Chapter 340 Water Show Extra Chapter - The Female Official's Wedding
April 18th is an auspicious day for marriage.
Three days before Shui Xiu and Yuan Chiyu's wedding, the streets and alleys of the capital were already filled with talk of it.
The news that Marquis Yixin was about to marry a fourth-rank female official was no longer a secret after all this time.
But when the day of the betrothal actually arrived, the spectacle that they witnessed still left the entire capital city speechless with astonishment.
At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the gates of the Marquis of Yixin's residence opened.
Yuan Chiyu was not wearing his marquis's robes today, but instead wore a very formal bright red brocade robe.
The style of this robe is clearly the auspicious attire worn by the groom when a wealthy woman marries into her family, only the materials are more exquisite and the embroidery is more refined.
The robe was embroidered with auspicious clouds and unicorns in gold thread.
Although the Qilin is a symbol of military officials, its posture is gentle, and it stands on auspicious clouds.
He wore a jade-inlaid wedding crown, and his face was made even more handsome by the festive red color. There was no reluctance in his eyes, only a joyful and unrestrained smile.
Behind Yuan Chiyu was a long procession of betrothal gifts adorned with red and green ribbons.
Not eight, not sixteen, but a full thirty-two!
The heavy gift chests, painted vermilion and gilded, weighed down on the shoulders of the porters. Red silk ribbons were tied into elaborate and festive floral balls. The procession snaked out from in front of the Marquis's mansion, taking up almost half the street.
As the procession slowly moved through the streets, people along the way stopped to watch, pointing and commenting.
"Did you see that? It really is the Marquis 'getting married'! What a grand spectacle!"
"That red robe... My goodness, Young Master Yuan looks so handsome in it! Is he really going to marry into the family? He doesn't seem shy at all!"
"That box in the back is so heavy, how much good stuff must it contain?"
As the procession reached the alleyway where Shui Xiu lived, the crowd of onlookers grew increasingly dense.
The alley was already narrow, and now it was completely packed with people.
Several elegantly dressed women, clearly members of official families who had come to watch the spectacle, stood by the window on the second floor of a teahouse not far away. One of them, a noblewoman dressed in crimson, was fanning herself with a round fan.
Seeing Yuan Chiyu's beaming face as he passed by downstairs, she curled her lip in disdain and whispered to her companion:
"Look at them, they're just trying to curry favor with the Empress, they've even abandoned ancestral rules and the dignity of the Marquis's mansion. If Old Marquis Yuan were alive, he'd be furious..."
Before she could finish speaking, Yuan Chiyu, who was walking at the front of the line downstairs, suddenly stopped.
He seemed to turn his head slightly, or perhaps he had already noticed, as if by chance, and his gaze drifted unintentionally toward the open window.
Yuan Chiyu's smile remained unchanged, but his voice was clear and melodious, like the clinking of metal and jade, and it clearly echoed throughout the noisy alleyway.
"The meager gifts that I have prepared today, apart from what I have accumulated at home, are mostly gifts from His Majesty over the years."
"If you use the word 'climbing the social ladder'... are you belittling the military achievements I earned with my blood and life?"
The alleyway fell silent instantly.
Everyone looked in the direction Yuan Chiyu was looking, and their eyes met those of the noblewoman standing at the window.
Some people heard the ladies' whispers, while others looked over, puzzled.
Under everyone's gaze, the noblewoman's face drained of color. Clearly, she hadn't expected Yuan Chiyu to have heard what she said, and even to have paused to refute her.
Looking at the bright red figure, the noblewoman belatedly realized that Yuan Chiyu had become much more composed over the years, but years ago he had been known as a playboy.
At that time, there were very few people in the entire capital who dared to provoke this vengeful demon king.
Her female companion hurriedly pulled her back, and the group quickly retreated inside the window, not daring to show themselves again.
Yuan Chiyu withdrew his gaze and put on a smile again.
He straightened his sleeves and continued leading the betrothal procession, stopping in front of the vermilion gate of the Shuixiu Mansion.
The doors were already wide open.
Shui Xiu was also dressed in formal lady-in-waiting clothes today, with a lady-in-waiting headdress on her head, and stood in front of the steps.
Standing beside her were her parents and several highly respected female officials.
At that moment, Shui Xiu's gaze met Yuan Chiyu, who was standing in front of the door in a bright red brocade robe, and she nodded slightly.
The master of ceremonies announced loudly: "Betrothal!"
Yuan Chiyu stepped forward and presented the betrothal gift list, which was printed in bright red and gold, with both hands.
