Chapter 8: Don't Enter the Bridal Chamber

  It was night, and the sweet fragrance of dreams wafted through the air. A person crept silently to the bedside, gazing foolishly at her face. The women before had all been exceptional, but having seen her mischievous and playful nature, recalling her incredible skills with dogs, and thinking of his own experience with the beehive, he couldn't help but want to get close to this beauty. Little sister, little sister, you can't escape my grasp.

  In the past, he had always made his move a month later, because by then, the women would have been tired of his brother's indifference and coldness, and would abandon their feminine reserve, taking the initiative without him having to entice them. But this woman in front of him was different, she was so captivating that it kept him up at night, and he risked being discovered by coming here.

  He reached out a hand to touch her face, knowing his brother hadn't touched this woman yet, and he could have her beauty for himself. However, he wasn't confident... because her behavior during the day told him that she was not an easy woman to get, her energy was too vibrant, she was too lively, and too intelligent.

  So, should he force himself on her? She looked weak and helpless, seemingly without martial arts skills, and with his own abilities, he should be able to succeed. But... he still didn't know the depths of this woman's character, and couldn't let a single woman ruin his years-long plan. Yet, he really was getting excited, she was indeed a charming woman...

  And besides, after tonight, he would have to leave for Kyoto. For now, he still didn't dare disobey his brother's orders. Just as he was hesitating, there were suddenly footsteps outside the door, and from outside came the sound of his brother's voice. Wasn't he supposed to be in the main house talking to their aunt? And wasn't he planning to go see Chen Xixi?

  His brother hadn't had any other women besides Chen Xixi for years, and even though he had married a new wife, he wouldn't give up his old love. After all, Chen Xixi was his brother's comfort after leaving Lian'er.

  Why had he come back? He quickly flipped out the window and hid at the base of the wall to listen in.

  The room was quiet, with no sound of conversation. After a long time, there was still no sound, and he secretly peeked through the window paper to see his brother-in-law staring quietly at his sister-in-law, whose face was full of expression. His sister-in-law's head was wrapped in a quilt, her white and delicate arm wrapped around her head, seemingly sleeping very soundly, completely unaware of her brother-in-law's gaze. His brother-in-law stared foolishly at his sister-in-law for a long time, his eyes wandering back and forth before shaking his head and lying down beside her, quietly lying next to his sister-in-law. Yang Liuqing sneered in his heart, this waste. It seems that he still can't forget Xiu Lian and can't truly be moved by other women. Even if his sister-in-law was a seductress, she couldn't tempt him. His sister-in-law was still his own, thinking of this, Yang Liuqing felt a sense of relief in his heart and walked away with peace of mind.

  A hint of a smile appeared on Hu Zhongren's cold face, he knew who was outside. For ten years, he had been eyeing his own legitimate wife, and would not let go of any opportunity to get close to her. He just pretended not to know, but later there would be a chance to reveal everything, don't think that he would endure in silence for the rest of his life. This cousin was sinister, he had known it all along, before he turned a blind eye, but this time, he planned to change tactics and play along with him.

  Liu Qingqing had a sweet spring dream, in the dream, handsome Yang Liuqing was throwing flirtatious glances, gazing at her with tender affection. The two were entwined in love, and Liu Qingqing heard Yang Liuqing intimately calling out "Little sister-in-law, I love you so much!" Liu Qingqing was torn apart, "I really like this Yang Liuqing, but he is the wife of Hu Zhongren, it's not right to have an affair with my brother-in-law." She hurriedly pushed away Yang Liuqing, "We can't do this!" She wildly waved her hand, trying to drive Yang Liuqing away.

  He Zhongren gazed at Liu Qingqing, who was wildly waving her arms. She was savage, savagely in tune with his own will. The calm lake of his heart had been stirred up, and this woman was very refreshing to him. She was so different from the others. It seemed that she had never been taught the traditional virtues of a woman, nor did she have any elegance or refinement. She was direct, cunning, and charming. If she weren't so ugly, she should be able to attract all male animals, let alone men.

