Chapter 451 The Wedding and Preparations for the Imperial Examination
Before they knew it, the wedding day arrived.
The capital was brightly decorated that day, and the Lin residence was especially lively.
Although the Emperor did not attend in person, he bestowed generous gifts; the Empress personally officiated at the wedding, giving the Lin family ample face.
Daiyu was busy in the mansion early in the morning.
She specially wore a festive crimson dress and helped greet guests and arrange things, just like a little hostess.
Yuan Hongqu also came from the academy to help with the arrangements.
Seeing that Daiyu handled things properly, Yuan Hongqu couldn't help but say to Lan Su with satisfaction, "Look at our Yu'er, she's becoming more and more like the mistress of the house."
As the auspicious hour approached, guests filled the house, and Grandmother Jia arrived as promised. Dressed in her official robes, she slowly made her way in, supported by Lady Wang and Lady Xing.
Lin Ruhai hurriedly stepped forward to greet her: "I am humbled that the old lady has come in person."
Grandmother Jia looked him over, her eyes seemingly glistening with tears: "Ruhai, today is your joyous day, how could I not come?" She patted Lin Ruhai's hand, "Min'er left us too soon, you've suffered so much these past years. Now that you have someone to keep you company, I can finally rest easy."
These words were spoken sincerely, and Lin Ruhai was moved: "Thank you for your understanding, madam."
Then the bride arrived. Qiu Hui, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, walked slowly, supported by the wedding attendant. Although covered by a red veil, her figure was slender and her demeanor dignified; one could tell at a glance that she was a beauty.
The wedding ceremony was presided over by the Empress herself, solemn yet warm. Daiyu stood aside, watching her father and Qiu Hui perform the ceremony, and suddenly thought of her mother, her eyes welling up with tears.
Yuan Hongqu quietly took her hand and whispered, "If your mother were alive, she would be happy for your father."
Daiyu nodded, wiped away her tears, and smiled.
After the ceremony, the wedding banquet began.
Although the Emperor did not visit in person, he bestowed upon the Imperial Kitchen a dazzling array of delicacies, which were truly breathtaking.
The banquet lasted until late at night before finally ending.
The Lin residence returned to tranquility. Red candles burned brightly, and the character for "happiness" remained, yet it already carried an air of parting.
After the three-day homecoming ceremony, Lin Ruhai had no choice but to return to his post in Suzhou.
Qiu Hui naturally accompanied them.
Although the Emperor had allowed Daiyu to travel freely between the capital and Suzhou without any restrictions after the Southern Tour, Daiyu still had to stay in the capital, as the date of the Imperial Examination was fast approaching.
On the eve of her departure, Qiu Hui made a special trip to Daiyu's room, took her hand and said, "Yu'er, I know you are reluctant to leave your father. But with the imperial examinations approaching, it is best for you to stay in the capital to prepare for them. Lord Yuan will take good care of you."
Daiyu forced a smile and said, "Don't worry, sister, I understand. It's just that although Father is still in good health, he is getting on in years, so I'll have to trouble you to take good care of him."
Although Qiu Hui was already Daiyu's stepmother, Daiyu still found it difficult to call someone she was very familiar with "mother."
However, Qiu Hui was also easygoing, and Daiyu could call her whatever she liked.
She even liked it when Daiyu called her "elder sister"!
Qiu Hui nodded: "Of course. Focus on your exam preparation. We'll meet again in Suzhou after the spring exams."
The next morning, another farewell took place at the dock. Daiyu watched her father's official ship sail further and further away until it became a tiny dot on the horizon before she turned her gaze away.
Yuan Hongqu gently put her arm around her shoulder: "Let's go back. The imperial examination is just around the corner. It's time to start studying hard."
Daiyu took a deep breath, suppressing her sorrow at parting, and said with a firm gaze, "Granny is right, let's go home."
From that day on, Daiyu devoted herself entirely to preparing for the exam.
