Chapter 19 Part 3: Wedding Day Gambit

When he emerged from the study, bathed, and climbed into bed, Pu Jinyu was already fast asleep.

 

She lay facing outward, her head still buried in the bedclothes.

He could see only the dark spill of her hair.

 

He lay down beside her.

For a long while, she did not move.

She did not, as before, draw close to him and nestle in his arms.

She was already deeply asleep.

Her breathing was soft and even.

 

He waited.

She did not come to him.

 

He thought of what she had said to his fourth sister.

 

In the end, he turned toward her.

He reached out and drew her waist into his arms, pulling her close.

 

Pu Jinyu’s instincts remained sharp.

Though deeply asleep, the moment he drew her close, she opened her eyes.

 

Sensing her wakefulness, Yan Chiyun looked down.

 

The woman in his arms was heavy-eyed, her brows faintly creased.

She was clearly exhausted.

He looked at her sleepy face.

The corners of his mouth lifted, unbidden.

 

He bent and pressed a light kiss to her brow.

Then he drew the thin coverlet over them and patted her wrist gently, silently urging her back to sleep.

 

Pu Jinyu paused, briefly.

Then she found a comfortable position within his arms and buried her face, surrendering to sleep.

 

Feeling her closeness, Yan Chiyun’s heart eased further.

He followed her into dreams.

 

“…”

 

***

 

The following day brought even more visitors—a dozen families at least.

And not only women.

Pu Jinyu was kept exceptionally busy.

Yan Chiyun set aside his official duties and came out to receive the guests.

 

That night, much like the previous one, Pu Jinyu bathed first and went to sleep.

 

Yan Chiyun finished receiving reports from his subordinates and entered the inner chamber.

She was already asleep.

After bathing, he held her as he had the night before.

And before sleeping, he kissed her.

 

Pu Jinyu felt the kiss upon her brow.

She did not open her eyes.

She made no sound.

 

***

 

On the day of the wedding, both rose very early.

The crowds were immense, truly like a sea of people.

 

Having lived through this once before, Pu Jinyu managed with relative ease.

She moved through the throng with practiced grace.

 

Madam Yan sat in the front hall, conversing with the wives of several high ministers.

The duchess to her left praised Pu Jinyu, calling her virtuous and capable.

 

Madam Yan was deeply pleased.

She smiled.

“Wange, this daughter-in-law of mine, I truly like very much.

With her here, I have leisure beyond words.”

 

The others took up the thread.

Words flowed back and forth, each compliment perfectly placed, each flattery perfectly veiled.

 

Time flew amid the bustle.

The Yan household’s guests had nearly all assembled.

The hour for fetching the bride arrived.

Yan Huaixiao, clad in his wedding garments, led the procession to the Li household.

 

Cheng Wenque was among those in the procession.

His standing would not ordinarily have qualified him for such a role.

But he resided in the Yan household and had once rendered Yan Huaixiao a favor.

 

To elevate his status, Yan Huaixiao had vigorously petitioned his mother to reserve a place for him.

Madam Yan had raised no objection.

She had nodded her assent.

 

Before departing, Cheng Wenque glanced back.

He caught only a glimpse of Pu Jinyu’s bustling figure.

She was speaking with a noble lady, smiling, guiding her within.

 

Today, he would meet her alone.

They would share a private space.

The thought filled him with considerable unease.

 

He had known, had anticipated, that the Yan wedding would draw many people.

But he had not expected so many.

And all of them possessed power and influence—high ministers of the court, figures he had never dared approach.

 

Only today did he understand the full height and breadth of the Yan household’s standing and splendor.

 

After the bride was brought back, he would have to slip away from these people and meet with the young mistress of the Yan household.

Alone.

 

The prospect frightened him.

It made him uneasy.

It made him nervous.

 

Pu Jinyu certainly sensed Cheng Wenque’s gaze upon her.

But she did not return it.

She could not afford any misstep.

 

She guided guests to their seats, exchanged a few words with each, and then proceeded to the dining hall.

As she passed through an octagonal gate, she encountered Yan Chiyun, returning from escorting guests to meet with General Yan.

 

Their eyes met before they drew close.

