Meanwhile, in the bridal chamber, beneath warm curtains and a brocade quilt.
The two sat shoulder to shoulder, their legs overlapping. The queen parted her cherry lips to blow out the red candle.
Ao Tu smiled. "Don't blow it out. The candlelight casts lovely silhouettes."
At his words, shyness touched the queen's face, and joy filled her heart.
Ao Tu removed the queen's Phoenix Shoes, lifted her onto the bed, and let down two layers of gauze curtains. With the red gauze screening them like this, only two silhouettes could be seen from outside.
The gauze curtains fell. Cheek to cheek, neck against neck, the two nestled together. The queen reached out her delicate hands to undo Ao Tu's undergarment and trousers.
She fumbled for ages, only managing to rumple his clothes without getting them off.
Ao Tu laughed at her clumsiness and took her hand. "With such slender, exquisite fingers, I thought you would be deft, yet you can't even untie a sash."
The queen pressed herself against Ao Tu's chest. "Your Majesty is teasing me."
Smiling, Ao Tu murmured an incantation, and the Dragon-Binding Rope withdrew from his waist on its own.
The queen leaned over him again and carefully undid his undergarment, revealing his masculine chest.
At the sight, her face became like peach and plum blossoms in spring, shy clouds gathering as an endearing blush spread across her cheeks. Her slender hands reached out, pressing here and stroking there, her heart joyful and content. Delight and sweetness filled her, and spring desire rippled through her.
Seeing her desire stir, Ao Tu slipped an arm around her waist. It felt soft and supple, slender and graceful. How tender, how lovely!
Ao Tu said, "Your Majesty, let me have a look at the National Treasure." As he spoke,