Chapter 23

After some time, for reasons unknown, the relationship between Pei Su and His Majesty in court eased considerably.

With the favor of Her Highness the Crown Princess, Pei Su rose swiftly through the ranks.

His Majesty was no longer solely focused on affairs.

The cold kiln in the South Quarter, after His Majesty’s intervention, was transformed and gradually began to generate its own income.

His Majesty, in high spirits, mocked Pei Su: “You all say, ‘A gentleman understands righteousness, a petty man understands profit,’ but without silver, even a gentleman cannot take a single step. Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

This time, Pei Su simply smiled good-naturedly and bowed, “Noted, thank you.”

When Pei Su returned and told me about it, I was surprised.

I hadn’t expected that there would come a day when His Majesty and Pei Su’s relationship would ease.

Suddenly, Pei Su bent down and hugged me tightly.

He kissed the spot behind my ear, then took my hand into his palm.

I asked, “What’s wrong?”

He rested his head on my shoulder, his voice muffled and a little aggrieved.

“Nothing, it’s just… it feels like I stole you.”

“What are you saying?”

I hugged him even tighter.

After a while, Pei Su let go of me, his tone slightly grave.

“Sui Sui, you once told me you wanted to join the army. I’ve thought about it.”

“Mm, what do you think?”

“I support you making your own decisions, but…”

I grew anxious, “But what?”

Pei Su stared at me, so nervous his palms were slightly sweaty.

“But… will you marry me?”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“Not just to go with me,” Pei Su said seriously, enunciating each word, “I mean marriage. I ask you to become my one and only, my precious wife. Will you?”

In the deep winter, Pei Su and I were married.

It snowed heavily in Yaoguang that day.

His Majesty said it was cold and didn’t come.

However, he sent several chests full of silver as a dowry.

He also returned the money Pei Su had given him.

In his letter, he wrote that since I was someone who walked out from Ruiwang Mansion, it would be his face that was shamed if things were too shabby.

White snow blanketed the ground, red candles glowed in the windows.

Pei Su and I bowed to heaven and earth before witnesses and entered the bridal chamber.

He had drunk a little today, his neck flushed, but his eyes were bright.

Candlelight flickered red, and a soft, warm atmosphere swept in all at once.

His slender fingers gently covered the back of my hand, his fingertips threading between mine, gripping tightly.

A tingling sensation spread from our entwined fingers, exploding straight to my heart.

Tonight, Pei Su was burning hot; I awkwardly tried to retreat, only for him to pull me back by the waist.

Our lips tangled, his tongue sliding past my teeth.

In a haze, I heard Pei Su repeat by my ear, again and again:

“I love you.”

“If you mishear, I’ll say it countless times more.”