The next day.
Just past the Yin hour (3-5 AM).
The Minister's Mansion began to bustle with activity. Jinzhi came to wake Ye Chutang.
"Young mistress, it's time to get up and prepare your attire and makeup."
The wedding dress was layered and intricate, the makeup required meticulous care, and there were customs to follow—it would take at least two hours.
Ye Chutang had been feeling unusually sleepy lately and was extremely drowsy upon waking.
Fortunately, after drinking a few sips of spiritual spring water, she felt refreshed.
Jinzhi attended to her washing up.
Dan'er asked, "Eldest Young Mistress, what would you like to eat? This servant will have the main kitchen prepare it."
Ye Chutang didn't have much of an appetite, but she knew she needed to eat something, or she would go hungry.
"Just some mushroom and chicken congee, with two small side dishes."
Side dishes were usually appetizers, suitable for her.
"As you wish."
Not long after Dan'er left, Ye Jingchuan arrived with two matrons.
"Chu'er, these two are women of good fortune from the mansion. They will help you dress and do your makeup."
On the wedding day, it was customary for matrons who had both living parents and children, and whose families were harmonious, to dress and make up the bride, to pass on their blessings and seek good fortune.
Although this wedding was a scheme, the proper procedures had to be followed to avoid appearing perfunctory to the people from Prince Chen's Mansion.
Ye Chutang nodded, "Alright."
As Ye Jingchuan was leaving, he couldn't help but ask, "Chu'er, did you visit your grandmother last night?"
"No, I didn't. Why do you ask?"
"No reason, just asking casually."
Ye Jingchuan had kept the matter of Old Madam Ye falling seriously ill after being frightened last night very well concealed.
The official story was that she was exhausted from overseeing two weddings and needed rest.
Pretending to know nothing, Ye Chutang cooperated as the two matrons helped her into the phoenix crown and ceremonial robes.
Jinzhi watched from the side, her eyes involuntarily reddening.
As they dressed Ye Chutang, the two matrons also instructed her on the arts of marital harmony.
Ye Chutang let the words go in one ear and out the other.
When it came to the joys of intimacy, she likely knew far more than these proper, rule-bound matrons!
By the time Dan'er returned to the Ningchu Courtyard with the congee and side dishes, Ye Chutang's wedding dress was fully on.
She was already breathtakingly beautiful, with skin fairer than snow. Against the backdrop of the bright red wedding gown, she looked even more stunning, as if not of this world.
Even with her hair still loose and untamed, she could easily captivate souls.
The two matrons were mesmerized, exclaiming involuntarily, "The Eldest Young Mistress is truly beautiful!"
Ye Chutang looked at the luxurious wedding dress in the bronze mirror.
The hem was embroidered with auspicious clouds and peonies in gold thread. The golden phoenix tails on the wide sleeves were vivid and lifelike, grand and elegant.
In the Beichen Kingdom, only the empress could wear garments adorned with a complete phoenix motif.
Women of noble status could use parts of the phoenix pattern, embroidering them onto their clothes to signify their rank.
As the soon-to-be Princess Consort Chen, Ye Chutang naturally enjoyed this honor.
Around the collar, golden and silver threads embroidered intertwined golden branches and jade leaves.
On the back of the shoulders was embroidered "flying side by side."
Although the wedding date was somewhat rushed, the wedding dress was made with no hint of carelessness.
Ye Chutang was very satisfied and said to the matrons, "Please rest for a moment. I'll have something to eat first."
After she finished her breakfast, the matrons continued with her makeup.
She kept a respectful distance from ancient cosmetics.
"Two esteemed matrons, please keep the makeup simple. I don't like it too heavy."
"The Eldest Young Mistress is naturally beautiful. Light makeup is indeed more suitable."
As the sky grew fully bright, Ye Chutang's makeup was finally nearing completion.
A lock of hair at the back was deliberately left undone for the ceremonial combing and the recitation of auspicious phrases.
