Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 95
by Little PandaThe Wedding
News of the Prime Minister’s daughter’s grand wedding quickly spread throughout the capital. From the civil and military officials to the common folk, not a single person was left unshaken.
In their minds, wasn’t the Prime Minister’s daughter a ‘mirror polisher’?1
How could a mirror polisher get married?
Could it be that Jiang Yao had finally tired of the capital’s former top beauty and was abandoning her to marry a man?
It wasn’t until officials began to inquire, both openly and discreetly, with Jiang Heng that they learned the truth: Jiang Yao was holding a wedding between two women…
For mirror polishers to marry was the greatest absurdity under heaven.
And the Prime Minister was actually letting them run wild?
Many old-fashioned, pedantic scholars furiously cursed the Prime Minister. In their eyes, the harmony of yin and yang2 was the will of Heaven. To hold a wedding between two women was simply to act against the will of Heaven!3
A Censor at court also seized upon this point, lodging a complaint with the Emperor. He argued that the Prime Minister’s Residence, having received countless imperial favors, had grown ever bolder. There was no precedent in the world for women who were mirror polishers to dare hold a wedding with such fanfare. Even ‘cut sleeves’4 didn’t dare to proclaim their affairs so loudly, so what right did she have?
The Emperor, long residing deep within the palace, only learned that Jiang Yao was to marry Song Muyun after hearing the Censor’s complaint.
His feelings toward Song Muyun were somewhat complicated. First, he had wrongly condemned her father to death. Second, the matter had cost him two of his sons. The Emperor knew that Song Muyun could not be blamed for this, so he had ignored the tearful pleas of his palace women and never permitted Song Muyun to enter the palace for an audience. If something were to truly happen to Song Muyun, he feared that Jiang family girl would go mad.
He never expected Jiang Yao to be so unorthodox as to even think of a marriage between two women. What was most unbelievable was that the Prime Minister didn’t object either.
The Emperor was happy to see her being a mirror polisher. It would be even better if that Jiang Huai was also a cut sleeve; then the Jiang family would have no descendants,5 and he would probably laugh out loud in his sleep.
If they wanted to marry, then let them. The world always needed people to change it. The world’s prejudice against women in love was too deep, and he felt it was unnecessary.
The Emperor, who had read countless storybooks, was not like the pedantic old fossils in his court. He wasn’t strongly opposed to mirror polishers or cut sleeves—as long as it wasn’t his son who was a cut sleeve, that is. His daughters could be mirror polishers.
With this bias in play, the Censor’s complaint against the Prime Minister naturally failed. Not only did it fail, but as he was leaving, the Prime Minister shot him a light glance. The next day, he was demoted.
The Censor: …That Prime Minister is a petty son of a bitch!
The Prime Minister’s Residence paid no mind to what outsiders said, as long as it wasn’t said to their faces. They continued to hang lanterns and colored banners,6 preparing for the joyous occasion.
After finalizing the guest list, Madam Jiang, Liang Qingyin, went to Hengwu Courtyard. The two little wives were in the middle of choosing a style for the wedding veil.
“This one is pretty.”
“The one with the two phoenixes is pretty too,” Song Muyun said softly.
There were so many styles that Jiang Yao’s head was spinning. Finally, she sighed and collapsed onto a lounge chair, delegating the authority. “Whatever you like, we’ll get. I really can’t choose anymore.”
No matter the style, it would look beautiful on Muyun.
“Mm, then let’s get the one with two phoenixes!”
“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Perhaps because she had a beauty in her arms, Jiang Yao’s awareness had dulled. She hadn’t even noticed when her mother arrived. In the end, it was Liang Qingyin who spoke up, looking at the album in their hands. “Have you two finished choosing?”
Hearing the voice, Jiang Yao turned her head. Seeing it was her own mother, she relaxed against the lounge chair and said lazily, “Mhm, we’ve chosen.”
Song Muyun had a much bigger reaction. She quickly stood up, curtsied slightly, and called out with a blush, “Aunt.”
