Warning: language, yaoi lemons
Chapter Eleven: The Bride
"This is a good house," Ping commented. He and Shang were standing before an estate on a nice property. "This is the one you want to buy?"
Shang hummed in agreement before replying, gesturing to the land surrounding the house. "The owner had recently passed, and the wife wanted to sell it since she is going to move in with her children's family. A nice sized house." He squinted his eye and held his hands up to peer through his framed fingers to the side of the house. "There… by the tree. See the small creek?" Ping nodded, leaning onto Shang's shoulder and peering through too. "That would be part of the garden. I want to hire a gardener and have magnolia trees planted and a small bridge…"
"Maybe a willow tree?" Ping suggested, and Shang laughed, turning to his lover and grasping him around the waist.
"Why have the tree when we will have our own room?" Shang leaned down and captured Ping's lips in a gentle, passionate kiss.
"Mm." Ping hummed as they broke apart. "We should be getting back. I got to practice this afternoon. I like the house."
"I'll talk to the owner's wife tomorrow. Let's head back." They turned and walked into the town together and pausing every once in a while at the marketplace to gather some grocery, enjoying the quiet morning.
They reached their apartment and stopped to find two women standing at the door, sounding like clucking chickens with their high pitched voice. Shang grimaced and muttered, "aw, shit."
Ping frowned, "Who are they?"
Shang tugged Ping, to turn him around and hoped the women had not seen him yet. "My aunt and her eldest daughter. My father's sister. She's really is…"
"Shang! I see you! Come over here now!" Shang groaned loudly and turned around with a fake smile plastered on his face.
"Aunt Meili, Cousin Sutai. What brings you two here?" Shang opened his door to allow the women in his apartment. Ping followed in with amusement on his face, looking like a laughing fox, causing Shang to scowl at him behind the women's back.
The two women made themselves comfortable at the table. They wore slightly pinched look on their faces as they took in the surrounding and settling onto Ping. Ping bowed and went into the kitchen to prepare tea. Shang sat down and turned to his aunt. "How are the family?"
The older woman who bore similar feature to her late brother patted her gray hair and gestured to Shang with an admonishing look, "Just fine. I can't say much about you. Still single, no family and always busy working, just like your father."
Shang held back another wince. "I was just returning from looking on some house to buy." He smiled at Ping when he came back with tea and nodded his thank. "This is Ping." The women gave him a glance and took their cups from him. "He was a comrade under my command, and he saved my life couple times."
"He lives here?" Cousin Sutai asked, looking at Ping critically. "He looks like a woman."
Ping laughed, "I am a nan dan. Shang had been kind enough to let me stay here since it is close to the opera house."
Aunt Meili sniffed and put her cup down, "Shang, you are getting older. Already a successful militarist and a General. It is time for you to find a wife and start a family. We are all looking to you to carry on your father's family legacy."
Cousin Sutai wagged her finger at Shang, "No more playing around. It's time to settle. I have asked my friend who is a matchmaker here in town to meet with you in a few days. Go and see her, find a wife."
Aunt Meili nodded. "You have a month to find a wife. It is a good season for a wedding."
"A month?" Shang asked, surprised. Ping frowned but kept his silence as he filled the cups with more tea, he was invisible to the family. Shang shook his head, "no. I will need more time than that."
"You do not need time." Cousin Sutai snapped back. "A month is enough for you to choose a bride, arrange a wedding and get married. Did you say you were buying a house? You're already set."
"Exactly. Find a wife within a month, have her pregnant with your child in a year." Aunt Meili said with a determined nod. "For the honor of the Li family."
Shang swallowed and stood with the two women, bowing. "Thank you for coming."
Ping watched as Shang saw the women to the door. Once the door closed, he approached Shang with a worried look on his face, "what is going to happen?"
Shang sighed and turned to Ping, pulling the other man close and buried his face into Ping's hair, inhaling the familiar scent. "I must do this. You know honor demands it. She is the patriarchy of my family, and I can't go against her demand."
"That means…" Ping murmured softly, leaving the statement unsaid. He tilted his head up to look into Shang's gray eyes that held love for him. He saw the worried look in them and reached up, tracing the high cheekbone under the eye.
Shang closed his eyes and tilted his head into Ping's hand, "Let's not worry about that. You are the one in my heart, always. It's just an arranged marriage and nothing more."
