FIMA Ch46.1: Red Sleeves Add Fragrance

Gu Siyuan picked up a wine jug from the table and poured two cups, handing one to Xie Changyue: “Cross-cupped wine.”

Xie Changyue took the cup and sneaked a glance at Gu Siyuan’s calm, cool face, pouting slightly. Everyone said he valued him greatly, but even on their wedding night, he still had this expression.

Gu Siyuan looked up and met his cautious gaze, suddenly extending his arm, signaling for him to cross arms.

This was a marital tradition.

Since he married Xie Changyue, he should do all the things a husband should do.

As their slender arms intertwined, the white, tender skin of their wrists touched Gu Siyuan’s arm, instantly raising a searing temperature.

Remembering the firm touch of those arms when he was carried earlier, Xie Changyue’s heart fluttered, and he couldn’t help but let out a soft “mmm.”

Gu Siyuan heard it and glanced down at him.

Then, his hand, which was hanging by his side, suddenly reached out, wrapping around Xie Changyue’s slender waist. With a slight effort, he pulled him into his arms, letting him stand on his shoes.

Xie Changyue quickly grabbed his husband’s sleeve for balance.

“…”

Was his husband this impatient?

At that moment, a warm breath brushed past his ear, and a deep voice said, “Standing like this, is it easier for you to reach?”

Gu Siyuan thought his earlier sound was because he was short and was struggling to reach.

“…” Xie Changyue.

His husband was really considerate.

Hmm, he started to believe that this man, who looked as cold as a stone, might truly like him.

Gu Siyuan’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he drank the wine in one gulp.

At this moment, they were so close that their breaths seemed to mingle.

Xie Changyue glared at him, unwilling to admit defeat, and downed his drink, only to be slightly scorched by the spiciness, causing him to stick out his tongue briefly.

Gu Siyuan quickly released him and turned to pour some tea.

In an instant, the warmth at his feet, waist, and arm dissipated. Xie Changyue pouted, regretting his earlier competitive spirit.

After drinking the cross-cupped wine, before they could say much, there was a “knock knock” on the door.

Hearing that Gu Siyuan had held his liquor well at Xie’s house, people from the Gu family eagerly came to toast him.

As the groom, it was customary for Gu Siyuan to join the guests for drinks, so he couldn’t refuse.

Xie Changyue tugged at his sleeve, softly saying, “Drink less.”

Gu Siyuan nodded in agreement. After thinking for a moment, he placed a hand on his shoulder, bent down to kiss his forehead gently, and said warmly, “Don’t worry.”

He had seen many couples’ interactions in the modern world, so he was confident in his actions.

“…” Xie Changyue blushed from his neck up.

How… how did it suddenly come to this? His husband’s demeanor did not match his cold appearance at all.

Even after he left, Xie Changyue sat on the bed, dazed, with his hands covering his blushing face.

After a while, there was another knock on the door, followed by a clear, feminine voice.

“Brother-in-law…”

Gu Qingqing walked in with a tray of food, smiling: “Brother-in-law, this is sent by my second brother.”

Xie Changyue hurried to receive it, softly thanking her: “Thank you.”

Gu Qingqing shook her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him: “Brother-in-law, you’re really good-looking. No wonder my second brother likes you so much.”

“…” Xie Changyue blushed even more.

Everyone said that.

Ahem, given their recent interactions, he also felt his husband liked him a lot.

Since arriving at Huangyang Village, Xie Changyue’s appetite hasn’t been great.

But now, knowing that even while drinking outside, his husband still thought of him and specifically asked his sister to bring food, his appetite suddenly grew.

Faced with a large bowl of rice and a variety of meat and vegetables piled high, Xie Changyue felt he could eat it all.

After finishing the meal, he waited for about another half hour, during which the noise outside gradually faded.

At his door, there was another sound, and Gu Siyuan entered with a wooden basin: “Come, wash your hands and face.”

Xie Changyue was startled and quickly approached.

In the Marquis Residence, though they had many maidservants, his mother often personally served his father to show her care. When they returned to Huangyang Village, Liu Zhi also served Xie Er in this way.

But never had a man like Gu Siyuan done such things…

Xie Changyue hurried to take the basin: “Husband, I can do it.”

When Gu Siyuan first heard it, he didn’t realize the term “husband” was referring to him.

Once he realized, he decisively dodged Xie Changyue and placed the solid wooden basin on the shelf with a heavy thud.

He looked at the slender, fair-skinned young man beside him and said indifferently, “No need, I’m strong.”

Xie Changyue looked at the man whose expression remained cold and suddenly thought that perhaps it was true, as others said, that his own fortune was indeed very good.

Xie Changyue extended his slender fingers to wring out the cloth in the water, gently wiping his face and neck.

He had already bathed at the Xie household before leaving at dusk, so now he just needed to freshen up.

Gu Siyuan, having already tidied himself up outside before coming into the room, didn’t have a trace of alcohol on him.

Seeing that he had finished washing, Gu Siyuan carried the wooden basin out, emptying the water into the vegetable garden beside the courtyard.

When he returned, he locked the door securely.

Xie Changyue listened to the sound, clutching the red quilt beside him nervously.

Gu Siyuan seemed unaware of the atmosphere.

