Chapter 18
Emperor Yuan Qing took on the role of matchmaker for Cao Xun and Yunzhu, entrusting all of the specific wedding arrangements to the Ministry of Etiquette.
Typically, only the weddings of royals fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Etiquette. However, Cao Xun, an Imperial Uncle who has made considerable contributions to the nation, received an honor from Emperor Yuan Qing. In addition, the Dingguo Mansion should heed the fact that Emperor Yuan Qing also handled both the betrothal gifts and the wedding presents, and the arrangements were on par with those for a prince's betrothal.
The betrothal gift for a prince was astounding, comprising fifty taels of gold, twenty taels of pearls, four hundred taels of silver, a vast quantity of silk and satin, and more.
The great gift was a sight to behold, adorned with over 4,000 pearls, and accompanied by twenty chests of gold and silver jewelry. In comparison, four hundred taels of gold, one thousand six hundred taels of silver, and fifty taels of pearls were considered insignificant, not to mention over three hundred pieces of silk brocade.
Had Duke Dingguo prepared the betrothal gift himself, it would have taken quite some time. However, Emperor Yuan Qing intervened, so no time was wasted. The imperial edict of marriage was issued on April 12, and delivered in a grand manner to Duke Ningguo's mansion, accompanied by the groom-to-be.
The journey from Duke Dingguo's Mansion to Duke Ningguo's Mansion was lined with spectators, eager to witness the grandeur and opulence.
"Are those pearls? If I could just take one, it would sustain me for life."
"That Yanju crown must weigh a ton. Would it crush your neck if you put it on?"
"Hand it over. I can handle the weight."
"Did you see the red silk on the pigs and sheep? It's finer than the garments in Yihong Courtyard!"
"Is the Emperor biased towards Cao Xun?"
"Have you considered the significant contributions the Great Imperial Uncle has made? If it was someone talented from your establishment, wouldn't you reward them?"
"He's a great man. Why would he take advantage of Duke Ningguo's daughter?"
"If you're asking that, then you don't understand at all. It's the Ningguo Duke's Mansion, present since the founding of the country over two hundred years ago. I can't even imagine its accumulated wealth. Most of the male members of the Li family perished in battle. The current Duke Ningguo has only a daughter. Can he afford a lavish dowry? Considering these facts, Cao Xun marrying the daughter of the Ningguo Duke’s mansion is a significant advantage!"
The Cao family may be prominent now, but it is only a three-generation dynasty. How could it compare with the heritage of the Li family?
This person really got it right.
Indeed, with this wave of betrothal gifts, enviable to the common people, except for the Zhu Cui Yanju crown, which no ordinary noble could don, other gifts of gold, silver, jewelry, silk, and satin seemed unsurprising to Yunzhu, who hails from a wealthy family.
Yunzhu relishes the attention and interest of those who wish to mock her, as she is no longer subject to ridicule.
"See the Miss’s smile. Does she like this Yan Ju crown too much, or does she like her fiance too much?"
While observing their Miss holding her chin and gazing at Yan Juguan for an extended period, Shiliu couldn't resist making a playful comment.
Accompanying their Miss on a fishing trip to Wanhua Mountain, Shiliu and she were aware that there were some little-known secrets between her and Great Imperial Uncle.
Yunzhu touched a pearl the size of a lychee and inquired, "Have all the guests dispersed?"
Shiliu responded, "Listen to the sound, it's almost done."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Yunzhu felt relieved that the family's busy period surrounding her wedding was coming to an end.
Meng shi doubted the intentions behind the swift appointment of someone by the Emperor or Duke Dingguo, and expressed her worry that Yunzhu would be married off soon.
Li Yong hummed, "The Ministry of Rites has stated that they will inquire about a date after the Dragon Boat Festival. Regardless of the Emperor's or Cao Xun's impatience, I will choose a later auspicious day, and they will have to abide by my decision."
After a few days of relaxation, officials from the Ministry of Etiquette arrived following the Dragon Boat Festival, bearing a tray with three pieces of red paper indicating auspicious wedding dates.
Gao, whose name rang a distant bell to Li Yong from their shared journeys, stood before him now. Their paths had crossed before, woven together by the threads of travel.
