Beaming from ear to ear, the granny servant responded, “Old Dowager, such wonderful news! The boy at the lord’s side just came back with news that the emperor is sending an imperial decree to us. He’s bestowed our fourth miss to the Faithful Prince of the First Rank as his princess consort! The boy came back as soon as he heard, so the decree will be here soon.”
The news stunned the entire family beyond recognition. With unspoken accord, they looked at Qin Yining standing beneath the covered hallway, who was offering support to née Sun.
The girl’s hands slowly tightened into fists and she lowered her head self-consciously.
Recovering from her shock, the eighth miss declared happily, “Congratulations, fourth sister!”
The girl’s felicitations brought everyone back to their senses, and a hubbub of best wishes rose up.
The old dowager was beside herself with joy. “Good, good! Though being a princess consort isn’t as glorious as being the emperor’s favored consort, it’s still a good outcome for one of our girls. Now that fourth lass is married, it’ll be granddaughter Hui and Bao next.”
The men in the outer residence also caught wind of the development. Qin Yu, Qin Han, and the second and third elder masters came in to offer their happy wishes, then rushed off to prepare a table and incense with which to welcome the imperial edict.
The old dowager clasped her hands together and bowed at the sky. “To think that our family would have continuous good news after arriving in Great Zhou. Our ancestors smile down on us, our ancestors smile down on us!”
The second elder master smiled. “Not only do our ancestors bless us, it’s also all thanks to big brother’s arrangements. I have a position in the Bureau of Personnel and Rites now, and third brother’s industries have been properly laid out. It’s all thanks to big brother.”
“That’s right.” The third elder master nodded with a smile.
After enduring a war, famine, and robbers, the Qins had finally found their footing again. Though many had been sacrificed for it, they’d never lost their strength of character.
Just about when the family preparations were complete, the imperial decree arrived from the palace.
A brazier of incense sat on a table in the spacious yard, and round, kneeling mats were laid out in front of it. The family knelt according to the family hierarchy.
The eunuch bearing the decree merrily unrolled the golden cloth and read aloud in a shrill voice, “The Emperor, who governs with the Mandate of Heaven, has learned that Yining, daughter of Minister Qin Huaiyuan of the Bureau of Personnel and Rites, being sixteen years of age, is demure and refined, possessing of uncommon talent, modest and courteous, and beautiful in both heart and mind.
“Hearing of such qualities delights the Emperor and Empress Dowager. The Faithful Prince of the First Rank, Pang Xiao, being twenty four years of age, is at an appropriate age for marriage. The prince is skilled in both martial and civil subjects, and is loyal and respectful to his liege.
“Née Qin is yet unmarried and a wondrous match with Pang Xiao. Née Qin is hereby bestowed unto the Faithful Prince of the First Rank, Pang Xiao, as Princess Consort.
“All ceremonies are under the jurisdiction of the two families. The wedding is to be conducted on the eleventh day of the fifth month. Proclaimed to all under the Heavens, so let it be known!”
“Our gratitude for the emperor’s gracious favor.”
The Qins kowtowed solemnly. Qin Yining knelt in the middle of the family, her head down and arms raised high over her head to accept the edict.
The eunuch handing it over smiled. “Congratulations, Miss Qin.”
The second and third elder master, as well as her two cousins offered polite pleasantries to the eunuch. After gifting a large red envelope, they directed their guest inside for a spot of tea.
Qin Yining cupped the imperial decree in her hands, reading the words over and over again. It all felt so surreal, like she was drifting through a dream.
She’d always felt that though she and Pang Xiao had feelings for each other, it would be very difficult for the two of them to actually get married. The emperor wouldn’t allow Pang Xiao to gain formidable in-laws, and Pang Zhongzheng’s death was something ever-present between the two of them.
Who would’ve thought that her father would be able to swing it so that Li Qitian would give the order of his own volition?
Was she really to marry Pang Xiao?
It wasn’t until this moment that she finally felt her heart settle in its right place, leaving room for anticipation and uncertainty for the future to flourish.
