It's not easy for the prince to find a wife
Shujia went to bed early, but couldn't fall asleep. Besides Hongxiu and Lvru, two experienced maids were added to the outer room to keep watch, and two more were added to the courtyard to keep watch. Every intersection leading into the courtyard was staffed at night, so any movement could be immediately reported to Xiluo Te and the others. This kind of treatment was probably not even available when her grandmother, whom she had never met, was still alive.
Shujia felt a pang of distress. Her distress wasn't about her future, or anything like that. She'd already decided she was going to get married, so it was a matter of finality. There was no need to fuss; she just rolled up her sleeves and got going. What truly alarmed her was the sudden, surging attachment to this home.
The Shi family had always been a typical feudal family, with a strict father and a kind mother, and brothers and sisters who were friendly and respectful. It was completely devoid of any distinctive characteristics, and all emotions were subdued and calm in their daily lives. As the "master," they were expected to maintain a high air and suppress their emotions, rarely revealing their true feelings. Even conversations between parents and children tended to be more like "family precepts," and warm interactions were rare.
Even after accepting the fact of her time travel, Shujia simply got along peacefully with everyone, doing things according to the standards of the time, without any major ups and downs. Over time, she began to think that as a time traveler, she would always have difficulty integrating into this family, and the same was true for the people in this family.
Only when we were about to part did we realize how inseparable we had become. Over the past decade or so, every little bit of our lives had become one. If we stripped away these family members from our memories, all that remained was empty knowledge.
The sudden surge of emotion was so intense that it was almost unbearable. Compared to this separation, entering the palace, spending time with Yinreng, and interacting with everyone seemed insignificant.
It felt like the day I packed my bags and headed off to college in another city. I felt this same sadness, suddenly realizing how much I missed my nagging mom and my calm dad. On my first night in the dorm, the responsible auntie came to check on me, waking me from a beautiful dream—one in which I was enjoying my meal while listening to my mom's nagging. "I'm talking to you! Didn't you hear me? Did you wash your clothes? Did you pack your luggage?" My dad, sitting across from me, sipped his wine as he watched his daughter being scolded. Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes.
You thought your memory had become fuzzy, but unexpectedly, even after you graduated, started working, had your own family, and grew old, you realized that the tears you shed after waking up in the middle of the night that day were still in your eyes.
The memories came flooding back, suffocating.
Don't complain about life being too dull, don't complain about life being too boring, don't complain about your family being too ordinary, and don't daydream about a natural disaster or a death that will unfold a deeply moving ethical drama within your family, allowing you to experience the intense emotions of your family. The folly of all is to find fault and euphemistically call it a "testing of your relationship." If you deliberately create a test, you're actually harming your relationship. If you don't have doubts, there's no need to test.
Don’t treat feelings as a joke. The real test is never up to you. When it really comes, you can’t bear it!
I've never felt so reluctant to leave. How long did it take from the arranged marriage to the wedding? Half a year? A year? It turns out our time together was so fleeting, as if it were over before it even began.
I've never slept with my mother for a whole night. Before I could even hug Mafa's neck and pull two of his beards, that old kid wouldn't be angry, right? I really wanted to flatten my palms, squeeze Guanyinbao's chubby face, and listen to his complaints after he was deformed... I never did that.
Looking intently at the patterns on the quilt, Shujia thought, as long as you do it, it's never too late!
The next day, everyone rose early. Shujia had been up late thinking about things the previous night, and hadn't gotten enough sleep, but she was in excellent spirits. Her biological clock automatically woke her up at the appointed time, and she quickly washed and dressed. Hongxiu noticed that she looked unwell and quickly reported it to Xiluotai. Xiluotai hurried over with her daughters-in-law. A closer look revealed a pale complexion. Her eyes, though full of life, were only partially diminished by the bruises beneath them.
Xiluo Te was shocked. "Why do you look so bad? Go get a doctor." Shujia saw Hongxiu quietly slip in from the doorway and smiled. "It's okay. I was just thinking about something last night. Mother, don't worry. Hongxiu is also worried. Why bother to wake you so early?"
