bayedsolid Chapter 202 Promise
Chapter 202 Promise
That evening, a refreshing autumn breeze blew, and the moonlight was hazy.
Prince Duan, dressed in pajamas, wandered around Zisu's bedroom.
Zisu frowned and said, "What are you doing? You're shaking me so much, it's making me dizzy."
Prince Duan: "Zisu, now it's time for you to keep your promise, isn't it?"
Zisu was reading a farming book and, without looking up, asked, "What promise?"
Prince Duan glanced at Zisu, who was engrossed in her book, and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "You, stop pretending to be stupid, it's just that you want to consummate the marriage! Didn't you promise that you would consummate the marriage after the winter wheat was planted?"
Zisu: "Oh, so that's what it is. No problem, tonight is fine!"
Upon hearing her words, Prince Duan was overjoyed, yet also felt something was amiss. He thought to himself: "Why isn't she blushing at all about consummating the marriage? She agreed so readily; could she be planning to back out again?"
Sure enough, she then said, "But if we're going to consummate the marriage, aren't you going to light the dragon and phoenix candles, or change the bedsheets and wedding curtains? It's too hasty to consummate the marriage like this. If you're going to consummate the marriage, you have to show some sincerity!"
Prince Duan was dumbfounded. So many rules and regulations for consummating the marriage? Weren't there wedding candles and red curtains at the wedding? But she had already said this; what if she said she wanted to wait until she turned eighteen to consummate the marriage?
Having no other choice, he had to agree: "Alright, let's consummate our marriage tomorrow! I'll have everything ready first thing tomorrow morning! You can't back out then!"
Zisu nodded vigorously: "Yes, I won't go back on my word, I will definitely keep my promise!"
Prince Duan was overjoyed and went to his study next door to retire for the night. However, he remained excited all night, and even when it was late and quiet, he still couldn't fall asleep.
Zisu put down her book, waved to extinguish the candle, and quietly fell asleep.
The hazy moonlight spilled onto the window, leaving dappled shadows; everything was so quiet and so beautiful.
The next morning, Prince Duan was nowhere to be seen.
As evening fell, Zisu returned from her walk in the west courtyard, and Hongdou greeted her joyfully: "Your Highness, come and see! The Prince has decorated the bedroom just like a bridal chamber. No, it's even more festive than a bridal chamber!"
Zisu went inside and was immediately filled with excitement.
Wow, the overwhelming red color is truly festive. Besides the red, there are also many beautiful fresh flowers placed perfectly. A faint fragrance fills the air, giving a refreshing and pleasant feeling.
The bedroom furnishings, curtains, and fresh flowers were all exquisite. They were the best and finest; you couldn't possibly acquire them for less than fifty thousand taels of silver!
Wow, so much money spent on decorating a new house! How extravagant! It's really too extravagant! However, although the bedding and wedding banners are red, they aren't too glaring. They'd be perfect for everyday use too. Thinking about it that way, it doesn't seem so extravagant after all.
After all, Prince Duan owns countless properties. According to him, all his properties combined should be worth ten million taels of silver. In other words, the rumor that Prince Duan is one of the ten richest men in the Western Liang Kingdom is not unfounded, but true.
"So, do you like it?" Zisu was engrossed in looking at it when she suddenly heard a whisper in her ear. It was the voice of Prince Duan.
Zisu nodded: "Yes, I like it!"
With a wave of his hand, Prince Duan ordered Hongcha and the others to quickly retreat and gently close the bedroom door, leaving the two masters alone.
Prince Duan: "If you like it, then we'll consummate our marriage tonight! I've had over a dozen tables of delicious food prepared, and everyone in the palace will have extra dishes tonight, as a celebration of our wedding!"
Zisu blushed: "Really? Why did you make this public? It's so embarrassing!"
Prince Duan: "What's the big deal? Everyone in the palace should know by now that we haven't consummated our marriage yet. Today, I'm making this announcement so that everyone can bless us, pray for us, and pray that we'll have a son soon and live a long and happy life together!"
Zisu nodded: "That's fine then, it's up to you!"
Dinner that day began at sunset.
Ten tables were set up for the guards, three tables for the maids and servants, and one table for Zisu, Prince Duan, and Consort Qin. The banquet for the maids and guards was arranged in the large banquet hall in the front courtyard of the Prince's mansion. A maid who could play the zither was also arranged to play festive music for everyone.
Joyful musical notes floated in the air above the Prince's Mansion.
Everywhere in the Prince's Mansion, red decorations and colorful ornaments were hung, creating a joyous atmosphere.
Zisu, Prince Duan, and Consort Qin then held a wedding banquet at Rongfu Hall.
Consort Qin smiled and said to Zisu and Prince Duan, "From today onwards, you two must work hard. This time next year, I'll be waiting to hold my grandson!"
Prince Duan nodded with a smile: "Mother, we understand! In the future, as long as you don't make things difficult for us or try to force women on me, we guarantee that by this time next year, Mother will be able to hold her grandson!"
Consort Qin waved her hand: "No, as long as Zisu can give birth, I will absolutely not force any women into your lap next year, regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl! As long as she can give birth, I'm patient even if it takes several years!"
Zisu placed a piece of fish on Consort Qin's plate: "Mother, this is the most tender part of the fish, please try it!"
Consort Qin smiled and nodded: "Yes, you are a good daughter-in-law. May you two live well together in the future. I wish you a long and happy marriage!"
May you have many sons, ideally two within three years, or five or six in total. If that happens, I will absolutely not try to force women into Hao'er's life. Even if someone tries to take advantage of Hao'er, I will drive them away. Of course, if Zisu cannot have children, then don't blame me for being ruthless.
