Chapter 19: The Wedding Night

After the bustling celebration faded, what remained was a room filled with silence and an unspoken understanding between two souls.

The hotel hosting the wedding banquet was the grandest and most renowned in Ideal Nation. As the guests departed, only Gu Xinyao and Du Gu Yi remained.

With the emotional knot involving his father finally untied, Du Gu Yi felt a sudden lightness within his chest. Tears flowed silently, and Gu Xinyao could only be a steadfast support, allowing him to open his heart and release his pent-up feelings.

“Oh! I thought the bride and groom had already gone into the bridal chamber. Didn’t expect to see such a long farewell here—eighteen miles indeed. Tsk! Really… Hmph, just wait until you can’t even find the right tune to cry, picking up leftovers, and still so joyful.”

It was Du Gu Nan, along with Du Gu Ning, who had been absent throughout the wedding, now silently appearing in the hall. Du Gu Nan spoke as she approached, her tone dripping with discontent, perhaps resentful of how smoothly things had gone for Du Gu Yi and Gu Xinyao on such a special day.

Her words shattered the tender atmosphere completely. Though the earlier noble scandal had been thoroughly erased by the grandeur of the wedding, that glaring photograph on the newspaper’s front page was impossible for anyone to truly forget.

As long as one cared, it was hard to let that incident go. Even though Gu Xinyao insisted that Du Gu Yi was the best person, her heart could not be free of all resentment. This was Du Gu Nan’s reasoning for showing up at the wedding’s conclusion.

Du Gu Yi, who had been silently weeping in Gu Xinyao’s embrace, froze upon hearing Du Gu Nan’s last words. How could he have forgotten what had once happened to him? Was he foolish or merely naive?

Feeling the stiffening of his body in her arms, Gu Xinyao tightened her hold and straightened up, her gaze piercing and sharp as she looked at the smug Du Gu Nan.

“Du Gu Nan, I thought you were just thoughtless, but it seems you have no heart either,” Gu Xinyao said without restraint, returning her venomous words in kind. She was not one to fuss over petty matters, but she fiercely protected what was hers. In her view, whatever belonged to her, right or wrong, she would defend to the death.

Du Gu Nan, still basking in the satisfaction of dousing cold water on Gu Xinyao’s joyous day, had never imagined that this seemingly fragile woman would dare to strike back.

“You, Gu—don’t think just because the Du Gu family held your wedding and gave you face in front of the media and nobility, you can rise to power. Sooner or later, I will…” She tried to step forward to argue with Gu Xinyao, but her arm was grabbed by Du Gu Ning, who was trailing behind.

“Sis, we’re here to congratulate big brother. Please stop talking,” Du Gu Ning said, pulling Du Gu Nan away.

Du Gu Nan wanted to say more but was dragged away. Before leaving, Du Gu Ning thoughtfully addressed Du Gu Yi and Gu Xinyao: “Brother, sister-in-law, don’t listen to what our sister says—she forgot to take her medicine today. Wishing you both a happy wedding night and early blessings of children!”

Gu Xinyao glared at the pair of siblings as they left, Du Gu Nan still grumbling while Du Gu Ning pulled her along. Such siblings—who knew what storms they might stir up in the future?

Du Gu Yi stepped away from her embrace, his eyes red and swollen—obvious signs of recent tears.

Gu Xinyao turned back to look at him. He lowered his head, a reserved and stoic man, yet at this moment, his behavior gave her the illusion of a child who had erred but did not know how to seek forgiveness.

Seeing him like this, her heart ached.

“Do their words trouble you?” she asked softly, not reaching for his hand. Often, when someone is trapped in their own thoughts, no amount of words can help; only they themselves can find the way out. Only then can their future shine brightly.

“I…” He lifted his head slightly but did not meet her gaze. His brows were knitted. Hearing such words from his siblings was not new; every time, it pierced his heart. He truly regarded them as family, yet they seemed to treat him as an enemy, even a foe, leaving him powerless whenever he tried to speak up.

“I remember when I was young, Nan Nan always followed me around, calling ‘big brother, big brother.’ Whenever I returned home, she would secretly take treats from the second uncle for me. I never expected…” His voice caught in his throat. If there was any warmth in his youth, it was from the little Du Gu Nan. That was why, despite her later hostility, he never brought himself to be cruel to her.

