Ger, So Proud

Chapter 99

“Did you have a conflict with Wang Fucheng and his group during the Lantern Festival at the beginning of the year?” After much hesitation, Fang Hong finally spoke up.

“Hmm?”

“A few days ago, we overheard those guys talking. They are having someone investigate you. They found out that ‘The Best Fragrance Under Heaven’ is your family’s business and are planning to cause trouble for you. Also… it seems they have some designs on your wife…” ‘Designs’ was putting it mildly. In fact, the things Wang Fucheng and Zhao Fei said about Lin Yu were downright obscene.

Seeing Fang Hong and Shi Chunsheng struggling to speak, He Ze’s expression turned icy. The porcelain cup in his hand shattered with a crisp crack.

Anyone would be furious to hear such things on their wedding day!

“Don’t get us wrong; we didn’t mean to bring this up on such a day… We only found out about your wedding after arriving in the village. Also, what we just told you isn’t the main issue. The real reason we came is that Wang Fucheng’s uncle will be coming to Qiongchuan with the inspection team in a month. You need to be prepared.”

“Wang Fucheng’s uncle?”

“You don’t know? You’ve been hanging around with them for so long; you must know this,” Shi Chunsheng said, puzzled by He Ze’s ignorance. “Wang Fucheng’s uncle is an official in the Ministry of Personnel, a legitimate sixth-rank official in the capital. The Ministry of Personnel oversees the appointments of officials, so even County Magistrate Zhou would have to be respectful to him.”

“That’s right. With Wang Fucheng’s uncle, even Magistrate Zhou usually has to give some face to the Wang family. Without this connection, why would Zhao Fei and the others be willing to act like Wang Fucheng’s lackeys?”

After their explanation, He Ze finally understood. A sixth-rank capital official, part of the inspection team—this was a powerful backer! Wang Fucheng was vengeful. Having previously failed to get the better of He Ze and coveting Lin Yu, he would undoubtedly come well-prepared and wouldn’t give up easily.

It seemed the previous lesson He Ze gave him was too mild!

Countless thoughts raced through He Ze’s mind, but he quickly suppressed them. With a solemn bow, he expressed his gratitude, “Thank you for the warning. If I can help you in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Although He Ze had the ability to protect his family, he worried about unforeseen circumstances. It was not easy for these two acquaintances to come forward and warn him.

“No need, no need… You might have forgotten, but two years ago in early spring, we were beaten by Wang Fucheng’s men, and it was you who secretly took us to the clinic. The doctor said we were lucky to get there in time; otherwise, I would’ve had problems with this for the rest of my life.” Fang Hong pointed to the back of his head and hesitantly continued, “Let’s just consider this a repayment of that favor. Could you not let this matter out?”

“We still have two more years at the academy, so…” Shi Chunsheng added, somewhat embarrassed.

“Of course,” He Ze understood their concerns, “Rest assured, today you just happened to come and drink my wedding wine. Other than that, you didn’t do or say anything.”

Hearing this, Fang Hong and Shi Chunsheng finally felt relieved and soon took their leave.

After seeing them off, He Ze composed himself and, along with Lin Yu, continued to bid farewell to several more guests. The celebration lasted until the moon was high in the sky. Only a few villagers close to the He family remained in the courtyard, including Liu San and He Dalang, who led a bunch of kids, all clamoring to “block the bridal chamber.”

“What blocking? Go home, go home!” He Youcai laughed while packing up tables and chairs, shooing them away.

“No way, Uncle He! He Ze is only getting married once in his life. We should celebrate and make it lively!”

“Yes, that’s right,” Liu San raised his hand, “Charge, kids! Let’s send your brother He Ze and brother Lin Yu to the bridal chamber. Tomorrow, Third Brother will treat you to candied hawthorns!”

“To the bridal chamber, to the bridal chamber…”

The scene quickly became lively. Five or six young men, along with a string of children, crowded around He Ze and Lin Yu, heading for the bridal chamber. He An tried to join in but was promptly pulled back by Dad Li.

The banquet was only set up in the front courtyard and at the entrance, so the bridal chamber in the back courtyard remained clean and tidy. Despite this, the lanterns, celebratory decorations, and festive atmosphere were in full swing.

Just as they reached the door of the bridal chamber, a few children jumped up and ran ahead with exclamations. Lin Yu looked at the two rotating lanterns hanging by the door and was pleasantly surprised. “Those are…?”

“Revolving lanterns, you haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“No way, little brother! This is a special surprise He Ze prepared for your wedding. He wouldn’t even let us touch them! He even hired a painter.”

“Ah?” Lin Yu glanced at He Ze shyly.

Given the special occasion, that look had quite a powerful effect. He Ze suddenly felt a bit parched and pretended to cough a couple of times. “Alright, alright, you’ve done your part. Now, take these kids back home; their parents must be worried!”

“It’s not the parents who are worried, it’s you!” teased Zhao Cheng, the eldest among them and already married, speaking without restraint.

“Alright, alright, I’ll treat everyone to a meal tomorrow. But as for now—”

“Run—”

He Ze quickly grabbed Lin Yu’s hand, and the two of them rushed into the room with lightning speed. They bolted the door just before Liu San’s hands reached it.

“He Ze! How could you!”