Hongxiu shrank back. Even though she was usually close to Shujia and spoke freely, she was silent now. Xiluo said, "Hongxiu did the right thing," and then asked, "What would you like for breakfast?" She then asked Wendu to tell the kitchen, "First, make a pot of the best black chicken soup. Simmer it slowly so that it will be tasty when you eat it."
Shujia said, "You're busy again." She stepped forward to help Xiluo Te sit down in the outer room so they could talk. Xiluo Te's arms stiffened, a little embarrassed. It was only natural for a daughter to support her mother—assuming she wasn't already the future queen mother. Shujia remained calm, her expression confident and self-assured, as if telling everyone that her actions were only natural.
The three of them, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, looked at each other, feeling a little uneasy. Shujia looked the same, yet she felt different, like... a completely different person. I'd been used to seeing her before, but now, the contrast between the two was like a layer of misty moisture had disappeared. Even with the dark circles under her eyes, she looked fresh and bright.
Xiluo Te didn't sleep well that night. At first, she was overjoyed. Her daughter's marriage was a good one, and of course she was so happy that she woke up laughing. Then, she was worried about how to arrange the marriage. This was not something the two families could discuss, so they could only wait for the emperor's order. She also wondered about the dowry.
又是担心——女儿嫁给太子之后的生活问题。这还不跟一般百姓家，闺女觉得委屈了，还能跑回娘家，嫁给皇子，你怎么跑？还有，要是真受委屈了，百姓家的娘家哥哥能招呼一帮子人去把妹夫一顿胖揍给妹妹出头——石家甚至不用招呼外人，光是自家堂兄弟就能拉起一个班的还个个弓马娴熟揍人有力，可现在，她女婿是太子，想打他得先攻占紫禁城。 ]
Xiluotai pondered for half the night before falling into a deep sleep. In the morning, she was startled and rushed to see her daughter. She heard Shujia say, "Your eyes are still green, and you're still blaming me." It wasn't just Xiluotai; Wendutai and Jueluotai were also like this. Behind closed doors, the couple discussed their younger sister's appointment as Crown Princess. Wendutai even discussed with Fudali who would be the messenger, while Jueluotai prepared Qingde's attire—he had an appointment the next morning.
Soy sauce in a black bowl, no one should laugh at each other. Come on, let's get down to business.
Xiluo Te first stated, "Just sit back and relax. We'll take care of everything. We'll tell you anything you need to know. The most important thing for you now is to get well." Shujia smiled and said, "Of course. I'm confident that my mother and sisters-in-law will take care of things."
Xiluo Te then said, "Go and touch up your makeup carefully first. I think people from your fourth grandfather's family, your uncle's family, and your eldest sister's family will be coming soon. Some people can be seen, but you can't avoid these. It's a bit casual to dress like this now."
Shujia felt a little guilty. She hadn't put on makeup since the big trip. She felt that her teenage years were the time when "water lotus emerges from clear water, naturally without any embellishment." Too much makeup would only damage her skin. This morning, her maid had done her hair. She was so focused on what she was going to do that day that she hadn't thought about putting on makeup.
She opened her makeup case and held up the mirror. The glass reflected her state honestly. Her face was pale, her lips a natural light pink, but her eyes were the only thing that was dark and bright. She looked like an opium addict, full of sickly energy.
She put on foundation and light makeup. As she was packing, she heard Mrs. Xiluo say, "Spread the word. Everyone in the family will get an extra month's salary. Everyone should take good care of her!" There was another round of gratitude and thanks.
The housekeeper's wife came in from outside and reported, "The master is selecting people to deliver letters outside the capital. Here is the list from various places. Madam and young ladies, please check to see if there is anything missed." As she spoke, she held up a piece of paper with both hands. Hongxiu took it and handed it to the person sitting in the upper seat with both hands.
Shujia thought, I know the relationships in this family, and I've dealt with them during the New Year, but... how can I know as much as Mother? She decided to let Xiluo Te take a look first: "Mother, I don't quite understand the more distant relatives, so let Mother take a look."