“That’s not your fault. Maybe the fault lies in your excellence, which makes them jealous,” Gu Xinyao said, finally taking his hand in hers. They say home is a harbor for rest, but his harbor was filled with too many wrecks, leaving him no place to rest.

Now that they were married, she would no longer let him drift at sea.

His eyes lifted, locking with hers. Within them were tenderness and acceptance, stirring warmth in his heart. Yet Du Gu Nan’s words echoed again, raising his guard once more.

“That night… I had a drink, and when I woke up… if you mind…” He hesitated, unwilling to recall that night, but with Du Gu Nan’s repeated mention, no matter how magnanimous one is, constant reminders make it impossible to truly let go. Better to confess himself than have others reveal it. Though it embarrassed him deeply, it was preferable to giving his heart and then being cast aside.

Gu Xinyao blinked, initially unsure of his meaning. But seeing his pale face and faltering tone, she understood.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him close. Her right hand brushed lightly over his pink-tinged lips—soft and warm, just like his heart: tender and sensitive.

“To say I don’t mind would be impossible,” she whispered, drawing her face closer, meeting his eyes. “But my love for you surpasses all else, so I only ache for you. Let’s bury those unhappy memories with joyful times ahead. We’ll work together to excise those painful scars. It might hurt, but I’m here, and together we’ll bear it.”

What could be warmer than sharing the storms of life? Hearing such sincere words, more genuine than any vow, Du Gu Yi felt that even if he were to die now, it would have been worthwhile.

The closeness between them meant Gu Xinyao’s lips brushed his with every motion. Still moved, she took the initiative, leaning in until their lips met.

The feeling of their lips and tongues entwining made her feel as though she truly possessed him. His initial awkward responses pleased her, and gradually, their kisses grew familiar and intimate.

The tension brought on by Du Gu Nan’s intrusion dissipated in their tender embrace; perhaps the world had gained another sweet couple.

***

The luxurious suite in Ideal Nation was exquisite, spanning over two hundred square meters—far beyond what ordinary people could afford.

After her shower, Gu Xinyao wandered curiously through the suite. Returning to the bedroom, she stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. Du Gu Yi had not yet finished his bath. She did not urge him but gazed down at the view below.

This was the only high-rise in Ideal Nation. Perhaps because the people there disliked living too high up, most preferred traditional courtyard homes, enjoying a peaceful atmosphere that those in tall buildings could scarcely appreciate.

Watching the cars below, tiny as ants, her thoughts drifted back to her own era. Though bereft of family and friends there, it had been her home for over twenty years. Perhaps she would never return.

They say one’s homeland is hard to leave. Now, with a stable place here, a nostalgic longing for her distant home had arisen. She shook her head, amused by her own fickleness: humans are truly hard to satisfy.

Snapping out of her wandering thoughts, she checked the clock on the wall. It was half past nine, nearly four hours since the banquet ended. Aside from the sweet moment at the hall entrance, the only sour note was the appearance of Du Gu Nan and her brother.

Gu Xinyao had not taken Du Gu Nan’s words to heart, though Du Gu Yi still seemed to harbor some resentment. She pursed her lips, feeling a touch helpless.

After a moment’s thought, she rose and knocked on the bathroom door. “Yi, are you done yet?”

Since they were now husband and wife, there was no need for such formality, so she changed how she addressed him.

The water still flowed inside. After a while, his voice emerged faintly through the sound: “Not yet, I still need to wash.”

Gu Xinyao raised an eyebrow. He planned to bathe even longer? She had only taken about half an hour, but he had been in there for nearly four hours. Wouldn’t he prune himself if he kept scrubbing?

Worried, she pushed the door gently—it wouldn’t budge; he had locked it from inside.

Returning to the bedroom, she called the hotel reception.

The service was prompt, and soon a key was delivered.

She looked at the locked door; the water still ran inside without sign of stopping.

She inserted the key into the lock, but it would not turn. After several tries, luck was on her side—the lock finally clicked open on the fourth attempt.

Inside, mist hung thick. A shadow pressed against the frosted glass, seemingly scrubbing his body with fierce determination, as if he would not stop until he had stripped away a layer of skin.

She stepped softly inside and closed the door quietly behind her.

Barefoot, she entered the spacious bathroom, separated by frosted glass. In addition to the shower, a large jacuzzi tub stood nearby.

Du Gu Yi, shrouded in steam, did not notice her approach. He lowered his head, scrubbing himself with such force that Gu Xinyao winced at the sight.

