Chapter 693: Call Me Husband

Although Gu Kang holds a high position, his daily social circle is small; even his leisure consists only of drinking with a few colleagues at Wanfu House.

Moreover, he has always kept himself pure; aside from a few women who handle washing and mending, there isn't even a single chamber maid in his residence.

The only attendant by his side is a junior servant who has followed him for years, which is completely unlike the aristocrats who constantly indulge in flower wine and visit Yi Hong Courtyard for entertainment; it is a different, even alternative, level.

Therefore, Princess Fuqing's marriage to Gu Kang must have silently envied many noblewomen.

After marrying Gu Kang, there is no mother‑in‑law oppression, no competition among the minor concubines in the household, and the usual petty squabbles of a common residence do not arise.

She becomes the principal wife, a pair for life.

Princess Fuqing sits anxiously on the wedding bed, while the murmurs of her trusted matriarchs, Grandma Mu and Grandma Sun, fill her ears; hearing Grandma Sun's praises of Gu Kang, a slight smile lifts the corner of her mouth.

Fortunately, the veil hides her flushed face, so she does not appear as a princess who, because she likes someone, is overwhelmed by uncontrollable emotion.

"The Prince Consort should be returning soon; after all, he dislikes revelry, never drinks, spends only a short time in the front courtyard, and His Highness should rest now."

Grandma Sun smiles, bows a thousand blessings to Princess Fuqing, then leads the few bridal maids out of the wedding chamber.

What was once lively becomes suddenly quiet, and Fuqing feels a dense fear rising within her.

She does not know whether this move is correct; after circling around, she has met the person she desires and has rushed headlong into it.

Although she resides in the Imperial Harem, she knows human hearts are unpredictable.

A young Prime Minister, standing at the pinnacle of power before he could realize his ambitions, gave up the readily attainable authority and willingly became her Prince Consort.

If one says there was no scheming, she does not believe it.

But one can never awaken a person who pretends to sleep; she knows clearly that this man does not love her, yet she still throws herself at him.

Gu Kang, in Shang Jing, is famously controversial; once he loved Miss Ruoxi of Yi Hong Courtyard, and for her he was willing to spend fortunes and even ruin his reputation.

She knows Gu Kang is not a cold‑hearted man; he once loved so passionately.

Fuqing knows that Li Ruoxi has already entered the empty gate; after the thunderous drumming of the peace drum last time, she became a nun.

Otherwise Fuqing would never dare to approach Gu Kang, but now she wants to try; she wishes to compete with that woman who once idled before the ancient lamp and Buddha.

Heavy footsteps echo at the doorway; Princess Fuqing's heart trembles slightly, her fingers clutching the wedding veil tighter, and she dares not draw a breath.

From outside come the sounds of maids and old women saluting the Prince Consort, and then Gu Kang pushes the door open and walks in.

Gu Kang, wrapped in the night's chill and a faint scent of wine, stands before Fuqing, causing her body to tense.

Gu Kang gazes steadily at the woman seated on the wedding couch, delicate and gentle; his brow furrows slightly as he recalls the woman who almost took his life.

Then a bitter smile curls his lips; he has imagined countless times what it would be like to marry Li Ruoxi, but— in the blink of an eye, it's all become fleeting smoke.

Fuqing does not know why Gu Kang is standing there; her body, too tense, trembles unnaturally, and finally Gu Kang takes a golden scale from one side and carefully lifts her veil.

The moment the veil falls, their eyes meet, and both pause.

The flickering red candles cast gentle light, illuminating Gu Kang's face half covered by a mask; the uncovered half, bathed in candlelight, shows a tenderness rarely seen on Shangshu's usual demeanor.

Fuqing's heart races wildly, and Gu Kang smiles gently, sitting beside Princess Fuqing.

The aura of a man in his prime sweeps over, leaving Fuqing with an indescribable panic.

"Don't be afraid! If you are unwilling tonight, I can sleep in the study; there are also some teachers' manuscripts I need to sort through."

Gu Kang carefully squeezes Fuqing's hand, then rises to leave, but before taking a step, his hem is snagged by someone behind him.

Gu Kang turns to look at the now flushed Fuqing; her voice sounds dry as she inhales and says, "I am your wife; if you leave on our wedding night, what am I to do?"

"And it's in the princess's residence; if it spreads, it will be hard to explain to my mother‑consort."

Gu Kang inhales, nods, and sits back on the bed.

The two sit there, as if unsure what to say, simply sitting in silence.

Fuqing finally speaks with a low, bitter smile, "Lord Gu, you married me to use my status to shield yourself, right?"

Gu Kang's brow twitches slightly, his heart stirs; he did not expect her guess to be so spot‑on.

He says slowly, "Thank you, Princess, for facilitating this; at that time, Your Highness was caught in a crisis caused by the Li family, and I indeed needed the title of Prince Consort…"

He does not continue; both are calm people, and after laying their cards on the table, the atmosphere becomes less awkward.

Fuqing hears him state outright that he married her only for utility; although it matches her suspicion, a slight sting aches in her heart.

She finally steadies her breath and says, "But I am different."

Gu Kang is momentarily stunned by Princess Fuqing's words.

Princess Fuqing, gathering courage, fixes her gaze on the man beside her and says slowly, "Lord Gu, I truly like you; I fell for you back when you were the top scholar in high school, riding a horse adorned with red flowers through the streets."

"Only then I was not a favored princess, unable to ask the emperor to make you my Prince Consort; I know I am unworthy, yet I still like you."

"I love your courage born from desperate circumstances, your spirit that turns the tide, your might that eliminates threats for the people; I have actually been watching you for a long time."

Gu Kang's usually composed expression finally cracks; he is not as pristine as she imagined.

He is a ghost of the night, his hands stained with blood, even his father's blood; he is merely a murderous spirit who stepped into the River of Forgetfulness.

He did not expect that, despite being a rotten person, the woman opposite sees so many virtues; even he finds it hard to believe.

What he wants to say is that his top‑scholar status was for revenge, turning the tide was achieved by sacrificing countless lives, and eliminating threats for the people?

Ha! He isn't that noble; he merely sought some public support.

He still does not expose himself, as if he cannot utter anything.

Fuqing laughs bitterly, "It's fine if you don't like me; I want a child by my side, and later you can do whatever you wish; I just want an unbreakable bond with you, okay?"

Gu Kang focuses on the woman before him, his heart tugging, and gently lifts her onto the couch.

Gu Kang's slender fingers move to her waist and unfasten her belt.

Then he picks up a wedding veil lying nearby and gently covers Princess Fuqing's face.

"Lord Gu?" Fuqing panics.

Gu Kang croaks, "If I remove the mask it will frighten you. Good girl! Don't be afraid! From now on, don't call me Lord Gu; call me husband."