Chapter 4: Warmth Beneath the Hibiscus Canopy   

Not long after, Su Ye’s voice came from behind the screen, “Madam, the hot water is ready.” 

Ming Yu and Zi Xiao instantly fell silent, suddenly unsure of what to do next. They felt awkward and hesitant, unsure whether they should leave or stay to continue watching over the Eldest Young Master. 

It would be entirely reasonable if the Madam asked them to leave; after all, male attendants were not typically allowed to linger in the inner courtyard. 

Yet, they were reluctant to leave the Eldest Young Master alone. Having served him so diligently, they knew no one could care for him as well as they could. They silently hoped the Madam wouldn’t ask them to leave. 

“You two can stay here to keep an eye on the Eldest Young Master for now. Once I return, you can step outside,” Xu Qingyi said generously, as if sensing their hesitation. 

In ancient times, propriety and avoiding suspicion were highly emphasized. Normally, leaving the Eldest Young Master’s personal attendants in the inner quarters would be improper. However, the Eldest Young Master needed constant care, and she couldn’t afford any accidents. 

Moreover, with the Eldest Young Master’s tall and sturdy frame, it would be difficult for maidservants or older caretakers to manage his needs effectively. 

It was better to leave things as they were for now.

With a valid reason established, it became perfectly natural for the Eldest Young Master’s four personal attendants to stay. 

“Yes, Madam,” Ming Yu and Zi Xiao replied, subtly breathing a sigh of relief. It seemed the Madam had no intention of dismissing them. 

Their loyalty to the Eldest Young Master was unwavering, and the idea of someone else caring for him made them uneasy. 

In the bathing area, maidservants and older attendants helped Xu Qingyi bathe and change into fresh clothes. Her closest caretaker, her Wet Nurse, looked at her with deep concern and asked, “Miss, why put yourself through this?” 

Marrying Eldest Young Master who was as good as a cripple essentially meant sacrificing the rest of her life. 

Yes, Second Young Master Xie Huaian and Du Jinyun’s actions were infuriating, but Miss Xu was still the legitimate wife. Wouldn’t it be much easier to deal with a concubine in the future? 

Besides, rumor had it that the Eldest Young Master already had three adopted sons. Being a stepmother was no simple task. 

Xu Qingyi gave the Wet Nurse a reassuring look. “Trust me, Mama. This is the best choice. If I had truly married Second Young Master, my good days would have ended immediately.” 

The Wet Nurse hesitated, feeling her young mistress was being far too pessimistic. 

Seeing that the Wet Nurse and the maidservants still couldn’t muster any joy, their expressions akin to mourning as if she had one foot in the grave, Xu Qingyi couldn’t help feeling a little exasperated. 

After all, words alone couldn’t prove her point. Who would believe that marrying someone in a vegetative state could be better than marrying a living, breathing man? 

“Just wait and see. Soon, you’ll understand,” Xu Qingyi said calmly. “Someone who’s capable of drugging me—do you really think I’d feel safe lying next to him? Because I certainly don’t.” 

That made sense… 

“And Mama Chang…” The Wet Nurse felt a pang of guilt. While she hadn’t been intentionally sent away by someone else, Xu Qingyi herself had asked her to go enjoy the feast. Still, she couldn’t help but fume over how easily Mama Chang had been swayed by others. 

Entrusted with guarding her mistress, she’d allowed herself to be bought off. 

Xu Qingyi ran her hand over her soft, flawless skin and said coldly, “Once disloyal, they can never be trusted again. Sell her.” 

“Yes,” The Wet Nurse replied, startled. She had thought her mistress, being soft-hearted, would spare Mama Chang this once. 

Still, learning a hard lesson wasn’t a bad thing. 

It was early May, and the weather in the capital was just right. 

After her bath, when a maid stepped forward to help Xu Qingyi into her undergarments, Xu Qingyi’s eyes flickered slightly. “No need. Just drape a robe over me.” 

Silence fell over the room. 

The servants all understood—tonight, their young mistress was going to consummate the marriage with the Eldest Young Master. 

No matter what, Xu Qingyi was still a young lady of the Marquis’ household, a noblewoman of great status. Yet here she was, doing something akin to ‘chongxi’—marrying to ward off misfortune. 

Bearing heirs for Eldest Young Master who was practically incapacitated felt like a humiliation to everyone else. 

But Xu Qingyi didn’t see it that way. It was simply a mutually beneficial arrangement. She had chosen this path purely for survival, not out of any lofty ideals. 

Still, she couldn’t deny feeling a bit conflicted. 

She put on her dudou, draped a robe over her shoulders, and ordered someone to send Ming Yu and Zi Xiao away before heading over herself. 

The inner room where the Eldest Young Master resided was dimly lit, the soft glow of the lamps casting an ambiguous haze. 

The once-revered Eldest Young Master, known far and wide for his prowess, now lay quietly in bed, completely at the mercy of others. 

If he were aware that his wedding night was unfolding so hastily and perfunctorily, what would he think? 

When he woke up, he would likely look down on her—this wife brought in as a ‘chongxi’ bride. 

Xu Qingyi understood her situation clearly and remained pragmatic. Her plan was simple: secure an heir to protect herself. 

And, more importantly, win over Xie Yunzhi’s three adopted sons. 

