The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 212
by Little PandaDrinking the Union Wine, Bound for Eternity
At the wedding banquet in the Zhu Residence, most of the guests were of noble and elite status. Without exception, everyone rose to kneel and bow the moment Qu Sheng arrived.
“Long live our Emperor! May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand fold ten thousand years!”
Qu Sheng looked at the crowd with a faint smile and raised her hand. “You may rise.”
Even though Qu Sheng was a woman, her innate aura of nobility, combined with the lethal, blood-honed edge forged on the battlefield, made it so that no one dared to look her in the eye easily.
Seeing the crowd standing there hesitantly, Qu Sheng glanced at Qu Yu, who was beside her. Qu Yu nodded and smiled. “Today is Lord Zhu’s wedding banquet, and Her Majesty has only come to ask for a cup of wedding wine. Please, everyone, enjoy yourselves as you please. There’s no need for restraint.”
Hearing this, the guests looked at Qu Sheng again and saw that she had already lifted her cup to drink. Only then did they return to their seats after a brief moment, resuming their drinking.
Zhu Ming’an had been offering toasts elsewhere. After rising from her knees and finishing her round of toasts, she hurriedly made her way to Qu Sheng’s side. Bowing deeply, she said, “This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for personally attending the wedding banquet of this humble subject and Princess Wanyi.”
Qu Sheng nodded at her words and smiled. “Don’t disappoint Our cousin.”
Qu Sheng had come today not only because Zhu Ming’an was the first woman in Quzhao to take a wife, but also because of Jin Mingyi.
Jin Mingyi was a princess sent from the Jin Dynasty for a political marriage. Although Qu Sheng had once hated Jin Mingjun, she wouldn’t allow anyone to harm Jin Mingyi.
Everyone knew Jin Mingyi had been forced into this political marriage. Yet, even if forced, Jin Mingyi was still her cousin, and Qu Sheng wouldn’t let any of the collateral branches of the Zhu family bully her.
Hearing this, Zhu Ming’an immediately smiled. “Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Ming’an will surely protect Yi’er and treat her with all my heart.”
Qu Sheng nodded with satisfaction, took the wedding wine offered by Zhu Ming’an, and drank it in one draft.
As Zhu Ming’an took the cup back, Lin Xizhao smiled gently. “Lord Zhu, you should go and attend to your other guests. There are so many people at the banquet; don’t neglect your etiquette just because we’ve arrived.”
Zhu Ming’an bowed once more and smiled. “Yes. My thanks to Your Majesty and Xizhao-jiejie for your understanding.”
Lin Xizhao’s brows curved in a smile again. Zhu Ming’an looked up to exchange a nod with her before heading off to offer toasts elsewhere.
Once Lin Xizhao sat down, Zhao Jiayu and the others walked over before long.
“Auntie!” Qu Zhimu came trotting over from the side.
Hearing the voice, Lin Xizhao turned around. Seeing Qu Zhimu running toward her, she reached out and caught the little girl in her arms.
As Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu sat down, Qu Sheng looked at Qu Zhimu and said, “Mu’er, we’re going on a long journey in a few days. Do you want to come along?”
Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu were both startled at first, but Zhao Jiayu quickly asked in excitement, “Where are you going?”
With curving brows, Lin Xizhao said, “Bingying and Cheng Xi have been here for quite some time now. It’s time for them to return.”
Zhao Jiayu blinked. Just as she was about to say they shouldn’t let Xiao Bingying leave, she recalled what Qu Sheng had mentioned previously. A while ago, some childhood sweetheart1 had inexplicably popped up out of nowhere for Cheng Xi… As Zhao Jiayu was pondering this, Qu Zhimu spoke up. “Are we going to the pretty auntie’s place?”
Lin Xizhao looked down at Qu Zhimu with a smile, her voice softening. “Yes, we are.”
Qu Zhimu looked at her father, then raised her head to look at Lin Xizhao. “Are Papa and Mother coming with us too?”
“Papa isn’t going. As for Mother… it depends on whether she wants to,” Qu Sheng replied to Qu Zhimu’s question, glancing sideways before looking up at Zhao Jiayu.
If Zhao Jiayu wanted to go, she could, but their journey wasn’t entirely without danger.
“Then I’m going!” Zhao Jiayu declared immediately. It hadn’t been easy for her to reunite with her older sister, and she couldn’t just let her leave like this.
As for her husband, he would just have to endure a little grievance for now. Still, she didn’t understand why Qu Sheng wasn’t letting Qu Yu go.
But it was likely due to his health—the exhaustion of travel would only drain his strength, so it was better for him to rest and recuperate in the residence.
Qu Sheng glanced at Zhao Jiayu, then looked at Qu Yu. The two siblings exchanged a look, passing over the matter in silence.
As the banquet neared its end, Qu Sheng departed first with Lin Xizhao, accompanied by the guests’ chorus of “Farewell, Your Majesty.”