A female judge standing next to Shui Xiu took the document, unfolded it in front of everyone, and read it aloud.
The contents of the list once again elicited a chorus of gasps.
In addition to the usual 1,000 taels of pure gold, 5,000 taels of silver, and 100 bolts of various fine silks, the following were prominently listed:
"A box of twelve pigeon blood rubies belonging to the royal family of the Western Regions was seized at the border."
"A hot spring resort on the outskirts of Beijing, with hundreds of acres of fertile land."
"Shengnan Restaurant holds 30% of the shares, with annual interest certificates."
......
The value of this betrothal gift list is secondary; the key is the meaning it contains.
Yuan Chiyu directly attributed the most tangible assets to Shui Xiu, which is enough to show how much he values her.
After the reading was finished, the entire hall fell silent.
Everyone looked at the water feature on the steps.
Shui Xiu remained expressionless as she took a wooden box about a foot long from another female officer beside her.
She opened it herself, and inside was not gold, silver, or jewels, but a roll of something wrapped in bright yellow silk.
She took it out and slowly unfolded it.
The item inside turned out to be a meticulously mounted rubbing!
The seal of the female official's lawsuit is clearly visible on the top, with a line of small regular script next to it:
[Jiang Shuixiu, a high-ranking official, married Yuan Chiyu, a promising son-in-law, with the official seal as proof of their marriage.]
Upon seeing this, the master of ceremonies immediately and cleverly proclaimed: "The bride is adding to her dowry! With the official seal as proof, she welcomes her virtuous husband to assist the family and the country!"
The implication of this move is quite clear: she, Shui Xiu, married her husband as a fourth-rank female official in the imperial court.
Her foundation lay in her official position, the court's trust, and her own talent.
This is more significant than any gold or silver jewelry!
Among the crowd, many of the female officials dressed in their colorful attire, who had come specifically to witness the ceremony, already showed expressions of admiration.
The system of female officials had only been in place for three years. For a long time, whether noble or commoner, women lacked the ability to establish themselves.
Their lives were always about being handed over to their husbands by their fathers.
Now, thanks to the Empress's benevolent rule, they have the opportunity to establish themselves on their own.
Lord Shuixiu even personally attested that planting a phoenix tree attracted a phoenix!
If you are outstanding enough, even a marquis can marry into your family!
Soon, the auspicious day for their wedding arrived.
Shuixiu's three-courtyard residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, with red silk ribbons hanging everywhere and the character for "happiness" filling the doorway.
The guests were numerous, including not only the female official's colleagues and her comrades-in-arms who were on good terms with Yuan Chiyu, but also many nobles and court officials who had come after hearing the news, each with their own ulterior motives.
After all, this wedding was too special; it was unprecedented in history.
Everyone wanted to see with their own eyes how the scene of the female official marrying the marquis would end.
Soon, the auspicious time arrived.
Amidst the deafening drumbeats and music, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Shui Xiu slowly walked out from inside the main hall.
The attire she wore today was not that of an ordinary bride in her phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, but rather a set of elaborate makeup befitting a noblewoman of extremely high status.
She wore a pearl and jade crown, with gold hairpins and pearl tassels hanging down on both sides.
She wore a red overcoat, with a dark blue shawl embroidered with lifelike cloud and phoenix patterns in gold thread, and a gold pendant with auspicious meaning hanging down. A jade leather belt was tied around her waist, making her look dignified and beautiful.
This set of attire for a noblewoman clearly exceeds the rank of her current official position.
A sharp-eyed elder from the royal family immediately recognized that this was a dress that the Empress could bestow upon noblewomen!
The fact that Shui Xiu, a fourth-rank female official, could wear the crown and robes of a second-rank noblewoman at her wedding speaks volumes about the implications behind it.
This must be an extraordinary favor from the Emperor and Empress, a recognition of her extraordinary wedding with the highest honors!
With the help of two female officials, Shui Xiu slowly sat down in the main seat set up on the north side of the main hall.
According to the custom of marrying into the family, she is the master of this hall today, the one who is "welcoming" the bride.
A moment later, the music outside the door turned cheerful.
The emcee announced loudly, "Welcome the son-in-law!"
Yuan Chiyu entered through a side door.
His wedding gown was a dazzling red, with a dragon embroidered in gold thread coiled around the hem, as if it were about to take flight with each step he took.
His dark hair was completely tied up in a golden crown, revealing his sharp eyebrows and eyes without any attempt to conceal them.
He stood amidst the dazzling splendor, a familiar smile playing on his lips. His red robes accentuated his pale complexion, making his appearance exceptionally striking.
