Fortunately, with Tang Qingwan and the Crown Prince stepping in, the front courtyard remained fairly orderly. Still, with the master of the household absent, speculation was inevitable.
Xing'er came to report that Lord Shen had arrived with the bridal sedan chair and was currently being held up at the gates.
Cui Yunchu tilted her head and glanced toward the window lattice. Chen Miaohe stood there with a stick in hand, looking around alertly, ready to take on ten men by herself and make things difficult for the groom.
Cui Yunchu smiled.
Beside her, Cui Yunfeng was so distracted with worry that she could barely sit still. Cui Yunchu instead comforted her. “He’s an old fox who has spent more than a decade in officialdom. Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”
“Really, Eldest Sister?” Cui Yunfeng asked.
“If you’re still worried, have your husband go lend them a hand.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Cui Yunfeng hurriedly rose and rushed outside. Cui Yunchu watched her disappear through the doorway before slowly withdrawing her gaze.
She continued admiring her bridal makeup. Other than the maidservants and the matchmaker, she was alone in the room. It was so quiet and desolate, nothing like the liveliness a wedding ought to have.
Xing'er hurried back and forth. “Miss, Prince An was called away by Second Miss. No one is guarding the inner gate now. Lord Shen has already come through unimpeded and is almost at First Garden.”
Cui Yunchu nodded.
They arrived quickly. Propping her cheek in one hand, she watched the isolated and helpless Chen Miaohe stand with her hands on her hips, verbally sparring with the crowd.
Quite a few people had accompanied Shen Xiabai to fetch his bride. They were all men, so naturally they could not push around a young lady.
Chen Miaohe threw out one challenge after another, but every one of them was effortlessly resolved. The poor girl grew so vexed that she scratched at her head.
Dressed in wedding robes, Shen Xiabai stood beneath the sunlight, his high-spirited smile making him especially dazzling.
“Miss Chen, once the wedding is over, I will certainly visit your residence, sit down with your honored father, and share a cup of tea.”
“...”
Chen Miaohe’s little face fell. Turning toward Cui Yunchu with deep guilt, she pursed her lips. “Sister Cui, I can only apologize to you.”
She stepped aside to clear the way, and Shen Xiabai entered amid the crowd surrounding him.
Cui Yunchu smiled. Her smile was gentle and beautiful, yet to Shen Xiabai’s eyes, it seemed to lack a little of its usual brightness.
Xing'er's eyes stung with tears. “Miss, this servant feels so sorry for you.”
“What is there to feel sorry for?” Cui Yunchu said. “Everyone has their reasons. After all, a life is at stake.”
She could not make a scene. She could not be unhappy. She could not show even the slightest resentment. Otherwise, she would be the one deemed cold-blooded and heartless.
After Shen Xiabai entered, Xing'er covered Cui Yunchu’s head with the bridal veil, while the matchmaker at the side poured forth auspicious blessings by the basketful.
Compared with the young gentlemen behind Shen Xiabai, Cui Yunchu, all alone, seemed somewhat forlorn.
He paced forward slowly. His voice carried an excitement he could not suppress, trembling slightly as he said, “A Chu, let’s go home.”
“No vows of eternal love?” Cui Yunchu teased. “What a blockhead.”
“Later,” he whispered in her ear. “When the night is deep and all is quiet, however many you wish to hear, your husband will whisper them all to you.”
Remembering the shameless things he said in bed, Cui Yunchu could not help kicking him.
“Watch your words. Don’t let anyone see through us.”
“Yes, I shall obey Madam’s instructions. I remember you once said your husband lacks stamina. How about we make a wager today?”
“What wager?”
Shen Xiabai said, “With one hand, I can carry Madam all the way out and place her in the bridal sedan.”
Cui Yunchu secretly lifted a corner of her veil. “And the stakes?”
Shen Xiabai stared at the half of her profile revealed beneath the veil. His Adam’s apple bobbed sharply as he said, “If I manage it, tonight, your husband would like to lie down.”
“...”
