Chapter Twenty-Two: The Bridal Chamber and Candlelight

When everyone saw that Prince Chun had returned to his usual cold demeanor, none dared linger, and they all withdrew respectfully.

“We should drink the wedding wine first,” he said gently to Zhan Yan.

After a cup of wine, Zhan Yan’s cheeks bloomed with a rosy flush, making her look even more delicate and enchanting. Zhongli Yu couldn’t help but lower his head, capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss.

“Wait for me to come back,” he murmured hoarsely, nearly unable to restrain himself from claiming her right then and there.

“Qingyun, come in and help the princess wash up,” he instructed before leaving to entertain the guests.

Zhan Yan ate her supper, soaked in a hot bath, and removed the heavy phoenix crown. She let out a sigh of relief, feeling utterly at ease. Sprawled on the bed and stretching lazily, it wasn’t long before she heard familiar footsteps—Zhongli Yu had returned.

He walked to the bedside and saw that Zhan Yan had washed away all the cosmetics, revealing a bare face of such pure, dazzling beauty that he found himself utterly entranced.

“Yan’er, this past month, I’ve missed you so much it hurt,” he said softly, pulling her into a fierce embrace.

Listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart, Zhan Yan felt her own heart so full it might overflow. In all her days since coming to this world, she had never known happiness like this—so complete it threatened to spill over.

Holding her soft, yielding form, he could restrain himself no longer and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss seemed endless, as if he meant to pour all the longing of the past month into her, binding himself to her soul.

As the kiss deepened, both felt their bodies warming, heat rising to an almost unbearable pitch. Slowly, he trailed kisses over her brows, her eyes, savoring every inch as if to mark her as his own. He took her tender earlobe between his lips, making them both shudder, their hearts trembling. Zhan Yan, overwhelmed by sensations she had never known, was left dizzy and lost, her body melting like water in spring. She could only cling to his shoulders.

With trembling hands, Zhongli Yu fumbled at her sash, more nervous now than he had ever been.

Beads of sweat as large as beans slipped from his brow, falling onto Zhan Yan’s delicate face like sparkling drops of crystal. As their garments slipped to the floor, both let out soft sighs of pleasure. The smoothness of her skin beneath his hands left him utterly captivated. Zhan Yan traced her fingers along his back, marveling that a man’s skin could be so fair and silky.

Suddenly, a sharp pain tore through her, and she cried out, tears filling her eyes.

His heart ached for her, and he bent to seal her lips, trying to kiss away the pain. Hearing his ragged breath and feeling his restraint, Zhan Yan was moved, and instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist, meeting him in return. Sensing her acceptance, he could hold back no longer and gave himself over entirely to wild abandon.

Behind the curtains of red silk, the room was steeped in spring warmth, enough to shame the crescent moon outside, which hid bashfully behind a cloud.

That night, he discovered a pleasure he had never known, taking her again and again, unable to stop. Only as she finally slipped into unconsciousness did she realize that this bridal chamber night would be seared into her memory forever—a night of pain interwoven with joy.

Watching her faint away, Zhongli Yu felt a tinge of regret, wondering why Yan’er’s body was so delicate, unable to withstand more. He resolved to nourish her carefully from then on. Gathering her limp form into his arms, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, holding her close as he drifted into sleep, a faint smile gracing his lips. To think he could finally fall asleep with her in his arms—these ten years of waiting had all been worth it.