Volume 1 Chapter 12: A Marriage by Proxy
The group disembarked from the carriage and first entered the temporary palace, settling in for a moment.
Mei Lingxi stepped into the prepared chamber and was somewhat stunned by the lavishness before her eyes.
The floor was covered with snow-white sheepskin rugs, soft and cloud-like beneath her feet. On the expansive Kang bed lay a golden-thread embroidery of a hundred birds shimmering brilliantly, while the canopy curtains bore a string of delicate rubies that caught the sunlight, scattering crimson glimmers.
“The Crown Prince’s wife, there’s even a hot spring inside!” Biyu exclaimed in surprise but quickly realized her rudeness and hastily covered her mouth.
Ye Jianxun glanced into the inner room, furrowed his brow slightly, but said nothing. Unwilling to linger indoors, he stepped outside.
Mei Lingxi washed her face and took a sip of tea before following him out.
As she rounded the corridor, Mei Lingxi was admiring the koi in the nearby pond when she suddenly caught sight of a familiar blue hem at the corner.
Curiosity piqued, she whispered to Biyu, “Stay here quietly,” then tiptoed forward, hiding behind a corner to eavesdrop.
“Brother Jianxun, is the Crown Prince’s wife beautiful?” Qiunan tugged on Ye Jianxun’s sleeve, asking.
“Why do you ask that?” Ye Jianxun replied impatiently, tugging his sleeve sharply, nearly pulling Qiunan down.
Seeing his cold attitude, Qiunan began to cry. Choking on her sobs, she said, “I’ve heard the Crown Prince’s wife is not Mei Lingyi. Even so, won’t you spare me a glance?”
Ye Jianxun despised tearful women. Frowning, he said, “Princess, please compose yourself. I have matters to attend to. Excuse me.”
Mei Lingxi heard him coming out and quickly held her breath, shrinking into the corner. Normally, one would take the opposite corridor to reach the main altar, so she wasn’t worried about being discovered.
But contrary to her hopes, a familiar voice came from above, tinged with mockery: “The esteemed Crown Prince’s wife, eavesdropping in a corner?”
Caught red-handed, Mei Lingxi blushed deeply. “I... I was just picking morning glory flowers.” She bent down to pluck two blossoms and hurriedly tucked them into her hairdo.
The morning sunlight bathed her in a smoky blue robe with a wide skirt spread like a blooming lotus. The pale pink morning glories in her raven hair added a delicate charm.
Ye Jianxun gazed at her a few moments before withdrawing his look. “It’s getting late. We should head to the main altar.”
Thinking the upcoming rite would be solemn, Mei Lingxi removed the flowers and slipped them into her sleeve.
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A thunderous drumbeat echoed as the Emperor, holding the jade tablet, stood at the center of the main altar.
There stood a colossal sacrificial tripod, atop which lay a freshly slain calf being burned, the thick smoke rising to the heavens, symbolizing an offering to the gods to welcome their descent.
The Emperor offered the first libation to the gods, followed by the Crown Prince’s second, and then other princes and royal sons in succession.
Finally, Prince Ning and Prince Su concluded the ceremony, raising their cups, exchanging a glance, and smiling faintly.
After the ritual, the banquet commenced.
The grand hall of the temporary palace was arranged with two rows of seats. Mei Lingxi and Ye Jianxun sat together, with Prince Ning at the neighboring table. This time, Prince Ning did not bring his princess but his concubine Liu, which caught Mei Lingxi’s attention.
The Princess Ning’s illness was unstable, making her absence at such a solemn occasion understandable. Yet bringing a concubine indicated Liu’s significant status.
Opposite them were Prince Su and a woman, likely his princess. Prince Su appeared younger than Prince Ning by a few years, stern and reserved. The woman beside him, around thirty, exuded gentle grace and dignity.
“Yu Changming is watching you,” Ye Jianxun suddenly said.
Mei Lingxi followed his gaze to a seat beside Prince Su, where a young man was scrutinizing her coldly, his eyes filled with disdain.
She withdrew her gaze indifferently. “He’s not so impressive after all.”
Ye Jianxun laughed, “You have high standards. Many women in the capital adore the son of General Zhenyuan, praising his bravery and promising future.”
“That has nothing to do with me,” Mei Lingxi replied calmly, wondering if Ye Jianxun was testing her attitude toward this former fiancé.
At that moment, the Emperor and Empress entered the hall, taking their places on the central throne.
The Emperor looked toward Yu Qingshan, beaming: “General Yu, you have endured much these past six months. The battle at Zhaobei was fierce, costing many soldiers their lives, yet we emerged victorious.
“Come, ministers, let us raise a cup to honor the heroes of Zhaode!”
Everyone lifted their glasses. Yu Qingshan stood and toasted, “Your Majesty’s praise is undeserved. The victory was owing entirely to Your Majesty’s divine protection, uniting the army’s resolve.”
The Emperor then praised Yu Changming, “Like father, like son. General Yu’s son, Yu Changming, performed brilliantly in this campaign. Today, I must reward him properly.”
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As the Emperor pondered what position to grant, Yu Changming suddenly rose, stepped to the center, knelt deeply, and clasped his hands: “Your Majesty, I dare not ask for rewards, only that you grant a personal favor.”
“What favor? Speak freely.”
Yu Changming spoke: “I have admired the second young lady of the Dingyuan Marquisate, Mei Lingyi, for four years. I promised that if victorious, I would escort her home in a grand procession to wed. Now that I have fulfilled my duty, I ask Your Majesty to grant permission for our marriage.”
The Emperor frowned. “The second young lady of the Dingyuan Marquisate? I recall she married the Crown Prince of Ning. Have I mistaken something?”
At these words, Mei Yuanyi’s brow furrowed deeply, his stern face darkened. Lady Wang trembled beside him, whispering, “Marquis, what shall we do?”
Without time to comfort her, Mei Yuanyi stepped forward, knelt, and slammed his forehead on the ground. “I failed to manage my household well. I beg Your Majesty’s punishment!”
The Emperor asked, puzzled, “Marquis, explain in detail.”
Mei Yuanyi slowly recounted: “My third daughter, Lingxi, and General Zhenyuan’s eldest son, Yu Changming, were betrothed at thirteen. Yu Changming, ambitious and seasoned in the military, was to marry her at the start of this year.
“But the northern barbarians’ sudden attack, combined with Lingxi’s frail health unsuitable for childbirth, led us to negotiate with General Zhenyuan and break the engagement.”
Yu Qingshan’s eyes flickered as he stepped forward: “Your Majesty, this is true.”
The Marquis continued: “Thereafter, my second daughter, Lingyi, quarreled with Lingxi and ran away before the wedding. After consultation with Prince Ning, we married Lingxi to him instead, in place of Lingyi.”
He looked toward Prince Ning, who had been amused by the Marquis’s crafty explanations. Noticing the plea in his gaze, Prince Ning finally rose and said, “Your Majesty, that is indeed the case.”
The Marquis secretly sighed in relief and went on: “In my anger, I struck Lingyi’s name from the clan genealogy.
“Later, Lingxi explained it was mere sibling squabbling, and I regretted acting rashly.”
At this point, the Marquis did not look at Mei Lingxi but continued: “I do not know where Lingyi is now, and her mother weeps every day...”