Sometimes it takes a bit for a woman to be comfortable and have a blast.
But believe me it took me years to enjoy it.
As mymother kept her distance and I wasn't sure why.
While Man Lin sis didn't say anything as she wrapped her arms around me, just touched her palm to my cheek and smiled, before stepping back to make room for another woman.
Mother stood with her hands clasped in front of her, disapproval written across her face. I was glad that she wasn't sharing stories of her wedding night with Father.
So I stepped toward her and she pulled me into a tight hug.
Like my father she wasn't an overly affectionate person but I was glad for her closeness.
"I wish I could have protected you from all this, darling," she whispered before pulling back.
There was a flicker of guilt on her face and I nodded.
But I didn't blame her at all.
What could she have done?
Father wouldn't have let her talk him out of the agreement.
"Fu Shao can't stop watching you. You must have left quite an impression on him," Lady Rara said teasingly.
I turned to her and smiled politely.
Fu Shao probably just wanted to make sure I didn't give away our secret by accident.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the door at the back open and Qinli get in, followed by Su Liang.
They'd probably used Martial Zhen toilet break to get away. While Qina made a face when our brother stopped in front of the sheets.
I excused myself and walked over to them with Qina at my heels. Mother was wrapped up in overly polite conversation with Fu Shao stepmother.
"What are you doing here, you little devil?" Qina asked, grasping Su Liang shoulders.
"Why's there blood on the sheets?" he half shouted.
"Has someone been killed?"
Qina burst into laughter while Qinli looked honestly distressed by the sight of the sheets. I supposed it burst her bubble of fairy tale princes and lovemaking under the stars.
The men at the table behind us also started laughing, and Su Liang face scrunched up in anger.
Although he was only 8 years old , he had a temper. I hoped he'd calm down soon, or he'd get in trouble once he was initiated.
Qina ruffled his hair.
"Are you going to B centre city with him?" Su Liang asked suddenly.
I bit my lip.
"Yes, my dear."
"But I want you to come back home with us, big sister."
I blinked, trying to hide my anguish over hearing him say that.
"I know."
Qinli tore her eyes away from the sheets for a moment.
"Won't you go on a honeymoon, big sister?"
"Not right now. As the Mongo and the Armstrong are giving your big brother in law a trouble."
Su Liang then nodded as if he understood, and maybe he did.
With every year that passed he'd learn more of the dark world he lived in.
"Stop staring at the sheets," Qina said in a low voice, but Qinli seemed too caught up in the sight.
Her face scrunched up.
"I think I'm going to be sick, Sisters."
Then I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and steered her outside. But Qinli shook in my grip.
"Hold it back," I ordered as we half ran out of the room, everyone's eyes following us.
We stumbled into the hall.
"Where's the bathroom?"