The cruel little princess

When Shen Youyou came to her senses, she found herself sitting in the bedroom of the main courtyard of Prince Jin's mansion. His Highness Prince Jin seemed worried that she would be bored alone, so he specially found Aunt Zhilan to keep her company and chat.

Not long after, a group of maids arrived with a table full of delicious dishes, all easily digestible. They respectfully greeted Shen Youyou, saying, "We, the servants, greet the princess! The prince is entertaining guests in the front yard, and he specifically asked us to bring you some easily digestible food to fill your stomach first. Princess, is there anything else you would like to add? Our palace is small, with only you and the prince, and we will be relying on you to bring some popularity to the palace!"

Although Shen Youyou was covered by a large red veil, she couldn't help but blush. She called Chuntao tenderly, and Chuntao understood and immediately said politely to the maids: "Thank you all for your kindness. Our princess has been busy all day today and is indeed a little tired. I will naturally serve the princess a meal later." After that, Chuntao smiled and said to the maids, "Please go out first and let the princess rest." Chuntao smiled and made a gesture of invitation to the maids, and they all left tactfully. Before leaving, they also told Chuntao that if she had any questions, she could just ask directly. Chuntao nodded repeatedly in response.

After the maids left, Aunt Zhilan saw that Shen Youyou also looked tired. Perhaps because she was here, she couldn't directly ask for a rest. So she took the initiative to say goodbye: "Princess, please rest for a while. The prince is greeting guests in the front yard, and there are probably more people waiting! I'm sending someone to guard the front yard now. I'll come to report to you before the prince returns. The servants in the mansion will come to pay their respects to the princess tomorrow afternoon. I'll withdraw first!" After saying this, Aunt Zhilan also retreated calmly.

After only the master and servant were left in the room, Shen Youyou and Chuntao felt much more at ease.

"Miss! Is His Royal Highness Prince Jin's residence so discerning? It's decorated exactly like what we have at home!" Chun Tao said excitedly, looking around. She found that the furniture in this room was the same style as the young lady's previous boudoir, only the materials were more upscale.

"Yeah, I feel very familiar with it too. However, the layout of Prince Jin's Mansion is more exquisite than my home." Shen Youyou looked at everything around her, and a sense of familiarity surged in her heart. Every detail here made her feel warm, as if she was back home. Shen Youyou laughed inwardly. How could it be different? Perhaps because she looked at the layout of her own boudoir every day, she was familiar with it, so when she decorated her wedding room, she unconsciously decorated it according to that style, so as not to feel unfamiliar when she first arrived.

"Chun Tao, pack your things and then accompany me to take a shower. I'm really exhausted after the whole day." Shen Youyou stretched and said tiredly.

"Okay, Miss." Chun Tao quickly agreed and began to pack her things. As she packed, she did not forget to praise the luxury and exquisiteness of Prince Jin's Mansion.

Shen Youyou walked into the inner room, ready to bathe and relax. In the steaming hot tub, she closed her eyes, savoring a moment of tranquility. The hot spring water slid over her skin, washing away the day's fatigue and leaving her feeling incredibly comfortable.

After her bath, Shen Youyou dressed and put on her wedding gown again. Chuntao helped her tie her hair into a bun and put on the phoenix crown. Shen Youyou sat on the bed, staring at the arm-thick, fiery red dragon and phoenix candles on the table, her thoughts drifting away. She recalled everything that had happened today, from the wedding to entering the mansion, to her current time alone. Although a bit hectic, it had generally gone smoothly. Moreover, the atmosphere of Prince Jin's mansion made her feel at ease, as if her future life would be full of hope.

Just as she was lost in thought, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Chuntao asked vigilantly.

"Princess, the prince has returned." The maid outside answered respectfully.

Shen Youyou's heart tightened. She hadn't expected Prince Jin to return so soon. She quickly stood up, straightened her clothes, picked up the bright red veil, and placed it precisely over her phoenix crown. Then, she sat upright by the bed, ready to greet him.

Because of the veil, her vision was obstructed, and she could only rely on hearing to determine the direction of the person coming. Within a few breaths, the footsteps stopped in front of her. She looked down and saw a pair of dark cloud-patterned boots standing firmly in front of her.

"The groom picks up the veil! The loving couple will grow old together, and the couple looks so handsome up close. The handsome man holds the golden ruler and the seven sages and three others, opens the red silk to reveal the peony, and lifts the veil of the newlyweds. The newlyweds have both wealth and fortune!" The matchmaker who came in with His Royal Highness Prince Jin shouted festive and auspicious words and handed the golden scale respectfully to His Royal Highness Prince Jin.

His Royal Highness Prince Jin reached out and took the golden scale rod wrapped in red silk. He breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally married her! He forced himself to calm his hands, making sure they didn't tremble, and quickly lifted the red veil.

"When the veil is lifted, we are happy together; when the veil falls on the back, we will be rich and prosperous, and live in pairs, and have a son soon." After the matchmaker saw the red veil lifted over the phoenix crown and naturally fell on the bride's phoenix crown, she read out loud another sentence.

Just then, a group of palace maids entered, carrying red dates, peanuts, longans, lotus seeds, and other items. They scattered these on the bed, symbolizing the "early birth of a son." Not only that, but even Prince Jin and Shen Youyou were not spared; their heads and faces were covered in the sprinkles. The surrounding palace maids burst into laughter, offering auspicious words and even teasing them. Shen Youyou's face flushed bright red, and Prince Jin gently covered her face with the wide sleeves of his robe.

Soon after, a maid came over with a plate of steaming dumplings and gestured for Shen Youyou to eat with her chopsticks. Shen Youyou wasn't really hungry, but faced with such a warm welcome, it was hard to refuse. Furthermore, surrounded by many unfamiliar royal relatives and other people watching, she shyly picked up her white jade chopsticks and picked up a dumpling. However, when she took a bite, she was surprised to find that the dumpling was not yet cooked! After a few forced chews, she could no longer chew.

At this moment, a woman next to her seemed to see something was going on and asked with a smile, "Princess Jin, are you going to have a baby or not?!" Shen Youyou understood what she meant in an instant. She lowered her head and replied softly, "Yes..."

After another round of laughter, it was time for the wedding wine ceremony. A palace attendant gracefully approached, bearing a small, round red lacquered wooden tray decorated with a gilded crabapple blossom. On the tray sat a pair of small white porcelain wine glasses with an iris pattern, tied together with a red string. Also on the tray was a small, silver wine pot inlaid with rubies and emeralds. It had a tall spout and a slender handle. It looked incredibly delicate and lovely.

"Husband and wife drink the wedding wine together, and their love will last a lifetime!" The matchmaker shouted loudly, and immediately a palace servant carefully picked up the wine pot and filled the two small white porcelain wine glasses with fine wine.

In an instant, the aroma of wine filled the air, making people feel that the wine itself was intoxicating! Shen Youyou turned slightly and looked at His Royal Highness Prince Jin with a blushing face.

Prince Jin looked at the woman before him. Her delicate face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, and her eyes were filled with shyness and anticipation. He gently picked up the wine glass, crossed his hands with Shen Youyou's, and slowly poured the wine into each other's glasses.

Shen Youyou's heartbeat raced with nervousness, but she bravely faced the moment. When their eyes met, it was as if time had stopped. They slowly drank from each other's glasses, feeling the sweetness and happiness.

After drinking the wedding wine, His Royal Highness Prince Jin gently put down the wine glass, then reached out and gently stroked Shen Youyou's cheek. A blush appeared on her face, as tempting as a ripe apple.

At this moment, the distance between them was shortened a lot, and their hearts were filled with longing and expectation for a better life in the future.