 

When they came face to face, he stopped.

He looked at her face and asked softly if she was tired.

 

Pu Jinyu said she was not.

In truth, she was exhausted.

She had been standing all day, speaking constantly.

Her back ached, her feet hurt, her mouth was dry.

She was profoundly weary of it all.

Yet she forced herself to smile.

 

“You may slack off appropriately, if you wish.”

He actually said this to her.

 

Pu Jinyu looked at the man’s face.

He was so tall.

His purple brocade robes made him appear handsome and captivating.

 

“And if I am caught slacking off?” she asked, smiling.

Her words carried a double meaning.

She thought of what she was about to do.

 

Yan Chiyun saw her smile as she smiled in their courtyard, in their inner chamber.

His heart stirred.

He raised his hand and gently touched her cheek.

 

“Fear not.”

 

Pu Jinyu felt the man’s closeness in broad daylight, before others.

 

His fingertips did not linger long upon her cheek.

He smiled.

“You have me.”

 

Pu Jinyu looked at his face—a face that, when he smiled, shed some of its usual coldness and seemed all the more bright and open.

 

She lowered her head with a hint of shyness and murmured acknowledgment.

Behind her eyes, interest churned.

 

***

 

Before long, the bride-fetching procession returned.

Pu Jinyu watched from the side as Yan Huaixiao led the throng and welcomed the new bride through the gates.

 

He had claimed he did not wish to marry.

Yet his conduct throughout the rites was flawless.

He made no missteps.

 

In the presence of others, Cheng Wenque dared not look at Pu Jinyu.

 

But he sensed her gaze flicker toward him.

It was very discreet.

He had been watching for it, so he caught it.

 

When he saw Yan Huaixiao’s friend appear, Yan Chiyun, for reasons he could not name, recalled the scene he had witnessed at the homecoming banquet.

Instinctively, he looked toward Pu Jinyu.

 

But before his gaze reached her, she had already withdrawn her glance from Cheng Wenque.

 

Thus, Yan Chiyun did not witness any exchange between her and Cheng Wenque.

He did not see a repetition of that day’s scene.

His emotions settled somewhat.

 

Pu Jinyu watched Yan Huaixiao and the Li girl bow to heaven and earth, to the ancestors, and to each other.

The wedding rites proceeded without interruption.

 

After the new bride was escorted to her chamber, on the path back, Pu Jinyu “accidentally” twisted her ankle.

 

Si Yan saw her crouching on the ground, her expression pained, her lips pressed together.

She quickly helped her rise and bent to examine the injury.

“This servant will summon a physician.”

 

“No, do not disturb anyone.

I simply missed a step on the flagstone.”

 

The path by the moon gate was paved with green flagstones.

Spaces had been left between them to allow the stream from the rockery to flow through, creating a pleasing effect of rippling water and verdant pools.

 

Pu Jinyu explained.

“Today is my younger brother-in-law’s wedding.

We cannot summon a physician; it would be inauspicious.

The ceremonies are nearly complete, but there are still guests to receive.

I will return to my chambers and apply medicine.

You must go to the front hall and oversee matters in my stead.”

 

“But your ankle… are you certain it is nothing?”

 

Pu Jinyu smiled.

“The twist was not severe.

No bones are damaged.

There may be some broken skin, nothing more.

You are my personal maidservant.

If I am absent, you must represent me.”

 

Si Yan was Yan Chiyun’s person.

She was far more vigilant than Jing Chun.

She must be sent away.

 

“But…”

Si Yan hesitated.

Pu Jinyu cut her off and issued a direct order.

“Go quickly.

There are still many guests waiting in the front hall.

Do not delay matters.”

 

“Oh, and I have arranged a theatrical performance in the courtyard by the lake pavilion.

After my mother-in-law’s guests have finished their evening meal, bring them there to watch the performance and dispel their ennui.

I will apply medicine, change my clothes, and meet you there.

If my mother-in-law asks after me, tell her I am overseeing the theatrical arrangements.”

 

A theatrical performance?

Si Yan was puzzled.

Had any performance been scheduled these past days?

She had been by Pu Jinyu’s side and had heard nothing of such arrangements.

