Chapter 7 Chapter VII

Meidi sat in front of the dressing table with her hands on her cheeks. Nona would come to comb her hair soon, and she could use this time to sort out her thoughts. It was the morning of the wedding, and it was three weeks since she had set foot on Wei's land. Twenty-one days... How could the direction of her life have changed so much in such a short period of time?She came to New Orleans to get married against her own will. She was originally Goutien, but now she is with another man who is completely different... It is still against her will. Has her situation improved? Ani patrolled with a contented smile to ensure that the guests would not find any flaws. Although the preparations were hasty, the result was satisfactory. The wedding was only four hours away, and everything was ready.

She heard a slight movement in the hall, and immediately thought that the twins were at fault, she ran to the door and loudly blamed. "Jess! Fili! Don't be naughty--" Seeing her two sons, she exclaimed, Bernard and Alex are back! "Son!" She couldn't believe it. "What are you doing here?" The two brothers looked at each other and then at her, and Alex replied in confusion: "Mom, do you see that we are not welcome?" "Yes, but..." "We've seen enough in France," Bernard said. "Those widowed daughters, anxious mothers . . . man, our horses are even more attractive than some of them."

"Berna, you are too harsh! I believe this is your exaggeration." Alex slowly turned around a few times, looking at the flowers all over the room. "What's this?" he asked confusedly. "Is anyone dead?" Bernard frowned. "Mom...Mace duels again?" Before the wedding, the three brothers had a small family meeting in the front hall.Alex and Bernard stared at their mother and brother in disbelief. "You want to get married?" Alex exclaimed. "I didn't expect that! You've finally been caught." He lost his temper with a smile, and even Bernard, who was usually stern, smiled.

"I don't think it's funny." Mais frowned. Alex nearly fell to the ground laughing. "I'd like to see who can pull you up to the altar! Did she threaten you with a big stick?" "Alex," Annie murmured. "Don't make your brother angry." "Ha! He's always angry!" Bernard looked at his brother seriously. "Who is she?" he asked. "I guess we didn't know each other, you never give them a second look." Annie responded quickly. "She is young and beautiful, and she has a good family background. She lives in Naches and is the daughter of Mo Zhenni."

"Mo?" Bernard looked at Mais thoughtfully. "I remember, I bet she didn't need a stick." Mais smiled lightly. "You will win." "She must be very good before you risk marrying again." They all fell into silence, thinking of the wedding many years ago: at that time, Kelin was delicate and beautiful, and Maisie was gentle and handsome... Until Ai Ni hurriedly broke the spell. "Meddy will make Mais happy, you just wait and see, the past will be behind you." Meddy's hands were shaking so badly that Mace could barely put the ring on.She was obviously terrified, and Mais felt bad. The first marriage was the biggest mistake of his life, and this time it was because of his insistence, and the second marriage may be hell on earth again.

Mace recalled bitterly that what his father had once told him was true: that a man who trusts a woman is a fool sooner or later, that Mace resented his need to marry this woman, give up his precious freedom, and that his absurd anger made Medy so irritating. people crave.But when she wanted to pull her hand away, he kept holding it until the coldness of her fingers melted. With a dry mouth, Mei Di spoke out the oath that would bind her for the rest of her life. In a few seconds, she would be his property, the mistress of the house, his wife, and one day, she would bear him children.In the eyes of everyone, Mais has the power to punish, abuse, or cherish and pamper her, it's all up to him.Meidi can only pray that he has some mercy.

When she thought of the twisted fate that brought her from Ge Zhuang to this man's arms, the blood on her face turned pale. Perhaps the power of fate was more powerful than she imagined.She couldn't get over the feeling that no matter what she did, she would face this situation. When she knelt in front of the altar and accepted the priest's blessing on her marriage, she secretly prayed in her heart that there would be some happy times in the long years to come, and that her husband would treat each other with sincerity and kindness.Meekly, she gave Mace her hands and let him help her to her feet.

