Spring in the Hall of Paintings

The red veil was once again placed over Yun Wei’s head. Was he feeling uneasy because she smiled at the Tenth Prince? She pondered for a moment, and the fingers hidden in her sleeves slightly curled. Yinti seemed to sense something, and he lifted the veil again, calling out, “Yun Wei.”

There were no unnecessary words; Yinti didn’t want to speak in front of the mama. Yun Wei smiled at him and sat quietly on the bed. Yinti was momentarily lost, unable to bear seeing her smile so reluctantly. He sat beside her, his bony fingers, with light calluses, involuntarily brushing against her cheek. Her skin was smooth and delicate, like jade. Each time he touched her, Yun Wei’s face flushed slightly—not a full blush, but a subtle pinkish hue that gave her a dreamlike, ethereal quality. Yinti gazed at her, captivated. Yun Wei tried to avoid his gaze, but she couldn’t; Yinti was her husband. Her eyelashes trembled, casting a shadow over her eyes, and she shyly said, “Eighth Prince.”

“Tongjia Yun Wei, Yun Wei.”

Each time he called her name, she blushed even more, as if trying to hide her entire body in her clothes, not wanting anyone to see her. Yinti pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. The subtle fragrance of a woman, not overly strong, but sweet, made Yinti keep inhaling deeply. He got closer and closer, his lips almost touching her long, swan-like neck. Yinti wasn’t ignorant of matters of the world, but in the presence of Yun Wei, he couldn’t keep his hands off her.

“Eighth Prince, shouldn’t we first drink the marriage wine?”

The mama from the Imperial Household hesitated for a moment, lowering her head in deference to the Eighth Prince. Even though they had to consummate the marriage, it had to be after drinking the marriage wine. Yinti, after a final caress of Yun Wei’s cheek, resumed his usual gentle demeanor and looked at her. “Bring it up, we’ll drink together.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The mama placed auspicious items like longan and peanuts onto the bed, gently placing them on Yun Wei and Yinti, cautious not to startle the beautiful new bride. Yun Wei smiled at them, feeling more confident after Yinti’s previous admiration. Fucha had secretly advised Yun Wei, saying that if your husband isn’t interested in you, no matter what techniques you use, it won’t work. Yun Wei secretly glanced at Yinti. His large hand covered her smaller one, which rested on the thousand-function bed. His palm was warm, and when Yun Wei tried to pull her hand back, he gently held it in place. She lowered her head shyly, her forehead exposed, her eyes filled with joy.

“We’ll drink the marriage wine together, you in me, I in you.” The mama placed the wine glasses in Yinti and Yun Wei’s hands, bending down to tie their garments together. Their arms intertwined, and the wine touched their lips. Yinti drank it all, placing the empty glass on the nearby tray. Yun Wei had only planned to sip a small amount, but seeing Yinti’s unwavering gaze, she tilted her head back and finished the wine as well. When she set the glass down, Yinti’s thumb brushed away a droplet of wine from the corner of her lips, rubbing it onto her ruby-red lips, making them look even more inviting. He shifted his gaze and paused for a moment, then said, “You all may leave.”

“Eighth Prince, there is still the marriage bread for descendants.”

They understood Yinti’s urgency. Who wouldn’t be impatient with such a bride? It wasn’t in accordance with the royal wedding customs to skip the ceremony, but Yinti snorted. “Leave.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Despite his good temperament, Yinti would never tolerate anyone disrespecting his royal dignity. Several matrons placed the marriage bread and other offerings on a side table and knelt to leave. The mama who was in charge of teaching Yun Wei proper manners gave a subtle gesture, and Yun Wei nodded ever so slightly. The white silk used to verify her virginity could not be discarded; tomorrow morning, they would come to seal it and present it to the palace.

Yinti untied the gown that was fastened together, got up, and dimmed the light of the dragon-shaped red candle. He set aside the prince’s crown adorned with pearls and took off his four-clawed dragon robe, leaving only his light yellow tunic on. He then sat back down beside Yun Wei.

Yun Wei softly said, “I’ll go change my makeup.”

“No need, I’ll help you later.”

Yinti grabbed Yun Wei’s hand and gently pressed down on her shoulders. Yun Wei looked at him in surprise, unable to understand his intentions. Yinti picked up the ceremonial marriage food and took a bite himself before holding it to Yun Wei’s lips. “Eat.”

Yun Wei parted her lips and took a bite of the half-cooked marriage bread. Even though she had prepared for it, the half-cooked taste made her furrow her brows. Yun Wei, who was used to refined living, couldn’t hide her discomfort. Yinti smiled and asked, “Is it undercooked?”

If it were someone else, Yun Wei would have shyly admitted it was undercooked, but in front of Yinti, she didn’t know how to respond. She had heard about other people’s wedding nights, but never imagined that her own would be so full of surprises and so different.

Yinti gently lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. He asked again, “Is it undercooked?”

“Under…cooked,” Yun Wei quietly looked at Yinti. “Under…cooked.”

Yinti smiled in satisfaction and kissed her lips. He had been wanting to taste her for a long time. “Let’s do this together, Yun Wei. Call me Yinti.”

“Yin…” Yun Wei pressed her lips together. She was too shy to say it. Yinti was a prince, a member of the royal family, and though she was his legitimate wife, she still felt she couldn’t say it. She softly said, “Master…”

“Yinti.” The Eighth Prince said, in a tone as if teaching a child to speak. “Yinti, Aisin Gioro Yinti.”