Liang Qingyin had always been good to Song Muyun. Especially after she had returned from Linjiang City with Jiang Yao, she had practically raised Song Muyun as her own daughter.
She reached out and touched her reddened cheek, smiling kindly. “You’ll have to change how you address me soon. How is the wedding attire coming along?”
The young woman’s eyelashes trembled with nervousness, too shy to change her form of address so early. She only answered the latter half of the question, fiddling with her fingers. “It’s almost ready.”
“That’s good. I came to tell you about some of the wedding customs of ordinary families.”
“Customs? What customs?” Jiang Yao was still lounging languidly, looking at her mother with an expression that practically said, You can just decide.
Liang Qingyin shot her a reproachful look. “It’s that you two are not allowed to see each other for three days before the wedding. We have to ‘marry’ Muyun over from the Song family, you know?”
“Three days?!”
One second Jiang Yao was perfectly at ease, the next her voice shot up.
Song Muyun was also stunned, but she didn’t dare say anything in opposition to her future mother-in-law. After a moment, her lips trembled, her expression secretly aggrieved. Her eyes reddened, a detail only Jiang Yao noticed.
Liang Qingyin’s expression was normal. “It’s always been like this. Three days isn’t a long time. Don’t you two go meeting in secret, it’s bad luck.”
…
“But three days is a bit too long. How about we change it to one day?”
Liang Qingyin was speechless.
She was exasperated, glaring at Jiang Yao. “This is a custom. Did you think I was negotiating with you?”
“Aren’t customs also made by people…” Jiang Yao said, standing up and scratching the back of her head in frustration. She could see her wifey was so upset she was about to cry.
But her mother was iron-willed and refused her again. “No. This was set down by our ancestors. You two will be together for a long, long time in the future, do you really care about these three days? Be good, wait patiently at home, and don’t ruin your good fortune.”
Jiang Yao felt stifled. They hadn’t even been separated yet, and she was already starting to miss her wifey.
It was the same for Song Muyun. Her watery eyes gazed at Jiang Yao, looking utterly pitiful.
Forget it, it’s only three days. I’ll just endure it. What if it really is unlucky? After all, you only get married once in a lifetime. It’s better to be careful and follow the rules.
They each admonished themselves thusly in their hearts.
Liang Qingyin told them about some other taboos, instructing them to remember each one and not to forget. The Prime Minister’s Residence hadn’t held a joyous event in a long time; it needed to be lively and flawless.
It was rare for Jiang Yao to listen so attentively. She, of course, also hoped that her and Muyun’s wedding would go well.
Song Muyun was the same, her little head nodding along.
Soon, it was three days before their wedding. The Song family came to take Song Muyun back home.
The two lovers stood together, reluctant to part, their eyes filled with longing. The Second and Third Aunts from the Song family who had come to pick her up felt their mouths twitching. They were only separating for a few days, why were they acting as if they’d never see each other again?
Finally, after they had finished hugging and whispering secrets, Song Muyun was handed over to her Second Aunt. She followed the Song family members away, taking small steps, her eyes full of reluctance.
After her beloved left, Jiang Yao felt the entire courtyard fall silent. There was no one sitting elegantly in the yard drinking tea and reading, no one leaning in to speak softly and sweetly in her ear. It felt like something was missing, and she had no energy for anything.
She could only lie on the soft couch, by the window where Song Muyun most often lay, and look at the scenery outside. She didn’t know what was so interesting about it, but Muyun had always loved to watch. Sitting here, it felt as if her heart had quieted a little.
Jiang Yao leaned against the window, quietly waiting for their wedding day to arrive.
Meanwhile, Song Muyun, having returned to the Song Residence, was also missing Jiang Yao. She had taken the dagger Jiang Yao had given her for self-defense. When she had nothing to do, she would take it out to polish and look at it, recalling that person’s thoughtfulness and gentleness. She would always find herself smiling unconsciously.
Her younger sister, Sheng’er, who had come specially to see her, rarely saw her elder sister smile with such contentment. She sat obediently to one side, curiously looking at the plain dagger in her sister’s hand.
