Chapter 648: Chapter 648: Nuptial Wine

Mo Lingwei and Shen Ningning were escorted by a crowd to the bridal chamber in the Eastern Palace.

The crowd jostled into the room, making a playful commotion. According to tradition, Mo Lingwei had to first go join the guests for drinks before returning to lift her veil.

The new bride had to remain seated without moving for a full hour.

However, Mo Lingwei arranged for a eunuch to lead all the guests to the banquet hall to wait for him.

"We’ll be skipping the wedding night hazing. I promise I’ll drink my fill, but for now, all of you get out. I have something I want to say to my wife alone."

Someone laughed and led the teasing, "His Highness the Crown Prince really knows how to dote on the Crown Princess Consort! Alright, alright, we’ll head out first. Your Highness, be sure to join us soon!"

No one dared to insist on the traditional hazing. After all, everyone knew that Mo Lingwei had waited for what felt like an eternity to finally marry his Crown Princess Consort, Shen Ningning.

If their games caused any awkwardness and Mo Lingwei lost his temper on the spot, no one would be able to bear the consequences.

The two brothers, Xie Mingxu and Xie Ming’an, were very displeased. They stood by the door, watching Mo Lingwei and Shen Ningning, who was dressed in her wedding robes.

"Brother, should we knock him out now, or get him drunk later?" Xie Ming’an asked in a low voice, glancing sideways. "I’ll do whatever you say."

As Xie Mingxu was pondering this, someone suddenly grabbed both of their sleeves from behind.

"You two, what mischief are you plotting now? Don’t disturb your sister and brother-in-law. Come with me!" Grabbing their sleeves wasn’t enough for Shen Siyi; she finally stood on her tiptoes and pinched both of their ears.

"OW! That hurts, that hurts! Mother, let go!" Xie Ming’an yelped, hopping in pain.

Xie Mingxu was forced to back away. "Mother!"

Xie Ming’an said, "Brother and I are high-ranking court officials! If you do this, Mother, it’ll be very embarrassing for us."

Shen Siyi’s eyes widened. "Then stop causing trouble here! Don’t think I can’t see what you two are plotting. Today is your sister’s wedding day. No one is allowed to make a mess. Let’s go."

Bent over, the two of them were dragged away by their mother.

Shen Ningning sat on the bed, listening as the wedding maiden and attendants said, "We congratulate Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess Consort, and wish you a hundred years of happiness together. We will wait outside the door. Please call for us if you need anything."

Shen Ningning heard footsteps departing, followed by the sound of the door closing.

She nervously clutched the pearls on her dress.

The mattress beside her dipped slightly as Mo Lingwei sat down next to her.

"May I lift your veil now?" he asked.

Shen Ningning licked her lips, her voice soft and hesitant. "But... didn’t the wedding maiden say we have to wait an hour? Or at least until after the banquet is over before you can lift the veil?"

"Those are their rules. You wouldn’t be able to stand sitting here stiffly for an entire hour."

As Mo Lingwei spoke, the long golden rod in his hand was already lifting her veil. Shen Ningning heard him add, "This is my bridal chamber, so we’ll follow my rules. Once the veil is off, you can have something to eat."

Shen Ningning didn’t argue. She knew Mo Lingwei was just concerned for her.

As the veil was slowly lifted away, Mo Lingwei’s sharp brows and piercing eyes came into view. Shen Ningning felt a pang of shyness and lowered her long, lush lashes.

But she didn’t know just how stunning she looked in Mo Lingwei’s eyes.

Dressed in a fiery red wedding gown and wearing a phoenix coronet, she was like a peony in full bloom. Her shy expression was like that of a newly blossomed peach flower, tinged with a faint pink blush that inspired tender affection.

Her slightly flushed cheeks, daubed with pink rouge, made her look even more sweet and lovely.

Her clear eyes were downcast, her lashes trembling lightly. Mo Lingwei lowered his gaze and saw her hands clasped tightly together, her fingers rubbing against each other as if seeking some comfort or trying to ease her nervousness.

He reached out and took hold of Shen Ningning’s fingertips. "Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to eat you."

Mo Lingwei’s palm was surprisingly hot. Shen Ningning shivered and lifted her eyes to his smiling face. Suddenly, she felt that his use of the word "eat" seemed to hold some special, hidden meaning.

Shen Ningning quickly pulled her hand back and shyly pushed him away. "You should go join the banquet. I’ll just wait for you to come back."

Mo Lingwei stood up instead. "No rush. Let’s drink the nuptial wine first."

Shen Ningning took the wine cup he offered. She looked at the clear, golden liquid, so transparent she could see the bottom of the cup. It had a faint fragrance of wine, and what seemed to be a hint of osmanthus.

She immediately wanted to taste it. However, just as she stuck out the tip of her tongue, Mo Lingwei stopped her.

"That’s not how you drink the nuptial wine. You have to link arms with me," he said with a smile, his eyes full of doting affection.

Shen Ningning stared at him with her beautiful, dark eyes. Mo Lingwei slowly guided her. "You have to cross your arms over... like this. That’s right."

With their arms interlinked, the distance between them closed instantly.

Shen Ningning’s cheeks, as pink as newly opened flower buds, flushed. She blinked. "Can we really drink the wine like this?"

"We can."

After speaking, Mo Lingwei guided the cup to her lips first, then followed by drinking his own down in one gulp.

The wine smelled sweet, but as it went down her throat, it was surprisingly sharp.

Shen Ningning stuck out her tongue, hissing from the sharp taste. "It doesn’t taste good."

The moment she said that, she was caught off guard as Mo Lingwei lowered his head and gently captured her lips with his.

In that instant, Shen Ningning’s mind went blank. The heat seemed to spike, and all her senses focused entirely on her lips.

Their wine-laced breaths entangled. When Mo Lingwei finally released her, his sharp eyes beneath his chiseled brows were a burning sea of passion.

Wiping the glistening moisture from the corner of her lips, Shen Ningning was so shy she started to stammer. "You! Why... why are you in such a hurry!"

Mo Lingwei laughed. "So you can tell I’m in a hurry."

He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I wish I could kick them all out and consummate our marriage right now."

Shen Ningning immediately covered his mouth, her girlish face as red as a pink hibiscus. "Don’t say that! You... you should go entertain the guests. I’ll wait for you to come back."

A light smile played on Mo Lingwei’s thin lips. He kissed Shen Ningning’s tender pink cheek.

"Alright. Wait for me." As he spoke, he turned and brought the several plates of pastries from the table over to Shen Ningning’s side, not forgetting to prepare a pot of tea for her as well.

"Judging by the look of your brothers, they probably won’t let me come back until they’ve made me drink three jars of wine. If you get hungry, have something to eat."

With that, Mo Lingwei walked to the door, then suddenly stopped.

He turned back, his gaze full of meaning. "But don’t eat too much. It might get... uncomfortable."

Shen Ningning had already picked up a peanut crisp and taken a bite.

"Mmm, I know," she said, clearly not catching the deeper meaning behind his words.

Mo Lingwei stood at the door, his gaze lingering and gentle as he watched Shen Ningning sitting on the bed.

Her cheeks were puffed out as she chewed, and with a small crumb clinging to her vermilion lips, her fair, pretty face looked incredibly cute and genuine.

A warmth flowed through Mo Lingwei’s heart. ’After today,’ he thought, ’Shen Ningning will truly be my wife.’

He turned and went out. Although he was going to drink with the guests, his mind kept wandering, constantly thinking, ’How could lips so soft exist in this world?’

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.