“Aiya, has the girl lost herself in happiness?”
Qin Yining came back to herself when she heard the good-natured teasing. She looked around to find the second madame next to her, and that she’d already followed the family back into the main house.
The old dowager took the imperial edict from Qin Yining’s hands with a smile. “I’m going to lay this out in the Hall of Ancestors. I’ll put it next to the decree for your father’s position. This is such good news, wonderful news!”
Now that everything was decided upon, née Sun could finally put all her grudges to rest. She exclaimed happily, “The wedding’s on the eleventh of the next month? That’s less than a month away! Daughter Yi’s coming-of-age ceremony hasn’t been held yet either, and here we are, preparing for the most important matter of all. Second sister-in-law, you have to help me.”
“Naturally! This is such a wonderful thing. My daughter-in-law is about to give birth and now niece Yi has sublime in-laws. Isn’t this twin joys knocking on our doors? How lovely!” The second madame smiled happily.
After arriving back in Qin Yining’s bedroom, née Sun gave urgent orders to Jin-mama.
“We don’t have enough time for her to embroider pieces for her trousseau. Go hire the best seamstresses and put careful attention to the matter. Daughter Yi’s going to make only a pillowcase so she can show her respects. My daughter, you're not allowed to go anywhere during this time. Just stay in your room and sew quietly!”
After delivering her words, Née Sun didn't wait for the girl to respond. She charged out in fine fettle, ready to roll her sleeves up for other tasks.
Chapter 397.2: Preparations
Still caught in the grip of shock, Qin Yining had yet to come back to her senses.
Xianyun, Jiyun, Bingtang, and Qiulu were flushed red with happy excitement. The four looked at each other before dropping curtsies. “Congratulations to the miss for obtaining your heart’s desire!”
Lian Xiaozhou also nodded joyfully. “Congratulations, big sister!”
In a daze, the fourth miss responded, “All of you, do rise. Xianyun and Bingtang, your hands are more dexterous. Help me embroider a pillowcase. My own work isn’t up to snuff at all.”
Having said that, she sat down in another daze, sending the maids into fits of giggles.
Thinking back to everything she and Pang Xiao had weathered, from their initial mutual probing to growing feelings for each other, then staking everything on a solemn pledge of love. They’d endured so much to reach this point, to receiving this imperial edict.
She’d returned home for two years, and what she’d experienced since her return was more abundant than in her earlier fourteen years of life.
Though each step had been fraught with tension and danger, leaving her weary in both body and soul, all the pain and trouble she’d gone through felt more than worth it to have a group who genuinely cared for her, and this marriage decree.
……
The marriage decree also made its way to the manor of the Faithful Prince of the First Rank.
When Pang Xiao, Yao Chenggu, née Ma, and née Yao received the imperial edict, they started laughing wordlessly.
Née Ma slapped her thigh. “Go go go, prepare the betrothal gifts! Dafu, bring out all of the best treasures that you’d been saving up. And silver! We mustn’t be stingy when it comes to welcoming a new member of the
household. Lass Yi hasn’t had an easy life with you—she suffered so much before thanks to you, so you have to give her a proper expression of your feelings!”
The Pang matriarch punched Pang Xiao in the shoulder as she spoke. “You little bastard! You were born with great fortune! You gain such an incredible father-in-law in the form of Minister Qin, and now you have such a wonderful wife! The Pang ancestors have bestowed us with unparalleled fortune!”
Pang Xiao grimaced; his grandmother’s punch had landed squarely on a nerve. “Grandmother, you have so much strength in your hands!”
“How would I be able to discipline you otherwise? Yubing, go get busy. As the mother-in-law, you need to take the initiative and reach out to the in-laws often. Don’t think you’re something just because your son is a prince. Your son is a troublemaker, lass Yi is unlucky marrying him!”
“Who talks about their own grandson like that?” Née Yao retorted without any temper at all.
Yao Chenggu nodded. “Your mother speaks truly, go do as she says.”
