On the eighth day of the sixth lunar month, the sun shone brightly in the sky.
Shen Yunying was awakened at mao hour to wash and dress. Yinping and Yinzheng brought over the bright red wedding gown. Shen Yunying, already naturally charming and voluptuous, was most suited to heavy makeup and elaborate adornments. Once the phoenix crown and embroidered robes were donned, she looked even more stunningly beautiful.
According to the customs of the time, the day before the wedding involved ancestral worship and bidding farewell to elders. On the wedding day itself, the bride was to remain in her boudoir awaiting the groom. The elders who would see her off would personally come to the boudoir to bid her farewell.
The old madam led Madam Wen and Second Madam Wang to Yanyu Garden. The elders took turns instructing Shen Yunying to be a good daughter of the Shen family and a good wife of the Yan family, and not to bring shame to the Taishi Mansion.
Shen Yunying nodded perfunctorily, “Yunying understands.”
The old madam and Second Madam did not stay long. Madam Wen remained behind to exchange some congratulatory words with Jiang Wensheng before finally saying, “I suppose you mother and daughter still have things to say. As the aunt, I won’t disturb you any longer.”
Madam Wen left with a cheerful smile.
Jiang Wensheng walked over to Shen Yunying and said reluctantly, “Yinzheng just reported that the Yan family’s wedding procession will arrive soon.”
“Mother, why don’t you come with me to the Yan family?”
Shen Yunying truly could not bear to leave her mother. Seeing Jiang Wensheng’s equally reluctant expression, she blurted out without thinking, suggesting that Jiang Wensheng accompany her to the Yan family so she could care for her in her old age.
Jiang Wensheng chuckled, “Silly girl, what are you thinking?”
Shen Yunying grumbled, “Among commoners, there are widows who follow their daughters when they marry, and the daughter and son-in-law support them together in their old age.”
“Is the Taishi Mansion an ordinary commoner’s household?” Jiang Wensheng’s expression turned stern, but she refrained from scolding her daughter further on such a joyous day. She gestured behind her, and a maid brought over a tray with three cups of wine.
“This is the daughter’s wine I personally buried the year you were born,” Jiang Wensheng raised a cup, her voice gentle yet filled with anticipation. “Today, I offer it to you as a farewell toast to give you courage. From now on, you will be a married woman, beginning a whole new life.”
Shen Yunying picked up a wine cup and drank it all in one go.
The remaining cup of wine was meant for her father, Shen Fengcheng. Jiang Wensheng directly picked up the last cup, walked to the window, and poured it outside. “Consider it as your father drinking it.”
Shen Yunying looked up at Jiang Wensheng, who seemed somewhat forlorn, and was about to offer some comforting words when Yinzheng’s voice came from the doorway, “Madam, Miss, the groom has composed a poem urging the bride to dress!”
Yinzheng rushed into the room excitedly, her face beaming. “Miss, I’ve memorized it. Let me recite it for you.”
Jiang Wensheng set aside her other thoughts and smiled, “Recite it quickly.”
Shen Yunying also pricked up her ears. Yan Peifeng was the previous imperial examination’s top scholar, renowned for his literary talent. His poem urging the bride to dress was sure to be beautiful.
“I know not what evening this evening is, urging the balcony near the dressing mirror. Who says the lotus grows in water? In the bronze mirror, a branch blooms.”
Yinzheng’s voice was clear and sweet, and she swayed her head as she recited the poem, making it hard not to smile.
Jiang Wensheng said with satisfaction, “My daughter truly has a face like a lotus and a graceful figure.”
Shen Yunying blushed, “Mother!”
Suddenly, urging voices came from outside, “Third Madam, it’s almost the auspicious hour. Third Miss should leave now!”
Jiang Wensheng took Shen Yunying’s right hand and said earnestly, “No matter what the Yan family is like, I believe you can live your life well.”
Shen Yunying nodded solemnly, “Mother, I will.”
“The Princess Mansion isn’t far. I’ll come back often to see you.”
Jiang Wensheng smiled and nodded, thinking it couldn’t be that easy. After marriage, one would face countless complicated matters, and even returning to one’s maiden home would require picking the right day.
Shen Yunying walked step by step out of the gate of Yanju Garden, boarded the Bridal Sedan, and headed toward Princess Jiarong’s Mansion.
The Emperor had personally decreed that Yan Peifeng would continue to reside in Princess Jiarong’s Mansion after marriage, with all protocols remaining unchanged. According to custom, after Princess Jiarong’s passing, the court could reclaim the Princess Mansion. However, since Princess Jiarong and her family of three had long resided in the mansion, and the Emperor doted on his nephew, he did not make Yan Peifeng move out, allowing him to stay.
When Shen Yunying learned she would be living in the Princess Mansion after marriage, she secretly marveled at how well the Emperor treated his nephew Yan Peifeng. Comparing it to how the Shen family treated her and her mother, the imperial family seemed far more generous.
After the wedding ceremony, Shen Yunying sat quietly in the bridal chamber, waiting.
She touched her empty stomach—aside from the day she entered the palace, today she had eaten the least. For breakfast, she had only had a bowl of dry wontons, and now it was almost dark.
Shen Yunying shifted slightly, feeling food hidden beneath the bedding. Peanuts, red dates, longans, lotus seeds—she identified them one by one. This assortment of dried fruits, symbolizing the wish for early childbirth, was abundant, scattered so densely that not a single gap remained. She wondered who had scattered them.
Shen Yunying secretly fished out a few peanuts, chewed them, and then felt thirsty.
