Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios
By the time the ceremony was over, the sky was already completely dark.
The couple returned to the Chengqian Palace hand in hand. Yin Huaixi had changed the name of the Qianji Palace to the Gande Palace. It was the place where he handled the court affairs.
The Chenggan Palace was the closest to the Gande Palace. Yin Huaixi had spent a lot of effort to renovate and decorate this place, planning to use it as his and Yu Youyaoâs residence.
The Chengqian Hall was decorated with lamps and colors, looking festive. The dragon and phoenix candles in the sleeping hall burned, illuminating the entire room in red.
A female ceremonial official brought over a plate of dumplings. There were a total of twelve dumplings.
This plate of dumplings required the husband and wife to use their chopsticks to pick up the dumplings and eat them at the same time. As it was being done at the same time, it tested each otherâs tacit understanding. It wasnât difficult, but it was a little embarrassing to feed Yin Huaixi in public under the gazes of the ceremonial officials and the servants in the room.
Yu Youyao was a little nervous. The dumpling was smooth. She picked it up a few times before holding it firmly and carefully bringing it to Yin Huaixiâs mouth.
At this moment, Yin Huaixiâs dumplings were also on her lips.
She subconsciously opened her mouth and ate the dumpling.
Yu Youyao had not eaten much all day and was starving. Just as she was thinking about how the dumplings were raw, she heard the ceremonial official ask, âAre the dumplings raw?â
âItâs raw!â Yu Youyao subconsciously replied. As soon as she finished speaking, she blushed and couldnât help but glare at Yin Huaixi.
Yin Huaixiâs body seemed to have been electrocuted by her coquettish glare, and he immediately went numb.
Fortunately, she finished the plate of dumplings without any mishaps. They ate a total of eight dumplings, with each person eating four dumplings each. There were four dumplings remaining. During this period, Yu Youyao ate four fillings, namely peanuts, longans, red dates, and lilies.
The ceremonial officer read out a congratulatory message happily. âWe hope that you give birth to a son soon and that youâll be together for a hundred yearsâ¦â
The smile on Yin Huaixiâs face deepened, and he looked very happy.
Hearing the ceremonial officialâs words, Yu Youyao was so embarrassed that she did not dare to look up. At the thought that these dumplings with their own meaning were all fed to her by Yin Huaixi one by one, she felt that something was amiss.
She subconsciously glanced at the ceremonial official and saw that the smile on his face was filled with joy, as if it also had an indescribable deeper meaning.
Looking at his wifeâs beautiful face under the candlelight, Yin Huaixiâs throat tightened. âIâll go back to the Hall of Supreme Harmony first.â
There was a banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Yu Youyao was so shy that she lowered her head and did not say anything. Her fair neck was dyed with a faint pink color under the red candlelight.
After waiting for a while, Yin Huaixi still did not move. She looked up. âWhy arenât you leaving?â
Yin Huaixi sat still. âDonât you have anything to say?â
âHuh?â Yu Youyao looked confused. Did she need to explain anything? Why hadnât Auntie Xu mentioned this?
Yin Huaixi glanced at the ceremonial official casually.
The etiquette official was shocked and quickly smiled. âThe Hall of Supreme Harmony has set up a state banquet. If the emperor attends, the ministers will be happy. I believe you will have to drink a lot of wine. Since the Empress is a new wifeâ¦â
She would probably be concerned about her husband. Yu Youyao knew that he would be fine, but she also understood what the official meant. âDrink less wine. Donât get drunk.â
âDonât worry.â Yin Huaixi suddenly leaned forward and kissed her pink face. âIâll be careful. Otherwise, how can I consummate the marriage when Iâm drunk?â
Yu Youyaoâs face turned red again. She glared at her and said angrily, âForget it.â
Yin Huaixi was satisfied and left the new house with a loud laugh.
The ceremonial officer also knelt down.
After a long day, Yu Youyaoâs body felt heavy. Chun Xiao and Xia Tao quickly took off the dragon and phoenix crown on their masterâs heads, took off her heavy wedding clothes one by one, and helped her wash up.
The fireplace was burning in the Chengqian Hall and a charcoal cage had been set up. Yu Youyao washed away her fatigue and returned to the sleeping hall.
Liuâer brought in a food box. âYour Highness, the emperor ordered Eunuch Li to send some food over. Young Miss, quickly eat some. Donât starve.â
The light and nourishing medicinal cuisine was easy to digest.
Even if she ate more, she did not have to worry about accumulating food at night.
Yu Youyao finished all the medicinal cuisine, porridge, and vegetables. Looking at the time, it was already 10pm. Yin Huaixi had yet to return.
Yu Youyao was a little tired. She asked Xia Tao to bring over a book. She held the book and tilted her head to read on the big pillow. After reading for a while, she felt a little sleepy.
Thinking that Yin Huaixi had yet to return, she could only force her eyelids open and continue to wait for him.
After Yin Huaixi finished his banquet, he couldnât wait to return to the Chenggan Palace with the smell of alcohol on his body. When he arrived at the sleeping hall, he saw her lying on her side on the bed. Her bright black hair was draped over her shoulders, and under the soft candlelight, it was as smooth as satin. She was only wearing a jade-colored gauze dress, and under the candlelight in the room, she was dyed with beauty. As the material of her clothes was too thin, the breasts under the gauze dress were also clearly visible, making her figure look hazy and beautiful.
Yin Huaixiâs breathing couldnât help but quicken as he continued to look down.
Her long legs were by her side. They were crossed and slightly curled up. The sleeves of her pants were rolled up, revealing her fair calves that were like suet jade lotus roots. Below them, her small and exquisite feet were curved like the moon. They were sharp and looked like small lotuses that had just revealed their sharp horns. They were also thin, curved, and tactful, making her seem like a weak girl who needed protection.
The bright red color formed a strong contrast against the snow-white bed.
It was simply breathtaking.
Yin Huaixiâs heart burned, and he subconsciously stepped forward to grasp her.
It was thin and small, sharp and curved, just enough for him to hold it with his palm.
It was unbelievably soft, as if it had melted in his hand, causing his entire body to tremble.
Yu Youyao was shocked. The book in her hand fell to the ground. She subconsciously struggled to break free, but she did not. She propped herself up and looked at him. âWhy didnât you make a sound when you were walking? You scared me.â
As she spoke, she yawned. Tears streamed down her face, and her eyes were misty. She looked innocent and charming. âWhat time is it now?â
Yin Huaixi rubbed the âjadeâ in his palm. He was 30% drunk and 70% tipsy. âItâs almost midnight.â
âItâs so late.â Yu Youyao was so sleepy that she couldnât open her eyes. She yawned again. âNo wonder Iâm so sleepy. Did the banquet at the Hall of Supreme Harmony go smoothly?â
There were only some songs, dances, music, and sideshows at the state banquet. Although alcohol was not restricted, the ministers were worried that they would be disrespectful, so they restrained themselves. It was not very lively.
âIt went smoothly.â Seeing that she couldnât even open her eyes after saying that, Yin Huaixi said, âMadam, a night of love is worth a thousand gold coins. Itâs time for us to consummate our marriageâ¦â
Yu Youyao immediately woke up from her nap. Her face turned red, and before she could react, her body landed heavily on the blanket, and Yin Huaixiâs tall body collapsed.
The big red curtain slowly closed, and the night was filled with red waves.