Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 280 The Emperor Finally Bestows the Marriage

Warm sunlight shone in the courtyard.

The snow on the roof had melted, and snowdrops dripped steadily.

The weather was still cold. Yun Chu sat in the Warm Pavilion reviewing account books, occasionally looking up to watch the two children chasing each other in the yard.

"Young Lady, an imperial edict has arrived from the palace!"

Ting Feng rushed in breathlessly from the front courtyard.

From the other side of the gateway, Cheng Zongguan came running over and said: "Lady Yun, the palace has sent an edict for His Highness the Prince. This old servant will take the two young masters to the front courtyard to receive the decree."

Yun Chu had already guessed what the edict would be about.

She quickly changed into appropriate clothing and followed the maids to the front courtyard.

The one sent to proclaim the edict was Gao Gonggong from the Emperor's side.

"Young Lady Yun, please receive the decree."

Yun Chu knelt in the front courtyard.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It is heard that Yun Chu, daughter of the Pillar of the Nation Great General and Grand Commandant, is serene in appearance and gentle in demeanor, never negligent in observance, virtuous and benevolent, a match made in heaven with Prince Pingxi. To fulfill this heaven-sent marriage, Yun family's daughter Yun Chu is hereby enfeoffed as Princess Consort of the Pacifying West. The new Grand Astrologer has calculated that the twenty-eighth day of the second month is an auspicious date. The wedding shall be held on this auspicious day of the twenty-eighth of the second month. So ordered!"

"Your humble subject receives the decree!"

Yun Chu raised both hands above her head to receive the imperial edict.

On the other side of the wall, Chu Yi was also receiving the edict.

The one sent to proclaim his edict was Lord Qiu, the Minister of Rites. Lord Qiu's eyebrows were so furrowed they could almost crush a fly: "It's only mid-first month now, but the wedding is scheduled for late second month - barely a month's time. This is truly too rushed! If the Ministry of Rites overlooks anything or fails to be thorough in any aspect, I beg Your Highness's forgiveness!"

Chu Yi thought it was still too slow.

If there had been any auspicious dates in the first month, he would have wanted to marry Yun Chu home tomorrow.

Each passing day was unbearable.

He inquired: "May I ask Lord Qiu, after the marriage bestowal, what should I do next?"

Lord Qiu stroked his beard and said: "When a son of the imperial family marries, that becomes the Ministry of Rites' affair. All matters will be handled by the Ministry of Rites. Your Highness only needs to settle your official duties in advance and go to the Yun family to fetch the bride on that day."

Chu Yi rephrased his question: "When nobility in the capital marries a noble lady, what is the general procedure?"

"That would require at least the three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts." Lord Qiu explained systematically, "Three matchmakers need to be invited - one from the groom's side, one from the bride's side, and one responsible for making connections. The six betrothal gifts refer to: Na Cai (proposal), Wen Ming (asking names), Na Ji (determining auspiciousness), Na Zheng (presenting betrothal gifts), Qing Qi (requesting date), and Qin Ying (fetching the bride). Each procedure follows rules passed down since ancient times... By the way, why does Your Highness ask about this?"

When members of the imperial family marry, a single imperial edict bestowing the marriage suffices - the three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts are completely unnecessary.

Chu Yi had someone bring out writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, placing them on the table: "Then please have Lord Qiu write down all these procedures clearly."

Lord Qiu was somewhat incredulous.

Could it be that Prince Pingxi intended to marry Lady Yun with the ceremony of three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts?

Chu Yi was indeed planning exactly that.

Holding the procedures written by Lord Qiu, he ordered his attendant Cheng Zongguan: "Immediately invite the best matchmakers in the entire capital."

Before the Yun family could even react, the matchmakers invited by Chu Yi were already at their door. The matchmakers' first visit was essentially to inquire about the bride's family's intentions. With the imperial edict already issued, what intentions could there possibly be? It was merely going through the motions, expressing the groom's seriousness and respect.The next day, the matchmaker visited again, proceeding to the second step: name inquiry, obtaining Yun Chu's birth characters, followed by betrothal divination—that is, requesting the newly appointed Grand Astrologer to recheck the eight characters' compatibility before the ancestral tablets of the imperial family.

Generally, the eight characters of both parties were to be enshrined in the ancestral hall for three days. If nothing untoward occurred during this period, it was considered highly auspicious.

