of bamboo. The next morning, I woke to the sound of rustling bamboo leaves. I was alone in the bed. Hearing me stir, Yinlang pulled back the bed curtains.

“The Heir has been practicing at the martial arts field for over an hour now,” Yinlang said, helping me up. “He specifically ordered us not to wake you, though I was starting to worry, since we have to serve tea to your in-laws today.”

My waist was sore and my legs felt weak. For some reason, hearing Yinlang mention Pei Miao brought a fresh wave of bashfulness over me. Seeing this, the girl leaned in and whispered in my ear, “The Heir is truly a thoughtful man.”

After I finished washing, I sat before the dressing table. Pei Miao entered, having changed his clothes. He looked magnificent, carrying the sharp, heroic aura of a military officer.

The servants hurried to bow to him. Pei Miao walked over to the vanity, picked out a gold and jade orchid hairpin, and tucked it into my styled hair.

“As fragrant as an orchid, as pure as jade,” Pei Miao admired for a long moment before pressing a kiss to my flushed cheek. “My wife is truly beautiful.”

The maids throughout the room lowered their heads to hide their smiles.

That day, the breeze was gentle and the sky was clear.

Pei Miao reached out his hand to me, and together we went to serve tea.

Under the swaying sea of bamboo, I leaned on my new husband’s arm as we walked down the steps, entering the Marquess of Jingning’s Mansion where I would spend the rest of my life.

In that moment, I naively hoped that from then on, we would be a devoted couple, walking hand-in-hand until our hair turned white.

Our life after the wedding was harmonious and sweet.

My mother-in-law was kind, my husband was attentive, and everyone in Floating Cloud Courtyard treated me with great respect.

Pei Miao served as the Feathered Dragon Guard Commander, which meant he spent most of his time on duty at the palace, attending to the Emperor.

During his seven-day wedding leave, Pei Miao spent every moment with me.

He would paint my eyebrows before the mirror, asking if the shade was right; we played chess by the window, supporting each other with smiles; we shared the intimacy of a married couple under the moon and among the flowers.

Consequently, after Pei Miao’s leave ended and he returned to court, he often came home late. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss and loneliness.

I became distracted, my expression clouded with a quiet sorrow.

Yinlang teased me, saying I was suffering from lovesickness.

I startled, and the book in my hand fell to the floor. Yinlang gasped. “My tongue is too clumsy, please don’t be angry, Madam.”

I shook my head slowly. I wasn’t angry at Yinlang’s teasing; rather, in that instant, I felt a chilling sense of fear.

I was an only child. When I lived at home, I had no sisters to play with, yet I had been perfectly content and had never felt lonely.

I had been married for barely over a month, yet I had become so melancholy. It felt as though I were regressing.

Once I understood this, my mood cleared significantly. I picked up my old hobbies again-blending incense, carving jade, playing pitch-pot, and gathering flowers.

One night, Pei Miao returned at midnight. Finding that I wasn’t there to greet him, he sought me out in the study.

I was reclining on a lounge chair in my summer robes, reading a storybook. I had just reached the part where “Fair Jinlian opens the window to lure Master Wu” when a tall figure approached and leaned down to give me a deep, firm kiss.

When the kiss ended, I was breathless. I suddenly noticed a faint floral scent lingering on his neck. I tapped his collar with my fingertip. “When did you change your incense? I’ve never smelled this one before.”

Pei Miao’s movements paused for a fraction of a second, but his expression remained casual as he smiled. “I accompanied His Majesty to the Palace Administration Bureau today. The osmanthus trees along the paths were in full bloom. After staying there for a while, I naturally picked up the scent.”

My thoughts were diverted. “The Palace Administration Bureau?”

“His Majesty intends to reinstate the Female Official system.”

The current Emperor had been on the throne for less than three years. Though young, he held the world in his heart and seemed intent on making bold, sweeping changes.

Pei Miao didn’t seem to want to say more. He leaned in, intending to kiss me again. “My wife seems to be enjoying herself. Do you still have room in your heart for me?”

“Why are you being jealous over nothing?” I couldn’t help but laugh, pressing my index finger against his lips. “Who could be busier than Lord Pei? So busy with official business that you only return home at midnight.”

“It is Your Husband’s fault,” Pei Miao said, picking me up in his arms. He smiled and added, “I shall make it up to my wife with my actions.”