From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 151

It was late at night, and the wind and rain outside had stopped. Zhou Yuan wanted to stay with Ningyue for a while longer, but he was eventually driven away.

"If you stay here overnight, how can I face people tomorrow? That would be so embarrassing."

Xue Ningyue's face flushed, and she whispered, "Besides, I shouldn't have taken a step ahead of Sister Jianjia. She is your first wife who was married to you in a formal way. I did this because I wanted to leave you a child. Now I think it's a bit rash."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Ningyue regrets it?"

Xue Ningyue smiled foolishly and said, "No, but I can't let you stay overnight. Sister Jianjia's face needs us to protect."

"I understand."

The two of them whispered to each other for a while, and Zhou Yuan left reluctantly.

The full moon was in the sky, pouring down thousands of silver lights.

As the heavy rain had just stopped, the surroundings were wet, so the moonlight seemed even brighter, sparkling everywhere, and the air was moist and cool.

Zhou Yuan returned to the room and stretched happily, but was stunned.

Zhao Jianjia and Ziyuan Qingyuan, two maids, were sitting on the chairs, looking very solemn.

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but wonder: "Ziyuan? When did you come?"

Ziyuan didn't say anything when she heard it, but just covered her face and cried.

Zhao Jianjia said: "Husband, Ziyuan is your maid, how could you leave her alone with Qu Ling, and let her stay alone for half a month."

Now Ziyuan had more tears, and she lay on the table and sobbed.

Zhou Yuan hurriedly said: "Okay Ziyuan, stop crying, the uncle doesn't dislike you, it's just that the incident happened suddenly and the situation is particularly dangerous, so he lets you stay in the manor, it's safe."

"What's the safety!"

Ziyuan is also impatient, and immediately choked up and said: "My uncle is not safe, why should I be safe! If the uncle really dislikes me, just say it directly. Ziyuan can just die, so that the uncle won't be annoyed."

Zhou Yuan knew that Ziyuan would definitely be angry, but he didn't expect her to be so sad. He really hasn't put himself in the shoes of the maids of this era.

So he hurried over, took Ziyuan's hand, and said with a smile: "How could my uncle dislike you? You are obedient and capable, and you have many skills. You are proficient in embroidery, cooking, and tea ceremony. I wish you would always follow me."

Ziyuan sobbed and said: "My uncle is lying. It has been so long since I have served him well."

Zhou Yuan said: "Ziyuan, you should also understand my uncle because he is entangled in worldly affairs. Soon the imperial decree will arrive in Lin'an. At that time, your uncle will have to go to Shenjing. You need to follow him all the way and take care of his food and daily life."

After hearing this, Zi Yuan felt better and whispered, "Are you really going to take me with you?"

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "You are my maid. If I don't take you, should I take Mo Xiang with me?"

"No, no!"

Zi Yuan's face changed, and she said quickly, "Mo Xiang has bad intentions, so we can't take her. She just wants to stick to her son-in-law."

"Haha!"

Zhou Yuan couldn't help laughing. A girl's feelings are always poetic. Mo Xiang was saved, so of course she was always grateful and admired her.

Zhao Jianjia said, "Okay, you master and servant have almost finished the fight. Zi Yuan, go and ask the kitchen to serve wine and food."

"Hmm..."

Zi Yuan blushed and walked out in small steps.

Zhou Yuan was puzzled and asked: "Serve the food? Why are you eating so late at night? It's time to rest."

Zhao Jianjia sighed: "Eat when you should. The basic ceremony is still necessary, otherwise my mother will blame me for not knowing etiquette."

"What do you mean?"

Zhou Yuan suddenly found that Zhao Jianjia's voice seemed to tremble a little, as if she was trying to restrain something.

But Zhao Jianjia did not answer, just waiting for Ziyuan to bring the food.

Soon, several dishes of exquisite side dishes were prepared, as well as a bottle of aged wine.

Zhao Jianjia said: "Qingyuan, light the candles."

"Yes, Miss."

Qingyuan took out a few red candles from the cabinet, lit them like this, and placed them on the table.

Zhao Jianjia sat down, then looked at Zhou Yuan and whispered, "Please sit down, my husband, and share the same meal with me."

