Chapter 59: This-

The night was deep and heavy.

Liu Huang had not fallen asleep.

Instead, she went to Liu Feng’s room.

At that moment, Liu Feng was standing by the table with a candle lit, focused intently on something unknown.

Even when Liu Huang pushed the door open and walked in, Liu Feng did not react.

It was only when Liu Huang stepped beside her that Liu Feng slowly asked, “Huang’er, why aren’t you sleeping so late?”

Liu Huang’s gaze fell on the painting laid out on the table before Liu Feng.

Instead of answering, she asked, “Sister, why are you drawing a portrait of the sickly one?”

Liu Feng smiled softly.

“It’s a wedding gift for Sister Qiu.”

At those words, Liu Huang’s hands clenched abruptly.

“Sister, I don’t want the sickly one to get married.”

“Even if the other party is a woman, I still don’t want it.”

“We spent so much money raising her, and now she turns around and marries someone else.”

“Sister, the sickly one should remain alone forever.”

Liu Feng continued outlining fine lines unhurriedly.

“Huang’er, you care too much about this matter.”

“Sister Qiu’s marriage has no impact on us. She won’t leave this place.”

“If you want to tease her, then tease her. That Su Li can’t do anything.”

Liu Huang lifted her eyes and stared at Liu Feng.

“Today I intended to watch Liu Qiu bathe, but Su Li interfered. Liu Qiu drove me outside and bathed together with her.”

Liu Feng’s expression did not change in the slightest.

“So they bathed. What of it?”

Liu Huang irritably raked her fingers through her hair.

“Sister, the sickly one only lived to this age because of the money we earned. Shouldn’t she belong to us?”

“And Su Li has only just arrived, yet the sickly one treats her so well. She never treats us that way.”

“Every time we get close, she cries and acts aggrieved. She made mistakes in the past herself, yet she can’t endure the slightest grievance.”

By the end, Liu Huang no longer knew what she was saying.

She simply felt irritated.

So irritated that her entire body felt uncomfortable.

Liu Feng set down her brush and handed over a long rectangular box from the table.

Liu Huang looked puzzled but accepted it.

Inside was a piece of red wood about the height of a calf, and beside it lay a sheet of white paper.

She unfolded the paper.

Drawn upon it was a small figure of Liu Qiu.

Liu Huang frowned.

“Sister, why draw such a small one?”

Liu Feng tilted her head toward Liu Huang.

In the candlelight, her eyes appeared unfathomably dark.

The corners of her lips curved faintly as she smiled.

“Huang’er, tomorrow take this to a woodcarver and have a doll carved according to the painting. Leave the chest hollow.”

“Now, you should go rest.”

The dismissal in her tone was obvious.

Liu Huang’s eyes flickered.

She folded up the small drawing.

“Since Sister doesn’t wish to continue talking, I won’t disturb you.”

“I’ll carve the wood myself.”

“Sister should rest early too.”

After Liu Huang left, Liu Feng resumed painting, stroke by stroke outlining the figure.

The slender body.

The beautiful face.

Under Liu Feng’s brush, the person in the painting gradually came to life.

As though she might step off the page at any moment.

Liu Feng lifted her head and looked at the bright night outside the window.

“How long can you live, I wonder?” she murmured.

Marriage was a major event.

But Fang Lian did not wish to invite the villagers.

She invited only the village head as witness.

She also had no intention of inviting relatives with whom ties had long been severed.

Only their family dressed festively.

Liu Qiu could not escape wearing a red gown.

The bright crimson only made her already pale skin appear even more bloodless.

Fang Lian and Liu Tieniu had gone to town early in the morning to purchase it.

It was not especially exquisite, but far nicer than her usual clothes.

Su Li, draped in a red bridal veil, stood opposite Liu Qiu.

When Fang Lian helped them dress, she had said the veil was unnecessary.

But Su Li insisted.

She claimed that since she was becoming Wife’s bride, she must wear it.

Fang Lian laughed heartily and placed the red cloth over Su Li’s head.

And so the scene came to be.

The courtyard and each room were decorated with the character for double happiness.

Though simple, one could see Fang Lian’s care.

In daylight it had looked fine.

But now at dusk, the dim yellow light made the red characters seem faintly desolate.

“First bow to Heaven and Earth!”

“Second bow to the parents!”

“Husband and wife bow to each other!”

“The ceremony is complete!”

The modest house.

The sparse attendees.

A breeze drifted in from outside, lifting the red veil from Su Li’s head.

Liu Qiu watched with a bright smile on her face, deep dimples forming on both cheeks.

Finally married.

The mission progress could begin moving now.

[Host, it seems you really like this wedding. Though if this scene happened at night, it would feel a bit eerie.]

The system chewed on something noisily.

[I took photos. When you return in the future, they can serve as a keepsake.]

[I don’t need them.]

In truth, it already felt somewhat eerie.

She could only see that Fang Lian and Liu Tieniu were genuinely happy for her.

Liu Huang’s expression was blank.

Liu Feng wore a gentle smile, but it seemed carved onto her face like a mask.

For some reason, Liu Qiu felt a chill run down her spine.

Today was ordinary yet not.

Ordinary because it was merely a wedding, with better food, prettier clothes, and a few extra rituals.

Her body was weak.

She was already sweating.

