Author Notes: Hello again, everyone and Happy Valentine's Day! My muse was distracted by a busy workweek and Chinese New Year prep so ChengQing wedding night isn't ready yet, but we're getting there, I promise. Meanwhile, enjoy this next chapter :)

Beta: JeanGirlMY

- Chapter Start -

Dinner was a cheerful and relaxed affair with only family and friends around. The individual tables in the main hall were replaced with round tables that could seat ten people each.

Halfway through the meal, Jiang Long's sons became restless and started running around and playing with the children of the other Jiang disciples. A-Yuan looked like he longed to join them and even moved from HanGuang Jun's lap to Wen Qing's which afforded a better view, crawling over Wei Wuxian in the process. When the latter admonished him and tried to pull him back, A-Yuan pouted and escaped by climbing into Jiang Cheng's lap instead.

"Sit with Angry-gege."

Jiang Cheng smirked at Wei WuXian's dramatic wailing about unfilial little radishes before taking in the smiling faces, happy laughter and the clinking of chopsticks against porcelain around him. His heart felt warm and full.

This was what a family dinner should be like, with Jiang YanLi offering freshly peeled lotus seeds to A-Yuan and not receiving any objections. Not one filled with sharp words about the son of a servant being favoured above one's own, or having lotus seeds peeled for him.

This was what a dinner with the Jins should be like, with the Jin Sect Leader staring at his wife in adoration and ignoring other women. Not one filled with greed, lust or judging eyes from behind a facade of gold and grandeur.

This was what a dinner with the Lans should be like as well, with HanGuang Jun smiling at A-Yuan's chatter and pacifying Wei WuXian while keeping his wine cup full. Not one filled with heavy silence as everyone ate from bland dishes with no interactions or change of expression whatsoever.

Even the Lans at the next table were following suit. Master Lan was dividing his attention between listening to Madam Jin and protesting the growing pile of expertly peeled prawns Sisi was leaving on his plate. ZeWu Jun was smiling and offering his opinions while -

Wait.

Why was he sipping from Nie MingJue's cup instead of his own?

Why was Nie MingJue drinking from GuangYao's?

And why was GuangYao happily topping up both of theirs instead of pointing out the glaring faux pas?

Jiang Cheng also had no idea why Nie MingJue was sitting between the recently married couple, but yes, this was what a dinner with family and friends should be like, filled with happy faces, good food, good liquor and lots of laughter!

"And as noisy as a fish market?" Wen Qing's voice was dry.

Jiang Cheng's head whipped around to her, belatedly realising he had spoken aloud again. But Wen Qing's eyes were soft and she was smiling.

"Yes," he said and tipped his chin up, determined not to back down from this.

"I agree," she said, taking the wind out of his sails. "Your parents would be proud of what you've achieved."

Jiang Cheng's joy dimmed a bit.

"They'd have cause to be proud sooner," he muttered, "if I'd brought Wei WuXian and you all-"

A slender finger on his lips stopped the rest of his words.

"We promised not to talk of the past, remember?"

In reply, he puckered his lips.

"Oh!" The ever vigilant A-Yuan exclaimed. "Angry-gege is kissing Qing-jiejie's finger!"

- o -

Some time later...

It was Jiang Long who called an end to the meal. He stood up, cradling his youngest son who had already fallen asleep, and smilingly suggested that everyone retire as they had all had a long and tiring day. That was the signal for the guests to come up to the newlyweds and congratulate them once again with many teasing remarks about wedding nights and the possible need for silencing talismans.

"Ahaha, don't worry! We'll try to be quiet," Wei WuXian chirped at once which made HanGuang Jun's ears flare red.

"Oh, we'll try too," Sisi added and giggled when Master Lan looked like he wanted to hide his face in his hands. The Twin Jades looked just as horrified while Chen-yishi chuckled and patted his friend's arm.

Fourth Uncle wanted to issue another challenge to the groom, but Sixth Uncle and Granny Wen pulled him away. The guests departed for their respective rooms in various stages of tipsiness, escorted by vigilant servants to make sure they didn't end up in the lake. Wen Qing excused herself too since Jiang Mei had prepared a bath for her.

Left with nothing to do, Jiang Cheng stayed back to watch the clean up for a few minutes before being chased out of the hall. He decided to go for a walk, his head spinning slightly from the numerous toasts he had given and partaken in. Resting his hands on the wooden railing of the walkway, he took a few deep breaths, pulling the cool air into his lungs and exhaling it out each time. His head cleared a bit and he could feel muscles - tense for the whole day - start to relax, especially the tight knot between his shoulder blades.