There were so many guests at the wedding banquet that Meidi couldn't count, and Meidi stayed by Aini's side all the time, trying her best to turn a deaf ear to the gossip around her. "Beautiful...but no smile..." "She doesn't look very depraved, mother." "That red hair..." "He's going to change his mind soon..." "...Ah, no matter how much it costs, I don't want to replace her!" Ai Ni took her to a special wedding cake. "It's time to cut the cake, Maddy." All the unmarried maidens gather around them expectantly.According to legend, each maiden was given one tablet to take home under her pillow along with a list of three eligible men, one of whom might be moved to propose to her.

Meidi didn't enjoy this job, and everyone was looking at her and assessing her worth. "Do I have to?" she asked nervously. Annie pushed her forward. "Oh, of course you have to cut the cake!" There was a slight movement in the back of her neck, knowing instantly that Mace must be nearby, and she turned, almost hitting his chest, and the heart jumped into his chest and began to sink. Mais was dressed in black and white, handsome and extraordinary, with his hand on Meidi's back, whispering softly in her ear. "You look scared, sweetheart. Are you afraid of me more than them?"

"No--no...I...yes..." Mei Di glared at him angrily, and anger replaced nervousness. She absently grabbed the knife and began to cut the first slice of cake. The blade cut into the snow-white icing unsteadily, and her gesture was not stable at all. Mace immediately took her hand and pulled her back against his chest. forward. With the encouragement of everyone laughing, he helped the bride cut a few slices of cake.Mei Di blushed, her eyes fixed on the hateful cake, her body strongly felt the warmth of Mais' touch, and she couldn't resist it. After cutting all the cakes for the girl, Mais asked her to put down the knife, raised her hand to her lips, and kissed the tip of her thumb with a smile. She suppressed a cry of surprise, feeling the icing on her fingertips with the tip of his tongue. .

