Chapter 53: The Wedding Night

A fierce wind howled outside, and the ambiance inside was warm and intimate.

Qin Zhao returned to the bedroom to find Cao Xi lounging lazily on the bed. Dressed in a loose red gauze robe, her pale legs peeked through the fabric, creating an allure that seemed almost unreal.

The sight struck Qin Zhao like a drumbeat to his heart. The visual impact shattered his rationality, leaving his mind blank. Everything around him blurred, save for the figure on the bed that grew clearer by the second.

Seeing him dumbstruck in the doorway, Cao Xi asked with a teasing smile, “What are you standing there for? Aren’t you coming in?”

Her soft, honeyed voice was like a blade that hooked directly into Qin Zhao’s soul.

He instinctively rubbed his nose, pretending there was nothing out of the ordinary. Feeling foolish, he awkwardly cleared his throat and stepped closer to her.

Cao Xi straightened up and asked, “Have the guests all left?”

“Mm, they’ve all gone. But why are you dressed like this? What if someone else had come in instead of me?”

Though he chided her, his eyes betrayed no intention of looking away from her.

Cao Xi chuckled lightly. “I checked through the door crack earlier. Once I was sure everyone had left, I relaxed and took off the outer robe.”

She added playfully, “I only just changed.”

Noticing Qin Zhao’s flushed face and the mix of restraint and longing in his gaze, Cao Xi couldn’t help but laugh. She cupped his cheeks in her hands, gazing into his eyes with a tenderness that grew deeper by the moment.

Unable to resist, she leaned forward and placed a kiss at the corner of his lips.

“Sweet,” she said with a smile.

Qin Zhao was utterly dazed by the kiss. His vision blurred with the red gauze around them, her hands soft as silk, her skin smooth as jade. Her words barely registered.

By the time he realized what was happening, he was already pushed down onto the bed. Cao Xi showed no mercy, her actions reminiscent of a vivid dream he’d once had.

He tried to resist, but his strength seemed to vanish. His mind stopped functioning, and time felt as though it stretched indefinitely.

Qin Zhao reminded himself to stay composed—it was supposed to be his moment to take charge tonight.

Yet reality betrayed him. Cao Xi didn’t just refuse to let him go; she pressed closer, her every move igniting heat throughout his body.

Her soft lips rained down chaotic kisses, leaving him breathless.

Flushed with shame, he glared at her with reddened eyes. Yet what he thought was a piercingly intimidating gaze only appeared endearingly fierce in Cao Xi’s eyes, making her want to push his limits further.

The bed curtains fell, shielding all traces of the springtime scene. Only the rhythmic creaks of the bed echoed in the room.

When everything finally calmed, a slender, jade-like hand emerged from the curtain, only to be pulled back before it could linger in the open air.

Soon after, the bedframe groaned again, the tumult continuing until dawn began to break.

---

By noon, Cao Xi woke nestled in Qin Zhao’s arms, her entire body aching.

Recalling his actions from the previous night, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration. She had thought she was in control, only for him to turn the tables midway.

Seeing the culprit still sound asleep, Cao Xi ground her teeth in annoyance. Yet when she raised her hand to pinch or wake him, she found herself unable to go through with it. She could only sulk silently, her fingers tracing the contours of his face.

Qin Zhao woke to the ticklish sensation, his initial drowsiness giving way to clarity as he opened his eyes to see her. His face flushed as he caught her mischievous hand, pulling it close and hugging her tightly. He smiled contentedly, basking in the moment.

Cao Xi struggled for breath in his embrace and patted his chest. “Are you planning to murder your new bride on the first day of our marriage?”

Qin Zhao, feigning a scolding tone, loosened his arms slightly and gave Cao Xi’s rear a light pat. “Don’t talk nonsense; that’s bad luck.”

Cao Xi’s face flushed a delicate red as her eyes widened in disbelief. Was that… considered domestic violence?

Married life was sweet but exhausting, and the nightly “stories before bed” had become far from ordinary.

Qin Zhao, for reasons unknown, managed to procure two books. Whenever there was a free moment, he would flip through a few pages.

Inevitably, he would suggest practicing and discussing the “content” with Cao Xi. Rubbing her sore waist, Cao Xi glared at him with gritted teeth. If she ever found out who had given him those books, she swore she’d tear them to shreds.

---

It was Qin Zhao’s first visit to the academy after the wedding. As soon as he stepped through the gate, someone threw an arm around his shoulder from behind.

“Qin Zhao, how’s married life treating you?” Qi Qige asked with a mischievous grin, his expression full of curiosity.

The question brought memories of the past few days flooding back, causing Qin Zhao’s ears to redden. He shrugged off the arm draped over him and kept walking with a straight face.

“If you’re so curious, why don’t you go get married yourself?”

“Well, I’d love to, but I don’t have a child bride like you,” Qi Qige teased, fanning himself theatrically. His gaze flitted to Qin Zhao’s flushed ears, and he let out a knowing “tsk tsk.”

Qin Zhao raised his hand to swat at him, but Qi Qige dodged nimbly. “With reflexes like that, you still want to hit me?” Qi Qige teased, his smug expression practically begging for a beating. “You’re lucky I don’t fight back!”

When they reached the lecture hall, Li Chenqi was already there. Surprisingly, Xun Mao was present as well.

Qi Qige bounded over in a few quick steps and slung an arm around Xun Mao’s shoulders, his excitement barely contained. “Are you joining us for class too?”

Xun Mao didn’t shy away and replied calmly, “I’m just sitting in on a couple of sessions.”

“They must have a capable village head,” Xun Mao remarked casually, hoping to keep the conversation light.

The old man chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. “This has little to do with our village chief. Have you spotted the military camp over there?” He gestured into the distance, where only a faint edge of a flag was visible.

“The garrison protecting Qizhou City,” the old man continued with a touch of pride. “The safety of the region relies on their vigilance. Since our village is the closest, they always come here to spend their military stipends—buying chickens, ducks, and fish.”

Intrigued, Xun Mao pressed further. “With the court’s finances being so strained lately, how are they still able to receive their stipends?”

The old man hesitated briefly, then lowered his voice. “I’ve heard a little from the soldiers who come to buy supplies. They say that Commander Liu has been clever about managing funds. Instead of waiting for court provisions, he coordinates with local merchants to keep the troops supplied. The stipends are often delayed, but thanks to the commander, the soldiers haven’t gone hungry.”

Xun Mao nodded thoughtfully while Qin Zhao and Qi Qige exchanged glances, quietly digesting the old man’s words.

The trio continued chatting with the villagers, picking up small bits of information that painted a picture of both the region’s challenges and resilience. As they prepared to leave, the old man called after them.

“Tell your friends in the city: if they ever need fresh produce, come to our village. The fish here are the finest in the area!”

They thanked him and walked away, with Qi Qige muttering, “A military camp, smart commander, and a self-sufficient village… Seems like there’s more to this place than meets the eye.”

Xun Mao smiled faintly. “That’s what makes it worth exploring, don’t you think?”