With a formidable substitute eagerly waiting to take his place, Jiang Zhong couldn’t afford any mistakes. Suppressing his anger, he grimly cooperated with the remaining rituals. Lady Du remained silent, going through the motions and waiting for the crucial moment to express her displeasure.
As the newlyweds finished bowing to the kitchen god, they were led to the main hall to pay respects to Heaven and Earth, and then to the groom’s parents. While Jiang Zhong’s emotions were complex, Lady Du was filled with excitement. She sat composed and gentle, eagerly awaiting Jiang Changyang and Mudan’s bow.
It was natural for Jiang Changyang to resent her, and he might be reluctant to bow. However, tradition dictated that as long as Jiang Zhong was present, she and he were one unit. Refusing to bow to her meant refusing to bow to Jiang Zhong as well. If they didn’t bow, Jiang Zhong would surely object, marrying the wedding’s perfection. Either way, Lady Du felt she would emerge victorious.
As Lady Du’s anticipation grew, Jiang Changyang and Mudan calmly bowed to their in-laws after paying respects to Heaven and Earth, following the master of ceremonies’ instructions. Watching them bow, Lady Du couldn’t help but smile triumphantly at Lady Wang. However, Lady Wang paid her no attention, focusing lovingly on the newlyweds with a sweet smile. At this moment, nothing mattered more to her than her children’s happiness and the success of the wedding. She had no interest in petty squabbles or others’ hidden agendas.
Lady Du smirked, thinking Lady Wang’s nonchalance was merely a facade. She delicately brushed nonexistent dust from her skirt, waiting for the couple to bow to each other and retire to their chamber, signaling the end of the ceremony so she could return home. However, just as she began to relax, Jiang Changyang stood up straight and announced loudly, “Bring two more chairs.”
No one understood why he wasn’t proceeding with the traditional bow between husband and wife. Mudan, however, suspected his intentions. Jiang Changyang wanted to pay respects to Lady Wang and Fang Bohui. While such actions were common in modern times when parents divorced and remarried, in this era, Jiang Changyang’s behavior was considered unorthodox. Not only would Jiang Zhong disapprove, but public opinion might turn against him.
Yet, Jiang Changyang reasoned, if he could bow to his father and stepmother, why couldn’t he bow to his birth mother and stepfather? After all, his mother had given him life and raised him alone, while his stepfather had provided crucial support during his formative years. How could he not pay them respect?
Mudan stood steadfastly by Jiang Changyang’s side, silently communicating her unwavering support for his decision. Jiang Changyang glanced at her gratefully before carefully placing the two chairs in the center of the hall. He then helped Lady Wang and Fang Bohui to their seats.
The crowd erupted in hushed discussions. Some claimed it violated tradition, others wondered what drama was unfolding, and some criticized Jiang Changyang for his unorthodox behavior. A few of Jiang’s relatives even tried to intervene. However, a group of women led by the Fen Princess praised Lady Wang for raising such a filial son, acknowledging her sacrifices.
Jiang Zhong turned pale, looking incredulously from Jiang Changyang to the teary-eyed Lady Wang, then to the composed Fang Bohui, and finally to Mudan, who was prepared to bow alongside Jiang Changyang. He noticed Lady Du’s cold smirk and felt the weight of countless judgmental gazes upon him. Never before had he felt so humiliated and enraged. He abruptly stood up, shouting, “What is the meaning of this?” He wanted to question Jiang Changyang’s loyalty to the family name but feared an even more embarrassing response.
The hall fell silent. Lady Du’s smirk grew colder, Lady Wang remained impassive, and Fang Bohui smiled faintly. Jiang Changyang calmly addressed the guests, explaining, “Esteemed family and friends, you may wonder about my actions today. It’s simply a matter of filial piety and gratitude. My mother carried me for ten months, risking her life to bring me into this world. She raised me alone for over a decade, personally tending to my every need, teaching me to read and write, and guiding me in life’s ways. She endured countless hardships so that I could become a man. How could I not bow to her? To do otherwise would be less than human.”
He then gestured to Fang Bohui, saying earnestly, “My stepfather once saved my mother and me from bandits. He later taught me martial arts, military strategy, and the ways of a gentleman. First a lifesaver, then a mentor, he may not be my birth father, but our bond is even stronger. He is more than worthy of my respect.”
His words were so heartfelt and reasonable that even those who disagreed couldn’t find fault with his logic. Fang Bohui adopted a solemn expression, sitting upright alongside the tearful Lady Wang as they accepted the bow from Jiang Changyang and Mudan.
The phrase “not father and son, but a bond stronger than blood” struck Jiang Zhong like a knife to the chest. Enraged, he stood up, knocking over his chair, and stormed out without a word. He despised Lady Wang, loathed Fang Bohui, and resented Jiang Changyang, but he could only express his anger through his departure.