Ping nodded and rested his head against Shang's chest. "I was afraid that this day would come. I will step back and not interfere."
"No. Just stay by my side. I can't do this without you," Shang murmured, threading his fingers into the long silken hair.
"Anything you ask, I'll do." Ping softly said, pulling the older man's face down for a kiss.
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"Hmm…" the matchmaker hummed to herself as she flipped through the papers, pulling out several sheets and setting them aside. Shang refrained from rolling his eyes at the pinched looking woman across the table. He glanced to the doorway, wondering where Ping was. He was late. The woman asked, her pitched voice snapped him out of his deep thought, "what characteristics are you looking for in a wife?"
Shang frowned, he was not sure what he wanted in a wife. He had already found someone for a life companion. Perhaps that was it. "A companion for life."
The woman narrowed her eyes at Shang, "wife is a lifetime companion. Personalities?"
Grimacing slightly at her no-nonsense tone. "I suppose, someone who can cook, keep up with conversation, treat me with respect and has childbearing hips, I guess?" He asked.
The matchmaker folded her hands on the table, still glaring, "You came here, looking for a wife and yet you have no idea what you are looking in for a wife. Are you serious about finding a wife?"
Shang furrowed his brows and leaned forward at the table, flattening his palm on the surface. "I really do not want to find a wife right now, but I have my aunt breathing down my neck to find a wife immediately. Which is why I am here."
The woman turned her pinched face away and hemmed before replying, "Very well."
"Oh, excuse me. I am sorry for being late." They turned to see Ping enter the doorway and brushing aside the curtain that draped low over the arch. He ducked his head and smiled at the two, bowing.
The matchmaker got up and trotted over to Ping, "oh my! I believe you're supposed to come tomorrow, dear."
Ping looked at the woman bemusedly, "tomorrow?" He began to gesture to Shang, but the woman was too quick for him, trying to usher him out.
"Darling, you're lovely today and all that, but come back tomorrow."
Shang laughed deep and stood up, the two looked over to him. The matchmaker looked confused as Shang came around the table and took Ping by the arm, "madam, this is Fa Ping, my friend. He has come to help me find a wife."
"Friend?" She nearly squawked and gave Ping a look over, "he?" She sputtered and stepped back, "oh my. You're more beautiful than half of the girls that come through these doors!"
Ping chuckled and bowed again, "ah, thank you. I am afraid if you get me roped into marrying someone, my husband would not be pleased on the night of the wedding."
The matchmaker waved her hand, tittering at Ping's joke and replied, "given how lovely you are, I am sure I can find a man or two willing to take you in as a wife if they do not wish for childbearing hips." She reached out and patted Ping's hips, "it's quiet too bad, you have really nice hips for childbearing."
Shang gaped at the woman. Ping laughed merrily and patted the woman's hand, drawing her toward the table. "dear madame matchmaker, as a good friend of Shang, maybe I can help to provide some insight what he needs in a wife."
"Good!" The woman glared over her shoulder to bemused Shang, "he has been difficult, having no idea what he wants."
Ping smirked, sitting down and patted the cushion next to him for Shang to sit. "he's always like that. He's quite simple, really." He shot Shang a questioning look as the older man sat down next to him and leaned back. He got a shrug in reply and turned back to the matchmaker, smiling. "A woman with sweet deposition, good bearing and smart. She will need to have some sense of humor and be able to hold a good conversation. Also respectful to the idea of marrying a military man and be able to give him space that he will need from time to time."
"Well, that narrows it down." The matchmaker replied, going through her papers and pulling out about five sheets and handing them over to Shang to look at. Shang glanced at them, taking note of the women's profile and handing them over to Ping. "I would recommend these three out of five. Good background, fathers served in the military, though one was a guard at the palace."
Shang nodded, "thank you. I'll consider them."
Ping glanced at the papers and nodded, "Shang will need some time to make a decision. Can we take these papers?" The matchmakers nodded, and Ping rolled them up and slipped them into his robe. He stood and bowed to the woman, "thank you for your time."
The woman stood and bowed in return, "thank you for coming here." She glanced at Ping with a glint in her eyes, "are you sure you do not want to be matched? I do have several males seeking a match with men for a companion." Shang's face grew dark.
Ping laughed and waved his hand, "ah, no. Not at all."
