The Darker the Night, The Brighter the Stars - Chapter 68：Husband and Wife

Thinking about the consequence, Zhao Yan decided that this was not the time to feel shy or bashful. She might not be as graceful as the other ladies or madams but at the very least, she was quick to pick up etiquette and was still taught the bearing of a noble lady.

Moreover, she had watched these gatherings in the shadow back then so she knows what to do or what not to do.

“Your Highness… I mean, Husband, I…”

“You don’t need to go out.” Fu Yanqing said, interrupting her. He glanced at her with tired eyes and only then did Zhao Yan noticed that he looked worn out and a bit pale. She felt worried when she saw this.

“Husband… did you perhaps not sleep well last night?” She asked, looking at the slightly dark circles under his eyes.

Fu Yanqing placed a hand on his temple. He indeed did not sleep well last night. He suffered from insomnia a lot. And the past three days, he was working overtime to finish his official duties and the paperwork that was due when he left the country.

Nevertheless, he did not act weak. Instead, he leaned towards her, his eyes sparkling.

“It brings me great pleasure to know that my wife is worried about me.”

Zhao Yan blinked at his statement. Yes… she was his wife now. But more importantly, he did not answer her question.

“Husband, do you still have trouble sleeping? Or…” Zhao Yan thought of all kinds of possibilities why he would stay up late at night. Considering his position, he must have a lot of responsibilities and since he left the country for a while, this would mean that he has a lot of things to catch up with.

“Ah, I understand. Husband, you worked very hard last night, right? You have been away for a long time so there must be a lot of work to do.” She asked, wanting to confirm her suspicions. Fu Yanqing didn’t say anything but his silence confirmed it.

“Husband, I know that you have a lot of responsibilities but you should also rest your body or you might get sick. It isn’t good for you to overwork yourself. Now, how are you going to entertain the guests? Ah, forget it. I will go in your place.” Zhao Yan sighed heavily and stood up.

“You can lie on the bed and take a rest. I will come back later.”

Fu Yanqing didn’t think that being called ‘Husband’ by his little woman would feel this heavenly. Now, he understood why Zhang Yuan acted like an idiot most of the time. The binding charm of a woman was really deadly and pleasurably sinful.

Aside from his mother and sister, no other person tried to openly show concern for his health. Not many would openly admonish him for it because they were either too scared or too fearful to say it to him.

His little woman has acknowledged his status as an imperial prince but she still acted as if he was the same overbearing patient she used to take care of.

Now that he remembers, not much changed from their interaction except for the fact that she became a little cautious against him whenever he would touch her cheek or hold her hand. Even when he wanted to hug her or place her on his lap, she would sometimes tense up.

This reaction he could understand since it was one of the many prices he had to pay for his sin.

Sometimes, he felt a bit greedy like now but he was also a man of his words. Since he has already promised her, he would stay true to his promise. It also motivated him everytime he heard her address him as her husband.

But.. just for today. Since it was their wedding, he wanted to be a bit selfish.

Fu Yanqing grabbed her wrist before she could leave. He pulled her to his lap and embraced her from behind.

“H-Husband…?”

Her low and reserved voice drifted into his ears. He rested his chin on her head and hummed in response.

“We need to greet the guests…” Zhao Yan reminded him.

“You don’t need to. Just rest here with me.”

Zhao Yan immediately protested. “But how can that be? That would be very rude and the Empress Dowager would be disappointed…”

Fu Yanqing leaned down his lips just an inch next to her delicate ear. “My wife, you must now address her as Imperial Mother.”

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