Youthful Glory

The matter of an auspicious date stumped Ming Tingyuan as well; he was equally clueless and had received no information whatsoever.

In truth, after Emperor Chengkang bestowed the marriage decree, the Ministry of Rites had been bustling with preparations for the wedding between Prince Dingbei's residence and the Marquis Jing'an's household.

Imperial weddings were inherently complex affairs. If those in higher positions didn’t prioritize it, cutting corners to expedite the process wouldn’t be an issue. But with explicit orders from above to proceed with the highest ceremonial standards befitting a prince—even allowing for slight excesses—the details to consider multiplied endlessly.

The Imperial Astronomers proposed auspicious dates, but the old officials at the Ministry of Rites debated endlessly, either finding the dates insufficiently propitious or the timeline too rushed to complete all the necessary rituals before the wedding.

Some took an even longer view, considering the ongoing power transition in the northwestern border regions. If unrest broke out, would Prince Dingbei be dispatched to quell it? And if so, should the wedding be hastened before his departure, or should they wait until his return to welcome the bride?

With so many considerations at play, the Imperial Astronomers had no choice but to revise the dates, while the Ministry of Rites scoured ancestral precedents to meticulously fulfill the emperor’s decree for the highest ceremonial standards.

Though a specific date hadn’t been finalized, the Ministry of Rites estimated that completing all the betrothal rituals would take until next year at the earliest.

Upon hearing this, Ming Tan couldn’t help but feel the wedding was far too distant!

For Ming Tan, the wedding date indeed seemed a long way off.

But for Ming Chu and Shen Hua, it was already a pressing matter.

Among noble families, it wasn’t uncommon for young women to remain unmarried for a year or two after their coming-of-age ceremonies. However, most would have already identified suitable matches by then.

Both Ming Chu and Shen Hua had long passed the age for marriage discussions—one had been in the borderlands with no prospects, while the other had delayed choosing a husband, banking on the reputation of the marquis’s household and her brother’s rising career.

Now, with Ming Tan—the younger sister—betrothed, their own marriages, which should have been prioritized earlier, suddenly became urgent.

Madam Pei had always cared deeply about appearances. Regardless of her true feelings, she made a show of being thoroughly invested in their marital prospects.

She took them out daily to attend flower-viewing parties, tea gatherings, and elders’ birthday banquets, effectively surveying every eligible family in the capital of suitable status and age.

Shen Hua was highly sought after among these families. Though her background was modest, she was a legitimate daughter with striking looks, impeccable manners, and a promising elder brother whose career was on the rise. Recently, numerous suitors had come forward.

As for Ming Chu, she wore a sour expression at every outing. Merely a concubine’s daughter, her demeanor paled in comparison to Shen Hua’s, leaving little to commend.

Still, she was a legitimate daughter of the Marquis Jing’an’s household, with the added advantage of having accompanied her father to the borderlands and earning his favor. Coupled with her striking beauty, many families sought her hand, hoping to align themselves with the marquis’s influence.

Yet Ming Chu’s pride was lofty, and she found fault with every suitor who came forward.

“The second son of the Earl of Rongping’s second branch seems acceptable,” Consort Liu gently suggested. “He’s the only heir in his branch, meaning he’ll inherit its responsibilities. Moreover, he recently earned modest honors in the imperial exams without relying on ancestral privilege, suggesting some talent.”

“Acceptable? The Earl of Rongping’s household is nothing but a fading title! The main branch holds the earldom—once the old earl passes, the second branch won’t have any claim to it. What responsibilities could he possibly inherit? And scraping into the second tier after two attempts at the exams hardly counts as talent!”"Do you think the Rongping Earl's household is beneath you?" Consort Liu pondered for a moment before continuing, "What about the sixth young master of the Fengchun Marquis' family? He—"

"A mere concubine-born son! Marrying him would make me no better than a concubine's daughter myself! What kind of families are these? How dare they presume!"

Consort Liu fell silent.

She set down the name cards in her hand and remained quiet for a long while before speaking calmly: "Chu'er, if you insist on comparing yourself to Ming Tan, you'll never measure up. Whether it's Prince Dingbei's household personally bestowed by His Majesty or the Ling Duke's residence she rejected—neither are matches ordinary young ladies could aspire to."

"I know that! But it's only because she's the legitimate daughter while I'm the concubine-born one! In what way am I inferior to her?" Ming Chu understood the reality but couldn't quell her resentment, her tone brimming with indignation.

