TSWRLM -Chapter 377 Shadows

After the New Year, the entire Xiao household began busily preparing for Xiao Qingyue’s wedding.

As the wedding day approached, Xiao Qingyue finally felt a sense of unease about getting married. Whenever she had a moment, she clung to Xiao Qinghe: “Big Sister, once I’m married I won’t be able to come home often. Can you come visit me more?”

“Even if you can’t come home often, you’ll be with your husband every day. Didn’t you previously complain that Mother stopped you from seeing each other?”

“That’s different. He treats me very well, but I’m not familiar with his family at all. What if someone mistreats me?”

“Madam of Jin’an and Mother are close friends. Over the years, haven’t they always treated you kindly? Your brothers’ wives are all gentle people too. As long as you don’t act out, no one will harm you. And Nanny Zhao, who stays with Mother, will be going with you to the Jin’an Marquis residence. She’s an elder who’s always looked after Mother—how could she not protect you?”

That made sense.

Thinking of Nanny Zhao’s stern look, Xiao Qingyue felt reassured, but she soon sighed again: “I heard the wedding night can be painful. I’m a little scared.”

Xiao Qinghe’s expression stiffened.

Her own wedding night had indeed been painful—and every time afterward too. She had never experienced any pleasure in such matters.

Not wanting Xiao Qingyue to develop anxiety or resistance, Xiao Qinghe softened her voice to comfort her: “It won’t always hurt. You… can ask your husband to be gentle.”

“But what if he doesn’t listen? I heard men become a completely different person in bed.”

Xiao Qingyue frowned, clearly worried.

Xiao Qinghe grasped her hand firmly: “No matter what, if you don’t want to, or if anything feels uncomfortable, you must speak up. If he dares to force or hurt you, come back and tell me. I, along with your little aunt and the princess, have plenty of ways to deal with him.”

Xiao Qingyue knew that her sister had disciplined many unfaithful men in the past two years, using clever and ruthless methods. She couldn’t help but giggle: “Big Sister, you sound like one of those wandering swordswomen from novels. If Brother Yecheng doesn’t listen, will you discipline him too?”

“Of course.”

Xiao Qinghe answered without hesitation, though unease lingered in her heart.

Xiao Yecheng’s feelings for her were indeed deep, but if she carried a shadow of fear into marital intimacy, their relationship might not last.

As the saying goes, what you think by day, you dream by night.

That night, Xiao Qinghe dreamed of her wedding night, being roughly handled by Wei Lingze. She tried to resist, but his strength was overwhelming. She was pinned down, unable to move—and then his face changed into Xiao Yecheng’s.

“No!”

Xiao Qinghe awoke in fright. Quezhi, who slept in the outer room, immediately came in to light a lamp: “Miss, did you have a nightmare? Why are you sweating so much?”

Her nightclothes were soaked, her hair stuck to her face, and her complexion was pale.

Quezhi panicked and hurriedly called for hot water to help her clean up.

“It’s only the fourth watch, still early before dawn. Miss, try to sleep a bit more. I’ll light some calming incense.”

“No, I can’t sleep. Bring me the book I was reading during the day.”

Xiao Qinghe shook her head, wide awake.

“Reading at night isn’t good for your eyes,” Quezhi said, taking her hand. “Miss, what did you dream? Maybe talking about it will ease your fear.”

Xiao Qinghe didn’t want to say, so she changed the subject: “You’re not young anymore. Did your family arrange a marriage for you over the New Year?”

Quezhi had served Xiao Qinghe since she was very young. Originally, Xiao Qinghe had planned, after her own marriage, to find Quezhi a suitable husband and see her off in a grand ceremony. But after Xiao Qinghe’s divorce, Quezhi refused to marry anyone, choosing instead to accompany her faithfully to the present day.

Quezhi nodded: “My family will push, of course, but marriage isn’t as good as staying with you, Miss. I want to remain by your side.”

Xiao Qinghe smiled: “Even if you marry, you could still continue to work with me.”

“That’s different. If I marry, I’d have a whole household to manage. If I have children, my attention would naturally be divided, and I wouldn’t be able to care for you wholeheartedly.”

It was cold outside, so Xiao Qinghe pulled Quezhi into bed to chat until dawn.

Once she guessed Elder Madam would soon wake, Xiao Qinghe began to dress. Just as she finished, a servant reported: “Young Mistress, General Xiao has arrived.”

Xiao Yecheng had come to deliver a wooden doll.

Following the design Xiao Qinghe provided, he had made a wedding gift for Xiao Qingyue.

The doll was painted and dressed in festive wedding attire, vaguely resembling Xiao Qingyue and the young master of the Jin’an Marquis residence. Its chubby, slightly clumsy form gave it an endearing charm.

“This doll is so beautifully made! General Xiao is really skilled. Second Miss will definitely love it.”

The maids praised it, and Xiao Qinghe’s mood improved.

She stored the doll and went to the front hall to meet Xiao Yecheng.

“The doll is beautifully made. Thank you, Brother.”

Xiao Qinghe nodded in thanks. Xiao Yecheng quickly waved it off, then cautiously asked: “Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. Do you have any plans, He’er?”

“Nothing planned for now.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yecheng’s eyes brightened. “Then may I invite you to go to the Lantern Festival with me?”

Although he had recently given her many gifts, they hadn’t gone out together yet.

Xiao Yecheng’s face was full of anticipation. Xiao Qinghe didn’t dampen his excitement and cheerfully said, “Sure.”

He smiled broadly but soon noticed red veins in her eyes: “He’er, did you not sleep well last night?”

Xiao Qinghe hesitated: “It’s nothing serious, just a bad dream.”

Quezhi had skillfully done her hair and makeup, concealing her fatigue. Apart from the redness in her eyes, no one would notice that she had awoken from a nightmare and remained sleepless until dawn.

But before she could say more, Xiao Yecheng asked: “He’er, did you dream about something unpleasant from before?”

The New Year had just ended, Xiao Qingyue’s wedding was coming up, and the household was full of joy. Xiao Qinghe couldn’t have been wronged at home; the only thing that could give her nightmares was something related to Wei Lingze.

Xiao Yecheng’s face was full of concern. Xiao Qinghe didn’t hide it and nodded.

She had expected him to comfort her like Quezhi did, but instead, Xiao Yecheng said solemnly: “Did I make you feel pressured, He’er? If being with me brings up unpleasant memories, you can completely refuse me. As long as you’re happy, I’ll be content even if I only stay by your side as a brother.”