Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Regardless of the capital's sentiments, Vice-Minister Ming, having openly declared the matter before the emperor, no longer sought discretion. The two families proceeded with the wedding preparations in an orderly fashion.

With auspicious dates in every autumn month, and August being too soon—the Ming family wishing for Ming Tang to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at home before her marriage—the wedding was set for September. The crisp autumn air made it an ideal time for a wedding.

While the Ming family desired their daughter to enjoy the festival before her departure, others preferred to welcome a daughter-in-law before the Mid-Autumn Festival, scheduling their weddings for early August.

Though her son perpetually sought to delay, Madam Chen, exasperated by the fact that her former daughter-in-law—a woman she disdained and who had already been married once—was now engaged to the esteemed Duke of Dingguo’s household, felt not just a headache but an ache throughout her entire body. Everything seemed utterly vexing.

The day she received the news, Madam Chen summoned Chen Wenyao to her main courtyard as soon as he returned from his duties, her tone almost pleading: "Do you know that Ming girl is already betrothed again, and to a prominent family like the Duke of Dingguo’s? You must finalize your wedding plans soon. If you delay, are you just going to watch that Ming girl remarry before you do?"

The thought of his divorced ex-wife securing a better marriage before he did made Madam Chen dread the inevitable gossip, even if she rarely ventured outside her home.

Chen Wenyao had already endured pointed remarks at the Censorate that day, and his mother’s urging now fueled a surge of frustration within him. Suppressing his vexation, he deliberated for a long moment before finally saying, "Let it be the Wu family then. I’ll trouble you to arrange it, Mother."

The Wu family, while respectable, was a military household and offered little political leverage—a fact Chen Wenyao had known when they first proposed three years prior. Though he had never wavered then, he now found the match unsatisfactory. Yet, with the Bai family having ceased contact after he refused to dismiss Ya Yun, and subsequent proposals coming mostly from daughters of minor officials, the Wu family emerged as his best option.

As for Ming Tang… Chen Wenyao still couldn't fathom how she had secured a marriage with the Duke of Dingguo’s household. Given the swiftness with which high-ranking families arranged marriages, it seemed she had barely divorced him before securing a new match.

On the day they signed the divorce agreement, he had envisioned Ming Tang living out her days in quiet solitude, perhaps seeking solace in Buddhist devotion. Now, the fact that she was remarrying before him burned his pride.

Returning to his study after leaving his mother, he still felt a constriction in his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Sitting in his chair, he rubbed his familiar inkstone, striving to calm his thoughts and deliberate carefully.

This marriage was too peculiar; there had to be some hidden truth he was unaware of. Ming Tang, who hadn't even been willing to give him, her childhood acquaintance and husband, another chance, was now marrying the virtually unknown Heir Pei with such apparent confidence.

But ultimately, could Heir Pei truly be indifferent to marrying a divorced woman? If there was even the slightest reluctance, Chen Wenyao wished to see how Ming Tang would truly enjoy her so-called comfortable life in the Duke of Dingguo’s household.

With Chen Wenyao’s approval, Madam Chen acted swiftly, dispatching a matchmaker the very next day.

The Wu family had long been tormented by their eldest daughter’s stubborn refusal to marry. Now, with her nearing spinsterhood, they were relieved that the match they had missed three years ago had somehow resurfaced. Though they found the rushed wedding date unusual, understanding the reason—given the Pei and Ming families’ set date—they agreed after some hesitation.

However, just as the joyous wedding preparations were underway, the Wu family received unpleasant news—Chen Wenyao’s concubine had given birth prematurely to his eldest illegitimate son.

Previously, they had only heard that Chen had taken a concubine due to her pregnancy, but the birth of a son rather than a daughter changed things significantly.

Madam Wu couldn’t help but fret, scolding her daughter: "What stubbornness is this? You’ve rejected so many matches over the years, and now, before you’re even married, there’s already an heir! What sin did I commit to be burdened thus?"

But the eldest Miss Wu was entirely unfazed: "Do I lack half-brothers? It’s all about whether you choose to acknowledge them."

She had set her heart on Chen Wenyao long ago and was content to finally marry him. Concubines and illegitimate children meant nothing to her—they were just inevitable fixtures in noble households. Even if she didn’t marry into the Chen family, would any husband remain devoted to her alone? Since that was the case, she might as well marry the man she liked.

True to her word, Miss Wu brushed aside the matter and focused on her wedding preparations.