With a bow, the official presented the Emperor's decree: three auspicious days meticulously selected by the Imperial Astronomers. "Your Grace," he intoned, "the choice awaits your wisdom."
Meng shi, standing beside her husband, looked down at the three dates written on the red paper in black.
Three dates, imbued with auspicious energy, dance upon the crimson canvas, penned in stark black: May 18th, June 9th, and June 17th.
Seeing that the latest date was only over thirty days away, Meng shi was taken aback.
Li Yong openly asked, "Are there no other auspicious dates?"
Mr. Gao responded, "Yes, but these three dates are the most auspicious. Duke Dingguo and your daughter are both blessed individuals who must select auspicious wedding dates."
Li Yong was unwilling to accept what was presented, questioning if Cao Xun had influenced Mr. Gao. "Did that boy Cao Xun give you any benefits?"
Anticipation hung heavy in the air as Cao Xun edged closer to becoming Li Yong's son-in-law. Yet, the warmth of brotherly camaraderie that once existed between them began to melt like winter snow under a scorching sun. The playful moniker "Li brother" and the shared dreams of "wise brother" now echoed like distant whispers, a haunting reminder of a bond irretrievably fractured.
Mr. Gao explained, "A misunderstanding has taken root, esteemed Madam. Imperial Uncle is entirely blameless in this matter. His bachelorhood weighs heavily on His Majesty's heart, leading him to yearn for his swift nuptials. With a devoted wife by his side, the Emperor believes, a significant worry will finally be laid to rest. His Majesty assures you that Imperial Uncle, upon your esteemed family's selection of an auspicious date, will be informed and readily accept your esteemed daughter as his wife, vowing to honor your directives."
Li Yong features remained an impassive mask, revealing nothing of the emotions swirling within.
Meng shi quietly tugged at her husband's sleeve, reminding him not to be too confrontational.
Li Yong understood, but was still disheartened, knowing that if he had not lost the battle, he would have had more influence and control over the situation.
"Then June 17th!"
Anyway, the dowry for their daughter has been prepared a long time ago. Even if they get married tomorrow, they can still get married grandly!
*
Marrying early or late is a matter of personal choice, and Yunzhu is unfazed by the proximity of her wedding date.
She felt no sorrow about her impending marriage. With her husband's family located in the capital so nearby, she could easily return whenever she desired, according to her own whims.
Even if she were to have biological in-laws to answer to, Yunzhu would still feel obliged to show respect to the elders. However, with Cao Xun's parents deceased and a stepmother, Pan Shi, with whom she had a strained relationship, Yunzhu did not take Pan Shi seriously and considered her an outsider. She may have respected Pan Shi, but outsiders would likely mock her for being submissive.
Yunzhu was not fearful that Pan Shi would manipulate the imperial censor to suppress her with the concept of filial piety. For generations, the Li family had a reputation for being loyal to the Emperor and serving the country, and they were also known for their strength of character. As a daughter of the Li family, she was expected to embody the spirit of her ancestors. If she were to cause a stir in court, Yunzhu was confident that she would be able to silence the censor.
Meng Shi spoke with joy: "Thank goodness you are a girl, otherwise you and your elder brother would bring chaos to the capital."
Yunzhu disliked hearing this: "I am much more intelligent than my brother."
Meng Shi replied: "What good is intelligence? No matter how foolish he is, he will not suffer if he remains in his own family. If you marry into someone else's family, no matter what, you will never be as comfortable as at home."
As she spoke, Meng's eyes filled with tears.
Yunzhu was unafraid of Pan Shi, but she feared that Cao Xun might not treat her daughter well, and Cao Xun alone had the power to make her daughter unhappy.
Deliberately, Yunzhu remarked: "Since mother is concerned about me, I will come home to spend half of the month with you."
Meng's tears morphed into a watery smile, a laugh tinged with exasperation escaping her lips. Raising a hand, she pinched her daughter's plump, rosy cheeks. "Silly girl," she chuckled, "Your mother only wishes for love to bloom between you and Cao Xun."
Yunzhu, seeking solace, burrowed into her mother's embrace. "Don't you fret, Mom," she murmured, "As long as he doesn't turn away from me, my love for him will remain steadfast."
