Chapter 109 Even the Emperor is eager to get married! ...
Lin Yan, carrying Xiao Che's dowry list, returned to the Lin residence with somewhat unsteady steps.
He kept replaying in his mind the matter-of-fact expression on Xiao Che's face when he said, "This is my dowry list," and the impact of the words, "I only ask to enjoy more physical intimacy with you," and his cheeks were burning.
Upon entering the mansion, he went straight to find his parents.
Lin Chengji and Wen Yun were talking in the flower hall when they saw their son return. Their expressions were hard to describe, and they couldn't help but stop talking.
Why am I feeling excited, embarrassed, and confused all at the same time?
"Father, Mother." Lin Yan walked up to them and handed them the rolled-up silk. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Wen Yun took the silk and unfolded it with some doubt. Lin Chengji also came over to take a look.
Upon seeing this, the couple gasped in shock.
The list was astonishingly long, listing various industries, treasures, gold and silver, the quantity and value of which far exceeded their imagination.
This is beyond generous; it's like bringing in several mountains of gold and silver.
"What is this?" Lin Chengji pointed at the list, his hand trembling slightly. "Yan'er, what is this? Where did you get it?"
Lin Yan touched his nose, trying to make his tone sound calm: "It was given by His Majesty."
Wen Yun looked up abruptly, her voice changing tone: "Why did His Majesty give you this?"
Lin Yan forced a smile and said, "He said this is his...dowry. He wants to marry me and hold the wedding at Dan Garden. He wants his family and a few friends who know the situation to be witnesses."
The flower hall fell into a deathly silence.
Lin Chengji and Wen Yun looked at each other, both seeing a great sense of absurdity and a numb "I knew it" in each other's eyes.
After a long while, Wen Yun finally managed to find her voice. Pointing to the list, her voice was filled with helplessness: "His Majesty really is... really..."
Wen Yun spent a long time trying to find the right words to describe Xiao Che's behavior.
I've never seen an emperor like this before. What emperor would prepare his own dowry and eagerly "marry" into the family of his subject? Who would believe that?
Lin Chengji rubbed his forehead, trying to process the information, and finally sighed, "Since His Majesty has this intention, what can we say?"
Even the emperor is eager to get married.
Lin Chengji looked at Wen Yun with a complicated expression: "Madam, now that His Majesty is getting married to Yan'er, we should also show some attitude and make proper arrangements."
When a daughter-in-law is about to "marry" into the family, the parents-in-law have to be very attentive.
Upon hearing this, Wen Yun was taken aback at first, but then her eyes gradually hardened.
Yes, the emperor himself has already adopted the posture of "marrying," and even prepared the "dowry." If they were still trembling with fear, it would seem pretentious and would betray His Majesty's sincerity.
Since His Majesty is willing to become the Lin family's "daughter-in-law," then they must treat His Majesty as a "daughter-in-law," and all the proper rules and formalities must be observed.
Upon reflection, Wen Yun's initial fear was immediately replaced by a strange sense of responsibility.
She put away the dizzying dowry list and said to Lin Yan seriously, "Invite His Majesty to our home another day. Now that we are getting married, the marriage arrangements need to be carefully discussed."
Lin Yan's lips twitched as he watched his mother instantly switch into "mother-in-law" mode, but he still obediently replied, "Yes, son has remembered."
Xiao Che was also eager to discuss their marriage with Lin Yan's parents, so on his day off, he got up early in the morning, dressed up carefully, and then brought many gifts to the Lin residence.
Lin Yan was woken up by a servant who said that when His Majesty arrived, he was still lying paralyzed in bed.
When he arrived at the front hall, he found his parents already there. The two of them looked at the chests and boxes that were filled with boxes in the courtyard, and their faces showed the same bewilderment.
Xiao Che, dressed in a moon-white robe with cloud patterns, stood in the hall, his demeanor still dignified, but his expression was much gentler than when he was in the palace.
"Minister Lin, Madam Wen," Xiao Che spoke first, his tone consultative. "I am here today on my day off to discuss my marriage with Hanzhang." He turned to Lin Yan and addressed him by his courtesy name.
Lin Chengji and Wen Yun quickly bowed and addressed him as "Your Majesty".
Looking at the gifts filling the courtyard, Wen Yun forced herself to remain calm and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. Please take a seat."
As she ordered tea to be served, she thought to herself, "His Majesty is too impatient. He said he would invite Yan'er another day, but he came to my door early in the morning on his day off with generous gifts."
After everyone was seated, Xiao Che got straight to the point: "You two must have seen the list that Hanzhang brought back last time. I also brought some small items with me today as a small token of my appreciation. Please don't refuse."
They did kidnap someone's son, so no amount of compensation is too much.
Wen Yun composed herself, regained the rhythm they had agreed on that day, and said, "Since Your Majesty and Yan'er are in love, we as parents are naturally happy to see this marriage. However, Your Majesty's status is special, and many of the formalities may not be able to proceed as usual."
“That’s what Madam Wen is thinking,” Xiao Che readily agreed, “Everything is up to Madam’s arrangements.”
"It's good that Your Majesty understands." Wen Yun felt a little relieved and continued, "However, the live wild goose, which is essential for the betrothal ceremony, cannot be omitted."
Wild geese are birds of loyalty, carrying profound symbolism; how could a wedding be complete without them?
Xiao Che nodded immediately, his eyes serious: "What you say is true, my lady. I will personally find a pair of wild geese. I will not let Hanzhang suffer, and I will also fulfill this auspicious omen."
