Тhе nеxt day wаs thе main evеnt, and Wanwаn drеssеd uр еаrly, weаring a plain apricоt-уellоw embrоidеrеd сross-соllаr jасket аnd a set of whitе jаde hеad ornamеnts inlaid with red сoral bеаds. Sitting bеfоrе thе mirrоr, she loоkеd up аt Liаngshi аnd said with sоme rеgrеt, "From now оn, I suрpоse I can’t wеar red anуmоrе, cаn I? It wouldn’t do to сlаsh with mу daughtеr-in-lаw."
Не usеd а fine-tооthed сomb tо smooth thе hair аt hеr tеmplеs аnd smilеd. "Тhere’s no suсh rule. You can weаr whatever сolor уou likе. It’s thе daughtеr-in-law who should avoid matching you, not the other way around. Don’t take this too seriously—it’s just a title, after all. You’re still young, not some elderly lady in her seventies or eighties."
She chuckled at his words. "Once I enter your Yuwen Clan, my seniority will inevitably rise. When the Junior Princess Consort has a child next year, I’ll become a grandmother."
So young, yet in the blink of an eye, she had lived through all the stages of life. Others advanced step by step, but her rise in status had come in just three to five years—too fast, truly catching her off guard.
Liangshi understood her feelings. For the Qi People, becoming grandparents in their twenties or thirties was commonplace, but for her, it was indeed too early. It was all because of the man she married—entering the household with a ready-made son. His first experiences were not with her, and this would forever be his regret.
He adjusted the hairpin atop her wig, then bent down, pressing his cheek to her ear. "No matter how high your seniority may be outside, our world is right here in this backyard. You may be someone else’s grandmother, but you’ll always be the treasure of my heart."
Her slightly shy smile reflected in the bronze mirror as she whispered, "Be careful someone might hear—how embarrassing!"
She was a princess. Apart from that fearless embrace before the Hall of Imperial Zenith, he had never seen her act so freely again. Loving and revering her was a tormenting feeling, always keeping him from truly drawing close. Others might spice up their intimate moments with risqué jokes, but not them. Words had to be weighed, had to match their status... His smile turned somewhat wistful. Standing behind her, as he gently caressed her powdered cheeks, he worried he might smudge her makeup.
"Have you relented on the matter of the three Secondary Consorts?"
She hummed in agreement. "The children also want them to stay. I can’t let my own happiness cause everyone else unhappiness."
His original intention was for her not to do this, but since she had already spoken, he couldn’t contradict her. After a moment’s thought, he said, "The house on Wuyi Lane is empty. Let them move there—it’s close by, so the children can visit easily."
But Wanwan said it wasn’t necessary. "It’s been a long time since I returned to Big Hat Lane. According to protocol, I should reside in the Eldest Princess Residence, and you should present your plaque to request an audience." She glanced at him. "Look at us—we’ve disrupted the proper order and started living an ordinary life."
Yes, it should have been husband and wife in bed, sovereign and subject out of bed. But she had fallen from the clouds into the Southern Garden Palace, becoming an ordinary young wife... It shouldn’t have been this way. And now, mingling with those concubines truly tarnished her dignity.
He nodded in agreement. "Once the wedding banquet is over, we’ll return to the Eldest Princess Residence. We’ll leave this place to them. Over there, no one will call you E’nie, and next year, no one will call you grandmother either."
He said "we," determined to follow her lead. Wanwan found him somewhat childish yet couldn’t help feeling delighted. She didn’t care about this Princely Mansion—in the end, all she cared about was him.She turned around, sitting while he half-knelt. She reached out to stroke his brow, "I want to take you away... wherever I go, I'll bring you along."
He took her hand and kissed her slender knuckles, "I am your devoted follower. Wherever you go, I will follow."
Wanwan was satisfied. Leaning in, she kissed his lips, leaving them stained red from her intense lip color. Seeing this, she laughed heartily and even took a rouge stick to apply more to his lips. He showed no resistance at all; instead, he tilted his head back, letting her do as she pleased.
