My Husband Became the Most Powerful Minister - Chapter 28

After finishing, Lu Wuyou added, “It’s a little bit smudged, there is a little on the outside corner.”

Helan Ci was skeptical, but she couldn’t help but raise her hand and rub the edges of her lips twice, leaving a red mark.

Over there, Lu Wuyou had already set down the wine glass. He seriously picked up the wine jug and began pouring, as if nothing had just happened just now, and handed her a glass.

“Isn’t marriage wine…” Helan Ci recalled, “supposed to be drunk from a gourd¹?”

Lu Wuyou said, “Gourd is too bitter.”

Helan Ci said speechlessly, “You don’t find wine bitter?”

Lu Wuyou said, “When I was young, I drank it like water. After drinking a lot, you don’t even notice the bitterness anymore. Besides, the alcohol here isn’t strong, and there’s a sweet aftertaste. Why don’t you give it a try?” As he spoke, he had already lowered his eyes and extended his arm.

Helan Ci raised her arm in cooperation, but she was a bit worried about the height, so she didn’t dare to make any big movements.

The two of them, somewhat awkwardly, hooked their arms together and drank the wine under the eaves of the tall tower.

The moonlight was indeed very bright, to the point that Helan Ci, looking at the handsome young man in the red robe before him, with his brows lowered, felt a strange sensation. The silver moonlight and starlight floating on the bridge of his nose made his elegant and indescribable appearance even more pronounced. Lu Wuyou actually looked like a refined gentleman, but his eyes were overly charming and flirtatious, not very serious. Therefore, when he lowered his gaze, it was very deluding.

And at this very moment, she had actually formally married him.

Who would have thought that just a few months ago, she felt it was impossible to marry him?

Indeed, the world is full of uncertainties.

Helan Ci lowered her head, not noticing the liquor sliding down her throat. A wave of spiciness hit her, and she quickly put down her cup, turned her head, and coughed repeatedly, her eyes welling up with tears.

“What’s wrong? it’s just one cup, and you…” Lu Wuyou’s voice suddenly stopped, “Alright, alright, I’ll take you down…”

After a moment, the two of them went down.

In the adjacent room, Lu Wuyou poured a cup of tea for Helan Ci. She held the teacup and took a few sips, her tongue tingling, and couldn’t help but stick out her tongue, making Lu Wuyou wonder if the wine was really that spicy.

So he poured another glass, took a couple of sips, and found it quite ordinary.

“Do you never drink alcohol?”

Helan Ci hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

Lu Wuyou pressed his temple and said, “It was my mistake; I should have gotten you some sweet rice wine or peach blossom wine or something like that.”

Helan Ci comforted him, saying, “It’s fine, it’s just this one cup anyway.”

Her cheeks flushed from coughing, and her eyes were watery, making her look even more beautiful. Lu Wuyou swallowed hard, averted his gaze, and said, “You haven’t eaten anything yet, have you? I’ll have the kitchen prepare something.” He thought for a moment, then took out the pastries he had prepared for her but had forgotten to give her, and said, “You eat this first.”

Then he left the house.

At this time, Second Prince and Shao’an Gongzhu had already left. The bridal chamber was in complete disarray, and outside, there was still the mess left by the guests. Lu Wuyou had Qingye call everyone out to clean up. The bedding and sheets in the bridal chamber were all replaced with new ones—who knew what they had done in there.

The maid disguised as Helan Ci was still unconscious, so Lu Wuyou had someone take her to the back room to rest. Then he ordered the kitchen to prepare dinner and methodically completed these tasks before returning to the restaurant to deal with the aftermath there.

When he came back, dinner was almost ready.

Helan Ci finished the pastries and listened to the busy sounds outside, feeling somewhat strange because such matters at home had always been her responsibility. However, being a new bride, Helan Ci endured it and took a book from the bookshelf in the side room to read for a while, until Lu Wuyou returned.

Three dishes and a soup were served: a plate of sweet and sour fish, a plate of braised chicken, a dish of stir-fried kale, a bowl of thick white fish soup, and two bowls of freshly steamed rice.

Lu Wuyou sat down exhausted and then remembered to say, “The chef is also newly hired; if the food doesn’t suit your taste, we can replace him.”

