MYUFPC CHAPTER 45
I wish Sister a quick birth to a noble son
Zhan Shaoying had been raised by Zhang shi since he was young. In a time that valued filial piety, and with Zhan Shaoying's gentle nature, he had almost never dared to contradict Zhang shi.
This was the first time he had spoken to Zhang shi in such a serious tone.
Zhang shi was momentarily stunned, and even Zhan Tai raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Zhan Shaoying sat quietly in his chair, and if one looked closely, they could see a strange redness around his eyes.
Today, it was not only Zhang shi and Zhan Tai who had gone to fetch the dowry, but Zhan Shaoying had also accompanied them. For the past few days, the Duke's Manor had been bustling with preparations for Zhan Yue's marriage.
If His Majesty had not previously shown any intention of marrying the eldest princess to him, it would have been fine. But His Majesty had clearly expressed such an intention. Now, the eldest princess was about to marry his fourth uncle, and he was only left with the daughter of the Qi Le Marquis.
It wasn't that Zhan Shaoying looked down on the Qi Le Marquis' family, but anyone who had tasted shark's fin and bird's nest would not be willing to settle for steamed buns and salted vegetables.
Yet, every word Zhang shi said seemed to hint at the deep intimacy between the eldest princess and his fourth uncle.
Wasn't this like stabbing a knife into his heart on purpose?
Was she trying to tell him that he would never be as good as his fourth uncle, or was she trying to say that it wasn't that His Majesty didn't fancy him, but that the eldest princess didn't fancy him?
The more Zhan Shaoying thought about it, the angrier and more agitated he became. Thinking of the suggestive glances from others in the Ministry of Transmission and Communication, thinking of the festive atmosphere in the Duke's Manor these days, thinking of the eldest princess who was about to become his fourth aunt...
A faint smile played on Zhan Shaoying's lips, like clouds drifting across the sky.
He propped his chin on one hand, revealing his slender jawline. "Mother, please give me a moment to be alone?"
Zhang shi was startled.
Realizing that he had spoken rather harshly, Zhan Shaoying couldn't help but say patiently, "Not only is my fourth uncle getting married, but my marriage to the Qi family is also approaching. Perhaps you could spare a thought for this matter."
Zhang shi's eyes twitched, and she almost lost control and said, "Do you think I've been working so hard for my own sake?"
"Mother..." Zhan Shaoying's voice was low.
It was Zhan Tai who couldn't bear it anymore and said with a stern face, "Enough."
After all, Zhan Tai was a man, and he understood his son better in some things than his mother does, Zhan Tai said, stroking the short beard on his chin. He sighed, "I've inquired about the Qi family girl's character. Although she's not as noble as a princess, she comes from a distinguished family, and her appearance and character are both top-notch."
His tone changed, and his tiger-like eyes widened as he said, "This marriage is also bestowed by the Emperor. All of you, clear your minds. Don't be greedy for more!"
These words were a warning to both Zhang shi and Zhan Shaoying. He was cautioning Zhan Shaoying not to develop any inappropriate feelings for the eldest princess.
Zhan Shaoying's breathing became slightly weaker. Even if he tried not to think about it, he couldn't help but imagine a girl's charming smile floating in his mind.
Would he have to call her Fourth Aunt tomorrow? Zhan Shaoying thought to himself impassively, his fist clenched inside his wide sleeve.
On the last day before leaving the palace, the Fengyang Pavilion was very lively. In the afternoon, Madam Pei and other relatives from her maternal uncle's family came to visit. After dinner, the Emperor Zhanghe and Jing fei also came to see Jiashan. They told her to rest early, as she would have to get up early tomorrow to dress up.
When everyone had almost left, Zhao Youze came over and lingered with Jiashan for a while, which was rare.
"I've also prepared a gift for Sister," Zhao Youze said, holding a red wooden box with his eyes smiling into slits. "I hope Sister won't dislike it for being shabby."
Since her heart-to-heart talk with her father, the Emperor had been paying close attention to Zhao Youze's eyes. Kong Lihui had been coming to the palace every three days without fail, and after all these days, there was a faint glimmer of light in Zhao Youze's eyes.
However, his perception of people and things was still not quite real.
Everything seemed to be developing in a positive direction.