Upon returning from the Jade Cry Mountain retreat, Ming Tang, now also preparing for her own wedding, was momentarily stunned by the news but was more curious about something else: "What was the reason given for the early delivery?"

Living under Madam Chen’s watchful eye in her courtyard, it couldn’t have been easy for the concubine to arrange a premature birth.

"They say she got up at night and missed the footstool in the dark, falling."

"Quite the excuse."

Ming Tang reflected that Madam Chen, who had been cutting household expenses lately, might even feel guilty—after all, if not for her parsimony, her precious grandson might not have been born prematurely.

After this brief remark, Ming Tang set the matter aside. Surprisingly, Miss Wu, hearing of Ming Tang’s return, actually sent her a letter.

Wen He stared at the envelope in Ming Tang’s hand, dumbfounded: "Has Miss Wu forgotten the nonsense she spouted at you during the Dragon Boat Festival?"

And now she dares to send a letter?

Ming Tang, however, was intrigued. Taking a paper knife, she unfolded the paper inside, finding not just a letter but also a substantial silver note—payment for information about Madam Chen’s personality and preferences.

Wen He was rendered mute: This Miss Wu truly had no compunctions. After their hostile first encounter, she was now sending money to her former adversary.

Ming Tang flicked the silver note lightly, pleased. She ground ink, laid out paper, and after recalling her three years with the Chens, composed a detailed response, sealing it once done.

Whatever Miss Wu’s opinion of her, turning a profit was always welcome.

After sending the letter to the Wu residence, Ming Tang quietly blessed her past self. At least in her early days as a bride, she had made some effort to get along with Madam Chen. Though she later realized the woman wasn’t worth pleasing, the knowledge now proved useful.

Truly, one dynasty’s refuse was another’s treasure.

With this unexpected windfall, Ming Tang took a keener interest in the Chen and Wu families’ wedding. Though their timeline was tighter, the Wu family had long prepared their daughter’s bridal trousseau, waiting only for her reluctant consent. Now that the match was settled, arrangements proceeded smoothly, and the wedding was held before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

True to her commitment to her "customer," Ming Tang had someone make discreet inquiries about the Chen household afterward. Learning that Miss Wu and Madam Chen got along famously well, she considered the matter closed.

Payment had been made, services rendered—what happened next was no longer her concern.

*

As Ming Tang’s wedding approached, the Ming household hummed with preparations.

Though this was her second marriage, since the Great Xia Dynasty had no precedent for remarried women, both families tacitly ignored the fact and followed standard wedding customs.

Given the groom’s noble status, the attire and accessories had to meet stricter protocols. Madam Ming fretted that Ming Tang’s jewelry was too modest and had been steadily adding to her trousseau.

Her sisters-in-law, relieved that their once-unmarriageable sister-in-law was now wedding into a prestigious family, raised no objections to the ever-lengthening trousseau inventory.

Friends and relatives who came to add to the dowry carefully avoided any mention of the "Chen" affair, treating it as Ming Tang’s first marriage and giving generously.

Watching her wealth multiply, Ming Tang reflected that her greatest fortune in this ancient world was being born to her parents. Without them, how could she have such a life?

Time flew amid the flurry of activity. One moment, Ming Tang was observing the Mid-Autumn Festival with her nieces, and the next, her wedding day had arrived.

A wedding, or "hunli," was traditionally held in the evening. Having been married before, Ming Tang felt no nerves, rising only after a full night’s sleep.

After bathing, drying her hair, and lunching, she donned her wedding robes and sat before the mirror, letting the bridal attendant style her hair.

Once the benedictions were done, the attendant, Madam Qian, marvelled at Ming Tang’s thick, glossy hair—no augmentation needed for the elaborate updo. "Such splendid hair! Truly befitting a noblewoman."

Ming Tang, proud of her locks, merely nodded. "Thank you."

Used to bashful brides, Madam Qian found Ming Tang’s composure unusual. "You’re remarkably calm."

Ming Tang countered. "It’s not my first time. If I were still nervous, I’d be hopeless."

Madam Qian nearly dropped her comb in shock, but the hairstyle held. Stepping aside, she watched as Zhe Liu carefully placed the five-phoenix headdress on Ming Tang’s head, its ruby tassels swaying at her brow.

Against her dark hair, the golden phoenixes gleamed, their flame-red jewels casting a glow on her pale skin. The vivid contrast, paired with Ming Tang’s serene expression, lent her a quiet regality.