With a calm expression, Yuan Chiyu walked steadily towards the main hall amidst the curious or scrutinizing gazes of the room's inhabitants.
Upon reaching the threshold of the main hall, the ceremony did not involve the bride stepping over a fire basin as is customary at weddings. Instead, a wooden carving of the Big Dipper was laid out inside the threshold.
The master of ceremonies announced loudly: "The Big Dipper governs literature; stepping on the stars, we enter the palace gate!"
"May the new son-in-law, Mai Wenshu, with his literary and military talents, assist his virtuous wife and bring peace and prosperity to the family!"
Without hesitation, Yuan Chiyu lifted his foot and stepped steadily into the hall.
Upon entering the hall, Yuan Chiyu faced Shui Xiu, who was seated in the main seat, lifted the corner of his robe, and solemnly bowed.
Shui Xiu sat upright to receive the ceremony, which was the main ritual in the marriage ceremony where the woman was the head and the man was the assistant.
After the ceremony, Shui Xiu slowly rose with the help of the female officiant.
The two stood facing each other.
The emcee sang again: "Husband and wife bow to each other!"
Shui Xiu and Yuan Chiyu faced each other and bowed deeply at the same time.
The moment the ceremony concluded, the female officials watching inside the hall could no longer contain themselves and burst into applause.
They witnessed a wedding unlike any other in history, and saw their colleagues complete this major life event with such equality.
This was a tremendous encouragement to them.
Meanwhile, the Yuan family soldiers who had come to watch the ceremony outside the hall all clasped their fists together, their voices booming like bells, making the roof tiles seem to creak.
"General, you have married a virtuous wife! We are all sincerely pleased! Congratulations, General! Congratulations, Madam!"
They had followed Yuan Chiyu through thick and thin, and knew this young general's temperament best.
Since he made such a choice, it must have been after careful consideration, and he must have accepted it willingly.
They respected his choice and were genuinely happy for him finding a good match.
Several elderly princes of the imperial family, who had been sitting at the front of the guest seats with furrowed brows, exchanged glances upon seeing this scene, shook their heads repeatedly, and their lips moved as if whispers of disorder and indecency were about to spill out.
Just then.
Outside the mansion gate, a loud, booming voice suddenly rang out: "Imperial decree has arrived!"
Everyone was startled and hurriedly got up.
The imperial eunuch, carrying a bright yellow scroll, strode into the main hall, surrounded by a group of guards.
"Jiang Shuixiu, the female official in charge of the case, receives the imperial decree—"
Upon seeing that it was an imperial edict delivered in person, Shui Xiu and Yuan Chiyu immediately led the crowd to kneel down.
The eunuch unfolded the imperial edict, his voice shrill and loud.
"The imperial edict reads: Lady Jiang, the female official in charge of the palace, is beautiful, diligent, virtuous, and talented. She assists in managing the inner palace and fulfills her duties to the best of her ability. Now, on this auspicious occasion, the phoenix and the dragon sing in harmony. I am very pleased and hereby bestow upon her a golden plaque inscribed with the words 'The Phoenix and the Dragon Sing in Harmony' to commemorate her beauty."
"Furthermore, Shui Xiu is promoted to the rank of Third-Rank Palace Attendant, in charge of all affairs of the female officials, acting as the Empress's seal of office, and assisting in the management of the palace. So be it—"
After the imperial edict was read, the hall fell silent, then erupted into an even greater uproar!
Third-rank Palace Attendant!
This is now the highest position in the female official system, truly the head of the female officials!
More importantly, he was appointed to "act as the Empress's seal of office"!
The Empress has been "resting quietly" in the inner palace for a long time and has not left the palace. The seal of office is now being handed over to Shui Xiu, which is enough to prove how important this power is.
The Emperor's bestowal of titles at this time clearly revealed his attitude towards this unprecedented marriage!
The criticisms that the old princes were about to voice were abruptly silenced by this sudden imperial decree.
Their faces flushed red and then turned pale, finally settling into a long sigh as they slumped back into their chairs.
After Shui Xiu received the imperial decree, she exchanged a glance with Yuan Chiyu.
Even Shui Xiu never expected that Emperor Zhaoheng would be so supportive of her.
elder sister......
Shui Xiu shook her head slightly. She was increasingly understanding that everyone's life was shaped by their own choices.
Emperor Zhaoheng was willing to wait; that was his choice.
If my sister wants to leave, that's her choice too.
The grand wedding ceremony was followed by a banquet.
Feasts were set up in the front yard, middle yard, and even under the temporary shed of the Shuixiu Residence.
The courtyard was bustling with activity, filled with the clinking of glasses and lively conversation.
