As soon as Chen Lan and Fan Jian were escorted away, the wine cups began to flood in towards Chen Xi. Whether from military officers, civil officials, or noble families, each offered their own toasts. By the time Chen Xi had barely stepped out of the main hall, he was already feeling dizzy.
"Third Brother, go help Zichuan block the wine. We can't let Zichuan's wife spend her wedding night alone," Liu Bei said, giving Zhang Fei a hearty slap on the back, signaling him to step in.
"Got it!" Zhang Fei laughed heartily, grabbing a jug of wine and charging forward. He was more than happy to help Chen Xi block the toasts, especially since both Chen Xi and Liu Bei usually limited his drinking.
"Ah, Third Brother, I'm counting on you. I can't take it anymore," Chen Xi said, his face flushed and slightly swollen, as he leaned on Zhang Fei's shoulder, starting to feel nauseous.
Zhang Fei's exuberant drinking style left Liu Bei unable to watch. Others would offer a bowl of wine, and Zhang Fei would gulp down several mouthfuls from the jug. Another would offer a cup, and Zhang Fei would take another big gulp. A small cup of wine? Well, not many had the audacity to offer just a small cup.
Eventually, Chen Xi was down for the count, but he managed to stay somewhat coherent before he was completely out, instructing Guan Ping and Fa Zheng to carry him to Fan Jian's room.
Chen Lan, being older and more experienced, had shared hardships with Chen Xi before, so she could understand many things. But Fan Jian, on the other hand, was less forgiving. If Chen Xi didn't at least show up, there was no doubt there would be trouble—a cold war, if not a full-blown confrontation.
Guan Ping and Fa Zheng carried Chen Xi to the door of Fan Jian's room. Before they could knock, a cool voice came from inside, "Come in."
Inside, Fan Jian sat calmly with four accompanying maidservants. Guan Ping and Fa Zheng placed Chen Xi on the bed and quietly retreated.
After dismissing the maidservants, Fan Jian carefully closed the door. Looking at Chen Xi lying on her bed, a hint of joy appeared on her face as she gently stroked his face.
Chen Xi, in his dazed state, swatted at the "mosquito" that was bothering him and turned over to continue resting.
"Hehe," Fan Jian chuckled, removing her phoenix crown and hairpins. She shook her head, letting her long black hair cascade down. These were things her husband, Chen Xi, should have done for her, but she had to take them off herself.
Fan Jian lay down beside Chen Xi, holding him close. The fact that he came to her room first was enough to satisfy her. The title of "Madam" that Chen Lan received had given her a lot of anxiety, but sometimes, a girl's contentment can be surprisingly simple.
After some time, just as Fan Jian was about to drift off to sleep, she noticed someone looking at her.
"Fell asleep, huh?" Chen Xi murmured as he played with her long hair, twirling it around his fingers.
Fan Jian's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she softly replied, "I was waiting for you, Husband, but I must have fallen asleep. Am I useless?"
"No, I drank too much," Chen Xi replied gently. "I forgot to consider your feelings. You shouldn't have to put up with this."
"Husband..." Fan Jian drew out the word.
"Jian'er, just sleep," Chen Xi said, patting her back reassuringly.
For some reason, this time when Chen Xi called her "Jian'er," it felt different—so warm and comforting. A wave of warmth swept through her heart, and after some hesitation, she softly whispered in his ear, "Husband, let us rest together."
"Okay."
Seeing that Chen Xi had no intention of moving, Fan Jian silently began to undress him, whispering in his ear, "Husband, let your wife, Chen Fan, serve you as you rest..."
"Do you understand how?" Chen Xi asked.
Fan Jian pouted slightly, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction, "When you brought me to Mount Tai, the elders in my family taught me. But you've always kept your distance, preferring to seek pleasure in brothels rather than with me." If her earlier words were tinged with displeasure, the latter part carried a depth of bitterness that made Chen Xi uneasy.
After speaking, Fan Jian seemed to release all her burdens, quietly helping Chen Xi undress.
A breeze blew through the room, and the once brightly lit space was enveloped in darkness. The faint murmur of voices drifted away, swallowed by the vastness of the courtyard.
In another room, equally dark, a sigh could be heard. Chen Lan, though knowing full well that Chen Xi would go to Fan Jian first, had no desire to fight over it. Upon returning to her courtyard, she had immediately removed her wedding attire, taken off her crown and hairpins, and extinguished the lamps. Yet, she couldn't sleep. This was her wedding night, a once-in-a-lifetime event, and yet it was far from perfect.