The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 89
Compared to her husband’s sudden advance, everything that had come before was indeed just empty talk on paper.
Without the least warning, the pain came too fast, and she could barely breathe. She wanted to kick him, to shove him off, but her legs wouldn’t lift. All she could do was dig both hands into his forearms, gripping him fiercely.
Xie Shao, however, was suffering a different kind of torment.
He couldn’t move. An endless tremor seeped into every pore, the sensation rapturous enough to break the soul, an exquisite ecstasy near to dying, and for an instant, his mind went blank.
His little wife was still struggling.
In that moment, the sensation came crashing over him, drowning him, and he very nearly gave himself up right there inside her.
But he knew that if he finished now, all he would leave her with was pain. With her temperament, once bitten, she would be twice shy. When he wished to do this again in the future, he’d likely have a great deal of trouble on his hands.
The green veins stood out on both sides of his brow. He held himself in check, bent his head to kiss her, his lips tracing tenderly over hers, and soothed her in a soft voice. “Second Wen, it’s done now. Don’t be afraid.”
How could she not be afraid? This was nothing like what she had imagined. She was in so much pain she felt like she was dying, tears welling in her eyes as she looked up at him. Only now did she understand that it wasn’t that the illustrations in the booklet were frightening. Her husband’s face and body might not match them, but everything else was close enough. The tears brimming at the corners of her eyes had barely spilled over when he kissed them away, tasting them on his lips, her eyes, her nose, her lips, and lower still…
The moment her tears slipped free, her husband kissed them away, gently soothing her with kisses across her eyes, the bridge of her nose, and her lips.
Compared with that first painful shock, he soon became much gentler.
When he told her that they had finally become husband and wife in truth, Wen Shuse felt as though a heavy burden pressing on her heart had at last been lifted, and both her body and mind gradually relaxed.
She’d just realized the pain was not a thing that went on without end; it came quickly and left quickly, too, her awareness slowly carried off by the movement of her husband’s lips. The lamp by the bed had been left on, still bright, but it was the deep of night. All around was darkness save for this single beam of light before them, and somehow, that only made her sink deeper into its spell.
The night came crashing down, bearing rain and thunder with it.
The sheath, unaccustomed, bit down tight, and the blade, hard-pressed and ill at ease, could only withdraw and seat itself again, bent on making her take it in. After a few rounds of fitting, the sheath’s dark and narrow passage gradually came clear, the blade-wind howling, the sheath shuddering through and through, and the peony embroidered in colored thread upon the pillow’s heart showed its true face at last from among the thousand strands of black hair, tender and lush enough to drip.
She’d had a strong will of her own since she was small, as though heaven had opened a window for her alone, a single word settling all under it. Never in the world had she imagined that all that nonsense she’d traded with Ming Wanrou last time would actually turn out, by sheer luck, to be right. She felt suspended in midair, only a thread of breath left to her, gasping with difficulty, her five fingers locked under her husband’s, half-dead and yet not dying.
Neither of them had been guided by their elders, yet after all their awkward discussion and exploration, they had finally crossed that threshold together. The booklet had only shown them the entrance, and everything after that unfolded naturally, just as Xie Shao had said.
When she had looked through the pictures, Wen Shuse had known only embarrassment and curiosity. She had never imagined there could be so many unfamiliar feelings surrounding her from every direction until it seemed that she and her husband had drifted far away from the world outside.
Tears fell onto her cheeks once more. She didn’t even know why she was crying.
After a boundless darkness, her husband’s lips returned again to hers. Wen Shuse leaned languidly into his arms, and only after a long while did she find her voice. “Husband… are we truly husband and wife now?”
“Mm.” As true as true could be.
A fine sheen of sweat had risen across Xie Shao’s back. He bent and kissed the corner of her eye, his fingers gently brushing the damp hair from her face. His deep black eyes had only just come back from the flames, sparks still leaping in them, and as he looked at her misted gaze, his chest surged hot wave upon wave. “There’s no escaping me now, Wife, not for the rest of this life.”
