Chapter 14: Does Brother Lang Have Someone He Loves?

Having achieved her goal, Liu Wan’er wiped her tears, sneered coldly, and muttered under her breath: “Fu Junyao, just you wait.” Swaying her hips in a delicate, willow-like manner, she walked step by step toward the courtyard where female guests were received.

Fu Junyao waited until nightfall before Cheng Honglang finally returned, his steps unsteady. His face was flushed, his eyes somewhat dazed, and he staggered all the way to Fu Junyao. He stared at her fixedly for a long moment before finally curving his eyes and lips into a smile.

Fu Junyao was utterly stunned. The anger she had accumulated all afternoon suddenly dissipated. This was the first time she had seen Brother Lang drunk why did he look so gentle and adorable like this?

Who would believe, seeing him like this, that he was the cold, stern, and decisive Commander of the Brocade-Clad Guard?

“Madam” Cheng Honglang spoke, his tone faint as he called out.

Snapping back to reality, Fu Junyao quickly stood up to support him: “Brother Lang, how much did you drink?”

“Not much, not much. Not at all much,” Cheng Honglang defended himself.

Fu Junyao had no choice but to coax him: “Alright, alright, alright, not much, not much. Sit down first, okay?”

Cheng Honglang nodded obediently and swayed as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

Seeing him so docile, Fu Junyao couldn’t resist teasing him: “Brother Lang, can you still undress yourself?”

Cheng Honglang tugged at his clothes but couldn’t get them off.

Fu Junyao gently coaxed him: “Brother Lang, shall I help you?”

She reached out, her hand trembling slightly, to help him untie his sash.

Cheng Honglang yanked the clothes off, looked at Fu Junyao, and said: “Off.”

Fu Junyao looked at the torn wedding dress thrown on the floor and sighed helplessly as she bent down to pick it up.

Fuliu entered carrying a water basin and, immediately, saw Cheng Honglang with his clothes torn, his collar half-open, and his eyes dazed with drunkenness. She quickly turned around in fright: “Apologies, Miss. I didn’t know the Master had returned.”

Cheng Honglang abruptly looked up, swept a cold glance at Fuliu, his eyes chilling. By the time Fu Junyao looked over, he had returned to that dazed expression.

Fuliu set down the water basin, hurried out, and closed the door behind her.

Smelling the fresh scent of soap on Cheng Honglang, Fu Junyao knew he had bathed before coming. She smiled and coaxed him: “It’s time to sleep. Does Brother Lang know how to sleep?”

Cheng Honglang immediately lay flat and closed his eyes.

So obedient?

They say drunken words are sober thoughts. Should she test it out?

Hesitating for a while, Fu Junyao leaned close to Cheng Honglang’s ear and whispered: “Brother Lang, do you have someone you love?”

Cheng Honglang on the bed remained motionless. After a long moment, he let out a vague “Hmm” from his nose.

He does! Fu Junyao was shocked!

No wonder he had someone prepare the phoenix cornet and wedding gown three years ago he must have wanted to marry his beloved.

What reason could have made him delay for three whole years? Giving her the chance to step in?

Fu Junyao felt both heartache and confusion.

After a long pause, Fu Junyao asked another question: “Brother Lang, is the one you love your cousin?”

Cheng Honglang’s breathing noticeably quickened, and he answered swiftly: “No.”

Good, it’s not. Fu Junyao breathed a sigh of relief.

After hesitating for a long while, the question “Who is the one you love?” lingered in her throat for several rounds, but Fu Junyao ultimately didn’t dare to ask it.

She was afraid that if she found out, and if it happened to be someone she knew, she might not even have the courage to remain by his side anymore.

Since she didn’t know who it was, she could pretend that person didn’t exist.

Fu Junyao abruptly stood up, turned around, and quickly fled the room as if escaping.

Cheng Honglang opened his eyes, his gaze filled with gloom. He had been prepared to use the excuse of drunkenness to speak the truth and confess the feelings he had long buried for her.

But this girl didn’t care even the slightest bit about his thoughts.

Of course, the one she loved was the handsome, carefree, and lively Feng Ning. How could she possibly care about someone as dull and uninteresting as him? If not for this unexpected turn of events, they probably wouldn’t even have had the chance to share the same room.

Now, she was his lawfully wedded wife. He should be content.

But why did his heart still feel so heavy and uncomfortable?

Cheng Honglang closed his eyes and remained motionless. He had even forgotten his original intention of pretending to be drunk he was afraid that if he didn’t share the bridal chamber with her on their wedding night, she might overthink it, especially since her injuries might not have fully healed. That was why he had thought of using drunkenness as an excuse.

Fu Junyao stepped out of the room and let the night breeze cool her for a while. Gradually, she calmed down and recognized.

Who cares who the one he loves? She is his wife now! If that woman doesn’t want to be a concubine, at most, she can only remain as his unattainable regret.

Instead of moping around here, she should pull herself together and make the most of the life she has already secured!

She refused to believe that, with her beauty and gentleness, she couldn’t overshadow a woman who was visible but out of reach!

In the future, she would make sure that Lang-gege’s heart and eyes were filled with her alone!

Fu Junyao turned and called for Fuliu to prepare water. After bathing and changing her clothes, she tiptoed back into the inner chamber. Sure enough, she saw Cheng Honglang lying still with his eyes closed, seemingly fast asleep.

She stood quietly by the bedside, gazing unabashedly at Cheng Honglang.

In his sleep, Cheng Honglang lost the cold, aloof demeanor he had when awake. His face was serene and peaceful, and his entire presence seemed softer.

His dark hair spread across the pillow, revealing his smooth forehead. His brows were relaxed, and his long, thick eyelashes resembled butterfly wings, making him exceptionally handsome.

Fu Junyao couldn’t resist reaching out a finger to gently brush against Cheng Honglang’s eyelashes, muttering under her breath, “Lang-gege, how can a man like you have such beautiful eyelashes?”

Cheng Honglang’s eyelashes trembled slightly, startling Fu Junyao and making her jerk her hand back.

She looked closely and saw that Cheng Honglang hadn’t moved.

Fu Junyao patted her chest, her heart racing. She had been terrified that she had woken Lang-gege up.

Not daring to touch him again, she pressed a hand to her pounding heart, took a deep breath, lifted her skirt, and carefully climbed onto the bed. Stepping over Cheng Honglang, she settled on the inner side and lay down without undressing.

Her thoughts were simple, but once she was lying beside Cheng Honglang, Fu Junyao realized she was extremely nervous.

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to ignore the unavoidable, powerful warmth radiating from the person beside her, and repeatedly reassured herself:

Don’t be afraid, Fu Junyao. You’ve already proven your courage ever since you dared to throw yourself at Lang-gege, there’s nothing in this world you can’t do!

Right now, it’s just sleeping beside Lang-gege.

Isn’t this what you’ve always longed for?

Why are you so nervous?
Stealing a glance at Cheng Honglang who still lay properly in place, his features gentle, she had never seen her Lang-gege so soft and harmless before. Fu Junyao grew bolder, extending her hand slowly toward Cheng Honglang’s face.

Suddenly, Cheng Honglang turned over, facing Fu Junyao.

Startled, Fu Junyao immediately withdrew her hand, tightly closed her eyes, and pretended to be asleep.

When Cheng Honglang opened his eyes, he saw her in this “ostrich” pose and couldn’t help but curve his eyes, letting a trace of laughter spill through.

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