The women's seats were set up in the most elegantly decorated flower hall.
Shui Xiu had changed out of her formal but heavy lady's makeup and into a festive yet dignified bright red embroidered gold dress, and was smiling as she greeted the female guests.
Yuan Chiyu was on the men's side, surrounded by a group of military colleagues who were pouring him drinks, creating a lively atmosphere.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became slightly tipsy.
A young woman dressed in a pale yellow brocade dress adorned with butterflies and clouds, carrying a wine glass, gracefully walked up to Shui Xiu.
This woman is Li Yayun, the second daughter of the Minister of War. She is a famous talented and beautiful woman in the capital and was once rumored to be a popular candidate for the wife of the Marquis of Yixin.
"Water Palace".
Li Yayun smiled and said in a sweet voice, "Today is a joyous occasion, I would like to offer you a toast. You are truly blessed to be treated so kindly by Lord Yuan."
Her smile was sweet, but her words were loaded with hidden meaning.
"However, it is ultimately beneath the Marquis's status for this man to marry into the family."
She sighed softly and continued, "The Yuan family has been loyal and righteous for generations, and the Marquis rose to power through military merit. So... if the Marquis has any other thoughts in his heart in the future, or if others start to gossip, you must be magnanimous, sister."
"After all, men always have to save face."
These words, seemingly concerned and comforting, actually implied that Yuan Chiyu was wronged and suggested that his marriage into the family was not his true intention and that things might change in the future.
The room fell silent.
Many of the female guests understood the implied meaning and their gazes lingered between Shui Xiu and Li Yayun.
I just felt that Li Yayun was not as gentle as the rumors suggested, and that she would say such unlucky things on someone's happy day.
Shui Xiu's smile remained unchanged, and even became more gentle.
She simply looked at Li Yayun and chuckled softly.
“Miss Li is very kind. However, you may not know that according to the laws of the Great Qi Dynasty, if a son-in-law takes a concubine without the consent of the mistress, the mistress can expel him from the family with the marriage certificate and the document proving his marriage.”
She paused, the corners of her lips curving slightly deeper. "Besides, my husband, Yuan Chiyu, didn't marry into the family out of humiliation; he did so willingly. The difference is..."
Her gaze swept calmly over Li Yayun's slightly changed face, and she said softly, "When Miss Li finds a good husband in the future and they talk about marriage, perhaps she will understand."
"you!"
Li Yayun didn't expect that Shui Xiu would not only calmly fight back, but also directly invoke the law.
Although she was gentle in manner, her words were sharp, refuting her point by point and subtly implying that she did not understand true feelings.
Her pretty face flushed red, and the wine glass in her hand wobbled, almost spilling the wine.
Just then, a tall figure, carrying a faint smell of alcohol, parted the crowd and walked straight to Shui Xiu's side.
The person who arrived was Yuan Chiyu.
He had obviously heard the commotion and rushed over in time.
Yuan Chiyu's gaze lingered on Shui Xiu's face for a moment. He had been drinking, and his gaze was more sluggish than usual.
When he saw Shui Xiu dressed in bright red, a rare and elaborate outfit for her, a look of amazement flashed in his eyes after drinking.
Then Yuan Chiyu slowly turned his head and looked at Li Yayun, his eyes turning completely cold.
"Miss Li."
Just those three words sent a chill down Li Yayun's spine.
"The thing I am most grateful for in my life is that Shui Xiu did not reject me and allowed me to marry into her family."
Yuan Chiyu curled his thin lips slightly and openly discussed the matter of marrying into the family. He didn't feel embarrassed at all; in fact, he even raised an eyebrow as if he felt a little proud.
"What you just said, were you questioning my sincerity? Or do you think I'm a coward who breaks his word?"
"I...I didn't..."
Li Yayun was intimidated by his imposing manner and, having her thoughts exposed, she was so frightened that she retreated repeatedly. She lost her grip on the wine glass, which fell to the ground and shattered, staining her exquisite skirt with wine.
Yuan Chiyu stopped looking at her.
When he turned around and faced Shui Xiu, his eyes instantly filled with tenderness.
He raised his hand very naturally and gently tidied the stray hairs at Shui Xiu's temples, his posture tender and affectionate.
"After we finish toasting in this hall, I'll give you a shoulder massage, okay?"
This undisguised tenderness and intimacy left all the women in the room stunned at first, then someone burst out laughing, followed by low teasing sounds.
Li Yayun stood there, stunned, watching the two people in front of her, so affectionate and loving. She felt both ashamed and embarrassed, and could no longer stay. She hurriedly left the table.