As for that Second Young Master Ming, or seeking another way out, he would never give her the chance.
Though the two of them had stumbled into someone else’s wedding night, the people involved were the right ones. He was beyond grateful that the one beside him was her. This little wife, who knew no bounds and never ceased to stir his heart.
He turned onto his side and wrapped her in his arms. They held each other, no longer separated by anything. Heart pressed against heart; he felt her pulse and marveled that such joy could exist in this world. All of it, she had brought it to him. Gratefully, he nuzzled against her cheek, his fingers tracing the butterfly bones on her back. “Does it still hurt, Wife?”
Wen Shuse shook her head, then nodded.
She didn’t know whether it hurt, just now, she was half-dead and half-alive.
A shyness she had never known before all but kept her from opening her eyes. Curled in her husband’s arms, the woman whose energy was usually so abundant had none of it now, sprawled limp against him with no wish to stir. Yet she propped up her breath to answer him. “It doesn’t hurt. I’m so happy that we’ve truly become husband and wife.”
They hadn’t waited a hundred days, nor even four. Her husband had done it ahead of time. Though her body was somewhat overwhelmed, her heart was at peace.
What did it feel like? Her husband had shown her clearly, from the ground to the clouds. No matter how close they had been before, it couldn’t compare to the depth of tenderness in this moment, holding each other like this.
No wonder those newlyweds who had been strangers before became so familiar after their wedding night.
But they were different. They hadn’t grown familiar with their bodies first. Instead, they had spent countless days and nights, from mutual resistance to truly knowing each other, bit by bit, taking many more winding turns than others.
Yet it was precisely because of those detours that their affection for each other was more real, more solid.
Now, both inside and out, their hearts were linked as one. The feeling was intoxicating. They were utterly inseparable now.
The missing piece from their wedding night had finally been given to her. She was now fully and completely the Third Young Mistress of the Xie family. She wouldn’t run. She would cling to her husband for a lifetime.
When his little wife’s mouth turned sweet, it had a way of making a man forget everything, completely erasing the memory of how that same mouth had once driven him mad. He kissed the corner of her eye. “I’m happy too.”
From the inside out, everything about his little wife made him happy.
His fingers unconsciously traced circles over her butterfly bones. Tonight, the lamplight was bright, and for the first time, he could see her so clearly. The images in the booklet couldn’t compare to even a fraction of her.
The hand stroking her back gradually grew heavier. The young lady curled closer into his arms, and her palm brushed against her husband’s firm chest. They were truly solid.
All the curiosity she had felt before was now satisfied all at once. Only then did she think of his shoulder. Her eyes flew open, and she tilted her chin up to look at him. “Husband, your wound…”
Her husband lowered his gaze to meet her concerned eyes. A surge of warmth rose in him. He gave her upturned lips a gentle peck. “I’m fine. You needn’t worry…”
The young lady suddenly pinched his waist. There was not the slightest bit of excess flesh there.
“Husband lied to me.”
The young lady had never realized how provocative her actions could be. The storm in Xie Shao’s eyes began to stir again. His throat moved as he asked, “How did I lie to you?”
“You are clearly so frail and delicate.”
Her husband’s eyes twitched. Who had been the one begging for mercy just now?
Before he could argue with his little wife over exactly what part of his performance tonight had given her the impression that he was frail, she muttered again, “How could you possess such vigor? It seems those three ginseng roots I stewed really weren’t wasted…”
His little wife truly never learned her lesson.
He decided not to spare her any longer. Turning her over, he found that the pair of butterfly bones he had imagined were indeed flawless, beautiful enough to steal a man’s soul and claim his life.
Tonight, a newly purchased maid was keeping watch outside. Since Aunt Qing had chosen her to serve in the main room, she was naturally clever and perceptive.
The moment she heard the first sounds from inside, she understood roughly what was happening. She hurried to wake the people in the kitchen and told them to begin heating water.
