Chapter 685: Joy
Wu Yong proved highly efficient. Once matters were settled, he immediately sprang into action without delay. After purchasing all necessary items, he invited Old General Zhou Jing, a longtime friend of the Wu family, to accompany him as an elder to propose marriage at the Regent's Palace.
Gu Yanxi was quite satisfied with his initiative to stay in the capital for half of each year and did not make things difficult for him further. After discussions, the wedding date was set for the twelfth day of the eighth month.
Hua Zhi set down her brush. "Send this to the embroiderer."
"Yes." Nian Qiu came over and carefully blew on the last embroidery pattern to dry it. The patterns sketched by their young lady were far more exquisite than those available outside.
Having completed this task, Hua Zhi leisurely made her way to the library. With her wedding approaching, the Hua family had become noticeably busier. Even the servants moved with such urgency they seemed to create wind as they walked, which only emphasized her own excessive leisure—as if she weren't the one getting married.
"Master." Zeng Han closed his book upon seeing her and came over to pay his respects.
Hua Zhi smiled. "You spend more time in the library now than at the clan school."
Zeng Han responded with a faint smile. After over a year with the Hua family, he had changed considerably. Once reticent and stern-faced, he now showed more expression and would occasionally smile in Hua Zhi's presence. All the masters in the Hua family, young and old, enjoyed coaxing smiles from him.
Patting his head, Hua Zhi went up to the second floor. She didn't restrict Xiao Han. Since the clan school progressed slowly, she didn't force him to attend when he was unwilling. Reading more books was no bad thing.
Soon after, Zeng Han came upstairs carrying several books. Without disturbing his master, he curled up in a corner to read. Master and disciple even shared the same reading posture.
On the seventh day of the fourth month, the bridal trousseau ceremony commenced.
From early morning, the Hua residence saw a continuous stream of visitors. Civil and military officials, regardless of prior acquaintance, all attended without exception. They knew the Hua family would not accept extravagant gifts, so they adhered to the customary standards for trousseau ceremonies. Those with closer relationships naturally brought different gifts, like the Zhu family, whose numerous large and small presents raised no objections from others.
Hua Zhi wore a brand-new pink dress, her hair styled in a flowing cloud chignon, with light makeup enhancing her radiant complexion. Though still somewhat slender, it did not diminish her beauty.
Old Madam Zhu turned away to discreetly wipe the corner of her eye, smiling as she said, "Our eldest young lady is getting married."
"The Regent's Palace is even closer to your home than the Hua residence," Hua Zhi replied with a laugh. Located in the same part of the capital, it was merely a change of residence. There were regrets, of course—the Hua family's library was not something found everywhere. But it didn't matter; the Prince's mansion was wealthy enough for her to create one herself. There were many, many years ahead to do so.
The thought sparked a flicker of anticipation in Hua Zhi's heart.
Just then, Ying Chun hurried in to announce, "The Emperor has arrived."
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised. She rose, straightened her clothes, and supported her grandmother as they walked out, followed by the other women in the room.
The Emperor visited the Hua family frequently, but never with such fanfare. Hua Yizheng was at a loss upon seeing the items carried in by the Imperial Guards. Technically, as Zhi Er was marrying into the imperial family, the royal family had no reason to contribute to the trousseau. Yet the Emperor was also Zhi Er's disciple, which justified the gifts. But... this was far too much!
Hua Zhi was also taken aback by the courtyard filled with presents. After paying her respects, she said helplessly, "Your Majesty, why have you prepared so much?""I once said I would gift you a ten-mile red dowry when the Grand Tutor marries." The Emperor gazed fondly at his Grand Tutor, who rarely appeared so delicate. When he first met her, she was already shouldering her family's burdens—sharp, authoritative, and decisive. Later, as Grand Tutor, she mostly wore her Official Uniform. Truth be told, this was the first time he had seen her wearing rouge.
How lovely, the Emperor thought. This Grand Tutor was his teacher, his official, and now his cousin's wife. As the eldest sister-in-law, she would be like a mother to him—truly family from now on.
Processions of gifts continued pouring in. Hua Zhi no longer refused them. With recent gossip spreading, she understood the Emperor was using this display to proclaim to the world that there was no rift between him and the Hua family, that he remained close with his Grand Tutor.
But this was truly excessive! The Hua family had already scraped together every resource to prepare her dowry. With these additions, the bridal procession would stretch so long that its head might reach the Regent's Palace before its tail left the Hua residence.
The two didn't linger at the scene. Hua Zhi led the Emperor to the main hall, where the Hua family's male members accompanied them.
"I shall need to neglect my duties for some days."
"Of course. The Grand Tutor should rest properly. Resume your official duties whenever you deem appropriate."
Hua Zhi smiled in acknowledgment. "With peace prevailing across the land, I await the prosperous era Your Majesty will bring about."
"I dare not slack in my efforts."
"Speaking of which, I have a request to make."
"Please proceed, Grand Tutor."
"In coming days, I wish to invite the Grand Empress Dowager to stay briefly at my residence. Yan Xi promised his grandmother this out of concern for her."
The Emperor nodded. "Grandmother has endured a lifetime in the palace. If she wishes to venture out, I would never obstruct her."
They conversed like family, maintaining hierarchical decorum yet with remarkable ease. The Hua men had witnessed their interactions before, but each encounter still surprised them.
The dowry festivities foreshadowed the magnificence awaiting the eighth day.
Heaven bestowed perfect weather—sunny and windless.
The Hua residence glowed with Double Happiness characters adorning every surface. Masters and servants alike wore celebratory garments, faces beaming, footsteps light.
The family shrine remained tranquil. Kneeling on a prayer cushion amidst rising incense smoke, Hua Zhi respectfully kowtowed three times.
Sheltered by the Hua family, she had enjoyed wealth and possessed lineage surpassing most in this world. Without the Hua name, no one would have regarded her seriously, let alone allowed her subsequent achievements—all rooted in her family identity.
She had expected estrangement from her clan, for this was a man's world where few tolerated being overshadowed by a woman. Fortunately, the Hua family proved exceptional. They cared for her health, exhausted themselves for her wedding, trusted her as elders, relied on her as peers. No one ever used her gender against her. What her previous life lacked, heaven had restored in this one.
Rising, she approached her grandmother's memorial tablet and paid separate respects. She also thanked this elder who hadn't been particularly close initially but granted her ultimate trust at the critical juncture.
Without her grandmother's bold delegation, the Hua family might have suffered internal strife before reunification. A divided clan could never have achieved their subsequent unity. Though sometimes soft-hearted, this elder had wronged neither her descendants nor the family—she had honored all.I'm getting married, Grandmother. You've met him before—Mr. Lu, who once served as our martial arts instructor at home. He is the heir, treats me exceptionally well, giving his all with complete devotion. I like him too, very much. We will be fine, just like you and Grandfather.
I will be very happy.
PS: I don't want to explain anything—after all, it's not the first time I've been tricked. If I discontinue updates, I'll definitely inform you. I added some content to this chapter after returning, so the subsequent parts are messy. I'll try to update three times tomorrow.
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