Meng's gaze softened, yet a flicker of apprehension danced in her eyes. "Yunzhu," she began, her voice laden with concern, "do you truly understand what love entails?"
Yunzhu tilted her head, her youthful innocence radiating. "Isn't it like you and Papa? Treating each other with kindness and care?"
Meng's breath hitched. Gazing into her daughter's eyes, impossibly beautiful yet holding a touch of naivety, she sighed. The journey ahead seemed daunting, and so, under the gentle hum of the night, Meng embarked on the delicate task of imparting the wisdom of navigating the complexities of a husband-and-wife relationship.
That night, Yunzhu clutched a slender booklet, its thin pages brimming with her mother's hopes, anxieties, and unspoken truths. It was a gift, a guiding light on the path towards the unknown realm of making love and marriage.
*
In June, the Duke Dingguo's mansion sent early invitations to the homes of relatives and friends.
Pan Shi, the mother of the Empress, values reputation above all else. Despite secretly wishing for Cao Xun's demise in battle so that her own son could inherit the title, Pan Shi planned to hold a grand and joyous banquet for Cao Xun's wedding. This would demonstrate to others the depth of her care and concern for her eldest son.
Gradually, the mansion of Duke Dingguo was adorned with bright lights and colorful decorations.
Wherever Cao Shao went, he would catch glimpses of red, whether it be lanterns or silk flowers.
Pan Shi feigned happiness, while Cao Shao made efforts to suppress his true feelings. Within the Duke's mansion, only Cao Xun seemed indifferent to the impending marriage. He continued to leave early and return late in his role as an errand in the governor's mansion. If Pan Shi had not taken the initiative to inquire about the wedding banquet details, it would seem as if Cao Xun had no interest in the marriage at all.
The day before the wedding, Cao Xun called Cao Shao over in the morning for a sparring session.
Clad in a white training uniform, Cao Xun wiped the sweat from his brow, handing off the towel to Ah Jiu, and proceeded to instruct Cao Shao, saying, "Although you have pursued a career in civil service, our Cao family has a military legacy; do not neglect your martial training."
His tone was gentle, reflective of a mentor with high expectations for his student.
Faced with such a brother, Cao Shao found it difficult to harbor any jealousy.
"Don't worry, brother. If an opportunity arises in the future, I too would wish to experience the battlefield."
Cao Xun smiled and led his brother into the hall. Seated comfortably, he sipped his tea and regarded Cao Shao, saying, "Tomorrow marks the day to welcome the bride. As tradition dictates, the groom will be accompanied by several clan brothers. You have a special bond with Yunzhu. Should you wish to be excused, I can assist you in finding a suitable pretext and have Xie Lang and others accompany me instead."
Cao Shao's complexion paled slightly, and he cast down his eyes, stating, "I have no specific reasons, I am just concerned about sparking gossip and causing inconvenience to my elder brother."
Cao Xun responded, "The past is behind us. As long as you set your sights forward and conduct yourself with openness, you need not concern yourself with others' opinions."
Cao Shao was suddenly filled with a swell of pride as he raised his head and declared resolutely, "Very well, I shall accompany my elder brother to welcome the bride tomorrow!"
The following morning, Cao Shao adorned himself in crimson brocade robes. While awaiting his brother in the courtyard, he noticed Xie Lang's arrival with three young military attachés, all clad in matching attire.
Upon greeting each other, a flicker of surprise crossed Xie Lang's eyes. He smiled and affectionately patted Cao Shao on the shoulder, saying, "My good brother, let us go and welcome our sister-in-law together today!"
If even Cao Shao could move on, what significance did his sorrow hold?
Regarding Cao Shao, he appeared genuinely pleased for his elder brother, especially upon seeing Xie Lang's smiling countenance. Despite his reluctance to concede, he engaged in lighthearted conversation with the others.
Upon Cao Xun's arrival in a radiant scarlet wedding robe, he beheld several young men displaying bright and cheerful expressions, much like enthusiastic children eagerly anticipating the sight of fireworks. Their presence brought an added air of joy and exuberance to the wedding festivities.
"Now that everyone is put together, let us depart."