Yuan Chiyu, however, paid no attention. He simply took Shui Xiu's hand, raised his glass to all the guests in the hall, and said loudly, "With such a wife, what more could I ask for!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us drink to this toast, to celebrate the eternal union of my wife and me!"
"May Lord He Shuixiu and the young marquis be forever united in heart!"
Everyone raised their glasses in response, and laughter filled the room.
The unpleasant little incident from earlier had long been washed away by the renewed liveliness in the flower hall.
That night.
The palace, northwest corner tower.
Night had fallen, and most of the capital city was shrouded in darkness, except for a certain area where faint sounds of noise could still be heard on the wind.
That's the direction of Shuixiu Mansion.
Even now, the wedding banquet has not completely ended.
Emperor Zhaoheng stood alone by the highest railing of the corner tower, dressed in bright yellow imperial robes, appearing particularly conspicuous and lonely in the dark blue night.
He dismissed all the servants, leaving only Feng Shunxiang to stand guard at the top of the stairs.
The night breeze carried the warmth of late spring, and seemed to bring with it the happiness and lively atmosphere of a newlyweds' banquet in the distance.
He gazed into the distance, his eyes seemingly able to penetrate through the layers of buildings, and see Yuan Chiyu and Shui Xiu finally joining hands amidst the festive atmosphere.
It's been three years.
It has been almost three years since Xian'er left.
During these three years, he was diligent in his duties, governing the country, and raising his children.
He managed the palace and the country in an orderly manner.
He also buried his longing for her deep in his heart, turning it into an unwavering wait.
He supported Shui Xiu, promoted her despite the odds, and approved this shocking marriage against all odds. Wasn't it because he saw the shadow of Xian'er in her, and saw that the changes she insisted on and hoped for were gradually taking place?
"Xian'er".
He spoke softly to the void, his voice carried on the wind, "Your sister is getting married today, the center of attention, and has found her true love... Did you see that?"
"Were you... there too? Watching from some corner, secretly?"
He knew she might come back, which is why he didn't go to Shuixiu's residence to witness her wedding.
Emperor Zhaoheng did not want to disrupt the sisters' reunion, nor did he want Shuixian to feel restricted.
The secret guards reported that after the last message was sent from Guilin a few days ago, they lost her exact whereabouts.
With her quick wit, if she really wanted to conceal her whereabouts, it would indeed be difficult for the guards to keep up with her at all times.
He both hoped she could witness her sister's happiness firsthand, yet feared that if she rashly returned to the capital without the protection of her bodyguards, the journey would be fraught with danger.
After an unknown amount of time, Feng Shunxiang cautiously took a few steps closer and whispered, "Your Majesty, the night breeze is getting chilly."
"The wedding between Lord Yuan and the Water God Palace is now complete. Shall we bestow some more rewards? There are still some left in the palace storeroom..."
Emperor Zhaoheng slowly shook his head, interrupting Feng Shunxiang: "No need, I have already given enough rewards today."
"If we reward them again, it will put pressure on the two of them as well as on Yuan Chiyu."
He paused, then suddenly asked, "When was the last confirmed message from the secret guards in Guilin?"
Feng Shunxiang's heart tightened, and he replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, it was ten days ago. The Empress was in a small town on the banks of the Li River at the time, and seemed to be very interested in the local festivals, staying there for several days."
"After that... there were no more consistent reports."
"Ten days ago..."
Emperor Zhaoheng murmured repeatedly, "If she really wants to hide from everyone's eyes, how can the secret guards catch up with her? Never mind... let her be."
His gaze returned to the brightly lit, waterside mansion in the distance, his voice as soft as a sigh:
"I... am waiting for her."
"Xian'er... I have been trying to figure out... what it means to truly love you."
Seeing this, Feng Shunxiang decided not to try to persuade him any further.
On the one hand, he felt that Shui Xian had suffered a lot of injustice over the years, and since they were both servants, he couldn't help but empathize and understand.
On the one hand, she couldn't bear to see Emperor Zhaoheng tormented by longing.
He ultimately said nothing, quietly withdrew, and did not urge Emperor Zhaoheng to go back and rest.
Today, Miss Shuixiu is getting married. Seeing the young marquis winning the heart of his beauty, the emperor naturally thought of the empress.
That night.
The night wind rustled the hem of Emperor Zhaoheng's bright yellow robes.
Beneath the corner tower, the imperial city stands majestically, as the lights of countless homes gradually go out.
Only the emperor's lonely figure and the ever-burning lights of the Shuixiu Mansion remained, reflecting each other for a long time.
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