Mian Tang, reminded by Mama Li, suddenly realized her posture was improper. She quickly composed herself, lowering her eyebrows and adopting the shy demeanor of a new bride.
The Prince of Huaiyang handed Mian Tang a red silk ribbon embroidered with gold thread. They each held one end, and walked across a stone bridge, one in front and one behind.
The onlookers gasped in amazement. Beneath the bridge lay a sand model, revealing the entire city of Zhen at their feet.
Local custom dictated that newlyweds circle the city, but Mian Tang was with child. Cui Xingzhou, unwilling to let her walk so far, had ordered a sand model of Zhen placed under the bridge. Crossing it symbolized traversing the entire city in just a few steps.
The sand model, crafted by skilled artisans from the Zhen military, accurately depicted every lake, bridge, street, and shop. Children among the guests bent down, giggling as they searched for their own homes.
The noblewomen, while impressed, thought the Prince was overly indulgent of his new bride.
Rumor had it that the new Princess had recently worn ill-fitting shoes, injuring her feet. The Prince had informed the guests that after paying respects to Heaven and Earth and drinking the nuptial cup, the bride would retire early to the bridal chamber. He requested that guests refrain from the traditional “disturbing the bridal chamber” custom, instead enjoying the food and drink provided.
In truth, even without the Prince’s warning, few in Zhen would dare disturb the royal couple’s privacy.
Zhao Quan, however, felt a pang of melancholy as he watched his friend guide the radiant bride across the bridge of matrimony, amid the congratulations of family and friends.
Due to the hasty wedding date, Mian Tang’s eldest uncle from the Lu family of Xi Province was still en route and couldn’t escort the bride. However, the Prince had befriended many scholarly gentlemen in Zhen. A few white-bearded masters of calligraphy and painting stood in as Mian Tang’s great-uncles and relatives, saving face. On such a joyous occasion, no one would question whether these “relatives” truly appeared in the Huaisang Countess’s family records.
Among Mian Tang’s entourage was He Zhen of the He family, a personal acquaintance. It was He Zhen who had inadvertently informed Mian Tang about unusual activity at Hui Prefecture’s docks, alerting her to the Sui Prince’s plan to ambush Zhen.
Mian Tang believed in the power of connections. Some were malevolent, while others were blessings. Since losing her memory, she had formed two genuine sisterly bonds: one with the Queen of the Northwestern Barbarians, and another with Miss He.
Moreover, Miss He hoped to expand her trade routes by cultivating a relationship with the new Princess. This made maintaining their friendship effortless.
Mian Tang was always generous with her friends, so she naturally invited He Zhen to her wedding. However, He Zhen stood in the crowd, urgently blinking and gesturing, rather than appearing moved to tears.
Noticing this, Mian Tang whispered to Fang Xie as she helped her kneel to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, “Find Miss He later and ask what she needs to tell me.”
Fang Xie nodded. After the ceremony, attendants brought a gourd with “Hundred Years of Harmony” inscribed in gold. The Prince and Princess jointly wielded a golden knife to split the gourd. Each took half, filled it with wine, and drank with interlocked arms, completing the nuptial cup ritual and officially becoming husband and wife.
Mian Tang sipped the water, knowing the Prince had ordered it substituted for wine, and smiled at Cui Xingzhou. He gazed at her lovingly, thinking that from now on, this woman was his wife. If she wanted to leave again, she’d need his permission!
Unaware of her husband’s thoughts, Mian Tang turned to accept the guests’ blessings, catching sight of Miss He pulling Fang Xie aside for a whispered conversation.
Cui Xingzhou, not wanting to tire Mian Tang, led her to the bridal chamber after the ceremony. While the bride could rest, the groom couldn’t avoid his guests.
Many of his military subordinates had come, intent on toasting him into submission. Unable to refuse these brothers-in-arms, the Prince of Huaiyang instructed Mian Tang to eat something and rest before heading to the main hall to entertain guests.
Soon after, Fang Xie hurried in. Mian Tang sent Huan Xue and Yan Rong to fetch some food before asking, “What did Miss He tell you?”
Fang Xie replied, “Miss He said that while queuing to enter the city, she overheard a rough-looking man boasting to others that he was the brother of the Prince’s new bride.”
Mian Tang frowned. “What?”