She still reveled in the glorious memories of being the treasured daughter of the Provincial Commander during their posting in Yangxi Road.

Though Shen Hua's words at the Ping Duke's residence that day had somewhat shaken her complacency, leading to slightly more restrained behavior recently, deeply ingrained thoughts couldn't be changed overnight.

Consort Liu remained silent at her words.

After a long pause, she finally said, "You're certainly not inferior to Ming Tan. Ultimately, it's all your mother's fault." Her voice darkened with self-reproach, "My status is why you can't marry into prestigious families like Ming Tan—not even matching the prospects of a distant cousin."

"Mother!" Ming Chu cried urgently, "That's not what I meant! I'm not blaming you!"

Consort Liu kept her eyes downcast, saying nothing.

"That Ming Tan wretch is one thing, but how could I possibly be inferior to that Shen Hua creature? What nonsense are you speaking, Mother!" Ming Chu had never regarded Shen Hua as worthy competition and couldn't comprehend why her mother would suggest otherwise.

Consort Liu said softly, "Did you know the second son of the Li family—the Supervisor of the Imperial Academy—has proposed marriage to the young lady of Lotus Breeze Courtyard?"

Ming Chu frowned, "The Li Supervisor?"

"Though the Supervisor position is only sixth-rank, assisting the Chancellor, the Li family is one of refined nobility. Their eldest son married into the Zhou family—the very same Academician Zhou whose daughter is Ming Tan's close friend."

"Our dynasty's Academicians have always been future ministerial candidates. With such connections, and considering the current Imperial Academy Chancellor is elderly and soon to retire, Supervisor Li's promotion is practically assured."

"Moreover, the second son himself is diligent in studies, refined and scholarly—a young man of excellent character. The Lotus Breeze lady seems quite pleased with this match. Madam will soon arrange for them to meet."

Admittedly, this sounded like a respectable match—far superior to the hollow-titled households of Rongping Earl or Fengchun Marquis.

But why would such a family propose to that Shen Hua wretch? She merely excelled at playing the delicate, well-mannered role to curry favor with elders!

Ever since their enmity began upon returning to the capital, Ming Chu had repeatedly encountered Shen Hua's subtle rebuffs in the household. Now hearing of Shen Hua's satisfaction only strengthened her resolve to thwart this marriage.

Consort Liu added, "If you could secure a match like the Li family, your mother's heart would be at peace."

With Ming Tan's engagement to Prince Dingbei's household as precedent, Ming Chu didn't particularly value a sixth-rank official's family, though she considered herself more than qualified for such a match. Most importantly, she couldn't allow Shen Hua's marital prospects to proceed so smoothly.Recalling that Madam Pei had indeed mentioned over the past two days that if any of the suitors' families seemed suitable, arrangements could be made for the two girls to meet them, Ming Chu suddenly had an idea, though it was unclear what exactly had sparked it.

Seeing Ming Chu dismissively reply, "Mother, there's no need to worry," before hurriedly walking out of the courtyard, Consort Liu paused for a moment, then leisurely picked up her teacup and took a sip.

The maidservant standing nearby sighed softly and said gently, "You've put so much thought into arranging a marriage for the Third Young Lady."

"If I don't plan for her, who else truly will?" Consort Liu replied indifferently, skimming the tea foam as she glanced toward the distant moon gate.

In truth, she had already inquired about those families like the Earl of Rongping and the Marquis of Fengchun—they were all just for show. Ming Chu wouldn’t be interested, and neither was she.

But Ming Chu, having been spoiled and pampered by her since childhood, had grown overly ambitious, constantly comparing herself to Ming Tan. There was no second Prince Dingbei’s household in the Great Xian Dynasty, and even if there were, such a family would never take her as a wife.

She needed to make Ming Chu face this reality—only then could she willingly strive for the best marriage within her reach.

The Li family, which Shen Hua favored, seemed quite promising to her. Their future prospects were good, and the family members were gentle and accommodating, likely able to tolerate Ming Chu’s spoiled temperament. As for how to secure this match, she had a few ideas, but the most crucial point was that Ming Chu had to be willing herself.

If she didn’t provoke her today, how else would Ming Chu agree?—

With the arrival of summer, the sun grew increasingly scorching. Early in the morning, the various courtyards of Marquis Jing'an’s residence bustled with activity as preparations were made for the outing.