Outside the window, autumn was at its peak, while inside, an unusual scene of "adorning lips" unfolded. The two, as flawless as jade, looked so harmonious together, as if it were only natural.
Tong Huan wore an extremely patient smile, "As you can see, they are quite occupied at the moment. It would be inconvenient for me to interrupt. Perhaps the Secondary Consort could wait a little longer? Or you could go ahead first, and we will attend to His Highness later."
Madam Tala was deeply embarrassed, her face flushed as she replied, "Ah, it seems I’ve come at an inconvenient time... I’ll follow your suggestion. I’ll go ahead first. Please tell His Highness there’s no need to hurry; it’s still early anyway."
She fled in disarray, her heart a whirl of mixed emotions. Ever since she had known the Prince, he had always been as cold and unyielding as iron. Even when Lan Zhou was born, she had never seen him smile. She had always believed that his marriage to the Princess Royal was merely to secure his position, and that the Princess Royal’s favor was solely due to her noble birth. But today, she realized there was no pretense in this marriage. She could hardly believe that a decisive and ruthless ruler like him would tilt his head back and let someone apply rouge to his lips. She felt both shame and indignation, despising him for failing to uphold the dignity of a husband, behaving like a courtesan. At the same time, she pitied herself—in front of others, he was a cat seeking affection, but in front of her, he was a demon who threatened violence at every turn.
Her face turned ashen, and even her maid noticed something amiss, cautiously asking what was wrong. Gritting her teeth, she sneered, "My son is about to get married, yet his father lets himself be adorned like a flower... utterly disgraceful for someone his age!"
The maid was taken aback, "My lady, you must restrain yourself."
Tucking her sleeves, she gazed into the distance and let out a long sigh, "What is there to restrain? Fourteen years have passed like this. I’m used to it by now."
She went to the side chamber to see Lan Zhou. Only her son could offer her some solace.
For the Qi People’s grand wedding, the auspicious attire consisted of a dark blue court robe and a red-tasseled velvet cap. Fully dressed, he stood before the carved window, the sea otter fur collar flaring like soaring eaves, framing a youth as radiant as the morning sun. She looked at him closely, swelling with pride, and stepped forward to adjust his collar, saying, "My good son, I’ve always longed for you to grow up, eagerly watching and waiting. Now, at last, this day has come. After today’s wedding, you’ll be a man. Act and speak with prudence, and make those around your Ama take notice. You know my hardships—your Ama has no regard for me. Since the Princess Royal entered the household, I’ve been sent far away, almost exiled to Ningguta... Now that I’ve returned, I won’t let them have their way anymore. I have a fine son and a fine daughter-in-law, and soon, grandchildren. As for her, unable to bear a son, she tries to steal someone else’s. She may look like a fairy, but she’s nothing but a scheming abacus—utterly disgusting!"Lan Zhou disliked hearing her speak of such matters the most; she always had an endless stream of grievances and complaints. The other two Secondary Consorts shared similar circumstances, yet not one of them was as petty and calculating as she was.
He furrowed his brow and said in a low voice, "Mother, be careful. With so many people around, if someone overhears, it could stir up trouble again. Now that the household is peaceful, let go of those gains and losses and live well. Your son’s bride is about to enter the family. Let her see your grace and set an example. What is there to compare between you and the Princess Royal? Even if you compare, it may not do any good. It’s better to relax and take care of yourself. You always pick on her, but I urge you to look at Aunt Zhou. She has a son, and so do you; she is not favored, and neither are you; she finds joy in her own small courtyard. If you could be like her, your heart would naturally be more at ease. Troubles are often self-inflicted—don’t blame others. I must also remind you: under Ama’s watchful eye, you must not do anything rash. If something goes wrong, even I won’t be able to save you."
Madam Tala was stunned by his words. "Is this what you say to your mother before your wedding? Sometimes I look at you and feel you’re not even half as good as Ting. Though Lanting is flawed, at least he knows to stand by his mother. And you? You haven’t even said a word of reluctance, let alone supported me."
