Chapter 523: Bad Person

Night had fallen over Xiahe Village, a soft veil of darkness settling gently across the land. A faint breeze drifted through the air, carrying with it the rich scent of earth and blooming flowers, the fragrance lingering and spreading slowly as if reluctant to fade. Outside the bridal chamber, red lanterns swayed lazily in the wind, their warm glow trembling and casting overlapping shadows upon the ground—shadows that rose and fell like ripples in a quiet dream.

The mingling of fragrance, flickering light, and the tender embrace of the night added an extra layer of romance to the wedding night, making it feel almost unreal, as though the world itself had softened in reverence to the occasion.

“As for Zhang Xiaofan… after tumbling down the passageway, he landed right on a platform above a lake of molten lava. Directly in front of him was the seething magma itself. The edge of the platform was scorched by the intense heat, so hot that it was nearly unbearable to approach. There, at the very end, lay an oval-shaped hollow in the stone—and within it, a white fox rested quietly…”

At this point, Zhu Ping’an paused, rubbing his forehead as if trying to steady his thoughts. He lifted his teacup and took a slow sip, letting the warm liquid soothe his parched throat. After narrating Zhu Xian for so long, his voice had grown hoarse, as though smoke were rising from it, and even his head felt faintly dizzy.

Not long after signing the blank document earlier, they had chatted idly for a bit. Somehow, the conversation had been deftly steered by Li Shu toward the story he had once told aboard the sea voyage—Zhu Xian. Curious about what happened next, she had clung to him insistently, urging him to continue the tale.

By now, Zhu Ping’an had been speaking for over an hour. Outside, the night had deepened into an inky black, thick and impenetrable.

“Let’s stop here for today,” he said at last.

Though the tea had eased his throat somewhat, the lingering dizziness in his head remained. Setting the teacup down on the table, he brought the evening’s storytelling to a close. He had already told quite a lot—any more, and his voice might truly begin to protest.

“Ah? …Alright, then…”

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Li Shu reluctantly lifted her small hand from beneath her cheek, where she had been resting her face while listening. She cast a glance at the darkened window, then nodded, though clearly unwilling to part with the story just yet. A faint tension flickered across her delicate features—mixed with something else, something like anticipation.

It was late. Time to rest.

Their wedding night… and there was only one bed in the room.

They would have to sleep together. And… do those things depicted in the painted scrolls—those embarrassing, intimate acts.

Her heart tightened.

So nervous… and a little afraid.

She had heard that the first time would hurt. That there would be blood. Mama Liu had told her that on the wedding night, such things were inevitable—that once it happened, the bond between husband and wife would deepen, their relationship growing closer, more intimate. “One day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection,” she had said.

The thought made Li Shu’s chest flutter.

Nervous… yet also quietly expectant.

Because she was nervous, she had made that foolish toad—Zhu Ping’an—tell the story for so long, using it as a distraction. And because she was secretly looking forward to this night… she had even embroidered a pair of mandarin duck pillowcases herself.

As Li Shu twisted her fingers together anxiously, Zhu Ping’an was also lost in thought about the night ahead.

To be honest, even though this was their wedding night, he found himself unable to bring himself to act. Li Shu… she wasn’t even fifteen yet—a mere young girl. How could he possibly…? Then again, he himself wasn’t even fifteen either.

Fourteen years old. Still in the tender bloom of youth. By modern standards, this would be considered underage. If someone were to do such a thing to a girl of this age in modern times, they would be condemned by thousands, cursed by all.

Her body hadn’t fully matured yet. It hadn’t reached its peak. Engaging in intimate relations too early could affect physical development—especially for girls. It might even impact future fertility, not to mention the risk of various health issues.

And in ancient times, there was no such thing as protection. If she became pregnant, it would be extremely dangerous at her age. Medical conditions back then were crude compared to modern standards. For women, childbirth was akin to stepping through the gates of the underworld—especially for girls so young, whose bodies had yet to fully develop.

