Chapter 363: Prince Zhuang's Grand Wedding
Teahouses and taverns throughout the capital were abuzz with discussions about the Crown Prince's deposition.
"Although the Crown Prince lacked outstanding talent, he was the eldest legitimate son. I truly cannot understand why he would voluntarily request to be deposed."
"After the Empress's death, the Crown Prince suffered a great blow. With two pregnant low-ranking imperial concubines also dying one after another, he probably didn't want to see more people lose their lives due to imperial power struggles."
"The Crown Prince was still too naive. His status destined him to be entangled in these affairs. Once the new emperor ascends the throne, he would undoubtedly be the first target."
"Ah, who do you think the Emperor will appoint as the new Crown Prince?"
"There are only a few princes left. The only outstanding one remaining is the third prince, Prince Pingxi."
"Prince Pingxi is brave and skilled in battle, having eliminated all the formidable bandits in our Great Jin. But can a military man become the Crown Prince?"
"Look at what you're saying. Wasn't the founding emperor of our Great Jin dynasty a military man? Why couldn't it work?"
"..."
After the Crown Prince's deposition, both among the common people and at court, the topic of the new Crown Prince became intensely debated. Every court session saw memorials submitted regarding the appointment of a new Crown Prince.
However, the Emperor remained noncommittal.
Moreover, the Emperor's illness seemed to be worsening. Each court session was shortened to just half an hour, leaving many officials having to hold back their memorials.
Time passed quickly until Prince Zhuang Chu Rui's grand wedding day.
Since saving the Emperor during the birthday banquet, Chu Rui had been reinstated as a prince and granted a mansion—the former residence of the Anjing Prince.
After renovations and modifications, the mansion lost its previous extravagance, becoming quiet and elegant instead.
Red lanterns hung everywhere, with large double happiness characters adorning walls, doors, and windows. The venue was filled with guests, creating a exceptionally lively atmosphere.
As Chu Rui had no parents, the Emperor ordered Consort Yun to act as the elder and sit in the place of honor to receive the kneeling bows from the newlyweds.
"First bow to heaven and earth!"
"Second bow to parents!"
"Bow to each other as husband and wife! Escort to the bridal chamber!"
Amid the old eunuch's loud announcements, the wedding ceremony concluded. The bride was escorted to the bridal chamber while the groom Chu Rui remained to host the banquet.
Chu Rui was the orphaned son of the former Crown Prince. Previously implicated when the Empress Dowager rebelled, he had now been rewarded for his merits, married the maternal granddaughter of the Emperor's uncle, and become somewhat favored by the Emperor. Consequently, many court officials attended his wedding banquet to offer congratulations.
"Congratulations, Prince Zhuang!"
"Wishing Prince Zhuang and the Princess Consort a happy union until old age!"
"May Prince Zhuang soon be blessed with a son!"
Chu Rui raised his wine cup, smiling as he toasted with the guests. Due to his poor health, his cup contained clear tea, which everyone understood.
Chu Yi clinked cups with Chu Rui and said softly, "Congratulations."
Chu Rui maintained a humble smile. "Thank you."
Meanwhile, Yun Chu joined a group of women heading to the bridal chamber to see the bride.
The bride came from the Su family of Anding. The Su family head was the current Emperor's maternal uncle. Although merely a merchant, his status was unusual.
Therefore, even though the Princess Consort Zhuang was a merchant's daughter, the noblewomen of the capital dared not look down on her.
"Princess Consort Zhuang's wedding dress is truly beautiful."
"As the Princess Consort is from Anding, she might not be accustomed to the capital's cuisine. I happen to have an Anding chef in my residence. Please feel free to let me know if you need anything."
"Since the Princess Consort is new here, you must join our flower-viewing parties and tea gatherings to make new acquaintances."
Everyone was very enthusiastic, and the bride Su Ziyue nodded with a shy expression.
Yun Chu also offered a few celebratory words.When the time was almost up, the women left together, unable to resist gossiping as they exited the bridal chamber.
"The Princess Consort Zhuang is so young, at least ten years younger than the Prince, isn’t she?"