Mei Di hastily tried to withdraw her hand, but Mais gently held it. "Stay with me, ma'am," he whispered. "As long as you stay a foot away, I might want to take advantage of my wedding night." Her resistance was gone, and standing meekly beside him as if there was an invisible chain between them, Mace forced her to talk, even smile, feigning the affection of a wife that she didn't have. Mais handed her a glass of wine. "Sir, I'm not thirsty!" "Drink a little," he said quietly. Meidi was too cowardly to refuse, took a sip, and put it aside when he wasn't paying attention. She shyly began to chat with the friendly guests until the dance music started, indicating that it was time for the bride to go back to the room and wait for the bridal chamber, and Aini came over. "Mei--" Annie just opened her mouth, and Mais immediately interrupted her words. "You don't have to leave your guests, Mom." "But I have to take Meidi upstairs, and Nona will help her change clothes... Mais, you have to wait." "I'll take care of my wife." He was firm. Mei Di and Ai Ni are very frustrated. "Son, if you and Mei Di go up like this, what will other people think?" "Let them think." Annie took his hand. "Mai Si, Meidi is totally unprepared for what happened tonight. I haven't explained it. When I plan to go up, tell her—" "What do you think," Mace asked idly. "Will a few whispers be enough?" He laughed. "Let go of me, Mom." "But for Maddy--" "She needs no guidance or advice from anyone but me." "Mace, that's too immodest." Ani shook her head disapprovingly. Mais gave Mei Di a mocking look, and the latter remained silent. "I'm going to go upstairs with you now," he said. "Does my little wife object?" She looked up, it was too late to oppose him for anything now, Mais was her husband, he had promised her, and she didn't think he wouldn't break his promise tonight. "It's up to you, sir." Mais laughed. "Appropriate and dutiful response, really obedient, come on, Meidi." He begins to usher her away, saying goodbye to several guests quietly. When they came to the stairs, Maddie's steps were heavy as lead, and she had never been so afraid in her life.She staggered on the first step, and Mais immediately put his hand on her waist, only to realize that she was shaking. "Did you not drink the wine I gave you earlier?" "No." She admitted softly. "I guess so," he sighed. "It can help you, little one." help?help what?Meidi lifted her high skirt and faltered. Mais was clearly annoyed by her slowness, so he simply carried her upstairs. Nona looked surprised. "gentlemen?" Mais waved her to leave, and the butler immediately closed the door and left. He put Meidi down, and she kept staring at the floor, her heart pounding. "Sir," she began. "You promised--" "Use my name from now on." She swallowed hard and nodded in agreement. "Mace, you promise--" His fingers caressed her cheek. "I'll keep my word, love, but I reserve the right to teach you." "teach?" Mais held her face in his hands, and she immediately lowered her eyelids, not daring to look at him. "Look at me," he murmured, waiting for her to look him directly. "I want you to let me answer any questions you have, regardless of what Annie, Nona, or anyone else tells you about the marriage relationship." "I don't understand--" "Because only I can be completely honest with you." Mei Di blinked her eyes in bewilderment. "Won't they?" "No, they won't." "why?" "They believe wives don't have to have pleasure in bed," he raised an eyebrow. "And I'd rather you enjoy it." Meidi blushed, moistened her lips, and tried to object. "But that's inappropriate--" "In this case, I'd rather you be out of place, little lady." Mais's confession made her embarrassed, but at the same time fascinated her. Mei Di has always wondered about the difference between wives and mistresses, and why a man has an obligation with his wife, and a sinful pleasure with his mistress. Questions arose in her mind, but she hesitated I dare not speak. "You proposed that morning..." she began, feeling shame and excitement at the same time remembering the way Mace had forced her to say yes. "Yes?" Mace encouraged, taking off his coat and scarf. "how?" "You're going to be upset with me..." Apparently Meddy couldn't speak, and Mace gazed thoughtfully at her drooping head, and began removing her hairpins and flowers. "Because you reacted?" She nods halfway. He smiled. "No, I won't be unhappy. I'm flattered that you respond to my desires." With his fingers rubbing her scalp lightly, Meidi couldn't suppress the pleasure leading to her neck, and the pain from being pulled by the hairpin was digested in comfort. "Mace," she gasped. "Mace, I... have no other questions." "Oh, look. And I'm going to answer them—even if you can't ask." "No, really—" "sit down." He pushed her to sit in front of the vanity mirror and picked up the comb.Meidi closed her eyes, the intimacy of her husband combing her hair disturbed her.He moved gently, tied the ribbon for her, then pulled her up, and began to unbutton her dress, Mei Di was surprisingly soft, and his gentleness reassured her. The wedding dress gradually slid to the floor as the buttons were undone, leaving only her underwear and drawers on her body.Mei Di folded her arms around her chest, not daring to look at Mais' face. His warm hands gently slid to her shoulders, his thumbs hooked the edge of the underwear, Mei Di bit her lips in surprise and frustration, feeling the tip was tense.She knew Mais saw it, felt her every heartbeat and breath. His golden eyes searched hotly, seeming to be peeling off the thin fabric, while his thumbs kept stroking the edge of the underwear. The tension stretched until Mais let go of her with a curse and walked over to the bed to pick up the pajamas. "Take it." He stuffed the clothes into her hands. Meidi covered her