Yuan Hongqu pushed aside court affairs as much as possible and devoted herself to taking care of Daiyu's daily life.
Every day before dawn, Yuan Hongqu would get up herself to prepare breakfast for Daiyu.
Sometimes it's rock sugar bird's nest, sometimes it's ginseng chicken soup; I try different ways to nourish her.
After breakfast, Daiyu began her daily studies: in the morning she studied the classics, in the afternoon she practiced policy essays, and in the evening she reviewed poetry.
Yuan Hongqu specially rearranged the study, making it bright and clean, with all the necessary writing implements.
Fearing that Daiyu would get tired, he would force her to get up every hour to stretch her muscles and bones, or to drink tea and admire flowers, or to practice the breathing techniques taught by Lan Su.
That day, Daiyu was pondering a question about the meaning of a sutra when she suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder. It turned out that Yuan Hongqu had draped a thin blanket over her.
"Be careful not to catch a cold," Yuan Hongqu said gently. "Would you like to rest for a while? The kitchen just made some osmanthus cake."
Daiyu shook her head: "There's only one question left to finish."
Yuan Hongqu, however, refused and took away her pen: "The most important thing is to balance work and rest. Besides, this osmanthus cake is best eaten while it's hot."
Daiyu had no choice but to follow her to the flower hall.
On the table were not only osmanthus cake, but also several other snacks such as almond tea and jujube paste pastry, all of which were her favorites.
"You're going to too much trouble, Granny," Daiyu said reproachfully. "The servants can prepare these things."
Yuan Hongqu said seriously, "The imperial examination is a major event, how can it be taken lightly? Just focus on your studies, and the nanny will take care of everything else."
With such meticulous care, Daiyu's complexion was even better than before. Even when she entered the palace for an audience, the Empress exclaimed in surprise, "Yu'er is becoming more and more radiant! How did you take care of her, Lord Yuan?"
Yuan Hongqu smiled and said, "These are just some common methods. The imperial examination is just around the corner, and we can't let her get too tired."
In the imperial court, the ministers all knew that Yuan Hongqu had turned down many affairs for Daiyu's sake. Some admired her dedication, while others secretly debated whether it was appropriate for a woman to take the exam.
After court that day, several ministers gathered together for a chat.
"I've heard that the princess studies diligently every day."
"Lord Yuan even took leave from the morning court several times to stay home and support his studies."
"Tell me, in this year's imperial examinations, who do you think will come out on top: the talented students from the Imperial Academy or the princesses from the girls' academies?"
"If it weren't for the imperial court's ban on gambling, I would have liked to set up a gambling den!"
These discussions inevitably reached Yuan Hongqu's ears. However, she simply smiled and ignored them, saying to Daiyu, "The more they talk, the more you should maintain a calm attitude. No matter what the exam results are, as long as we women have entered the examination hall, we have already won."
Daiyu nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Granny, I understand."
As the exams approached, Daiyu studied even harder.
Sometimes, even late at night, the study light is still on.
Yuan Hongqu then personally brought her a late-night snack and stayed with her while she studied until late at night.
That evening, Daiyu was reciting the Book of Rites when she suddenly felt dizzy. Yuan Hongqu quickly supported her and touched her forehead, finding it burning hot.
"Are you tired?" Yuan Hongqu was so anxious that she was about to summon the royal physician. At this moment, she also lost confidence in her own medical skills.
Daiyu stopped her, saying, "It's alright, I probably caught a chill last night. Just make me a bowl of ginger soup, Granny."
Yuan Hongqu pressed her down on the bed without saying a word: "No matter how important the imperial examination is, nothing is more important than your health. You must rest well today."
She personally stayed by Daiyu's side all night, changing the damp towel on her forehead every hour. By dawn, Daiyu's fever had finally subsided.
"Granny hasn't slept all night, please go and get some rest," Daiyu said apologetically.
Yuan Hongqu shook her head: "It's alright. But you, you're not allowed to study hard today, you should rest well."
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