Chapter 382 — Red Candles on the Wedding Night
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
"You can still laugh! If your father finds out, he'll surely have my head! " Ling Yuxiu wanted to lift her veil, rolled her eyes, and said with a giggle, "They say it's bad luck for the girl to remove her own veil in the bridal chamber—the man has to do it.
" "There's a rule like that? " Shen Mu was surprised.
He lifted the veil from her head and could not help but stare. The girl's powdered face and rosy cheeks were indescribably alluring in the candlelight. Ling Yuxiu, shy and bashful, lowered her head and gave him a sidelong glance.
"What are you looking at?
" "You're so beautiful. " Shen Mu stood up, pushed at the door, but it would not open. "Blind Grandpa locked the door. I'll check the window. " He opened the window and was about to jump out when a bamboo staff tapped over from below, and the blind elder's voice came: "Go to sleep. Don't even think about running.
" Shen Mu jumped in fright and said angrily, "Blind Grandpa, why are you crouching by the wall? " "Rules.
" The blind elder said, "Don't worry, I'm the blind elder—I can't see a thing. " "As if! " Shen Mu slammed the window shut with a bang, returned to the bedside, and sat down, saying sullenly, "Blind Grandpa is standing guard out there.
I'm afraid we can't escape.
" The two sat on the edge of the bed. Ling Yuxiu tugged at the hem of her dress; Shen Mu tugged at the big red flower on his chest. After a long while, the blind elder's cough came from outside the window. "There's nuptial wine on the table.
Drink it quick and go to sleep!
" Shen Mu grabbed the wine pot and hurled it. The blind elder flew into a rage and hobbled off with his bamboo staff.
After a moment came the sound of the blind elder beating a chicken. "Little rooster won't crow—what use are you?
If you don't crow again, I'll break one of your legs!
" "Is Blind Grandpa scolding the rooster or scolding me?
" Shen Mu wondered, perplexed.
After a moment, the window opened, and a bamboo staff appeared in the window, holding up a rooster with a broken leg.
Shen Mu shut the window and returned to sit by the bed, saying hesitantly, "It's been a long time since we've seen each other. " Ling Yuxiu burst out laughing. "You still don't know how to talk.
I'm a bit sleepy—I'll sleep first. " "Oh. " Shen Mu watched her slip fully clothed into the covers. Only her small head poked out from under the bright red quilt.
Ling Yuxiu blinked. "I'm asleep. " "Oh. " Ling Yuxiu gave a little humph and turned over on her side.
Shen Mu lay down too, pulling the quilt over himself.
The two shared one pillow, lying face to face on their sides. Shen Mu did not dare breathe.
Ling Yuxiu giggled, her breath washing over his face, and Shen Mu's face instantly turned red. The girl under the covers swiftly brushed her lips against his.
"Quite fragrant. " Shen Mu blinked and said, "Kiss me again.
" Ling Yuxiu kissed him once more, then broke into giggles.
"What good is kissing? " came the blind elder's irritable voice from outside the window, fading into the distance: "Little rooster won't crow—might as well stew it and eat it.
.
.
Eh? Has Emperor Yanfeng caught up? They say the emperor is an in-law now, can't be neglectful—I should invite him to the wedding banquet. This little rooster that won't crow, I'll slaughter it to entertain my in-law! " Hearing him walk away, Shen Mu hastily tiptoed out of bed, went to the window, quietly opened it, peeked out, and waved to Ling Yuxiu.
But Ling Yuxiu did not come over.
Shen Mu looked back and saw that the girl seemed to have fallen asleep.
Shen Mu clumsily climbed out and whispered, "Stop pretending to sleep.
Get up quick.
" Ling Yuxiu's face flushed crimson. She hurriedly scrambled out of the covers, put on her shoes, came to the window, and climbed out. Shen Mu caught her on the other side and lifted her down. The two crept along the wall toward the room where Si Yunxiang was staying. Reaching the window, Shen Mu whispered, "Is Sister Xiang asleep?