chest clumsily, and retreated behind the screen to change her clothes.She waited for a long time, but Mais didn't leave. She looked around, and Mais was still indoors, with a deep thought on his face. He walked over without saying a word, picked her up, and put her on the bed.Mei Di looked at his chin, wondering if he was angry, she shrank to the pillow, pulled up the sheet to cover her neck, and he sat on the edge of the bed. "You know," he asked. "Anything between men and women?" Meidi even shrunk into the bed sheet. "No, first... Mais." "Do you want to hear me explain?" Maddie took a sharp breath, was Mace testing her?Would he blame her if she reacted wrong? "I...I don't know." Her fingers tightened the corner of the sheet. In the soft light of the oil lamp, Meidi seemed too young to be a married woman.Mais stared at her for a long time. She didn't belong to a man who had experienced vicissitudes like him. If she triggered his bad temper, life would not be so easy.Without meeting him, she would have had a worse life, he fully understood this, but his body was already eager to possess her.He needed to relieve the lust she had stirred up since they'd known each other. He couldn't suppress the thought in his heart, why not possess her now?She belongs to him.He didn't have to force it - he could seduce her, make her moan in pleasure, writhe in ecstasy...it was so easy...she was so close...and he wanted her so damn badly. Meidi seemed to see through his thoughts and pulled the bed sheet higher. Mais struggled to control the heightened desire, his lips twisting in self-mocking.He took her hand and examined it thoughtfully. "Do you trust me, Maddie?" "I-I'm trying." He suddenly smiled. "You make me less trustworthy, girl, you're too alluring, and I'm not used to refusing to take what I want." "But you won't force me tonight..." She hesitated. "right?" "yes." "You...you can tell me what you want, Mace." Meidi will never forget the intimate conversation that followed, and Maisie's gentle attitude.She listened intently, not daring to make a sound, and the blush on her face was getting deeper and deeper. The secret that she could only guess before was gradually revealed. When he finished speaking, Mei Di didn't dare to raise her eyes to look at him, but he forcibly raised her chin. "Do you have any questions, little one?" he said lazily. Meddy hated his sarcastic tone, wondering how hard it would be for Mace to rein in his frustrated desires. "Yes." His eyes stabbed her, as if he was secretly laughing at her.Why did his mood change so quickly?For the first few minutes he was very nice. "I wonder if you're--whether you're going to see your mistress tonight." A good woman shouldn't mention this word: she should pretend not to know her husband's golden house, Mei Di didn't know why she would ask such a reckless question, she waited with bated breath. "Yes," Maistein said frankly. "Unless you, my bride, would rather have me in your bed." "No." She said automatically. Mais smiled disapprovingly. "Well, Meiyu will be less trouble--and tonight seems to have exhausted my patience. Good night." After he left, Mei Di glared at her, feeling jealous for the first time. Mais rested his head on his pillow, staring at the dark wall with a frown.Meiyu was the same as before, but after making love, he still didn't feel satisfied, there was a sense of emptiness and regret. Tonight he should seduce Meidi instead of keeping his promise, damn it!He can't control his feelings for her, and wishes life could go back to the way it used to be. On the surface everything is the same, but in reality it is different.His repressed feelings were like a torrent, his revenge plan was deformed, and he violated his vow not to remarry, but slept in his mistress's bed on the wedding night, which was too ironic. Had he longed for Corinne so much before?The first night is already blurred, and I only remember that Kelin was full of resentment and blame afterwards.Even though he tried his best to be gentle, it was a painful experience for her. Colleen had always been afraid of any kind of intimacy with her husband, just as Mais had been taught since childhood that love for his wife was different from that for a mistress. "Mai Si..." Meiyu said sleepily. "Why don't you make love to your wife tonight?" He caressed her shoulder lazily. "I want you." "Ah... the familiar is safer than the unknown, isn't it?" "Not that." Mace didn't like the smile in her tone. "Exactly. I think you're a little afraid of her." "afraid?" "Yes, I'm afraid of how she will make you feel." Mais sat up annoyed. "She's just there for convenience." "Mace, we've known each other for too long." "What do you mean?" he said succinctly. "How did I not notice the difference in you? I kept thinking--" "You shouldn't waste your time thinking," Mace said coldly. "Especially when thinking leads to such false conclusions." "Why don't you give yourself a little happiness?" Meiyu asked. "Why do you think she can make me happy?" "Because she can make you miserable." "Enough!" He pushed her hand away angrily. Meiyu lay back on the pillow. "You have always puzzled me, sir." Mais rolled over and got out of bed, put on his trousers, walked to the window, and held on to the window lattice with one hand. "Are you going back now?" "No, damn you." He was upset, apparently because of the girl.How funny, she thought, that the strongest men—even Weimes—will sooner or later become prey to their hearts, and they cannot escape if they want to. "Why do men always make things harder?" Meiyu asked. "She's yours. Why not admit you have feelings for her?" Mais turned to look at her. "Feelings don't matter at all, don't you understand by now?" After making cakes for a long time, Meiyu replied softly: "Oh, Mais, in some respects you are as naive as her."