Chapter 694: Growing Old Together

Gu Kang's movements were gentle, yet also full of tension.

Although pursuing power and court intrigue, Gu Kang was also a young man in his early twenties with those needs.

Moreover, he had previously been a spoiled young master, having seen all kinds of things; only later, after encountering a misfortune, did his disposition change greatly.

Outside, the first winter snow began to fall, and the snowflakes, carried upward by the scorching heat rising from inside the house, gradually melted.

Fu Qing was in such pain that night that she actually fainted.

The next morning she woke up, only to find that the people around her had already disappeared.

Outside, Sun Popo came in laughing, holding a bridal basin filled with warm water, and helped Fu Qing wash.

Several maidservants, seeing the room's disarray and the lingering ambiguous scent in the air, each blushed slightly, pursed their lips, and smiled as they helped Princess Fu Qing tidy up.

If the wedding night is harmonious, the days thereafter will only get better.

Now seeing Master Gu bestow such favor upon his own master, the two will become even more compatible, and they will be able to hold a little prince early on.

"Where did the Prince Consort go?" Fu Qing looked at the servants' eyes, her cheeks involuntarily flushing red, and she quickly propped herself up with her arms.

Yet she felt sore all over, as if her bones had been crushed.

Sun Popo, seeing the conspicuous marks on her master's fair skin, felt a greater resentment toward Gu Kang.

"The Prince Consort went to the study early this morning, hearing that Mr. Wen had several volumes to organize; he rose early and ordered the servants not to disturb your rest."

"This Prince Consort really—how could he not show some consideration for his master, who is experiencing intimacy for the first time?"

Fu Qing's cheeks burned hot, and she did not feel able to say anything.

Sun Popo quickly smacked her own mouth and laughed, saying, "Look at this servant's mouth—always spouting nonsense."

"Master, let me help you up; in a moment we still need to present tea to Consort Rou, and I heard Mr. Wen will also come, so when presenting tea we must also offer him a cup."

Upon hearing that Mr. Wen would come, Princess Fu Qing dared not linger in bed, and quickly had Sun Popo attend to her rising, washing, and dressing.

Mr. Wen was the imperial tutor of two dynasties; even the former emperor praised him highly.

Now that Mr. Wen has come to the princess's residence as an elder of the Prince Consort, how could this junior dare to delay?

Just as she had finished her busyness, Gu Kang strode in.

At this moment, light streamed in through the window, lacking last night's tension and instead adding a whole night of intimate harmony.

At this moment, when Fu Qing looked at Gu Kang, her eyes held a different kind of gentle tenderness.

Although Gu Kang wore a mask, his figure was tall and straight, and he was extraordinarily handsome.

The red wedding robe he wore had not yet been taken off; usually accustomed to black clothing, the bright red now accentuated a different bearing.

Fu Qing actually felt a slight stir in her heart.

"Have you eaten?" Gu Kang smiled and looked at his wife before him.

Fu Qing quickly replied, "I haven't eaten yet; first I must offer tea to the elders, then later I will eat with them."

Gu Kang, however, clapped his hands, ordering someone to bring small dishes and rice porridge from the side kitchen, all flavors that Princess Fu Qing liked.

"Eat first; Mother Consort, who follows Buddhism, has sent word that we need not keep her company for the meal."

"The teacher usually eats there; because of his age he has his preferences, fearing that we juniors might not like it, he specially instructed me to let us eat in our own courtyard first before going to offer tea."

Having said that, Gu Kang took Fu Qing's hand and sat with her on the bed, then pushed the freshly ladled rice porridge into her hand.

"This is what I personally simmered early this morning; it's just right—try it."

Princess Fu Qing's eyes widened instantly; she never expected that the stern and decisive Minister Gu would also know how to cook porridge.

Seeing Princess Fu Qing's surprised expression, Gu Kang chuckled softly, saying, "I previously served Mr. Wen at Nan Shan Shu Yuan; after a major fire he fell seriously ill and could not eat hard food, so I personally made porridge for him to drink."

"Last night……" Gu Kang paused, a guilty smile crossing his face, "I have let you down and caused you trouble."

"I have a habit of waking early; after rising I made porridge for you—try it, to soothe your throat."

The four words "moisten the throat" slipped from Gu Kang's thin, cool lips, and Fu Qing's face almost turned completely red.

Last night she was also wildly frenzied, in great pain, unable to restrain her cries, even scratching Gu Kang's back until it bled.

She usually maintained the dignity of a royal princess, and in the palace she was cautious and discreet; even her speech was soft and hesitant, never daring to speak loudly or recklessly.

Last night she released all her emotions for the first time, crying, laughing, and even fiercely scratching the man before her.

This morning her voice was slightly hoarse; unexpectedly, Gu Kang remembered even this detail.

For a moment, Princess Fu Qing's face flushed deeply; she quickly took the porridge Gu Kang held out and began drinking, head bowed.

The porridge was cooked soft and glutinous, the rice aroma filling the nose; paired with the secret side dishes, at that moment Princess Fu Qing suddenly felt that she must be the happiest person in the world.

Gu Kang also ate a few bites, then took the shawl Sun Popo handed over, personally draped it over her shoulders, and took Fu Qing's hand as they left the courtyard.

Princess Fu Qing drank the porridge, her heart warm and cozy.

She followed Gu Kang out the gate, not expecting that the early winter snow would fall heavier and heavier, actually covering the stone slab road with a thick layer.

Princess Fu Qing's embroidered shoes were dusted with snow; she staggered slightly, almost slipping, but Gu Kang steadied her firmly.

Since Consort Rou lived not far away, Gu Kang and Princess Fu Qing had no need to have someone carry them there.

Usually it was just a few steps away, but today they did not expect the snow to fall so heavily.

Gu Kang slowly squatted in front of Princess Fu Qing, his voice gentle with a pleasant hoarse resonance.

"Come up, I'll carry you on my back."

Fu Qing stared blankly; although Gu Kang was her Prince Consort, how could she let him carry her?

She hurriedly waved her hands, but before she knew it her whole body was on Gu Kang's back.

Gu Kang pulled her over and immediately hoisted her onto his back.

"Master Gu!" Fu Qing, panicked, clung tightly to Gu Kang's neck.

His back was not particularly broad, even his joints were prominent, yet leaning on it felt remarkably steady and comfortable.

"Call me husband," Gu Kang whispered with a laugh.

Fu Qing stared for a moment; she had always admired this man, and now she never expected such great fortune to fall upon her.

She still had a habit she couldn't break; she was being carried on his back by this man, walking forward step by step.

Passing several clumps of flowering trees, the snowflakes accumulated on the withered branches drifted down, leaving specks of pure white on Fu Qing and Gu Kang's heads.

Fu Qing stared blankly at the snow on Gu Kang's head, silently murmuring in her heart.

He thought, if we could share the snowfall, this life would also count as growing old together.

"My lord," Fu Qing called out in a soft voice.

Gu Kang answered, carrying her toward the courtyard of Consort Rou.

The corners of his lips were tinged with a gentle smile, but that smile revealed a hint of bitterness and a hint of coldness.