“Did saozi7 give this to Eldest Sister?” she suddenly asked.
Song Muyun’s expression grew even more gentle as she nodded lightly. “Yes, she gave it to me.”
She missed her even more now.
Song Muyun touched the new scent pouch she had made. I’ll give it to her on our wedding day, she thought. It’s perfect, they’re both red. It’s festive.
The wedding at the Prime Minister’s Residence was the talk of the capital these days.
Putting everything else aside, just the endless line of betrothal gifts was enough to dazzle people, shocking them with the Prime Minister’s Residence’s immense wealth. It made sense, though. The Prime Minister was deeply favored by the Emperor; it was normal for him to be rich.
Then there were the trousseau gifts for the Eldest Miss of the Prime Minister’s Residence. Not even the princes in the palace were left out; each one sent an incredibly valuable gift. The extravagance was comparable to that of the most favored princess in the capital.
That a wedding between two women could be so grand was truly an eye-opener.
In the past, those who favored mirror polishing, even if they weren’t hiding, rarely made a grand appearance. But now, after this affair with Jiang Yao, they suddenly began to cast aside the world’s judgment and go out openly. They even dared to be intimate with each other on the streets, letting people see at a glance that they were two mirror polishers.
The trend of mirror polishing suddenly flourished, which in turn spurred on the trend of cut sleeves. For a time, it seemed that fewer men and women were seen strolling the streets in pairs.
The wedding date was a cloudlessly perfect day, jointly decided upon by the Jiang, Song, and Sima families.
On the morning of this day, just as dawn broke, the sounds of festive music began to fill the air.
Jiang Yao woke up early, for once not lazing in bed. She actively sat before the dressing mirror to apply makeup and draw her brows. Her thick, black hair was coiled into a bun and adorned with an extremely magnificent golden coronet. The thin wings of the phoenix on it trembled, as if it were about to take flight in the next second.
It was identical to Muyun’s coronet.
A marriage between a man and a woman was different from one between two women, after all. The Jiang family had altered the procedure slightly. Jiang Yao, dressed in complex wedding attire, had her face threaded8 and had her hair styled. Wearing the golden coronet with fluttering wings, she mounted a tall, fine horse and set off for the Song Residence to receive her bride.
The commoners who had gathered to watch the excitement were all captivated by the woman’s magnificent, rich beauty. Jiang Yao was already born stunning, but her temper was usually so great that people subconsciously overlooked her appearance, only remembering that the Eldest Miss of the Jiang family was a fierce woman.
But at this moment, riding upon the horse, her striking beauty could no longer be concealed. She was so beautiful that people held their breath without realizing it.
Jiang Yao’s heart and eyes were completely filled with her wifey, whom she hadn’t seen for three days. Naturally, she didn’t notice the gasps rising and falling from below. She only wished she could make the horse gallop to the Song Residence. But that wouldn’t do; the sedan chair behind her probably wouldn’t be able to keep up.
Getting married was truly the most troublesome thing in the world.
But when she thought about how after today’s troubles, she and Muyun could be together openly, with everyone knowing they were a wife-wife couple, she felt happy again.
From this day forward, Song Muyun was her wife.
Jiang Yao dismounted at the entrance of the Song Residence. Because it was a wedding between two women, the custom of blocking the door and making things difficult was omitted. Song Muyun, having long since put on her golden coronet and makeup, was waiting with eager anticipation. When the gongs and drums outside roared to life and people shouted, “The bride is here to pick up the bride! Quick, invite the bride inside to come out!”
Song Muyun, with her exquisite makeup, subconsciously lifted her skirt to walk out, but was quickly pulled back by the wedding matron9 beside her.
The wedding matron smiled teasingly. “Aiyo, my young miss, are you that eager to see Eldest Miss Jiang? You’ve forgotten to put on your veil.”
