TTTQF Chapter 100

Wedding Night

Jiang Miao's words are so annoying that the group quickly loses their enthusiasm for causing a commotion and leaves in small groups.

The clumsy person who hurried to close the door stays behind, looking awkwardly at Pei Che and Jiang Miao. "Cousin, Cousin-in-law, I’m sorry for just now. They said it would bring some liveliness to the wedding night, so that life would be more prosperous in the future."

"Don’t call him Cousin-in-law. Just call him Brother Miao from now on," Pei Che corrects. He can't control how others address him, but he can manage how his family members refers to him

"Oh," Meng Ping says, nodding blankly. "Then, Cousin, Brother Miao, I’m leaving."

"Go ahead," Pei Che waves his hand, signaling him to leave.

As soon as the group of people leaves, Jiang Miao’s expression changes immediately. He crosses his legs and walks back into the room, shouting, "Quick, go get the medicine for me!"

Pei Che hurries outside, calling someone to the pharmacy to fetch medicine from the house doctor. The servant soon returns with several jars of ointment, piling them all on the table.

"Why so many? Which one is for treating abrasions?" Pei Che frowns slightly, feeling displeased.

"Dr. Sun said this green bottle is for treating abrasions. The uses of the other bottles are written on this paper; he asked you to read it yourself," the servant says nervously, handing the paper to Pei Che.

Pei Che takes the paper with confusion, scanning it quickly. His hand freezes in mid-air, and his face turns bright red. He tries to stay calm, waves the servant away, and stares blankly at the jars on the table.

"Where’s the ointment? Why are you just standing there?" Jiang Miao waits and waits without seeing him bring the ointment over, so he walks over.

Pei Che is startled, quickly stuffing the paper into his chest and picking up the green bottle on the table. "Nothing. This is the ointment. You take it and apply it."

Jiang Miao takes the ointment and raises his chin towards the door. Pei Che understands. He quickly picks up the jars from the table, goes outside, and carefully closes the door behind him. Jiang Miao, worried that someone might still barge in, goes over to secure the latch before feeling reassured to apply the medicine.

The two areas that have been rubbed raw are bright red and painful to the touch, as if salted. Jiang Miao opens the green bottle, dabs some ointment with his hand, and applies it. The coolness provides instant relief.

After applying the medicine, Jiang Miao opens the door and sees a round-faced maid standing outside with a basin of water.

"Madam, the heir asked me to bring you some water to wash your hands."

"Alright, you can put it there," Jiang Miao replies. He has grown accustomed to being called "Madam" and has heard it many times from the people outside, who think he is unaware of it.

After washing his hands, the maid quickly hands him a soft cloth to dry them. Once he has dried his hands, the maid leaves with the basin of water.

"Feeling better?" Pei Che walks in.

Jiang Miao nods. "It feels much better after applying the ointment. By the way, where did you go just now?" His gaze shifts from Pei Che's hands to his face, noticing that the jars of ointment are now missing.

"Nothing much. By the way, are you coming with me to toast and thank the guests later?" Pei Che changes the topic.

Jiang Miao shakes his head. "I won’t be going. I’ve just applied the medicine." He declines, noting from the reactions of the earlier guests that there are still many who don’t like him. If those old-fashioned guests who came to drink are any indication, they would be even less fond of him. In their eyes, once someone is married, whether male or female, they should follow the rules of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues.

He isn’t planning to adhere to these rules but also sees no need to confront them about it. Honestly, it is better not to offend the seasoned old-timers too easily.

Pei Che looks a bit regretful but respects his decision. He glances at the sky outside and says, "The banquet is about to start soon. There will be many people and a lot to manage later, so I might not be able to come back. I’ll have Chan Yi and Wen Jing bring Mu’er over later and set up a table inside for you to eat."

Jiang Miao nods. That is for the best. He has been wanting to try the dishes served at such high-status banquets.

"Then I’ll go now?" Pei Che says, looking somewhat reluctant.

"Go ahead," Jiang Miao replies, indifferent.

"I'm really leaving now," Pei Che says again.

"Wait!" Jiang Miao calls out. Pei Che turns around, looking expectantly at him.

"Have the staff pour the wine meant for toasting into another container, but don’t empty it completely. Leave a little at the bottom, then dilute it with water. That way, most people won’t be able to tell what exactly you’re drinking," Jiang Miao instructs.

The banquet hosted by the Duke’s residence today has nearly one or two hundred tables of guests. Even though he doesn’t have to toast the female guests, he still has to do so for the male guests.

Though there are brothers to help with the drinking, there are times when you can’t avoid it, so don’t end up with alcohol poisoning.

Pei Che, feeling reassured, says he will arrange it later.

