So, You’re the Henpecked One? 6

Chapter 6

Even with the small fan hiding her face, she could still see the crowd gathered three layers deep in her peripheral vision, clearly here to attend the Chu family’s wedding banquet.

However, one thing put her slightly at ease: after Chu Xihuan led her out of the sedan, she also raised a small fan to her own face.

But that relief didn’t last long. As they were led toward the main hall, in a manner that was clearly leading up to the wedding ceremony, Lin Zhao completely panicked.

She was afraid. If she married Chu Xihuan, would she have to move into the Chu family home? With that whole big clan of people…

Lin Zhao was so panicked she wanted to turn around and flee the wedding!

At least when Chu Xihuan came to her house, she was the only one there. She wouldn’t have to deal with so many relationships!

Official Matchmaker Zhang, who was helping her walk, sensed her nervousness and asked in a low voice, “Is something the matter, Miss Lin?”

Despite the boisterous noise of gongs and drums all around, Lin Zhao could clearly hear the thumping of her own heart. She knew with absolute certainty that she did not have the personality to live with the Chu family.

Lin Zhao gripped the matchmaker’s wrist and said in a low voice, “Didn’t you say that Miss Chu was marrying me? What’s going on now!”

If not for the lingering threat of Chu Xihuan’s words about not embarrassing her, the urge to flee the wedding would have already been uncontrollable.

Official Matchmaker Zhang understood and chuckled to herself. “Rest assured, Miss Lin. Miss Chu is marrying you. The reason the ceremony is being held at the Chu residence is… the Lin family residence doesn’t seem large enough to accommodate so many people, does it?”

Lin Zhao was speechless.

Alright, that stung a little.

She held the red silk ribbon, her eyes unable to resist stealing glances at Chu Xihuan. Although her mind had been in a panic earlier, her eyes had still taken in Chu Xihuan’s appearance today.

Her already exquisite features were made even more dazzling with the help of makeup. The red lipstick made her look vibrant and bright, adding a touch of bold, passionate beauty.

Lin Zhao’s heart couldn’t help but start pounding again. She doesn’t seem so fierce right now.

Upon entering the main hall, Lin Zhao couldn’t properly look up to see what Chu Xihuan’s parents looked like because of the fan hiding her face. As a result, she still had no idea what they looked like. It would be awkward if she ran into them later and didn’t recognize them.

Lin Zhao was guided through the entire wedding ceremony by the matchmaker. Perhaps because their wedding was rather special, they were spared the task of toasting each table. After bowing to Heaven and Earth, they got into a sedan chair together and headed toward the Lin residence.

**

Once inside the sedan, the small space was occupied by just the two of them. All the previous festivity and liveliness seemed to vanish in an instant, leaving only an awkward silence between them.

After all, this was only the second time they had met. Lin Zhao wanted to find a topic to break the awkwardness but found that her tongue was tied, and she had no idea what to talk about.

Seeing her obvious unease, Chu Xihuan chuckled lightly and casually placed her fan aside. “What, am I that scary? You can’t even speak in front of me.”

Seeing her like this, where was the slightest trace of a street ruffian?

Lin Zhao followed her example and put her fan down, turning to look at Chu Xihuan sitting beside her. Her face was already flushed, but she still tried to put on a brave front. “How could I not be able to speak? It’s just that I’m not naturally talkative!”

“Oh, you’re not naturally talkative.” Chu Xihuan nodded, repeating her words. The smile on her lips deepened, and she stared directly at Lin Zhao until the girl felt prickly and uncomfortable all over. Only then did she speak, satisfied. “I hope you truly are, as you say, not naturally talkative.”

When she said the last words, Chu Xihuan emphasized them heavily.

Lin Zhao was speechless.

She felt a bit stifled. What does she mean by that?

She doesn’t want to hear me talk?

If she doesn’t want to hear me talk, why did she marry me?

Lin Zhao now found the wedding attire on both of them to be incredibly jarring.

Seeing Lin Zhao’s clearly aggrieved expression but her refusal to say a word, a hint of amusement appeared in Chu Xihuan’s eyes, followed by a faint sigh.

The sedan, carried by men, was not perfectly steady. Amidst the gentle swaying, Chu Xihuan’s soft voice sounded.

“Since we are now married, we should naturally want to live a good life together. I hope we can reach a consensus on this.”

Lin Zhao looked at her in surprise. Isn’t that a given? Does it really need to be said out loud?

“Of course I know that.”

Lin Zhao’s expression grew more serious. She had finally found a home again, and she would naturally cherish it.

Hearing her say this, Chu Xihuan was relieved, and the smile on her face became more genuine.

“Now is not a good time to talk. When we get home, we’ll carefully lay down three ground rules.”

The matchmaker and maids were following outside the sedan; it was not a good place for a detailed conversation.