Xiluo Te took a look at it. It was filled with a list of names of people from different families, current positions, and official positions. Xiluo Te counted them in her mind and said, "It's almost done. Let's send someone to deliver it first. Tell the waiter to prepare tea and the kitchen to prepare more snacks. I'm afraid there will be guests today. Then send someone to Jiang's house to fetch the eldest aunt."
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It was a very busy day. After Shujia had breakfast, Xiluo asked Zichang to find a bright red cheongsam for her to change into. She combed her hair into two buns again and chose a complete set of mutton-fat jade jewelry.
After settling into the main hall, relatives began arriving one after another. Shuxian was the first to arrive, personally escorted by Wendu to Shujia's presence. The sisters' encounter was a mixture of sadness and joy. Shuxian was about to bow to her younger sister, but Shujia hurriedly called Lulu to help her up.
Shuxian sat down with a certain stiffness. Shujia had seen this behavior many times that day and night, and felt a little helpless. This was the way it was in this era, the status of the emperor and his subjects was as important as the sky. No matter how close she felt, she couldn't cause trouble for her family. Even now, her family was a little uneasy, which was a headache for Shujia. She had to play by the rules, such as asking her elders not to bow to her first.
With a different status, the weight of one's words also changed. From yesterday onward, everyone in the household spoke to the Second Young Lady with a tone of respect. Even the servants, already respectful to begin with, became even more respectful. This was a reverence for the emperor, ingrained in everyone's bones, a reverence for the monarch's authority, woven through thousands of years of culture and institutions.
Shuxian was no exception, even her greetings were a little agitated and stiff. The sisters were just talking in ordinary conversation. Shuxian was congratulating her, so Shujia asked how Shuxian was doing lately: "I've been so busy lately, and I haven't asked in a while. How are you doing?"
Shuxian's life was quite good in her parents' home. Her family was already prosperous, Huashan was a bit of a scoundrel, Qingde inherited his legacy, and her husband was relatively reliable and didn't cause trouble. Furthermore, her husband's family had passed their observation period and were satisfied with her behavior, and later their expectations were less strict. She gave birth to a son, and her mother-in-law gradually gave her more power, making her look like the future mistress.
Now that her younger sister was the future mother of the nation, the minimum standard was, after all, quite impressive. After Xiluo Te returned, she remembered to invite her home to stay for a few days, and sent birthday gifts on her birthday to show her family hadn't forgotten her. It could be said that Shuxian was quite well-off.
Shuxian smiled, less nervous. "Everything's fine." She then said her son could walk and talk, and had memorized two Tang poems the other day...
As they were talking, Guan had already arrived. She came to help.
Choosing the daughter of the Guarjia clan as Crown Princess was a testament to the entire family—your family is prominent and powerful, your family education is trusted by the Emperor, and your family members are highly regarded by the Emperor. Your previous work has been recognized, and you will be given important positions in the future. Compared to the previous dynasty, where external relatives were not allowed to interfere in politics and were mostly treated with honor, this was a world of difference.
This was a family matter. In this feudal, patriarchal society, the clan's interests were prioritized, and clan unity was paramount. A disunited family would be the laughingstock of others. Shi Wenying and Shi Wenbing had a good relationship, both living in the capital, and the two families looked after each other. Guan also came over to help the Xiluo family entertain the guests.
Xiluo Te sent Shaoyao to tell Shujia that Guan had arrived. Shujia then asked Hongxiu to bring tea and fruit to express her gratitude. A moment later, Hongxiu and Shaoyao arrived together. "Miss, Auntie, ladies, please pack up! We have guests arriving."
With so many people around, the sisters' space for conversation was squeezed, and both of them had to brace themselves to deal with the friends and family who came and went. Shujia simply sat, smiled, and said hello. Then she continued to sit upright, smiling and listening. When someone came to leave, she nodded, and everything was fine. By the end of the day, her face was almost stiff from smiling, but since she was only facing acquaintances and friends, she had to smile.