He took a few steps to Xie Changyue’s side, starting to undo his wedding clothes while saying, “Alright, it’s time for us to consummate the marriage. We have to get up early tomorrow to serve tea, so the sooner we finish, the more rest you can get.”

“…” Xie Changyue.

Do other husbands say it like this too?

Weren’t scholars supposed to be proper in speech and behavior?

Hmm… maybe it’s because his husband is straightforward and loves him very much!

The candlelight went out, and through the faint moonlight, layers of red clothes fell to the ground.

Xie Changyue trembled slightly as he was gently pushed onto the red quilt.

Gu Siyuan originally thought that being intimate without any emotional foundation would feel awkward, but the moment he touched that cold, jade-like skin, a strange sense of familiarity surged in his heart.

From then on, without much thought, he effortlessly pulled the smooth, cool body tightly into his arms.

No matter how vigorous the movement on the solid brick bed above, it wouldn’t make a sound.

Inside the room, there were only Xie Changyue’s occasional uncontrollable murmurs.

The jade-like body sunk in the soft red quilt seemed like a fragile white paper boat battered by wind and rain in a deep ocean. With just a touch, he emitted a series of trembles and moans, even his delicate white feet tensing tightly.

This extremely sensitive reaction made him even more captivating, impossible to stop.

After an unknown period, following a final satisfied sigh, the room finally quieted down.

Before falling asleep, Xie Changyue had only one thought.

Weren’t they supposed to finish early so he could rest? Why did he seem to hear the rooster crow outside?

…

Mu Xia apparently anticipated this, knowing that once the newlyweds got playful, they wouldn’t hold back.

So, early the next morning, he knocked on Gu Siyuan’s door to remind them not to miss the auspicious time for serving tea.

Gu Siyuan, ever alert, instantly opened his eyes and responded.

It was already late May, and the weather was getting warmer. The new quilts were stored in the cabinet, and they only covered themselves with a thin blanket.

Looking down, Gu Siyuan saw the small head quietly nestled in his arms, red lips slightly parted, breathing softly in sleep.

His black, fine hair, tangled and damp, spread over his shoulders and collarbones, with a few strands almost reaching his mouth with each breath. He gently smoothed the hair back, intending to make him more comfortable, but in doing so, he fully exposed Xie Changyue’s back, covered with scattered purplish-red marks against the tender white skin, appearing very pitiful and endearing.

Gu Siyuan frowned slightly, touching the marks, recalling last night’s madness.

He hadn’t realized he could be so urgent.

The person in his arms seemed startled by his touch, rubbing his face against his chest and softly murmuring, “No more… sleepy…”

For once, a hint of embarrassment showed on Gu Siyuan’s stern face.

He gently moved him out of his arms, got up, dressed, and tidied himself.

After getting ready, Gu Siyuan took the wooden basin to the kitchen, where he saw his father scooping out hot water.

Mu Xia saw him and immediately gestured for him to bring the basin over.

Gu Siyuan nodded in thanks.

Mu Xia then asked, “How was last night? Is Changyue very tired and not awake yet?”

Gu Siyuan didn’t know how to answer.

Mu Xia smiled and stopped asking.

Moments later, Gu Siyuan returned to the room with warm water, gently waking up the person on the bed.

Xie Changyue, like a soft-bodied animal, lay in his arms, murmuring but unable to open his eyes.

Gu Siyuan helped him dress, raising his arms and head as needed, obediently.

Only when the warm towel touched his face did Xie Changyue start to wake up, looking at the cold-faced, sharp-eyed man and realizing what he had just done.

As a new bridegroom, not only had he not attended to his husband’s washing and dressing, but he had also made his husband serve him…

Seeing he was awake, Gu Siyuan said calmly, “Put on your shoes; it’s time to serve tea.”

“Oh…” Xie Changyue quickly sat up, reaching for his shoes.

Both were ready, about to leave.

“Husband.” Xie Changyue suddenly felt nervous.

Gu Siyuan squinted slightly, kissed his forehead, and tightly held his hand in his palm, “It’s alright.”

With that, he led him out.

“…” Xie Changyue.

That wasn’t what he meant, but being held by his husband did make him feel less nervous.

As they approached the Gu family’s main hall, the room was already filled with people, including the third uncle’s family, who had come back from the county to attend the wedding.

The third aunt, a talkative and sociable woman, was the first to tease, “The newlyweds are so affectionate, holding hands even for this short walk!”

Others chimed in with smiles.

Gu Siyuan remained expressionless, but Xie Changyue couldn’t help the slight blush on his ears, instinctively moving a bit closer to Gu Siyuan.

Gu Zhen, observing Xie Changyue’s complete dependence and trust in his cousin, had a change of expression, thinking about something unknown.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue held the tea cups, serving tea to everyone, allowing Xie Changyue to recognize and greet each member of the Gu family.

“Grandfather, please drink tea…”

“Father, please drink tea!”

“Pa, please drink tea!”

With Gu Siyuan’s cold demeanor as a contrast, Xie Changyue’s warm and friendly attitude naturally won everyone’s favor.

Mu Xia was especially pleased. Originally worried that a young master from such a wealthy family might be somewhat spoiled and difficult to get along with, today he saw that his son’s husband was not only beautiful and pitiful but also extremely intelligent and sensible.