The start of their life together

She twisted his ear slightly. She had done the same thing when she had been drunk and had fallen asleep on top of him. Su woke up and lifted her head, she looked up into his face and smiled. Then she rested her head on his chest again. There was no need to get up this time (she'd already been up earlier to pay respect to his forefathers, but had returned to his bed right away). No fear of being found out, no sudden embarrassment prompting her to get up, no cold air causing her to shiver and no room in which clues might be hidden for the crime they were investigating, just contentment at finally being able to stay with him as long as she wished. She felt him tighten his grip on her shoulder, indicating he was aware of her.

This was bliss.

"What are you thinking?" Yan asked, softly stroking her hair, neck, shoulder and back. Su snuggled a bit closer, listening to his heart. "I'm thinking how nice it is to wake up next to you." She opened her eyes looking up into his open eyes. He smiled, pulling her closer and kissing her forehead, then her nose and finally her lips. "I love waking up with you, but then I have always loved that."

"I do believe you were always quite happy when circumstances forced us to sleep in the same room." Su was leaning on his chest on her forearms by this time. Yan softly caressing her hair, still in the elegant knots from the previous day. "It certainly was never a punishment." They smiled, both remembering the different times that they had spent the night before. And thus the conversation turned to those memories. After a long time Su started to feel a bit anxious. "What is it that worries you?"

"Won't Fei Yuan wonder why we haven't come for breakfast yet?" Su asked trying to get up. Yan stopped her, pulling her into his chest. "No, newlyweds are never expected early after the wedding night. Beside I am an idle prince, I never rise early." Su laughed out loud at that. "Those who matter know a lot better and know how much you have done and continue to do for our country. I even believe the emperor considers brother Pei the greatest asset to the country."

"No, he considers detective Su Ci, the greatest asset. He knows I'm honor bound to do all I can for the country. You do it out of justice." Su smiled: "Maybe he is just happy we both will do anything we can to help justice and the safety of the empire." Yan mumbled his consent. "Do you think you'll stop being Pei Zhao?" Yan shook his head: "It is very convenient to not be prince Qi, especially when we have to go outside the capital."

"So I suppose I'll be princess consort Qi inside the capital and detective Su outside the capital?"

"No, you'll be Lady Pei outside the capital. You'll remain detective Su for all Mingjing Office cases."

"And who will I be here?" Su's eyes were twinkling, which made Yan love her even more. He drew her close, laying down on his back with her on top of him. "Here, with me, you are and always will be my dear wife, my Jian." And with that he drew her into his kiss. It was already the afternoon when Yan and Su finally emerged from the bridal chamber. The staff were busy with the last preparations for the banquet, which would be followed by fireworks. Yan and Su walked around, complimenting the staff and answering questions, Su often still looking at Yan for guidance when she was unsure. She had never before had to tell staff what to do , never before had she had to take care of a household, never mind a household as large as the household of Qi Mansion, which has a small army of staff. In the months leading up to this day she and Yan had discussed many times how things were done in his mansion, within his family and at the palace. Many days Su had been summoned to the Dowager Empress to talk about palace etiquette, but it all still overwhelmed her. Yan had often reassured her that there was not a lot that could go wrong and that with time she would soon enough know all she needed to know. As the day slowly walked to the evening the guests for the tea ceremony started to arrive. Su and Yan beamed when all these people they had known through their live came to celebrate their union. Lastly came the Emperor and the Dowager Empress. As tradition wrote Su and Yan presented those that had been so important in their life, maybe even more for them because they no longer had their parents, with tea. The ceremony was solemn yet joyful. And after the tea ceremony the banquet started, more guests came in. Dignitaries from other empires, the officials from court and other people who were expected to be invited, most of these people Su didn't know so Yan whispered names and titles into her ear when they came to greet Yan and Su. When everyone had arrived Yan and Su took their place on a dais built within the largest garden of Qi Mansion, the dais was specifically built for this day. The guests were guided to the tables surrounding them. Yan saw his good friend Zihou introduce prince Shuomo and princess Yunchuan to his parents and brother. Rushuang and Xie at first kept close to the Fu family as they had met them before. Although Rushuang and Xie mostly stayed away from the royal court, the name Feijun Manor was well known in the city, so they also quickly were included within those groups that they did not often mingle with. And of course Rushuangs and Xie's characters and carefree manners ensured they had a friendly reception. As the evening continued quests began to mingle and came to talk to Su and Yan. For Su, who had lived alone for so long, so many people around her, demanding her attention, was quite overwhelming. It seemed Yan felt that she was getting overwhelmed, because he took her hand in his, squeezing hers reassuringly. Feeling his assurance Su looked up into Yan's eyes and smiled. Holding her gaze Yan lifted her hand and kissed it. Just a small moment for them alone in the midst of so many. The evening concluded with elaborate fireworks and of course the last firework display was the one Yan had designed for Su, something only they knew. Yan pulled Su into his side as they watched the last of the fireworks.

The third day, traditionally reserved for the banquette at the brides family, Su and Yan spend with Rushuang, Xie Beiming and Fei Yuan, whom Su considered her family, her siblings. They also transferred the memorial tablet to Qi Mansion. It was a quiet end to the days marking the start of Su and Yan's life together.

Author note: I hope you liked this chapter, please read and review.