Outside, the process was also very busy. Numerous messengers were dispatched, and the constant stream of congratulatory guests at home necessitated the transfer of some of the farmhands to help. The guests who arrived were also discerning. At such times, congratulatory guests were extremely discerning, weighing their relationships with the host family. Close relatives arrived early, while those more distant arrived later. The Dong'e and Guaerjia families, with whom Shujia had become acquainted during the grand ceremony, both sent their congratulations the following day. This continued for three or four days, and even with the Shi family's relatively low profile, it was exhausting.
Like a rumor, the news died down after its initial excitement wore off. The Shi family gradually calmed down, sorting out the gifts from the recent guests and taking inventory of the various supplies and consumables needed for entertaining them. They then quietly awaited further instructions from the palace.
Fu Dali, who had been on duty throughout, was more informed. "It's still early. We have to wait until the destinations of this batch of concubines are almost settled before the official decree comes down." This kind of notice was also issued in batches. The emperor was only human, and even his energy had its limits. Naturally, he would prioritize the important ones, starting with the princes, then the royal family, and finally the Jurchens. If the emperor himself took a fancy to someone, he would also issue instructions to another batch.
Hua Shan still acts like an old man at home. In his own words, "I have to keep pretending even though my bones are covered with hair."
Shujia was more concerned about Dong E and Ning Hui, with whom she became familiar during the election. She thought that these two had good family backgrounds and should be relatively advanced. Sure enough, Dong E was betrothed to the third prince, and Ning Hui was betrothed to Yaerjiang'a, the eldest son of Prince Jian.
Shujia was relieved. After all, they were acquaintances, and she was happy for them, sending someone to congratulate them. Now it was time to prepare for the formal marriage decree, choose an auspicious date, and other formalities. Now, could Ama finally be able to come back? Shujia thought, she really didn't feel at ease leaving her father alone in Fujian.
That wouldn't be all, but the most outrageous thing was Kangxi's choice of Fei Yanggu's daughter, Ulanara, as the legitimate wife for his fourth son, Yinzhen. Yinzhen was fourteen, and according to Manchu customs and imperial traditions, this marriage wasn't considered excessive. The problem was, Shujia knew about the Fourth Lady. Trying to recall... when was the last time she'd seen her? Counting on her fingers, had Ulanara finished her teeth this year?
Child bride? Shujia was confused.
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For the people of the capital, it was just another bizarre topic of conversation, but for the Shi family, it was just a passing wind. The Shi family's relationship with the Nara clan was not close, not to the point of concern. Moreover, with the Crown Princess at home, they were not that concerned about the Fourth Lady's affairs.
Now the Shi family had to worry about the Crown Princess's dowry. Xiluo had already been accumulating it since Shujia was very young, not to mention the valuables Hua Shan had looted while burning down houses during his campaign against the Three Feudatories. The Three Feudatories had wreaked havoc on the southern half of the country. Since the Song Dynasty, the southern economy had surpassed the northern, and there were… lots of valuables! Hua Shan had also copied numerous fine calligraphy and paintings, including authentic works by Dong Qichang, which Kangxi greatly admired.
I thought it was just a matter of sorting and processing, but Mrs. Xiluo had already made a list. The family had ample land and property, and she was determined to give them a large farm and several shops to provide their daughter with money for her wedding. The house was also filled with antiques and ornaments, including many Western toys brought from Fujian. As for the finest gems and pearls, they had boxes upon boxes, and there was plenty of fabric. And there was also a collection of precious woods like red sandalwood and huanghuali, accumulated over the years, more than enough to use.
Xiluo Te went through the details with her daughters and daughters-in-law, and the more she did, the less difficult it seemed. Jueluo Te had been listening quietly, but now she said, "This dowry isn't too small, but there's one catch... the in-laws already prepared the house, and the wife's family went to measure the dimensions, layout, and furniture..." Now, do you dare to go to Yuqing Palace and measure the room?! Are you planning a rebellion by prying into the Crown Prince's living arrangements?
The mother, daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were all silent.
Okay, don’t worry about it. You are not the ones who are having the most difficult time now.
