Chapter 255: I'll earn you an imperial edict

Hearing Zhao Lang's words, Jinzhi's body stiffened there, incredulously looking at the man who held her beneath him.

Wasn't Zhao Lang always strongly opposed to marrying her?

Moreover, these days he hadn't come to the warm pavilion to rest; she thought they'd just pass uneventfully, and when the fuss died down she'd go become a nun, shave her head, and spend her remaining life with the ancient Buddha under the green lamp, not wanting to cause trouble for anyone else.

Never expected Zhao Lang to actually propose consummating their marriage.

But Zhao Lang is her husband; she had absolutely no reason to refuse.

Seeing the woman in his arms wear a look of astonishment, Zhao Lang's handsome brows furrowed.

"You... what do you think of me?"

Zhao Lang, after all, is a great hero who has slain countless foes on the battlefield; he fears not even death.

Now that he's asked this question, he feels a bit guilty.

Jinzhi didn't expect him to ask such a question; for a moment she stood there stunned.

Actually, in these days of getting along, she found him to be an upright gentleman, highly skilled in martial arts, and also quite good-looking...

Jinzhi gazed at Zhao Lang's peerlessly handsome face, and her heart gave a faint leap.

Zhao Lang's appearance is truly fine, and he bears a heroic aura; in her view he far surpasses the spoiled sons of Shang Jing.

Zhao Lang fixed his gaze on the woman beneath him, seeking an answer, but from her expression he already sensed some clues, realizing she still thought well of him.

Zhao Lang curled the corner of his mouth into a smile, then leaned in to bring his lips to Jinzhi's ear.

Heat seeped from his lips, blowing on Jinzhi's ears; her ears instantly turned crimson, as if they could bleed.

Zhao Lang whispered, "I think you're not bad, someone fit to share a life. Though we've had some unpleasantness before, I'll never treat you that way again."

"Now everyone in Shang Jing laughs at us, but we'll live well just to show them!"

"That lady of the Duan family, relying only on an imperial edict, has bullied you to this point; wait a few days, and see how I'll deal with her and..."

Zhao Lang's expression suddenly turned solemn, his voice growing gentler: "As your husband, I will surely earn you the finest imperial edict."

"Next time I will surely achieve great military merit and obtain a second-rank imperial edict for you."

"By then, Lady in Shang Jing will be able to walk arrogantly, Jinzhi; I may be short-tempered, but I will never wrong you."

Zhao Lang's voice grew lower, his tone laced with restrained desire, as he leaned down to kiss Jinzhi's soft, cold lips.

Jinzhi's body trembled slightly; she did not reject him, and secretly she liked him—she and Zhao Lang could truly be said to have become acquainted only after conflict.

During these days since marrying in, the initial anxiety, panic, sorrow, and resolve in her heart were gradually eased by the Zhao family's gentleness.

She decided to compromise.

She was merely a duckweed adrift in the world; Zhao Lang did not despise her wounds and wished to be a normal husband and wife with her—what else could she want?

Jinzhi's silence and tension made Zhao Lang realize they were truly husband and wife.

He raised his hand to caress her face; Jinzhi had no choice but to turn away from her scarred visage.

She didn't want to show her ugly side to Zhao Lang; Zhao Lang gently pinched her chin.

Turning his half-injured face toward her, Zhao Lang softly kissed his scar, then whispered in her ear: "Don't be afraid, Jinzhi; since I like you, I like all of you, I don't care about your looks—you're a fine person, and you needn't think little of yourself."

The night grew deeper, the tranquil moonlight filtering through the carved window lattice shrouding the two on the bed.

Zhao Lang raised his hand; a gust from his palm extinguished the candlelight beside the bed.

The maids outside, hearing the movement within, blushed and withdrew cautiously.

These days they've been worried; if the General never touches the Young Madame, later she'll have no man or woman by her side—how could she survive in this manor?

The Lady had her looks ruined; fearing the General might later be lured away by some bewitching temptress and bring her back as a concubine.

With no children to support the master, if that concubine bore a son or the like, wouldn't that just usher in another standoff?

Tonight Zhao Lang suddenly burst into the Young Madame's quarters; this matter, as natural as water flowing to its channel, made even the servants unusually happy.

Early the next morning, Jinzhi was delighted by the sunlight outside the window.

Just as she opened her eyes, a laughing voice came from above her head.

"Awake?"

Jinzhi's heart fluttered as she recalled last night's scene; he originally didn't know how to serve his husband, so this time Jinzhi's cheeks flushed crimson, she hurriedly closed her eyes and slowly pulled the blanket over her head.

Zhao Lang laughed, then yanked off the blanket covering Jinzhi's head.

Wrapping the blanket and her together into his broad embrace, he lowered his head and gently kissed her hair.

Jinzhi was held in Zhao Lang's broad arms, burying her head against his chest, unsure what to do.

Zhao Lang lightly patted her thin back, yet recalled the crisscrossing scars on Jinzhi's body, his eyes dimming slightly.

He drew a deep breath: "Jinzhi, from now on following me, Zhao Lang, you will never suffer the slightest injustice."

Jinzhi silently nodded, not knowing why she felt the man before her was reliable.

From the guard quarters came the servants' report.

"Master, Sir and Madame have returned."

Upon hearing that Madame Zhao had returned from the manor, Jinzhi hurried to break free of Zhao Lang's embrace.

By noon, after Madame Zhao had moved to the manor and stayed a few days, she no longer needed to go pay her respects; the orphan who could sleep woke a little later.

Jinzhi's cheeks reddened a bit more; she was utterly exhausted, her bones feeling as if crushed.

It was already midday, yet she lingered in bed, which was hard to justify.

Had it been an ordinary mother-in-law, she would have been angry long ago; although Madame Zhao was kind, Jinzhi was not the type to bite the hand that feeds her.

The young couple hurriedly rose; the outside maid brought a washbasin to help them freshen up.

Soon the young couple had changed clothes, preparing to dine together with Madame Zhao.

The two hadn't expected Madame Zhao to return today, feeling a bit flustered.

Zhao Lang took Jinzhi's hand and walked outward; along the path to the front courtyard, plum trees lined both sides, their brilliant blossoms blooming on the stark branches, looking especially beautiful.

Jinzhi took a few steps. Last night Zhao Lang had been truly frenzied, leaving her body sore and aching badly.

Jinzhi walked slowly, gradually falling behind; Zhao Lang hurriedly turned, saw her embarrassed expression, instantly understood, softly laughed, and scooped her up in a horizontal embrace.

Jinzhi instinctively hooked her arms around his neck; although they were already a true married couple, she still felt shy, not daring to look at Zhao Lang's heroic face, and instead turned her gaze to the clusters of plum blossoms.

Zhao Lang blinked slightly, a hint of displeasure stirring in his heart—could it be that these plum blossoms are more beautiful than he is?

His newlywed wife is actually looking at the flowers, not at him?

"Are the plum blossoms beautiful?"

Jinzhi nodded, not expecting Zhao Lang to lift a foot and kick the tree trunk; the plum blossoms showered down, covering the two of them, a scene so beautiful it was breathtaking.

Jinzhi couldn't help but widen her eyes; Zhao Lang chuckled, then kicked the plum tree trunk again, creating a rain of plum blossoms for his wife.

He kept kicking his way along, petals scattering profusely, affection enduring.