Chapter 12: The Millennial Iron Tree Finally Blooms

“I’ll carry you across,” Cheng Honglang said, taking a long stride with his legs and effortlessly crossing the brazier.

The wedding matron stared blankly: having participated in so many weddings, she had always seen the bride cross the brazier, this was the first time she had witnessed the groom doing it. Unsure how to adapt the prepared auspicious phrases, she could only resort to the simplest: “Cross the brazier, may your life be prosperous and harmonious for a hundred years.”

The surrounding guests erupted in tears: “Ah, the Commander is just too impatient, isn’t he?”

“What do you all know? The millennial iron tree has finally bloomed, of course he’s burning with passion, how could he not dote on his wife exceptionally?”

“Exactly, when have any of you ever seen the Commander so tender and gentle before?”

“It must be the Fu family’s young lady she’s truly remarkable!”

Fu Junyao listened to the chatter in the crowd, her heart swelling with sweetness, and she couldn’t help but tighten her grip on Cheng Honglang’s arm.

During the ceremony of bowing to heaven and earth, Cheng Honglang kept unconsciously glancing at Fu Junyao’s leg. He had personally treated her wound and knew exactly how deep it was it wasn’t something that could heal in just a few days.

This girl was usually delicate and prone to tears, yet she had been so ruthless with herself.

If crossing a brazier caused her such pain, one bottle of medicine probably wouldn’t be enough. He would have to ask the Emperor for another bottle later.

Cheng Honglang grew lost in thought, pondering how to broach the subject with the Emperor.

Fu Junyao clearly sensed that Cheng Honglang was distracted during the wedding ceremony. She couldn’t help but start wondering again.

What is Lang-gege thinking about?

Could it be that he’s only taking responsibility for me out of obligation?

The thought left her with a lingering sense of discontent.

Then why did he make such a grand show of carrying me through the door earlier?

As she was lost in these thoughts, the master of ceremonies announced, “The ceremony is complete, escort the couple to the bridal chamber.” In an instant, Cheng Honglang swiftly moved closer and scooped her up into his arms.

Caught off guard, Fu Junyao was startled and instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around Cheng Honglang’s neck, whispering, “Lang-gege, why are you carrying me again?”

Cheng Honglang offered no explanation, merely saying softly, “I’ll take you back.”

The wedding matron was somewhat flustered: “Master, shouldn’t you attend to the guests first?”

Cheng Honglang looked at her and commanded decisively, “Complete the ritual of lifting the veil first.”

Not daring to argue, the matron immediately followed. Once they reached the bridal chamber, she quickly positioned herself beside Fu Junyao and chanted loudly: “Lift the veil, share joy together; veil falls behind, wealth and honor follow; paired in harmony, soon bear a noble son.”

Xiang’er, perceptive as ever, respectfully presented the jade ruyi scepter for lifting the veil with both hands.

Cheng Honglang took the jade ruyi and steadily raised the veil. Bit by bit, Fu Junyao’s meticulously adorned face was revealed to him from her delicate chin to her rosy lips, petite nose, and clear, autumn-water-like eyes…

Every feature was intimately familiar to him, yet adorned in wedding robes and the phoenix coronet, she seemed coated in honey, radiating a sweetness that captivated him completely.

His fingers tightened slightly around the jade ruyi, his throat constricted, and his Adam’s apple bobbed gently. For a moment, he even forgot to breathe, his heart and mind consumed by a single thought: So, this delicate, soft girl, when dressed up, could be so utterly mesmerizing that one couldn’t look away.

Fu Junyao met his slightly dazed gaze and knew her makeup today had dazzled him as well. Immediately, she thought to press her advantage and tempt him further. Her lips curved into a faint, elusive smile as she timidly grasped the hem of his robe. Her eyes shimmered, slowly tracing the line of his lips before she spoke softly, her voice delicate and gentle: “Husband”

Cheng Honglang’s heart skipped a beat at her address. Whatever he had been about to do was forgotten, and he could only nod blankly: “Mm!”

Mm? That’s it? Fu Junyao felt somewhat deflated. Was her seduction so ineffective? Should she find someone to properly teach her how to please a man?

The Wedding Matron watching from the side nearly covered her eyes. Having presided over so many wedding ceremonies, this was the first time she had seen such an overly affectionate couple, so sweet it almost made her queasy.

To avoid agitating her own old heart that was nearly stirred by their display, she promptly announced loudly: “The newlyweds are invited to share the Nuptial Cup. One cup of wine seals their bond, united in heart and virtue for a hundred years.”

Cheng Honglang snapped back to attention, steadied himself, then set down the jade ruyi scepter. Picking up two cups of nuptial wine, he walked over to Fu Junyao and handed one to her.

Fu Junyao was still disheartened by his earlier cold reaction. When she took the cup, the corners of her mouth visibly drooped.

Cheng Honglang didn’t understand why she had suddenly become upset. Glancing at the wine in the cup, he assumed she couldn’t handle alcohol, so he took her cup back and downed it in one gulp. Then, just as decisively, he finished his own cup too.

He moved so quickly that the Wedding Matron didn’t even have time to intervene.

The words “This isn’t according to custom” rolled around in the Matron’s throat a couple of times, but she ultimately didn’t dare voice them.

Fu Junyao hadn’t reacted either, staring blankly at the empty cup that had been thrust back into her hand. She blinked and asked bluntly: “Why did Lang-gege drink my wine?”

Cheng Honglang frowned at her puzzled expression and stiffly explained: “You’re injured—you shouldn’t drink alcohol. Just touching it to your lips is enough.”

His tone was matter of fact, like a doctor instructing a patient.

Fu Junyao didn’t know how to respond. She could only pretend the cup still had wine, pull his arm, and loop hers through it: “Well, we still need to go through the motions, right?”

The sudden closeness made Cheng Honglang’s body stiff. Awkwardly, he cooperated to complete the drinking gesture.

Fu Junyao was the first to toss her cup before the bed. It flipped over and landed upside down.

Cheng Honglang looked at the cup, hesitated for a moment, then carefully threw his own cup so it landed upright.

One cup facing down and one facing up it was supposed to be male facing down and female facing up, but now it was completely reversed. The Wedding Matron paused in surprise before offering her congratulations with some uncertainty.

Fu Junyao knew she had acted too quickly and broken the custom, but seeing that Cheng Honglang didn’t mind at all, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The rest of the ceremony proceeded very smoothly. After it concluded, Cheng Honglang looked at Fu Junyao, paused, and said: “You should rest. I’ll go out to attend to the guests.”

Fu Junyao glanced at the love knot she had personally woven hanging from his waist, then nodded obediently with satisfaction.

It was the first time the Wedding Matron had completed her duties so early. Happily pocketing the Red Envelope Cheng Honglang had given her, she left in high spirits.

As soon as Cheng Honglang and the Wedding Matron left, Fuliu immediately stepped forward to help Fu Junyao remove the heavy Phoenix coronet. She then changed the cumbersome wedding dress into lightweight everyday clothes. While helping her change, Fuliu smiled and spoke favorably of Cheng Honglang: “The young master is truly considerate. By lifting the veil early like this, you don’t have to sit wearing such a heavy Phoenix coronet until nightfall.”

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