Kangxi, having found a child bride for his son, was about to embark on a tour of the Great Wall as planned, but was stopped. Manchu Minister of Rites Gu Badai and Han Minister of Rites Xiong Cilü requested an imperial decree: "Your Majesty has already designated Guaerjia as the Crown Princess, but no decree has been issued yet. According to the system of our dynasty, when an imperial son is to be married, the wife's father, both dressed in dragon robes, must personally go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to receive the decree. Since the Crown Princess's father, Shi Wenbing, is still in Fujian, what should be done? Furthermore, should the Imperial Astronomical Observatory be ordered to select an auspicious date for the decree?"
Yes, the real headache now was for Kangxi and his men—how could the Crown Prince marry without his father-in-law? Shi Wenbing was in Fuzhou, on official business. He had submitted the petition for additional military standards and had also opened the switch. He had to see things through to the end and return only after completing his tasks.
There was another thing they couldn't say: because the Crown Prince was the second son, matters concerning the third and fourth sons would have to wait until the second son was determined. The fourth son was still okay, as his first wife was still a young girl. The third son was no longer young, so he would have to wait.
Kangxi said, "I have my own plans for this matter. Shi Wenbing still has unfinished business in Fuzhou, and... the southern heat is scorching, and it continues unabated into autumn. Sending him back would be disastrous if something unexpected happened. When I return to the capital from the Great Wall, I will summon him back immediately, and we can draft the decree arranging his marriage. The Crown Prince's marriage to a concubine is different from that of an ordinary prince, and the decree must be written with even greater solemnity."
The two ministers' ears twitched at the same time. The emperor was so thoughtful. He attached so much importance to the prince and was so meticulous and caring.
Admiration aside, what needs to be said is: "Your Majesty, as you said, the Crown Prince's marriage to a concubine is different from that of an ordinary prince. However... our dynasty does not have a grand wedding ceremony for the Crown Prince. Now that the Crown Prince's wedding is imminent, what should the ceremony be like?"
Kangxi slapped his head and thought, this is a big problem!
As a newly formed regime, the Qing Dynasty was already quite young by the 31st year of Emperor Kangxi's reign, but its canon of documents was still incomplete. Often, the canon was only drafted when it was needed. For example, the emperor's wedding ceremony wasn't even considered until Shunzhi's wedding was about to begin – alas, even the wedding process hadn't been established yet.
Others were initially established, then later changed during implementation, when they were found to be inappropriate. For example, during the reign of Huang Taiji, the Chongde Customs established ceremonial weapons and clothing for each individual. However, upon entering the country, it was discovered to be less than imposing, so they were amended and revised. Other positions were filled, and any original omissions were improved and supplemented in practice. However, in the nearly 100 years since the founding of the country, there has not been a single Crown Princess.
The Qing Dynasty had only ever had one officially appointed crown prince. And Yinreng was the first crown prince in the Qing dynasty's history. For him, the crown prince's ceremonial guards and attire, established during the Chongde reign, were tacitly altered beyond recognition, with the tacit approval of Emperor Kangxi. Unfortunately, Kangxi, preoccupied with Yinreng's privileges for the previous decade, completely overlooked the prospect of finding him a wife. The crown prince's wedding ceremony—absent!
In the 25th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign, the state compiled the "Da Qing Hui Dian." It regulated many things, but for some reason, the Da Qing Hui Dian didn't even mention the etiquette for the crown prince marrying. Now that it's time to use it, it's become a tragedy.
Kangxi's eyes flashed, and he immediately calmed down: "I will order you to prepare the wedding ceremony for the Crown Prince. I will come back to see it." Then he left the Crown Prince to speak: "I will go this time and will be back soon. I will leave everything in the capital to you. I am confident in your work."
Leaving the crown prince as regent, Kangxi left behind a mess. Yinreng, while handling government affairs, reviewed various memorials, wrote down summaries and inserts, and then wrote down the affairs of the palace and his own situation, which he sent to Kangxi. Meanwhile, he had to watch a group of people quarrel over his wife.