She waited until the middle of the night without being summoned and assumed the people inside had already fallen asleep. But after some time, she saw her master emerge in a loosely draped robe, lift the pearl curtain, and call out, “Prepare water.”
—
Wen Shuse slept until noon the following day.
Her entire body felt as though someone had broken every bone and put them back together incorrectly. Nothing felt right, especially her legs, which were so sore and weak that she could barely stand. As for that place, the medicine applied last night had stopped the pain, but the slightest movement still brought an aching numbness.
Her body, however, was clean and refreshed. Her husband had already changed the bedding during the night, and he had wiped away all the sweat and moisture from her body as well.
“Wife is awake?”
Her husband had just finished washing and emerged fully dressed at last.
Mingxiu Pavilion truly deserved its reputation as the finest tailor in the Eastern Capital. He wore an ivory-white round-collared robe embroidered with gold thread, paired with an emerald jade belt. It looked far more noble than the bright sapphire-blue outfit she had made for him.
Only yesterday, her husband had been lying weakly in bed, looking pale and ill. Yet now, he resembled a fox spirit that had stolen someone’s vital essence. Overnight, he had become refreshed, radiant, and full of confidence.
Wen Shuse stared at him blankly.
Was he not tired?
Last night, her husband had seemed possessed by a starving tiger, mercilessly tormenting her until she was left hanging limply over the edge of the bed, unable to move. In her daze, he had carried her into the washroom and placed her in the bathtub.
He had washed her from head to toe, even rinsing her hair. Before she fell asleep, he had still been sitting cross-legged beside the bed, wringing the water from her hair.
He had exerted himself more than she had, gone to sleep later, risen earlier, and yet somehow possessed far more energy.
It was simply unjust.
Refusing to admit defeat, she forced herself upright. Her legs were so weak they could barely hold herself, but she stubbornly held her waist and refused her husband’s help. In storybooks, after the wedding night, the husband was always supposed to be completely drained of vitality.
Yet with them, it had somehow been the opposite. Wouldn’t people laugh at her?
She moved forward one aching step at a time, but the moment she tried to cross the threshold beside the bed, her true condition was exposed. Her body tilted sharply to one side. In the midst of her fright, her husband caught her and lifted her horizontally into his arms, carrying her toward the washroom.
“My wife should wash and freshen up first.”
She had lost every shred of dignity. Directing all her resentment at her husband, she said nothing and bit down on his uninjured shoulder.
Last night, he must have treated her like a lump of dough to be kneaded.
She made the gesture look fierce, but when her two rows of pearly teeth came down, she did not use any real force, just enough to leave a mark without pain.
Her husband generously helped preserve her dignity. “My wife may bite harder.”
Outside the room, Minzhang lifted the curtain and came in to report. “Young Master, the imperial physician has…”
Before he could finish, he saw his young master carrying Third Young Madam over his shoulder.
He immediately understood.
There was no need for the physician to examine him. Young Master had clearly recovered.
Minzhang withdrew from the inner room. Just as he stepped across the threshold, he saw the young servant who had previously attended Pei Qing at Jing Wang Mansion.
Minzhang glanced behind him but did not see Pei Qing. Looking puzzled, he waited until the servant approached, then asked, “What business does Young Master Pei have?”
The servant’s name was A-Fu. He had been bestowed upon Pei Qing by the new crown prince. His eyes were clear and lively, and one glance was enough to tell that he was quick-witted.
He smiled at Minzhang. “My young master knows that Third Young Master is recovering from his injuries and did not wish to disturb him. I came today to see you, Master Min.”
Minzhang froze.
A-Fu leaned close to his ear and lowered his voice. “I came only to ask for one thing…”
At the words bridal instruction booklet, Minzhang looked startled.
Had Young Master Pei gotten close to someone, too?