"How about a bride for yourself? I can find a pretty one for you to match your beauty."
Shang nearly growled, grabbing Ping's arm to drag him away from the matchmaker. "He is not interested at all. Come on, old friend."
Ping laughed and waved over his shoulder to the matchmaker, and they disappeared out into the street. He shook his arm free from Shang's grip and righted his flowing robes. "Ah, you're not in a fun mood today."
"Fuck, no." Shang spat as he kept on walking.
Ping laughed softly and hurried to keep up with Shang's strides. "All in fun games. She really thought I was a young woman."
"At first glance, anyone would have thought that," Shang replied as he got to their apartment and grabbed Ping by the arm as they entered and slammed the smaller man up the door, pinning him there with his body. He slipped his hands through the robes and grasped Ping's hips, holding them as he ground against them. "You're mine." He nearly growled as he kissed Ping's lips.
Ping sighed and wrapped his hands around Shang's neck. He rolled his head back as their hips began to buck against each other, creating frictions. "Shang…" he moaned as he felt his legs being lifted to wrap around the other man's waist. Clothing was shredded, and the two barely managed to make it to the bedroom before proceeding with their lovemaking, leaving a trail of mess behind.
Ping kissed Shang's shoulder before he pushed himself up on his elbow hours after their rough lovemaking. He rubbed his hand across Shang's chest, tracing the defined muscles. "What brought that on? Not that I minded."
Shang grasped the idle hand and brought it up to his lips. "Being with you makes me forget everything." He sighed and rolled over to his side to face Ping. "I got the house. I just wish it would be you moving in with me, not my future wife."
Ping nodded sadly, "me too."
"Stay here… I am putting this apartment in your name. When I need you, I'll come here."
"But," Ping frowned and sat up, "I can't take this from you."
Shang shook his head and sat up, "please Ping. I'll know where you are and that you are taken care of. I feel that it is justified with my having to take a wife."
Ping sighed softly and nodded, "all right. It'll be lonely here."
Shang smirked, "I work late a lot." He reached for Ping and pull him closer, his breath ghosting on Ping's lips, "I'll be here, perhaps, often."
Ping laughed and pushed Shang back, slipping out of his grasp to search through the discarded clothes and found the papers. He brought them back to bed and settled into Shang's crossed legs with his back to Shang. "Let's just get this out of the way and move on." He glanced at the papers. "Hm."
Shang rolled his eyes and settled his chin onto Ping's shoulder, reading the scrolls. "I really don't want to choose a wife. What I have in my lap is more than enough."
"I know," Ping replied. "These two are good." He tossed the other three to the side of the bed and held up the two sheets, comparing. "Quinmei and Luo."
Shang glanced at the two sheets and dropped his head into the shoulder, hiding his eyes. "I really don't care."
Ping turned his head, "Want me to pick?"
Muffled, Shang replied, "Whatever."
Ping turned back to the papers in his hands, taking in the details and tossed one. "Quinmei. She sounds like a good match."
"Alright." Shang plucked the paper and put it on the table beside the bed and dragged Ping into bed. "Know this, you're always number one in my heart."
Ping nodded and softly gasped as Shang kissed his way down to his hardening member. He knew deep in his heart that they both wished it was him that was the bride instead. It had not mattered anymore, honor had made a demand and Shang had to follow through or else he would destroy his family and be shamed before the society. He remembered the Emperor had once said love comes before traditions and will always continue long after traditions fade away. That was what mattered to him, as long he could be there for Shang, even if he had to be the "mistress."
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The arrangement was settled; Shang had met with the young bride's parents, and they were pleased with him. The house was bought, and Ping helped to furnish and decorate the place, and the garden was created. Everything was done in time for the wedding.
Shang knelt before the altar beside his bride. His family and his bride family were all sitting behind them. He glanced over to his bride, he could not see her face and had not met her before now. He was not sure what she looked like. Ping had met with her and reported that she was a lovely young lady and very sweet. It made him somewhat hopeful since Ping had liked her. His eyes darted to the said man sitting on the side, watching the ceremony. He felt ridiculous in the getup he was wearing. Ping had made a ribbing at him earlier by helping him to get dressed. They had stolen some moments together during the process. His eyes met Ping, and they stared at each other, recalling their time they had the night before. The minister was droning on about blessing and luck and going through prayers.