Fang Xie continued, “Miss He was startled and observed him closely. Someone nearby was quietly urging him to be discreet, not to ruin the siblings’ reunion. Miss He found it suspicious. The man wore tattered clothes and was covered in dirt and fleas, while those around him were richly dressed. They didn’t seem to belong together. She feared they might be your distant poor relatives coming to cause trouble. But who would dare disrupt the Prince’s wedding? Fortunately, Lu Yi from your shop was there with some brothers to deliver wedding gifts. Hearing Miss He’s concerns, Lu Yi had his brother Lu Quan pretend to lose his money pouch and detain the shabby man. This attracted the attention of guards, who took them to the magistrate’s office for questioning. Miss He wanted to inform you so you could prepare.”
Mian Tang furrowed her brow. She did have an elder brother who had been exiled to the frontier.
After reconciling with Cui Xingzhou, he offered to bring her brother back. However, after reviewing her brother’s case file, Mian Tang politely declined the Prince’s kindness.
Her brother, Liu Zhanpeng, had committed numerous crimes. His embezzlement had ruined the prospects of many talented scholars. Worse still, his corruption had driven a proud student to suicide. How could such a grave matter be overlooked?
Because of this case, their father had taken most of the blame and been executed. Liu Zhanpeng was exiled to the frontier.
Mian Tang felt that her brother had been spoiled by their father from childhood to the point where their father was willing to die for his son. But she was not her father and had no obligation to continue indulging her irresponsible brother.
If the law was just, let him serve his sentence and atone for his past, perhaps becoming a better person in the process. Why open a convenient escape for an unrepentant individual?
But now, long before his exile was due to end, if that vagrant truly was Liu Zhanpeng, how had he appeared in Zhen, thousands of miles away? And why was he claiming to be her brother?
After pondering for a moment, Mian Tang instructed Bi Cao, “Bring me some men’s clothing. I’m going to the magistrate’s office to investigate.”
Shocked, Fang Xie and Bi Cao protested. Fang Xie pleaded, “Countess… it’s your wedding day. How can a bride leave her chamber to visit a jail? The Prince will surely punish us severely if he finds out. Please reconsider!”
Mian Tang usually followed her instincts boldly. But reminded of her status by her maids, she hesitated.
Mama Li, who had been listening quietly, spoke up, “Princess, there’s no need for you to go personally. Whether or not that man is Young Master Liu, it’s inappropriate to welcome him today. We can wait one more night. I can send someone to the magistrate’s office to ensure they treat the young master well with food and wine.”
Mian Tang raised an eyebrow. “Mama Li, you have connections at the magistrate’s office?”
Mama Li smiled sheepishly. “My son passed the imperial examination today and was promoted by the Prince to be the Deputy Magistrate of Zhao County in outer Zhen. Since they were arrested outside the city, they’re likely in my son’s jurisdiction.”
In this dynasty, unlike previous ones, servants’ children were not barred from taking imperial examinations. Except for merchants and criminals, there were no restrictions on entering officialdom.
Thus, many children born to noble households had better prospects for advancement than those from commoner families if they possessed true talent. It seemed Mama Li’s son was one such case.
Mian Tang was surprised. “So you’re already the mother of a Deputy Magistrate, yet I’ve been ordering you around daily…”
Mama Li waved her hand dismissively. “Princess, please don’t jest. How could I lose my place? Even if my son becomes Prime Minister, he’s still a servant born in the Prince’s household! He’s the Prince’s servant, let alone me. Being able to serve you is a blessing I’ve cultivated over many lifetimes!”
Mian Tang hadn’t seen Mama Li’s stern face in a long time. Now, the old woman was as gentle as a spring breeze, her eyes and brows full of smiles. No wonder she had navigated the royal household for so many years. Her ability to balance attitudes and naturally flatter superiors was something her two naive maids could learn from for a lifetime!
With the Deputy Magistrate of Zhao County being one of their own, everything could be easily arranged. Mama Li received Mian Tang’s instructions and left, sure to handle the situation discreetly.
However, Mian Tang couldn’t relax. She wasn’t worried about guests learning of her family background, but if it truly was her brother appearing here, he must have been manipulated by someone with ill intentions, aiming to embarrass the Prince of Huaiyang.
One could imagine the commotion if a man fresh from exile, still covered in lice, stood brazenly at the palace gates shouting “Brother-in-law, open up!”
Fortunately, He Zhen was observant, and loyal brothers happened to be with her when entering the city.