Drunk in Beauty's Lap - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I had lived deep within the palace for many years. Since I was young, people had praised me for being naturally clever, but to everyone, I was still a stranger.

Now that the bridal veil had been lifted, everyone in the room could not help looking me over curiously.

Thanks to my mother, who had died young, I had been born with a beauty’s face. As for exactly how beautiful-

Before Ji Sui ascended the throne, he once sighed and said it was fortunate the old emperor was truly my uncle. Otherwise, given that old lecher’s temperament, I would most likely have ended up as his little stepmother.

My face was fair as jade, delicately touched with color, like a lovely blossom reflected in water. If I did not speak, I really did look like some radiant immortal beauty.

The little girl nearest to me suddenly said, “The bride is so pretty!”

The woman behind the little girl hurriedly pulled her into her arms.

I smiled at the little girl and replied gently, “You’re very pretty too.”

As soon as I said that, the atmosphere grew much livelier.

The wedding matron brought over a tray. Xiao Xing picked up the scissors, cut off a lock of his own long hair, then carefully leaned closer to me and lifted a lock of mine.

Our breaths mingled, carrying a warm fragrance. Xiao Xing’s movements were restrained; he did not even touch my clothes.

The wedding matron chanted again, “Bound by hair as husband and wife, may you remain together until old age.”

Warm wine slid down our throats, and the cross-cupped wine ceremony was complete.

Xiao Xing lowered his eyes to look at me and said softly, “Princess of the Commandery, you may have someone send in the meal. I will return once I have finished attending to the guests. There is no need to wait long.”

The groom went to the front to entertain the guests, and those who had come to tease the newlyweds also dispersed with great propriety. Only two women remained, both beautiful and gentle-looking.

The slightly taller woman smiled first. “Princess of the Commandery, I am Third Uncle’s eldest sister-in-law. This is his second sister-in-law.”

The slightly plump second sister-in-law was the mother of the little girl who had spoken earlier. “The child does not understand etiquette and nearly offended the Princess of the Commandery.” With that, she was about to lead the little girl in bowing.

I quickly stopped her and said warmly, “After today, we are family. Sisters-in-law, just call me by my name, Xunzhi.”

The two of them exchanged a glance, but still insisted, “Your status is noble. Etiquette cannot be neglected.”

I sighed inwardly. Even after I had married into the family, they were still so courteous. The one who was truly noble was not me, but the New Emperor behind me.

The people I had brought with me had all served me since childhood. They knew I liked quiet, so after finishing their tasks, they went to wait in the outer room.

After dinner, I lay on the bed reading an erotic picture album. This thing had been stuffed into my hands by my brother when I got married.

The New Emperor had parted with it in great pain, and when he gave it to me, he was extremely reluctant.

“It is Court Painter Fan’s crowning work. If not for your marriage, I would never have been willing to give it to you.”

I took the erotic picture album wrapped in the cover of a book titled The Emperor’s Stratagems, utterly baffled. “Master Fan actually went into adult work to paint this?”

My brother looked immensely pleased with himself. “That is why being emperor is so wonderful.”

Now, looking at this erotic picture album wrapped in the cover of The Emperor’s Stratagems, I had to sigh that no wonder everyone wanted to be emperor. It turned out my brother had been enjoying such fine fare every day.

From the outer room came Xiangyi’s voice as she paid her respects. Unhurriedly, I closed the erotic picture album and got off the bed, meeting the eyes of my newly minted Husband as he walked in.

This was the first time I had looked him over from such a close distance. The more I looked, the more I felt I had picked up a treasure.

His brows swept toward his temples, his eyes were like points of lacquer, his nose was high and his lips thin. He had a uniquely clear, handsome elegance.

Xiao Xing had trained in the army for seven or eight years, and his skin had darkened considerably. Compared with the sharp-edged yet refined young nobleman of the capital in my childhood memories, his bearing now carried more of a mature man’s steadiness and depth.

At this moment, dressed in wedding robes, much of his aura had been reined in, like a battle blade that had tasted blood but was now held in check.

I was still thinking about which position from the erotic picture album I should try later with this battle blade, when Xiao Xing bowed first. “I am covered in the smell of wine and fear I may offend the Princess of the Commandery. Allow me to wash up first.”

With that, he lifted the curtain and went into the bathing room.

I instantly deflated.