TSWPF -Chapter 167 The Bridal Chamber

Li Qingling was riding in a sedan chair for the first time. The jolting motion made her feel as if she was going to be sick.

If she had known that sitting in a sedan chair would feel like this, she would never have chosen to ride in one.

It was truly more uncomfortable than motion sickness.

She didn’t know how much time had passed, but finally the sedan chair came to a stop. Li Qingling, who had been holding her breath the whole time, finally exhaled forcefully.

They had arrived at last. If they hadn’t, she might really have thrown up.

“The bride, kick open the sedan door…”

From outside the chair came the voice of the matchmaker. In the next moment, the sedan door was kicked open with force, and a slender, fair hand appeared before her.

She curved her lips slightly and slowly placed her hand into his.

The moment she did, he held it tightly.

Carefully, he helped her step out of the sedan chair. Amid cheers from the crowd, he led her into the main hall.

Because of what had happened earlier, Old Li had resolutely decided to teach Li Qingling a lesson and cut off relations with her.

Without that relationship, Old Li would certainly not attend her wedding, let alone sit in the place of honor.

Since Old Li wasn’t coming, the elder present took no offense and sat proudly at the main table, waiting for Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou to pay their respects.

Seeing the tall and handsome Liu Zhimou lead Li Qingling inside, a broad smile bloomed on the elder’s face. Watching these two children marry brought him genuine joy.

Soon, he thought, he would be holding a plump, round great-grandson in his arms.

Thinking this, his smile deepened.

Although Li Qingling could not see the people around her clearly, she could hear their words and, from their voices, feel the blessings they were giving her.

She bit her lips nervously. She hadn’t expected to be married at fourteen.

But she did not regret it. Marrying Liu Zhimou, she had no regrets.

In this strange world, she had found someone who loved her and could become her husband. She felt it was her good fortune.

Li Qingling’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Only when she heard the call to bow to heaven did she snap back to reality.

“One bow to heaven…”

Following Liu Zhimou, she turned and bowed to heaven.

“Two bows to the elders…”

Li Qingling was again led to turn and bow to the elder, who was so pleased he kept praising them.

“Bowing to each other as husband and wife…”

As these words fell, Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou hadn’t even begun when a male voice interrupted.

“Wait…” The moment the voice rang out, the entire hall went silent. Everyone turned to see where it had come from.

Dressed in a red robe, Zhao Yichen emerged from the crowd. He walked straight up to Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou and stopped.

Liu Zhimou squinted slightly, casting a displeased glance at Zhao Yichen.

He was also wearing red; to anyone unaware, it could almost seem like he was the one getting married.

Everyone watched Zhao Yichen tensely, unsure of what he intended. Surely he wasn’t trying to disrupt the wedding?

“Master Zhao, what important matter warrants interrupting Mo Xiaozai and Miss Qingling’s wedding ceremony?” The elder looked displeased, clearly annoyed with him.

Zhao Yichen ignored the elder and quietly stared at Li Qingling. Even through her bridal veil, she could feel the intense gaze upon her.

Her heart stirred uneasily. What did Zhao Yichen want?

She bit her lips, just about to ask what he wanted.

Then Zhao Yichen shifted his gaze to Liu Zhimou, his expression solemn. “You must treat her well.” Seeing the one you love happy is a kind of happiness too. He hoped she would always be happy.

Liu Zhimou met Zhao Yichen’s gaze seriously. “Of course.” She was his wife; of course, he would treat her well.

After a deep look at Liu Zhimou, Zhao Yichen turned on his heel and strode toward the door.

Once he left, the master of ceremonies quickly urged the couple to bow to each other and escorted them into the bridal chamber to avoid any further interruptions.

After the ceremony, he wiped sweat from his brow. His racing heart finally began to calm.

Li Qingling was helped into the bridal chamber. Sitting on the wedding bed, she heard the villagers urging Liu Zhimou to lift her veil.

Liu Zhimou’s hands were sweaty from nervousness. At the crowd’s urging, he picked up one side of the veil pole, took a deep breath to calm himself, and gently lifted the veil.

Light flooded in at once. But Li Qingling didn’t dare look up—her bridal makeup was simply too awful. She didn’t even have the courage to face Liu Zhimou.

“Hey, are you shy, missy? Not daring to look up?” someone teased.

“What are you saying? How could she be shy?”

Li Qingling’s embarrassment deepened.

