Chapter 7.1

Zhao Sui stands over eight feet tall. Although he has lost some weight since the incident, he still appears stronger and sturdier than many delicate scholars while sitting in a wheelchair.

His leg resting on the side of Yao Huang is beyond his control, and Zhao Sui’s upper body is also being pulled toward her. He must apply force with his left elbow, which is pressed against the side of Yao Huang’s neck, in order to maintain his balance and free up his right hand to do other things.

Having practiced martial arts for years, his shoulders are broad. Pressed tightly against Yao Huang, his right shoulder is slightly higher than hers, allowing him to easily see her profile as he lifts himself slightly. He notices her eyes are tightly shut, possibly from nervousness or shyness.

Looking lower, his gaze lands on her delicate, smooth shoulder and the arm she has bent in front of her chest.

This brief glance, aside from the red silk robe, revealed nothing but the softness and purity of lamb fat and fresh snow.

Looking at the girl’s face, it was a beauty that would stand out even among a group of elegant women.

Zhao Sui’s gaze deepened, and the instinct stirred by physical contact slowly faded.

If his leg had not been injured, he could have rightfully claimed such beauty as his own. But now, how was it any different from using mud to tarnish a peony?

Zhao Sui didn’t want to continue.

But this was something she should say; Zhao Sui could not be a husband who coldly neglected his newlywed wife without reason.

He reached toward her face.

Yao Huang instinctively shrank her neck. No matter how well the female doctor had taught her, it was all theoretical. Being held in the arms of a stranger, perhaps even being scrutinized all over by him without restraint, Yao Huang felt as though she were in a sea of fire. Even the air she breathed out felt hot.

Her flushed face slightly pulled away from the man’s palm, but her back was pressed even closer to his chest. Through the red silk undergarment on Zhao Sui’s body, Yao Huang could feel the powerful beat of his heart.

At this point, she couldn’t move forward nor retreat.

Zhao Sui spoke, his tone even gentler than the brief words he had said before: “If you’re not ready yet, the consummation can be delayed. I’m not in a hurry.”

He hoped she would follow her own heart, not feel pressured to submit because of his princely status.

Yao Huang, her whole body stiff, had her thoughts racing.

“What does ‘I’m not in a hurry’ mean?” Yao Huang wondered. Was it the literal meaning of not rushing, or an excuse to cover up his inability?

If it was the latter, then the prince’s hasty action of removing his pants would be a clumsy attempt to cover up, and she would have to cooperate with him, not expose his flaws.

But just as the prince came closer, there were a few moments where she distinctly felt something resembling the medical tools the female doctor had used…

In that case, the prince’s question was only a test, to see if she found him repulsive.

With her eyes closed, Yao Huang softly responded, “To marry the prince is my great fortune in three lifetimes. I’ve been ready for a long time. When the consummation happens, it’s entirely up to the prince.”

If you’re capable, then go ahead. If not, I’ll just pretend I don’t know anything!

Although she had used a bit of clever wording, Yao Huang was genuinely willing, so her soft voice was steady. On this wedding night, with their skin pressed together, it became a shy invitation.

Zhao Sui was silent for a moment before reaching to touch her face again. This time, Yao Huang did not shrink away.

A spark reignited. Zhao Sui lowered his head, his thin lips moving along her shoulder.

Yao Huang shuddered lightly.

Zhao Sui’s breath grew heavier. His left elbow moved back, and his right hand turned her, exposing her entire upper body to him.

It wasn’t until Prince Hui lowered his head that Yao Huang dared to open her eyes.

Is this what marriage is?

After a moment of hesitation, Yao Huang tried to raise her hand and hold the prince’s head, one palm pressed against his ear, the other hand slipping into his black hair. But Prince Hui, completely unaware, continued his actions, eventually pulling off the little garment she had intentionally left for him.

Yao Huang was too embarrassed to handle it, and Prince Hui, already distracted, began a new exploration with one of his hands.

Yao Huang panicked, wanting to push him away but not daring to. When she felt like she might cry, the prince suddenly turned her to lie on her side.

Yao Huang knew then, Prince Hui was about to get serious.

The female doctor had repeatedly warned her that she must not be shy at this point. She had to cooperate fully, or else the prince might get frustrated and angry after repeated failures.

Starting is always the hardest. After both of them sweated heavily, it was done.

Because it was so difficult, Prince Hui simply didn’t stop. Before one wave had settled, a new one surged.

Yao Huang had learned martial arts with her brother since she was little. She wasn’t afraid of exhaustion or hardship, only of pain. During the first time, Yao Huang had been crying softly the whole time, unable to bear it. She didn’t care whether Prince Hui would be angry. After all, if he treated her like this, wasn’t it only natural for her to cry?

This time was different. Prince Hui wasn’t in a rush, and her sobs had changed in pitch.

Yao Huang was very embarrassed, but it seemed that Prince Hui was enjoying it. When she tried to cover her mouth, he grabbed her wrist.

Prince Hui remained dominant. Her pleas broke, yet he refused to stop.

In the end, Yao Huang couldn’t gather any more thoughts. Half-lying on the pillow, all that remained were the repeated cries of “Prince” that he had drawn out of her.

The curtains finally stopped swaying, and Prince Hui was solidly pressing down on her shoulder, his heavy breath blowing past her ear like wind, mixing with hers.

Yao Huang understood that he was just as exhausted. She was heavier than most girls, and the fact that Prince Hui could push her so deeply and continue for such a long time showed how much strength he had used.

Just as Yao Huang felt like she was about to be crushed by him, the man returned to a normal breathing rhythm, moved back, and made Yao Huang tremble once more.

Zhao Sui paused for a moment. Seeing her so shy that she buried her entire face into the pillow, he finally lifted the leg he had draped over her, using his arms to adjust his position to lie flat. He loosened his undergarment and draped it over her waist.

Both of them were very hot, and the blanket had long been tossed to the far corner, away from him.

Yao Huang was still in a lazy, weak state, her bones feeling soft. But was the prince lying there, perhaps watching her?

Her appearance at this moment…

Yao Huang quickly grabbed the small garment that had been discarded beside her and tucked it underneath. Then, using her foot, she hooked the corner of the blanket and pulled it over her body.

After finishing, Yao Huang slowly turned her head and saw that Prince Hui had his eyes closed. She felt much more relaxed.

As her gaze swept over Prince Hui’s broad shoulders, his chest, and his long, straight legs, Yao Huang suddenly realized something and softly asked, “Prince, are you cold? Should I help cover you with the blanket?”

Zhao Sui had already regained his composure, and with his eyes still closed, he said, “I need to wash. Have a maid bring in two buckets of hot water, one for you and one for me.”

Yao Huang replied, “Hmm, Prince, please wait. I’ll put on my clothes first.”

After tying her undergarment and putting on her sleep pants, Yao Huang awkwardly crawled out of bed, straightened the hanging curtains, and walked to the bed’s perimeter. She called out toward the outside, “Ah Ji?”