Fang Lian noticed and called out, “Huang’er, escort your Sister Qiu back to her room first.”

With only family present, there was no need to observe strict formalities.

If she was tired, she could rest.

Just as Liu Huang stepped forward, Su Li spoke.

“Mother, I am Wife’s bride. I should be the one to accompany her. Isn’t there still the bridal chamber ritual?”

Fang Lian hesitated.

“But… it’s too early. We’ll eat soon. Li girl, you…”

At that moment, Liu Qiu spoke.

“Mother, it’s fine. I can walk back myself.”

Her body was weak, but her legs were not broken.

Fang Lian nodded.

“All right. Qiu girl, go rest well.”

Liu Qiu responded and hurried back to her room.

She had been busy for a long time.

The moment she lay down, her mind dulled, and she soon fell asleep.

She slept deeply.

When she awoke, it was already night.

She stared blankly for a while.

After sleeping, her spirits were better.

These days in this world, she had mostly been asleep.

Honestly, she wanted to wander around sometime.

The town she had visited before was quite lovely.

The door creaked open slowly.

Liu Qiu sat up and lifted the bed curtain.

Su Li, dressed in red, carried a food box and set it on the table.

Her skin was luminous and fair.

Her figure slender.

Her fox-like eyes always shimmered with clarity, softening her otherwise alluring features.

After placing the box down, she looked over and met Liu Qiu’s gaze.

She smiled shyly.

“Wife, come eat.”

Su Li was truly beautiful.

Liu Qiu shook her head.

“I’m not hungry.”

She had eaten too much at noon, and her weak body still felt full.

Su Li did not insist.

She poured two cups of tea and walked over slowly.

Liu Qiu blinked at the cup offered to her.

Su Li’s cheeks were flushed.

“Wife, we… we haven’t drunk the nuptial wine yet.”

Realization dawned on Liu Qiu.

So that was it.

From Su Li’s actions today, it was clear she valued this marriage deeply.

Meanwhile, she herself was hardly a competent spouse.

Though their time together had been short, she truly felt Su Li was adorable.

Liu Qiu got out of bed, took the cups, and set them back onto the table draped in red cloth.

The marriage had come quickly, but the room decorations were complete.

Red double happiness characters adorned the windows, walls, and bed.

Even her bedding and canopy had been replaced with red.

She searched around and found leftover red cloth from when Fang Lian had cut Su Li’s veil earlier.

It was square and suitable.

Holding it, she approached Su Li awkwardly.

“Xiao Li, I’ll cover you first. We should lift the veil before drinking.”

Su Li nodded gently.

“I’ll follow Wife’s arrangement.”

Liu Qiu covered her and stepped outside briefly before knocking.

“Xiao Li, I’m coming in.”

Su Li’s vision was red and blurred.

Her hearing sharpened.

She could hear Liu Qiu’s approaching footsteps.

She had already seen her before, yet her heart now pounded too fast.

So fast her entire body heated.

The veil was lifted gently.

Warm candlelight mingled with faint medicinal fragrance.

Liu Qiu bent slightly and looked down at her.

Her eyes curved gently.

The small mole at her eye corner gleamed.

Her pale skin and dark curls made her appear fragile yet enchanting.

“Xiao Li, you look beautiful today.”

Su Li gazed up at her, entranced.

Liu Qiu, unaware, took her hand and led her to the table.

“Time to drink the nuptial wine.”

Su Li accepted the cup.

Their arms intertwined.

“Now we can drink.”

Su Li drained it in one gulp.

Liu Qiu followed suit.

Afterward, she released her and coughed softly.

“Xiao Li, it’s done. Let’s rest.”

She simply wanted Su Li’s wedding process to feel complete.

Now everything was finished.

It was time to rest.

Though she had just awakened and likely wouldn’t sleep immediately, she could watch a drama with the system.

She climbed into bed and instinctively moved inward, leaving ample space.

Su Li stared at her lying flat.

Her eyes deepened.

After a long moment, she smiled soundlessly and approached.

“Wife, there’s one final step.”

Liu Qiu opened her eyes.

“What step?”

Su Li lowered her lashes, hiding the darkness within.

She untied her sash and removed her outer robe.

The red dress slipped from her shoulders.

She climbed onto the bed and straddled Liu Qiu.

Liu Qiu’s eyes widened.

“Xiao Li, what are you doing?”

Su Li’s brows knit faintly as tears welled up.

She guided Liu Qiu’s hand to her cheek and rubbed against it.

“Wife, have you forgotten? We must consummate the marriage.”

She began to cry softly.

“Does Wife think I’m too ugly and unwilling to touch me? Is that why you wish to rest?”

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together, troubled.

Yes, that step existed.

But she was exhausted.

She hadn’t expected Su Li to be so sensitive.

She sighed.

“Xiao Li, my body is too weak. It’s not because you’re ugly, nor because I don’t want to touch you. It’s my own issue.”

Su Li sniffed, eyes glossy and reddened at the corners.

Her fox eyes were strangely seductive.

“Wife, if you’re tired, then hold my hand. I’ll do it myself.”

Liu Qiu’s face flushed bright red.

She didn’t dare meet those desire-filled eyes.

“I—”

Su Li kissed the back of her hand and guided it to her chest.

Her voice turned soft and lingering.

“Wife, please cherish me.”