"…The capital is peaceful, except for the noise and commotion among you gentlemen. The Empress Dowager is feeling a bit hot, and I've asked the Imperial Household Department to provide more ice. I'm afraid that your grandmother, being old and frail, won't allow you to drink anything icy. Tea and fruit will be made with well water…"
The two Shangshu were in the lead, but matters like deciding the ceremony were a question of stance and treatment, and the political implications behind it were very rich. It was definitely not something that could be resolved by two Shangshu writing a composition behind closed doors.
The Crown Princess, the future mother of the nation, couldn't follow the same etiquette as other princes marrying wives; she must, of course, be a higher class. But how much higher was this? What exactly was included in the engagement gift? What was the story behind each item? What did it represent? It all needed to be carefully explored.
Since the two of them couldn't complete the huge project, they had to make a list of things that needed to be discussed and discuss it with the relevant parties.
There was an immediate quarrel going on.
Opening history books reveals that matters involving etiquette are always the most troublesome. Court officials would argue for years over whether a posthumous title should have one extra character or one less, or even roll up their sleeves and fight in public over whether to put an extra string of beads on a hat. Deaths were also common over matters of honor.
Soetu was trying to elevate the position to a high level, while Mingzhu, with his remaining influence, was nitpicking. Quoting classics, the situation was lively. The speaker spoke on his own, while the onlookers were left in the dark. Because both Soetu and Mingzhu, the two leaders, had accompanied the emperor north, those remaining in Beijing were hesitant to make a decision, resorting to bickering. Gu Badai and Xiong Cilü were both erudite and neither side clearly aligned themselves with the other. However, when they made a decision, the Soetu faction thought it was too lenient, while the Ming faction thought it was too lenient, leading to another dispute.
I told you, is being Kangxi's daughter-in-law that easy? If it were that easy, then this position wouldn't be such a bummer. Just wait! You can only get married after they're done arguing.
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Despite the clamor, Grand Secretary Alantai and the Manchu and Han Chinese Ministers of Rites who remained in Beijing still remembered their duty: to draft the wedding ceremony before Kangxi's return. Seeing the situation was unresolved, Alantai discussed with Gu and Xiong: "First, we'll draft the general procedures. We'll add the detailed rules once the emperor returns to confirm the order. The most urgent task is to carefully finalize the engagement ceremony, the engagement ceremony, and the betrothal ceremony."
Under his guidance, the homework assigned by Kangxi was quickly completed. The three of them looked at each other and smiled bitterly. Sometimes, collective wisdom is not necessarily a good thing.
In September, Kangxi returned to Beijing, and Yinreng led the troops to welcome him at Tangquan. Father and son stayed there for several days, with all military and national affairs delivered to Tangquan by express horseback, only to be dispatched after approval. One of these matters was to summon General Shi Wenbing of Fuzhou back to Beijing.
Kangxi, after reviewing the ceremonial notes drafted by Alantai and his colleagues, also found the situation fraught with difficulty. Putting aside their factional differences, the two factions each had their own merits in their arguments, so he decided to proceed step by step. The keynote was that the Crown Prince's wedding would be more prestigious than that of an ordinary prince, reflecting the fact that he was marrying the future queen mother.
Shi Wenbing is coming back soon.
Fu Dali brought the news home, and the whole family was overjoyed. When the family was about to return, the title of Crown Princess would officially be worn by the second daughter.
It took more than a month to complete this word "quickly".
Fujian is thousands of miles from the capital, and Fujian is mountainous, making the roads difficult to navigate. As the emperor's relative, you can't just rush back to the capital like a refugee; you must maintain your composure. You'll have to socialize along the way and withstand the officials' eagerness and attempts to entice you. And remember, the crown prince is waiting in the capital for you to give your daughter to her.
Shi Wenbing's journey was filled with joy, fear, gratitude, and tension. As he returned home, Guanyin Baodu began to suspect that this was just someone who looked a bit like his father, impersonating him.
Shujia almost burst into tears. Not only had she become darker and thinner, but the wrinkles on her face had also deepened, and there were strands of silver hair in her braids.
The author has something to say:
This is probably... the truth behind the postponement of the Crown Prince's wedding?
A bit late today? Sweat, I was so excited to write that I went to look up some information.
Then I was still thinking, how can I prevent Shi Wenbing from dying early?
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