He Lan Ci honestly said, “I’m not picky.”

The cook at the residence was also hired only after her father was promoted in recent years. In the past, when the Helan residence didn’t even have a cook, they just made do with communal meals. When her father got busy, he didn’t even have time to eat, and her brother had meals at the school. Helan Ci often went hungry at home when she was young, and it was only after going to Qingzhou to stay with her uncle that she fattened up a little bit. After returning to the capital she lost some weight.

Lu Wuyou picked up two pieces of chicken with his chopsticks, frowned slightly, then picked up a piece of fish, put down the chopsticks, and said, “Call the chef over.”

Helan Ci, who was enjoying her meal: “……?”

Before long, a slightly plump middle-aged man came in, rubbing his hands together: “Sir, I am the cook…” He kept his eyes down, having heard that Lord Lu’s new wife was as beautiful as a celestial being, and dared not look around.

Lu Wuyou said, “The chicken is too dry, and the fish…” His tone carried a hint of displeasure, “Is it not fresh?”

Helan Ci: “……” Is it?

The chef nervously said, “….Sir, the dishes, the dishes were all made at noon, so…. even if we heat them up again in the evening, they definitely…… won’t taste as good as when they were just cooked.”

Lu Wuyou said, “So you can’t cook again?”

The cook was taken aback and stammered, “Uh, uh, that’s not… just afraid of delaying your meal, sir.”

Lu Wuyou said, “……Forget it, you can go now.”

After waiting for a while, Lu Wuyou turned to Qingye, who was standing nearby, and said, “Let’s get a new chef. I can tell this dish won’t taste good even if it just came out of the pot.”

Qingye said without hesitation, “Certainly! We’ll change him tomorrow!”

Holding her chopsticks and listening, He Lan Ci couldn’t help but say, “……Lu Daren, aren’t you being too picky?”

Lu Wuyou turned to look at her. She didn’t seem to find the food unappetizing at all. With a pair of eyes untouched by the dust of the world, her red lips were slightly glistening with oil from the food, and a piece of fish was still clamped between her chopsticks, which she was about to put on the rice.

Lu Wuyou said, “The sage says, ‘One should not be tired of fine food, nor of finely cut meat².’ Miss Helan, aren’t you being a bit too easy going?”

Contrary to how she looked as if she had been nurtured by celestial dew.

Lu Wuyou stretched his arms to press down on her chopsticks, letting out a slight sigh and saying, “Stop eating, we’re going out.”

Helan Ci was shocked: “Now?”

It’s already late at night.

Although Dayong does not have a curfew, most restaurants and taverns close before midnight. Going out now would probably mean not being able to eat. Lun Wuyou stood up directly from his chair, intending to leave, but seeing Helan Ci not moving, he turned back, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Miss Helan, do you want me to carry you out again?” He elongated his tone, “… it’s not impossible.”

“No need.”

Right now, there are still people watching, so Helan Ci still has to save some face.

Although she had only eaten a few bites and was still far from full, she had no choice but to stand up helplessly and follow Lu Wuyou.

“Right.” Lu Wuyou suddenly turned around, and Helan Ci almost bumped into him. He took out a handkerchief, lowered his gaze, and quickly wiped Helan Ci’s lips, saying, “It’s fine now.”

Helan Ci pressed her lips together: “……?”

She felt like Lu Wuyou seemed a bit too attentive to her lips today.

Two quarters of an hour later, on their wedding night, the couple took a carriage and entered a beautifully arranged, serene house late at night. Outside the courtyard, clusters of green bamboo were planted, with a clear spring and stone pond in between. The water flowed gently, and the bamboo tubes tapped rhythmically against the stones, producing a crisp, melodious sound, truly exquisite beyond compare.

Lu Wuyou entered with familiarity and ease.

The young servant at the door respectfully welcomed him, and soon a voice came from inside: “I haven’t yet congratulated Lord Lu on his wedding! But why are you arriving at this hour? it is not good to neglect the bride… Oh dear, you’ve actually brought the new madam with you! This is truly an honor for my humble abode! What a delight! Come, come, quickly prepare a feast for Lord Lù. Shall we have the usual dishes? We have some warm Red wine, would you like a pot? No? Very well… We also have some newly arrived dishes, specially caught and shipped from Wumeng. However, nine out of ten of them are dead. Those that can be sent to the table are all fine items. Would you like to try them?”