“Fine. Deal.” Cui Yunchu took the initiative and wrapped her arms around Shen Xiabai’s neck.
Shen Xiabai chuckled. “Then Madam had better conserve her strength today. Don’t end up too exhausted to get out of bed after only a few rounds tonight.”
“Will you die if you stop being so shameless?”
Shen Xiabai slipped his right arm beneath Cui Yunchu’s knees and lifted her straight into his arms. The matchmaker at the side was dumbfounded and was about to protest that this violated protocol, but one of the young gentlemen who had come with the wedding party stopped her with a look.
“Lord Shen is mighty! Lord Shen is incredible!” The crowd surrounded the pair, teasing them without restraint.
All along the way, Shen Xiabai’s breathing did not so much as quicken. It remained perfectly steady. His strong, powerful figure drew the gazes of many young ladies who had come to witness the ceremony, and they shrieked inwardly.
Later, when many people in the capital married, brides would ask for the same treatment. Of course, plenty of young women were also compared to Eldest Miss Cui’s figure by their grooms.
After all, not every man possessed Lord Shen’s stamina, nor was every young lady as slender and graceful as Eldest Miss Cui.
“Shen Xiabai,” Cui Yunchu whispered into his ear, “you’ve worked hard. Tonight, this wife of yours will serve you with all her heart and make sure Husband need not expend the slightest bit of effort.”
Shen Xiabai, who had been carrying her as steadily as ever, suddenly trembled. His breathing grew uneven.
In the main hall, Old Madam Cui sat upright and dignified in the seat of honor, exchanging pleasantries with the guests who had come to offer their congratulations. Her eyes and brows were filled with smiles.
Cui Yunchu could not see it, but she could hear it.
The thought of her grandmother, at such an advanced age, forcing herself to keep up appearances and support her on this day warmed Cui Yunchu’s heart even as it ached dully.
It was the matchmaker’s first time encountering such a situation. With no parents present in the seats reserved for them, many of the formalities were omitted, and Cui Yunchu was simply asked to bid farewell to Old Madam Cui.
Shen Xiabai stood beside Cui Yunchu and performed the farewell rite with her.
Leaning on her cane, Old Madam Cui rose and took hold of Cui Yunchu’s arm. Her grip tightened and tightened around her hand, her voice choked with emotion.
“Yunchu, you have suffered too much.”
“After today, the road ahead will be smooth. After darkness, there will be light. You must live well. Grandmother hopes that for the rest of your life, you will be carefree and radiant.”
“All right. Don’t delay the auspicious hour. Hurry and carry her away.”
Shen Xiabai gave a slight nod.
Nestled in Shen Xiabai’s arms, Cui Yunchu said to Old Madam Cui, “Wait for me to come back.”
The wedding procession stretched so far that its end could not be seen. Shen Xiabai rode atop a tall horse, turning back again and again to gaze at the bridal sedan with a smile curling his lips. It drew endless teasing from those around him, but he paid them no mind, becoming only more unabashed.
Prince An left early, while the Crown Prince remained perfectly composed. The wedding proceeded without a hitch.
At the end of the bridal procession, Chen Miaohe grabbed Shen Zilan. “What are you trying to do?” Her eyes were full of wariness. “She’s your aunt by marriage now, proper and official. Don’t you dare do anything improper.”
Shen Zilan shot her a glare. “Chen Miaohe, aren’t you missing something?”
“Missing what?”
“Common sense.”
His uncle was getting married. As the only member of the Shen family’s younger generation, how could he not stay and watch? Besides, his uncle had assigned him a task.
There were many guests at the Shen residence, and the place was buzzing with noise. With one arm, Shen Xiabai lifted Cui Yunchu from the bridal sedan chair and carried her into the ceremonial hall beneath everyone’s gaze.
Dowager Shen smiled until tears glistened in her eyes. At her side stood Shen Zilan, holding the late Master Shen’s memorial tablet.
To the matchmaker’s loud ceremonial calls, the two bowed and were wed.