"One comb from start, wealth you'll never lack... Another comb to the end, mutual respect you'll always tend... With a start and an end, shared riches you'll forever spend."
The matron recited seven phrases in succession before finally finishing and pinning up the hair.
Seeing the pure gold phoenix crown, Ye Chutang quickly said, "Wait, let's put that on just before leaving."
It looked very heavy; wearing it for long would surely cause a neck ache.
"As the Eldest Young Mistress wishes."
The auspicious hour chosen by the Emperor through the Imperial Astronomer was noon.
It was said to be calculated from the birth dates of Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou.
In reality, it was just a ploy to expedite the plan to raid and exterminate Prince Chen's Mansion.
With the marriage between the Minister's Mansion and Prince Chen's Mansion, all officials had to offer congratulations at both places, running back and forth.
Fortunately, there was no need to dine at the Minister's Mansion this time. Once Qi Yanzhou came to fetch the bride, they could proceed to Prince Chen's Mansion.
As time passed, the Minister's Mansion grew increasingly lively.
Around the Si hour (9-11 AM).
Ye Jingchuan came to the Ningchu Courtyard again, entering Ye Chutang's boudoir.
"All of you, leave. I have words for the Eldest Young Mistress."
The two matrons immediately departed.
Jinzhi and the others did not move.
Ye Chutang waved her hand, "You go out first and close the door."
As the door closed, she asked, "What further instructions does Lord Ye have?"
Ye Jingchuan, worried that Ye Chutang might cause trouble, had come specifically to warn her.
"If you don't want to die, obediently follow the Emperor's arrangements!"
Ye Chutang curled her lips mockingly, "Don't worry, I'll be so obedient it will make you spit up three liters of blood."
Ye Jingchuan: "..."
What nonsense was this wretched girl spouting?
"Chu'er, the Emperor is not someone you can afford to offend. Consider the consequences before you act!"
"Rest assured, I know what to do."
Ye Jingchuan was not reassured in the least.
"Don't court death!"
With that, he returned to the front courtyard to receive guests.
Ye Chutang, bored from waiting, asked Dan'er, "Has anything eventful happened today?"
Dan'er thought for a moment and shook her head, "No. Second Young Mistress has returned to the mansion. She's lost a lot of weight, clearly not having an easy time in the palace."
"She reaps what she sows!"
"The Eldest Young Mistress speaks rightly. The Second Young Mistress's return today is likely not for congratulations."
Ye Chutang had guessed as much.
Ye Anling was brainless and loved to do things that harmed others without benefiting herself.
"Pay her no mind. Ye Jingchuan won't let her cause a scene."
Dan'er remembered something, "Eldest Young Mistress, Young Master Haoyue has come to offer congratulations."
The Song family never associated with officials; this was a first.
While the officials discussed it among themselves, they also eagerly tried to forge connections with Song Jingning.
The Song family was no ordinary scholarly household.
They were a century-old clan that had nurtured countless civil officials and scholars, wielding influence over the literati of the land!
A single word from the Song family could shake the foundations of the kingdom!
Ye Chutang was greatly surprised. She turned to look at Dan'er, "Did Young Master Haoyue come alone?"
Dan'er nodded, "It seems so. If the Eldest Young Mistress wishes to know the details, this servant will go and inquire immediately."
Suppressing the urge to go and tear off Song Jingning's clothes to check, Ye Chutang nodded, "Go."
She wasn't particularly close to Song Jingning. Even if the Song family wanted to offer congratulations, the person who should have come was Song Zhiyan.
Dan'er was skilled at gathering information and soon returned.
"Eldest Young Mistress, I heard the reason the Song family came to congratulate is because you teach calligraphy at the Huating Academy. The one originally meant to come was Dean Song, but he caught a slight chill, so he asked Young Master Haoyue to come in his stead."
The explanation was reasonable.
But Ye Chutang, who suspected Song Jingning's identity, found his presence somewhat puzzling.