What was this about?

 

“Go now.”

Pu Jinyu offered no further explanation.

 

Si Yan, though puzzled, did not press for details.

She assumed Pu Jinyu must have delegated the arrangements to others.

With so many wedding preparations underway, Si Yan had been occupied with the storehouse and accounts and had not been constantly at her side.

 

“Yes, madam.”

 

Pu Jinyu kept only one young maidservant with her.

The others she sent with Si Yan.

 

Back in the courtyard, she had the maidservant apply medicine and massage her ankle.

Then she changed her clothes and set out again.

 

As she departed, she again took only one maidservant.

They followed the covered walkways until they reached the lake pavilion.

There, Pu Jinyu stopped and took the round lantern from the maidservant’s hand.

 

She instructed the girl.

“Go to the front hall and find my husband.

Tell him I am overseeing a theatrical performance in the rear courtyard.

But I twisted my ankle earlier.

Ask him to come and assist me.”

 

The Yan household maids who served in the courtyard seldom questioned their mistress’s orders.

They simply did as they were told.

 

“Yes, madam.”

 

When the girl had gone, a smile slowly curved Pu Jinyu’s lips.

 

***

 

The wedding procession had dispersed.

Cheng Wenque had no particular connection to the young noblemen in attendance.

He ate his meal and withdrew.

When the others saw him leave the table, they offered only perfunctory protests, nothing more.

 

He followed the instructions in the letter he had received the previous day.

He arrived at the appointed hour at the chamber beside the lake pavilion and waited.

 

He had harbored some doubts, some fears.

But Pu Jinyu had calculated the timing with remarkable precision.

From the end of the wedding meal to his arrival here, the timing was exact.

His fears eased considerably.

 

She had arranged everything so precisely.

Surely nothing would go wrong.

Surely no one would discover them.

 

Cheng Wenque did not light any candles.

He waited in the darkness.

 

Enveloped in shadow, he listened to his own heartbeat.

He was nervous, uncertain.

Would she come?

Was he being played for a fool?

 

But before long, he heard voices outside.

He could not make out the words, only that someone was speaking.

He hurried to the door and pressed his ear against it, listening.

 

It was her voice.

She had come.

 

Had she sent the maidservant away?

Or set her to guard?

He could not know.

 

Under ordinary circumstances, he would not have been so bold.

Meeting like this, in her own household, was far too dangerous.

But Pu Wange was not like the merchant girls and officials’ daughters he had known.

He had to take the risk.

 

Wealth and status are won through danger.

Having come this far, he must see the gamble through.

 

As these thoughts churned in his mind, the door creaked open.

 

Though the chamber was dark, Pu Jinyu could clearly discern the man’s figure and features by the light of the lanterns hung beneath the eaves and the faint glow of the moon.

 

When he was not speaking, he truly resembled her adopted brother.

Especially now, half-veiled in shadow.

The dimness softened his scholarly air, and for a moment, she felt a flicker of recognition.

 

She looked at his face and thought of her adopted brother—the one who, in her previous life, had shown her genuine kindness.

She let herself drift for a moment.

Her eyes grew slightly moist.

 

Cheng Wenque did not know what she was thinking.

He only saw her gaze, fixed and strange.

 

The door was still open.

 

But he dared not speak.

He merely turned his face and gestured for her to enter.

 

The movement broke the illusion.

Pu Jinyu returned to herself.

A smile curved her lips.

She lifted her skirts and stepped inside.

 

Cheng Wenque closed the door quickly.

He even shot the bolt.

 

Pu Jinyu heard the bolt slide home.

Her smile deepened.

 

Cheng Wenque had never been so nervous.

Perhaps because he was in the capital’s foremost household, meeting with its young mistress.

 

He looked at her.

He saw only her gentle back.

 

She had changed clothes.

This morning, she had worn robes the color of sunset clouds.

Now she wore water-green.

Her head was bent as she adjusted the round lantern.

Her hair was swept up in an elaborate style.

He noticed she was wearing the hairpin he had given her.

 

The nape of her neck was pale and slender.

In the faint lantern light, he could even see the fine hairs upon it.