Ping watched the ceremony and caught Shang looking at him. He gave a small, sad smile. For the first time in his entire life, he had truly wished he was born with a different gender and sitting beside him in the flowing red gown, crown of jade on his head and a red cloth covering his face. In his mind, he had imagined how his whole life would have been if he was born with a vagina instead of a penis. He would have been called Mulan, and it made him think how Mulan would have to conceal her gender to save her father from being forced to join the army and went in his place. With all that he had gone through, Mulan would have, but Shang would not have known until the Tung Shao Pass when he was wounded. Mulan would have saved China with her harebrained plans and Shang would have fallen for her. It made him laugh under his breath. He saw Shang's questioning glance and shook his head. He saw Shang mouth silently over to him as the bride took her turn to sip the rice wine, "Wǒ yǒngyuǎn ài nǐ."
Ping nodded and gave a tiny smile. Shang took the rice wine and drank it. The ceremony was coming to its end, and the two newly joined family celebrated. They moved through the town to the house and celebrated there. Ping had remained beside Shang, but keeping his distance, however throughout the day and into the night, every time they passed each other, their hands would brush against each other for a moment.
Finally, it was late and the time came for everyone to leave the newlywed couple alone. The bride's mother and Shang's aunt and cousins had ushered the bride into the bedchamber and prepared her for the night. Shang saw Ping to the door, he was the last of the people to leave.
"It was you, the entire time." Shang whispered, "that I was marrying in my mind and heart."
Ping cupped Shang's face, smiling sadly, "I know."
"Just one night, once she gets pregnant. I'll be with you again." Shang promised.
The hand moved down from Shang's face to his chest where his heart was beating, "She is a sweet girl. Take your time. I am always here for you." Ping turned and left, making his way through the garden and into the town.
Shang turned and went to the bedchamber, his aunt and cousins and the bride's mother were standing at the door. He bowed at them. They bowed in return and walked past him, leaving his house. He stood there at the door for a long moment, trying to settle his nerves. He pushed the door open and entered, he found her sitting at the edge of the bed in the deep red robe and a veil over her head. She looked demure sitting there. She looked lovely and tiny.
He approached her and knelt before her, taking her veil off to reveal her lovely round face. She gave a shy smile. Her hair was golden brown, and her eyes were hazel, like the sweet figs. He could see that she had a curvy body, not too thin or plump, but just right and ideal for childbearing. He glanced down to see her tiny feet in the slippers. He reached down and took the slippers off and mentally sighed a relief, her feet were perfectly formed, not broken and bound. He was not a fan of feet binding.
He stood up and proceeded to remove his clothing. She had moved back onto the bed and laid there, waiting. He asked, "are you feeling all right?" he knew the ceremony was tedious and can be really tiring.
She nodded her head softly, "Yes."
Shang climbed onto the bed and reached for her arm and caressed the length until he got to her hand. "I'll be gentle. You are very lovely." She smiled. "If you feel uncomfortable or anything, please tell me."
"I trust that you will take good care of me." She told him, reaching up to caress his face. Shang inhaled sharply, her touch was not the same as Ping's touch. Her hand was small and warm and very gentle, like a butterfly. She caught the intake and asked, "what is wrong?"
"Nothing, really." He smiled.
She sat up and started to untie her robe, "Good." He watched as she slips the red robe shyly off the shoulder. If he were any other men, he would have been excited already. He swallowed, realizing that he wasn't even one bit excited to see her exposed skin. Her small plump breast came into view, they were perfect, round and dusted pink across the pale skin. She laid back, the robe still covering her bottom half. She took his hand and drew him to lie over her and kissed him softly.
He allowed her to kiss him. She was bold for a young virgin bride. He caressed her soft body and pushed the robe apart to reveal her body. He closed his eyes and moved down to kiss her body gently, taking the weight of her breasts and caressing the soft curve of her hips. He moved back up to kiss her neck gently and felt her core, finding her growing wet under his ministration. She looked lost in the sensation and making soft gasping and mewing sounds. He figured she was ready and positioned himself. He pushed in, seeing the grimace on her face and whispered, "It'll only hurt for a moment." She nodded, and he pushed in fully. She gave a small cry.
He waited, brushing the tear off her cheek. "I am sorry."