Seeing his confusion, A-Fu explained, “It isn’t for Young Master Pei.” Recalling the eunuch who had come to the residence that morning with the message, A-Fu himself still looked bewildered. “The Imperial Grandson wants it.”
Sure enough, Minzhang frowned skeptically. “The Imperial Grandson? What could the palace possibly lack…”
Exactly.
The problem was that the Imperial Grandson was already eighteen. By palace standards, he ought to have children by now. Who could have imagined that he had not even received his first initiation yet?
If there were no rush, the palace eunuchs would have carried a whole basketful into his room the night before his wedding. But no one knew what had happened last night. The Imperial Grandson seemed to have suffered some sort of shock. Rather than ask the eunuchs, he kept silent and brooded over it. First thing this morning, he sent someone to Pei Qing.
Pei Qing was a bachelor. Where would he have such a thing? He could only send someone to ask Xie Shao.
“Young Master Pei said Commander Xie has always enjoyed collecting such things. I only need to ask Young Master Min for one.”
Minzhang choked.
Those words absolutely could not reach Third Young Madam’s ears. His master was only skilled at boasting and loved to save face. When had he ever collected so many? The only copy he owned had been obtained from Minzhang just a few days ago.
Since they had already come asking, he could not let them leave empty-handed. After last night, his master probably no longer needed it anyway. He said to Afu, “Wait a moment. I’ll go ask my master.”
—
When Minzhang returned, Xie Shao was sitting alone on a cushion, waiting for his little wife. Wen Shuse had refused to let him help her wash and dress, driving him out and calling Aunt Qing inside instead.
His wound had recovered faster than the imperial physician had predicted. There was no need to rush back to the palace to report for duty. Having narrowly escaped death, he intended to spend another two days enjoying quiet intimacy with his little wife first.
He had been bedridden for so long after being injured, relying entirely on her attentive care. Tonight, he wanted to take her out for some fresh air. He was just about to rise and call for Minzhang when the man entered, so he immediately ordered, “Go reserve us a table at Mixian Tower.”
They had eaten food from Mixian Tower for so long without ever visiting in person. Since his wife liked their wine and dishes, what harm was there in splurging for once tonight?
Minzhang accepted the order. “Yes. I’ll go arrange it immediately.” But after replying, he did not leave.
Xie Shao glanced at him. Seeing his hesitant expression, he felt a sudden jolt. Once bitten by a snake, one feared ropes for ten years. “What is it? After the Second Madam bought the residence, weren’t there still several hundred taels of gold left? Just have Third Young Madam settle the bill later…”
Minzhang hurriedly said, “A-Fu, Young Master Pei’s servant, is here.”
Xie Shao looked at him. And?
Minzhang glanced toward the washroom. Seeing that Third Young Madam had not yet come out, he quickly stepped closer and lowered his voice beside Xie Shao. “He came to borrow Young Master’s bridal instruction booklet.”
Xie Shao wore the same startled expression Minzhang had earlier. “Why would that lifelong bachelor suddenly take an interest in such a thing?”
Minzhang lowered his voice even further. “He says Shizi Zhou needs it. He was too embarrassed to ask the eunuchs, so he went to Young Master Pei.”
Xie Shao understood. Pei Qing had once again come seeking his help. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do this time. “I don’t have one. Tell him to go outside and buy a few copies himself…”
Minzhang froze, thinking his master had forgotten. He helpfully reminded him, “I gave you one a few days ago.”
The moment he finished speaking, his master turned and fixed him with a cold stare.
“If I say I don’t have one, then I don’t have one. Who exactly is your master? Were you kicked in the head by a donkey? Why ask such a pointless question?”
The booklet had already been altered by his little wife so that the figures bore his and her faces. Give it to Zhou Kuang and let him look at him and his little wife…
Absolutely impossible!
Not understanding why he was being scolded, but seeing the master’s face flushed red with anger, Minzhang dared ask nothing more. He quickly lowered his head and withdrew, then replied to A-Fu, “My master doesn’t have one either. If the Imperial Grandson wants one, he should send someone to buy it himself.”
