Chapter Fifty-Four: On the Art of the Wedding Night

Bridal chamber?!

Hearing her mother bring up this topic, Gu Xiaoyao was somewhat bewildered—there was certainly no bridal chamber to speak of. After all, Chu Chengjin had only just returned home, and she herself was newly married. Their first meeting had hardly been filled with tenderness.

“I’ve only just met him, so how could there be a bridal chamber night? Mother, what is it you’re really trying to say?”

In truth, Li should have discussed all this in detail with her daughter before the wedding, but the family’s circumstances were chaotic at the time. When her daughter married, there was none of the formality other girls enjoyed, no proper bridal attire, nor a dignified departure from her maiden home.

“Let me tell you, since your husband has returned, tonight you two must consummate the marriage. I’m afraid you don’t understand these things, so I wanted to give you a few words of advice.”

Though Gu Xiaoyao had only ever watched pigs mate and had no real experience herself, she had a vague understanding of the matter.

“Don’t worry, Mother, I know what I’m doing.”

There was a hint of confidence in Gu Xiaoyao’s eyes; she felt that all she needed was to take the initiative and everything would be handled.

“What do you know? I never properly taught you; you’re agreeing so readily, are you just trying to fob me off?”

Li felt her daughter was rather naïve—what did she mean by ‘knowing’? She’d never even seen an illustrated booklet of bridal chambers, so where did her certainty come from?

Gu Xiaoyao thought her mother was overanxious; this matter could be discussed later. They’d just met, after all—wasn’t it a bit hasty to do such things now?

“Don’t worry, Mother. When I return to our room, I’ll see to it. I’m going to bed now.”

Seeing her daughter rise and leave, Li still felt uneasy and secretly followed her. Hearing the faint sounds behind her, Gu Xiaoyao felt a touch of helplessness in her gaze.

In olden times, marriages were arranged and silent; once a girl left her parental home, she belonged to her husband’s family, and it was expected that the marriage would be consummated that very night. Gu Xiaoyao had been in Lotus Flower Village for several days, yet the bridal chamber had not been completed—this meant the final step of her marriage remained unfinished.

“Why are you returning to the room so early? I thought you’d want to spend more time talking with your mother-in-law.”

Chu Chengjin, who was inside, raised an eyebrow in surprise as she returned so quickly.

“It’s late, husband. Why don’t we get to bed early? Spring nights are brief, and winter days are short; better not to waste time.”

Gu Xiaoyao could sense Li had already crouched at the corner of the wall. To put her mother at ease, she decided to take the initiative.

Tonight, consummation was certainly out of the question, but they could put on a show to set Li’s mind at rest.

“My wife speaks truly—your husband thinks the same. Let’s go together.”

Hearing this, Chu Chengjin’s face broke into a gentle smile. He tapped the table lightly, rose, and offered his hand to Gu Xiaoyao. The two of them sat side by side on the kang bed.

They sat so close, each could feel the other’s breath. In a soft voice, Gu Xiaoyao spoke:

“My mother is outside listening. Let’s just put on an act to reassure her.”

Chu Chengjin’s eyes filled with amusement. He reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Gu Xiaoyao’s ear.

“My dear wife, since you’ve married me, this is something that must happen sooner or later. Why be shy?”

Gu Xiaoyao didn’t quite agree with this, but if he truly wished it, she wouldn’t refuse.

“Since you think so, husband, then naturally I’ll cooperate. But your body is still weak—are you really up to it?”

No man could stand to be doubted by a woman. With a swift movement, Chu Chengjin turned and pressed her beneath him on the bed.