  Liu Qingqing's soft voice whispered in his ear, her hands wrapped around his neck. He felt like he was under a spell, electrified, and his passion surged like ocean waves. Facing this unattractive woman, he couldn't help but feel aroused. Was it because he hadn't been with a woman for so long? Thinking about it, although she was ugly, her figure was slender, and she should be quite pleasant to be with. As her husband, he should comfort and satisfy her. Seeing her desire, he quickly took off his clothes and made love to her.

  Seven or eight hands stripped off Liu Qingqing's clothes, leaving only a thin shirt. When he saw the emerald Buddha on Liu Qingqing's neck, he suddenly stopped moving, as if struck by lightning. The whole body was like bubbles, floating and bursting.

  He knows this jade Buddha.

  This is something that belongs to my good friend, Yue Qianshan. To be precise, it was a token of affection between Yue Qianshan and his wife. He once heard Yue Qianshan say that he gave the jade Buddha to his wife, while his wife gave him a copy of "Imperial Kitchen Recipes".

  Why is it like this?

  Hu Zhongren felt a moment of disappointment. He had finally become emotional, but the other person was his good friend's wife? A friend's wife is not to be trifled with. This principle he knew. Although Hu Zhongren was romantic, he was not lewd, and on this point, he still had some principles. However, Yang Qianshan had never told him that his wife was the daughter of Liu Fengchun from Liujiacun. He said his wife's culinary skills were exceptional, but he had never mentioned her exceptional embroidery skills. If she was Yang Qianshan's fiancée, why would Liu Fengchun give her to him in marriage? Why would Yang Liucheng be standing in front of her bed - was it because she wanted to seduce him or conspire against him with someone else? How did Yang Liucheng know Yang Qianshan's wife? Hu Zhongren lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to figure out the answers.

  I'm so tired. After a night of spring dreams, the first feeling Liu Qingqing woke up with was exhaustion. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, and when she became clear-headed, she discovered an undeniable fact: she had indeed been shot down by love last night and had transformed from a maiden into a young woman. Looking at herself lying almost naked beside Hu Zhongren, she felt extremely depressed. Damn it! This big lecher, despite her being so ugly, couldn't resist him. What's even more infuriating was that her first time had passed in an unconscious state. People say that feeling is beautiful, but she didn't feel anything at all and just became a young woman from a maiden. What a loss! Looking to the side, Hu Zhongren was snoring loudly, sleeping soundly. The more she looked, the angrier she got. She was so furious that she couldn't help but let out a loud scream, and with one swift kick, she ruthlessly kicked him off the bed.

  Hu Zhongren didn't know how long it had been since he'd slept so well. Now, in his dream, he was still standing on the magpie bridge with his new bride, tenderly entwined. But Wangmu Niangniang's needle pierced his eyes, and he let out a loud cry, tumbling down from the clouds. With a flick of his tail, Hu Zhongren sprang up, landing on top of Liu Qingqing. Liu Qingqing saw the handsome man appear before her, his face inches from hers. She cried out in surprise, "Save me! I'm being crushed to death!"

  Hu Zhongren suddenly sat up, sat beside her, frowned and said, "You're killing me, why didn't you say so last night? You were comfortable enough to shout loudly then."

  "Hey, speak more politely, or I'll kill you!" Liu Qingqing's face turned red from his words.

  "I'm so scared! You're going to kill me!" Hu Zhongren suddenly burst into a childish tantrum, what a silly fool, doesn't even know whether he's done it or not!

  "God, take this shameless person away quickly!"

  "I don't know what God is, I am your heaven!" Hu Zhongren saw Liu Qingqing go crazy and became even more excited. It's too interesting!

  "I'm still here! Mind your own business, you arrogant sand pig!"

  "You are my wife whom I married, you must listen to me, otherwise, I will divorce you!"

  "Did I say I was going to marry you?"

  "But you've already exchanged vows with me!"

  But we didn't have a wedding night!

  "Who said that? You were already mine last night! Didn't you feel it?"

  "What the hell are you doing, you bastard? You dare to rape me? I'm going to kill you!"