“Understood, dad.” Née Yao walked out to see to the affairs.
Meanwhile, Pang Xiao summoned Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi. He declared solemnly, “The eleventh day of the next month is a day of great joy for this prince. The household will be busy during this period of time, so the two of you must help the dowager madame and old madame in making plans. As for the ceremonies, we shall do everything allowed as long as it doesn’t eclipse the emperor wedding the empress, understood?”
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi nodded hastily.
They were strategists, so it felt like a misuse of good talent on minor purposes, given that their liege had tasked them with planning out a wedding.
But the two also knew of the deep feelings between the newlyweds, and they knew of Qin Yining’s character. Add to that the wedding being an imperially bestowed one, they felt that it was also a show of tremendous trust that the prince was willing to entrust the wedding to them.
With that in mind, the two retreated to the study to carefully study the itinerary, treating the wedding as they would any important affair.
The prince had given them their marching orders. As long as they didn’t exceed the pomp that had been trotted out for the empress, anything was on the table. The utmost of opulence would be on display so that the Qins could feel the fullest of Pang sincerity.
Pang Xiao sent off Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi with a grave expression, then ran to the sparring grounds with a coldly serious look. Peeling off his clothes and wearing only a pair of black, silk pants, he sparred with the wooden dummies.
Finding no outlet to vent his extreme excited agitation and brimming with energy, he ran through his martial methods for the rest of the afternoon, breaking three wooden dummies in the process.
Huzi snickered endlessly to see his master thus; it also greatly startled Ji Zeyu, who’d quietly come to visit.
“You’re here, Ah Lan.” Dripping with sweat, a layer of goosebumps popped up on Pang Xiao’s skin due to the lower temperatures at night. He didn’t mind it in the slightest, just took the handkerchief offered by Huzi to wipe off his face before putting on his downy-white shirt.
Ji Zeyu’s eyes flitted over the various scars on the prince’s body before he nodded and hoisted the jug of ale in his hand.
“Share a drink?”
“Precisely my thoughts.” Pang Xiao had his men prepare some food and showed the prince consort to his room.
Ji Zeyu could tell from his friend’s slightly frowning countenance that Pang Xiao hadn’t quite had his fill of venting his emotions, despite an afternoon of physical workout. He couldn’t help but offer words of comfort, “You can only obey His Majesty’s marriage edict. Even though there’s the previous issue of your father, you have to keep it inside from now on. I can tell that you like née Qin, so try to lay down your hatred and just live well in the future.”
Pang Xiao was rather taken aback that Ji Zeyu would try to console him in this way. He smiled. “I know.”
Chapter 398: Explanation
Pang Xiao raised his cup and clinked it against Ji Zeyu’s, draining it in one gulp.
Though he was on good terms with the prince consort, they were now both in situations beyond their control. They were personages that the emperor was wary of, so they had to strive to keep themselves safe.
With the upcoming affair being the wedding of him and Qin Yining, Pang Xiao didn’t dare permit any leeway for the slightest bit of negligence. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Ji Zeyu, but that he didn’t trust Li Qitian.
Though Pang Xiao constantly felt like a volcano on the verge of erupting, he kept it all inside of him and drank calmly with his brother.
Some sorrow could be glimpsed on Ji Zeyu’s stunning features. His slender brows were raised, and the emotions in his eyes exceedingly complex. However, many of his words transformed into sighs in the end.
He grasped the hemp tied to the jug and adroitly flipped it up, using his arms to steady the jug and tilt several mouthfuls into his mouth. He didn’t mind even when the alcohol splashed on his clothes.
Seeing how heartily Ji Zeyu was drinking, Pang Xiao decided to forgo his cup as well and took the jug from the prince consort. He too threw his head back and chugged a few gulps down.
With a smile, Ji Zeyu watched the prince toss mouthfuls of the spicy liquid down.
“Nice, that’s how to do it!”
“Yeah!”
The two shared the jug and had a few bites of food. Ji Zeyu called for more alcohol, but Pang Xiao shook his head. He clapped his brother’s shoulder. “Ah Lan, we can’t get drunk. There’s still things to do tomorrow. Drinking too much will delay work.”