Even though it was a wedding between women, Jiang Yao was still the one marrying her into the Jiang Residence. As the one being married, Song Muyun naturally had to be covered. She had to be seen by Miss Jiang first; she couldn’t let the crowd of onlookers outside get the first look.
Only then did the young woman remember the wedding veil. She hastily lowered her head, picked up the neatly folded veil, and draped it over her head. Her vision was instantly obscured, a field of red before her, through which she could only vaguely make out shapes.
Only she and the wedding matron were in the room. The matron flicked her red handkerchief and went out, calling happily, “Aiyo, Eldest Miss Jiang has arrived! Quick, brothers of the bride, come and carry the bride out.”
Before Song Yingdong could hurry over, Jiang Yao had already arrived. She shouted, “Wait! No need, I’ll carry her out myself.”
The two hadn’t seen each other for three days and were already missing each other terribly. She was eager to feel the weight of her little wifey, to see if she had gotten fatter or thinner.
The Song family members couldn’t stop Jiang Yao’s determination to carry her wife. In the end, they all just gave up and let them be. Let her carry her. A wedding between women is already unheard of anyway. This little breach of rules doesn’t matter.
Jiang Yao walked to the threshold. Song Muyun, hearing her voice, was anxiously coming out from inside, but she couldn’t see the path ahead clearly and stumbled right into Jiang Yao’s arms. Fortunately, Jiang Yao caught her in time, preventing her hair from getting messed up.
From above her head came a familiar, teasing voice. “Still so clumsy. Silly.”
Even though she was getting married, Song Muyun was still like a little girl, habitually tugging on her wife’s fiery red sleeve, as if this would keep her from getting lost. Their wedding robes were identical, only the embroidered patterns were slightly different. Hers was embroidered with a golden phoenix, while Jiang Yao’s was a black phoenix, but both were beautiful.
She had embroidered them herself, stitch by stitch.
Song Muyun’s long lashes fluttered, and her cheeks under the veil turned a faint red.
A moment later, her body was suddenly lifted into the air.
Jiang Yao often carried her, so she was long used to it. But she still loved being carried by her.
Song Muyun wasn’t at all surprised that she would carry her. She secretly snuggled into Jiang Yao’s embrace, her head resting against her chest. If they weren’t wearing clothes, she would have definitely stolen a kiss.
Jiang Yao carried her in her arms and even gave her a little bounce. Then, her voice, full of laughter, rang out, “You’re lighter. Did you miss me so much you couldn’t eat?”
How is she still so thick-skinned!
Song Muyun was terribly shy. She thought with a distinct lack of confidence, Who missed her so much they couldn’t eat? I just haven’t had much of an appetite lately.
Jiang Yao’s misspoken words earned her a soft punch on the chest.
Her wifey’s hand had no strength; it didn’t hurt at all. It was just ticklish. She could even take a few more.
She carried her, in full view of everyone, and placed her safely into the flower sedan. Before leaving, she squeezed her long, soft fingers. She was incredibly fair, and the red dress made her hands look even whiter and more delicate, easily bringing to mind the beautiful face under the red veil.
Jiang Yao placed her in the sedan, swung herself onto her horse, and the wedding procession started back, with music playing all the way. Maidservants from both the Jiang and Song Residences continuously scattered copper coins on the ground, sharing the joy with everyone.
Soon, they arrived at the Jiang Residence. A young servant waiting at the gate stepped forward to help Jiang Yao dismount, quietly telling her to go and lead the new madam out.
The Jiang family didn’t have customs like stepping over a brazier of coals. The two simply held opposite ends of a red cord, exchanged a glance across the red silk at the main gate, and then crossed the threshold to enter.
Jiang Yao wasn’t wearing a red veil and her steps were steady. Song Muyun, however, was veiled and couldn’t see the path clearly. As she walked, she subconsciously leaned toward Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao shot a look to the side. A maidservant who saw it quickly walked over to support her, guiding her toward the main hall.
Jiang Heng and Liang Qingyin were seated in the main hall. Both were exceptionally happy today. Even Jiang Heng, who was usually so stern, was wearing a smile.