  "That depends on whether you have the ability, I haven't even started investigating yet, and you're already questioning me? Tell me, my new bride, who exactly are you? Where is the real bride? What's your purpose in coming to my house?"

  Hu Zhongren's eyes were fixed sharply on Liu Qingqing, determined to resolve the doubts. His face turned even colder, revealing his true nature as a cold-faced gentleman.

  Liu Qingqing was intimidated by this gaze, thinking to herself, "Wow, ancient people are so perceptive! Who would have thought that I'm a fake just by looking at me for a moment?" While considering whether to tell the truth or not, she saw Hu Zhongren's eyes burning with excitement. Liu Qingqing didn't understand what was going on and quickly checked herself to see if there was anything wrong. Upon taking a look, she immediately grabbed her pillow and threw it at Hu Zhongren, "You big pervert! Quickly close your eyes!"

  It turned out that Liu Qingqing was so shocked and busy fighting with him that she forgot she wasn't wearing a stitch, and now her spring scenery was exposed, so she shouted loudly. She quickly wrapped herself in the quilt, only exposing one face outside, looking comical and laughable.

  He was afraid that if he looked again, he would lose control. He hated himself for being so lustful in front of such an ugly face. So he said coldly, "Fine, you put on your clothes first, then answer my questions. If you dare to tell a single lie, I'll cut off your tongue and throw you into a brothel to be a prostitute!" His expression turned sinister and frightening. Cold-faced Lang Jun was not a name in vain.

  Liu Qing quickly changed into her clothes, although the ancient clothing was not easy to wear, but her acting experience was more than enough, and her water sleeve performance was no less than Li Yuguang's. As she put on her clothes, she thought to herself, "I'm afraid that Miss is just pretending to be tough", but she sat quietly at the edge of the bed, knowing what was good for her, she didn't want to become a prostitute because of this time-traveling incident, although she was also curious about the life of ancient women in brothels. After all, she still had some common sense, and knew that prostitutes were treated poorly, bullied and humiliated, with a bitter heart and a fake smile on their face, it was not a life worth living.

  Hu Zhongren calmed down his emotions, sat on a chair, and then asked: "What is your relationship with Liu Fengchun from Liujiacun?"

  Liu Qingqing said, "I don't even know what Liu Fengchun looks like, how could I have a relationship with him?" She hastily shook her head. "I don't know any Liu Fengchun, and of course, I don't have a relationship with him." Hu Zhongren felt a pang of sourness and panic in his heart, it seemed that she was likely the wife of his friend.

  But his face was even calmer, and his voice was even more severe: "No problem? Do you want to have your tongue cut off? Don't you know that my new bride is none other than you, the daughter of Liu Fengchun, Jade Face Weaving Maiden?"

  Liu Qingqing nodded like a rice grain, looking very obedient in her clothes. "Of course I know, because I'm the fake bride! The real bride already has someone she likes, so she tricked me into taking her place and marrying you!" Liu Qingqing was furious, "This dead girl, once I leave here, I'll definitely catch her and take revenge!" Liu Qingqing gritted her teeth, really not expecting that she would always be the one playing tricks on others, but today she got played instead. It's like hitting a hawk every day, only to have it peck your eyes!

  Hu Zhongren's gloomy face suddenly broke into a smile after hearing Liu Qingqing's words, and his heart also calmed down. Liu Qingqing looked at him in surprise, thinking he was a weird person - his wife had been swapped with someone else, yet he was still smiling; was he crazy or something?

  "Do you know Yue Qianshan?" Hu Zhongren asked, feeling that he was quite good at switching brides, but also knew the principle of not cheating on a friend's wife, so he was really afraid that she was his good friend's wife.

  "I don't know." Liu Qingqing shook her head. Honesty is gold, and a straightforward answer is more beneficial?

  How did I get to know you, I'm from another world. Are you dizzy and talking nonsense? Liu Qingqing got out of bed, walked up and touched the forehead of the bearded man.

  "What are you doing?" Hu Zhongren's face was guarded. He jumped back a step, and despite being lame in one leg, his reaction was still quick.

