"Husband?"
Han Zhi looked at Su Zhen with a cheerful smile and said, "My madam is truly gorgeous."
Hearing this, Su Zhen blushed slightly, then said, "We are going to offer our greetings now, so stop fooling around."
With that, she tried to stand up by steadying herself against the table, but her legs felt somewhat weak, making it rather difficult. Seeing this, Han Zhi quickly reached out and supported her.
"What's wrong?" Han Zhi asked with a puzzled yet deeply worried expression.
At that, Su Zhen shot him a sideways glance and scolded him softly, "And whose fault is that from yesterday, husband?"
"Yeste... Yesterday..."
Realizing what she meant, Han Zhi was instantly overcome with embarrassment. He scratched the back of his head, bent down, and picked Su Zhen right up into his arms.
"How about I carry Banniang to offer our greetings just like this?"
Su Zhen tried to struggle a bit, but lacking the strength to match his, she had to give up. Resting in his embrace, she murmured softly, "We are going to see Sir, it is so embarrassing to be carried like this."
"It's fine, it's fine." Han Zhi brushed it off, then looked at Yueping and instructed, "Yueping, go fetch the things Banniang prepared so we can take them along for the greetings."
"Yes, Master."
***
In the main hall of the residence, Han Zhuo and Madam Han Zhou were already seated. The outdoor decorations had not yet been taken down; only the tables and chairs had been cleared away, leaving a lingering trace of festivity in the air.
"Husband, when do you suppose that Su Banniang will give us a grandchild?" Madam Han Zhou asked, already filled with eager anticipation.
To tell the truth, it was rather embarrassing: yesterday, Han Zhuo and Madam Han Zhou had been worried that the newlyweds would be too shy to consummate the marriage. So they had coordinated with the guests beforehand, skipping the customary bridal chamber teasing entirely to let the couple get an early start.
Then, after quite some time had passed, they even sent Yueping and a few other sharp-witted maidservants to eavesdrop outside the newlyweds' wall. Only when Yueping returned to report that "in the master and madam's chamber, no one is disturbing them, and their sweet voices are intertwined" did they finally set their minds at ease.
Han Zhuo shook his head and said, "That depends on whether the two of them put in the effort."
He took a sip of tea, and as if a thought had just occurred to him, continued, "But Zhi'er has an idle nature, rarely goes out, and devotes himself entirely to studying behind closed doors. If they are truly earnest, it certainly won't take long."
"That would be wonderful."
Just then, a servant entered, bowed, and reported, "Master, Madam. The young master and madam have come to offer their greetings."
Upon hearing this, Han Zhuo immediately resumed his usual stern expression, prompting Madam Han Zhou to chide him with a smile, "You are always so reluctant to converse with Zhi'er; no wonder the two of you have barely spoken in all these years."
"Hurry and invite them in. We've been looking forward to seeing for ourselves just how exceptional your young master's taste truly is."
Han Zhi stood outside supporting Su Zhen. Because they were standing at an angle, they could not see the scene inside. Su Zhen was quite nervous, her waist steadied by Han Zhi's hand while she clutched the lapels of his robe.
"Husband, do you think Sir will like me?"
Worry flickered in her eyes. After all, within the entire Fuping Earl Mansion, Han Zhi was the only person she knew. As for the head mistress, Su Zhen had only caught a distant glimpse of her when the two families first met, and had no inkling of her preferences.
"Of course he likes you. Yesterday's wedding banquet was almost entirely arranged by Sir. The only thing he worried about was you losing face—how could anyone say he doesn't like you?"
Su Zhen nodded and said, "That's a relief."
At that moment, the servant came back out and said to the two of them, "Young Master, Madam, you may go in now."
Su Zhen gently pushed away Han Zhi's hand, took a few deep breaths, and then accepted the tray from Yueping. Still worried, Han Zhi reached out to support her as they stepped inside.