His back was turned; he could not see her concern. Her heart ached for him. She had thought he was simply nervous and uncertain, but he clearly still carried the weight of old wounds. His back was reddened from scrubbing.

Under the bathroom’s light, she noticed several bruises and scars on his body—marks not caused by the current scrubbing. Perhaps he had been at this before.

Why was he so foolish? Was the purity of the soul less important than the cleanliness of the body?

Swallowing back tears, she reached out from behind and grasped his scrubbing hand. She wrapped her arms around his bare waist and pressed a gentle kiss to his damp, smooth back.

“Stop scrubbing. You’re already clean,” she whispered, choking back tears. How foolish must he be to care so deeply about such things?

Her embrace and kiss stiffened him. She had dared to enter.

“I…” he trembled, voice quivering as he spoke but only managed one word.

In public, he could feign indifference and detachment, but alone, he always thought of that night—when he was carried to Duan Mu Feng’s bed, and though Duan Mu Feng claimed nothing had happened, could he really deceive himself into believing that?

He knew who was behind that scandal. That person wanted him desperately. Would they have given up such a prize so easily?

He dared not think, could not think. Only when Gu Xinyao said she loved him did he dare to entertain such thoughts. But even then, recalling that night made him feel defiled. If he did not wash thoroughly, he would feel disgusted with himself.

“Don’t be afraid! I’m here. I’m with you,” she said, tossing aside the washcloth and wrapping her arms around his waist again. Without heels, she was slightly shorter, but enough to offer warmth.

She turned him to face her. The water from the showerhead drenched her, wetting her robe. She shrugged it off, leaving them both bare.

His entire body was reddened from scrubbing, some areas raw and broken. The water’s spray revealed the slight swelling.

She turned off the shower and firmly pulled him out.

In that moment, all the romantic thoughts in her mind were replaced by concern.

She grabbed a large bath towel from the rack and wrapped it around him. He seemed confused and flustered.

She refused to let go of his hand until she led him back to the bedroom.

Ignoring her own bedraggled state from the water, she carefully dried him. Searching around, she found only a small medicine kit with basic supplies, but it would have to suffice.

She applied an ointment to the visible wounds. When her hand neared his inner thigh, he instinctively covered her hand.

She looked up into his eyes. He avoided her gaze but did not let go.

“Tonight is our wedding night. Don’t think about those unhappy things. Let me help you forget. Okay?” She rose and stood beside his legs, speaking softly.

He bit his lip tightly and closed his eyes, shaking his head faintly. He thought he could get past this, but the thought that his body might no longer be clean terrified him deeply.

She saw his fear and reluctance, and a quiet pain stirred within her. She released his hand without forcing him.

“Then we’ll take it slow. You’re tired tonight. Get some rest early.” She wiped the disappointment from her face and smiled again. She had hoped to move him, but it seemed she was still a step away. He was scared, and she understood. She would never give up on him.

He opened his eyes, filled with surprise. He had expected his refusal to disappoint her and make her leave, but instead, she had said this.

“If you don’t want me to apply the ointment, this one looks good. You can put it on yourself. Don’t torment yourself so much—it hurts, and soaking in water too long could cause infection.” She placed the ointment in his hand. Since he was not ready, she respected his choice. She was from another era, unfamiliar with the ways of modern men, or rather, she was not him and could not understand his thoughts. But she loved him and would give him space to heal. She would wait for him.

His chest burned with a faint warmth and a dull ache—not from the wounds but from her genuine actions, proof of her love. His pain was in his heart; he ached for her. If not for meeting him, she would not have had to endure this.

“You…” He wanted to thank her but found words powerless.

She did not wait for his thanks and slipped under the covers. Sitting on the bed, she patted the other side with a smile. “After you apply the ointment, lie here. Don’t worry—I sleep soundly and won’t crush you.”

Her playfulness and thoughtfulness left him unsure how to respond. He nodded and stood, heading back into the bathroom.

Once Du Gu Yi was inside, Gu Xinyao let her forced smile fade. She was no iron lady, impervious to blows. She was like a turtle, hard on the outside but soft within, easily shattered by a strong strike. After giving her heart, she hoped he would slowly melt that shell.

The road ahead was long. Could he be moved by her?

Her straight shoulders sagged. Fate, why must you test me so? And as for tonight’s wedding night, it seemed it would be nothing more than a night spent under quilts, talking.

She lay down amid the bedding, a rare complaint stirring in her heart.