The so-called sharing the same meal means that the newlyweds eat the same animal, which actually means eating the same dish. This is one of the four major rituals of the bridal chamber.

Could it be that in addition to the unexpected harvest today, there is also a real show?

Zhou Yuan sat down hurriedly and said with a smile, "Jianjia, have you figured it out?"

Zhao Jianjia blushed, but still forced herself to restrain her nervousness and said, "We are husband and wife, how can we figure it out?"

"Qingyuan, Ziyuan, what are you standing there for? Hand out the chopsticks."

The two maids woke up as if from a dream, and hurriedly took out a pair of red chopsticks and handed them to the two.

Zhou Yuan and Zhao Jianjia each picked up a piece of meat, covered it with their sleeves, and ate it.

Qingyuan whispered, "Please perform the ceremony of drinking the wedding wine together, my son-in-law and my lady."

Zhou Yuan understood this. Heqin means drinking from the same cup of wine. This ritual is occasionally used in modern weddings.

Zi Yuan poured a glass of wine for each of them.

Zhao Jianjia picked it up, her breathing was a little rapid. She was obviously very nervous, and her voice was trembling: "Husband, you and I should have drunk this wine together a long time ago. Because of me, I have delayed it until now. I am really guilty."

Zhou Yuan hurriedly said: "It's all a process. We finally ushered in the result."

The two of them looked at each other, both tender and affectionate, and the wine cup passed around and drank it all.

The wine was a little strong. Zhou Yuan thought it was okay, but Zhao Jianjia's face turned red.

She breathed more rapidly and said softly: "Eating the same dish and drinking the Heqin wine, we are one body, a real couple without distinction between you and me."

"My dear, please accept my concubine's bow. "

Zhao Jianjia bowed deeply and went down, Zhou Yuan returned the greeting.

Ziyuan's voice was a little nervous, but more excited.

She said loudly: "The newlyweds sit on the tent, sit on the empty tent, sit on the rich and noble."

So the two of them sat on the bed, the man on the left and the woman on the right, strictly following the etiquette.

Zhou Yuan actually didn't care about these, but Zhao Jianjia cared, and he was willing to cooperate.

Ziyuan said: "Spread the tent!"

Qingyuan held a plate of candies, longans and copper coins, grabbed a handful with her little hands, and scattered them on the bed.

This means spreading branches and leaves, having many children and blessings, and prosperous descendants.

After everything was done, Qingyuan and Ziyuan hurriedly retreated and closed the door tightly.

Through the moonlight, you can see that the two are standing at the door, on the one hand to prevent others from coming, and on the other hand to be responsible for eavesdropping.

Zhao Jianjia's pretty face was rosy, her eyes were shy, and she was so nervous that she stuttered: "Please, please, my husband... my concubine... undress for me. "

This Zhou Yuan is good at.

He hugged Zhao Jianjia into his arms and kissed her directly. His hands began to move around and his clothes were taken off one by one.

Zhao Jianjia was so nervous that she was shaking all over. Her body was stiff and her teeth were chattering. She hurriedly held Zhou Yuan's hand.

Zhou Yuan was anxious now. It was such a critical moment. You won't regret it!

"What's wrong?"

"I... I'm afraid..."

Zhao Jianjia was sweating profusely and trembling: "Will I... die if I do that!"

Zhou Yuan kissed her again and said: "No, no."

Zhao Jianjia's tears came out. She was still shaking all over and hugged Zhou Yuan tightly.

"Then...then will you... not cherish me after you get me? "

Damn, don't be so slow at this time!

Zhou Yuan was sweating and drooling, saying, "Of course not, we are married, we should grow old together and depend on each other for life and death."

Zhao Jianjia cried, "But I was so willful before, and I asked to leave you many times. You must remember these things."

Zhou Yuan said, "Forget it, forget it. I don't remember anything now. I just know that you are beautiful now."

"Really?"

Zhao Jianjia's eyes were full of tears, and she said softly, "Am I really beautiful?"

Guilt, shyness, surprise, admiration, fragility, countless emotions on this girl's face, she is indeed beautiful.

Zhou Yuan finally couldn't help but pounce on her.

The candlelight flickered, and the nightingale chirped outside the courtyard.