“Where’s the Princess?” Wei Xuan asked suspiciously.
A maidservant of the Kingdom of Jin said, “The Princess is asleep.”
Wei Yan’s face turned cold. The audacity of the Princess, falling asleep without waiting for him on their wedding night!
Was it because she was a princess and didn’t take him seriously? Regardless of her beauty, if her temperament displeased him, he wouldn’t tolerate it.
Leaving the maidservants behind, Wei Xuan entered the room with determination. Striding assertively, he stepped over the screen and found the bride lying beneath the red quilt, only her peaceful, rosy face visible. She slept soundly, eyebrows stretched, and the corners of her mouth upturned, as if immersed in a sweet dream.
Stunned momentarily, Wei Xuan deliberately sat down heavily on the edge of the bed, but the bride did not wake up.
Wei Xuan thought for a while, and first carefully observed the bride he had gone to the frontier to bring back.
Her face was white, delicate and tender, and looked no different from that of a woman from the Central Plains.
Knowing that the women of the grassland were skilled at riding horses, Wei Xuan, intrigued, lifted the quilt to quietly examine the bride’s hand. He pressed her fingers lightly, inspecting for the calluses usually acquired from holding reins frequently. To his confusion, there were none.
Perplexed by the absence of calluses, Wei Xuan hesitated but dropped her hand and retreated.
Fully awakened, Fu Shan opened her eyes to find a man sitting beside the bed. Startled, she clutched the quilt, shrinking into the bed.
Wei Xuan, feeling a hint of nervousness, straightened his posture, glared at her, and questioned, “I haven’t come back, why are you sleeping? Is this how the Princess of Jin serves her husband?”
Blushing with shame, Fu Shan bowed her head and explained, “No, I… I was too sleepy and fell asleep by accident.”
Wei Yan, considering the challenging journey and Fu Shan’s probable discomfort, decided to let go of the issue about her falling asleep. Seeing her red face, he chose not to pursue it further, bringing relief to Fu Shan. She raised her eyes briefly, but when she met his gaze, she quickly lowered her head, clutching the quilt uneasily.
Observing her timid and shy demeanor, Wei Xuan paused and inquired about her name. Fu Shan explained that her name had been changed into Chinese. When asked about her real name, Fu Shan remained silent. Deciding that “Fu Shan” sounded more pleasant, Wei Xuan suggested sticking to that name, and Fu Shan agreed.
Wei Xuan then asked if she knew his name, to which Fu Shan promptly replied, “Your name is Wei Xuan.” She seemed to like his name very much.
“In the Central Plains, it’s not appropriate to call others by their names directly. You have to call me Fourth Master,” Wei Xuan instructed.
Obediently, Fu Shan called him, “Fourth Master.”
Wei Xuan was content with their brief interaction. Despite their short time together, he had a sense that Princess Fushan lacked the typical airs associated with royalty. She defied the stereotypes that labeled women from the grassland as shrewd.
“It’s getting late; help me undress,” Wei Xuan gestured, adopting a husband’s demeanor.
Fu Shan leaned over, knelt beside him, and attempted to unbutton his clothes. Wei Xuan noticed a faint fragrance emanating from her, perhaps some form of incense. However, he realized she struggled with the buttons, and it took her a considerable amount of time.
Growing impatient in the heat, Wei Xuan eventually pushed her hand away, stood up, and undressed himself. Fu Shan felt embarrassed, finding the buttons on men’s attire from the Central Plains too complicated.
Just as she contemplated her options, Fu Shan noticed Wei Xuan’s belt, and suddenly, she knew what to do!
Eager to make amends for her earlier struggles, Fu Shan reached for Wei Xuan’s belt. However, he swiftly grabbed his trouser belt and stepped back a few paces, looking incredulously at the bewildered bride on the bed. “What are you doing?” He asked.
Fu Shan, with an expressionless face, replied, “Helping you undress.”
Blushing, Wei Xuan retorted, “I can manage; just take off your own!”
Fu Shan snorted and turned to undress herself. The palace interior was sweltering, and after an afternoon bath, she wore very little underneath. As she removed her outer garments, only a small red dress sewn by the maidservant remained.
As she turned her head, she caught sight of Wei Xuan staring at her, and feeling embarrassed, she quickly ducked under the bed. Wei Xuan, swallowing hard, approached.
Fu Shan possessed the beauty of Central Plains women, combined with the magnanimity and enthusiasm of a grassland beauty. She admired her handsome husband and eagerly responded to his advances.
That night, Wei Xuan called for water three times. Finally satisfied, he embraced his newlywed wife, finding increasing satisfaction in her presence.
“In our Central Plains, there’s a saying that marrying a husband is following him. Now that you’re married to me, you’ll live a down-to-earth life with me. Don’t dwell on thoughts of your Jin Kingdom anymore.”
“I understand what you mean. Don’t worry; I won’t interfere in the political affairs of the two countries.”
“Good, as long as you behave well, I will treat you well.”