However, even this attempt at venting his frustrations was thwarted. He had barely taken a few steps when a eunuch arrived to bestow imperial gifts and titles. Jiang Zhong was forced to not only stay but also lead the ceremony of accepting and thanking the emperor. With an ashen face and trembling lips, he struggled to control his emotions as he bowed deeply. Behind him, Lady Du observed his distress with a mix of pity and satisfaction, reveling in the complete breakdown of the father-son relationship between Jiang Changyang and Jiang Zhong.
The imperial gifts were modest: two jade ruyi scepters and an early conferment of the title “County Lady” for Mudan, sparing Jiang Changyang the need to petition for it later. While the messenger wasn’t particularly distinguished, his presence represented the emperor’s acknowledgment of Mudan, a commoner, as Jiang Changyang’s lawful wife.
Jiang Changyang was genuinely moved by this gesture. Beyond his efforts to support and protect Mudan, he needed this external validation to provide her with more security and ensure a smoother life for her in the future.
The interruption by the imperial messenger diffused the tension from the bowing incident. Everyone, except Jiang Zhong, got what they wanted. Jiang Changyang fulfilled his wish to honor his mother, received his new wife’s support, and Lady Wang felt her son’s deep love and respect. Fang Bohui received his stepson’s esteem, Lady Du witnessed Jiang Zhong’s distress and the father-son rift, and Jiang Changyi observed the power struggle between his most promising older brother and their father and stepmother. It seemed a win for all.
Only Jiang Zhong was left with a heart full of sorrow and anger, unable to find relief. He could only silently lament the unfairness of fate, wondering why he had to endure such circumstances. He resented Lady Wang’s lack of propriety, Fang Bohui’s audacity, and Jiang Changyang’s filial impiety.
After the imperial messenger’s departure, the Fen Princess, sensing the awkwardness, stepped forward to oversee the couple’s bow to each other. Once Mudan finished paying respects to the guests, everyone playfully teased the newlyweds according to custom. Finally, amid laughter and joy, they escorted the blushing Mudan and the grinning Jiang Changyang to their bridal chamber.
In the candlelight, the gilt dragon and phoenix silver cups gleamed, filled with fragrant wine. The ritual of drinking from linked cups symbolized the couple’s mutual love and unity. Mudan reverently lifted her cup, joining the equally solemn Jiang Changyang in drinking the sweet wine that warmed their hearts.
After setting down their cups, the couple bowed to each other once more on the prepared mat. The guests then ushered them to the newly adorned bed, with the man on the right and the woman on the left. The waiting female attendants laughed, calling out, “Time to shower them with coins!” They recited blessings: “On this auspicious night, the He family’s daughter weds the Jiang family’s son. May their union bring prosperity for thousands of autumns and ten thousand years? May they have five sons and two daughters, with servants in abundance. May the sons become ministers and the daughters marry princes. From this day forward, may the couple enjoy a long life…”
Countless gold and silver coins, along with fruits and flowers, rained down on the bed canopy, making Mudan blink rapidly. She thought to herself that it would be even better if it didn’t hurt. A hand reached out from under a sleeve, gently grasping hers—warm, dry, and reassuring. This was her husband. Mudan’s lips curled into a smile as she lowered her gaze to the golden phoenix on her ceremonial robe, waiting for the next part of the ritual.
After the coin shower, an elderly female relative of the Jiang family approached with a dignified smile. She carefully removed Jiang Changyang’s wedding attire, including his headpiece and hat. She then tied the couple’s toes together with five-colored silk threads, unbound their hair, cut a lock from each, tied them together, and placed them in a brocade pouch.
The ceremony was complete. The guests began to leave, preparing to return home.
Lady Du glanced around and called out to Lady Wang nearby, saying with a smirk, “Sister Wang, you really should advise your eldest son. Continuing like this won’t benefit anyone. Remember, one must cultivate oneself, manage the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. Don’t let momentary satisfaction lead to greater losses.” Her voice was carefully modulated to be audible to those around them.
Lady Wang paused, turned to face her, and smiled slightly. “Thank you for your concern. As a mother, nothing is more satisfying than receiving such respect and love from one’s child. I believe my eldest son’s character is excellent, and he will undoubtedly manage his household well in the future. There won’t be any problems.” With a nod, she turned and boarded her carriage.
Lady Du sneered softly and climbed into her carriage. She said to Jiang Zhong, “That boy still harbors resentment. He’s young, so it’s understandable. But that Fang Bohui is truly going too far with his insolence.”
Jiang Zhong clenched his jaw and abruptly turned away.