Helan Ci was listening from behind, feeling utterly bewildered.

She knew of Wumeng, the maritime country to the south of Dayong. It often clashed with Dayong over maritime disputes, frequently launching sea incursions. However, it was said to be rich in fish and shrimp, and the distance to the capital might be one that Helan Ci could never cover in her lifetime. To her, it was a place that existed only on paper.

So… things from there can be shipped over?

The two were led into a private room, which was also elegantly arranged. The sound of silk and bamboo was serene, the walls were covered with wooden and bamboo roll mats, and contemporary famous landscape paintings were hung. The lanterns were intricately carved, and the eight-treasure grid shelves served as partitions, displaying items resembling antiques.

After sitting down, Helan Ci finally couldn’t help but ask, “……Where is this?”

She has lived in the capital for so many years and never heard of this place—although she indeed doesn’t go out much.

Lu Wuyou swirled the cup and said, “A restaurant.”

He answered it as if this was a bun shop that costs three cents a bowl of porridge.

Helan Ci asked again, “… Do you come here often?”

“My teacher likes it, I’ve come to eat a few times, the food tastes pretty good, although the portions are a bit small.” Seeing her face full of hesitation, Lu Wuyou couldn’t help but smile and said, “Don’t worry, I tell others that someone in my family is in business and has a bit of wealth. I’m still working at the Hanlin Academy, where would I have the opportunity to be greedy?”

Helan Ci: “……”

The bandits nowadays are really brazen.

While waiting for the dishes to be served, since they were sitting opposite each other, it was hard for Lu Wuyou not to look at Helan Ci. She hadn’t changed out of her wedding dress, and was stunningly beautiful. Her bright eyes were curiously scanning the surroundings, her pupils seeming to emit a glimmer of light with each turn. Her red lips lightly nibbled twice, then relaxed again, her state very natural and relaxed, her whole person exuding an air of unguardedness.

Lu Wuyou lowered his gaze with some difficulty, landing on her slender, jade-like fingers, which were clasped together in front of her chest and seemed slightly uneasy. Subsequently, he saw the part of her body pressing against the edge of the table, protruding outwards, its curves alluring, making it difficult not to imagine its feel.

He simply lowered his gaze and continued drinking tea.

Helan Ci knew nothing about it, only feeling that the cups and plates in front of her were incredibly exquisite, not like they were meant for eating and drinking, but rather like they should be displayed in a cabinet. She felt a bit out of place and unconsciously became nervous.

Seeing Lu Wuyou still bowing his head and not speaking, she became even more nervous.

“You…” She hesitated for a moment, but still asked, “How much will this meal cost?”

Lu Wuyou said, “Don’t worry, It’s my treat…” After saying this, he seemed to realize something was off, and said, “It’s not expensive, it won’t make me bankrupt, you…”

Helan Ci waited for his next words: “……Hmm?”

Lu Wuyou shifted his gaze to the eight-treasure shelf, lightly brushing the rim of his cup against his lips, and said, “You look quite good in that wedding dress.”

Helan Ci looked down, clutched her sleeve, her face slightly flushed: “I haven’t yet thanked you for the wedding dress.”

Lu Wuyou said, “I’m just… fulfilling my promise to compensate you.” He paused, his mouth itching to say something more, “I reckon your family couldn’t come up with a very good wedding dress either. On the wedding day, I’d be wearing such a splendid outfit, while you’d be dressed shabbily. People who didn’t know better might think I hadn’t given enough betrothal gifts, or that I was mistreating my new bride before we were even married—if it were someone else, that would be none of my business, but since it’s me, I couldn’t let that happen.”

Helan Ci was silent for a moment, then said, “…I almost made you lose face. I’m truly sorry.”

Lu Wuyou casually replied, “It’s nothing. With Miss He Lan’s beauty, most people would probably still envy me.”

Helan Ci was really too lazy to bicker with him at this moment. She looked down at her splendid and ornate wedding dress and thought that perhaps this was the most beautiful she would ever look in her life. She probably wouldn’t have another chance to dress like this again. She couldn’t help but lightly sigh, “… It’s a pity to wear it just once.”