His attitude clearly placed him in a position where he needed to "perform".
Wen Yun felt a little relieved after hearing this, and then said, "The wedding date also needs to be carefully considered. If Your Majesty is at ease, please tell me your birth date and time so that I can consult several auspicious dates and choose the most lucky one."
"Thank you for your concern, Madam." Xiao Che nodded slightly. "Please feel free to share your thoughts on the specific arrangements for the marriage."
Wen Yun was waiting for this sentence. She straightened her back and tried to adopt the demeanor of the lady of the house: "Since this matter is being handled at Dan Garden outside the palace, let our Lin family take care of it. If we follow the royal family's rules, the regulations are too strict and the procedures are too complicated, which will inevitably make it less warm and welcoming. What does Your Majesty think?"
"That's wonderful. To be honest, I also don't want the wedding to be just a formality. It would be my wish to have an elder personally take care of things and add some warmth to the occasion. I'll leave everything to you, Madam." Xiao Che said this with utmost sincerity.
Seeing his trust and cooperation, Wen Yun's initial nervousness was completely replaced by a sense of responsibility, and she repeatedly assured him that she would do her best.
At this moment, Lin Chengji took out the bright red marriage certificate that had been prepared in advance from his sleeve, stood up, and respectfully and solemnly handed it to Xiao Che: "Your Majesty, this is the marriage certificate. Please take a look."
Xiao Che immediately stood up and accepted it with both hands.
He unfolded the marriage certificate, his gaze lingering for a moment on the names "Xiao Che" and "Lin Yan" side by side. He gently brushed his fingertips across the ink marks, then solemnly closed the certificate, tucked it into his bosom, and placed it close to his body.
"Thank you for your kindness, Minister Lin and Lady Wen." Xiao Che bowed to the two elders, his tone calm yet firm, "Zhao Lin will certainly live up to Han Zhang's expectations."
After nearly a morning of discussion, the details were roughly finalized.
Lin Yan sat to the side, listening to his mother and Xiao Che talk back and forth, simplifying the betrothal, name-asking, and auspicious-appointment procedures, and confirming the principle that the Lin family would take the lead in handling the process. He found that apart from nodding when asked for his opinion occasionally, he really didn't need to get involved.
Looking at Xiao Che's earnest and humble demeanor as he listened to his mother, although he still addressed her as "Minister Lin" and "Madam Wen," his posture clearly indicated that he had placed himself in the position of "son-in-law."
Looking at his parents, from their initial fear to their later caution, and now to their gradual openness in discussing things, his mother has even started planning what to add to the Dan Garden and which reliable relatives and friends to invite...
Lin Yan picked up the chilled plum juice and silently took a sip.
Well, although Xiao Che presented a "dowry" that was dazzling to the eye, nominally a "betrothal gift," the way his parents took over and meticulously arranged everything made it seem like they were seriously preparing to "marry off" their son.
He, the one who was supposed to be the main bride, became the most relaxed, only needing to wait for the time to go through the wedding ceremony.
However, seeing the almost overflowing anticipation and satisfaction in Xiao Che's eyes, Lin Yan touched his own equally hot marriage certificate in his arms, and couldn't help but smile.
Alright, he'll just relax and wait for his "emperor's wife," who "brings her entire empire as her dowry," to be "married" into their home in a grand and warm manner.
Having received Xiao Che's affirmative answer and the weighty "entrustment," Wen Yun seemed to be infused with boundless energy. After seeing Xiao Che off, she immediately took swift and decisive action.
The preparations at Dan Garden are of paramount importance. A wedding only happens once in a lifetime. What material should the curtains be made of? What colors and patterns should the tableware be? How should the flowers and plants in the garden be decorated to add to the festive atmosphere?
Next came the task of drafting the guest list. Besides family members, the guests included close friends like Chu Ye who knew the inside story. The number of guests was small, but each one had to be carefully considered.
Wen Yun even considered the dishes to be served at the banquet, which had to be exquisite and delicious, but not too luxurious or eye-catching, which really took a lot of thought from her.
Lin Chengji watched his wife busy with work and wanted to help, but found that he couldn't get a word in edgewise on these meticulous tasks. Instead, Wen Yun complained that he was in the way.
Xiao Che, who was secretly referred to as the "future daughter-in-law" by the Lin family, did not remain idle after returning to the palace. Although he handed over all the power to organize the wedding, how could he really be a hands-off manager when it came to such an important matter as his own marriage?
The first thing he did was pick up his bow and arrow, which he hadn't practiced in a long time, and went to the shooting range to practice archery in the sweltering heat, wanting to personally shoot the wild geese for Lin Yan.
Xiao Che then ordered the Imperial Treasury to send a steady stream of exquisite items, as well as large quantities of fine silks, brocades, and rare woods, to the Lin residence under the guise of bestowing gifts. He ostensibly did this to provide for Madam Wen's needs, but in reality, he was subtly preparing for the wedding.
Whenever he had time, he would go to Dan Garden to watch the eunuchs adjust the garden's furnishings according to Wen Yun's requirements, ensuring that every part met her expectations.
Lin Yan, on the contrary, became the most idle one.
Aside from being forced by his mother to try on new clothes twice, he seemed to only need to shuttle between his busy family and equally busy lover, feeling enveloped in an atmosphere of deep love and anticipation.
That's great! He had everything he didn't have before he transmigrated, but now he has it all.
The ceremony will be completed on an auspicious day.
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