Eldest Sister's Marriage (3)

Two weeks after the welcoming banquet, the elders of Chu manor visited the Zhao princesses' manor bearing betrothal gifts. It was tradition to bring gifts to the bride-to-be's home and meet the elders but there were no elders on the princesses' side to meet. Thus, only the elders of the Chu manor were there to talk with Qian Yu and her sisters.

Another thing to notice is the absence of the groom-to-be. It is unknown to Qian Yu whether the Great General has tasks to complete or he is against the engagement. Whatever the reason, Qian Yu can't help but raise her brows in secret. This blatant disregard from her chosen husband disgusts her to no end. But she can't do anything about it. Perhaps, the other man thought of her as unruly or shameless considering that she was technically the one who put forth a marriage proposal. In this era, women who do so are not considered to be virtuous. But since it is an imperial edict, the Yun family doesn't have a choice but to go through with it.

A week later, betrothal gifts from the Prime Minister's house came. Qian Yu was impressed with her soon-to-be brother-in-law since he personally came and amicably stayed a couple of hours to talk personally to her younger sister. What they talked about, that is something beyond her.

Soon after that, another batch of betrothal gifts arrived. This time, the gifts came from the palace and they were for Rou Xi. Seeing the last of the extravagant gifts they received go straight into their courtyard, Qian Yu can't help but heave out a heavy sigh. The reality that they are indeed going to get married soon makes her heart ache.

When the auspicious dates for the wedding were discussed, it was decided that the first one to get married will be Qian Yu as she is the eldest among the three princesses.

The day of the wedding arrived without her seeing even the shadow of her fiancè. Qian Yu didn't really mind that since she also didn't know what they would talk about if ever they were to come face to face.

Wearing a heavy headdress and red wedding garb, Qian Yu went through the entire ceremony without too much fuss. That's very unusual of her. The wedding ceremony of this era, especially that of the imperial family, can be really tedious. With the normal Qian Yu, she would have thrown her temper around as soon as she takes her seat in her bridal sedan. Much to her sisters' surprise, Qian Yu behaved quite well.

Indeed, Qian Yu has decided to behave herself during this important event not because she was nervous, happy, or experiencing wedding jitters. Truth be told, she was just cooking up a plan on how she can fulfill her goals.

She remembered the time when they were traveling from home to the Xiao Kingdom. It was mid-journey when they were able to receive the report from Lou Yi's men about the potential marriage candidates they can choose from.

Out of the men presented to her, she chose the Great General simply because of one thing - her love of weaponry.

It is to be known that the Great General is not only the chief of command for several thousands of men. He is also the one with authority over the great nation's weapon manufacturing industry and national weapon arsenal. With Qian Yu's obsession with weapons and explosives, she will surely not have a boring time staying in the Great General's manor.

Waiting for too long on the bed has made Qian Yu quite drowsy. That's why she wasn't able to compose herself fast enough when her husband walked into the room. Good thing she didn't remove her wedding veil or this man might've seen her drooling face!

Subtly composing herself, Qian Yu allowed herself to stare at the only thing she could see in front of her - his husband's boots!

Qian Yu was actually expecting that some rowdy military men who are of close connections to the Great General will suddenly come barging into the matrimonial chambers - just like what she had heard from her friends in the past who got married. However, such a thing didn't happen. Instead, the Great General was the only one who came into the room. That didn't matter much to Qian Yu though since she prefers to be left in peace too.

The man in front of her coughed, perhaps to gain her attention.

"Will you be lifting the wedding veil now?", she nonchalantly asked to which the man only replied with a sigh. He then moved forward to lift the veil covering her face.

Great General Chu Han Yun was a bit hesitant to lift the veil. He doesn't know what his newly wedded wife looks like thus he was bracing himself. Rumors say that the three princesses were supposed to be great beauties but would they be really hiding their faces if they are indeed that? Or maybe they are hiding some hideous scars or the likes? Even though Chu Han Yun had seen much more gruesome things in the battlefield, it is still best to prepare the heart for something unexpected.

Holding his breath, Chu Han Yun lifted the veil. As if in slow motion, he saw for the very first time what the princess looks like. His pupils dilated as his gaze fell on the woman's face - the rumors didn't do justice! His wife has porcelain white skin and rosy cheeks. Her full lips have that blood red color while her eyes, while a bit squinted, gives you a peek of obsidian orbs. Indeed, a true beauty!

However, who among the Chu household hasn't seen a beauty that can launch a thousand ships? Chu Han Yun lightly coughed to gain composure.

Deciding to get the matrimonial ceremony over and done with, he moved to the table by the bedside to inspect the matrimonial stuff that were there. Great General Chu started with the basin filled with warm water. He neatly rolled up his sleeves, wrung a towel, and approached Qian Yu.

"Hands.", his baritone voice floated to Qian Yu's ears. There was a certain tone of dominance in his voice. She isn't someone who would allow others to order her around but the thought that this man is her husband now made her sigh inwardly. She understands that being husband and wife means compromise and thus she obligingly stretched her hands out from being folded inside her sleeves toward her newly wedded husband.

Although he was a bit rough with his actions, Chu Han Yun carefully and steadily wiped Qian Yu's hands with the wet towel. After that, they shared the ceremonial toast as well as the fertility dumplings.

Qian Yu had initially thought of going with the flow when it comes to the wedding night. She is basically letting the Great General do all the work! However, right now, Chu Han Yun only stood in front of her, lost in deep thought.

Okaay.. so what now?