Chapter 5
Gu Zheng looked at me in surprise, then tilted his head with a smile and an arched brow.
“Most women are nervous and frightened on their wedding night.
“You don’t seem frightened at all.”
I chose the prettiest osmanthus cake and rose onto my toes to offer it to him.
“Because you’re my husband, I’m not afraid.
“Try one. It’s very sweet.”
Gu Zheng looked at me intently.
Then he lowered his head and took the cake I offered.
My fingers paused, then drew back.
In all fairness, Gu Zheng was an exceedingly handsome man.
He had long, fine brows and deep-set features.
His cool, sharp face was softened by a pair of eyes that seemed full of affection.
Whenever he looked at you, he could make you believe he liked you very much.
But I could not fall in love.
Because a man loved a woman most when she did not love him.
Only by withholding love could I remain rational and generous.
Gu Zheng steadied me gently, his movements careful.
I looked back at him, shy yet resolute.
Approval showed in his dark eyes.
“Don’t call me brother-in-law anymore. Call me husband.”
I immediately raised my head and obliged.
“Husband.”
He was extremely pleased with me.
So pleased that he called for attendants several times that night.
The next morning, I almost failed to get out of bed in time to pay my respects to Shen Qingyue.
I struggled to stand. After a single step, my knees gave way and I fell to the floor.
Amused and concerned, Gu Zheng came over to help me.
“There’s no need for such a grand bow.”
I leaned against him and murmured a complaint.
“It’s all your fault. There was so much fuss last night that I hardly rested.”
Looking a little guilty, he rubbed his nose.
“Why don’t you skip the morning visit today?
“My wife is your elder sister. She’ll understand.”
I immediately straightened. Pain creased my brow, but I pushed him away and insisted on walking unaided.
“Husband—cough, Your Highness, please don’t joke.
“Her Highness values the rules above all. If I don’t go…”
My face turned deathly pale, and I began to tremble involuntarily.
Gu Zheng’s expression darkened with displeasure.
“What? Does she treat her own sister that way too?”
I bit my lip in dismay and hastily shook my head.
“No, Her Highness has always been very kind to us.
“You should go, Your Highness. I must pay my respects.”
Ignoring the pain, I called for Qiuyue and hurried toward the courtyard gate with her supporting me.
“Qiuyue, hurry, hurry!”
“Miss—cough, my lady, can you manage?”
“At a time like this? Don’t worry about me!”
As though something had occurred to her, Qiuyue shuddered.
At once, she all but dragged me forward.
We soon disappeared from Gu Zheng’s view, leaving him with the sight of our frantic retreat.
My arms had begun to tremble.
I held up the tray with difficulty, aching all over.
My arms, my back, my waist, my knees—everything hurt.
“Your Highness, Concubine Man has been kneeling for quite a while.
“Poor thing. I hear the servants in her courtyard were kept busy all last night.
“She’s tired already. If she hurts herself kneeling, His Highness will be distressed.”
Secondary Consort Tang Feiyan reclined in a low-backed nanmu chair, idly admiring her freshly painted nails.
She cast Shen Qingyue an amused, sidelong glance.
She sounded as though she were speaking up for me, but every word struck my sister where it hurt.
“Pfft!”
“Such attention! Her Highness probably hasn’t enjoyed that much in half a year.”
No wonder Tang Feiyan had been my most formidable enemy in my previous life.
A few short sentences had driven Shen Qingyue almost out of her mind with rage.
“Concubine Man is shameless and has endangered His Highness’s health.
“Drag her to the ancestral hall. She will kneel there for three days.
“No food or water until her punishment is over!”
Even Qiuyue froze at those words, let alone Secondary Consort Tang.
After all, anyone with eyes could see
that I had come here to help my sister secure the prince’s favor.