Chapter 6: The Bridal Chamber

The memories in her mind finally froze on the moment of Xie Lingxi’s tragic death. Jiang Rong couldn’t help but clutch the hand of the man beside her.

The real sensation of his palm brought her a sense of calm, a reminder that everything had not yet come to pass.

Xie Lingxi was still by her side, alive—vivid, spirited, the Xie Lingxi from ten years ago.

In this life, she was determined to protect him well.

The scene of the two holding hands openly suddenly made Chen Caiwei’s eyes darken with envy.

Jiang Rong held Xie Lingxi’s hand, looked up at Chen Caiwei, and her emotions had already been subdued, her smile charming:

“Cousin, you come from a martial family, perhaps you don’t read much and are not familiar with these formalities. It’s okay—I, as your cousin’s wife, will teach you properly. I am your brother-in-law’s wife, and you should call me ‘sister-in-law’ or ‘Crown Princess Consort’. If you call me ‘Miss Jiang’ in front of others, they might laugh at your ignorance and vulgarity.”

Chen Caiwei clenched her fist hidden in her sleeve. She refused to admit Jiang Rong was the Crown Princess, so she only called her “Miss Jiang”…

But her sarcasm was met with a sting of her own.

You’re the one being vulgar and ignorant! A girl from a small family like yours, compared to me, you’re just a muddy piece of trash!

Inside, Chen Caiwei roared in her heart, but in front of Xie Lingxi, she dared not say a word.

Jiang Rong finished her words and then looked up at Xie Lingxi with a bright smile:

“Husband, since Second Sister is fine now, let’s go back.”

She waited patiently for Chen Caiwei to come to her door.

In her past life, she pretended to be a good sister for a month; how long would Chen Caiwei endure this time?

……

Back in the bridal chamber.

Jiang Rong sat obediently on the bed, waiting for her husband to gently loosen her robes…

But Xie Lingxi, after returning her, turned and left.

“Where is husband going?” Jiang Rong asked in confusion.

Xie Lingxi replied calmly, “To the study.”

“On our wedding night, you won’t consummate with me? Is there something you’re dissatisfied with?” Jiang Rong gently tugged at his sleeve, her eyes moist and blinking.

Xie Lingxi’s gaze deepened, his eyes dark.

He wanted to trick her into sleeping with him, then kill her while she was asleep?

Fine. He wanted to see what tricks this girl had up her sleeve.

The bed curtain was drawn aside, sandalwood incense wafted through the air.

Jiang Rong was only wearing a strapless long dress, obediently lying on the bed, modestly waiting for Xie Lingxi to make the first move.

But she waited for a long time and saw no sign of him. She quietly turned her head and saw that Xie Lingxi, lying beside her, had already closed his eyes and was breathing deeply.

Asleep?

They hadn’t even consummated the marriage!

This shouldn’t be.

Everyone knew Xie Lingxi loved her at first sight—his feelings were deep as the sea!

Although the idea of forcibly taking her was false, his sincerity was real.

Jiang Rong recalled all the past events—Xie Lingxi truly loved her, without dispute. So, why was he unwilling to consummate their marriage now?

After a moment of thought, Jiang Rong understood.

In her previous self, she despised Xie Lingxi so much that she even wrote a letter saying she preferred to remain a widow.

Xie Lingxi was probably unwilling to force her!

She needed to give him some time, let him realize she had changed! That she was willing!

Jiang Rong quietly moved closer to Xie Lingxi, a bit nervous, because in her past and present lives, it was her first time waking up and sharing a bed with him…

Xie Lingxi of course was not asleep, he was merely pretending. He waited for her to make her move.

Her breathing grew closer, tinged with tension—

She was about to act!

Xie Lingxi focused entirely, his mind alert, ready at any moment to give her a one-armed shoulder toss and throw her off the bed.

Next moment—

He felt a light weight pressing against him.

A delicate figure quietly climbed into his arms.

Xie Lingxi suddenly opened his eyes, lowering his gaze. All he could see was the girl’s dark hair, scattered across his chest.

What…?

He paused slightly.

Jiang Rong continued to move, quietly grabbing his wrist—

Xie Lingxi’s entire body tensed, alert. Was this girl planning to hold his hand down to prevent resistance, then stab him to death?

But in the next moment, her hand was placed around his slender waist.

Jiang Rong was satisfied with this position, and she closed her eyes contentedly, pressed against his reassuring chest.

Soon, she drifted into sleep.

Xie Lingxi’s whole body stiffened like a bedboard. What was she doing?

A faint, fragrant aroma emanated from her body, her hand soft and slender on his waist. His mind unexpectedly recalled a line from an ancient poem: “A slender waist like Chu palace’s.”

His eyes darkened even further.

Yesterday, he wanted to kill her and make her a widow; today, she was sitting at the same table with him, equal in status. He couldn’t believe that someone could change so rapidly within a single day.

Jiang Rong, for the purpose of killing him, had been so patient and covert?

He stared at the girl in his arms for a long time, then finally closed his eyes.