The wedding officiant was a respected elder from the capital. He loudly called out, “First, bow to Heaven and Earth! Second, bow to the parents!” Although Jiang Yao was a woman and wore no red veil, there wasn’t a trace of shyness on her face. She only looked at the red-clad woman by her side, her face filled with pure joy.
It was Song Muyun who, despite being hidden by the red veil, was blushing furiously.
After the bow between wives was completed, a eunuch’s somewhat shrill voice suddenly sounded from the entrance. “Her Majesty, the Empress, bestows a trousseau gift upon the Eldest Miss of the Jiang family—”
Everyone was stunned. A clamor then erupted in the room, all of it discussing the Jiang family’s immense favor. Even the Empress had specially sent someone to give them face. The trousseau gifts had been sent two days prior, but this one was deliberately delivered today. Wasn’t this to give face to the Jiang family, to Jiang Yao?
They were envious, but it was an envy they couldn’t replicate. Not only did Jiang Yao have a good family background, she herself was formidable, with outstanding martial arts skills and having saved a prince. Her younger sister was also engaged to the Empress’s own son. The honors she received now were all well-deserved.
Jiang Heng led his people out to receive the Empress’s edict,10 thanking Her Majesty. The eunuch left a few more auspicious words before departing with a flick of his horsetail whisk.
Next was sending the couple to the bridal chamber and feasting with the guests.
There was supposed to be the custom of teasing the newlyweds in their chamber, but Jiang Yao had given advance warning: her wifey was shy and timid around strangers, so no one was allowed to tease her.
Jiang Yao first took Song Muyun back to their courtyard. Her father and mother would temporarily look after the guests outside.
The young woman sat on the bed, which had been changed to a wedding quilt with phoenixes with intertwined necks, her fingers twisting lightly as she nervously awaited Jiang Yao’s next move.
However, Jiang Yao did nothing but stand before the bed, looking at her with adoration. She waited until Song Muyun’s heart was beating faster and faster. Unable to bear it any longer, the latter called out coquettishly, “Jiang Yao, what are you doing? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Jiang Yao stroked her chin, seeming very serious. “I’m trying to see where my wifey has gotten thinner. This little waist and these little hands already look like they can’t get any thinner, so how are you lighter? Could it be… you’ve gotten thinner here?”
As she spoke, her hand, taking advantage of the fact that she couldn’t be seen, had already reached for a certain plump area. Then, under Song Muyun’s shocked gaze as she looked down, she gave it a light squeeze.
Song Muyun was completely stunned. The next moment, her exposed skin couldn’t help but flush pink.
Jiang Yao, Jiang Yao is getting more and more outrageous!
While she was away, just how many picture books did she read to be able to act so frivolously and wantonly!
Song Muyun was so angry she didn’t want to speak to her. She let out a heavy “Hmph!” from under the veil and forcefully slapped her hand away to show her rejection.
Jiang Yao blinked, her eyes full of innocence.
“It doesn’t feel any thinner when I touch it. Could it be your butt has gotten smaller?”
This time, Song Muyun made a preemptive move, scooting deeper into the bed until she had almost pulled her legs up onto the mattress. She warned fiercely, “You, you better not touch me randomly! Today is my happiest day, you’re not allowed to make me cry!”
Her baby’s meaning was crystal clear: I’m so happy right now, if you dare to provoke me, I’ll cry for you to see!
Jiang Yao didn’t dare provoke her anymore. After all, even if she was going to cry, it couldn’t be now. When night came, there would be plenty of crying for her to do.
“Alright, alright, I won’t touch, I won’t touch. Do you want to eat something first?” Jiang Yao asked.
The whole ceremony had taken a lot of time. They had both woken up at the crack of dawn and hadn’t eaten anything yet.
“Hmph, I’ll eat. Get me a piece of pea flour cake.”11 she commanded, a little awkwardly.
A faint smile touched Jiang Yao’s lips, and she obediently went to get it. The pastries had all been prepared in advance. She had specifically requested pea flour cake, simply because her wifey loved it.