He turned his face away. "I don’t know how to say pleasant things, but these words come from the heart. If you’re willing, listen to them."
Having been separated from her son for so many years, she had thought their reunion would be filled with maternal affection and filial piety. Who knew that the older he grew, the more stubborn his temper became, unable to bend even slightly? It truly disappointed her.
"Peaceful household?" she sneered. "If it’s so peaceful, why did your Ama beat you until your skin split open? It seems you’ve forgotten the pain once the wound healed. What great mistake could warrant such a beating? Wasn’t it all because of that person in the Tower of Profound Grace?"
Lan Zhou had no desire to bring this up again. Her words felt like a direct hit to his sore spot. He turned around abruptly and raised his voice, "Mother! I made a mistake, so what’s wrong with Ama disciplining me? That matter has nothing to do with the Princess Royal. Why must you drag her into it?"
Madam Tala blinked, her heart tightening at her son’s sudden outburst. After calming herself for a moment, she said, "Forget it. Today is your joyous day; let’s not talk about unhappy things. Go be a proper groom. I only wanted to share a few heartfelt words with you, but you responded with a cartload of harshness. What’s the point?"
She stared at him with a furrowed brow for a long while. A grown son no longer heeds his mother. She didn’t want to think of him as an ungrateful wretch who only sought higher branches and forgot his own mother, but the facts proved that sons could sometimes be unreliable. Or was it that Princess Hede was too skilled at winning people over, turning both her husband and son toward her?
Leaving his courtyard, she felt desolate. Passing through the side courtyard, she saw two figures approaching in the distance, which only sharpened the pain in her eyes. Although the Prince had never truly been devoted to her, at least she had a son. Only someone as carefree as Madam Zhou could live as if nothing mattered.
As the sun rose higher, guests began arriving at the front. Liangshi was busy greeting them, while Wanwan entered the Silver Peace Hall to first offer her congratulations to the Imperial Concubine.The Imperial Concubine wore a golden-brown round-flowered vest today, with rouge applied to her cheeks for the first time in ages. Seeing Wanwan bow, she stood up and clasped her hands in return, saying, "Congratulations to you as well. Back when the Grand Prince was alive, he often let Lan Zhou ride on his shoulders. That boy couldn't hold his bladder when he was little and would often wet his grandfather's neck. The Grand Prince doted on him so much that even when his robe was soaked through, he'd still be delighted, saying it looked like a map of Great Ye and that this child would surely grow up to be a great warrior..."
No matter how old one gets, reminiscing about the most important person in one's life still brings an uncontrollable sadness. However, remembering that today was a joyous occasion and not wanting to dampen the mood, she quickly put on a smile again. Clapping her hands, she added, "In the blink of an eye, the boy has grown up and reached the age to take a wife. If the Grand Prince knew in the afterlife, he'd surely be overjoyed too."
All the womenfolk chimed in with heaps of auspicious words, so many that they became cloying. Yet, amid the sea of finery, Wanwan sensed the Imperial Concubine's sorrow—how difficult it was for a woman, first raising her son, then her grandson. By the time her grandson married, her own youth had long faded, her beloved might have already been reborn, and she was left alone, enduring until her hair turned white and her skin wrinkled, a truly desolate existence.
Seeing others' loneliness made her reflect on her own life, grateful that Liangshi was by her side and that she did not live in solitude.
Southern customs differed from those in the north. In the north, the bride typically entered the household after dark, performed the rituals of bowing to heaven and earth and meeting the elders, and then proceeded to the bridal chamber. In the south, however, the couple's birthdates and times were matched, and if necessary, an early wedding could be arranged. An early wedding meant the bridal sedan chair arrived in the morning, and after a series of rituals, the bride would sit in the bridal chamber, a custom known as "sitting in the tent," where she remained until the groom returned at night. The rules for sitting in the tent also differed between the Xianbei People and the Qi People. The Xianbei People allowed the bride to move about freely the next day, while the Qi People were strict—the bride had to sit for three full days without leaving the room, a practice called "taming the temper," akin to taming a hawk, aimed at making her submissive.