Hearing that Lu Wuyou’s thoughts tightened, he talked faster: “No need to feel sorry. If you like it, you can wear it everyday at home…at the residence. anyway, no one will stop you.”

Helan Ci couldn’t help but glare at him.

Can you please not be so disgraceful to the scenery?

Lu Wuyou glanced over and saw Helan Ci’s eyes, which seemed to be both reproachful and playful, staring back at him. On that face, even the slightest expression took on a different flavor. Helan Ci usually had a calm demeanor, whether smiling or frowning, always very restrained and composed, never angry or laughing heartily. But now, with the corners of her eyes slightly raised and a hint of reproach in her gaze, making her seem both charming and alluring, stirring a slight itch in his heart.

So, Lu Wuyou lowered his head and took a sip of the tea that cleared heat and dispelled fire.

How strange, he himself was also puzzled; he had never felt like this when he saw Helan Ci before.

It must be because she dressed up. That’s why this problem occurred… let’s hurry up and finish eating, then take a bath, change clothes, and go to sleep.

Helan Ci saw that he was silent again and thought it might be because he had a busy day, and because of the Second Prince and the Gongzhu, he still had to clean up the mess. In the end, he couldn’t even eat well. He must be extremely tired, so she didn’t disturb him anymore and sat quietly.

By the time a few exquisitely crafted dishes were served, some time had already passed.

On the exquisite and elegant tray, the dishes were arranged almost like works of art, with the original ingredients barely recognizable. Helan Ci, holding chopsticks, didn’t know how to start, while Lu Wuyou had already picked up a piece without hesitation and began eating it with the fine rice.

The two of them ate very elegantly and quickly, making not a single unnecessary sound, strictly adhering to the principle of “no talking while eating.”

——the main reason is that they’re just really hungry.

And… Helan Ci has never eaten such exquisitely made yet delicious food.

Because the portions are small, you won’t get full quickly. The dishes are almost served one after another from the kitchen, and before long, they are all eaten up, then replaced with the next one. At the end, two bowls of nourishing soup for easing the stomach and clearing the throat are served.

Helan Ci lowered his head and drank the soup, a sense of guilt rising within him.

But then, two small bowls of longan and lotus seed porridge were brought over, with some wild jujube-like fruits added in. It was surprisingly homely.

Lu Wuyou looked up and said, “I didn’t order this.”

The waiter chuckled, “It’s a gift for Lu Daren and He Furen³, wishing you both a harmonious reunion and early offspring. It’s getting late, so don’t miss the wedding night.”

In fact, the two of them were almost about to forget about it.

For a moment, both were stunned and lowered their heads to drink soup.

When the two of them finally arrived at the mansion, it was indeed midnight. The room had been thoroughly cleaned and arranged. As Helan Ci entered, Shuang Zhi, who had come with her as a maid, was patting the pillows. Seeing her come in, she quickly stepped forward and greeted her, “Miss… ah, and guye⁴.”

Lu Wuyou casually waved his hand to let her out, as if he were commanding his own maid.

Shuang Zhi was taken aback, and then saw Helan Ci nodding as well.

The layout of the house had been discussed between Lu Wuyou and her beforehand. The new bedroom was naturally the main room, connected at the back to the cleaning room (dressing&bath room), with two side rooms on the left and right. One was Lu Wuyou’s study, and the other was Helan Ci’s.

As soon as Shuang Zhi left, Lu Wuyou loosened his collar and began to take off the outer robe. Helan Ci sat in front of the dressing table, began to remove the hairpins from her head. After pulling out a few, she couldn’t help but glance at Lu Wuyou, who was taking off his clothes.

She had mixed feelings.

Lu Wuyou noticed Helan Ci’s gaze fixed on him, as if recalling something, and paused his movements: “Miss Helan, don’t expect me to sleep on the floor.”

Helan Ci was taken aback: “Why would I make you sleep on the floor? We…” Although it was a spontaneous solution, this marriage was indeed real, “Aren’t we supposed to…” sleep in the same bed?

But she found it hard to say the last few words, as the phrase “Wedding chamber candles” flashed through her mind. She lowered her head and began to remove the hairpin from her hair.

