Chapter 12

Night fell.

According to the rules, there ought to be an even livelier banquet.

Under the lead of Qiu’er, when Luo Qingzhou got to the reception hall to toast everyone, he realized that everyone was gone.

The sound of someone sending off a guest came from outside the door.

Luo Qingzhou hesitated for a moment before walking in the direction of the sound.

Outside the door.

Luo Yannian was talking to Qin Wenzheng.

The other members of the Luo family had fake smiles on their faces as they bid farewell to the other members of the Qin family.

When Luo Qingzhou appeared, the atmosphere grew tense.

Luo Yannian merely took one glance at him and wanted to leave.

On the other hand, Luo Yu walked back to the stairs gracefully and patted his shoulder. “Qingzhou, we still got some work to do back home, so we’ll leave first. Now that you’ll be staying in the Qin residence, be sure to treat your wife well and be filial to your elders. When you’re free, you can come back to the Chengguo Residence to have a look. The Chengguo Residence will always be your home.”

Upon hearing that, Luo Yannian and the other members of the Luo family inwardly commend his behavior.

The members of the Qin family, on the other hand, had sullen looks.

The more well-behaved he was, the angrier the Qin family was.

At this moment, a young man in martial arts attire suddenly walked out of the courtyard. He sneered and said, “Luo Yu, you don’t have to put on an act! You think the Qin family is not good enough for you. Our family also thinks you’re a substandard man and unworthy of my younger sister. You humiliated my sister and the Qin family by reneging on the engagement! Next year, during the Dragon Academy exam, I will be sure to get even with you!”

Luo Yu smiled and cupped his hands. He still behaved like a perfect gentleman. “Buddy, your words are too harsh. I wasn’t aware of this matter. My parents were the ones who made the decision for me. As for the Dragon Academy’s exam next year, you’re welcome to come and give me some guidance about martial arts.”

Qin Chuan narrowed his eyes. Just as he was about to say something, Qin Wenzheng said, “All right, Chuan’er, that’s enough. Go back and continue with your cultivation.”

Qin Chuan had a cold expression. He did not say anything else and simply continued to stand there.

Luo Yu smiled, cupped his hands, and then left.

As he walked down the steps, he turned to look at Luo Qingzhou and said gently, “Qingzhou, bring your wife back home in three days. Always remember that you’re my brother. No matter whether you become a matrilocal son-in-law or not, that fact will never change.”

However, Luo Qingzhou heard Luo Yu’s inner thoughts. “This kid is still useful. Qin Chuan has been improving very quickly recently… I wonder what cultivation technique he’s cultivating. I hope this kid can bring me some intel when he comes back.”

The members of the Luo family bid farewell and left.

No one looked at Luo Qingzhou anymore.

Luo Qingzhou stood alone at the entrance to the Qin residence and watched them leave. There was neither anger nor grievance in his eyes.

There was just determination.

Dragon Academy?

When it was time for the exam, he would make sure that Luo Yu, who everyone held high hopes for, fail terribly in front of everyone!

“Qingzhou.”

Qin Chuan walked over and patted his shoulder. He shot Luo Qingzhou a friendly smile. “Don’t be sad. Since you’ve married into the Qin family, you’re a member of the Qin family now. As long as you you treat my younger sister well, we’ll naturally treat you well too. Don’t think that you’re inferior just because you’ve married into the family. In this residence, you’re the same as me, and both of us are Young Masters in the Qin family. Come find me if anyone dares bully you.”

Luo Qingzhou looked into his eyes and did not hear any thoughts.

“Thank you, Second Young Master.”

Luo Qingzhou bowed his head slightly.

Qin Chuan frowned and said, “Just call me Second Brother. Why are you calling me Second Young Master? Since you’re already married to Jianjia, you’re my brother-in-law. Why are you so being so distant and reserved in front of me?”

Luo Qingzhou lowered his head and greeted, “Second Brother.”

Qin Chuan smiled and patted his shoulder again. “All right, you should go and eat now. I heard that you haven’t eaten lunch yet. In a few days’ time, I’ll look for you when I’m free and teach you a fist technique. If you practice that several times, you’ll be able to strengthen your body. Your body is too weak. If you don’t become stronger, how are you going to protect Jianjia in the future?”

“Thank you, Second Brother.”

Luo Qingzhou lowered his head again.

A fist technique?

He liked it!

At that time, if there was a chance, he could Qin Chuan some questions about cultivation.

He hoped that the Second Young Master of the Qin family was not as hypocritical and two-faced as Luo Yu.

Everyone from the Qin family went about their own ways.

Under Qiu’er’s lead, Luo Qingzhou went to eat some food.

