The next day the He family held their funeral procession, after which the Lou and He families set their wedding date for seven days later. These eight days naturally saw both the Lou and He families frantically busy, and the Cheng family also spent them ‘quite’ unsettled.
First, the Emperor ‘acted as adoptive father’ very thoroughly. Skipping the day of the He family funeral, the very next day he came with unlimited splendor to present the betrothal gifts—dragging the oldest among the imperial clan relatives, old Prince Ruyang, out from Sancai Temple, dressing up the old gentleman all festively to serve as chief matchmaker. The two attendant witnesses were Marquis Yu and General Wu respectively. The betrothal gifts ranged from gold and silver vessels, pearls, jade, and brocade silks to sixteen varieties of whole chickens, whole ducks, seafood, and dried goods—everything complete in every aspect.
The Emperor had also wanted to assemble half a Yulin Guard’s worth of ceremonial procession to really make it lively, but was talked down by his close ministers after much persuasion. Marquis Yu indicated that when Ling Buyi formally marries, Your Majesty will still have opportunities to display your enthusiasm. General Wu, not good with words, held back for a long time before squeezing out the sentence ‘the He family’s funeral procession didn’t even have this many people,’ nearly angering the Emperor.
On the day of presenting betrothal gifts, the Cheng residence was bustling with voices. Old Comrade Wan Songbai came to help without shirking responsibility. Sweating profusely, he leaned close to Cheng Shi’s ear and said: “Had I known there would be today, back then I would have bought a residence with a more spacious front alley, better than today when we can’t even fit everyone at the gate!”
Cheng Shi wiped the sweat from his forehead, thinking: Had I known my youngest daughter had such devastating power, back then I would have insisted on bringing her along, selecting an excellent son-in-law early on, better than today bowing and saluting one by one to a crowd of guests far superior to me in family standing and noble rank! This was directly upgrading one’s social circle!
Old Prince Ruyang couldn’t bear the earth-shaking noise in the front courtyard and quietly strolled to a corridor in a secluded area to rest. Before long, a beautiful young lady like a pretty little koi in a pond aimlessly swam over.
“Young lady, please sit. It’s truly noisy outside.” The old Prince, having cultivated Dao for many years, had quite a carefree and unrestrained temperament.
“Greetings to the Old Prince.” That young lady’s voice was like a young oriole, her expression charming and naive. She respectfully gave the old man a grand salute, then curled into a small ball kneeling to the side of the corridor.
Prince Ruyang saw her dressed ordinarily in a half-worn summer robe. Taking her for a young maid from the Cheng residence who had come out to avoid work, he sighed toward the front courtyard: “Ling Buyi is greatly favored by the sacred heart. There will be no shortage of such scenes in the future. I wonder if your household’s young lady can handle it.”
The girl looked at the old Prince: “…My father is Captain Cheng.”
Prince Ruyang: “…How many daughters does your father have?”
“One.”
Prince Ruyang looked the girl up and down and laughed: “So you’re Ling Buyi’s future wife, Cheng Shaoshang. Ha ha ha, you’ve tired out my granddaughter so much she cried inconsolably yesterday. I happened to see it.”
Shaoshang, seeing his manner was easygoing, boldly sighed: “Princess Yuchang, yes, I’ve heard people talk about it. Alas, but the Princess’s status is too noble, her person too reserved. If back then she had pursued all the way to the border, perhaps Lord Ling would have agreed.” What use is just hiding at home crying? Either you should properly harbor a secret love, or if you’re already openly in love, how can you not achieve some results? The first principle in the Manual of Pursuing Men is ‘shamelessness.’
No matter what, Prince Ruyang hadn’t expected such words to come from the mouth of a girl with such an appearance. He examined Shaoshang once more and smiled: “If it were you, you would have pursued him?”
Shaoshang didn’t hesitate: “Of course. For such a lifetime matter, if you don’t give it your all, you’ll definitely regret it later. If you’ve tried your best and it still doesn’t work out, at least you can give up.”
In her life she most looked down on those cowards who ‘want something very much in their hearts but don’t actively pursue it, then just use expressions to hint and wait for others to help.’ Either completely suppress it, or fight hard for it—what’s the point of affected hesitation? She herself didn’t dare confess to the white moonlight next door, so she simply concealed it impenetrably, not letting anyone see her feelings, not causing trouble for the other party.
“You’re still young and don’t know that things in this world aren’t so easy.” The old Prince sighed. “Many times, even if you can think clearly, you can’t live transparently.”
