Chapter 96
The day after the wedding night always leaves one somewhat exhausted.
Jiang Lin suspected that Wei Yunzhao might have abstained for too long before. After all, he was already in his twenties. Having tasted intimacy for the first time, he wanted his fill, and so, just as Jiang Lin had once praised him, he was exceptionally vigorous.
The number of positions they tried was beside the point; the main issue was that Jiang Lin nearly couldn’t get out of bed the next day.
He considered himself strong and healthy, usually capable of taking on ten men at once without issue. How could he almost be rendered immobile after a night of - well, he hadn’t kept count one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight… or however many rounds of bedroom activities? Especially since all he had to do was lie there without exerting any effort.
Jiang Lin was deeply puzzled.
However, seeing Wei Yunzhao also looking somewhat drained gave him a sliver of comfort.
Though Jiang Lin suspected Wei Yunzhao was likely pretending out of fear of angering him.
Wei Yunzhao clutched the area over his kidneys, sitting on the edge of the bed as he praised Jiang Lin, "Madam was truly formidable last night, leaving your husband unable to stop. Today, I'm quite weakened."
Jiang Lin lay in bed, glaring coldly. "Well, today I’ve learned something new. First time hearing ‘unable to stop’ used as a compliment."
Wei Yunzhao smiled ingratiatingly. "It’s my lack of sophistication and poor way with words. Please forgive me."
He helped Jiang Lin sit up, letting him rest his head against his shoulder as he massaged Jiang Lin’s waist. Jiang Lin nuzzled Wei Yunzhao’s neck and let out a few soft grumbles.
Physical discomfort led to a foul mood, and a foul mood naturally meant taking it out on the culprit.
Jiang Lin earnestly suggested, "From now on, we should practice moderation. Overdoing it in one go is hard to recover from, easily leads to exhaustion, and most importantly it borrows happiness from the future."
"You wouldn’t want to find yourself… struggling too soon, would you?"
Of course, Wei Yunzhao didn’t want that - no, rather, he was certain such a situation would never arise.
But for now, he had to agree with his wife. "Everything as you say, wife. Your word is law."
Jiang Lin was somewhat satisfied with this answer and directed Wei Yunzhao to switch sides - both ached.
"We didn’t inform Anyang Bofu about our marriage. Should we go back today?"
Anyang Bofu was now sparsely populated. Jiang Jinyue was dead, Jiang Zhen had been exiled - who knew if he’d even survive, Jiang Hui was studying at the academy and rarely returned, and Zhao Qiuru had lost her mind. Strictly speaking, only Anyang Bo himself remained as the sole proper master of the family.
Anyang Bo eagerly awaited Jiang Lin’s return to bring glory to Anyang Bofu, but Jiang Lin who held grudges and had no intention of indulging him, rarely visiting.
However, marriage was different. By etiquette, they ought to make a trip to announce the happy news.
Not inviting them yesterday could still be explained by the fact that Jiang Lin was already part of the Wei family - it wouldn’t have been appropriate to involve his maternal relatives in the wedding. But if they didn’t visit today, it might invite gossip.
Fewer troubles were always better. Jiang Lin huffed and said, "Then we’ll go back in the afternoon. By the way, Chang’an mentioned earlier that Qiushui is pregnant, we might as well ask my so-called father how he plans to handle it."
Jiang Lin had been quite surprised when he first heard the news. Who would’ve thought that his nominal father was still so virile at his age, capable of impregnating a concubine?
Before the pregnancy, Qiushui had been content as a favored concubine. But with a child on the way, her ambitions would inevitably change, especially since Zhao Qiuru - the legal wife, had lost her mind. Jiang Lin wanted to hear Qiushui’s thoughts and gauge Anyang Bo’s stance.
"Alright, I’ll have the housekeeper prepare some gifts to bring along. Feeling better now?" Wei Yunzhao continued massaging Jiang Lin’s waist even as they discussed other matters.
"Passable," Jiang Lin murmured, the soothing motions making him drowsy.
Wei Yunzhao helped him lie back down. "Sleep a little longer. I’ll stay with you."
"Mmm." Jiang Lin barely managed a response before sinking into deep slumber.
By the time he woke again, it was well past noon. He felt much more refreshed, and the soreness in his waist had eased.
Wei Yunzhao had already instructed the maids to prepare lunch - light, easily digestible dishes. "After we eat, we’ll head to Anyang Bofu," he said.
Jiang Lin had just sat down and picked up his bowl, the first spoonful of porridge not yet reaching his lips, when Zhou Chengwang burst in as if chased by dogs. "Lin’er, something’s happened!"
Jiang Lin set down his spoon and straightened. "What is it?"
Zhou Chengwang plopped onto the seat beside him. "My father received word, His Majesty issued a decree today deposing the Crown Prince!"
That was clearly good news, so Zhou Chengwang couldn’t have rushed over just for that. Jiang Lin pressed, "And then?"
"Then naturally, a new Crown Prince was appointed. Guess who it is? That Fifth Prince who stays holed up in his residence all day, never stepping foot outside! Not only did His Majesty name the Fifth Prince as Crown Prince, but he also announced his intention to abdicate in his favor!"
Zhou Chengwang was practically frantic. "The decree's already drafted, what do we do now?"
Yet instead of sharing his panic, Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao… smiled.
Zhou Chengwang grew even more agitated. "What kind of reaction is this?! The Sixth Prince schemed for years, only to hand the throne to someone else on a silver platter! You two are close with the Sixth Prince, how can you laugh at a time like this?"
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