After matching Lan Zhou's birthdate with that of the Jin family girl, an early wedding was deemed most auspicious. Thus, Lan Zhou dressed early and prepared to fetch his bride from her family's home.
With a red silk flower draped diagonally across his chest, he knelt and kowtowed to the Imperial Concubine, saying, "Grandson is off to fetch your granddaughter-in-law." Then he turned and kowtowed to Liangshi and Wanwan, saying, "Son is off to fetch your daughter-in-law." When it came to Madam Tala, as she no longer held her former status, he merely bowed like he did to the other two Secondary Consorts, without a word, before turning and leaving.
The Jin family lived not far from the Princely Mansion, within the same city, so the journey was brief. The groom's arrival at the bride's home involved some rituals, but they wouldn't take too long. Everyone eagerly awaited his return, along with the new addition to the family.
Adding a new member to the household was a joyous occasion, and Wanwan shared in the general merriment. However, a distant relative from some family quietly pulled her aside and whispered, "Too many joyous events can clash. If you haven't conceived yet, and the eldest son gets married, his wedding might overshadow your pregnancy prospects, which would be unfavorable for you."Wanwan was hearing this notion for the first time—there was a specific term for it, called "borrowing mourning but not borrowing joy." Since the Eldest Princess Residence and the Princely Mansion were considered two separate households, if the other side held a funeral, it could dispel her misfortune along with it; if the other side held a celebration, the joy from her own fate would be taken first, making her future difficult.
Wanwan looked alarmed by the explanation, fearing the new bride might conceive the very next day, which strengthened her resolve to return to Big Hat Lane. She hadn’t believed in such things before, but her longing for a child had become almost obsessive, making her willing to believe it now.
Imperial kinsmen did not celebrate weddings with gongs and drums; instead, gatekeepers waited outside. From afar, they saw a winding procession appear at the mouth of the lane and ran to the corridor, shouting loudly, "They’re here! The young master is bringing the new mistress back to the mansion!"
The Goshiha lit firecrackers at the base of the wall opposite the main gate. With a loud bang, they shot into the sky, shaking half of Nanjing.
Wanwan and Liangshi sat side by side on the thrones at the head of the Silver Peace Hall. Lan Zhou led the bride through the door, his eyes darting quickly toward her before lowering again. The shamaness began chanting wedding songs, the words unclear and muffled. The master of ceremonies was Cui Guixiang, who served the Imperial Concubine. With a clear, resonant voice, he sang out, "The auspicious hour has arrived…" On a parasol tree in the southeast corner, a flock of birds of unknown origin suddenly took flight, heading south. The leader had colorful feathers and a long, trailing tail. Everyone watched, even Wanwan saw it. Some said it was a phoenix, others a peacock—who could say for sure?
The Southern Garden Palace had produced an auspicious sign, and the matter soon spread far and wide. If it were a peacock, it would be fine, but if it were a phoenix, suspicions might arise again. Wanwan hurriedly wrote a letter to send to the capital, slipping this incident among a pile of trivial daily matters. She mentioned that she had lost a parrot from the South Seas and found it in the parasol tree on the day of the Eldest Prince’s wedding… It was better to explain it herself than to let others relay the story.
Maintaining peace was not easy, and she had exhausted her efforts. After the bride returned to her parents’ home three days later, Wanwan waited until after the Mid-Autumn Festival and then led her entourage back to the Eldest Princess Residence.
After four years apart, the carved beams and painted rafters felt somewhat unfamiliar. Fortunately, upon entering, she saw familiar faces again—Jinshi and his subordinates from the Silk-clad Guard were all there. They had been assigned here and would not leave easily. If she did not return, they would guard this household, so no matter how long she was away, this place always retained its vitality.
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