After the banquet, Zisu and Prince Duan returned to Rongrui Hall early.
In the master bedroom of Rongrui Hall, the dragon and phoenix wedding candles were lit.
The next day, when Zisu woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
Sensing someone beside her, she was startled and turned to look, only to be met with Prince Duan's serene sleeping face. She then realized that she and Prince Duan had consummated their marriage the previous night.
From that moment on, she became a woman, and husband and wife with Prince Duan in name and in fact. For the rest of her life, he was her husband, and that would never change. Or rather, as long as he didn't have any affairs with other women, she would devote herself to him for the rest of her life, growing old together.
Neither of them stepped out of Rongrui Hall that day, and Consort Qin, being quite tactful, did not come to ask if they wanted to eat together. Zisu got up to bathe and change, ate lunch, rested for a while, and then fell into a deep sleep again. Prince Duan lay beside her and couldn't help but smile indulgently.
This girl is so easily overwhelmed by his affection. Last night, he only took her twice, and he was the one putting in the effort both times, yet she's already this exhausted.
(Zisu thought to herself: Your two times were almost equivalent to ten times for others! If it weren't for the good medicine given to me by the old doctor, who applied the medicine to that area and gave me a medicinal bath, I wouldn't even be able to pass stool today!)
As the last rays of the setting sun faded, Zisu finally awoke from her slumber.
Prince Duan smiled broadly: "My lady, you're awake? Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
Zisu rolled her eyes at him, got up and put on her clothes: "If you keep sleeping, you won't even get to eat dinner!"
Prince Duan: "It's alright, I'll bring dinner in right away, we can eat on the bed!"
Zisu: "Isn't that like being a pig?" she said, quickly putting on her clothes, then glared at him: "Get out of my way, don't get in my way while I'm putting on my shoes!"
Prince Duan smiled and squatted down: "Let me help you put it on!"
Zisu withdrew her foot: "No need. How can you, a dignified prince, help someone put on their shoes!"
This is a patriarchal society, so she should be cautious and not squander her husband's affections. Even the most intense love needs careful nurturing; otherwise, cracks can easily appear.
She understood the principle of an ant trying to shake a tree. Many tragedies often arise from seemingly insignificant things that accumulate over time.
When Prince Duan saw that she was determined not to comply, he had no choice but to give up.
Zisu quickly put on her shoes and called out towards the door, "Red Tea!"
Hongcha quickly replied through the door, "Yes, Your Highness, what are your orders?"
Zisu: "Prepare the water for washing up!"
Hongcha quickly and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Highness, please wait a moment!"
Zisu opened the bedroom door and walked towards the bathroom next door.
As the princess consort of Prince Duan's residence, she naturally had her own private bathroom and didn't need to wash up in the bedroom. The bedroom needed to be kept dry at all times, so washing up there was ultimately not a good idea.
Seeing her walk out, Prince Duan smiled slightly and bent down to fold the bedding.
Normally, Zisu would fold her bedding herself after getting up, never needing the maids or servants to do it. She did many things herself. For example, she always washed her underpants herself, not letting the maids or servants interfere. Besides cleaning, she also did everything in the bedroom herself.
Over time, Prince Duan also developed the habit of doing things himself.
That's true. We should do things ourselves if we can! That way, even if life throws a huge curveball, it won't feel like the sky is falling. For example, back then, when the Shangguan and Yu families were raided and exiled, Zisu still thrived in the Northwest.
Although as long as the Emperor Emeritus lives, the Prince Duan's Mansion will remain the Prince Duan's Mansion, still enjoying wealth and luxury. However, what about ten years later? What about after the Emperor Emeritus passes away? Who knows if the Emperor might be misled and ruthlessly eliminate the Prince Duan's Mansion?
Even assuming the current emperor is a good man and wouldn't harm the people of Prince Duan's family, would the next emperor be so lenient towards their descendants?
Prince Duan made up his mind that in a few months, by next spring, he would resign from his position as commander of the Imperial Guards. Then, he would reduce his holdings in various regions, withdraw from the ranks of the "Top Ten Richest People," and become a leisurely prince, a prince who would not be envied by the world.
This time, because he was going to consummate his marriage with Zisu, it was almost like a wedding. So, Prince Duan asked the Emperor for ten days of leave for his wedding. He could use these ten days to have a good discussion with Zisu about the path they would take in the future.
Dinner was served, and Prince Duan waved his hand: "You may all leave. We do not need your service here!"
Hongcha, accompanied by several maids, respectfully withdrew.
The princess never liked being served meals. Normally, the prince would leave one or two people behind to help serve the food. But today, he sent them all away.
After seeing the person off, Prince Duan stood up and picked up Zisu in one go.
"What are you doing? I'm hungry, eating is the most important thing!" Zisu couldn't help but exclaim.
Prince Duan lowered his head and sealed her red lips with his, pulling her onto his lap and kissing her passionately before releasing her lips: "I'll hold you while I eat!"
Zisu rolled her eyes at him: "How can I eat while you're holding me?" She struggled to get off his lap.
Prince Duan tightened his grip on her hands: "Sit still, don't move, I'll feed you!" With that, he released his right hand, picked up a piece of shiitake mushroom and put it in his own mouth, then bent down and fed it to Zisu.
Zisu was both amused and exasperated. While eating, she mumbled, "Don't do that. It would be so bad if the maids saw us!"
Prince Duan said, “With me here, how dare they enter uninvited? It’s just that you’ve been too kind to the maids, making them forget their place in the hierarchy! This won’t do; you must be stricter with them in the future!”