Today, Madam Pei intended to take the three young ladies of the household to Daxiangguo Temple to offer incense. Ostensibly, it was for worship, but secretly, it was to arrange meetings for Ming Chu and Shen Hua with potential suitors.

Originally, Madam Pei had only arranged for Shen Hua to meet the second son of the Li family. Unexpectedly, Ming Chu had suddenly come forward, saying she found the sixth son of the Marquis of Fengchun’s family quite suitable and suggested arranging a meeting for her as well. Madam Pei thought it a good idea and extended the invitation accordingly.

Ming Tan had initially been reluctant to go. They could meet their suitors—what did it have to do with her? She was already betrothed; why join the fuss?

But who could have guessed that last night, just before bed, Shen Hua suddenly sent a maid with a message: her brother, before leaving for night duty at the capital camp, had inadvertently mentioned that Prince Dingbei would visit Daxiangguo Temple the next day.

At this news, Ming Tan perked up immediately, sitting up in bed. She promptly sent someone to inform Madam Pei that she would also go to the temple the following day to offer incense. She even dispatched messengers overnight to the Changguo Duke’s residence and the Zhou family, inviting Bai Minmin and Zhou Jingwan to join her. After all this, she returned to her dressing table, carefully applied jade dew, and spent nearly an hour selecting her outfit and jewelry.

By the next morning, before their departure, Ming Chu eyed her suspiciously, thinking: Could it be that this wretch Ming Tan couldn’t bear to see her and Shen Hua happy, deliberately dressing up to ensure the attention of the families’ madams and young masters fell solely on her? For someone already betrothed to act so ostentatiously—utterly shameless!—

Unlike the secluded and tranquil Lingmiao Temple, Daxiangguo Temple was vast and bustling, with incense smoke curling ceaselessly and devotees streaming in daily. Thus, it was entirely ordinary for noblewomen from the capital to encounter each other here.

Sure enough, outside the temple, the Marquis Jing'an’s party crossed paths with Bai Minmin and Zhou Jingwan.

Ming Tan was close to these two, and since today’s affairs didn’t concern her, it was only natural for her to accompany them.As they walked together towards the temple, Ming Tan quietly asked Zhou Jingwan at the fork where they parted ways with Madam Pei, "Wanwan, did you bring the qin?"

"How could I dare disobey the young miss's orders?" Zhou Jingwan teased softly before signaling to her maid behind her.

The maid curtsied and hurried to fetch the qin from the carriage outside.

Ming Tan was exceptionally skilled at playing the qin and owned several fine instruments, but it was inconvenient to bring one today. Thus, she had asked Zhou Jingwan to bring one when sending her message the previous night.

The three of them made their way to the resting area in the temple's rear mountains.

Unless there was urgent business, families of status would typically stay for the midday vegetarian meal after offering incense at the Great Xiangguo Temple, resting awhile and enjoying the scenery in the rear mountains. Though Ming Tan didn't know what important matter had brought her future husband to the temple or when he might arrive, she guessed he would likely appear in the rear mountains. If fate allowed, they might even cross paths.

Finding a flower pavilion, the three drank some light tea and chatted for a while.

When the maid brought the qin, Ming Tan lit incense and played a piece with her delicate hands.

Zhou Jingwan, being a refined person with considerable insight into qin music, smiled meaningfully after listening. "A Tan's skills have improved even more. Today's piece was clearly prepared with intent."

Bai Minmin had little expertise in this area, but the piece Ming Tan played wasn't particularly obscure—she had heard it at least ten times before and was quite familiar with it.

After hearing Zhou Jingwan's praise, she felt somewhat puzzled. Was that really the case?

Initially, she hadn't planned to speak up, not wanting to risk being laughed at for saying something wrong. But she couldn't hold back and, after hesitating, finally asked, "Why did it sound to me like there was a wrong note in the last section?"

Ming Tan rested her chin on her hand and motioned for Bai Minmin to come closer. Then, with a mysterious air, she said word by word, "What do you know? This is called: 'A wrong note makes the Jianglang look!'"

Shu Jingran and Zhang Huaiyu, who had been listening nearby, suddenly understood. Even Lu Ting, who had been dozing off, became more alert upon hearing this. And as for the "Jianglang" mentioned—true to the saying—he indeed turned to look.