The Second Young Master’s Obedient Husband : Chapter 51

Tomorrow was the wedding day, and Su Qingyu felt both excited and nervous. He touched this and that, walked back and forth, his restless fidgeting making Su’s mother laugh straight out. Su Qingyu’s face burned with embarrassment from the laughter, and he went back to his own room to ignore her.

He sat in his room for a while before his heart stopped racing so much. He took a piece of sweet cake from the cabinet and ate it, a smile unconsciously rising at his lips.

This was something Liang Yu had sent a few days ago. At the time Su Qingyu had heard a knock on his window, thinking it was some naughty child from a neighboring house. He pushed open the window and saw a full bag of pastries and candied fruit. He leaned out over the windowsill to look down the road, only seeing footprints not yet covered by snow, the person long gone.

That whole bag of things, Su Qingyu had shared some with Su’s mother, and what he kept for himself was down to just two or three pieces by now. After eating the cake, his mouth was sweet, and his heart settled quite a bit. Seeing it was getting late, he pushed open the door and went to the kitchen to help.

Su’s mother was busy in the kitchen. Tomorrow was the big day, and there was much to prepare. Several wives and husbands from the village who were on good terms had come to help too, steaming buns, picking vegetables, the kitchen lively and bustling.

Seeing Su Qingyu come in, several people smiled and greeted him. Aunt Wang looked at Su Qingyu’s red cheeks and teased, “Oh, the new husband came in, go rest quickly, tomorrow will be tiring.”

The others chimed in agreement. Su Qingyu couldn’t handle it, his face red as he hid back in his room again.

That evening, the mother and son sat on the heated bed, neither able to sleep.

Su’s mother held Su Qingyu’s hand and chattered on, talking about the years of fleeing famine, about when he was little, about his father. Su Qingyu leaned against his mother listening earnestly, responding from time to time.

Su’s mother’s words gradually stopped, and she reached out to touch her son’s face, speaking earnestly, “From now on you’ll be part of someone else’s family. Be well.”

Su Qingyu’s eyes went red, and he buried his face in Su’s mother’s chest, nuzzling like a child, his voice muffled. “Yes.”

The next day, Su Qingyu woke before the sky was even light.

Outside it was still dark, but the sound of busy work already came from the kitchen. Su Qingyu lay on the heated bed, his heart pounding, then lay a while longer before getting up to wash up.

After washing up, Su’s mother brought in breakfast, ate with Su Qingyu, and gave him much advice. After the meal, Su’s mother touched Su Qingyu’s head, took the bowl, and went out.

Su Qingyu wiped his eyes and put on his wedding clothes. The wedding clothes had been prepared long ago, bright red satin embroidered with twin lotus flowers. Liang Yu’s set was also sewn by Su Qingyu, sent over a few days earlier.

After a while Aunt Wang came in, combed Su Qingyu’s hair and applied makeup, and those blessing words, Su Qingyu listened to very earnestly.

Outside the sky slowly brightened.

Su Qingyu sat on the heated bed waiting for the wedding procession, and before long heard the sound of drums and gongs from outside.

Su’s mother came in smiling. “They’re here, they’re here.”

Su Qingyu’s face burned red all at once.

Outside was very lively, the sound of drums and gongs mixing with laughter. Su Qingyu gripped his clothes, his heart pounding. After a while the door curtain was lifted, and Liang Yu walked in, wearing bright red wedding robes, walking with wind in his steps, handsome and striking.

Liang Yu looked at the person sitting on the bed, staring straight at him for quite a while without moving.

Su Qingyu kept his head lowered, lips pressed tight, stared at until the roots of his ears were red.

The people nearby egged them on, laughing and pushing, herding the two of them outside.

When bidding farewell to Su’s mother, Su’s mother held his hand, her eyes rimmed with red. For quite a while she didn’t speak, and finally only patted his hand and nodded.

Su Qingyu’s tears fell, and he knelt down to kowtow three times to his mother.

Liang Yu helped Su Qingyu up, and also knelt down to kowtow three times solidly. Su’s mother was stunned, tears pouring out.

…

Liang Yu rode on horseback leading the way, the group beating drums and gongs as they went toward the Liang family. With nothing to do in winter, there were people watching the excitement all along the road. Su Qingyu sat in the wedding sedan, listening to the drums and gongs and laughter outside, his heart both nervous and sweet.

He didn’t know how long before the sedan stopped.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and a large hand reached in to hold his.

Su Qingyu’s heart settled at once.

Getting down from the sedan, Su Qingyu was led forward, his feet on a road swept perfectly clean, people around them lively and busy throwing wedding money and wedding candy, speaking auspicious words.

Entering the main room to bow in the wedding ceremony, after the rites were completed Su Qingyu was escorted into the room. The room was tidied neatly, the bedding on the bed all new, peanuts and longans arranged on the table, a pair of red candles burning bright.

Su Qingyu sat by the bed, his heart much steadier.

Laughter came from outside, rowdy for quite a while before quieting down.

…

Before long, sister in law Zhang Yun brought in a bowl of dumplings, smiling as she greeted him. “They’ll keep making noise for a while yet, won’t end so quickly. Brother Yu, eat something, don’t go hungry after all this busyness.”

Su Qingyu nodded, speaking sweetly, “Sister in law, hello.”

Zhang Yun laughed in response, set down the bowl, and went out to busy herself again.

Su Qingyu ate the dumplings, cabbage and pork filling, thin skin and generous filling, the flavor seasoned well too. After finishing the dumplings, Zhang Yun brought in a pot of hot water, smiled at Su Qingyu, and took the bowl out.

…

On this great happy day, Liang Yu lost his fierce look. He didn’t get annoyed being pressed to drink by several close friends, and afraid Su Qingyu would wait too long in the room, he not only drank the wine readily but also signaled with his eyes for his older brother to help him out of it. He walked hurriedly into the wedding room.

Red candles warmed the canopy, and the seated beauty already looked good, but with some makeup was stunningly gorgeous. Liang Yu, a bit drunk, was stunned at once, steadied himself before walking into the room, hooked the door shut with his foot, and reached out to cover Su Qingyu’s face. “Waited long?”

Su Qingyu’s ears went red, and he shook his head.

Liang Yu kissed the tip of his ear, took the wine jug and poured a cup of wine, handing it to Su Qingyu. The wine was fruit wine Liang Yu had specially picked out at the wine shop, the alcohol not strong and carrying a bit of sweet sour flavor. The wine shop clerk said women and young male lovers both liked to drink it.

The two drank the wine with arms linked, and Liang Yu looked at Su Qingyu’s意犹未尽 expression, thinking he hadn’t bought the wrong wine.

After the wedding cup wine was finished, Su Qingyu’s face was red and flushed, but Liang Yu wasn’t in a hurry. He first mixed warm water, and the two simply washed up, took off their outer robes, undid their hair, their bodies much more relaxed.

When they were done, Liang Yu carried Su Qingyu onto the bed and let down the bed curtains.

…

“Brother Liang…”

“Call me husband.”

“Husband…”

…

The bed rocks, creaking sounds, legs sway, soft cries.

Brother Yu’s waist bumps, making little fish’s teardrops fall.

So pitiful, so pitiful, wedding night tears streaming.

The rooster crows knowing dawn is near, holding his beloved to sleep together.

Sleep together!