After a busy day of sending off the guests, Zhu Ming’an finally returned to her own courtyard.
The place was ablaze with lights and decorations, adorned everywhere with festive paper-cuts2 and red lanterns. Even the candles had been replaced with auspicious red ones.
As Zhu Ming’an approached the door of the bridal chamber, the maids standing guard outside opened it. She smoothed her robes and cap, the joy she had been suppressing all evening finally breaking across her face.
Jin Mingyi was in the middle of eating when she heard the door open. At the sound of approaching footsteps, she scrambled back to the wedding bed, snatching up her red bridal veil which she had tossed onto the couch.
The moment Zhu Ming’an stepped inside, she heard the clink of bowls and chopsticks, followed by hurried footsteps. Feeling a surge of concern, she quickened her pace, but Jin Mingyi was still a step ahead of her, breathlessly throwing the red veil over her own head.
Catching sight of Jin Mingyi’s rising and falling chest, and then gazing at the dishes on the table, Zhu Ming’an let out a sigh of relief and smiled. “I thought some stranger had come in.”
Beneath the red veil, Jin Mingyi bit her lip. The Zhu family servants had fed her at noon, but there was nothing for her in the afternoon, leaving her hungry until now.
Now that the moon had nearly traversed half the sky, food had finally been delivered, only for Zhu Ming’an to give her a fright.
“Why did you only get back now?” Jin Mingyi grumbled, quickly hiding her momentary guilt to chide her spouse.
Hearing her wife’s voice, Zhu Ming’an’s gaze softened. Walking forward until she stood right beside Jin Mingyi, she said, “It’s my fault. I should’ve slipped away to check on you earlier.”
Hearing such pleasing words, Jin Mingyi decided not to hold a grudge. The maid who had followed behind Zhu Ming’an came forward, carrying the nuptial scale3 on a tray.
“Please, Miss, use the nuptial scale to lift the bridal veil, symbolizing that all things may go according to your wishes.”
Zhu Ming’an turned to look at the sound, her gaze falling upon the nuptial scale.
She had never imagined that a day would come when she would lift a bride’s red veil, nor had she ever dreamed she would marry the woman she loved in such a grand and honorable manner.
Brushing back the wide sleeve of her wedding robe with one hand, Zhu Ming’an lifted the nuptial scale with the other. As she looked toward Jin Mingyi, a deep wave of emotion welled up in her eyes.
As the tip of the scale touched the red veil, Zhu Ming’an tilted her head slightly. Gently lifting the fabric, her expectant gaze finally met her wife’s face.
Jin Mingyi pressed her lips together, a touch of shyness stealing over her as she looked up and saw Zhu Ming’an.
Even her bright, exquisite makeup couldn’t obscure the clarity of her beautiful eyes. When their gazes locked, their eyes were filled to the brim with love.
“Miss, you still must drink the union wine4,” the maid on the side said with a smile, gently breaking their locked gaze.
Zhu Ming’an snapped out of her daze at the reminder. She sat down beside Jin Mingyi, resting her hands on her knees, without forgetting to steal another glance at Jin Mingyi beside her.
With her head slightly bowed, Jin Mingyi slowly reached out and took a cup as another maid presented the wine to her.
“The newlyweds drink the union wine, a toast to a love that lasts for all eternity!”
As the maid’s auspicious chant faded, Zhu Ming’an raised her arm, intertwining it with Jin Mingyi’s extended arm. Exchanging a tender look, they drained the union wine in their cups.
The maids gathered the cups, smiling as they helped Jin Mingyi remove her heavy hairpins and headpieces, before quietly slipping out of the room.
Only after the maids departed did Jin Mingyi’s tense nerves relax slightly.
“Yi’er,” Zhu Ming’an murmured, gazing at her wife with a desire she had suppressed for so long burning in her eyes.
She didn’t know when her affection for Jin Mingyi had first taken root. But once that feeling blossomed, it had never faded; instead, it grew stronger with each passing day.
Zhu Ming’an slowly leaned in to kiss her, but Jin Mingyi raised a hand and pushed her back.
“Wait a moment. I need to eat something first.” Jin Mingyi had easily read Zhu Ming’an’s intentions. Tonight was their wedding night, and she knew exactly what was supposed to happen next.
But before that, she absolutely had to fill her stomach. The dishes on the table hadn’t been there long, and their aroma was still wafting through the air.
Zhu Ming’an froze, then followed Jin Mingyi’s gaze to the table, where the hot food was indeed still steaming.
With a soft chuckle, Zhu Ming’an rose to her feet and gestured. “After you, Wife.”
Jin Mingyi was momentarily taken aback by the address. Looking up at Zhu Ming’an, she felt a bit self-conscious, lightly biting her lower lip, but she didn’t stop her.
Jin Mingyi got up to sit at the table and eat, while Zhu Ming’an stayed by her side, pouring water and placing food into her bowl.