“Quick, try it and see if it’s alright. I have to go entertain the guests in a bit.”
Song Muyun’s snacking paused. She looked up, a little puzzled. “You’re a bride too, do you still have to go entertain guests?”
Jiang Yao was helpless. “Who told you that you were the one marrying into my family? One of us has to go out and entertain them. If I don’t go, should I send you?”
She understood perfectly well. Her wifey only knew how to eat; she couldn’t even drink. How would she entertain people if she went?
Song Muyun obviously knew this too. She could only lower her head and reply, a little dejectedly, “Alright. I thought you would just have to stay with me from now on.”
She had thought it was over, that Jiang Yao just had to stay with her. Then, when evening came, they would naturally lift the veil, drink the nuptial cup wine, and tie their hair together. Apparently not.
Hearing the unhappiness in her voice, Jiang Yao shook her head helplessly. She suddenly leaned closer and, through the red veil, placed a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay? You know everyone in the courtyard, just order them around. Have them make whatever you want to eat, don’t let yourself go hungry, hmm?”
“Mm, I know. You should go. Since you have to, don’t let people think we lack manners.” Although Song Muyun was reluctant, she had always been a sensible person.
“Mhm, be good.” Jiang Yao took the woman’s fair hand and kissed her fingertips before turning to leave.
Many tables were set up in the Jiang Residence, almost filling the entire front courtyard. Numerous guests were drinking and chatting happily. Just as Jiang Yao walked over, she was spotted by the sharp-eyed Eighth Prince and invited over for a drink.
The Eighth Prince was not a good drinker. After just two cups, he was pulled back by Jiang Ru, who wouldn’t let him drink anymore. Jiang Yao smiled at the sight, the step-shake hairpins in her golden coronet swaying with her movements, and continued on to entertain others.
Sima Wujiang, seeing she was free, had his attendant call her over to introduce her to the elders at his table.
“This is your shiniang’s friend, Li Hanxiao of the Snow Eagle Flying Daggers.”
“Greetings, Aunt Li.” Jiang Yao cupped her fist and greeted her.
“So this is that disciple of yours?” Li Hanxiao was over forty, but her face was still like that of a young woman in her twenties. A snow-white hand suddenly landed on Jiang Yao’s arm and felt it over. Jiang Yao didn’t move. A moment later, the hand withdrew, and she nodded in approval. “Indeed, she’s good material for martial arts.”
“Of course. She’s the only disciple I’ll ever take in my life. I figured she’s about the right age, and now that she’s married, it’s time to bring her out for you all to meet. Come, Yao’er, this is the Sword Immortal, Zhou Changyi.”
“Sword Immortal?”
“Mhm, self-proclaimed. You don’t have to pay it any mind, just recognize his face.”
Jiang Yao: …
“Greetings, Uncle Zhou.”
Zhou Changyi: …
“You old coot, who in the jianghu12 doesn’t recognize my title as Sword Immortal now? How can you call it self-proclaimed!”
“Aiya, don’t be so annoying. There are still many people to meet. You’re really so noisy!” Sima Wujiang pushed him away and continued to introduce the rest of the people to Jiang Yao one by one.
…
Just meeting all of her master and shiniang’s friends took a long time. After the introductions, Jiang Yao still had to entertain some closer relatives and friends, drinking with them to liven things up. By the time she was done, the sky had already darkened.
She wasn’t drunk, but she was worried that her wifey would be unhappy from waiting so long.
Jiang Heng and Liang Qingyin were seeing off the guests in the front courtyard. Jiang Yao couldn’t manage much more; after getting her mother’s permission, she returned to the courtyard where they lived.
Maidservants were coming and going. When they saw Jiang Yao, they simply curtsied according to the rules. Jiang Yao used to have a decent relationship with the maidservants, but ever since she became a mirror polisher… how to put it, everyone had become respectful and proper.
“Was Madam angry in there?” she asked, grabbing a random maidservant.