Lu Wuyou tossed the robe onto the couch, and naturally walked into the inner room wearing his inner garments. The bathwater had already been prepared in advance, waiting for them to come. Just before stepping into the room, he paused and said, “I’ll take a bath first, and then I’ll be with you later.”

Helan Ci was still struggling with her hair crown when she heard the voice and said, “…Um.”

Before long, the sound of running water could be heard. By the time she finally let her hair down and then tied it back up again, she heard Lu Wuyou’s slightly languid voice, tinged with sleepiness, saying, “I’m done washing.”

The footsteps from the cleanroom continued to the bedroom and then disappeared.

Helan Ci had just started to undress, feeling a bit shy, so she simply stopped taking off her wedding dress and planned to move to the washroom.

The hem of the dress dragged on the ground. Passing by the bedroom, I heard Lu Wuyou say, “…… It’s all wet and full of water vapor inside. Are you going to go in wearing this thing?”

Helan Ci lifted her skirt: “Uh…”

Footsteps sounded again, and Lu Wuyou’s voice drew near: “If you can’t take it off, I’ll help you…” After a slight pause, he seemed to hold a grudge, “Don’t worry, this time I know how to take it off.”

While speaking, his hand had already rested on the tie on Helan Ci’s waist.

Helan Ci was in a dilemma, wanting to say she would do it herself, but the tie on her waist had already relaxed. She couldn’t help but mumble, “I’ll take it off myself…”

Lu Wuyou had already turned around and, without looking at her, began to unfasten the knotted buttons at her collar. He lowered his head, his slightly damp long hair cascading down, wearing only a white nightgown that faintly outlined his figure, still emanating a hint of damp warmth.

The buttons were unfastened one by one along the lapel, and the wedding gown began to loosen. Helan Ci inexplicably felt her face becoming slightly flushed. She finally raised her hand to hold Lu Wuyou’s wrist, her voice softening, “……I’ll do it myself,” with a hint of pleading.

Lu Wuyou paused in response, even though he had already removed most of the wedding dress from her body.

He loosened his grip, took a step back, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down, with a sigh of relief: “…You can handle the rest yourself.”

After finishing speaking, Lu Wuyou turned back to lay on the couch.

Helan Ci’s heart raced a couple of beats. She calmed herself with a few words, took off her wedding dress in the bedroom, and still wore her inner garments as she entered the washroom.

The steam was rising in the cleansing room, where two bathing tubs were placed. One had already been filled and was steaming, while the other was still covered. Snow-white, clean nightclothes were hung on the rack, and beside them were some soap and fragrant bath tools.

She tied her hair up, washed up quickly, changed into her nightgown, hesitated for a moment, and then stepped out.

The lights that was just lit had mostly gone out, leaving only one near the bed, emitting a faint light. Lu Wuyou seemed to have fallen asleep as well. Helan Ci felt a bit more at ease and cautiously approached the bed with light steps.

“……Are you going to sleep outside or inside?”

Lu Wuyou suddenly spoke, startling her.

Helan Ci hesitated for a moment. She usually slept alone so naturally she slept on the inner side, but she had heard that after marriage, women should sleep outside. While she was hesitating, she heard Lu Wuyou ask, “Do you usually sleep inside or outside?”

Helan Ci subconsciously said, “Inside.”

Lu Wuyou sat up, made some space for her to pass and said, “Come in.”

Helan Ci said “oh,” crawled into the bed, and then lay flat.

Lu Wuyou pulled the blanket over, lay flat, and with a flick of his hand, the light went out.

The surroundings were pitch black, and one couldn’t see their own hand in front of them, but they could feel the warmth of the person beside them. Helan Ci bit her lip, not daring to turn over, just lying there. Even with her eyes closed, she couldn’t fall asleep, it’s because she wasn’t used to having someone next to her, especially Lu Wuyou.

She kind of wants to ask about his sleeping habits, whether you toss and turn at night, or whether you get up to go to the bathroom, but she’s too shy.

Helan Ci lay silently for a while, then felt the person beside him suddenly sit up, propped up his forehead and muttering, “…Forget it, I’ll sleep on the floor.”

T/N: If there is any error with the footnote please let me know. I will change the footnote from earlier chapters when i have time.