Zhao Song said, “From today onward, you two will become husband and wife. Husband and wife are like a gourd split in two—sharing sweetness and bitterness together, being one body. I hope you two can remember today’s vows and not be harmed by those messy rumors from outside, thinking that between husband and wife there must be the east wind overwhelming the west wind, or the west wind overwhelming the east wind.”

“If you have such thoughts, leave now. It’s better to remain single than to engage in internal conflicts, benefiting those messy various winds outside. You must know—husband and wife are one body. Only with unity of heart can there be unity of virtue, and only then can you walk the same path.”

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan looked at each other and both bowed in acknowledgment.

This was an issue they had never seriously contemplated before. Previously, they only felt that having a common goal and being fond of each other was sufficient. But today, hearing Zhao Song’s instruction, they realized this still wasn’t enough—they had been too superficial.

Seeing they had taken his words to heart, Zhao Song nodded with satisfaction. The smile on his face deepened by two points. “Come bow to your parents.”

He stepped aside. The two stepped forward together and bowed to the three parents seated in the place of honor.

The three parents sat in a row. Princess Hongnong’s face bore a faint smile. She raised her hand to excuse them from the courtesy, looking at Zhao Hanzhang with inevitably complex feelings in her heart. Fu Xuan also nodded repeatedly. Madam Wang’s eyes were brimming with tears as she quickly had them rise.

Zhao Song proclaimed loudly, “Bow to heaven and earth.”

The two turned and bowed once toward the heavens and earth outside.

Zhao Song called out, “Husband and wife bow to each other—”

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan turned to face each other.

They looked at each other and couldn’t help pressing their lips in a smile. Both suppressed their smiles, eyes bright and shining, as they bowed together. Their heads gently touched, then they raised their heads to look at each other.

“The ceremony is complete—”

Though the rites were complete, by rights the new couple should be escorted to the bridal chamber. But Zhao Hanzhang didn’t leave. Instead, she brought Fu Tinghan to face Zhao Song.

Zhao Song indeed still had words to say. He said softly, “On this auspicious day in this favorable month, with gentle wind and warm sun, today the Fu and Zhao families unite two surnames in friendship. I deeply hope you two can uphold your ancestors’ aspirations and not forget your ancestors’ virtue; that you can not forget your original intentions, be united in heart and virtue, encourage and assist each other, and remain companions until white-haired old age; that below you can continue your lineage and nurture future generations.”

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan agreed and respectfully bowed down.

Zhao Hanzhang bowed respectfully before him. Looking down, he could only see her jet-black hair. Zhao Song’s hardened heart couldn’t help but soften. This was the child most like his elder brother. The Zhao clan had prospered because of her, and in the future this country would flourish because of her…

Zhao Song’s eyes reddened. He rose and stepped forward to help her up, also raising his hand to assist Fu Tinghan.

He clasped their hands together and held them tightly, his eyes brimming with tears. “You two must live well in the future, you must live well…”

The previously emotionally stable Zhao Hanzhang only now felt the sourness and excitement. Her eyes heated up. She blinked, wanting to blink away the tears, but didn’t expect her nose to become increasingly sour. Her voice choked as she replied, “Yes!”

Fu Tinghan gripped Zhao Hanzhang’s hand back and also nodded solemnly. “Fifth Grand-Uncle, rest assured. We will live well.”

Only then did Zhao Song feel like his grandniece was being married off. It was actually more heart-wrenching than marrying off a son. He truly regarded Zhao Hanzhang as his own granddaughter.

The ceremony in the front hall was complete, but there were still rites in the back courtyard. They were led into the bridal chamber. Guests crowded in after them. In the witnesses’ presence, the two drank the nuptial wine. The matchmaker finished saying auspicious words and looked toward the guests, indicating they could now tease the newlyweds.

Zhao Rong and others enthusiastically stepped forward, just about to speak when they saw Zhao Hanzhang lift her eyelids to look at them. Everyone’s steps faltered. In the end, they didn’t dare be presumptuous. They exchanged glances and cupped their hands. “May the groom and bride rest. We’ll take our leave first.”

