“That’s the hangover,” she reminded gently. “It’ll pass.”
“Will it?” He flopped backward onto the pillows. “Or is this my life now? A tragic cautionary tale?”
Poppy laughed. “Sweetheart… we need to get ready.”
He froze. “For what? If it’s sunlight, I decline.”
“The tea ceremony.”
All seven tails stopped. “The—” His voice cracked. “The tea ceremony is today?”
“I was told it’s always the morning after the wedding,” she said, amused.
“Why?” he whispered, scandalized. “Who decided that? We are emotionally compromised! Vulnerable! I am too soft for this.”
“You’ll be fine.”
“No, I won’t. I have to… ” He lowered his voice further. “I have to properly address Yunlian.”
Poppy took his hands. “She loves you. She just wants to hear you acknowledge it.”
Mingxi made a small fox-noise of suffering and collapsed face-first into her lap. “Are you sure you can’t carry me?”
“Absolutely not, Mingxi,” Penelope replied with exasperation and humor lacing her voice.
“I’m suffering.”
She stroked his hair. “Mingxi, you fought a Yaoguài-Láng. You can drink tea.”
“It had fewer emotional consequences,” he snapped.
She kissed his cheek and tugged him upright. “Come on. Let’s get you dressed.”
With an air of martyred resignation, he acquiesced, and she fixed his robe, adjusted his collar, brushed out his hair, and tied his sash. His ears drooped the entire time like a tragic forest spirit.
As she straightened his sleeves, he caught her hands softly. “You’ll stay beside me?” he asked quietly.
“Always.”
Chapter 94
The courtyard was lively as they crossed it. Warriors bowed. Elders nodded. Lingering wedding guests offered blessings.
Minghua announced to absolutely everyone, “Look at the newlyweds. They’re alive!”
Mingjun grabbed her and physically turned her around. “Enough.”
Mingxi buried his burning face in Poppy’s shoulder.
Poppy rubbed his back. “You’re doing great.”
“I hate everything,” he whispered.
“No, you don’t.”
They reached the tearoom, an elegant space lit by morning sunlight and drifting foxfire. The air smelled faintly of polished wood and jasmine.
Poppy squeezed his hand. “Ready?”
