In the teahouses and wine shops of the capital, everywhere people were discussing the matter of the Crown Prince’s deposition.
“Although the Crown Prince had no outstanding talents, he was the eldest legitimate son. I really can’t understand why he would request his own deposition.”
“The Empress died, and the Crown Prince suffered a great blow. Moreover, two concubines who were pregnant also died one after another. He probably didn’t want to see more people lose their lives because of imperial power.”
“The Crown Prince is still too naive. His status destines him to be drawn into it. After a new emperor ascends the throne, he will definitely be the first to face the ax.”
“Hey, who do you think His Majesty will establish as the new Crown Prince?”
“There are only those few princes left in total. The only outstanding one remaining is the Third Prince, Prince Pingxi.”
“Prince Pingxi is brave and skilled in battle, having eliminated all the bandits of our Great Jin. But can a military man become Crown Prince?”
“Look at what you’re saying. Wasn’t the founding emperor of our Great Jin dynasty a military man? How is that not acceptable?”
“…”
After the Crown Prince was deposed, whether among the common people or in the court, everyone hotly discussed the matter of a new Crown Prince. Every time court convened, someone would memorialize about establishing a new Crown Prince.
However, the Emperor did not express any position.
Moreover, the Emperor’s illness seemed to be getting worse. Each court session was shortened to half a shichen, and even if ministers had memorials to present, they could only hold back.
Time flashed by and it was soon Prince Zhuang Chu Rui’s wedding day.
After Chu Rui had saved the Emperor at the longevity banquet, he was re-enfeoffed as a prince and granted a mansion—the former Prince An’jing’s mansion.
After the prince’s mansion underwent repairs and renovation, it no longer had its former extravagance and appeared tranquil and elegant.
Red lanterns hung everywhere, and large red double happiness characters adorned the walls, doors, and windows. Guests filled the space, creating a lively atmosphere.
Chu Rui had no parents, so the Emperor ordered Imperial Consort Yun to serve as the elder sitting in the seat of honor, receiving the kowtows and bows of the new couple.
“First bow to heaven and earth!”
“Second bow to the elders!”
“Husband and wife bow to each other, escort to the bridal chamber!”
Under the loud calls of the old eunuch, the ceremony was completed. The bride was escorted to the bridal chamber while the groom Chu Rui remained to entertain the guests.
Chu Rui was the orphan left behind by the previous Crown Prince. Previously implicated when the Grand Empress Dowager rebelled, he had now performed meritorious service and been re-enfeoffed. He had also married the Emperor’s maternal uncle’s legitimate granddaughter, making him half a favored person before the Emperor. Therefore, at his wedding banquet, many ministers from the court came to drink celebratory wine.
“Congratulations, Prince Zhuang!”
“Wishing Prince Zhuang and the Princess a long life together!”
“Wishing Prince Zhuang an early birth of a noble son!”
Chu Rui raised his wine cup, smiling as he clinked glasses with everyone. His health was poor, so his wine cup contained clear tea, which everyone could understand.
Chu Yi clinked cups with Chu Rui and spoke gently, “Congratulations.”
Chu Rui’s face bore a modest smile. “Many thanks.”
Yun Chu, meanwhile, went with a group of women to the new chamber to see the new bride.
The new bride was from the Su family of Anding. The head of the Su family was the current Emperor’s maternal uncle. Although he was merely a merchant, his status was extraordinary.
Therefore, even though Princess Zhuang was a merchant’s daughter, the noble ladies and female relatives of the capital dared not look down on her.
“Princess Zhuang’s wedding dress is truly beautiful.”
“The Princess is from Anding, so she’s probably not accustomed to the capital’s flavors. My household happens to have a cook from Anding. If the Princess needs one, you can tell me.”
“The Princess has just arrived. You must attend more of our flower-viewing banquets and tea gatherings to make connections.”
Everyone was very enthusiastic, and the new bride Su Ziyue nodded with a shy expression.
Yun Chu also said a few auspicious words.
After some time, the women left together. After walking out of the new chamber, they couldn’t help discussing.
“Princess Zhuang is truly young—more than ten years younger than the Prince, right?”
