Facing everyone’s blessings and cheers, Wanqing simply nestled obediently beside Leng Mingye. At this moment, she felt like the happiest woman in the world, surrounded by friends, family, and the man she loved.
Their mutual affection, coupled with Wanqing’s mother waking up, made the wedding feel rushed yet still complete with all the necessary rituals. Thanks to the preparations by Feng Moli and the King and Queen of the Celestial Ascendancy, though the couple was urged to marry immediately, the ceremony was held three days later.
On that day, Wanqing wore a bright red wedding dress and was sent off by the Feng family with the grandeur befitting a princess. Though the bridal sedan remained within the capital, Leng Mingye’s side was no less impressive, with officials and entourage from the Celestial Ascendancy in attendance.
The wedding was extraordinarily lively, and their love, intertwined with the peace of three nations, was celebrated and eagerly anticipated by many.
Outside, there were no disturbances, as all obstacles had been cleared. Accompanied by her mother and Prince Ning, Wanqing was escorted to Leng Mingye’s side, where he took her hand to walk along the red carpet spread across the palace for ceremonial rites.
Though she was a princess, cherished like a treasure by all, the lengthy rituals left her exhausted by the time they retired to the bridal chamber that night. Despite her strong physique, Wanqing’s legs ached, and her earlier excitement had faded.
“Tired? Rest here for a while. I’ll attend to the guests and return to accompany you.”
Seeing her unsteady steps, Leng Mingye tenderly helped her sit, lifting the embroidered veil from her head. Noticing her weariness, he comforted her before stepping out at the call from outside.
“Ugh, getting married is so exhausting. Who knows how long those men will keep drinking? I might as well sleep a bit.”
After Leng Mingye left, Wanqing sighed at the day’s fatigue. Though the rituals had been simple, she was too drained to move. Sitting on the bed, she longed to collapse and sleep.
With no one around—even her maids, Honglian and Wanchun, were kept outside by Leng Mingye—she relaxed, removing the cumbersome phoenix crown and letting her hair down. Listening to the distant cheers and toasts, she sighed wearily and lay down in her wedding dress, closing her eyes to rest.
Though most newlyweds feel excitement and nervousness on their wedding night, Wanqing and Leng Mingye had already been intimate. Exhausted, she quickly drifted into sleep.
Unbeknownst to her, the door quietly opened as Honglian and Wanchun peeked in. Seeing her asleep, they carefully draped a silk quilt over her before slipping out.
When Leng Mingye returned, he found her curled up on the bed, fast asleep.
Her peaceful, innocent expression softened his heart, and he smiled.
“Falling asleep like this—those maids really didn’t take good care of you.”
Noticing her awkward position—head tilted, one leg on the bed, the other dangling—he chuckled. Though he’d instructed the maids to check on her, she’d still managed to doze off haphazardly.
Gently removing her shoes, he lifted her to adjust her position. Despite his care, the light sleeper stirred awake.
Though she wasn’t nervous about the wedding night, hearing his footsteps and teasing words made her tense. Their first intimacy had been under the influence of drugs—awkward and forced. Now, sober and in love, recalling how she’d once thrown herself at him, her cheeks flushed.
Luckily, Leng Mingye was too focused on settling her to notice. But when his hand brushed her face, she couldn’t help but open her eyes.
“You’re back. I fell asleep, I…”
Embarrassed at having dozed off alone on their wedding night, she sat up, avoiding his gaze.
“Silly girl, you’ve been busy with fittings and rituals. Resting is natural. Hungry? I had food brought for you.”
Chuckling at her shyness, he handed her a plate.
“I haven’t eaten since noon—I’m starving! Aren’t you hungry?”
Devouring a chicken leg, she noticed he hadn’t touched the food.
“I ate while drinking earlier. Slow down—no one’s stealing from you. Here, we still have the ceremonial wine to share.”
Watching her wolf down the food, he handed her water to wash it down before pouring two cups of wine.
“Today was exhausting—hungry and tired. Is this how we drink it? Fine, we’ve eaten, drunk, now time to sleep. Why are you sitting there?”
After they linked arms and drank, Wanqing yawned, wiping her lips and heading to bed. But Leng Mingye remained seated, watching her.
“Qing’er, it’s our wedding night. Do you really plan to just sleep?”
Amused by her obliviousness—or feigned innocence—he smirked, leaning in until his face hovered close to hers.
“You—” Flustered, she tried to sit up, but he pinned her down, sealing her lips with his.
All protests melted into a silent sigh. His nearness, his intoxicating scent, had already set her heart racing.
Though she glared playfully, her eyes soon fluttered shut as she wrapped her arms around him, surrendering to his embrace.
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