Unfortunately, as the bride, she couldn't move about freely and couldn't probe the true purpose of Song Jingning's visit.
In the front courtyard, Song Jingning himself also felt his coming to the Minister's Mansion was rather inexplicable.
Normally, the Song family did not socialize with officials. Even though Ye Chutang was a teacher at the Huating Academy, the Song family only needed to send a gift.
Yet, his father had asked his elder brother to come in person.
Song Zhiyan agreed immediately.
This was because he hadn't given up on the idea of establishing a women's academy and wanted to get closer to Ye Chutang to continue persuading her.
But just as he was about to leave, he suddenly developed a high fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
Thus, the person who came to the Ye family to offer congratulations became Song Jingning.
The third quarter of the Si hour.
The wedding matron came to announce: "Eldest Miss, please put on your veil. Prince Chen has arrived to fetch the bride."
The woman immediately placed the phoenix crown on Ye Chutang's head.
The bright mandarin-duck-patterned red veil covered her stunning features.
A length of red silk was placed in Ye Chutang's hand. "Eldest Miss, please follow this old woman forward."
Wedding music began to play, a lively cacophony of wind and percussion instruments.
Although the veil blocked Ye Chutang's forward view, by looking down she could still see the patch of ground before her feet.
Coupled with her familiarity with the Minister's Mansion, she soon followed the wedding matron to the front courtyard.
There were many guests, creating a very lively and festive, though somewhat noisy, atmosphere.
Seeing the wedding matron leading Ye Chutang forward, everyone offered words of congratulations.
Ye Chutang quickly picked out several familiar voices.
Qin Muyun, Divine Doctor Xue, and Song Jingning.
She instinctively glanced in Song Jingning's direction, then quickly averted her gaze, following the matron into the main hall.
Song Jingning watched Ye Chutang in her bright red wedding dress, his eyes stinging as if sand had blown into them, tears welling up.
His heart also felt blocked by something, heavy and swollen.
He crooked a finger to wipe the corner of his eye, looking at the moisture on his fingertip, feeling utterly bewildered.
Inside the main hall.
Qi Yanzhou, dressed in his own set of bright red wedding robes, watched Ye Chutang approach slowly, his heart pounding fiercely.
How fortunate he was to be able to marry the one he loved!
"Atang, I've come to marry you."
Hearing Qi Yanzhou's gentle voice, Ye Chutang's lips, painted with rouge, curved upward.
"It is my great fortune across three lifetimes to be able to marry Your Highness."
"This prince feels the same."
Seeing Qi Yanzhou utterly captivated by Ye Chutang, Ye Jingchuan felt today's plan was assured.
He said cheerfully, "Your Highness and my daughter are a match made in heaven. I hope you will respect each other as guests after marriage, living in harmony and happiness."
Qi Yanzhou bowed to Ye Jingchuan.
"Thank you for your auspicious words, father-in-law. This son-in-law will certainly grow old together with Atang!"
Ye Jingchuan sneered inwardly, but said aloud, "Offer the tea now, let's not delay the auspicious hour for the wedding."
Upon hearing this, a maid immediately brought the tea that had been prepared earlier to Qi Yanzhou.
Qi Yanzhou picked up the teacup, but instead of handing it to Ye Jingchuan, he poured it onto the floor.
"Mother-in-law above, please accept your son-in-law's bow."
He bowed deeply toward the empty seat of honor.
"Your son-in-law will cherish and protect Atang for a lifetime, remaining devoted only to her. If I break this vow, may I be struck by lightning."
Once the vow was spoken, all the guests in the hall were astonished.
Promises are mostly sweet nothings whispered under the moon; few dare to swear such oaths publicly.
Because the human heart is fickle.
Prince Chen made such a serious vow in public. If he were to break it in the future, even if the punishment didn't materialize, he would be reviled.
Moreover, Prince Chen didn't offer tea to his living father-in-law, but instead to his deceased mother-in-law. What was the meaning of this?