After these three days passed, it was time for the betrothal gifts, commonly known as the engagement.

To facilitate the wedding preparations, Yun Chu was ordered by Lin Shi to move back to the Yun residence, as in Lin Shi's view, her living there was no different from cohabiting with Chu Yi.

Since ancient times, there had been a rule that the bride and groom should not meet before the wedding.

After Yun Chu moved back to the Yun family, she had not seen Chu Yi for four or five days, being required by Lin Shi to sit indoors daily with embroiderers to work on her wedding dress.

Lacking the patience for embroidery, she instead sent someone to the south. Her father had stockpiled some grain when he went south, which could now be used to aid disaster-stricken commoners... However, with the Yun family currently in the spotlight, it was unsuitable to donate grain alone. Instead, they would contribute their share through the Ministry of Revenue alongside other officials.

Soon came the engagement day, when the groom's family presents the betrothal gifts.

Prince Pingxi arrived at the entrance of the Yun residence with several hundred guards.

The front of the procession had already arrived while the last person was still at the eastern street corner. The magnificent crimson procession occupied the entire street, astonishing all who saw it.

"Heavens, how many betrothal gifts are there?"

"Didn't Prince Pingxi refuse to marry? Why does he seem so eager now?"

"Don't you know? The new Grand Astrologer said Prince Pingxi and Miss Yun are a match made in heaven. If he doesn't marry Miss Yun, he'll remain alone for life."

"Moreover, the Yun family is now extraordinary—Pillar of the Nation Great General and Grand Commandant. These two official positions are immensely powerful, and General Yun is still young, likely to hold office for at least twenty or thirty more years. That means the Yun family will remain prominent for over thirty years. Prince Pingxi marrying a Yun daughter is no loss."

"But the eldest Miss Yun was married before. For a prince to marry a twice-married woman is somewhat shameful."

"Look at these betrothal gifts—do you still think it's shameful?"

"Exactly. This spectacle surpasses even the Crown Princess's wedding back then. I wonder how large the dowry will be..."

The endless stream of betrothal gifts carried into the Yun residence drew envious sighs from all.

Lin Shi was also stunned.

These items were likely worth seventy to eighty thousand taels of silver—unmatched by any other family in the entire capital.

One's sincerity cannot be discerned by eyes alone but can be felt through actions.

Lin Shi became truly convinced of Prince Pingxi's determination to marry her daughter.

Chu Yi, who hadn't seen Yun Chu for many days, coughed lightly and said, "Madam Yun, might I see Miss Yun? I have additional betrothal gifts for her."

Lin Shi found herself unable to refuse and had the steward summon Yun Chu.

Seeing the courtyard filled with over one hundred red-lacquered chests, Yun Chu pinched the bridge of her nose. They had agreed to keep a low profile—how could this man be so ostentatious?

Chu Yi approached her and said quietly, "All of the capital says I'm marrying you due to various pressures. I want to show them that's not true."

Now that the marriage was settled, he no longer needed to conceal his feelings.

He wanted her to become the most envied woman in the entire capital.She wanted people to know that even as a woman marrying for the second time, she was worthy of the most sincere heart in this world.

Chu Yi took a small box from the steward and handed it over: "This contains all my deeds for farmlands, properties, shops, as well as bank deposit receipts, and also the tokens for mobilizing the manor soldiers and shadow guards. These are all my betrothal gifts. Chu'er, please keep them safe."

Yun Chu was stunned.

It was common practice for a husband to entrust his wife with managing farmlands, properties, and shops.

But the manor soldiers and shadow guards were a prince's greatest assets—how could he just hand them over to her?

Wasn't he afraid...

"Chu'er, you are worth it."

A warmth spread through Yun Chu's chest.

Steadying her emotions, she looked up and said, "With the recent earthquake in the south, such a lavish betrothal will surely draw censure from the Censorate. You..."

"Don’t worry." Chu Yi held her hand. "Before proposing, I already donated ten thousand taels of silver to the southern relief efforts."

"Cough, cough, cough!" Yun Silin had rushed back immediately upon hearing that Prince Pingxi had come to propose, only to find Chu Yi holding his daughter’s hand. He promptly stepped between them, pushing Chu Yi aside. "You’re not even married yet—no need to be so clingy..."