A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 573: Chapter 573: Go for It!

Last night the cold wind blew harshly, yet the room was as warm as spring. Ni Manxue had experienced the most indescribable night of her life. She couldn’t tell if it was pain mixed with pleasure or pleasure mixed with pain. Anyway, last night, the two of them hadn’t fallen asleep even as Yin Hour approached, still engaging in that... shameful act!

After the excruciating pain that tore at Ni Manxue’s heart had passed, there was a lingering satisfaction. Xia Tingfeng had also finally tasted that kind of joy between man and woman. Indeed, it was ’unforgettable’.

Contented, he held his most beloved woman in his arms. Xia Tingfeng closed his eyes with satisfaction. No wonder Rat and those scoundrels are always eager to indulge in pleasure houses. So there was such delight in this activity. It’s just that... don’t they think the women in those brothels are dirty? Even the thought of it disgusted him!

「The next morning.」

Both were sound asleep.

A Sister was knocking on the door from outside. ”Marquis, Young Lady, it’s time to get up. You need to offer tea to Old Master Xia and Madam!”

It was customary for a newlywed daughter-in-law to offer tea to her mother-in-law. Ni Manxue woke up first, still in Xia Tingfeng’s embrace.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw his muscular upper body, robust shoulders, and the prominent veins on his arms. His wheat-colored skin was coarse-textured, and his large hands with clear knuckles bore many calluses. He must have suffered so many hardships!

Xia Tingfeng woke up as well. As soon as he opened his eyes, he met her gaze, filled with empathy and affection.

Ni Manxue was startled, and her face instantly flushed crimson. ”Marquis!”

Xia Tingfeng’s lips curled into a smile; the sunlight was radiant, and tenderness overflowed. ”Madam... it’s time for us to get up!”

Ni Manxue quickly pushed him away with a blush, feigning annoyance. ”I know!”

With that, she hurriedly got up. She was thankful that she had bathed and put on a nightgown the night before. Otherwise, she really wouldn’t know how to face each other now. Xia Tingfeng laughed softly and also got out of bed, tossing off the covers.

He wore only a pair of underpants. Getting off the bed, he turned to take his clothes from the rack.

Just as he was turning, the hideous, shocking scar on his back was exposed. This was the scar left from when he nearly lost his life fighting bandits.

Ni Manxue caught sight of that familiar yet strange scar in an instant. It was familiar because this wasn’t the first time she had seen it. It was strange because it looked different from the last time she saw it.

Tears welled up in Ni Manxue’s eyes. With tears streaming down her face, she slowly stepped forward, her hand trembling as she instinctively reached out to touch the scar but hesitated many times without making contact. If I carelessly touch it, will it hurt him?

Xia Tingfeng had just taken his undershirt, intending to say something to her. But when he turned around, he was met with her tear-streaked face.

The smile on Xia Tingfeng’s face froze instantly. ”What’s wrong?”

Ni Manxue swiftly withdrew her hand, wiping her tears and forcing a smile. ”It’s...it’s nothing!”

Xia Tingfeng turned his head slightly, then remembered the ugly scar on his back. He hurried to comfort Ni Manxue.

”Don’t be afraid, it’s just a superficial wound. It looks scary, but it doesn’t hurt at all,” he reassured her. ”I’ve been healed for a long time. If you don’t believe me, touch it!”

Ni Manxue had initially intended to put on a brave face. But upon hearing his words, she could no longer smile and covered her mouth as she started to cry.

”No, don’t!”

”Marquis, please, no!”

She dared not touch it, nor did she want to! That wound nearly claimed his life, and to comfort me, he actually claimed it didn’t hurt! How could it not hurt? He’s flesh and blood too!

”Marquis... I know the pain is gone now!”

”Marquis, you are truly amazing!”

Ni Manxue smiled through her tears. Xia Tingfeng’s heart also didn’t feel quite right. It was only the first day of marriage, and he had already made the woman he loved cry. Alas!

After dressing, she called for servants to come help with her makeup and hairdressing.

The maid Dong’er saw that her young mistress’s eyes were red, as if she had been crying. She then looked at the Marquis, who appeared guilty, and Dong’er felt a little angry inside.

The Marquis must have bullied my young mistress! Humph! On the first night of her marriage, my young mistress was so helpless! How could the Marquis bully my young mistress like this! The little maid fumed to herself while helping with the makeup and hairdressing.

When it was time to apply the rouge and face powder, Dong’er looked at the Marquis and deliberately said loudly, ”Miss, why are the areas around your eyes so red? Even the face powder can’t cover it!”

”How about... I get an ice pack for you to reduce the swelling?”

Her voice was loud and her tone a bit strange, causing Ni Manxue to frown.

”No need, we don’t have enough time. Just apply a bit more!” She understood Dong’er’s meaning very well, but things were not as she imagined. In front of the Marquis, it wasn’t a good idea to explain.

Xia Tingfeng looked at this little maid and found it a bit amusing. Quite loyal and protective, isn’t she! And she doesn’t seem too bad!

Lady Wen didn’t leave last night and, along with Xia Caiying, moved into Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion. The mansion was huge with many courtyards, far too many for a newlywed couple to occupy.

Xia Tingfeng strongly insisted that Maternal Aunt Wen move into the Hou Mansion. Besides, there was also his third sister, Xia Caiying! Xia Weifeng and Xia Ruyi, that pair of siblings, were no good; despite their young age, they were relentless when oppressing others. Old Master Xia was terribly partial too. He wouldn’t stand to let his own sister live in that dismal place and suffer!

Therefore, Xia Tingfeng had arranged a courtyard for Maternal Aunt Wen early on. It was right behind the main complex, even larger than the main complex, and there was a small Buddha hall inside. It looked like the courtyard where the previous Madam had resided.

Xia Tingfeng had the courtyard well renovated, and he even preserved the small Buddha hall. Maternal Aunt Wen fell in love with it the moment she moved in. The place was vast but not excessively lavish; instead, it was very modest. There was a garden in the front and several rows of servant quarters at the back. To the side was the small Buddha hall. The courtyard was spacious and wide with bright, clean windows and a simple, unadorned ambiance. It was undoubtedly many times better than where she had lived before!

Xia Caiying, still a child and afraid of being in a new place, didn’t move into a separate courtyard but continued staying with her mother. She stayed in a wing-room within the courtyard.

Early this morning, Lady Wen got up to dress and put on makeup. Soon my son and daughter-in-law will come to offer tea; I must dress up properly. I should look respectable and dignified; after all, I can’t embarrass my son.

She even had the first meeting gift for her daughter-in-law prepared, stored in the box beside her pillow. When her daughter-in-law arrived, she would be able to give it to her.

However, good things don’t always go smoothly. Maternal Aunt Wen hadn’t left last night, but Old Master Xia had. Today, Old Master Xia was to come to the Hou Mansion to receive the bows. After all, it was only after drinking the tea offered by his daughter-in-law that the wedding would truly be complete, and afterward... Miss Ni would become a member of the Xia Family.

So early in the morning, Old Master Xia also got up and rushed over. However, Lady Yao started causing trouble again. Crying one moment, throwing tantrums the next, then threatening to hang herself, her meaning was clear: If you, my lord, won’t acknowledge me as your legitimate wife, then I might as well die!

Anyway, I’ve been tortured for so many days that I have nothing left to lose. It couldn’t get any worse than this. For Wei Feng and Ruyi, I’m willing to risk it all!