Shaoshang raised her head to look at the azure sky and sighed: “Actually, you can still live even if you can’t think transparently.” She smiled, turned her head and laughed: “Your Highness the Prince, you’re truly a good person—kind and easygoing. Like wheat stalks in the fields, simple and unadorned, yet precious beyond measure. Ordinary people may not appreciate it, but it’s what the state and common people rely upon.” She felt herself truly fucking talented.
Prince Ruyang had heard plenty of flattery, but this refreshingly unique kind was rare. He laughed heartily: “I merely cultivate in the temple month after month, accustomed to being lazy, disliking broken rules and regulations.”
Shaoshang nodded: “Mm, then has Your Highness the Prince also been at the temple these past days?”
“Naturally. Now that the weather gets hotter day by day, how can one stay in the capital? Better the temple’s coolness.”
“Then does the Princess also live at the temple with Your Highness?” Shaoshang looked at a summer chrysanthemum in the courtyard ahead.
Prince Ruyang’s expression changed.
“If not, then the Princess specifically went to the temple to cry for Your Highness to see. Otherwise, how could you have ‘happened’ to see it?” Shaoshang still looked ahead.
Prince Ruyang stroked his graying long beard, looking at the girl for a long time before letting out a long sigh.
Shaoshang felt pleased inside but pretended modesty: “Your Highness and the Princess are grandfather and granddaughter—inevitably one leaf obscures the view.”
“You little young lady, you think I can’t tell?” The old Prince laughed heartily. “At my age, what tricks you young ladies play—how could I not see!”
Shaoshang looked at him in surprised doubt, thinking: Then why were you so shocked just now?
“What surprises me is that you could expose it in one sentence.” The old Prince smiled and sighed. “Bold courage, clever mind too. So this is the type Ling Buyi likes! My temple is named ‘Sancai.’ Do you know what ‘Sancai’ means?”
Shaoshang smiled: “I know—guarding wealth, loving wealth, and getting promoted to wealth!”
“Nonsense!” Prince Ruyang was amused to exasperation.
“I beg pardon, I beg pardon! Prince, don’t blame me!” The little girl smiled cunningly and charmingly, cupping her small white fists and bowing repeatedly in apology. “‘Sancai’ means ‘Heaven, Earth, and Humanity.’ I understand the old immortal’s meaning—everything follows its natural course. If people want to cry they cry, want to laugh they laugh. Actually it’s nothing.” That’s basically what Laozi and Zhuangzi meant anyway.
The old Prince smiled slightly, feeling this little lady was bold and sweet-tongued, not only interesting but able to perceive people’s hearts. Those three characters ‘old immortal’ greatly pleased him. Thinking of this, he suddenly darkened his expression and said coldly: “Why did you deliberately come chat with this old man today?”
Shaoshang started, then showed a bewildered expression: “Old immortal, you’re truly formidable, seeing through it at a glance. Alright, this young lady wants to ask: how does Lord Ling speak with you?”
Prince Ruyang hesitated: “This… Zisheng grew up in the palace from childhood, no different from several imperial princes, just like this old man’s own sons, grandsons, and nephews.”
Shaoshang smiled bitterly: “Marriage arrangements are still better when well-matched. You see, what he can say I cannot say. Those he can freely associate with, I may not necessarily be able to. Today I fortunately encountered someone as easygoing and amiable as you.”
Prince Ruyang saw her melancholy expression and felt pity: “Captain Cheng is also a heroic outstanding person. You need not feel ashamed. This old man will tell you one thing: from the moment His Majesty and the Empress learned Zisheng would marry, their joy could not be restrained. As long as you conduct yourself sincerely, gentle and observant of propriety, no one can make things difficult for you.”
After this counsel, he looked at the girl’s hesitant expression. “Many people only see the surface but don’t know what’s inside. Alas, I fear the first person to make things difficult for you in the future will be Ling Buyi himself…”
Shaoshang was puzzled and let out an “ah.” Before she could open her mouth, two gorgeously dressed beautiful maids found their way over, supporting the old man on left and right as he slowly rose. Before leaving, the old Prince turned back to smile at her: “You’ll understand in the future.”
—In fact, she didn’t need to wait for the future. The day after the betrothal gifts were presented, Shaoshang experienced it, and not just her—the entire Cheng residence experienced it.