Noticing the wine pot nearby, Jin Mingyi glanced at her spouse. Zhu Ming’an understood, lifting the pot to pour her a small cup.
Seeing how much Jin Mingyi enjoyed the food, Zhu Ming’an poured herself some wine as well, sipping it slowly. Whenever Jin Mingyi finished a dish, she would quickly replenish her bowl.
It wasn’t until Jin Mingyi finished eating that Zhu Ming’an poured her some tea. As she sipped it, an indescribable tension began to settle over the atmosphere between them.
Jin Mingyi hadn’t eaten much. Holding her teacup, her heart fluttered with nervous anticipation, and she didn’t dare look at Zhu Ming’an.
Meanwhile, Zhu Ming’an realized that Jin Mingyi was waiting for her to take the initiative.
“Yi’er, let’s… turn in for the night,” Zhu Ming’an said, her gaze burning bright.
At those words, Jin Mingyi tightened her grip on her teacup. Before she could even look up, a pair of hands reached over and gently took the cup away.
Zhu Ming’an stood up, scooped Jin Mingyi up from her seat at the table, and carried her straight toward the wedding bed.
As she gently laid Jin Mingyi down onto the bed, Zhu Ming’an removed her shoes and climbed in after her. Hovering lightly over her beloved, Zhu Ming’an gazed at the lover before her. A great wave surged in her heart, causing her breathing to grow rapid.
“Yi’er…” Zhu Ming’an whispered, her warm breath washing over Jin Mingyi, coaxing her to look up and meet her gaze.
The shyness swimming in Jin Mingyi’s eyes at that moment was the ultimate catalyst, driving Zhu Ming’an forward.
Pressing her warm lips against her wife’s, Zhu Ming’an tasted a long-awaited softness. She cradled Jin Mingyi’s tender lips, sucking and caressing them gently. Soon, she parted her pearly teeth, her tongue tangling with Jin Mingyi’s in a deep, wine-scented kiss.
Sensing Zhu Ming’an’s rising heat, Jin Mingyi slowly began to respond.
With nimble fingers, Zhu Ming’an swiftly unfastened the luxurious wedding robes that stood in the way of their skin-to-skin touch, even as her lips and tongue trailed down to her wife’s slender neck.
A night of spring passion began, accompanied by Jin Mingyi’s soft, intermittent whimpers.
Three days later, in the afternoon.
In the Nanting Courtyard, Lin Xizhao was packing up her and Qu Sheng’s everyday clothes. Today was the day of Jin Mingyi’s traditional return-home visit5, and after spending the entire day at the Nanting Courtyard, she had already gone back to the Zhu Residence.
Just as Lin Xizhao finished packing the clothes, Zhao Jiayu arrived. She had been staying at the Zhao Residence lately, and she came alone this time.
Stepping down from her carriage, Zhao Jiayu ran all the way into the courtyard. Breathing a little heavily as she entered the room and heard the rustling inside, she poured herself some tea and called out, “Xizhao, we’ve packed everything on our end! We’re just waiting for you and Xiao Sheng’er now.”
Emerging from the inner chamber and seeing her gulping down the water, Lin Xizhao urged, “Don’t drink so fast.”
Gulping down her water, Zhao Jiayu waved a hand as she looked up. Once she finished, she panted, “It’s fine, I’m dying of thirst! Have you finished packing?”
“We’re ready. Sheng’er is currently giving instructions in the side courtyard and should be over shortly,” Lin Xizhao replied softly.
Zhao Jiayu nodded and glanced out the door. The sky outside was rapidly darkening, and the city gates would soon close. She truly couldn’t fathom why they had to wait until nightfall to leave the city.
The author has something to say:
Zhao Jiayu: “Pretty Auntie, pretty aunt… Isn’t Mother pretty?”
Qu Zhimu: “Of course Mother is pretty! Otherwise, how could she give birth to such a cute little girl like me?”
Zhao Jiayu: “…”
Red packets will keep coming!
Footnotes
- Qīngméi-zhúmǎ (青梅竹马), literally 'green plums and a bamboo horse,' is a classic Chinese idiom referring to childhood playmates who grow up together, often carrying romantic connotations.
- Chuānghuā (窗花), or 'window flowers,' are traditional Chinese paper-cuts pasted on windows during festive occasions, especially weddings and Spring Festival, to symbolize good fortune and joy.
- Xǐchèng (喜秤), or nuptial scale, is a traditional decorative scale rod used by the groom to lift the bride's red veil, symbolizing that their future marriage will go 'according to their wishes' (chèngxīn-rúyì).
- Héqīnjiǔ (合衾酒), or union wine, is a traditional wedding custom where the newlyweds drink from two wine cups linked by a red thread, symbolizing eternal union and everlasting love.
- Huímén (回门) is a traditional custom where a newlywed bride visits her maternal family on the third day after her wedding, symbolizing that her new family respects her.
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