After Minzhang mentioned it, Xie Shao also remembered. He hurried to the bed, found the booklet from beneath the pillow, placed it inside a small box, and locked it away.
—
Over the past few days, Chancellor Xie and Second Madam had already moved into the Xie family’s new residence. Because Xie Shao’s injury had made it inconvenient for him to move, he and Wen Shuse had continued staying here.
Now that he had recovered, however, he did not mention moving at all, nor did he send anyone over to inform them. It was rare for him to have a little sweet intimacy with his little wife. He was not foolish enough to let others come and ruin it.
Only after half an hour did his little wife finally come out, still with her hair coiled high. Today, the light gauze top she wore was denser than usual, made from solid-weave gauze, and once paired with hidden floral patterns, her skin could hardly be seen. Both shoulders were covered, and the long skirt beneath had been pulled up to her chest, leaving only a small stretch of collarbone visible just below her neck.
Once a man had tasted the pleasures of the meat, everything looked different.
Even this small corner of the world could fill him with delight. Without betraying anything, his gaze moved to his little wife’s face. Her cheeks clearly carried an indescribable charm that had not been there before.
He could not keep looking.
Half a cup of cool tea down his throat helped calm him slightly. The young lady sat opposite him. She had risen too late and missed breakfast, so she could only eat it together with lunch.
When the dishes were served, and he saw that they were all ordinary fare, Xie Shao gave her advance notice. “My wife should eat a little less. Later, I’ll take you to Mixian Tower.”
The young lady seemed somewhat surprised. Her expression paused for a moment, then she happily agreed. “All right. Then I’ll wait for Husband.”
Knowing she was tired, he did not make her move. The two of them sat inside the room, enjoying the cool air and chatting idly. After resting for more than an hour, the sun finally began to sink in the west.
Minzhang at last returned, but reported, “Master, Mixian Tower has no tables available today.”
Xie Shao froze. Even the hand kneading the young lady’s arm paused. “Did you mention my name?”
“I did.” Min Zhang’s face was a picture of frustration as he recalled the waiter’s helpless expression. He imitated how the man had bowed and said, “Young Master may not know this, but tonight, the Second Princess has reserved the entire place to celebrate Sixth Young Lady Yang’s birthday. We are truly sorry. This little one first offers Commander Xie an apology. Once today passes, tomorrow will be fine. Shall this little one reserve a table for Young Master tomorrow instead?”
Tomorrow? What was the point of waiting until tomorrow?
He had already told his little wife. For the sake of this meal, she had barely eaten a few bites at lunch.
Since the Second Princess had reserved the place, even if he and his little wife went, there would be little enjoyment in it. “Go look at other restaurants.”
The Eastern Capital was full of people, and what it lacked least were drinkers. At this hour, no matter which restaurant they tried, there would likely be no seats left.
But with his master’s status, while it might be inappropriate to fight the Second Princess for her reserved venue, other places should not be a problem.
Minzhang was just about to head out when Wen Shuse suddenly said, “It’s only a birthday celebration. One floor should be enough. If they want it livelier, reserving the whole front hall would already be impressive enough. There are so many little pavilions in the rear courtyard that they won’t even use them. Why shouldn’t anyone else be allowed in?”
She looked up and asked Minzhang, “Who did you ask? Did you see the manager? We only need one small pavilion, somewhere quiet to eat a meal. We won’t disturb anyone. People ought to be reasonable…”
Minzhang did have experience with this. Last time, Third Young Madam had relied on that mouth of hers to get the two of them a free meal at Mixian Tower.
His gaze shifted toward his master across from him.
There was nothing to hesitate over. Since the young lady did not mind, they would go. Xie Shao rose. “Mixian Tower.”
He had been the one who suggested it first. Since he had said he would take his little wife to Mixian Tower, he could not go back on his word. At worst, when the time came, he would personally ask the Second Princess for a favor.