"She still looks like a child, completely naive. How will she survive in the imperial family?"
"With the Emperor protecting her, no one would dare bully her. Besides, she’s the Emperor’s spy placed by Prince Zhuang’s side—the Prince wouldn’t dare treat her coldly."
"How dare you say such things? Shh!"
"…"
The crowd continued their discussion as they walked away.
As dusk gradually fell and the guests dispersed, Prince Zhuang arrived at the door of the bridal chamber.
Su Ziyue, seated by the bed, instantly grew nervous. She picked up a fan, using it to cover half of her face.
When Chu Rui entered the bridal chamber, her heart began to race uncontrollably.
When the Emperor first issued the decree for her to marry Prince Zhuang, she had resisted. With so many daughters in the Su family, why did it have to be her? She had wept for a long time at home.
But for the sake of the family’s reputation, she had to pull herself together and agree to let the Su family escort her to the capital for the marriage.
Just as she arrived at the city gates, she caught a glimpse of her future husband, Prince Zhuang, Chu Rui.
She had only known that he was nearly thirty, but she never expected that a man just a few years younger than her father could possess such extraordinary grace.
His face was pale, as if he had been ill for years, yet it gave him an ethereal elegance that made it impossible for her to forget him after just one glance.
From the moment she arrived in the capital, he had personally arranged everything for her—food, clothing, lodging, and transportation. Despite his frail health, he had even taken her around the city himself to help her acclimate sooner.
"You must be starving," Chu Rui said as he walked in, holding a bowl of plain noodles.
"If you’re too hungry, it’s best to eat something light. Go ahead."
His voice was gentle.
Su Ziyue felt a warmth in her chest and replied shyly, "I—I’m not hungry."
A maid standing nearby bowed her head and said, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, it is time to drink the nuptial wine."
Chu Rui set down the noodles and completed the wedding rituals with Su Ziyue. Only then did the maids withdraw, closing the door behind them.
The red candles flickered, illuminating the enchanting wedding night.
Late into the night, moonlight streamed in through the window. Chu Rui held the young woman in his arms and whispered softly, "I’ve been alone for half my life, thinking I would remain solitary forever. How fortunate I am to have met you."
Su Ziyue felt as if fireworks were exploding in her mind. She, too, felt deeply content and replied tenderly, "I am also very grateful to have married you, Your Highness."
"Our marriage was strongly promoted by the Emperor," Chu Rui said, his eyes darkening. "Now that His Majesty is ill and can barely attend court, would you be willing to enter the palace and attend to him?"
Su Ziyue was taken aback. "Me?"
Her father was the legitimate son of the Emperor’s maternal uncle. Despite such a close relationship, her father had never even met the Emperor.
Her own connection to the Emperor was even more distant. Why would he want her to attend to him?
"Since His Majesty grew older, he has often spoken of the Su family," Chu Rui explained. "Only one member of the Su family passed the imperial examinations and became an official, but he is not from the main lineage. You, however, are the legitimate daughter of the Su family. Seeing you will likely remind His Majesty of Consort Su from years past. Perhaps his illness will improve more quickly. What do you think?"
Su Ziyue nodded. "Tomorrow morning, when I go to pay my respects, I will ask His Majesty. If he agrees, I will stay and attend to him."
Before dawn, Su Ziyue was awakened by her matron. She put on the formal attire of the Princess Consort and placed the heavy ceremonial crown on her head.
She was too young to carry the weight of such solemn garments, looking like a child dressed in an adult’s clothes.When the two arrived at the palace gate by carriage, the sky had just begun to brighten.
They proceeded on foot until they reached the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Gao Gonggong sighed and said, "His Majesty coughed all night and won't be able to hold court today. Prince Zhuang, it would be best to just pay your respects outside and not disturb His Majesty's rest."
Chu Rui nodded and said, "Imperial Uncle, Ruier has come with the Princess Consort to pay our respects."
Su Ziyue followed with, "Ziyue pays homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy good health and long life."
After they had paid their respects, a voice came from within the hall: "Come in."
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