Today had been exhausting in a way physical training could never be. It felt like he hadn't had a second to himself since opening his eyes early this morning. He had grown up as the heir to a sect and been trained in the art of politics and diplomacy, but being in the public eye for so many hours made him long to hide in his room and not venture out for a week.

There had only been one tiny incident as far as he knew. Lotus Pier had issued a blanket invitation to all the large establishments in neighbouring towns including Yunping City. Jiang Cheng had overheard Jiang Mei apologising to Sisi for the presence of some people from that place, but Sisi just laughed and said she was relieved her ex-workmates who had worried about her now knew she was doing well.

Other than that, the wedding was a success. The decorations, the food, the entertainment, the events... all of it. More than ever now, Jiang Cheng was deeply grateful for his people, the ones who had survived the massacre and stayed to rebuild their home.

He stayed there for a few more minutes before making his way back to his rooms, treading the familiar walkways of his home. Hopefully, Jiang Mei had drawn him a bath too since he felt sticky from today's activities. Otherwise it wouldn't be pleasant for Wen Qing to-

Oh. It was their wedding night!

Jiang Cheng stopped walking at once. His heart was suddenly hammering in his throat and his palms sweaty. He and Wen Qing had shared a handful of kisses and as many clinging embraces during their very brief courtship, but that was about it. He still felt woefully unprepared for what would come next despite Jiang Long's advice.

Of course, he had already known what was supposed to happen and what was supposed to go where, but it was the getting to that part that was still a little... murky. He prayed to all the deities that might be listening right now that he wouldn't botch this up.

Then he realised he was already standing in front of his rooms and opened the door. The oil lamps were lit and the bedroom door was open. He went over to see Wen Qing standing by the large windows that overlooked the lake in front of their home. The curtains were pulled back and the windows opened, letting in the night breeze and the sounds of night insects and water lapping against the pier.

Jiang Cheng had grown up with those sounds, but now he found himself wondering if they were too loud for her.

Would she get used to hearing them every night?

Would she get used to being mistress of the noisiest of the Four Great Sects?

Would she-

"I can almost see your thoughts spilling out of your head."

The smile in her words smoothed out his frown before it had even formed.

"So. Did anything happen, Sect Leader Jiang?"

He stared at her.

"That's too formal."

"I was just teas - what do you want me to call you?"

"My name, of course."

"You mean... A-Cheng?" She said with a sudden smile.

When he smiled back, feeling giddy as a child, she gave a small laugh like she was well aware of the power she had over him.

"So, did anything happen earlier? Where did you go?"

"For a walk since you said you were going to take a bath."

He frowned again, belatedly realising her hair was still pinned up although she was clad only in thin inner robes of a pale silk, sheer enough to hint at tempting shadows and curves. His mouth went dry as every drop of blood in his body rushed downward, leaving him even more light headed than the liquor had.

"Not yet." She tipped her head at the folding screen in the corner of the room. "I was waiting for you to return first."

"Oh, sorry - I'll go lock up. I hope the water's still warm."

"Cold is fine. It's been a hot day."

Jiang Cheng went to lock the outer door, calling over his shoulder. "I hope A-Mei brought extra water for me. I could do with a bath too."

When he returned, Wen Qing was behind the screen, her innerwear flung over the top of the screen. Jiang Cheng's mind immediately conjured up a mental image of her, naked and sitting in the tub, surrounded by soapy bubbles.

"A-Cheng?"

He cleared his throat.

"Yes?"

"A-Mei didn't bring extra water for you."

Jiang Cheng frowned. Wen Qing sounded more smug than sorry.

"It's fine," he said dismissively as he started removing his hair clasp. "I'll make do with yours."

"Do you know why?"

"She's probably tired after working so hard today."

There was a tiny splash and a giggle as though he had said something amusing. His fingers stilled at once. It felt like he was missing something.

"What?"

"A-Mei intended for us to bathe together."

The hair clasp fell from his nerveless fingers and rolled across the floor, stopping when it hit the base of the screen.

"Oh," was all he could think of to say, was all he was capable of saying.

"So... are you going to join me?" There it was again, that hint of a smile in her voice.

Jiang Cheng was suddenly grinning, elated and excited and nervous all as once. He forced himself to take a careful breath.

"Of course," he replied.

"Good," she said, voice demure. "I wouldn't want all this water to go to waste."

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! This is as far as I'd gotten with such a busy week. Please leave a review if you enjoyed this chapter and take care :)