Having already passed through the formal rites, Ling Buyi came to visit frequently like an ordinary household’s future son-in-law. Then, like the Ice Age from ancient times forcibly descending upon this leisurely early summer season, all the fans they’d just prepared were completely useless.
Ling Buyi actually wasn’t particularly ostentatious, merely six personal guards plus another squad of over ten guards. Whether he needed them or not, whenever he went out, two sturdy famous breed horses that could be switched out, plus that tall and dignified carriage forged of black heavy iron, always accompanied him as usual—from childhood he was raised by the imperial couple with the rites of princes and nobles, long accustomed to these things.
He also didn’t deliberately dress up, just simple single robes and long tunics with a plain bamboo crown. But worn on his upright and compact frame, he was like a highland lighthouse burning with eternal fierce flames—classically beautiful, imposing and magnificent, and not to be taken lightly. He had no such intention, but how could ordinary people dare speak frivolously before him?
On his first day visiting, the Cheng couple warmly invited him to share the evening meal.
When the red-cheeked maids served dishes to everyone’s individual food tables, they couldn’t help repeatedly stealing glances at him. One accidentally knocked over soup. A hidden guard kneeling in attendance behind Ling Buyi nearly drew his dagger to step forward. Fortunately Ling Buyi raised his hand to stop him early, otherwise that maid’s hand would have been chopped off. Cheng Shi was embarrassed and apologized repeatedly.
Ling Buyi said: “No matter, it’s just a small thing. Uncle Cheng please don’t punish severely—spare her life.”
Cheng Shi: …Actually, I wasn’t planning to punish severely.
Shaoshang said in shock: “In your household, if a maid knocks over soup she must die?”
Ling Buyi looked toward the girl at the lower side seat, his expression gentle, smiling: “Palace discipline is strict. If it’s accidental spillage, that’s considered light punishment. If it’s careless behavior due to stealing glances at banquet guests, that’s a capital offense.”
This time it was Madam Xiao’s turn to be embarrassed. She said with difficulty: “The household management is lax. We’ve made you laugh at us.”
Shaoshang went around Cheng Shaogong in the middle and smiled from behind toward the head seat: “That’s because Zisheng is too good-looking! If I were that little maid, I’d also steal glances at you.”
Ling Buyi also leaned back slightly, looking past Cheng Shaogong to smile at the girl. His eye corners lifted beautifully like a phoenix tail as he said softly: “I only let you look. I don’t allow others to look.”
Cheng Shaogong’s face was expressionless as he directly looked at his youngest sister. Shaoshang’s face flushed red. Actually, she also found it somewhat overwhelming.
With great difficulty all the dishes were served, and everyone could finally bury their full embarrassment in the food.
This meal was eaten in extreme cold awkwardness. The Cheng family came from humble grassroots origins with rustic airs not yet shed. Every meal was usually like a prime-time family talk show with everyone chattering. But today with Ling Buyi standing among them like an ice pillar, from the gossipy Cheng Shi down to the loose-lipped Cheng Shaogong, who dared start a conversation?
Among everyone, probably only Mother Cheng behaved normally, smiling amiably. She had spent most of her life trying to please a cold and aloof handsome man, long accustomed to it. Grand Duke Cheng disliked her talking too much, disliked her meddling. Thus before Ling Buyi she actually responded appropriately, because she consistently smiled and kept silent, not even taking one extra step. Besides, what was not talking during meals? Mother Cheng just treated beauty like delicacies—the old lady’s appetite grew with eating. If not for Cheng Shi stopping her, she would have added a third bowl of rice.
After seeing off Ling Buyi, everyone in the Cheng family let out a big sigh of relief. Everyone didn’t go rest. Without even needing to greet each other, everyone very unanimously strode in great strides toward Jiuzhui Hall, determined to make up today’s portion of family meeting.
“This son-in-law isn’t as easy to talk to as A’Yao.” Cheng Shi rubbed his stomach, his face turning green.
Shaoshang was quite gleeful, saying idly: “When Father first got this marriage arrangement, you didn’t know how happy you were. I asked you to decline the marriage, but you weren’t willing. Now you finally know it’s not easy.”
“What? Decline the marriage?!” Mother Cheng became anxious, her shout like thunder. “You foolish and absurd father and daughter—such an excellent son-in-law couldn’t be found even with a torch, yet you hesitated and resisted! After eating just a few days of full meals you don’t know good from bad! Whoever dares break this engagement will have to step over this old woman’s corpse!”
