Newlyweds

Zheng Shanci had his hands on either side of the bed, leaning down with warm breaths mingling, a gentle heat spreading across Yu Lanyi’s face, making it involuntarily warm. The room was so dark you couldn’t see your fingers, and the moonlight outside cast a hazy glow. In the dim light, Yu Lanyi could make out Zheng Shanci’s smooth jawline, his thin lips pressed together, and eyes deep as ink.

Yu Lanyi’s fingers tightened. No matter what, he had previously agreed with Zheng Shanci that neither of them was satisfied with this marriage. Yu Lanyi wasn’t ready to be that intimate with Zheng Shanci yet. He reached out to place a hand on his chest, trying to show resistance. In the darkness, the other’s breath paused, but his body still slowly pressed down, and the heat was already felt on his neck.

Yu Lanyi couldn’t take it anymore. He wanted to punch Zheng Shanci, but when he reached out, Zheng Shanci caught his hand. Zheng Shanci was panting, turning his head to rest it on Yu Lanyi’s neck.

Yu Lanyi struggled, trying to wrap his legs around Zheng Shanci to trip him, making Zheng Shanci grunt. He whispered, “Someone’s there.”

Yu Lanyi got goosebumps all over, looking towards the door, and indeed saw two shadows in the moonlight. Zheng Shanci didn’t kiss Yu Lanyi’s neck but caught a whiff of fragrance from him. Zheng Shanci’s other hand landed on Yu Lanyi’s waist, the heat from his palm scorching, as if the soft flesh on his waist was about to melt.

A surge of heat rose in Yu Lanyi’s heart. His hand was still held by Zheng Shanci, controlled, and his fingers slowly loosened. To better subdue Yu Lanyi, Zheng Shanci seized the moment, interlocking their fingers tightly.

Zheng Shanci’s voice lowered, “Make some noise for them to hear.”

Yu Lanyi glared at Zheng Shanci, kicking him. The kick made Zheng Shanci lose his balance and press directly against Yu Lanyi. Neither spoke, but Zheng Shanci’s eyes were fixed on Yu Lanyi.

Can’t this person cooperate a bit? Zheng Shanci thought helplessly.

Yu Lanyi’s eyes were red, his whole body like he had just come out of a steamer. He broke free from Zheng Shanci’s hand, grabbing Zheng Shanci’s collar and pulling him close. His voice carried its usual arrogance, “You can make noise too, why not you?”

Zheng Shanci exhaled a damp breath. Hearing this, tiny sparks seemed to dance all over his body. He lowered his head, seeing Yu Lanyi’s slightly open collar, a patch of white, and a delicate collarbone. He averted his gaze.

“You’re right.”

Outside, the attendants sent by Yu Fulang were pressed against the door, and Jin Yun couldn’t bear it anymore. “Why is there still no sound?”

Jin Yun also started to worry. If Zheng Shanci had some hidden ailment, wouldn’t that delay the young master? Just as they were fretting—

Intense noises came from inside the room, sounding like the bed was about to fall apart. Kissing sounds, heavy breathing, and faint water sounds. Jin Yun and the attendants blushed.

They exchanged glances and slowly walked away from the door. Jin Yun patted his face, still red.

The attendant said, “I’ll go back and report.”

Jin Yun had to stay outside a bit longer, waiting for someone inside to call for water before going back. The young master really did that with the son-in-law, how is the young master now?!

Inside, Yu Lanyi’s eyes were on Zheng Shanci. Zheng Shanci covered Yu Lanyi’s mouth with his hand, lowering his head. Heart racing, Zheng Shanci’s kiss landed on his own hand.

…

Zheng Shanci said, “Kick the bed.”

Yu Lanyi, dizzy, followed Zheng Shanci’s words and kicked the bed. Zheng Shanci released his hand, and Yu Lanyi gasped for air as if he couldn’t breathe.

Both looked up to see no shadows outside the door, and they breathed a sigh of relief. Zheng Shanci returned to his place, carefully pulling up the covers.

After a while, Zheng Shanci called for water. Jin Yun had someone bring water in, not daring to look around, and carefully closed the door after delivering it.

“Now we can get a good night’s sleep.”

“…” Yu Lanyi stared at the ceiling, wondering how he could sleep now.

Yu Lanyi turned on his side, pulling the covers, and secretly touched his lips. They hadn’t kissed, and there was no warmth from another person on his lips, only the heat from his palm.

He recalled Zheng Shanci’s kiss landing on his own hand, and he was only a hand’s width away from Zheng Shanci’s lips. Yu Lanyi felt restless, forcing himself to sleep.

Zheng Shanci turned over, also unable to sleep. He had deliberately covered Yu Lanyi’s mouth, kissing his own hand, and seeing Yu Lanyi’s panicked eyes made him feel at ease.

Yu Lanyi was too arrogant.

He turned on his side, glancing at the other side of the bed, only seeing a small lump under the covers, a head resting on the pillow.

…Looks quite well-behaved.

Zheng Shanci thought of Thor’s hammer, suppressing his thoughts, and closed his eyes.

The next morning, after a restless night, both fell asleep in a daze. Zheng Shanci woke up first, dressed, and went out. The celebratory red silk at home was still being taken down by Jin Yun.

As the red silk fell, Zheng Shanci withdrew his gaze, “He’s still sleeping, be careful with your movements.”

Jin Yun bowed, “Yes, Master Zheng.”

Zheng Shanci felt a headache, nodding as he headed to the living room.

The wedding house was a gift from Marquis Changyang to Yu Lanyi, and the property was naturally in Yu Lanyi’s name. The chef had already prepared breakfast this morning, and after eating, Zheng Shanci planned to go to the Ministry of Personnel.

