Chapter 68: The wedding night (2/2)

There was a small crowd in the living room, all of the whiles were here expecting to watch a scene. However, they had none. The wedding officiator instructed the bride and groom through the wedding procedures.

At the end of the bows, Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya held on both ends of the red ribbon as they were led to the nuptial room. Su Liya was a little familiar with the process since she had accompanied Zhu Fengyin during her wedding ceremony.

Su Liya and Lu Yaozhu sat on the bed while various family members both from the royal family and the Lu family have their good wishes. Throughout the wedding ceremony, a palace Eunuch was present representing the Emperor.

The women of Lu Yaozhu's extended family each visited them, after saying a few words of blessings, they left. Soon it was quiet in the room, Lu Yaozhu returned to attend to the wedding guest at the banquet hall. While Lu Yaozhu waited in the nuptial chambers, staying in the brightly decorated room gave her feelings of Deja Vu.

A few months earlier, she had accompanied Zhu Fengyin through this and now it was her turn. There were served outside the door and the room but she felt so alone and a little scared. Lu Yaozhu received a few toasts from the guests till it got dark.

There were a few unruly guests, mainly other young masters in the capital who wanted to get him drunk. They have toast after toast, he caught his elder brother's eyes as he started getting tipsy.

Lu Yingjie had experienced something similar and quickly came to his rescue. He intercepted a few of the toast sent his younger brother's way. When that didn't keep them away, they started to get a little rowdy. They all insisted on following Lu Yaozhu to the nuptials chamber to see the bride.

Lu Yingjie created a little disturbance to distract them, while Lu Yaozhu escaped. Su Liya ate some snacks while she waited for her new husband. She got more nervous the longer she waited, while she wanted Lu Yaozhu to stay longer at the banquet, she found herself praying he would hasten up.

The headdress she wore weighed a lot, her neck hurt and was gradually getting stiff. The wedding gown was too layered, she was going to get a heat stroke if she didn't do away with all this fabric. It was tradition, she couldn't complain and just bared with the discomfort.

After what felt like forever, Lu Yaozhu returned. She let out a breath and sat straight when she heard the maids greet him. Lu Yaozhu came in with the joyous mama to complete the other wedding rituals. He sat next to her on the bed and used a joyous stick to raise her veil, then drank the nuptial wine.

Everyone withdrew at the end to give the couple some privacy. Lu Yaozhu noticed her discomfort, she sat in an awkward position caused by the heavy headdress. Su Liya blushed when she saw Lu Yaozhu watching him. It dawned on her that she would have to perform the deed with Lu Yaozhu after the remaining wedding procedures were carried out.

She immediately swallowed, while they were married, Su Liya felt nervous in Lu Yaozhu's presence. The thought of performing that act with a stranger scared her, she ran through various scenarios in her mind but none could get her out of this mess.

It was a big deal In ancient times to consummate a marriage, this was inevitable. She zeroed her mind, expecting him to make a move when she heard a low male voice say ”You look uncomfortable, is your headdress heavy?”

Su Liya blinked, a little surprised to hear this but after some seconds she corrected herself ”Ye_Yeas” she replied in a sweet low voice.

”Turn around” he replied. When he was met with silence he said a few more words ”turned around so I can help you take them off”.

”Oh oh yes” Su Liya turned around and replied ”Thanks”.

Lu Yaozhu replied with a quiet ”en” then went up to release Su Liya from the bondage she has on her hair. When everything was off Lu Yaozhu placed it on the square table at the side of the room. Su Liya expected him to get down to business but was shocked when he ignored her completely and walked to the door.

She felt a little taken back by him and asked ”are you leaving?”

Lu Yaozhu looked back at her and nodded. ”I have a few other things to take care of'. Su Liya heartbeat increased as she heard that. All eyes were on them, Lu Yaozhu leaving this early would lead to a lot of unfavourable gossips. At least for her, she bit her lips gently before summoning up the courage to say ”can you not go.... Please”.