CHAPTER 657: CHAPTER 637: GRAND WEDDING 4

Fengyu slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting up, her entire body sore and aching. Before leaving, Xie Xun had instructed Qiuxiang and Chunlu to let her wake naturally and not disturb her. Although Qiuxiang and Chunlu were girls who hadn’t yet married, the matron and Su Yuejiao had explained their duties to them beforehand. They waited quietly outside the chamber until Fengyu woke up to the faint sounds of firecrackers in the distant palace grounds.

Qiuxiang and Chunlu entered to attend to her once she was awake. Fengyu felt somewhat shy and a bit uneasy, and Qiuxiang and Chunlu blushed as they noticed the marks on her body.

Fengyu also recalled Su Yuejiao asking her previously if she wanted to bring a few older maids to serve her. Fengyu, unwilling to separate them from their families, had declined. Looking back now, her mother’s advice did seem sound. However, she thought Qiuxiang and Chunlu would likely grow accustomed to it in time.

She had already called for water several times the previous night, so her body felt refreshed. After dressing, she asked, "Where is Zhixu?"

"His Majesty left an hour ago. Lord Zhang Boxi had matters to discuss with him."

With the imperial wedding, His Majesty was granted a three-day leave from court. Xie Xun didn’t need to attend morning sessions, and apart from urgent matters, no one would bother him.

As if anticipating her waking soon, Xie Xun had sent Eunuch Chen ahead to inform her that he would be back in one incense stick’s time. Fengyu understood his intent—he planned to return to dine with her.

For ordinary marriages, the couple would traditionally visit parents and elders early the next morning. For the imperial wedding, however, it was less ceremonial as the sole elder disdained such formalities, allowing them relative ease. Fengyu drank some soup to warm her stomach and then half-reclined, letting Qiuxiang and Chunlu massage her back. The soreness and discomfort were overwhelming—her whole body ached. If not for her status as Empress, she wouldn’t have wanted to get out of bed and would rather just lie around and sleep all day.

"Gentler, gentler... it hurts..." Fengyu furrowed her brows and whimpered, her eyes reddening.

Qiuxiang was rubbing her waist and looked puzzled, "I wasn’t using much strength."

Indeed, she hadn’t applied much force, but Fengyu’s body bore few spots unaffected. Her waist had a blue-purple bruise from where Xie Xun had gripped her, and the pain intensified. Last night, she didn’t notice much, but as sensations heightened, the delayed soreness became apparent. Before their marriage, she and Xie Xun maintained propriety—even with instances of physical intimacy, there was restraint. To Fengyu, those moments were always dreamy and pleasurable.

Back in West State, when she overheard the matrons talking about such matters, their unfiltered talk felt a bit much to her, but the general consensus was that the act was enjoyable. Fengyu assumed it wouldn’t be much different from that.

Su Yuejiao never elaborated much either, since Fengyu mentioned she and Xie Xun had already shared moments of closeness.

She still remembered Su Yuejiao’s hesitant expression back then, as if there was more to say but ultimately holding back. Thus, Fengyu hadn’t expected such discomfort—not exactly painful, as Xie Xun had been tender and considerate. However, his youthful vigor inevitably led to some indulgence.

"Your Majesty, you mustn’t let His Majesty have his way at your expense. Your health matters most, so take care," said Chunlu, who had studied some rudimentary medicine. "For these next two days, abstain from sharing a bed with His Majesty and focus on recuperating."

Fengyu lay comfortably, letting Qiuxiang and Chunlu rub essential oils onto her to alleviate the soreness, "He won’t agree to that."

Xie Xun had only just tasted intimacy, and though Fengyu was swept away last night, she clearly knew how engrossed he was. Cutting him off so soon would undoubtedly lead to him pestering her. Chunlu added, "At the very least, rest for a day."

The marks on Fengyu’s body certainly wouldn’t fade in one or two days. Chunlu wanted to apply medicine, but Fengyu feeling bashful, refused, instead lazily leaning into the pampering of the two maids.

Their massages were so soothing that Fengyu gradually drifted off again, vaguely sensing someone touching her face. Half-asleep, she swatted at the hand on her cheek, "Qiuxiang, call me later... I’m tired."

Xie Xun chuckled softly and teased her cheek again. Even in her groggy state, Fengyu sensed the incessant disturbance and grew irritated. She turned to her side, only for Xie Xun to give her a light kiss on her lips, "Wake up and eat. I’ll join you for another nap afterward."

Hearing Xie Xun’s voice, Fengyu woke completely. Seeing him looking pleased and refreshed while handling court matters so early, she couldn’t help feeling a touch jealous, "It’s all your fault!"

"Yes, yes, it’s all my fault!" Xie Xun took her hand and helped her up with a gentle but firm motion. "Even if it’s my fault, we should eat first."