With four children under her wing, at least one would prove reliable. 

As for Xie Yunzhi, Xu Qingyi planned that when the time came, she would voluntarily request to step down as his wife, leaving him with an immense debt of gratitude toward her. 

If that worked out, she wouldn’t have to worry about the rest of her life. 

With these thoughts in mind, Xu Qingyi pulled down the bed curtains on both sides, creating a sense of security within this dimly lit, private space. 

Carefully, she lifted the blanket covering the Eldest Young Master and neatly folded it at the foot of the bed, taking care not to let it get soiled. 

There was no need to remove any clothing, just a simple adjustment of the undergarments would suffice. 

As Xu Qingyi moved closer, she noticed that the Eldest Young Master indeed had no unpleasant odor. On the contrary, there was a faint hint of incense lingering on him, subtly pleasant and not overpowering. 

Then a new worry crept in—was the Eldest Young Master truly capable? 

What if he wasn’t? Would he turn out to be one of those unfortunate cases? 

If he couldn’t, her entire plan would fall apart. And who knew if this marriage would remain stable under such circumstances? With her heart filled with uncertainty, she patiently began testing whether the Eldest Young Master could truly perform. 

The delicate hands of Miss Xu, soft as boneless silk, were as flawless as jade. Her skin was fair and smooth, exuding elegance. 

Even when adorned with rings or jade bangles, they only served to make her hands look even more beautiful. 

Now all her jewelry had been removed to avoid accidentally injuring the Eldest Young Master. 

Xu Qingyi didn’t dare look down to compare the two. Instead, she focused on the canopy above, relying solely on her instincts to locate her target. 

Her ten delicate, jade-like fingers, initially hesitant and timid, moved with the shyness of an inexperienced girl. 

But soon enough, she calmed herself. 

After all, the Eldest Young Master was entirely unconscious—what was there to feel embarrassed about when this was essentially a one-person performance? 

When the results confirmed that the Eldest Young Master was, in fact, more than capable, Xu Qingyi’s cheeks turned crimson. She wasn’t sure whether she felt relieved or disappointed. 

It took her a long time to mentally prepare herself before she finally leaned forward, her face determined. 

In her past life, Xu Qingyi had been in a relationship and knew how to please her partner. But now, in this youthful and inexperienced body, she couldn’t help but feel awkward and slow. 

The first half of the process was sheer torture. If not for the people standing guard outside, she would have cried out loud in agony. 

It wasn’t until the latter half that things started to improve, bit by bit. 

“…” Xu Qingyi bit down hard on her lip, discarding all traces of shame. 

Xu Qingyi told herself that this was no big deal—she could think of it as simply entertaining herself. 

The only difference was that the “object” of her self-entertainment wasn’t a toy but a vegetative man. 

Even so, there was still a distinction. 

At least with self-entertainment, she could decide when to stop. But consummating the marriage with the Eldest Young Master? The decision to end it wasn’t hers—it was entirely in his hands. And there was no way to rush him! 

Xu Qingyi couldn’t help but think it was unnatural. Wasn’t it said that men who had gone without for a long time would finish quickly at first contact? 

Given the Eldest Young Master’s situation, he hadn’t been relieved in at least six months, right? 

So why was he still this formidable? 

* 

Meanwhile, the bathing area remained ready, with hot water continuously prepared. The maidservants and older attendants sat in silence, patiently waiting for their mistress’ summons. 

Time passed, and the Wet Nurse couldn’t help but feel a little worried. 

Finally, she approached the room and listened closely for any unusual sounds. Only after confirming that nothing seemed out of place did she walk away, reassured. 

Some time later, a faint, weary voice finally came from within: “Mama, come help me.” 

The Wet Nurse’s eyes filled with concern, quickly entered to assist. 

By then, Xu Qingyi had already collapsed onto the Eldest Young Master’s chest for a brief rest, her body still as limp as a puddle of mud. 

As the Wet Nurse helped her to the bathing area, Xu Qingyi felt as if her legs were floating with every step. 

Behind them, Su Ye carefully collected the bloodstained cloth. After tonight, her mistress was undeniably and officially the Eldest Young Master’s wife. 

Once the young mistress left, Ming Yu and Zi Xiao hurried in to attend to the Eldest Young Master. 

The sight of certain marks left on the Eldest Young Master’s body made both their faces flush red. They quickly composed themselves, focusing on their tasks with disciplined gazes. 

They replaced his clothes, cleaned his body, and changed the bedding, carrying out their duties just as they always did. 

And yet, there was something different tonight—a subtle joy lingered in the air. 

The Eldest Young Master now had a wife, and perhaps before long, there would even be a little master or mistress. 

For the past six months, Danhuai Courtyard had grown increasingly desolate. The once-glorious Eldest Young Master seemed on the verge of being forgotten, buried in the shadows of his once-brilliant life. 

The four attendants had felt lost and uncertain about the future, wondering how long they could continue if the Eldest Young Master remained unconscious. 

But with the arrival of the young mistress, Danhuai Courtyard seemed to come alive again. It brought a renewed sense of hope—something they hadn’t felt in a long time. 

^[1]A dudou, also known as a doudou, is a traditional Chinese garment that has been worn for centuries. It is a type of bodice, which translates to “belly cover.” The dudou is typically a … Continue reading