Now that he was married, it was time to inform the Ministry of Personnel about his departure date, to reach Xinfeng County early, as he had planned. But just as he stepped out of the mansion, he hesitated. Having just married Yu Lanyi, if he immediately requested to leave, it would inevitably lead to speculation about their relationship. Although he intended to leave after the third day of marriage, he needed to report to the Ministry of Personnel first.

Better to wait until after the third day of marriage to go to the Ministry of Personnel, Zheng Shanci thought, not wanting people to speculate about their relationship. Others were outsiders, while Yu Lanyi was barely… considered an insider.

Zheng Shanci stopped at the door, turning back. Having just married, he should stay by Yu Lanyi’s side.

“Master Zheng, you’re not going out?” the attendant asked.

Zheng Shanci shook his head, “No need.”

Most of the people in the mansion were born into the Marquis Changyang’s household, and seeing Zheng Shanci return made them happy.

“Master, would you like to have breakfast first?”

Zheng Shanci thought for a moment, estimating that Yu Lanyi was still in bed, and nodded, “I’ll eat first.”

“Alright, I’ll inform the kitchen right away.”

When Zheng Shanci was served steaming buns, soy milk, and fried dough sticks, he couldn’t help but marvel at the life of the wealthy. It was unexpectedly good, not having to cook for himself, and the chef’s food was delicious.

He understood why so many envied him for marrying into the Marquis Changyang’s family; the chef was amazing.

After the wedding banquet, there was still the storeroom to inventory. The gift list was handed to Zheng Shanci, a full ten pages, showing how many people came and how many gave generous gifts.

Who wouldn’t go crazy seeing this?

Zheng Shanci said, “Give the gift list to your young master.”

“Yes, Master. We should start calling the young master Zheng Fulang now,” the attendant said with a smile.

Zheng Shanci: “…”

“Just call him young master.”

“Alright,” the attendant agreed.

Yu Lanyi, Zheng Fulang, felt like two different beings.

Zheng Shanci recalled Yu Lanyi’s eyes shining in the moonlight last night, his body radiating heat, face flushed, hands struggling to break free, raising a fist to punch him.

The whole person was like a cooked crab, oh, a soft and limp crab.

Looking at Yu Lanyi’s face in the moonlight, the emotions on that face were vivid and lively, with a resilient waist. Zheng Shanci regretted placing his hand there, feeling it was too presumptuous.

But taking his hand away now would seem like he was trying to cover up.

How could a man have such a slender waist?

Zheng Shanci shook off the thoughts, not dwelling on them.

On the other side, Yu Lanyi woke up, calling Jin Yun in to wash up.

Jin Yun helped Yu Lanyi tie his hair. Now that it was just the two of them in the room, Jin Yun dared to ask, “Young master, the son-in-law only called for water once last night.”

Yu Lanyi glared at him, “So what?”

That water wasn’t even used.

Jin Yun was puzzled, “He shouldn’t have called for water just once.”

“He, he only needed it once. Once was enough for many times,” Yu Lanyi coughed, explaining.

Jin Yun acknowledged, picking out clothes for Yu Lanyi.

“Where did Zheng Shanci go?”

“The son-in-law is outside.”

Yu Lanyi said, “From now on, call him Daren.”

Jin Yun nodded.

Although he didn’t sleep well last night, at least he got up late this morning, with no one urging him to get up, which pleased Yu Lanyi.

“It was Daren who told us not to wake you, saying you needed more sleep.”

This statement was too suggestive.

Without in-laws around, he didn’t have to pay respects on the first day after marriage, making Yu Lanyi feel at ease.

In a prestigious family, Yu Fulang married into the Marquis Changyang’s household without much hardship. Some Ge’ers, after marrying, faced difficulties from their mothers-in-law, with husbands who didn’t understand, leaving them to swallow their bitterness alone.

“Young master, Daren asked me to give you the gift list,” an attendant said, entering.

Yu Lanyi took the gift list, glancing at it casually, not caring much. These social exchanges would have to be reciprocated in the future.

“Jin Yun, take trusted people to inventory the gifts and store them.”

“Yes, young master.”

Yu Lanyi felt even better, seeing that Zheng Shanci hadn’t forgotten what he said, leaving everything at home to him, and the household’s money naturally falling into his hands.

After breakfast, Yu Lanyi strolled in the garden, seeing Zheng Shanci reading a book in the pavilion. He remembered Zheng Shanci covering his mouth last night, secretly holding a grudge, and quietly approached.

Zheng Shanci was reading “The Doctrine of the Mean,” preparing for his assignment in Xinfeng County. He remembered the original character was also assigned to Xinfeng County, but the book’s protagonist wasn’t him, with little description of his deeds.

The most vividly described part was the original character killing Yu Lanyi, pretending to be deeply affectionate, with little else mentioned.

…

Lü Jin was still worried about his friend at the mansion. Yu Lanyi was a rebellious person, holding grudges. He was unwilling to marry Zheng Shanci, and after marriage, he had to go to a small county, which his friend surely couldn’t bear.

“Young master, your favorite red tea.”

Lü Jin took a sip, remembering Yu Lanyi didn’t like tea, always frowning at the mention of it: “Who likes that bitter stuff? Even if it’s sweet, I won’t drink it.”

“Send some flower tea another day, or tomorrow, to Lanyi. After these days, he won’t be in the Capital City anymore.”

Zheng Shanci was engrossed in his book, oblivious to his surroundings, so when Yu Lanyi pushed him, Zheng Shanci quickly grabbed Yu Lanyi’s hand.