Jiashan smiled and pinched Zhao Youze's delicate nose, teasing him, "That depends on whether Yuan Kang is sincere enough."
"If you open it and it's just a red envelope with a few hundred taels of silver, Sister will be angry," Jiashan's laughter was as pleasant as a clear spring.
Zhao Youze thought for a moment and nodded seriously, "I think Sister will need it."
Zhao Youze carefully twisted open the delicate lock and pulled out a light, flimsy piece of paper.
Earlier, seeing how easily he held the box, Jiashan had guessed that it wasn't a heavy object, but she hadn't expected it to be just a piece of paper.
Jiashan wondered, "What is it?"
Zhao Youze's lips moved as he said clearly, "With Father pampering Sister, I don't think Sister lacks anything material."
"I specially asked Mr. Xu to find this prescription at a temple in the southern part of the city," Zhao Youze's brows softened as he said slowly, "I heard it's very effective for conceiving a son."
Even though Jiashan had been married once, she couldn't help but blush. She glared slightly at Zhao Youze and poked his forehead lightly with a finger. "You little rascal, where did you learn to be so mischievous? Yuan Kang is still so young."
Zhao Youze simply rubbed the spot where Jiashan had poked him, and he curled his lips, saying, "Sister misunderstands me, this is not being mischievous."
"Father has always loved Sister dearly, and although Brother-in-law has a promising future, he cannot inherit the title. If Sister can give birth to a son, Father will surely find an excuse to bestow a title on Sister's child," Zhao Youze said confidently. "In this way, it will not only save face for the Duke of Anguo Mansion but also ensure Sister's safety for the rest of her life."
"So, I wish Sister a quick birth to a noble son," Zhao Youze grinned. "Even if Brother-in-law changes his heart in the future, Sister will have a child and a title to rely on, so she doesn't need to fear anyone."
Thinking for a moment, Zhao Youze seemed to feel that saying "changes his heart" at this time was inauspicious, so he scratched his head and added, "Um... Please forgive Yuan Kang for speaking childishly, Sister. I'm just saying, even if..."
Zhao Youze had said everything, both good and bad things by himself.
Jiashan couldn't help but smile. She took the paper, put it back in the red wooden box, carefully locked it, and handed it to Suyu to keep safely.
Jiashan picked up the candle from the peachwood table and gently waved it in front of Zhao Youze's eyes.
Zhao Youze's face was thin and handsome in the flickering candlelight. He rubbed his eyes and asked, "What's wrong, Sister?"
"Can you see the flame now?" Jiashan stared at him intently and asked softly.
Zhao Youze was silent for a long time before replying, "I can see something moving, but I can't see its exact shape."
Jiashan smiled faintly, her face delicate and beautiful. "It's better than before."
"After Sister leaves the palace, Yuan Kang must take good care of himself," even though she knew her brother was actually very intelligent, Jiashan still held his hand and warned him worriedly, "Don't swallow your grievances, understand?"
Pausing for a moment, Jiashan added carefully, "If there is any abnormality with your eyes, tell Jing fei and Father immediately, don't hide it."
"I know," Zhao Youze said, as Jiashan wrapped an arm around him. Stretching out his arms, he imitated the way Jing fei or his aunt would hold him, carefully wrapping them around Jiashan's back.
"Sister is the same," Zhao Youze raised his face slightly and said softly, "Don't wrong yourself."
"I am the legitimate Prince," Zhao Youze raised his face slightly and said softly, "Tomorrow I will see Sister off on her wedding day. In the future, I will still support Sister."
"Okay," Jiashan smiled, a warm current flowing slowly from her heart. Her eyes shone like stars, "Sister will be waiting for this day."
Zhao Youze stood on tiptoe and, like a little adult, gently hugged Jiashan's neck.
On the eighth day of the second month, dawn seemed to come earlier than any other day, and it also seemed longer than any other night.
Jiashan was woken up at the beginning of the Yin hour, and as soon as she got up, she was pressed in front of a pear blossom mirror by several mamas and maidservants to have her eyebrows drawn and her hair combed. As the first princess under the Emperor Zhanghe to marry, almost all the royal relatives came to the palace for her grand wedding.
The Duke of Anguo Mansion had also early prepared the "ninety-nine gifts" and carried them to the Wu Men Gate to welcome her respectfully.