Following that, with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, he went to the bridal chamber.

There were red lanterns and decorations hung outside the bridal chamber.

A pretty girl in a pink dress stood guard at the door. She smiled at him and said, “Sir, it’s not time yet. You have to wait for another two hours.”

Luo Qingzhou could only stand outside the door and ask, “There’s even such a rule?”

Bai Ling smiled sweetly, revealing two shallow dimples on her face. “Of course. You can only consummate your marriage when the auspicious timing has come.”

Luo Qingzhou looked up at the night sky.

A crescent moon rose in the sky.

The light was dim and the air was chilly.

At this moment, a maidservant rushed over and handed Bai Ling a folded piece of paper. She said in a low voice, “Bai Ling, this is from Second Young Miss.”

Bai Ling’s eyes flickered. She opened the paper with a smile and read it. Following that, she smiled and said, “Sir, Second Miss has come up with the top half of a few couplets. If you can answer them, you can enter the bridal chamber one hour earlier. If you can’t, then I’m afraid you’ll have to sleep in the cold outside tonight.”

Luo Qingzhou said, “I’ll give it a try.”

Bai Ling smiled and looked at the words on the paper. She read out the top half of the couplet in a crisp voice, “Phoenixes dance together on the albizia tree.”

When Luo Qingzhou heard that, he thought to himself,

“That’s simple.”

Without thinking, he quickly came up with the bottom half of the couplet. “Two birds entangled in conjugal union.”

Bai Ling turned to the maidservant and said, “Remember what he says. You have to reply to Second Young Miss later on and see if what Sir said is right.”

The maidservant nodded and memorized Luo Qingzhou’s answer.

Bai Ling started to read again. “The bridal chamber is warm on a snowy and icy day.”

Luo Qingzhou pondered for a moment and said, ” The newlyweds enjoy perfect conjugal bliss, and they are inseparable like fish and water.”

Bai Ling smiled. “Sounds good.”

Then, she looked at the words on the paper and read, “A couple has no second thoughts about being together for a hundred years.”

Luo Qingzhou thought for a moment. He could not help but laugh.

Upon seeing that, Bai Ling asked curiously, “Sir, what are you laughing at? Is there a problem with the first half?”

Luo Qingzhou smiled and said, “There’s no problem with it, but Second Miss seems to be saying that you’re insensible.”

“Oh?”

Bai Ling became even more curious. “What do you mean?”

Luo Qingzhou explained with a smile, “This couplet has existed since ancient times. It wasn’t written by Second Miss. The second half of the couplet is worth a thousand gold coins on a spring night. Isn’t Second Miss urging me to enter the bridal chamber and not let the First Young Miss wait? But you stopped me at the door and made things difficult for me. Don’t you think you’re insensible?”

“Pfft…”

Bai Ling burst out laughing. “Sir, that sounds so far-fetched. Second Young Miss definitely doesn’t mean that!”

Just as Luo Qingzhou was about to speak, Bai Ling handed the paper in her hand to the maidservant and stepped aside with a smile. “But Sir is right. Every minute of the wedding night is precious. Who cares about the auspicious time? It’s more important not to keep Young Miss waiting.”

With that, she pushed open the door and smiled. “Sir, please come in.”

Luo Qingzhou froze for a moment and looked inside.

His heart started to race.

A red carpet was laid out in the room, and the wedding chamber was filled with candles. There was a fragrance in the air.

The room sat in darkness except for the dim glow of candlelight. A bride was sitting quietly on the edge of the bed. She was dressed in a red robe with a red veil covering her face, waiting for him to approach her.

“Sir, you don’t dare to go in? Are you afraid that Young Miss will eat you?”

Bai Ling smiled.

Her voice brought him back to the present.

He heard the door close behind him.

He calmed himself down, took a deep breath, and walked to the bed.

Then, he bowed and cupped his hands. Just as he was about to speak, the red candles on the table suddenly extinguished with a puff.

The room was plunged into darkness.

Luo Qingzhou was stunned for a moment. Just as he was about to call Bai Ling in to light the candles, a figure suddenly crawled into his arms. Then, she rolled into bed with him and pushed him backward onto the bed with a thud.

The bride let down her hair, and a faint feminine fragrance found its way to his nose.

Luo Qingzhou was a little stunned. Just as he was about to speak, she covered his mouth with hers.

Luo Qingzhou’s eyes widened. He could not see anything in the dark.

Soon.

He threw aside everything else.

Snowflakes fell outside her window and the crescent moon shone brightly.

In the room, it was as warm as summer as their arms and bodies entwined.

It was a warm night.