Jin Mulan and Ning Jia was still asleep, deeply entangled in one another like siblings or lovers would, or maybe both.
Their breathing steady, and forms relaxed beneath the silk blankets.
Luo He approached the bed with unhurried grace and snuggled in tight between his two loving wives. Then he began to kiss his Mulan, not gently, but with deliberate intensity.
His lips moving across hers with purpose and genuine affection. Even in the transition between sleep and waking, she returned the gesture, her body naturally responding with the casual automatic recognition of someone who had spent years learning to anticipate his antics.
Her hands reached for him, pulling him closer without fully opening her eyes.
Ning Jia woke almost immediately after, alerted by the sounds and movements, her competitive instincts activating even in sleep.
She observed the kiss for only a moment before Luo He turned his attention to her as well, showing her she is as equally valuable in his heart. The chamber became occupied with far more than just discussions. It was strategy entangled in romance and all three of them enjoyed it.
When they finally settled, breathless from endless, passionate kisses all three collapsed onto the bed. Their bodies tangled together beneath soft blankets.
Luo He lay centered between his two wives, their lips still seeking his, while Jin Mulan and Ning Jia's hands found each other across his chest.
Their breathing synchronized as they remained intertwined, completely satisfied in the warmth of connection.
This was all what happened. Just three people who love each other shearing deep passionate love with one another.
Still both women were in their night robes full dressed, pressed against Luo He who was still in his yesterday's clothes.
Luo He spoke with the efficiency of someone transitioning from one task to another with absolute clarity. "You remember what to do?" He asked, his tone carrying no room for uncertainty.
"Leave marks." Jin Mulan replied immediately, her voice still slightly breathless. "Visible marks. On your cheeks, your neck, anywhere the wedding guests can see."
"Precisely." Luo He confirmed. He pulled back slightly, allowing them to examine his skin. "The people at the wedding must see me as a living son-in-law. They must understand the dynamic."
He turned to Jin Mulan specifically. "You should clearly show you take what you want from me. That is important to deliver our message better." He paused, turning his attention to Ning Jia.
"Princess, you won't be beside me today." He said, his tone making clear this was not negotiable. "You will be your father's girl for today, not mine."
"Who would believe I am living as a toy for my wife if I keep another woman at my side? The story must be singular, must be absolute."
Ning Jia's expression darkened immediately. She understood the logic, she was the emperor of Yue's daughter, her presence would complicate the narrative they were trying to establish.
But understanding logic did not prevent her from feeling the sharp sting of exclusion. "The two of you have practiced this dynamic." Luo He continued, addressing both wives.
This arrangement had originally been intended only for Jin Mulan and her performances. However, Luo He had realized long ago that life became far more complicated once there were two wives.
Excluding one while spending time with the other was rarely a wise decision. Wives, no matter how affectionate they were toward each other, were naturally competitive.
Fortunately, he knew they never allowed that rivalry to turn into resentment. They genuinely cared for one another, and that mutual affection was what kept the household peaceful under Luo He's control.
The stronger their bond, the smoother their family life became. Luo He knew this better than most and he also knew how to practically utilise that knowledge, hence Jin Mulan's and Ning Jia's relationship was born.
This friendly competitive rivalry was precisely the situation where Luo He found himself in. He knew he couldn't repeatedly leave Ning Jia out of the moments he shared with Jin Mulan without making her feel overlooked.
Rather than risk creating distance between them, he chose to involve both wives equally. Instead of teaching only Mulan, he guided them together, and he genuinely enjoyed it even more.
While only Jin Mulan accompanied him during public performances, at home the three of them practiced as a team.
Luo He understood that the moment Ning Jia began to feel she was being left behind or treated as less important, even unintentionally, it might quietly but surely undermine the harmony of his marriage.
So he made sure they learned side by side, giving both women equal confidence and encouraging each to become an equally strong, respected, and influential partner within the family.
"We have rehearsed the movements, the positioning, the way you hold me. Normally, honey you wrap around my arm like a cute little animal while I take the lead." He said proudly.
"But today, everything changes. Today, you should clearly show that you run this relationship. The message must be unmistakable, fierce general wife, living trophy husband." He said cheekily.
He settled back against the pillows, completely unconcerned about what was about to occur. "I want you to be possessive honey." He told directly.
"I want everyone watching to understand that I belong to you. Hold me as though I am something you have claimed. Touch my face, my neck, my chest everywhere visible. Mark me in ways that everyone will see and understand."
Jin Mulan's expression transformed into something that was part anticipation, part competitive hunger.
This was her opportunity, her chance to display her claim on him publicly, to show the entire wedding exactly what their relationship meant to her.
Ning Jia watched the scene with barely concealed jealousy. She had been excluded from this public display. She was left standing beside her father while her sister wife had the privilege of standing at Luo He's side before the entire wedding gathering.
Luo He noticed the look in her eyes and chuckled softly. "Don't be jealous, princess. Whatever Mulan gets to do, you'll have your turn as well."
"At least for the things we do behind closed doors." He gently drew her close by the waist and placed a light kiss on her cheek.
"Things we can do without inviting unnecessary trouble are all fine. We simply have to wait until our marriage is official before we do the stuff that would actually get us into trouble." He laughed wickedly.
His quiet, confident smile reached both of them, making them bolder in the way they expressed their affection toward him. Lowering his voice, he added. "Until then, we'll simply have to be patient."
"If word of what truly exists between the three of us spread before then, even your father's authority wouldn't be enough to suppress the flood of rumors." He gave an amused shake of his head.
"Besides, rumors are already omnipresent. Ever since our escape from the capital became famous, people have been weaving stories about us literally everywhere."
"Some openly speculate that I'll marry you, while others insist you'll become my concubine. Some say you've stolen me from Mulan. Others claim that the emperor will force me to abandon my wife and become your consort."
"There are many more rumors as well. If you're interested, I'll have my spymaster bring you the written reports." He said casually.
His wives exchanged surprised glances. They had always known he possessed an uncanny ability to gather information.
But neither of them had ever imagined that he maintained an organized intelligence network, let alone had a dedicated spymaster overseeing it.
"You have a spymaster?" Mulan asked, unable to hide her curiosity. "And a spy network?" Ning Jia added, raising an eyebrow. "Since when?" Luo He merely shrugged, as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
"I have people who keep their eyes and ears open. A man must be sensitive to information when they seek power or holds it. That is all." He said casually.
Mulan narrowed her eyes. "That answer is far too vague." She said despite knowing by experience she won't get more from today. So she left the question for some other time she get time for him.
"It is." Luo He admitted with an easy smile. "Some things are better explained another day." He said proving her right as always.
The two women looked at each other, clearly unconvinced, but neither pressed him further. They knew him well enough to recognize when he had already decided its not a topic for today.
"The soldiers still talk about our campaign against the Bizarre Barbarian. They knew our tent was shared, and many claim they heard things that convinced them something had already happening between us."
He shrugged dismissively.
"But gossip is only gossip until undeniable proof exists. And if proof is ever revealed, it should be because we chose the time and manner, not because someone else forced it upon us."
A faint, knowing smile crossed his face.
"As long as we hold the initiative, we control the story. The moment we surrender that, we allow others to write it for us." He said in his boring lectures tone.