Miaomiao, You Have My Heart - Chapter 2
The music of strings and flutes gradually died away. By my reckoning, Rong Huai’an ought to be back soon.
“Xiaocui, bring me my nightclothes.”
“Xiaocui?”
A red nightgown appeared around the edge of the bathing screen. A shadow fell across it in the candlelight. As I dressed, I complained, “Xiaocui, what are you doing? I called you and you didn’t even—”
I saw who was behind the screen and screamed.
“When did you get back?”
Rong Huai’an stood there looking perfectly composed, though the tips of his ears were scarlet. “Just now.”
I fumbled with the ties of my gown. “I thought you were Xiaocui.”
The ties slipped through my fingers like eels. The more I hurried, the worse I made it.
“Let me.”
His pale fingers moved deftly and made a neat bow. I rubbed my hands together, embarrassed. “Thank you.”
“It’s damp in here. Go back to the bedchamber first.”
“Oh. What about you?”
His eyes seemed hazy, and a flush colored his cheeks. “I drank a few cups at the banquet. I smell of wine, so I’ll bathe first.”
“Oh. All right.”
A while later he emerged in red nightclothes. The collar hung slightly open, revealing his fair, finely shaped collarbones. The fabric was thin enough that the candlelight showed the firm lines beneath.
My face grew hot enough to fry an egg.
“We…”
“We…”
We spoke together.
“You first.”
“You first.”
I thought I might burst into flames.
“Let’s get some rest,” Rong Huai’an said.
What? Just rest?
“The wedding changed so suddenly. You’re young, and you may not be ready.” A smile touched his lips. “I’ll sleep on the couch tonight. The rest can wait until we know each other better…”
He lifted a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat twice. “There’s no hurry.”
I lay down on the bed, disappointed. Before falling asleep, I thought bitterly: This is all Rong Che’s fault. Why did he have to be third? I would never have mistaken them otherwise.
In my sleep, I mumbled, “Rong Che, I really want to…”
Beat you to a pulp.
The man gently fanning me by the bedside went still for a moment. When he spoke, his voice dripped with disdain.
“Rong Che? What’s so good about that wet-behind-the-ears brat?”
…
Three days after the wedding, when it was time for my customary visit home, my parents were waiting at the gate well before we arrived.
The moment the carriage stopped, my father came toward us with tears in his eyes.
“My darling girl, the Rongs haven’t mistreated you, have they? If you’re unhappy there, come home and stay as long as you like. Your father can still afford to keep you.”
Mother gave the soft flesh at his waist a sharp pinch. “Your son-in-law can hear you.”
Father muttered, “Son-in-law? Until recently he was our equal.”
“Just look. Our Miaomiao has lost weight.”
I linked arms with him. “Father, it’s only been a few days. How could I have lost weight already?”
Rong Huai’an stepped down from the carriage and respectfully greeted my parents. In the main hall, we paid our respects to the elders one by one. Then my older sisters pulled me into the garden.
My eldest sister asked at once, “Well? Is your husband attentive to you?”
I thought for a moment and nodded. “Of course. And he has a household of his own, so I don’t have to pay my respects to his elders every morning or get up at dawn. It’s almost like being at home.”
She poked my forehead. “Silly girl. That’s not what I meant.”
I stared for a moment, then understood. “Eldest Sister! Who asks a question like that?”
“He’s seven years older than you. He might be a little rough. Don’t simply put up with everything.”
I twisted the handkerchief in my fingers, my cheeks burning. “Eldest Sister, we… haven’t done that yet.”
She let out a shriek. I caught hold of her before she could explode. “Keep your voice down.”
She paced back and forth, muttering. “Miaomiao, I’ve heard Lord Rong keeps no concubines or bedchamber maids.”
I nodded. That was true.
She leaned close to my ear. “Could he have… some sort of problem?”
My eyes widened.
“I’ll send you a few books later. Take them home and learn from them.” She raised a determined fist. “You have to take your happiness into your own hands.”
…
We didn’t set off for home until the afternoon. Rong Huai’an had been made to drink quite a lot. Father, my brothers, and my brothers-in-law had taken turns with him. Even a man made of iron would have struggled.
As the carriage rolled toward the Rong residence, I touched his forehead. “Did you drink that much? My father is famous for being able to drink anyone under the table. Drinking with him is walking into a trap.”
Rong Huai’an tilted his head and pressed his cheek into my palm. “A little too much.”
“My lady, I think I’m rather drunk.”
He edged a few inches closer, his warm breath brushing my neck. The scent of sandalwood mingled with wine around him, and somehow I found it pleasant.
Our eyes met. His gaze dropped to my lips. Then he kissed me, as lightly as a dragonfly skimming water.
I forgot to breathe. The world seemed to fall silent until there was only the two of us.
Thump. Thump, thump.
He did nothing else. He simply took my hand, laced his fingers through mine, and leaned back against the carriage with his eyes closed. A faint smile rested on his lips.
The next day, once sober, he was his usual upright, courteous self.
“I was drunk yesterday. I hope I didn’t upset you, my lady?”
He didn’t remember?
“No.”
His smile deepened. “I’m glad.”
