Wen Ningxuan listened to Lin He, his voice tinged with slight anxiety, "Then I'll go out and have them prepare some food for you; it will be ready soon."

"No need, I can just have some pastries; look, aren't there plenty around the room? Don't bother calling anyone," Lin He said somewhat self-consciously. If word got out that the bride was demanding food be cooked for her on her wedding night, she couldn't imagine the rumors that would follow.

"These things are all cold now, and you haven't eaten all day; you can't touch those. I won't call anyone else; I'll send Ziyu." Wen Ningxuan seemed to read Lin He's mind, speaking softly.

Lin He looked at Wen Ningxuan and nodded. Wen Ningxuan immediately called Ziyu in, telling her to fetch something to eat. Ziyu was quick-witted and immediately replied, "Second Young Master, the items were prepared long ago and have been kept warm. I will bring them over right away."

Ziyu left. Wen Ningxuan sat down beside Lin He, reached out, and flicked her smooth forehead. "Usually you’re quite clever; how can you be so obtuse today? There are so many things in this room, you could have eaten anything. Did you really have to starve for so long?"

Lin He pouted, saying nothing, thinking to herself that it was all because of the Wen family's strict rules. How was she to know if someone was watching? She didn't want to be labeled as someone from a minor family who didn't understand propriety.

Seeing Lin He’s expression, Wen Ningxuan reached out and drew her into his embrace, his gentle voice whispering near her ear, "It’s alright to be cautious outside, but this is my courtyard. You can be as you wish here; no one will say a word. Don't make yourself suffer."

Lin He blinked her large eyes, looking up at Wen Ningxuan from his arms, and asked, "Really?"

Gazing at the woman in his arms, whose cheeks were flushed and whose appearance was captivatingly delicate, her voice soft and sweet, a profound glimmer flashed in Wen Ningxuan's deep eyes. He cupped the small face before him, his cool, thin lips descending to pry open hers. His long tongue aggressively invaded her territory, licking every soft inch, drawing in and tangling with her delicate tongue, savoring her unique fragrance.

Lin He was startled by the sudden kiss, momentarily forgetting to breathe. After a moment, just as Lin He felt dizzy, she sensed the man ease his movements; his lips merely lingered and sucked gently against her own. Only then did Lin He feel air flood back into her chest. Just as she was about to mention that Ziyu would soon bring food, her lips were sealed again, and another dizzying, consuming kiss followed.

The kissing left Lin He too weak to summon any strength; she could only lie there, eyes hazy, enduring Wen Ningxuan’s kiss. Suddenly remembering it was their wedding night, she conceded that these actions were perhaps appropriate. With a touch of shy willingness, she hooked her arms around his neck, returning his kiss.

Wen Ningxuan felt the response from the little woman before him and a smile touched his handsome eyes. He gently lowered the person in his arms onto the bed, his agile body following to cover hers.

Although the two had shared moments of intimacy before, this specific kind of closeness was new to Lin He. She felt clumsy and uncertain. Even though she had seen many such scenes in books and on television in her past life, now that it was happening to her, Lin He was undeniably nervous.

In truth, Wen Ningxuan was not faring much better. Though he was no longer a youth, this was also a first for him. He didn't know exactly what to do, relying only on instinct to explore step by step. When he heard Lin He softly utter a sound of pain, he furrowed his brow slightly and soothed her in a low voice beside her ear. His tone, elegant and rich like a cello, instantly made Lin He feel considerably more relaxed.

Wen Ningxuan looked at the woman beneath him, her eyes languid with desire, breathing coming in short gasps. A captivating smile bloomed across her exquisite face.

When Lin He finally awoke in a daze, the candles still flickered in the room, yet the light outside suggested dawn was near. Lin He tried to shift her body, but her entire frame felt as if it had been run over by cartwheels. Unable to help it, she sank back onto the mattress. Wen Ningxuan beside her, perhaps hearing her soft gasp, opened his eyes. Looking at the person next to him, his brow creased slightly, and he asked with gentle concern, "Does it still hurt?"

Lin He’s face instantly flushed crimson down to her collarbone, and she shook her head slightly from beneath the covers. Wen Ningxuan knew the little woman was shy. He chuckled softly, drew her into his embrace, and leaned down to ask, "Are you hungry? Shall I ask Ziyu to bring some food in?"

At this moment, Lin He desperately wanted this man to leave so she wouldn't have to endure his gaze. She nodded vaguely without truly registering his words. Wen Ningxuan laughed softly again, rose, dressed himself, and walked out.

Lin He quickly got up to tidy her clothes. Not long after, she saw Zi Qing and Ziyu entering, both carrying trays laden with food. Ziyu smiled at Lin He, saying, "Young Mistress, Second Young Master told us to bring these things in. Please eat something first. My elder sister and I will go fetch water for your bath. You must be uncomfortable after such a long day."

Ziyu's words made Lin He want to burrow back under the covers. Lin He suddenly remembered that Ziyu had been about to bring food yesterday, but then she and Wen Ningxuan... Ah, Ziyu must have seen something. Thinking of this, Lin He’s face burned bright enough to drip blood.

Zi Qing, noticing Lin He’s embarrassment, shot Ziyu a glare and said, "Young Mistress, eat first. We'll go prepare the hot water." With that, she called Ziyu out.

Ziyu stood rooted to the spot, looking as if she still yearned for some gossip. Zi Qing quickly returned, took Ziyu by the arm, and led her out.

Only then did Lin He finally breathe a sigh of relief. She hadn't felt hungry when she was falling asleep, but now her stomach was truly empty. She could probably devour an entire ox right now.

The food was excellently prepared: millet porridge simmered with red dates, cooked so thoroughly that fine strands stretched from the ladle. Lin He hadn't eaten such good millet porridge since arriving here. There was also a plate of steamed dumplings, a dish of crystal buns, and a side of pickled vegetables—everything looked incredibly appetizing.

By the time she finished eating, the sky outside was already starting to lighten. Lin He recalled Wen Ningxuan mentioning that she needed to serve tea to the family elders in the morning. Thinking she couldn't be late on her first day, she noted that Zi Qing and Ziyu had already brought in the bathwater while she was eating.

As Lin He soaked comfortably in the water, she heard footsteps behind the screen. "Ziyu, you don't need to wait on me, I'll be done soon," Lin He called out. She had forgotten she was now a married woman, and that another person besides Zi Qing and Ziyu could enter her room.

Just as Lin He was about to stand up and dry herself, she heard a teasing voice: "He He doesn't want Ziyu to serve her? How about your husband serves you instead?"

Startled by Wen Ningxuan's sudden voice, Lin He immediately shrank back into the water, silently scolding herself for completely forgetting about this rascal.