 

How old was the Yan household’s young mistress, Pu Wange?

He did not know her age.

He had the strange impression that she might be younger than himself.

 

Was that possible?

From what he had learned, Pu Jinyu was somewhat older than him.

But at this moment, her form, her back, seemed very young.

Even with her hair swept up, she looked like an unmarried girl.

 

Cheng Wenque’s thoughts scattered in all directions, tangled with nerves.

 

Suddenly, Pu Jinyu turned around.

She had finished with the lantern.

He saw her face, perfectly made up.

 

“Why do you not come closer?” she asked softly.

 

Cheng Wenque did not know what to say.

He looked at the round lantern and wondered if he should suggest extinguishing it.

If someone noticed the light and came to investigate, that would be disastrous.

But he could not bring himself to speak.

 

As though reading his mind, Pu Jinyu picked up a cup of tea and deliberately poured it over the lantern flame.

The light died.

Even the paper lantern cover was stained.

 

With the only light extinguished, the chamber held only the hazy glow of the moon.

 

She smiled and extended her hand toward him.

Cheng Wenque’s nervousness intensified.

He looked at her outstretched wrist.

He remembered how, when he first gave her cosmetics, she had traced her fingers slowly across the surface of the box.

 

He drew a deep breath and walked toward her.

 

Pu Jinyu watched her prey draw near.

Her quiet, deep-set eyes fixed upon him.

 

Even in darkness, she could see the tension in his expression.

 

But there was little time.

 

She closed the distance between them.

She stood before him.

 

Cheng Wenque caught her fragrance.

The first breath seemed light, almost imperceptible.

Then the scent grew strangely enticing.

But before he could analyze it, before he could identify what was different, it faded.

 

She looked at him and smiled.

Her hand slid down his arm.

She caught his sleeve and tugged gently, urging him to follow.

 

Cheng Wenque followed.

But his heart was deeply troubled.

 

She was leading him toward the bed.

 

She was so direct!

 

He had not intended to go this far, this fast.

From the beginning, he had only meant to keep her interested, to offer ambiguous favors.

To make her his backup plan.

 

This was too fast.

She was moving straight to this.

How could she…?

 

He had anticipated that a private meeting between a man and a woman might lead to something.

But he had gambled on her not being so bold.

He had prepared his own contingency plans.

He had meant to delay, to spend time alone with her, to converse.

 

He had planned to handle her as he had handled the merchant girls and minor officials’ daughters in Lanling.

But this woman before him was impatient beyond measure.

 

Pu Jinyu, without looking back, could feel his tension through the way he followed.

 

This effeminate fool.

He thought to use her as a stepping stone.

He thought she was blind to his schemes.

Such faint heart.

Already afraid, and they had not even begun.

 

Her lips curved in a cold smile.

The man behind her did not see it.

 

They reached the bedside quickly.

She sat down first.

Then, smiling, she looked up at the man standing beside her.

She released his sleeve.

Her hand patted the bed beside her, inviting him to sit.

 

This was too fast.

Beyond anything he had imagined.

 

Cheng Wenque’s thoughts raced.

He sought some means of tactful delay.

 

Pu Wange was the legitimate daughter of a capital noble house.

She would not be easily fooled.

 

He must give her something, but not too much.

How could they proceed directly to the main event?

That would not do.

If he were too easily won, her interest might wane considerably.

 

What could not be obtained was always best.

What could not be obtained was always most tantalizing.

 

“What is wrong?” she asked softly, feigning confusion.

 

Pu Jinyu had no time for his hesitation.

She calculated the timing.

The performance must begin promptly, or the audience would arrive and find nothing to watch.

 

“Young madam, we—”

 

“Are you unwilling?” she asked, studying his expression.

 

In darkness, sight was diminished.

Other senses sharpened.

Her direct gaze made him squirm.

 

“I… I am naturally willing—”

He did not finish.

She cut him off.

 

She rose.

“If you are unwilling, then let us end this here.”

She stepped back, as though to leave.

 

Cheng Wenque had not expected such a rapid reversal.

She was leaving, just like that.

Her tone had turned instantly cold.

 

Panic seized him.