Ji Zeyu frowned and patted the hand that Pang Xiao had on his shoulder.
“This is our life now, we can’t enjoy ourselves at all. We can’t even choose to marry someone we like, to spend the rest of our lives with someone we have feelings for. We can’t even drink to our heart’s content!”
The prince consort’s voice bore the raspiness of drinking. Though he’d drank quite a bit and was slightly tipsy, his mind was clear and he was still in control of himself.
However, he just couldn’t keep these words to himself. He too had once been filled with resignation. Pang Xiao being bestowed an imperial marriage was the path that he’d once trod.
Ji Zeyu knew that the prince must not be feeling too good about things, and it likewise weighed heavily on Pang Xiao to see his brother so abject on his behalf.
The prince consort was obviously thinking of himself and Li Helan.
However, Pang Xiao was luckier than his brother because he had a highly capable and intelligent father-in-law. The one that the emperor had bestowed upon him was the girl that he genuinely liked and hoped to spend the rest of his life together with.
Compared to Ji Zeyu and Li Helan, who appeared outwardly united but were divided at heart, the prince consort was the one to be pitied instead.
“Ah Lan, things are already very good like this,” consoled Pang Xiao with great sincerity. “You saw how things were at court today, Minister Qin’s skills are far above ordinary. He can do battle with an entire army of scholars. Perhaps my future will be more stable with such a father-in-law at my back. Plus, I do like née Qin.”
Ji Zeyu grinned radiantly, his naturally flirtatious eyes meeting Pang Xiao’s phoenix-shaped ones that glinted with a keen light.
“I know you like née Qin, and she really is a beauty of unparalleled appearance. But can you really face her with no hint of discomfort, given what happened with your father? Do you not resist this arrangement at all?”
The prince wasn’t at liberty to go into a detailed explanation and merely smiled. “I’ve already let those things go.”
His forced smile pierced Ji Zeyu’s heart more than anything. But with their current circumstances, the prince consort also knew that the more he said, the more troubles he’d be adding to his brother’s plate instead.
Life went on
. Imperial edicts had to be obeyed.
“Forget it, the lofty ambitions of a man are in all corners of the world and not mired in the morass of personal relationships. None of that matters anymore since you've let it all go.” Ji Zeyu rose. “Zhixi, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“I’ll see you out.”
“If you see me out after I came to have a drink with you, people might think we’ve struck up a clique. We’ll have a tough time explaining ourselves if this makes it into other ears.”
Pang Xiao understood his brother just fine. It was only a drink between good friends, but there would be plenty of eyes and ears to report it back to the emperor. What freedom was there to be had in their current situation?
And yet, such were their circumstances.
Pang Xiao smiled at the prince consort before darkening his expression. “Farewell, I won’t be seeing you out.”
Ji Zeyu played along. “Aren’t you busy wedding the daughter of your enemy? Don’t bother sending me out, you should go about your business.”
“You! Are you questioning His Majesty?”
“I wouldn’t dare and that’s not what I intend at all. I’m just speaking your thoughts for you!”
“Ji Lan, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!”
“Pang Zhixi, I see your injuries are healed, huh??”
……
The men bickered nonstop as Pang Xiao accompanied Ji Zeyu out. The prince consort walked faster and faster, but the prince didn’t drop the matter either. The two squabbled their way to the secondary doors.
Seeing their masters arguing quite stressed out the servants of the household. Deathly afraid of another fight breaking out, they walked up placatingly to pull the two apart.
In the end, Ji Zeyu left with a tremendous flourish of his sleeves. Pang Xiao likewise returned to his study with a frosty expression.
Who knew how entertained Li Qitian would be when he heard of all this?
Currently in the Hall of Moral Cultivation, Li Qitian sat on the heated platform next to the window. White pieces in hand, he played checkers against Lu Heng wielding the black. He paid close attention to the Lu scion’s expression in between their moves.
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