The Peach Blossoms White by the Village Edge

Chapter 45: Banter

When Qu Jiayu came over to chat with Qu Qingjiang, the conversation inevitably turned to the wedding from the previous day. She noticed that Zhao Changxia was so drunk at the banquet that he was like a puddle of mud and figured he probably wouldn't have the energy for consummation that night. Hence, she cautiously probed Qu Qingjiang about it.

Qu Qingjiang thought that Qu Jiayu was interested in matters of the bridal chamber, given her age and the fact that she might be getting married soon. So, Qu Qingjiang took the opportunity to reinforce the belief in Zhao Changxia's "manhood" and casually mentioned that they had already consummated their marriage.

This was the first time Qu Qingjiang had lied about something like this, and her heart raced, her cheeks flushing with nervousness. To Qu Jiayu, this looked like the bashful expression of a newlywed immersed in the sweet happiness of her honeymoon.

Recalling how new brides often blushed when asked about such matters, Qu Jiayu believed her. At that moment, Qu Jiayu felt a slight pang of pain, as if something irretrievable had slipped away.

The discomfort had started at the wedding the previous day and had only worsened when she went home and thought about her sister Le and Zhao Changxia being intimate. The thought kept her tossing and turning. Today, when her father said he was coming to the Qu household, she couldn't wait to join him, only to find her last bit of hope dashed when Qu Qingjiang confirmed it.

Qu Jiayu thought she should have realized the truth earlier. No matter how well Le treated her, as a real sister might, they could not be together for life. She would marry, and eventually, Le would belong to someone else.

In front of Qu Qingjiang, she forced a smile and said, "That's good. My mother said that in matters between men and women, it's not about how fierce or rough it is. Men might think that being fierce or rough is better, but for women, it's very painful. So, being gentle is better."

Qu Qingjiang's face immediately turned as red as if she had been dipped in a vat of red dye. She coquettishly replied, "Ah Yu, you're so shameless."

Qu Jiayu pouted, "My mother was worried I wouldn't understand after I got married, so she told me this privately."

Qu Qingjiang understood, as Qu Jiayu's mother had a straightforward and blunt personality, which had shaped Qu Jiayu's open and outgoing nature. It was normal for her to pass on such knowledge to Qu Jiayu.

Qu Qingjiang envied her, as her own mother had died early, and her father couldn't teach her such things. She had never discussed these topics with Li Shi or Tian Shi, as they were never mother and daughter, so she was hearing them for the first time.

However, even if someone taught her, it might not help much since Zhao Changxia wasn't a real man.

Qu Qingjiang didn't dare ask if Qu Jiayu's mother had taught her how to be "good" for a woman.

Their private conversation was interrupted when Qu Qingjiang noticed a shadow outside the door. She tensed up, seeing Zhao Changxia at the entrance, feeling both shy and embarrassed, and dared not look directly at her.

Oh no, did Liu Yue overhear the lie I just told? What if she's unhappy with my lie?

Qu Jiayu was too focused on Zhao Changxia to notice Qu Qingjiang's evasive eyes. Seeing Zhao Changxia, she pouted like a small, ruffled cat and said, "I'm discussing the matters of the boudoir with Sister Le. You, a big man, are not allowed to eavesdrop!"

Zhao Changxia: "......"

She had heard everything she wasn't supposed to hear. What could be done? Traditional wooden buildings are poorly soundproofed!