He caught her hand.

“No, no… that is not what I meant.”

 

She did not speak.

She maintained her posture of departure.

 

Should he embrace her?

 

He could not let this opportunity slip.

He steeled himself and stepped forward.

His arms closed around her from behind.

“I… I did not mean it that way.”

 

He could not let Pu Wange go.

If he did, all his efforts of recent weeks would be wasted.

 

The young woman in his arms smiled coldly.

 

She did not speak.

 

Unable to guess her thoughts, Cheng Wenque held her tighter.

 

“I only thought the time too short.

What if you were not comfortable?”

 

What if she were not comfortable?

He meant, what if something went wrong?

He dressed it in pretty words.

 

Pu Jinyu calculated the time.

She estimated how long it would take the maidservant to reach the front hall.

How long before Madam Yan brought the guests.

 

Cheng Wenque’s words carried a double meaning.

She understood.

He was telling her he was still a virgin.

 

“Then let us not waste time.”

She turned abruptly and pushed him toward the bed.

 

Cheng Wenque was shocked again.

He had not expected her to possess such strength.

 

He had been fretting over her silence, trying to guess her thoughts.

Suddenly, she turned and pushed him.

 

Unprepared, he fell onto the bed.

She was above him, looking down.

 

Cheng Wenque had never experienced such boldness.

His nervousness overflowed.

“Young… young madam.”

 

“Call me Wan’er,” she said.

Her slender finger touched the bridge of his nose.

 

That was her elder sister’s childhood name.

When her sister still lived, her legal mother often called her that.

 

He felt her lean closer.

She was very near.

He caught her fragrance again—light, different from before, but more pleasing.

He felt himself grow warm.

 

Pu Jinyu looked at the man beneath her.

Her smile was seductive, daring.

 

Her finger slid downward.

It touched his lips.

He understood.

He opened his mouth, nervous.

“Wan… Wan’er…”

 

“Louder,” she said.

She liked his voice, she told him.

She wanted to hear more.

 

Overwhelmed by her presence, he obeyed.

He stammered the name many times.

 

“Mm.”

She smiled.

“Que Lang.

Call me that from now on.

I like it very much.”

 

Her finger slid further.

Past his chin.

Along his throat.

 

She watched him part his lips, unable to bear it.

She leaned close.

She lay down beside him, propped on one elbow.

Her hand moved like a snake, parting his robes, easily loosening his belt.

 

Cheng Wenque’s breathing quickened with tension.

 

In the darkness, Pu Jinyu savored his trapped, desperate expression.

She thought of the white dog she had kept in the village.

Cheng Wenque’s skin was as fair as that dog’s.

But at this moment, his expression was less appealing than the dog’s when it licked her hand.

 

Having loosened his belt, she took his hand and placed it on her sash.

She wanted him to untie it.

 

His hand clenched into a fist.

He hesitated.

 

Pu Jinyu leaned close to his ear.

“Someone will come soon.”

 

At last, he moved.

Clumsily, he removed her sash.

His gaze fixed upon the collar of her robes.

 

She took his hand.

She removed her outer robe herself, revealing her pale wrists.

 

“Que Lang.”

Her hand resumed its explorations.

 

At first, her touch was light.

Then, suddenly, it pressed hard against his tensed stomach.

 

Cheng Wenque caught his breath.

A sound escaped him, beyond his control.

 

Pu Jinyu pretended to startle.

She said she must see.

She bent to look.

 

As she leaned down, he tried to stop her.

In his haste, he knocked her hairpin askew.

It fell.

Her hair tumbled down, veiling her face.

 

He could not see her features now.

“Wan—” he began, remembering her instruction.

“Wan’er—”

 

His fingers had not yet touched her shoulder.

His words had not yet finished.

 

Bam!

 

The door burst open with tremendous force.

It slammed against the wall and rebounded.

 

Cheng Wenque’s hands flew to the bed frame.

He stared toward the door.

 

When he saw the tall figure standing in the doorway, his face drained of all color.

His mind went blank.

 

Pu Jinyu raised her face.

She looked directly toward the door.

 

She met a pair of eyes, dark and somber with rage.

 

 

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