Cheng Shi hurriedly said: “Didn’t break it, didn’t break it! Yesterday the betrothal gifts were even presented. This marriage can’t be broken! Mother, rest assured, completely assured!”
Cheng Shaogong muttered in displeasure: “It’s not necessarily perfect in every way. Just his appearance is somewhat better…”
Before he finished speaking, Mother Cheng interrupted with an explosive rebuke: “Insolent boy deserves a beating! Good appearance isn’t enough? You want to ascend to heaven? Even if you were reborn three more times, you couldn’t be born with such looks!” Grand Duke Cheng’s looks weren’t even as good as Ling Buyi’s, yet she had supplied him with good food and drink, speaking in low voices and humble tones, for a whole lifetime.
Shaoshang watched cheerfully from the side. Her twin brother was questioning the foundation of Mother Cheng’s marriage—what tremendous audacity!
“Alright, alright, from now on we’ll treat Ling Buyi like an ancestor. Mother, rest assured, this son-in-law can’t run away! Good, you should go rest. Nanny Hu, what are you standing there for!” Cheng Shi quickly came out to conclude matters.
After seeing off Mother Cheng, Cheng Shi sighed: “I heard Ling Buyi came this afternoon already. Niaoniao, didn’t you lead him to meet your brothers? What did you all do? All three of you tell me.”
The three Cheng brothers glanced at their parents, then at each other, then began taking turns venting.
Cheng Yong said: “I showed Lord Ling my new interpretation of the essay ‘Carving Insects and Seal Script, Not for Strong Men.’ He pointed out several improprieties in my son’s writing.”
Madam Xiao looked at her husband and said gravely: “Since he pointed them out, properly revise them. It will greatly benefit you in the future.”
Cheng Yong lowered his head in acknowledgment.
Cheng Song said: “Your son led Lord Ling to the martial arts field, then he snapped your son’s hundred-stone strong bow and split through two thick wooden arrow targets Father just made.” How could he discipline his brother-in-law in the future if younger sister gets bullied? Aiya, so worrying!
Cheng Shi looked at his wife and said seriously: “Now you know there are heavens beyond heaven. Henceforth study archery and martial arts properly. Don’t fool around and play anymore.”
Cheng Song hung his head dejectedly in acknowledgment.
“Well, I don’t need to say anything.” Cheng Shaogong looked left and right, pretending nonchalance. “This child has another matter to consult with elders about. That, well…” He smiled bitterly. “Father, Mother, must we hold another engagement banquet?”
At these words Cheng Shi and Madam Xiao looked at each other, both faces worried. When they got engaged to the Lou family, Cheng Shi had his arm around Lou Yao introducing him one by one to his old friends and subordinates at the banquet. Should he repeat it exactly this time?! Then say, ‘Sorry everyone, my family changed son-in-laws, let’s all get acquainted’—just imagining that scene was soul-destroying.
For the first time, Madam Xiao spoke in dissatisfaction: “His Majesty presented the betrothal gifts too hastily!”
“Should we just not hold it?” Cheng Shi hesitated. “Consider it simplified.”
Madam Xiao glared at him: “When we got engaged to the Lou clan we made a big production. Now with Lord Ling we simplify? Such favoritism—you think His Majesty is a vegetarian? Sigh, we not only must hold it, we must hold it grandly.”
“Fine, set it after the Lou family wedding.” Cheng Shi turned his head, smiling at his daughter: “Niaoniao, your father carefully thought it over. In the future when Ling Buyi comes to visit, he’ll dine at your quarters. With us elders present, you two can’t talk properly either. How’s that? Your father is both open-minded and considerate. Good, it’s decided!”
Madam Xiao frowned: “Husband, this probably doesn’t conform to propriety.”
“Just have someone accompany Niaoniao. What could happen?” Old Master Cheng suddenly had the air of a philosopher at this moment. “In life, one must constantly make choices. Wife, if in the future you insist on dining with Ling Buyi, I won’t eat with you. Between me and Ling Buyi, you can only pick one.”
Madam Xiao flushed red with anger. The four siblings nearly died laughing, hurriedly lowering their heads to hide their expressions.
—Cheng Shi was very gratified. He had finally found the appropriate way to get along with his son-in-law.
No need for closeness. Pancakes should be rolled with scallions, composting requires earthen jars, using jade ritual vessels to pickle rice bran deserves heaven’s lightning strike. In the future if there’s something to say, just have his daughter relay it.