"Husband... i-it's time to blow out the candles..."
Qin Siyao lowered her head shyly.
Looking at Qin Siyao, Xiao Mo couldn't help feeling a pang of guilt.
If this had been an ordinary wedding, if he weren't Emperor, then even if he had married only one person tonight, Xiao Mo felt things would have gone much better than they had.
But right now, Xiao Mo felt he truly wasn't fit to be called a man.
On the other side, Qin Siyao saw the guilt on Xiao Mo's face. As if she understood something, she blinked lightly and said with a smile:
"Could it be that His Majesty isn't going to spend the night with me, but is going to Sister Ruxue's instead?"
Xiao Mo looked up at Qin Siyao, who had guessed what was on his mind. He didn't try to hide it and answered frankly:
"By the rites, I have to lift both your veils tonight, yours and Ruxue's.
"But you and Ruxue are both 'Noble Consorts' of equal rank.
"If I lift your veil first and then Ruxue's, I'll have to stay at Ningxue Hall tonight.
"Mujiu, I'm sorry. I'm afraid I won't be able to come keep you company until tomorrow."
Xiao Mo rose to his feet and bowed in apology, his voice sincere.
"Why must Your Majesty do that?"
Qin Siyao quickly stood as well and helped Xiao Mo up. Her eyes seemed filled with nothing but genuine concern for him.
"Actually, I can understand Your Majesty.
"Right now, the Yan Clan holds the reins of government in the Zhou Kingdom.
"If Your Majesty spends the night here with Mujiu, the Yan Clan will likely take offense.
"That would surely put Your Majesty at a disadvantage.
"Since that's the case, how could I be so unreasonable?"