Soon after Pei Che leaves, someone knocks on the door. Jiang Miao opens it to find a figure quickly rushing into his embrace, their voice hoarse and mumbling out "Brother."

"Be good, I’m right here, don’t run away. Let’s get up first," Jiang Miao comforts Pei Mu’s emotions and then looks up at the two girls still standing at the door.

One appears gentle and demure, the other bright and confident. Although their appearances are quite different, their posture and expressions show a well-developed mutual understanding, indicating a long-standing rapport.

"You come in too," Jiang Miao says. These two people should be regarded as Pei Che's trusted aides, so they should not be neglected.

"Thank you, Master Jiang," the two reply in unison.

Jiang Miao is a bit surprised. "What did you call me?"

"Master Jiang, the heir has previously instructed us to regard you as the master of the courtyard and to follow your commands. Since you are a man, it would not be appropriate to address you as 'Madam.' If you prefer a different title, we can use that instead," Chan Yi explains.

Jiang Miao is moved. Although he and Pei Che are merely partners, he hasn’t expected Pei Che to trust him so much.

"Let’s stick with this title," Jiang Miao says.

Previously, Pei Che had dismissed all the servants in the house, fearing Jiang Miao would be uncomfortable with too many people around, so now only the four of them are in the room.

After exchanging a glance, Chan Yi and Wen Jing go to a corner of the room and bring out a box, placing it on the table. The box is secured with a sturdy brass lock.

"What is this?" Jiang Miao asks, looking at Wen Jing who holds a small brass key in her hand.

"Master Jiang, this box contains the family assets that the heir has collected over the years. Before the heir got married, it was managed by my sister and me. Now that you are the master, it is only right that it is handed over to you for management," Wen Jing says.

Jiang Miao immediately shakes his head. "That won’t do. I’m not experienced with such matters. You managed it before, so it’s best if you continue to do so." He is self-aware; he knows his own limitations. How could he meddle in someone else’s finances?

If Pei Che were here, he would probably sigh again at Jiang Miao's lack of awareness. In truth, Jiang Miao should realize that without Pei Che's approval, his trusted aides wouldn’t have handed over the box to him.

"Master Jiang, just take it," Chan Yi says, taking the key from Wen Jing and placing it near Jiang Miao. "If you’re not familiar with this, my sister and I can assist you, but it wouldn’t make sense for us to continue managing it."

Jiang Miao feels helpless. With the request made so explicitly, he has little choice but to accept. It would be better to wait until Pei Che returns and return the key privately to avoid any suspicion about their relationship.

Seeing Jiang Miao accept the key, Chan Yi and Wen Jing both sigh in relief. They don’t press him to open the box immediately and instead return it to its original place. Afterward, they go out for a while, returning with a string of people carrying food boxes.

"Isn’t this a bit too much?" Jiang Miao says. "Perhaps take some back to avoid waste."

Chan Yi smiles. "Don’t worry, Master Jiang. The heir has previously instructed that while there may seem to be a lot of food, the portions are very small, so there shouldn’t be any waste."

After speaking, they begin serving the dishes. One after another, delicious dishes served in small plates are brought to the table. The dishes are still hot, and as soon as they are set down, the aroma spreads throughout the room, making Jiang Miao's stomach growl.

After serving the dishes, the guests start to leave one by one. Jiang Miao intends to have Chan Yi and the others stay for the meal, but they have already reached the door, closed it, and stood guard outside.

Never mind, with the strict rules of the big family, even if he had asked, they likely wouldn’t have stayed for the meal. Jiang Miao sets the chopsticks and bowls for Pei Mu, and the two of them begin to eat heartily.

These dishes are only enough for two mouthfuls per person. Although a large table is set, the two of them don't feel full after eating. This is the most ideal state. Jiang Miao, with a happy smile, takes Pei Mu for a walk in the house to digest his food, and asks him what happened in the past few days since he came back. Pei Mu mostly nods and shakes his head to answer, and sometimes squeezes out a few vague syllables from his throat. Every time this happens, Jiang Miao praises and encourages him vigorously, helping him to build up his self-confidence and be more courageous to speak.

…

"Master Pei, over here, over here!"

As night falls, the guests at the wedding banquet are finally dispersing. The groom, having seen off the last batch of guests, staggers with the help of others towards the courtyard.

"Ah Miao, open the door!" Pei Che calls out, his voice muffled and somewhat slurred.

Jiang Miao, who has been dozing off by the bed, jolts awake and hurriedly opens the door. As soon as he opens it, a hot, heavy body collapses into his arms. Jiang Miao, who has never been so close to an adult male before, is a bit dazed.

Wasn’t he supposed to dilute the wine? How did he end up like this?

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