Drunk in Beauty's Lap - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I should have realized it sooner.

Xiao Xing must have thought the New Emperor had bestowed this marriage to win over military power.

Well, that was indeed true.

The Xiao Clan Army’s regular strength was thirty thousand. Over the years of the Pacification of the Southwest, several forces had been incorporated one after another, nearly doubling its numbers-not to mention the Youyi Army Xiao Xing had personally selected and trained over the past few years, nearly thirty thousand elite cavalry.

Thirty thousand crack troops. Forget my brother-if I were the emperor, I wouldn’t be able to sleep either.

Given the relationship between me and my Emperor Brother, if I hadn’t taken a fancy to Xiao Xing, Ji Sui would never have stooped to using such a method.

This was one of the bad things about ancient times: cousins could marry. But my brother and I had both transmigrated here. Never mind that we were as close as actual siblings; even just in terms of our values, neither of us could get into the whole Cousin Romance Trope.

But other people didn’t think that way.

Judging from the Xiao Clan’s attitude toward me today, it didn’t feel like they were marrying in a new bride. It felt like they had brought back a bodhisattva from a temple to enshrine at home.

A quarter of an hour later, Xiao Xing walked into the inner chamber, fresh and clean.

Once his hair was let down, he instantly looked much younger, and that stern, severe air around him softened as well. Now one could finally tell he was twenty-two.

True enough. In modern times, he would still have college boy vibes.

The college boy vibes poured himself a cup of tea and drained it in one go before asking, “Has the Princess of the Commandery eaten?”

“I have.” Sitting at the table, I asked him, “Do you want something to eat?”

“A little. At the banquet, all I had was wine.”

I called for food. The small kitchen had long since made preparations. Xiao Xing sat down across from me in a bold, commanding posture. He had many habits formed in the army, such as washing up and eating by himself, never needing anyone to serve him.

Very good, I nodded inwardly. That suited me perfectly.

Xiao Xing ate quickly, his movements efficient and elegant. He ate two bowls of rice, and only after the meal had been cleared away and he had washed his hands did he look at me and say,

“I live in the military camp for long stretches and rarely eat at home. Before the marriage, I usually went to the Front Courtyard to dine with my family.”

“The Changfeng Courtyard where I live is far from the Front Courtyard, so ordinarily no one will come to disturb us. If the Princess of the Commandery is not used to the food, you may also bring your own cooks. My mother had the small kitchen prepared before the wedding.”

He was not merely talking about meals. His words were one step away from saying outright that from now on, I and the Xiao family members could keep out of one another’s way.

I did not say whether that was good or bad. I only asked, “And you?”

Xiao Xing paused. “As the Princess of the Commandery wishes.”

“My wishes?” I smiled. “Since we are already married, we are family from now on. Of course we should be together.”

Xiao Xing remained perfectly composed. “Many thanks for the Princess of the Commandery’s consideration.”

I sighed. “My name is Li Xunzhi.”

Xiao Xing only said that propriety could not be abandoned.

Fine, I compromised. “Then what should I call you? Husband? Yuzhi?”

Watching Xiao Xing’s face grow redder and redder, I leaned a little closer and said softly, “Or perhaps… Third Young Master?”

Third Young Master Xiao picked up his teacup and took a sip to hide his emotions. “The Princess of the Commandery may call me by my courtesy name.”

“Yuzhi.” I smiled. Given tonight’s situation, the bridal chamber was impossible-unless I forced the issue. Unfortunately, I had always preferred mutual willingness.

“The Shang Palace Matron sent from the palace to listen in on the bridal chamber is one of my people. I know you are unwilling, and that marrying me was most likely because an imperial decree was hard to defy.” I rose. “I won’t make things difficult for you. Tomorrow we have to pay morning respects to the elders, so let’s rest early.”

I climbed onto the wedding bed. Through the screen, I could see Xiao Xing’s figure sitting quietly at the table. After a long while, he put out the lamp, and the mattress beside me dipped.

Xiao Xing had gotten into bed.