“She still looks like a child, understanding nothing. How will she survive in the imperial family?”
“With His Majesty protecting her, no one dares to bully her. Besides, she’s a spy His Majesty placed beside Prince Zhuang. Prince Zhuang wouldn’t dare treat her coldly either.”
“You dare say such things? Shh!”
“…”
The group discussed as they walked away.
The sky gradually darkened, the guests dispersed, and Prince Zhuang walked to the entrance of the new chamber.
Su Ziyue, sitting on the edge of the bed, immediately became nervous. She picked up a fan and covered half her face.
When Chu Rui entered the new chamber, her heart began beating wildly.
Initially, when His Majesty decreed that she marry Prince Zhuang, she was resistant. The Su family had so many daughters—why her? She had cried at home for a long time.
But for the sake of the family’s reputation, she had to pull herself together and agree to let the Su family escort her to the capital to marry.
Just as she arrived at the capital’s gates, she saw her future husband, Prince Zhuang, Chu Rui.
She only knew he was nearly thirty years old, but she didn’t know that someone only a few years younger than her father could be so distinguished in bearing.
His face was very pale. He appeared to be chronically ill, which made him seem ethereal and elegant. After seeing him for the first time, she found it difficult to forget him.
After she arrived in the capital, her food, clothing, housing, and travel were all personally arranged by him. Despite his weak body, to help her adapt to the capital more quickly, he personally took her around everywhere.
“You must be starving.”
Chu Rui walked in carrying a bowl of plain noodles.
“When you’re very hungry, you can only eat something light. Eat.”
His voice was very gentle.
Su Ziyue’s heart warmed, and she said shyly, “I… I’m not hungry.”
The maid beside them lowered her head and said, “Your Highness, Princess, it’s time to drink the nuptial wine.”
Chu Rui set down the plain noodles and completed the proper wedding rituals with Su Ziyue. Only then did the maids withdraw and close the door.
Red candles flickered—a moving wedding night.
At midnight, moonlight shone through the window. Chu Rui held the young girl in his arms and said softly, “I’ve been alone for half my life, thinking I would be solitary forever. Fortunately, I met you.”
Su Ziyue’s mind seemed to be setting off fireworks. She also felt very fulfilled and said gently, “I’m also very fortunate to have married Your Highness.”
“Our marriage was strongly promoted by Imperial Uncle.” Chu Rui’s eyes grew dark. “Now Imperial Uncle is ill and even has difficulty attending court. Would you be willing to enter the palace to attend to his illness?”
Su Ziyue was stunned. “Me?”
Her father was the legitimate son of His Majesty’s uncle. Even with such a close relationship, her father had never met His Majesty.
Her relationship with His Majesty was even more distant. How would His Majesty allow her to attend to his illness?
“After Imperial Uncle grew older, he often thought of the Su family.” Chu Rui spoke. “Only one person from the Su family passed the provincial examination to become an official, but he’s not from the direct Su line. You are a legitimate daughter of the Su family. Seeing you, Imperial Uncle will probably think of the late Consort Su, and his illness should improve faster. What do you think?”
Su Ziyue nodded. “When I pay respects tomorrow morning, I’ll ask Imperial Uncle. If he agrees, then I’ll stay to attend to his illness.”
Before dawn had broken, Su Ziyue was awakened by the nanny. She put on the princess’s formal attire with the heavy princess’s crown on her head.
She was young and couldn’t carry off such a heavy-colored formal attire—she looked like a child wearing adult’s clothes.
When the two took a carriage to the palace gates, the sky had just begun to brighten.
They walked in on foot until they reached the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Eunuch Gao sighed. “His Majesty coughed all night. He cannot attend court again today. Prince Zhuang, just pay your respects outside. Don’t go in and disturb His Majesty’s rest.”
Chu Rui nodded. “Imperial Uncle, Rui’er has brought the Princess to pay respects.”
Su Ziyue followed and spoke. “Ziyue kowtows to His Majesty. I hope His Majesty’s health is well. Long live, long live, long live.”
After the two paid their respects, a voice sounded from within the hall. “Come in.”