Everyone wore joyous expressions. Even the Empress and Consort Liang had sent gifts from the palace.
Yet despite how highly favored Shen Xiabai was by His Majesty, there had been no reward from the palace, leaving many guests speculating.
Given the Emperor’s regard for Shen Xiabai, it would not have been surprising for him to attend the ceremony in person.
Everyone knew the Emperor was wary of Prime Minister Cui. But if he feared him, why had he granted this marriage in the first place? It was deeply puzzling.
Cui Yunchu was escorted to the bridal chamber. By now, she was already thoroughly familiar with every arrangement in the room.
Afraid she would be bored, Shen Xiabai lifted her bridal veil early despite the guests’ teasing and cheers.
“A Chu.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as his hand quietly slipped into Cui Yunchu’s sleeve, his fingers stroking the smooth skin of her wrist. “I want to consummate our marriage.”
Cui Yunchu kicked him lightly. “Go entertain the guests. Drink more—don’t come back so early.”
“You’re trying to back out.” Shen Xiabai pinched her cheek. “Dream on. I have helpers. I’ll be back soon. Just wait.”
…
Everyone in the Shen household had long known how formidable their new mistress was, and they all followed her lead.
The moment Shen Xiabai and the others left, Cui Yunchu happily had someone remove her phoenix coronet and change her out of her wedding robes.
“My lady, the Crown Princess has arrived,” a maid came in to announce.
Tang Qingwan entered and found Cui Yunchu sitting at the table eating. After a brief moment of surprise, she sighed helplessly. “The groom hasn’t even returned yet. How can you already have changed out of your wedding clothes?”
Cui Yunchu said, “He and I crossed the boundaries of propriety and convention long ago. What does a little thing like this matter?”
The table was laden with all her usual favorites. One look was enough to tell that Shen Xiabai had arranged for them to be prepared in advance.
Tang Qingwan sat across from her and said with a smile, “The Crown Prince was dragged off by your husband to help block the wine. He’ll probably have to be carried home tonight.”
After finishing the tea in her cup, Cui Yunchu looked up at Tang Qingwan. “Yunfeng and Prince An have gone to rescue someone. Aren’t you going too, Cousin?”
“Prince An won’t go.”
Cui Yunchu’s brows immediately drew together.
Tang Qingwan said, “It was the Emperor who acted. At a time like this, whoever goes will become the next thorn in the Emperor’s side—someone with no chance whatsoever of inheriting the throne.”
“Is it because of my wedding?” Cui Yunchu asked.
Tang Qingwan replied, “More or less. For the sake of your wedding, Uncle killed Xiao Lan and used a royal secret to threaten the Emperor. He touched the Emperor’s bottom line.”
Cui Yunchu fell silent for several breaths before saying slowly, “Cui Qingyuan has always supported you and the Crown Prince. Since you know Prince An won’t go to their rescue, aren’t you worried at all?”
If Cui Qingyuan had sacrificed so much for her, she certainly would not stand by and do nothing.
Tang Qingwan was silent for a moment. For quite some time, she did not speak.
Cui Yunchu said, “What is it you really want to say, Cousin? We’re sisters. There’s no need to beat around the bush.”
“This morning, Lord Shen had already dispatched the Office of Strict Punishments to assist them. Uncle and Yunli should be fine.”
If even the Office of Strict Punishments could not accomplish the task, then neither the Crown Prince nor Prince An would be able to do anything.
Cui Yunchu shot to her feet and stared fixedly at Tang Qingwan. “What did you say?”
The Emperor had given the order, and both the Crown Prince and Prince An had kept their distance, afraid of bringing trouble upon themselves. But Shen Xiabai—her husband—had sent people there?
“Today is your wedding day. He must have done it for you.”
Cui Yunchu’s mind felt heavy, and she clutched the corner of the table tightly.
Whether or not they managed to save them, what would happen to Shen Xiabai at court afterward was all too easy to imagine.
The Emperor would certainly no longer tolerate him.
Why... why hadn’t he discussed it with her beforehand? Why had he told her nothing?