The maidservant lowered her head and answered respectfully, “No, Madam has been waiting for you.”
“Mhm. Go tell the small kitchen to make two bowls of tangyuan.”13
Ordinary families ate dumplings at their weddings, but Jiang Yao and the others had prepared tangyuan, symbolizing a happy reunion.
Song Muyun sat obediently inside, her veil still on. With nothing much to do, she could only use her fingers to fiddle with the tassels hanging from the red cloth. It wasn’t until she heard familiar footsteps that she suddenly sat up straight. Then, her head was inexplicably patted. “You don’t even know to take off the veil? Silly.”
She called her silly again.
Song Muyun was secretly unhappy, but then she thought, Today is our wedding day, I’ll let her have this one. From now on, she’s not allowed to talk to me like that. Hmph, from now on, I’m Jiang Yao’s wife. I can manage her.
“I don’t care, I want you to lift my veil. Hurry up and lift it, I don’t want to do it myself.”
She called to Jiang Yao in a sweet, coquettish voice. Jiang Yao smiled, completely satisfied. She picked up the Ruyi steelyard14 from the side, hooked it under a corner of the red veil, and with a gentle flick, the veil flew onto the wedding quilt behind her.
Her beloved, wearing exquisite makeup, tilted her small face up and appeared before Jiang Yao just like that. Jiang Yao was stunned at first, her eyes filled with the sight of Muyun’s beauty. After looking for a while, she finally came to her senses, lowered her head, and suddenly caught Song Muyun’s lower lip, beginning to kiss her lightly. Her voice was inexplicably hoarse. “Are you hungry? I had someone make tangyuan. Do you want some?”
The kiss made Song Muyun feel a little needy. The bright red fabric of her lips was slightly damp. Seeing Jiang Yao pull back, she couldn’t help but wrap her arms around Jiang Yao’s neck. “I’ll eat,” she murmured, then continued the kiss.
Jiang Yao indulged her. Fearing she would get tired from squatting to kiss, she even supported the young woman’s bottom and lifted her up, letting her wrap her legs around her waist and do as she pleased in her arms.
A maidservant came in and then went out again. Two bowls of steaming tangyuan were placed silently on the table, but in the end, no one ate them.
The author has something to say:
Ahhh, I’ve been editing for so long! The main story will end tomorrow, with one more sweet chapter. The day after tomorrow, we’ll start our first extra chapter!
Footnotes
- Original term: mo jing. A classical and literary euphemism for female homosexuality or tribadism.
- A core concept in traditional Chinese philosophy regarding the balance of opposing but complementary forces, such as male and female energy.
- Original term: ni tian er xing. An idiom for defying the natural order or fate.
- Original term: duan xiu. The male equivalent of ‘mirror polishing’, a euphemism for male homosexuality originating from a story about an emperor cutting off his sleeve rather than wake his male lover.
- Original term: jue hou. A serious concern in a patriarchal society, meaning the end of a family line.
- Original term: zhang deng jie cai. An idiom describing a festive atmosphere.
- Literally ‘older brother’s wife’. A familiar way for a younger person to address the wife of a respected older male figure, or in this case, the female spouse of her older sister.
- A traditional pre-wedding ritual for hair removal using a cotton thread.
- Original term: xiniang. A woman, usually an elder with good fortune, who assists the bride during a traditional wedding ceremony.
- Original term: yizhi. An official decree specifically from an Empress or Empress Dowager, distinct from a standard imperial edict (shengzhi).
- Original term: wandou huang. A traditional Beijing snack made from peas, with a smooth, sweet taste.
- Jianghu: Literally “rivers and lakes,” a term referring to the community of martial artists and outlaws.
- Sweet glutinous rice balls. The name ‘tangyuan’ sounds similar to ‘tuanyuan’, which means reunion, making them a symbolic food for happy family gatherings like weddings.
- A small, decorative steelyard scale. In traditional weddings, the groom uses it to lift the bride’s red veil, symbolizing that all things will go ‘as one wishes’ (ruyi).
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