FID – Chapter 842

Chapter 842: I Made Sure There Was Nowhere for Him to Step

Inside the room, the Empress Dowager lay on the bed facing the wall. The granny stood at the bedside, hands folded, her face full of worry.

Since the Empress Dowager refused to eat, as a servant, she had to go hungry too.

Grandma Liu walked in, patted the old matron on the back of the hand, and said, “Go to the kitchen and have your meal first. I’ll stay here and keep her company.”

The granny quickly said, “Absolutely not. This old servant must remain by her side.”

Knowing how strict the hierarchy was between masters and servants in the palace, Grandma Liu didn’t press the issue. Instead, she sat down by the bed with the bowl in her hands. “It’s dinner time already, Your Majesty. Aren’t you hungry?”

“I am not hungry. Leave me.”

Grandma Liu’s mouth twitched. Leave? Who was she to be ordered around like a maid?

Why was this old lady so stuck on her royal airs no matter where she went?

“Hungry or not, you should eat something. You’re just making us all worry. Look, I even brought the bowl for you. If you feel too tired to move, just eat here in the room. Or I can feed you—whichever works.” She reached out and patted the Empress Dowager’s shoulder twice. “Come on, get up.”

“How dare you!” The Empress Dowager practically sprang up from the bed, glaring at Grandma Liu. She actually dared to pat her!

“Oh my goodness, you scared me!” Grandma Liu clutched her chest in shock. “Why are you suddenly shouting like that? You know people can be scared to death, right? Now that you’re up, just eat. When you’re done, return the bowl to the kitchen. I’m heading back now—everyone’s still waiting on me.”

The warm rice bowl was pressed into her hands, and the comforting heat spread through her palms. As Grandma Liu walked out the door, her muttering voice still drifted faintly back into the room: “Old as she is, still throwing tantrums like a child. She needs someone to coax her into eating. So immature.”

The Empress Dowager: “…” Her face was darker than the sky outside.

The granny heard it too but kept her eyes down and didn’t dare make a sound.

Everyone in this Liu courtyard was different from ordinary folk.

Say they’re ignorant of courtly manners, yet they treat people with genuine warmth.

Say they’re worldly and wise, yet their actions often defied all expectations.

In any case, she was now certain—this Princess Consort was definitely raised by people from this household.

From top to bottom, they all shared the same personality.

Seeing the Empress Dowager still cradling the bowl while sulking, the old matron ventured cautiously, “Your Majesty, if you don’t eat now, the food will get cold. This Liu family courtyard is not like the palace—if you get hungry at night, there won’t be any midnight snacks.”

The Empress Dowager shot her a look, and the granny instantly fell silent.

Her courage only went so far—she dared not say another word.

The rich aroma of the food wafted persistently into her nose.

Finally, the Empress Dowager picked up her chopsticks and slowly began to eat.

At her age, being scolded by a rough village woman for being ‘immature’… Utterly ridiculous!

After finishing dinner and washing up, the Empress Dowager—having forced herself through the day despite her age—soon fell asleep once back in her room. Only then did the granny dare to head downstairs for her own meal.

Next door, there was still no movement at all.

By now, night had deepened, and the moon was nearly overhead.

In the second courtyard, instead of heading straight into his room to enjoy his wedding night, Liu Zhiqiu was busy sprinkling medicinal powder all around the front, back, and sides of his room.

After knowing Qian Wanjin for so many years, how could he not understand what kind of person he was?

He’d definitely come by tonight to stir up trouble—or at the very least, to eavesdrop.

With blood running hot on his wedding night, Liu Zhiqiu knew there’d be no self-control involved. In the heat of the moment, would he really be able to stop himself to go chase off a window-side intruder?

Sprinkling the powder was the safest, most foolproof option. No worries, no interruptions.

“Brother Zhiqiu, are you done yet?”

“Just a minute. I’ve got to put more around the front and back windows. I’m making sure there’s no place for him to even step.”

“It’s so dark outside. Even if you sprinkle the powder, they won’t see it. They’ll probably just step right in…” Liu Muqiu’s face was burning red as she worked up the courage to offer the reminder.

Back when Aunt Hong and Uncle Lan got married, she had also tried eavesdropping outside their room. Though she was carried off halfway through and didn’t get to hear much, it still counted as experience, didn’t it?

Now that she and Zhiqiu were about to consummate their marriage, she definitely didn’t want anyone listening in on their room.

How embarrassing!

Liu Zhiqiu stood by the window with hands on his hips, hesitating for a while over whether to put up a warning sign. In the end, he clapped his hands and walked off.

“If he insists on listening, fine—let him listen all night. Let his nose bleed, but can’t do anything about it—who’ll be suffering more, really?”

That’s the difference between being married and not.

Back in the room, he closed the door behind him and went to pour some wine. He wouldn’t skip the essential pre-wedding rituals—the nuptial wine had to be shared.

The bride was sitting quietly at the edge of the bed. Her veil had already been lifted. Hands folded, lashes lowered, she looked sweet and obedient, her face flushed a deep red.

The sound of the door closing made her eyelashes flutter.

“Little White Lotus, time for the nuptial wine.”

……