As the two walked into the main hall, Madam Han Zhou and Han Zhuo exchanged a glance, both of their eyes holding a trace of a smile. Then, maintaining their composure, they turned their gazes toward Su Zhen.
Although this was Han Zhuo's first time seeing his daughter-in-law, he was thoroughly pleased with her. Having already met her mother yesterday, he naturally knew something of Su Zhen's background: well-read since childhood, skilled in composing verse, and always writing essays that people loved.
Seeing her now, she was indeed a beauty. A talented scholar and a lovely lady—they made a well-matched pair.
Su Zhen walked forward a few paces, trying her best not to let anyone notice her discomfort. When she judged the distance to be right, she bowed respectfully and said, "Banniang greets Sir and Mother."
"Rise," Han Zhuo said.
"Thank you, Sir." Su Zhen held out the tray in her hands and said, "These are Banniang's own embroidered needlework, shoes, socks, and pillows. I hope Sir and Mother will not disdain them."
As the mistress of the house, Madam Han Zhou personally stepped forward, took the items, and said, "How could we ever disdain them?"
She placed the things on the table, and a nearby servant handed her a bolt of new silk, which she presented to Su Zhen as a return gift to conclude the ceremony.
With that, the greeting ritual was finally complete. Clutching the bolt of colored silk, Su Zhen turned to return to Han Zhi's side, but because of her aching legs, she suddenly staggered and nearly tripped.
Fortunately, Han Zhi quickly reached out and caught her, saving her from a very embarrassing moment.
She was shielded safely in Han Zhi's arms, but her eyes spoke volumes. That look seemed to be reproaching him, and combined with her flushed cheeks, she said not a single word, yet conveyed everything.
"Zhi'er, when do you plan to leave for the capital for the imperial examinations?" Madam Han Zhou asked again.
"Probably in the next few days?" Han Zhi raised his head slightly to ponder before answering.
"Then set the date for the fourteenth," Han Zhuo said. "You still have matters to attend to these next few days and cannot leave so early. Ten days should be enough."
Han Zhi offered no objection and simply replied, "Yes." Then, making sure there was nothing else, he took Su Zhen and left.
Once outside the main hall, he scooped Su Zhen up in his arms again and carried her toward their new quarters. Neither of them spoke. After leaving the hall, Han Zhi began racking his brain to think if there was anything he needed to do, but nothing came to mind. So he asked:
"Banniang, do we have anything we need to take care of in the coming days?"
"In three days, there is the Three-Morning Return Gift, and then we have to go back to the Su Family to pay our respects at the Huilang Ceremony. Seven days from now, we must return to the Su Family once more to deliver jewelry and gifts, which is known as 'hair-washing'." Su Zhen said, holding the bolt of colorful silk in his arms.
Han Zhi nodded. After carrying Su Zhen back into the bedroom, he gently set her down on the bed and laid the silk aside.
It was only then that Han Zhi noticed the quilt and mattress on their bed had been restored to their original appearance. Su Zhen silently thanked her lucky stars that she had already hidden away her silk handkerchief.
Su Zhen let out a very ungraceful yawn, and Han Zhi asked with a smile, "Didn't get enough sleep? Care to sleep a bit longer?"
"And what about you, husband?"
"Would you like me to keep Banniang company?" Han Zhi teased with a wicked smile, his meaning abundantly clear.
Su Zhen's blushing cheeks showed no sign of fading. She bit her lower lip, nodded, and said, "Alright."
Han Zhi went over to close the door, not forgetting to instruct Yueping to clear the area around the courtyard. Hearing this, Yueping quickly caught on and hurried off to give the orders.
In no time at all, not a single servant remained anywhere near the courtyard.
Back inside the room, Su Zhen had already undone her hair ornaments and taken down her hairdo. She sat on the edge of the bed looking thoroughly bashful as Han Zhi gently cupped her face and kissed her.
"Husband, we still need to have dinner today..."
Though she said those words, her entire body felt soft as cotton, devoid of any resistance as she yielded completely to his embrace...