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand. “Go on. Once we’ve changed clothes, we’ll come toast everyone.”

Zhao Rong quickly bowed and withdrew, breathing a sigh of relief only after walking out the door.

Inside the room, Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Fu Tinghan, pressed her lips in a smile, and stood. “I’ll change into something lighter. Let’s go toast everyone together.”

Fu Tinghan nodded. “Alright.”

Zhao Hanzhang called Ting He over and went behind the screen to change. Fu Tinghan also found casual clothes to change into.

Zhao Hanzhang removed all the jewelry from her body and asked, “Is Fifth Grand-Uncle still here?”

“Fifth Grand Elder is drinking wine with the Princess and Prince Consort in the front courtyard.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Go find Zeng Yue. Tell him it’s getting late and to prepare to send Fifth Grand Elder back. After I toast a round of wine, send him back.”

Ting He acknowledged.

Zhao Hanzhang also removed her earrings, placing them in Ting He’s hands. “Keep Seventh Grand-Uncle here. Have Fan Ying, Wang Huifeng, and all the female officials come to the front.”

Ting He looked up at Zhao Hanzhang and bowed in acknowledgment.

Zhao Hanzhang reorganized her hair, only pinning a jade hairpin in it. She turned around the screen. Fu Tinghan had also changed into casual clothes, his whole person looking much more refreshed.

The two smiled at each other and walked out hand in hand.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’ve already hinted that I want to record today’s marriage system in the Book of Rites. Tonight I’ll mention it again, so there’ll probably be a hard battle to fight. It’ll be difficult for you.”

Fu Tinghan replied, “Fan Ying and the Ministry of Justice’s memorial has been sent back three times already. Can it succeed this time?”

Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head and smiled. “I think it can. In their eyes, ritual is more important than law. And not all men can accept this new marriage system, but daughters are their own flesh and blood.”

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan walked hand in hand to the banquet hall. The banquet was set up in a pavilion in the back, connected to the garden with many tables and chairs set up. At this moment, it was brilliantly lit, illuminating the pavilion and garden like daylight.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept across those lanterns and candles. Fu Tinghan seemed to know what she was thinking and whispered in her ear, “The Princess bought them on credit.”

Although Princess Hongnong had returned late, she still seized time to add many items for this wedding.

Seeing the newlyweds emerge, everyone stopped their movements and looked over.

Ting He presented two cups of wine. Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan received them and first went to toast Zhao Song. “Today we’ve troubled Fifth Grand-Uncle. Sanniang and Tinghan gratefully toast you.”

Zhao Song smiled as he received wine from an attendant, beaming. “As long as you husband and wife are harmonious, this presiding elder will have done his duty worthily.”

After drinking the wine, Zhao Song stepped back and gestured to the side. “Quickly go toast your mother and parents-in-law. In the future, you must be filial to them. They raised Tinghan and you, and arranged your wedding—it’s been very hard.”

Zhao Hanzhang agreed and stepped forward to respectfully toast Madam Wang, Princess Hongnong, and Fu Xuan.

Zhao Hanzhang had already changed even the marriage system—emerging from the bridal chamber to toast was nothing?

Princess Hongnong showed no unusual reaction as she accepted the wine cup, smiling as she drank. Her gaze fell on Fu Tinghan, who was raising his head to drink beside her. She instructed, “Dalang, you’ve established a family now. From this day forward, you’re not only my and your father’s son, but also a husband, and in the future you’ll be a father. You must have the ability to support a family and protect your wife and children. Only then will you not have failed in your responsibilities.”

Fu Tinghan lowered his head in acknowledgment.

Princess Hongnong wanted to say more when Zeng Yue approached. “Fifth Grand Elder, the carriage and horses are ready. This humble one will escort you back to the mansion now.”

Having drunk several cups of wine tonight in succession, coupled with emotional excitement, Zhao Song was now somewhat tipsy. He didn’t remember Zhao Hu, who lived in the same mansion. He handed his wine cup to an attendant and said to Princess Hongnong, “It’s getting late. I shall take my leave first. Congratulations to the Princess and Prince Consort on this joyous occasion. May your descendants multiply and prosper for generations to come.”