The auspicious time calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Observatory was the second quarter of the Xu hour, so there was no rush. However, as a princess, Jiashan still had to go to the Baohe Hall to bid farewell to Emperor Zhanghe.
In her previous life, Jiashan had already done this once. Now, as time went by, she finally reached the day of her wedding again.
Dressed in a bright red phoenix crown and phoenix robe, Jiashan knelt on the bricks of the hall, bowing her head three times to Emperor Zhanghe who was seated above: "Your daughter..."
Her red lips had just parted when she suddenly paused, her voice hoarse. After a moment of calm, Jiashan said slowly, "Your daughter bids farewell to Imperial Father."
Emperor Zhanghe's eyes seemed to have a warm glow. He nodded and said slowly, "My daughter should be a good wife and a good mother, and be of one heart and one mind with your husband."
Jiashan pursed her lips slightly, her fingers tightening slightly. Thinking of her father's constant worries about her marriage, and all the memories related to Emperor Zhanghe in her previous life and this life, suddenly intertwined.
Jiashan's chest felt a little tight. She said, "Yes. Your daughter will not disappoint Imperial Father."
"Please, Imperial Father, take care of your health," Jiashan bowed again, her voice becoming softer and lower. "For the sake of the country and for your daughter."
Emperor Zhanghe's gaze grew slightly solemn, and he slowly helped Jiashan up.
The palms of the father and daughter's clasped hands were slightly sweaty.
Jiashan lowered her head, not daring to look at her father at this moment. She raised her hand, gently wiped away the corner of her eye, and turned her face away.
Emperor Zhanghe picked up the red wedding veil nearby and, with his strong hand, personally covered Jiashan's face.
"If I miss my child, I will call you back to the palace to stay," Emperor Zhanghe said softly, rubbing her black hair as he had when he was a child, comforting her when she cried. "The fùmǎ, is already waiting at the Dongzhimen Gate. I'll have someone carry you out."
Jiashan's nose turned sour, and she choked out, "Yes."
Among the princes in the palace, Zhao Youcheng was the oldest, but Emperor Zhanghe couldn't ask Zhao Youcheng to carry Jiashan to the sedan chair.
Apart from Zhao Youcheng, the other princes were either too young or of low status. Emperor Zhanghe simply chose Zhao Youqi, the son of his half-brother, the Qin wang, and Jiashan's uncle, to do this.
Zhao Youqi was the eldest son of the Qin wang and would inherit the title of a wang in the future. Among the younger generation, he was considered of noble status.
Zhao Youqi was two years older than Jiashan and had already married, so he had some experience with weddings. This matter was also a kind of honor for him.
Hearing Eunuch Chen calling him, he hurried in, first addressing Emperor Zhanghe as "Imperial Uncle," and then he half-squatted and gestured for Jiashan to climb onto his back.
With a burst of joyful firecrackers, Zhao Youqi officially carried Jiashan onto the bridal sedan chair. Jiashan's wedding sedan was lifted out of the palace gate, and the people from the Duke of Anguo Mansion who had come to fetch the bride had been waiting there for a long time.
Zhan Yue, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, was standing at the front on horseback. He rarely wore such a bright color. For a moment, he was set off by it, making his skin look as white as snow and his appearance striking, and everyone's attention involuntarily fell on him.
Jiashan's wedding procession was led by a guard of honor, followed by other palace ladies, and finally by mounted military officers.
Both the guard of honor and the mounted military officers included members of the Jinwu Guards, who were half-acquaintances of Zhan Yue, but not every selected lady had seen Zhan Yue. Hearing that the Emperor had chosen a fuma, without an inherited title for the eldest princess, many ladies had made sarcastic remarks in private.
Now, when they saw the fuma's real face, those who had made sarcastic remarks shut their mouths.
Although it was not like the Wei and Jin Dynasties, where men were judged by their appearance, people tended to be more tolerant of those who were good-looking, regardless of the time.
Zhan Yue, however, didn't care about what others thought.
His eyes were long and deep, and the color of his pupils was as bright as the scorching sun. The moment he saw the bridal sedan being carried out, Zhan Yue truly heard his own heartbeat.
It was a tumultuous wave beneath a calm surface—something that could not be concealed.
At last, his life had not been in vain.
Zhan Yue closed his eyes, his heart pounding uncontrollably.