  "Let me check if you have a fever, otherwise why are you talking nonsense?" Liu Qingqing stubbornly put her hand on Hu Zhongren's forehead again. Hu Zhongren had never been touched so intimately by a woman before, and he was greedy for this feeling, but thinking that the other person might be his friend's wife, he hurriedly said: "Take away your hand, pay attention to propriety." Hu Zhongren brushed away Liu Qingqing's hand touching his forehead, her hand soft and fragrant, so comfortable to touch.

  Liu Qingqing once again touched his head with a gentle and persistent manner, Hu Zhongren originally wanted to refuse, but unknowingly let her have her way. He must have been possessed by the Gu. After struggling to overcome his emotions, he thought of another piece of evidence. "Do you know about the 'Imperial Kitchen Menu'?" Hu Zhongren thought that if she was indeed the wife of Yue Qianshan, she should be aware of their family treasure.

  "What's the point of a recipe? I hate cooking the most!" Liu Qingqing replied, thinking that ancient people were really weird and didn't make sense when they spoke. To be honest, she could only cook instant noodles!

  Hu Zhongren took a step forward, "You're still lying, you used the 'Imperial Kitchen Menu' to exchange for the green jade Buddha on your head, do I not know?"

  Liu Qing shouted, "What are you talking about? This green jade Buddha has been worn around my neck since I was born. It's been passed down from my grandmother's grandmother. When did it become someone else's? You're being completely unreasonable!" Liu Qing thought that ancient people's mothers were really not virtuous. Could it be that she couldn't even take her own family heirloom and had to compensate with her own family's treasures? Weren't ancient people supposed to value honesty the most? How could they fabricate lies without batting an eye?

  Seeing Liu Qingqing's performance, Hu Zhongren only felt that his heart had finally returned to its original place. It was not a good friend's wife, but even if she had any sinister intentions, he was not afraid. This woman was just right for his taste, and he thought to himself with a sly smile. Liu Qingqing suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and quickly distanced herself from him.

  "What do you want to do?"

  Hu Zhongren followed closely, sitting beside Liu Qingqing, his fingers gently pinching her tender cheek, and softly blowing air into her ear. Liu Qingqing couldn't stand his frivolous teasing, her face turned red, and she sternly shouted, "What do you want to do?"

  "Shy now, don't be afraid, we've already consummated our marriage last night, you're my wife now. I spent a lot of silver to marry you, I won't let you go. You were so passionate last night, and now, let's rekindle the old flame, I'm looking forward to hearing your charming voice!" Contrary to his usual demeanor, Hu Zhongren's gloomy face disappeared, replaced by a sly and sinister look.

  Her face turned bright red as she burned with anger. She didn't know what to do with herself. Dammit, how could she be so careless and give in to this scoundrel? Although he was a bit charming, she really didn't want to end up with someone like him. And besides, without realizing it, she had transformed from a maiden into a young matron - it was truly a bit unbearable. She pinched her own cheeks in annoyance, waking herself up from the nightmare!

  Hu Zhongren mistakenly thought that Liu Qingqing didn't want to be with him, so he made a self-mutilating move. He hastily stopped Liu Qingqing's action of pinching her own face, "Don't allow yourself to get hurt!"

  Watching Liu Qingqing's actions, he inexplicably felt a pang in his heart. Had he really developed true feelings for this ugly girl? He decided to follow his own heart.

  "I really like you, although you're a bit ugly, but I just can't help wanting you." Hu Zhongren put Liu Qingqing's hand on his crotch, hard and stiff, startling Liu Qingqing. She thought to herself, men are really such animals, and her face turned red again.

  "Shy now, you're already my wife, it's nothing." He paused and then said "Don't think about running away, we'll go see my mother together soon." Hu Zhongren returned to his gloomy demeanor. Before this, he had never appeared in public with his wife, how could he say such words so naturally? He felt a little panicked about facing the ugly girl, but at the same time, there was a hint of sweetness, was this what Yue Qianshan meant by "mutual affection"?