Yun Wei licked her lips, which had turned red from his kiss, and quietly called, “Yin… Yinti…”

“Good girl.” Yinti removed the imperial crown from her head and slid his hand down the back of her neck, pulling on the yellow pearl ribbon binding her hair. Her dark hair tumbled down. “Say it again.”

“Yinti, Yinti, Yinti.”

Yun Wei became more adept, imprinting the name deeply in her heart. Yinti carefully removed Yun Wei’s heavy, luxurious ceremonial dress, layer by layer, as if unwrapping a tempting sweet gift. The bright red peony-patterned bodice wrapped around her flawless, white jade-like body. Yinti’s fingers lingered on her shoulders, as if patrolling his territory. Occasionally, he gently tugged at the red ribbon on her bodice. Yun Wei’s body shivered with shyness, and though Fucha had taught her how to please her husband in bed, at this moment, Yun Wei could think of nothing but feeling bashful and sweet, her mind a bit hazy. When Yinti leaned in closer and his fingers untangled the ribbon of her bodice, Yun Wei suddenly pushed him away, like a clever little squirrel, diving into the bed and covering herself with the quilt. Only her shy, watery eyes peeked out, and she timidly glanced at Yinti before quickly closing her eyes, her lashes casting two shadows on her face. She shrank into the bed and whispered, “I’m scared… I’m afraid.”

Yinti was stunned for a moment when she pushed him away. Seeing Yun Wei’s series of adorable actions, his heart swelled with joy and tenderness. He became like the most patient hunter, slowly approaching his nimble prey. He lowered the bed curtains with a flick of his hand, never lacking patience. Yinti lay beside Yun Wei, teasing her slightly, blowing hot air onto her slightly red ear, “Am I making you this scared?”

Yun Wei shifted restlessly. Seizing the opportunity, Yinti grabbed her foot, which was as soft and white as jade. His nails, painted a vibrant crimson, traced the delicate skin. Flushed with shyness, the skin was as translucent as snow. It was incredibly alluring. Manchu women were not bound by foot, and Yinti’s palm could completely enclose her foot. He played with it contentedly. Yun Wei tried to pull back, but Yinti coldly said, “Don’t move.”

Yinti had never spoken to Yun Wei in such a tone on their wedding night. Yun Wei dared not move and let him play with her foot. She lifted her eyelids slightly and saw that Yinti was still smiling, so she felt a little more at ease. “Your Highness…” She quickly changed her address,

“Yinti, don’t do this.”

Yinti’s hand moved from Yun Wei’s ankle up her leg and quickly slipped under the covers. Yun Wei writhed like she was on fire. Yinti’s palm glided over her smooth thigh, teasing her more and more, but he seemed reluctant to leave her. He leaned closer to Yun Wei, lifted the covers, and pressed his hot body against hers. He sighed, “How can you be as soft as cotton? I’ve never been so satisfied. I’ve never regretted marrying you, Yun Wei.”

“Yinti,” Yun Wei responded passively, wrapping her arms around his back. Her small hand gently stroked his spine. Despite her shyness, she was showing Yinti all her beauty. Her soft, inexperienced body writhed beneath him, and her watery eyes were fixed only on Yinti. Yinti tried to be gentle as he caressed and kissed her, but her soft, fragrant body made him feel as if he were floating on a cloud.

When their bodies met, the dazed Yun Wei shuddered and instinctively reached down. Her hand accidentally touched something hot. She shrank back, biting her lip, and continued to fumble. Yinti, who was on the verge of release, managed to control himself. His member throbbed painfully, and sweat dripped onto Yun Wei’s chest. He lowered his head and kissed her, adjusting his position so that Yun Wei’s hand would occasionally touch him. He enjoyed this subtle pleasure more than the act itself.

However, Yun Wei was growing increasingly anxious. She couldn’t find the silk ribbon that was used to signify virginity. Her eyes, clouded with desire, were filled with tears. The more she searched, the more she touched Yinti, and she could feel him growing harder. She was running out of time, but she still couldn’t find the ribbon.

Yinti, feeling her distress, kissed her forehead and cheek, “Yun Wei, I believe you are pure and chaste. Don’t be afraid.”

Yun Wei’s heart almost leaped out of her chest. What was Yinti saying? Believe her? While she was touched, she also felt a hint of annoyance. She didn’t need his reassurance. She belonged to Yinti. Yinti pulled Yun Wei’s hand and pressed it against something on the bed. “It’s right here.”

Reassured, Yun Wei remembered what the maids had told her. She softly said, “Please be gentle with me, Master.”

“What did you say? Yun Wei, say it again,” Yinti said, his tone displeased. Yet, he was reluctant to hurt Yun Wei. In their brief encounter, Yinti had realized how delicate she was. He didn’t want to leave any marks on her flawless body except for love bites. “Have you forgotten what I said?”

“Yinti, I… I must be dreaming. You’re a prince… a beloved prince favored by the Emperor.”

Yinti smiled again, proving to Yun Wei that she wasn’t dreaming. Despite his tenderness for Yun Wei, the transformation from girl to woman was inevitably painful. Especially since Yun Wei was so delicate, Yinti hesitated, but like an unbridled horse, he couldn’t control himself. He could only caress and kiss Yun Wei repeatedly, dancing with her. After several climaxes, Yinti pressed Yun Wei tightly against his chest and closed his eyes in satisfaction.