Aunt Huang, seeing this, chased everyone out of the chamber. “Go, go drink, go drink…” With so many people here, little Qingling couldn’t lift her head anyway. She herself thought the bridal makeup was hideous.

Once everyone left, Aunt Huang thoughtfully closed the door, leaving the room for Liu Zhimou and Li Qingling alone.

Liu Zhimou sat beside Li Qingling and tilted his head to look at her. “What’s wrong? Really shy?”

Li Qingling twisted her fingers, helplessly saying that she was afraid of frightening him.

“Not at all…”

Since he said so, she couldn’t blame herself for being scared.

Slowly, she lifted her head and faced him. Seeing his calm expression, she raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you think it’s ugly?” She really couldn’t bear to look.

If she could, she would have done her own makeup.

But customs here required the matchmaker to do it, so she had to follow local practice.

“It’s not ugly…” Liu Zhimou shook his head, staring intently at her. No matter how she looked, to him, she was the most beautiful.

What kind of gaze was that?

Li Qingling twitched her lips, thinking his gaze was strange. Not wanting to dwell on the topic, she changed the subject. “Aren’t you going out?”

“Yes…” He held her hand and whispered, “Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”

“Mm…” Li Qingling nodded slightly.

Liu Zhimou smiled and turned to leave.

He closed the door, then opened it again shortly after. Li Qingling thought he had returned and wondered how he came back so quickly.

Looking up, she saw Liu Zhirou carefully carrying a tray, placing the bowls and dishes on the table.

“Sis… no, sister-in-law, big brother asked me to bring you something to eat.”

Li Qingling rubbed her stomach; she was truly hungry. The small amount she had eaten earlier was completely digested.

She sat down in front of the chair and smiled at Liu Zhirou. “Thank you, Rourou. Have you eaten?”

“I haven’t yet. I’ll eat later.” She pushed the food toward Li Qingling. “Sister-in-law, eat quickly!”

“Let’s eat together! There’s too much; I can’t finish it alone.”

Unable to refuse, Liu Zhirou nodded.

After the meal, Liu Zhirou took the dishes away. Li Qingling felt uncomfortable on her face and went to wash it herself.

After washing, she returned to sit by the bed.

About half an hour later, Liu Zhimou returned, helped by someone.

Was he drunk?

Li Qingling quickly stood to help him lie on the bed.

A strong smell of alcohol hit her nose. She couldn’t tell how much he had drunk; he was completely unconscious.

“Master, we’ll leave now.” Those helping him wisely didn’t want to disturb Li Qingling.

“Thank you, everyone.”

“No trouble at all…”

Li Qingling escorted them to the door, closed it, and returned to fetch a cloth to gently wipe Liu Zhimou’s face.

Seeing him in his wedding robe, she felt a little conflicted. Should she help him undress?

Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes and placed her hands on the buttons of his robe.

Though she had helped remove his clothes in the cave before, that had been out of necessity for treating him. This was completely different.

It was not only excruciating for Li Qingling; Liu Zhimou also found it torturous.

He lay on the bed for a while, but Li Qingling didn’t move. He sighed internally and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him and holding her close.

Li Qingling was startled and instinctively pushed against him, looking up into his slightly reddened eyes.

“You… you’re not drunk?”

His eyes were so clear; he didn’t look like someone who had been drinking at all.

Liu Zhimou quietly looked at Li Qingling, making her blush. He smiled.

“I’m pretending.” If he hadn’t, there was no way they would have let him return so easily.

It was their wedding night; he could not appear drunk.

Though he couldn’t do much, just seeing her, being with her, was enough.

She looked at him, dazed, unsure if it was the alcohol on him or the fire in his eyes that made her head spin.

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly, reaching to touch her smooth cheek when he noticed her stunned expression.

Snapping back, Li Qingling’s face turned bright red. She averted her gaze, unable to look at him. “Nothing…”

She swallowed, suddenly feeling very thirsty.

Liu Zhimou looked at her a moment longer, then cupped her face. “I want to kiss you…” Before she could react, he pressed his lips to hers.

He had waited a long time for this day, and today he finally got it.

He kissed her until she nearly couldn’t breathe before letting go.

Truly, men were naturally skilled in this; she hadn’t expected his kissing to be this good.

She pushed Liu Zhimou gently. “Do you… do you want to… go… take a bath?” She wasn’t some naive girl; she knew enough.

Liu Zhimou took a deep breath and quickly got up, rushing to the bathroom as if fleeing.

Li Qingling softly laughed and whispered, “Silly.”