Chapter 80: Matriarchal Society 21

Liu Qingyun grew even more nervous. “Yes… I know!”

“That’s good,” Le Yixian nodded, then turned to the table and poured two cups of wine. She picked them up and said to Liu Qingyun, “Come, let’s drink the nuptial wine together…” Her words trailed off.

The reason was simple: Liu Qingyun’s brilliant red wedding robe had already been stripped away almost completely by him. He still held his own belt in his hand, and upon hearing Le Yixian’s words and seeing the wine cup in her hand, he looked at her in confusion. “Ah?”

“What are you doing?” Le Yixian spoke, half laughing, half crying.

Liu Qingyun stammered, “Big… big brother said we need to take our clothes off.”

“No need to rush, there will be time for that later,” Le Yixian replied with a smile.

Meeting Le Yixian’s gaze, Liu Qingyun’s pale, handsome face was tinged with a faint blush. He hurriedly fumbled to tie his belt back.

He took the wine cup, his face still slightly red.

“Do you know why we drink the nuptial wine?” Le Yixian looked at the young man before her, her eyes softening.

He shook his head. She continued, “On the wedding night, drinking the nuptial wine together means that after marrying, we will live in harmony, forever and always.”

“Then let’s hurry and drink it,” Liu Qingyun’s eyes sparkled.

They drank the nuptial wine, and Liu Qingyun’s eyes shone brightly, staring directly at Le Yixian without blinking.

He looked like a puppy fixated on a meaty bone. “Sister You, can we proceed to the next step?”

“Yes,” Le Yixian nodded, bending to pick up peanuts and red dates from the wedding bed and tossing them aside.

Unexpectedly, a rush of wind came from behind, and she suddenly felt a weight press down on her. She was pinned to the bed.

Liu Qingyun’s hands wandered clumsily over Le Yixian’s body, accidentally finding her ticklish spot. She was sensitive there, so she quickly reached out to stop him. “Haha, what are you doing? Haha!”

Liu Qingyun, sitting atop her, still had those bright, innocent eyes. He spoke with a pure tone, “It’s the wedding night.”

Le Yixian was speechless.

Who? Who taught her adorable little one such things?!

She had only planned to sleep tonight.

She knew that her little darling was not only frail but also only thirteen years old.

Facing those sparkling, expectant eyes, six words flashed through Le Yixian’s mind: At least three years to go!

“Qingyun, we don’t need to rush,” Le Yixian said gently.

Liu Qingyun stared at her, “Sister You, you look so beautiful today.”

Le Yixian replied, “Could you get off of me first?”

“I think I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time, as if I were already in love with you in my previous life.” Liu Qingyun’s entire face was flushed.

Le Yixian was at a loss—the conversation was completely off-track, as if they were speaking in different languages.

“I’m so happy to marry you today.” Liu Qingyun’s eyes were deep and unfathomable, and as he spoke, he leaned in. A warm breath and faint scent of wine wafted over her.

Le Yixian was stunned by his words, watching him closely. Her little darling moved with such care, like a puppy cautiously approaching its favorite treat.

He slowly leaned in, sticking out his tongue, gently licking her cheek again and again, doing nothing else but that.

Who knew how much time passed—Le Yixian’s heart had become numb.

“I… I’ve watched a lot of videos, don’t be afraid, Sister Yixian.” The muffled words sounded by her ear, like a thunderbolt crashing into Le Yixian’s calm heart.

She turned sharply, discovering that Liu Qingyun’s eyes were already closed. She looked at his thick lashes, her heart trembling, and softly called his name, “Yuandao?”

There was no response; evidently, he had fallen asleep.

Le Yixian moved him to the side, carefully watching his sleeping face. She reached out to touch him; his brows were relaxed, and a faint smile lingered on his lips. Who knew what he was dreaming about?

“…Like, I really like you, Sister You…”

—

When Liu Qingyun opened his eyes again, daylight had already filled the room.

He stared at the unfamiliar canopy, stunned for a moment, while a familiar, faint fragrance lingered in the air.

“I… I married Sister You,” he murmured, gazing at the red canopy.

“Awake?” A familiar voice sounded by his ear.

He turned his head and saw the one he’d been longing for, neatly dressed and sitting on a chair, watching him with a warm smile.

Liu Qingyun’s face grew hot. On the second morning after the wedding, Sister You was up earlier than he was.

With a touch of grievance in his heart, he recalled: Big brother said, if the main wife wakes later than the husband on the second day of the wedding, she will cherish him more in the future.

But, he had woken up later than Sister You!

“What are you thinking about? Get up and freshen up; we need to pay respects to mother,” Le Yixian noticed his drifting gaze and knew he was distracted. She stepped forward and asked.

“I—I’ll definitely wake up earlier than Sister You next time, please don’t dislike me,” Liu Qingyun said, rather anxiously.

Le Yixian laughed, “I won’t dislike you.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Assured, Liu Qingyun felt delighted inside.

He got up, washed, and saw Le Yixian beckoning him over.

With his hair loose, he ran over, hearing Le Yixian say, “Sit, I’ll crown you.”

In the Red Star Kingdom, a man could wear a crown after marriage, symbolizing adulthood.

Liu Qingyun nodded, sat in the chair, and looked into the bronze mirror, watching his main wife’s tender and focused gaze as she combed his hair.

His heart swelled with joy.

After changing clothes, he noticed that the patterns on their garments matched.

“Do you like it?” Le Yixian noticed his gaze and asked.

“Yes, they’re the same.”

“I’m glad you like them. Let’s go.”

She had deliberately instructed the wardrobe bureau to rush out a batch of matching outfits.

The two went to pay respects to the Empress and the King's Consort.

Both were very pleased with Liu Qingyun as a daughter-in-law, giving him a generous red envelope and gifts.

After offering tea, they sat at the right hand of the imperial couple. The King's Consort asked a few gentle questions, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

“Elder sister, I heard you and brother-in-law didn’t consummate the marriage last night?” Suddenly, a mocking voice rang out.

Le Yixian heard this and a dark line appeared on her forehead. She wondered, is there really no such thing as privacy in the palace?

She glanced at the Second Princess, whose face was full of gloating, and replied, “Younger sister is unaware, but I cherish my husband deeply. His health has been poor since childhood, and the imperial physician advised us to wait until he turns eighteen before consummating the marriage.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is.”