The high mortality rate among ancient mothers was, in large part, due to this very reason.

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Of course, people in ancient times tended to mature earlier than those in modern society.

Still… at the very least, sixteen should be the minimum. That would roughly correspond to eighteen in modern terms. Yes… that seemed about right.

For a time, silence settled over the bridal chamber.

Seconds passed. Then minutes. Time slipped away quietly, unnoticed. Outside, the night grew deeper and deeper until all was still. At this hour, others would have long since fallen asleep—perhaps even woken once already.

It was time to sleep. If they delayed any longer, dawn would soon arrive.

“Ah… it’s getting late…”

Li Shu glanced at the pitch-black night beyond the window, then stole a look at Zhu Ping’an. Her cheeks flushed faintly as she spoke, hesitation threading through her soft voice.

“Mm… it is quite late,” Zhu Ping’an nodded.

His gaze swept across the bridal chamber’s decorations, and he felt a faint headache coming on. There was only one bed. One set of bedding… Should he perhaps explain some basic knowledge about adolescence to her? Weigh the pros and cons?

Late your head! You fool, you blockhead, you piece of wood!

Hearing his response, Li Shu fumed inwardly. She had practically spelled it out for him, and he still didn’t understand! Truly a block of wood—might as well plant him in the ground and water him, let him rot into a stump!

Silence fell over the room once more, the atmosphere growing awkward.

Li Shu sat on the bed, twisting her fingers together, her cheeks flushed a soft red. Under the flickering candlelight, her already beautiful face seemed even more radiant, delicate as a blooming flower.

“…Forget it. It’s late. Let’s rest,” Zhu Ping’an finally said after a moment’s thought, looking at her.

“Mmm…”

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The response was so faint it was barely audible, like the whisper of a mosquito. If not for the slight movement of her lips, Zhu Ping’an might not have heard her at all. Her face grew even redder.

Blockhead… at least you’ve finally figured it out.

Li Shu shot him a quick glance, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering like rippling water, so bright they seemed almost ready to spill over.

There was only one bed, one set of covers—there was no way for Zhu Ping’an to play the gentleman by offering to sleep on a chair or the floor. Such an arrangement wasn’t realistic.

Besides, Li Shu liked him. He knew that well. If he were to suggest something like that, for a proud and sensitive girl like her, it might feel more like an insult.

“What do you mean, Zhu Ping’an?!”

After a moment’s consideration, he dismissed the idea.

“There are so many red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds on the bed…”

Standing by the bedside, Li Shu pouted slightly as she looked at the scattered items.

“Why not just shake them off?” Zhu Ping’an stepped closer, glancing at the bed.

“You’re not allowed to…”

Li Shu rolled her eyes at him, then bent down to pick up a peanut and place it into a fruit tray. “They have to be picked out one by one.”

So there were even such customs… Zhu Ping’an chuckled self-deprecatingly and joined her.

The peanuts and other items weren’t just scattered on top of the bedding—they had even slipped inside. The two of them spent quite some time carefully picking everything out, until at last they had gathered a full tray.

“Raw?” Zhu Ping’an asked curiously, picking up a peanut and popping it into his mouth.

“…Raw…”

Li Shu replied softly, her voice almost melting into the air. Instantly, her cheeks flushed even deeper.

It was a customary auspicious phrase for the wedding night—something the bride was meant to say at least once.

“Raw”… as in bearing children.

Zhu Ping’an paused mid-chew, his expression stiffening for a brief moment as realization dawned. The question he had asked… seemed to carry an unintended double meaning.

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“Uh… what’s this?”

After clearing the bed, Zhu Ping’an suddenly noticed a piece of white cloth laid over the bright red sheets. It looked utterly out of place. Was it accidentally left behind while making the bed? Curious, he reached out and picked it up.

“You bad person!”

Li Shu glared at him fiercely, her face now so red it looked as though it might bleed.

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