"It's all right. I think I am fine now." She told him and held onto the sheet as he started to rock. He continued for a few minutes and came. He withdrew from her and rolled to his side, he could not help but feel guilty for what he had done. "Are you all right?"
"Yes." She had gotten up and dressed silently in the dark and returned to the bed.
"Good. This is your room." He said as he got up and grabbed his robe he had set aside and gathered his clothes. "I'll be in the room down the hallway. That will be my room."
She nodded and watched as he leaves.
Shang went into his room and laid down on his bed. He stared up at the ceiling above him. He had not been entirely erect the entire time, and it had been difficult for him to finish. All he could think about was Ping and how he missed his lover's body. Quinmei was sweet and young and a lovely girl, a perfect bride. He hoped that it was enough for her to get pregnant that night. He got up and threw on the clothes and slipped out the back entrance of his house and made his way to the town. It was late, and the street was quiet.
Ping woke to the soft knocking and frowned, "Who would be up at this time?" He grabbed his robe and went to the door, opening it. His eyes widened to see Shang leaning against the doorframe. "You know you could have come in regardless." He peered out into the street, "it is your wedding night."
Shang pushed Ping into the house and closed the door. He grasped his lover by the head and kissed him, "Just shut up. I barely could get it up, but it is done. I missed you."
"As wrong, this is, I missed you too." Ping laughed softly and dragged Shang toward the bedroom.
Shang quickly threw his clothes off and nearly tore Ping's robe off. He pushed the smaller man onto the bed and straddled him. "All I could was think about you. I wanted your touch, your kisses and hear your voice."
Ping arched his body to meet Shang's warm body. "I missed you too." He grasped the already rock hard member and stroked it, "you could not get it up?"
"No. Not like this. Only you have been able to make me this way." Shang caressed Ping's abdomen, inching upward until he reached the dusty rose nubs and tweaked them. He grinned as Ping let out a moan and gripped harder onto Shang's member, making the other man gasp. He pushed himself up and flipped their positions, straddling Shang. "You had a long day, let me take care of you." He went down and took the length into his mouth and started to lick and suck. Shang moaned and grasped Ping's head, directing him to the speed he wanted Ping to proceed with.
"Ah, enough." Shang gasped out, "I need you now." Ping grinned and climbed onto Shang, straddling him and pushing onto him slowly, allowing the length to enter him, stretching him and hitting deeper inside him. "So tight." Shang murmured and bucked up.
"Ah, ah, no… let me," Ping wagged his finger and spread his hands onto Shang's chest and started to rise and fall in a rhythm, letting his inside stroke the thick member, hitting his sensitive spot. They moaned together as they got into the rhythm they enjoyed. Shang grasped Ping's member and started to stroke along with their movements. They rocked together at a slow pace, building toward their climax. They came together, gasping and grasping onto each other tightly.
Ping fell forward into Shang's arms, "Wǒ ài nǐ."
"Yǒngyuǎn," Shang replied.
Reference/notes for this chapter:
Arranged marriage: common throughout the world. It is still practiced in other countries and according to anthropology class I took in college, the marriage is much more successful than marriage for love because there were other factors. It was a very interesting lecture I sat through.
Feet Binding: A tradition done in China a long time ago. Small feet are desired for women, a beauty standard among the wealthy family. The smaller the feet, the better. Interesting reason to this practice that is not commonly known: one of the reasons why the feet were bound to small size was that it caused the woman to change their walking gait, bunching up the thigh muscles and the vagina muscles. Husbands reported that it felt like having sex with a virgin every single time, the muscles were tight and men found this pleasurable and preferred it despite the pain the women went through to have their feet bound. To know more about this, I would recommend the movie, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". Personally, I would think Shang was not a fan of this practice. He is so in love with Ping and only Ping will get him off and nothing else matters.
Extramarital affair happening in the chapter: It would had not been considered extramarital affair during the era the story took place. Once the man marries his wife, he had done his duty to his family and honor, all he needed was a son to ensure the continuation of the family line, what he does in his own time is his own matters, especially if it was a homosexual relation. It was quite common then (perhaps still is, depending where).
Wǒ yǒngyuǎn ài nǐ : I love you, always.
Wǒ ài nǐ: I love you.
Yǒngyuǎn: Forever.
This chapter was not exactly how I wanted it to be, but at least the story is moving along.
How is it so far for you? Let me know! Thanks!