“Huh?” Lin Zhao was confused. “What does that mean?”

In her memory, she didn’t think she had ever heard that phrase. So what exactly were they going to do when they got home?

Chu Xihuan frowned at her confused expression, thinking she was expressing dissatisfaction with her words.

“Although we are married, there are certain bottom lines that need to be clearly established. Only then can this relationship last.” Mindful that it was their wedding day, Chu Xihuan restrained her anger and patiently explained the reasoning.

Hearing her words, Lin Zhao had a moment of realization. “So, ‘laying down three ground rules’ means not crossing bottom lines?”

Only then did Chu Xihuan realize that her previous expression wasn’t one of dissatisfaction, but simply that she hadn’t understood what she was saying!

“…”

For a moment, she felt a sense of being choked up. Seeing Lin Zhao looking at her expectantly, as if seeking confirmation, a feeling of frustration lodged in her chest.

“Have you never been to school?” Chu Xihuan asked bluntly. She didn’t even know such a simple and common phrase?!

Lin Zhao’s face stiffened. The joy she had felt from understanding the phrase slowly faded, and her whole demeanor seemed to be covered in a layer of gray, losing its previous vibrancy.

Seeing her silence, Chu Xihuan guessed the answer and also realized that her question might have hurt her pride. Just as she was about to say something, Lin Zhao spoke first.

She leaned back casually, her previous stiffness gone, a look of disdain on her face. “I’m a loafer. Have you ever seen a loafer who needs to go to school, or one who actually studies diligently?”

Chu Xihuan wasn’t angered by this. Instead, she followed her line of thought and considered it seriously. Finally, she raised an eyebrow at Lin Zhao and chuckled. “Is that really not necessary?”

“You didn’t understand what I was saying earlier, did you?”

Lin Zhao was speechless.

She glared at Chu Xihuan, thinking, how can this person be so annoying!

Chu Xihuan laughed again, not at all intimidated by her expression. She even reached out to straighten her messy collar, then smoothed it down and said, “I don’t care about other loafers. Since you have become my wife, you must be different from the rest.”

Lin Zhao had already raised her hackles toward Chu Xihuan, but when she heard her say “my wife,” a tingling current shot through her body. What hackles? Even if there were any, they had gone soft. Her eyes seemed to shimmer as she looked at her with pure clarity.

A thought crossed Chu Xihuan’s mind.

Doesn’t this person act a little too unlike a loafer?

Although she had decided to marry Lin Zhao, out of respect for her partner, she had not had anyone investigate her beforehand. All her knowledge of her was based on the little she already knew.

“Starting tomorrow, I will teach you to read and write,” Chu Xihuan said decisively.

Lin Zhao’s eyes widened, and she stared at her, slightly dazed.

“Don’t look at me like that. If you don’t learn well…” She narrowed her eyes, smiling at Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao was speechless.

This person is so annoying, always trying to scare people!

“Mistress Chu, Mistress Lin, we’re almost there.” The matchmaker’s voice came from outside the sedan, reminding the two to tidy their appearances.

Chu Xihuan smoothed her sleeves and glanced over to see Lin Zhao still lazily leaning back without moving. She couldn’t help but kick her lightly on the calf, signaling her to hurry up.

This person was clearly still sulking a bit.

Lin Zhao was stunned by the kick, but soon, she suppressed a smile, her eyes shining.

Chu Xihuan’s instinctive action reminded her of wives who would kick their partners in annoyance when they were angry.

She quickly sat up straight and, mimicking Chu Xihuan, straightened her own clothes. The upward curve of her lips never once faltered.

She moved when nudged, which at least made Chu Xihuan feel a bit better. However, seeing her smiling so happily, Chu Xihuan really couldn’t figure out why her mood had changed so suddenly.

But there wasn’t much time to think about it. After they both tidied up and confirmed everything was in order, the sedan arrived at the Lin residence.

Although Lin Zhao didn’t have many relatives and friends on her side, and her relationships with them weren’t great, since it was a wedding, a few tables had been set up. Those who were willing to come could come; if they didn’t, Lin Zhao was happy to have the peace and quiet.

When the brides arrived, everyone’s attention turned to them. When they saw Chu Xihuan clearly, their eyes were filled with amazement. It wasn’t just because of her looks, but more so because of the aura she exuded—an air of graceful composure that set her apart from everyone else, clearly indicating she came from a prominent family.

Lin Zhao was also good-looking, but it was the lack of that refined bearing that allowed her to blend in with the crowd, without that unique, striking presence.

Seeing their reactions, Lin Zhao felt herself stand up even straighter. She even subtly shuffled closer to Chu Xihuan in a silent, proud display.

This is my wife!

**

Author’s Note:

Luan Luan eats melon [Eating Melon][Eating Melon]: Didn’t you just say she was annoying?

A certain Zhao: [Please][Please]