Hearing the frustrated voices outside, He Ze and Lin Yu exchanged a glance and then burst into laughter.

“Alright, if you dare to eavesdrop outside, Liu San, you and the others won’t get your pay next month!”

“He Ze, you’re not playing fair!”

He Ze led Lin Yu to sit by the table and, while pouring himself a drink, leisurely said, “I’ll count to ten. You figure it out. Ten—nine—eight—”

“They won’t actually stay, will they?” Lin Yu lay on the table, head tilted.

“Don’t worry, they’re just playing around. They know when to stop.”

Sure enough, just as He Ze counted to three, the noise outside ceased.

“Have they left?”

“They’re gone.” He Ze nodded, noticing Lin Yu propping his chin, his eyes half-open and half-closed. He couldn’t resist lightly pinching his cheek. “What, tired? Wait, weren’t you wearing makeup? How come…”

He Ze rubbed his fingers together, finding them clean.

Lin Yu’s eyes curved into a crescent shape, and he softly said, “I’m not used to it. I found time to wash it off while we were toasting. It’s late, and no one can see clearly anyway.”

“True enough…” He Ze filled his own cup with wine and then poured one for Lin Yu. “We can’t sleep just yet. Let’s drink our nuptial wine.”

In this world, there was no tradition of nuptial wine, but since He Ze remembered it, he naturally wanted to complete the ritual.

Lin Yu was pulled up to sit properly by him. “Nuptial wine?”

“This is a tradition from our region, also called ‘Hejin Wine’,” He Ze said, clasping Lin Yu’s wrist as their hands intertwined. “After drinking this cup, you will be part of me, and I will be part of you. We’ll share joy and sorrow, and never abandon each other.”

With that, He Ze downed the wine in one gulp. Lin Yu followed suit, gulping down his drink quickly and even choking a bit from the haste.

“Are you alright? Silly, drink slower.”

He Ze reached out to wipe the wine from the corner of Lin Yu’s mouth. The first motion was normal, but the second was especially gentle and slow. Under the flickering red candlelight, their shadows entwined intimately.

“My dear, did your dad teach you anything beforehand?”

“W-what lesson?”

Lin Yu’s speech was slightly slurred, and his face turned bright red, much more than during the wedding ceremony. Instinctively, he tried to retreat, but He Ze pulled him into his embrace.

“It’s a thin booklet without words, just pictures of two naked little figures. Did you see it, Xiao Yu?” He Ze mischievously whispered in Lin Yu’s ear, his warm breath tickling the back of his neck.

“Ah, no, not really…”

“I bet you did. Don’t worry, your husband is quite generous. This time I’ll let it slide, but next time, if you want to look at someone naked, it better be me.” He Ze tightened his hold on Lin Yu’s waist, his smile warm yet his eyes burning with intensity like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey.

He placed light kisses on Lin Yu’s forehead, eyes, and nose, finally pressing their lips together. He Ze’s tongue darted in like a snake, quickly prying open Lin Yu’s lips. The snake chased the fish, occasionally entwining and playing. Lin Yu’s limbs went weak, and he leaned against He Ze to stay upright.

When their lips finally parted, He Ze held Lin Yu tightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he let out a satisfied sigh. In the next moment, he lifted Lin Yu’s legs around his waist, and Lin Yu instinctively wrapped his arms around He Ze’s neck.

“Hold on tight, don’t be afraid.”

Lin Yu knew what was about to happen, his heartbeat loud and clear in the quiet room. He Ze couldn’t help but chuckle, kissing Lin Yu’s cheek before striding towards the bed.

The bed curtains fell, hiding the intimate scene. The dim candlelight flickered, lasting a long while.

…

The next day, at dawn, Dad Li was tidying up the house when he saw He An excitedly running towards He Ze and Lin Yu’s bedroom. He quickly set down his duster. “Xiao An, where are you going?”

“To wake up brother and Brother-in-law Lin.”

“Don’t you dare!” Dad Li glanced at the closed door, unable to hide his smile, and called He An back. “Your brother and Lin Yu are tired from last night. Let them sleep a bit longer. Go check if the chicken soup in the kitchen is ready. I chilled it in the well water last night.”

“Huh?”

“No ‘huh’, just go!”

He An was shooed away by Dad Li, and inside the bridal chamber, the blanket was already half off. The newlyweds were dressed in white undergarments, He Ze’s arm around Lin Yu’s, his leg draped over Lin Yu’s. Half-asleep, He Ze kissed Lin Yu’s forehead. “Be good, it’s still early, let’s sleep a bit more.”

“He! Ze!”

Lin Yu was so angry he wanted to hit him, especially after hearing the commotion outside the door. How could they sleep in so late on the first day after their wedding? They still had to serve tea to the elders!

“It’s fine, Dad and the others would love it if we slept in as late as possible. Ideally, they’d want us to give them a grandchild soon,” He Ze said, grinning mischievously after having abstained for so long.

“He Ze, get up!”

“No, I won’t—”

Lin Yu, now anxious, tried to move He Ze’s hand away, but after a night of “exercise,” he had no strength left. Instead, He Ze took advantage, tightening his grip and letting his hands wander even more.

Lin Yu felt something hard pressing against his thigh… A wolf that’s been hungry for so long is not easily satisfied!

It was still early, and inside and out, the spring scenery was just perfect.