Used to her usual simplicity or playfulness, Zhe Liu and Wen He barely recognized their habitually indolent mistress in this regal figure.

Madam Qian regained her composure first, sighing in admiration: "Such bearing—little wonder you’re fated to become a noblewoman."

Grace or no grace, with such heavy jewelry on her head and her hair coiled so high, Ming Tang felt her neck bearing more than it was meant to bear. She dared not lower her head the slightest, fearing any movement might dishevel her hairdo. Thus, she maintained a dignified facade: "Madam, you truly have a gift for adornment. Should I marry again, I shall still request your service in doing my hair."

Having regained her composure, Qian Shi was momentarily speechless before pretending not to hear Ming Tang’s words and instead flattered, "It’s all due to the young lady’s fortunate marriage, blessed to wear such a grand phoenix crown."

Had she married into an ordinary family, at most she would have worn a triple-phoenix crown on her wedding day—how could she have enjoyed such extravagance and dignity?

Glancing at the dazzling golden brilliance in the mirror, Ming Tang deeply felt it was all because the jewelry on her head now belonged to her.

Had these ornaments only become hers after staying atop her head for a full day, she wouldn’t have minded their weight—in fact, she might have wished for even more.

Rising carefully, maintaining her posture, Ming Tang made her way to the outer room.

Ming Wan’s eyes lit up with admiration. "Aunt, you look absolutely stunning like this."

Ming Shao, who had returned home specifically to accompany her, gazed at her with proud satisfaction. Stepping closer, she studied Ming Tang carefully for a few moments before smiling. "No wonder that old fortune-teller said you were blessed in childhood, though you’d face some trials. Now, it seems his words were utterly accurate."

Indeed, the bitter came before the sweet—after enduring hardships, she had now secured what appeared to be an even better match.

As the aunt and nieces chatted cheerfully, Mrs. Ming, having arranged all matters, arrived at the Anle House.

Seeing Ming Tang seated beside her eldest daughter, glowing in her red wedding dress, Mrs. Ming was filled with contentment. She approached her two daughters, making conversation while awaiting the Pei family’s arrival.

The faint crackling of firecrackers sounded outside, followed by loud shouts: "The Pei family’s bridal sedan has arrived!"

Noisy chatter erupted outside, and the twins ran out excitedly to witness the excitement. After some indistinct exchanges, everyone burst out laughing, soon followed by the excited shouts of children.

Recognizing her youngest son Zhang Dun’s voice, Ming Shao frowned slightly.

Just as she was about to send someone to check, the twins rushed back to report.

Ming Jin’s cheeks were flushed with laughter. "Uncle said that since the Pei family made their name through martial arts, unlike our scholarly family, it wouldn’t be fair to test Crown Prince Pei on literary skills—lest people accuse us of ‘using our strengths to exploit others’ weaknesses.’ So, he decided not to demand a poem to hurry the bride from Fourth Uncle."

Ming Yu continued, "But just as Uncle finished speaking, Fourth Uncle recited a poem—something about ‘radiant adornment’—praising Aunt’s beauty and urging her to skip further makeup and come out quickly. Everyone burst out laughing!"

"Father then said this was Fourth Uncle’s own initiative—they hadn’t even set the challenge yet, so it didn’t count. When Fourth Uncle asked what he should do, Uncle brought out a bow and arrows, demanding he shoot down the pouch hanging from the peach tree in Aunt’s courtyard."

"Fourth Uncle drew the bow, and the pouch fell—right onto Eldest Aunt’s son’s head!"

The twins chattered rapidly, their words tumbling over one another, which had all the women laughing—except for Ming Shao, who could only sigh helplessly at the thought of her mischievous youngest son.

Amid the merriment, another wave of laughter rose outside, followed by a shout: "The bridegroom is coming!"

Mrs. Ming tensed abruptly, pulling Ming Tang to her feet and checking her over for any flaws. Seeing Ming Tang’s calm and untroubled expression, Mrs. Ming should have felt reassured—yet she felt unexpectedly anxious again.

Everyone called this a fine match, but would Youngest truly be happy? What if she suffered grievances in the future?

As if sensing her mother’s unease, Ming Tang grasped her hand firmly. "Mother, don’t worry."

Once she made a choice, she would never regret it unless the road became impossible. Just as with the Chen family—back then, she had seen merits in them and had indeed enjoyed a period of relative happiness. Though it ended in separation, she would never deny the decision she had made at the time.

What held true then held true now as well.