Others might not understand Qi Yanzhou's intention, but Ye Chutang knew.
He was telling everyone that without Tang Wanning, Ye Jingchuan was nothing!
Truly the man she had chosen, clear-headed and discerning.
Through the red veil, she looked toward Qi Yanzhou and made her own promise.
"Only when the mountains crumble, the rivers run dry, thunder rumbles in winter, snow falls in summer, and heaven and earth merge as one, would I dare to part from you, my lord."
[Note: From the Han Dynasty anonymous poem "Shang Xie!"]
Qin Muyun watched the two making their heartfelt vows and offered his most sincere blessing.
"I wish the two of you a harmonious union lasting a hundred years!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the other guests also rushed to offer their blessings.
Standing at the entrance to the main hall, Song Jingning also spoke a sentence.
"With such deep affection between Prince Chen and his Princess Consort, you are sure to enjoy marital harmony and grow old together."
Amidst the many voices of blessing, Ye Chutang was particularly moved by this one.
She tightened her grip on the red silk in her hand, her desire to check Song Jingning's shoulder growing stronger.
Seeing that Qi Yanzhou had no intention of offering him tea, Ye Jingchuan couldn't be bothered to argue.
He just wanted to hurry the wedding along and move to dismantle Prince Chen's Mansion!
"Chu'er, it's getting late. After you offer the tea, you should depart."
Ye Chutang made a subtle hand signal.
Jun'er's gaze had been following Ye Chutang.
Seeing her gesture, he immediately walked up to Ye Jingchuan and knelt down.
"Lord Ye, all that has passed is as if dead since yesterday; all that is to come is as if born from today. This commoner takes his leave!"
[Note: From Ming Dynasty·Yuan Liaofan's "Liao Fan's Four Lessons: The Study of Establishing Destiny"]
After speaking, he kowtowed heavily three times.
He held no hatred for Ye Jingchuan, nor would he feel gratitude for his upbringing.
Kong Ru was the executioner, but Ye Jingchuan was the root cause!
Ye Jingchuan was baffled by Jun'er's words and reprimanded him displeased.
"Jun'er, today is your eldest sister's wedding. Don't make a scene!"
What 'Lord Ye', what 'taking leave'? Had the treatment addled his brain?
Jun'er stood up, looked seriously at Ye Jingchuan, and delivered a thunderbolt word by word.
"Kong Ru is not my mother, Lord Ye is not my father. I am not a young master of the Ye family!"
Ye Jingchuan didn't believe a single word, simply thinking Ye Anjun had gone mad.
"Chen Zhong, quickly take the young master away, he's talking nonsense!"
Just as Chen Zhong was about to step forward, Jun'er said, "The Guanyin statue in the household shrine is hollow. Lord Ye need only look to know whether my words are true or false."
Inside the Guanyin statue was a note, which Ye Chutang had accidentally discovered when she went to the family shrine to retrieve her dowry.
Seeing Jun'er speak so earnestly, Ye Jingchuan immediately thought of Kong Ru's cruelty toward the boy, and his expression changed slightly.
Even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs. If she were his birth mother, Kong Ru wouldn't have been so ruthless to her son!
Seeing Ye Jingchuan beginning to believe him, Jun'er added another line.
"If Lord Ye still doesn't believe it, you can investigate Liu Dacheng and Wang Xiufang in Liu Family Village. They were my birth parents, but they were murdered by Kong Ru."
This was information Ye Chutang had asked Qi Yanzhou's people to investigate.
Ye Jingchuan felt darkness swim before his eyes upon hearing this, wishing he could immediately investigate the truth.
But dismantling Prince Chen's Mansion was more important; investigating his youngest son's origins would have to wait.
"I will investigate what you've said later. Don't delay your eldest sister's departure."
Ye Anjun knelt down again. "I ask Lord Ye to provide this commoner with a letter severing familial ties, so that henceforth we have nothing to do with each other."
