Madam Yan's Matchmaking Pavilion for Men

83 A Special Day, Our Special Place

The banquet proceeded. The few guests toasted the newly-wedded couple and their parents, extending their well-wishes, and conversed with each other. Yu Huang Rong and Zhang Shi Lan kept to themselves when nobody approached them, giving off the feeling as if they were indeed looking forward to this marriage and hadn't been forced into this by His Majesty's decree.

When they noticed this, the guests couldn't help but glance over to the person sitting close to the old General and his wife. He hadn't brought anyone with him other than one guard. Was this a show of faith to the Yu family? Was he trying to make amends for what had happened before? Or could it be that the rumors had been untrue from the beginning?

People wondered and wondered but nobody could figure out what the truth was and finally, they could only talk about other things.

Meanwhile, the young couple shared a glance.

Yu Huang Rong smiled. "Have you savored the taste enough yet?"

Zhang Shi Lan took a last sip from his cup and put it down. His heart fluttered when he looked back up at Yu Huang Rong. "Mn, enough."

Yu Huang Rong took both his hands, gently rubbing his fingertips with his thumb. "Let's go then." He got up and pulled Zhang Shi Lan to his feet as well.

The guests jeered but Yu Huang Rong and Zhang Shi Lan just smiled.

Yu Huang Rong waved. "Please continue to enjoy the banquet. We will ... retire for now." He didn't wait for an answer and just pulled Zhang Shi Lan with him out of the room and toward the bridal chamber, ignoring the jeering behind them.

Zhang Shi Lan glanced over his shoulder and chuckled. "I thought they'd have more trouble accepting it but they seemed quite normal."

"Mn, let's hope that it's really because they accepted it and not just because they were trying to cover up their true thoughts."

By now, they had reached the door. Zhang Shi Lan tugged at Yu Huang Rong's hand and wrapped his arms around his neck when he turned around. "Don't worry. Even if they find it strange now, they'll get used to it with time. In a few years, nobody will bat an eye at this."

"I know. It's just ... I'd be happy if I could give you more." Yu Huang Rong kissed his lover's cheek and then nodded at the door. "Should we ...?"

Zhang Shi Lan nodded and followed him inside. Yu Huang Rong turned around to him and pushed the door, making it fall shut behind them. He pulled Zhang Shi Lan into his arms and gazed into his eyes.

The two of them slowly leaned closer to each other, their lips meeting halfway. Their eyes closed unwittingly. Zhang Shi Lan reached up, his fingers brushing through Yu Huang Rong's hair, playing with the strands while Yu Huang Rong encircled his waist, his hands slowly brushing down. He pulled Zhang Shi Lan closer until their bodies seemed to stick together. Their lips separated and both of them took a few shallow breaths.

"I think we're supposed to drink the nuptial wine first."

"We are. But ..." Yu Huang Rong tilted his head and his lips brushed Zhang Shi Lan's cheek. "Can you really wait that long? We could just drink it tomorrow morning. I really don't think ..." He shifted uncomfortably, making Zhang Shi Lan laugh.

"Ah, I see already. You really can't wait anymore."

Yu Huang Rong gave an embarrassed smile. "It's not my fault. We were living and sleeping together for two weeks and I wasn't allowed to do anything. Then I had to be two weeks without you next to me when I slept. Now, we've had the ceremony and I needed to sit through that damned banquet. How long am I supposed to wait?"