Chapter Twenty-Three: The Rites of Husband and Wife, Lady Zhou's Guidance

“Master, after breakfast, I expect the Master will be back from court. You and Miss should go to pay your respects to the Master and Madam with tea.”

“Yesterday there were many guests from outside, and the whole household was occupied with entertaining them. According to custom, the family should gather for a meal at midday today to celebrate together.”

Ping’er brought out Han Fu’s breakfast tray and set it neatly on the table, reminding him of his duties for the day. However, after Bai Li Mingda’s careless words earlier, Ping’er grew shy again, a faint blush lingering on her oval face, and she dared not meet Han Fu’s eyes.

“I understand,” Han Fu nodded and picked up his chopsticks.

The young girl was easily embarrassed and could not endure Bai Li Mingda’s nonsense. Not wanting to make Ping’er feel even more awkward, Han Fu said nothing more. In a few days, she would likely forget the incident.

Breakfast was hearty and well-balanced: two dishes, a bowl of porridge, and two eggs, symbolizing the hope for a child soon.

By rights, he and Bai Li Mingsu, now husband and wife, should have dined together. But they were in silent agreement on this matter—she did not call for him, he did not mention it, and each ate in their own room.

After the meal, with Ping’er’s help, Han Fu changed into a new, spotless set of clothes. The fabric was of the finest quality, the style luxurious but restrained. Once dressed, Han Fu’s presence seemed to grow even more commanding, making the young maid Ping’er unable to look directly at him.

Of course, yesterday’s wedding attire had a similar effect, but the red was too ostentatious for Han Fu’s taste. He much preferred today’s sky-blue long robe.

The master looks even better in this new robe than he did in his wedding clothes yesterday… Ping’er caught herself thinking, quickly suppressing the notion and scolding herself for being improper as she meticulously straightened Han Fu’s hem.

“All set, Master.”

“Good.”

Han Fu stepped out of the room, Ping’er’s hands folded at her waist as she trailed behind. Passing through the archway of the courtyard, Han Fu immediately saw Bai Li Mingsu waiting for him. At her side stood Lian’er, who had returned just yesterday.

Lian’er was a round-faced girl about Ping’er’s age, her large eyes twinkling like two black grapes, lively with every blink.

Seeing Han Fu, Bai Li Mingsu approached him unhurriedly, composed and dignified, and offered a graceful salute. Her hands loosely clasped in front of her, she moved them gently at her chest’s right side and bowed slightly, saying, “Husband.”

No wonder she was renowned in Dingxing—she showed none of the bashfulness expected from a young lady, her movements fluid and natural. Even the slight nervousness of yesterday had vanished overnight.

Finding such formal courtesies between husband and wife amusing, Han Fu returned the gesture with a bow. “Wife.”

“Master.”

“Miss.”

The two maids greeted them in turn.

Bai Li Mingsu stepped forward and naturally took Han Fu’s arm. “Did you sleep well last night, husband?”

To an outsider, the two might have appeared the loving, respectful newlyweds. None would have guessed they had not even shared a room on their wedding night.

Han Fu felt the touch on his arm and caught a faint scent at his nose, but remained unmoved, his expression calm as ever. “I slept soundly until dawn, and feel quite refreshed.”

“That’s good. Do you blame me for what happened last night?”

“I understand you couldn’t accept it right away. It’s your brother who was a bit too insistent.”

Arm in arm, they walked the path connecting the courtyards, their conversation casual on the surface but still marked by a certain distance.

Bai Li Mingsu seemed resigned, striving to adapt to this unexpected scholarly husband. Or perhaps she was putting on a show of normalcy for someone else’s benefit.

Han Fu, playing his part, responded perfunctorily, unwilling to exhaust himself over such trivial matters. As for how their relationship would develop, he gave it no further thought, nor did he intend to devote energy to winning her affection. He would rather spend his time reading, writing, or practicing martial arts.

A beauty at his side and a wife in name, Han Fu remained clear-headed, knowing well the greater goals of his life.

As for Bai Li Mingda’s intentions, Bai Li Mingsu understood them perfectly. He simply wanted the two of them to consummate the marriage quickly, so that she could bear him an imperial nephew as soon as possible…

It was unreasonable—she had scolded Bai Li Mingda last night for the first time as his sister.

“He’s always been irresponsible. There’s no need to pay him any mind,” Bai Li Mingsu said, though the thought of her brother’s eager face still gave her a headache.

She hoped last night’s lecture would do some good… After a moment, she continued, “As for our marriage, uncle was never in favor of it and won’t say much. It’s aunt who will be harder to deal with.”

The Duke of Pei’s mansion was not so large that even the secret of newlyweds not sharing a room could be kept. Bai Li Mingsu was certain that if not the entire household, at least her uncle and aunt, as heads of the family, already knew.

“There’s no use worrying. Let things take their course,” Han Fu said with a smile.

This was not his concern; it was for his new wife to fret over.

“Yes,” Bai Li Mingsu replied, saying no more.

When they reached the main hall, the couple was not present. Zhou Xinyi had only just returned from the morning audience and was having his meal in the study. Lady Wang was reciting sutras in the Buddhist garden, as she did without fail every morning.

The two waited quietly in front of the hall until Zhou Xinyi and his wife arrived, then followed them inside.

Zhou Xinyi sat to the left, his eyes lowered, stern and unsmiling. Lady Wang was on the right, fingers turning her prayer beads, her expression kind and gentle.

Ping’er and Lian’er brought fragrant tea, which Han Fu and Bai Li Mingsu each respectfully presented.

According to custom, they should also kneel and offer their formal greetings.

“Hmm…” Zhou Xinyi accepted the tea and said, “Though I did not wish to take you as a son-in-law, what’s done is done. There’s no use saying more. I only hope you do not make trouble or let Mingsu down. If you do…”

There was a note of warning in his words, which made clear how much he cherished Bai Li Mingsu, as if she were his own daughter.

“Speak kindly, don’t frighten the children,” Lady Wang chided gently.

Zhou Xinyi straightened, saying nothing more.

Lady Wang smiled kindly, looking from her niece to her new nephew-in-law, nodding with satisfaction. She sighed and offered her counsel.

“Time flies like a white horse through a crack. In the blink of an eye, Mingsu is married.”

“It’s so fast.”

“I remember when Mingsu first came to live here, she was only five…”

“Mingsu, I think Han Fu is a fine husband for you, far better than the second son of the Qin family.”

“All that scheming at the marriage contest—I wanted no part of it. To wager one’s future on a lifelong matter… it’s unwise.”

“I don’t know why you were so stubborn, but no matter how flawless the plan, it cannot outmatch fate.”

“Han Fu is your true match, and now you are married…”

“Don’t think less of Han Fu just because he’s joined our family by marriage. He’s your husband, the closest person to you for the rest of your life.”

“Between husband and wife, you must treat each other with respect and consideration. When you need to temper your temper, you must do so…”

Lady Wang’s words were full of emotion, and as she spoke, Bai Li Mingsu could not help but weep, as if recalling her entire childhood.

Treat each other with respect… Zhou Xinyi, who had been sipping his tea with his head lowered, paused and glanced at Lady Wang, opening his mouth as if to say something but thinking better of it.

“I will remember your teachings, Aunt,” Bai Li Mingsu replied respectfully when Lady Wang had finished.

“As long as you understand, that’s enough…” Lady Wang nodded with a smile. “Now that you do, you should share a room tonight. I’d like to hold a grandchild again.”

“Spending your wedding night apart is quite improper.”