Chapter 196: Wedding Night
The sky had not yet brightened when Xu Wei quietly got up, only to be pulled back into the quilt by Gan Ning.
“Gan Lang, the sky is about to brighten!” Xu Wei said softly and urgently.
“I’m resting today, sleep with me a little longer.”
“No! We have roll call in the morning, Older Sister is inconvenienced, so starting today I’ll handle roll call. Otherwise, I’ll come back after roll call to keep you company.”
Gan Ning nodded and whispered in her ear, “Once your period is over, let’s consummate.”
Xu Wei shyly nodded. After sleeping with her beloved all night, the fear in her heart gradually faded, and she began to look forward to consummation.
Xu Wei put on her long skirt, then leaned down to kiss her beloved, “I’ll go first, and be back soon.”
“Go ahead!”
Xu Wei went downstairs to her courtyard to wash up. At quarter past Maoshi, Xu Wei began roll call in the courtyard.
Morning roll call is something every large mansion must do. Some butlers hold high positions and handle roll call, but most households have the master do it.
After roll call ended, Xu Wei hurried back to the study. Gan Ning was still lying on the couch, pretending to have his eyes closed waiting for her, so she obediently took off her long skirt and slipped back under the quilt.
Gan Ning was no longer sleepy and began to get handsy under the quilt.
The sky finally brightened. Xu Wei vaguely heard Xiao Qiao’s shouts outside. She hurriedly found her undergarments curled up in front of the bed and panically got up to put them on.
The moment Xu Wei got up, Gan Ning squinted his eyes. Sunlight spilled over skin white as snow and smooth as jade, with undulating curves, like a stunning oil painting.
“So beautiful!” Gan Ning sincerely praised.
Joy sparkled in Xu Wei’s pretty eyes, but Xiao Qiao’s shouts were like urging death, leaving her no chance to let her beloved continue admiring this exquisite beauty.
She hurriedly put on her long skirt, her face flushed red as she ran downstairs. Sitting below, she pressed her cool hand to her burning cheek to calm the surging passion in her heart.
It was the first time she had been so open and intimate in front of her beloved. Except for the final step, they had done everything they should and shouldn’t.
“Yun Qing, why haven’t you opened the door? What are you doing?” Xiao Qiao shouted outside.
Xu Wei hurriedly opened the door. Xiao Qiao came in carrying a basin of hot water, placed it on the low table in the outer room, let out a long breath, and rubbed her waist. “My goodness, I’m exhausted!”
“A Yu, you carried this from the kitchen?”
“What else?”
Xu Wei chuckled speechlessly, “With so many servant women, why carry the water yourself?”
“I wanted to try! But I promise this is the last time.”
At this, Xiao Qiao suspiciously looked Xu Wei up and down. “Why did it take you so long to open the door? Wait, your skirt ties aren’t fastened, and the buttons on your chest aren’t done. Could it be you two were—”
Xu Wei anxiously stepped forward to cover her mouth. “Don’t think nonsense, I’m on my period!”
“Then why so long?”
“I was asleep and woken by your knocking. You shouted so urgently, of course I didn’t have time to tie my skirt.”
“Hee! Hee! Sorry.”
At this moment, Gan Ning came down from upstairs in his undergarments, smiling. “A Yu, has your Older Sister gotten up?”
“Older Sister is up. Gan Lang, I brought hot water for you. Let me serve you washing up today!” Xiao Qiao’s smile was very fawning.
Gan Ning smiled. “I’m resting today. Go get breakfast for me! I want to eat in the study, all three of us together.”
Xiao Qiao felt a bit disappointed in her heart, but Gan Ning’s last words filled her with emotion. “I’ll go right now!”
Xiao Qiao ran out. Xu Wei busily served her beloved washing up, then combed his hair.
Just as washing up finished, Xiao Qiao came in carrying a large food box, with Da Qiao following behind.
The four set breakfast all over the long table and sat around it to eat.
After breakfast, Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao cleared the table. Gan Ning and Da Qiao slowly strolled in the garden.
Gan Ning thought and said, “I want to hold a simple marriage ceremony while you’re not too obvious yet.”
Da Qiao took her husband’s arm and smiled charmingly. “Sure! Include Yun Qing too! That way taking her into the room will be proper.”
Gan Ning nodded. “Leaving A Yu out alone would make her uncomfortable, so better all three together!”
“That’s perfect. Settle the statuses first, sharing a room can wait. So when does Husband plan the wedding?”
“The sooner the better, five days from now!”
Five days later, Gan Ning held a simple and low-key wedding, with Lu Su as witness and Jiang Wan as master of ceremonies. They invited over sixty guests plus their families, about two hundred people witnessing Marquis of Wuchang Gan Ning’s wedding.
Gan Ning formally married Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, and Xu Wei. In truth, all of Yuzhang Commandery knew they were Lord’s wives; this wedding just made it official.
Da Qiao as main wife, Xu Wei as secondary wife, Xiao Qiao as equal wife. Since all wives, they were all called Madam.
Amid joyful celebration, Da Qiao in front, followed by Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao, all in the same wedding attire and phoenix crowns. Amid the master of ceremonies’ calls, the four held the wedding ceremony. Then the newlyweds retired, and the banquet continued.
Tonight was Xu Wei’s wedding night, in her bedroom. Xu Wei in wedding attire, full of shy anticipation for that moment.
These past nights she slept with Gan Lang. Though not taking the final step, enough intimacy removed all barriers. Xu Wei’s heart fully accepted it; she even longed for that moment to devote her all to her beloved husband.
The sound of the door closing came from outside. The groom saw off guests and entered the bridal chamber.
Gan Ning entered the room and directly scooped Xu Wei up by the crook of her legs. Xu Wei shyly lowered her head and whispered, “Gan Lang, put out the lamp!”
Gan Ning turned and blew out the lamp. The bed curtains lifted then fell, pitch black inside, but passion melted their two hearts.
Xu Wei was soon taken into a world she had never known. In that wondrous world they tossed and turned until the fifth watch drum sounded, then Xu Wei sweetly fell asleep in her husband’s embrace.
Though it was the wedding night, Da Qiao remained as calm as ever. Her loose wedding attire hid her nearly five-month pregnancy. A bit tired, after the wedding she returned to her bedroom supported by maidservants.
Returning with her was Younger Sister Xiao Qiao. Knowing her sister felt a bit upset, she let her sleep together tonight to comfort her grievance.
“A Yu, we agreed before—your new marriage is next year. Don’t throw a tantrum now.”
Xiao Qiao pouted and muttered, “I’m not throwing a tantrum, just feel a bit upset. Older Sister, it’s wedding night! But no share for me.”
Da Qiao said irritably, “Got it. Next year another wedding for you, your wedding night!”
Xiao Qiao knew deep down if Xu Wei really gave her the wedding night, she’d be scared and run out.
“No need for that. I’m mad at myself. Why can Yun Qing do it but not me? She’s clearly just a month older.”
“It’s not about age, it’s conditions—like fruit. I’m ripe, Yun Qing half-red, you’re still a green little apricot. Who picks green apricots? So Doctor Liu told you to eat more meat for faster development.”
Xiao Qiao sighed long. “Fine! Tomorrow I’ll gnaw big fatty meats to ripen this green apricot sooner.