Her maid Yinzheng noticed her mistress’s actions. Knowing Shen Yunying was starving and that no food had been sent from the Princess Mansion, she hurriedly poured a cup of tea and brought it to her. “Miss, please have some tea.”
Shen Yunying took it, and as the tea flowed down her throat, she immediately felt much better.
“Please wait a little longer, Miss. Yinping has gone to the kitchen and will return soon,” Yinzheng said, staying with Shen Yunying in the room while Yinping went out to familiarize herself with the new surroundings.
Given Yinping’s steady and thoughtful nature, she would surely prepare a late-night snack for her mistress.
Yinping lived up to the trust of both mistress and maid, returning shortly with a food box containing steaming lily and shredded chicken congee, beef noodles, and several side dishes.
As Shen Yunying sipped the congee, she suddenly remembered that from today onward, she had a husband. She asked, “How is Yan Peifeng outside? When will he come to the bridal chamber?”
Yinping replied, “I asked on my way here. There are many guests in the front courtyard. The Crown Prince just left, and Lord Yan is still socializing.”
Shen Yunying felt instantly relieved—she could eat slowly.
An hour later, Shen Yunying began to feel drowsy when she suddenly jolted awake, hearing Yinzheng call out loudly, “This maid greets the groom!”
Shen Yunying straightened her half-slouched posture immediately, her heart pounding.
“Hmm.”
Yan Peifeng glanced sideways at the startled maid but, out of consideration for Shen Yunying, refrained from reprimanding her. He strode directly to Shen Yunying.
As the dragon-and-phoenix Bridal Veil was lifted, Shen Yunying’s vision shifted from dimness to brightness. The man before her was tall and slender, with a face like fine jade, a high nose, and thin lips. When their eyes met, he smiled gently. Even the gaudy bright red of his wedding robes could not conceal his scholarly elegance.
At first glance, Shen Yunying couldn’t help but show admiration. Yan Peifeng was refined and graceful. She lowered her head slightly—no wonder he was rated as a golden bachelor by the young ladies of the capital; his appearance was truly exceptional.
Another benefit of marrying Yan Peifeng was that it at least spared one’s eyes. Shen Yunying had heard from the old madam that the top scholar of the current imperial examination was a farmer’s son, favored by the Emperor for his pragmatic writing style, but with some flaws in appearance. If anyone were to mock the top scholar’s wife for this, Shen Yunying was told not to pay them any mind.
At the time, Shen Yunying had thought to herself that marrying the third-place scholar seemed safer than marrying the top scholar—after all, a husband’s dignity was also his wife’s dignity.
Yan Peifeng lowered his gaze, concealing any trace of momentary surprise. He waved his hand, and the servants withdrew one by one. Yinping and Yinzheng looked toward their young mistress, and only when Shen Yunying gave a slight nod did the two turn and leave.
Yan Peifeng cleared his throat softly, his expression serious. “Shen Yunying, I have just entered the court and will not spare any attention for the inner household. This is the schedule for my visits to the Rear Courtyard. Remember it.”
He drew a piece of paper from his sleeve, on which was written Yan Peifeng’s schedule for visiting the Rear Courtyard.
Shen Yunying instinctively took it, her mind still somewhat dazed. Yan Peifeng blocked the bright light of the dragon-and-phoenix candles, making it difficult for Shen Yunying to discern his expression.
Yan Peifeng’s gentle voice carried a chill. “As long as you behave properly in the Rear Courtyard and avoid causing trouble, you will have full authority over the Yan family’s inner household. I will not interfere.”
Shen Yunying quickly regained her composure and glanced at the paper: the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, staying for an hour at noon, arriving at night during the hour of Hai and leaving at the hour of Mao.
Combined with Yan Peifeng’s earlier words, Shen Yunying couldn’t help but let her eyes light up, breaking into a smile. “Husband, rest assured, I understand.”
Wasn’t this just treating the Rear Courtyard like an inn, with a guest staying at fixed times? She only needed to instruct the servants to take good care of him and ensure Yan Peifeng’s comfort.
Shen Yunying couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander further: Yan Peifeng would still have to share a bed with her—didn’t that make it more like a place like the Red Flower Pavilion?
Shen Yunying immediately shook her head in denial. No, no, they were a proper married couple!
Seeing Shen Yunying obedient as he had expected, Yan Peifeng’s expression softened, and he looked at her with even greater satisfaction. He had indeed chosen the right person.
On their wedding night, the newlyweds, meeting for the first time, stood and sat respectively, both wearing satisfied smiles.
After drinking the ceremonial wine, Yan Peifeng unconsciously clenched and unclenched his hands. This was his first time fighting a battle he had never practiced before. He had no chambermaid and had refused the Emperor’s offer of a palace maid for instruction before marriage.
He had only flipped through an illustrated manual in the Study. Yan Peifeng believed that no matter what book it was, he understood it at a glance, and this time should be no different.
Yan Peifeng first untied his own belt. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shen Yunying’s almond-shaped eyes fixed unblinkingly on him. After a moment’s thought, he stepped forward, wrapped his arm around Shen Yunying’s slender waist, and reached out to remove her wedding gown.
Shen Yunying was stunned for a moment before cooperatively raising her arms. After fumbling for a while, the two finally faced each other unclothed.
Yan Peifeng took the initiative several times, and only on the third attempt did he barely manage to complete the marital duty.
Yan Peifeng’s breathing grew increasingly heavy, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration. Shen Yunying was also uncomfortable, with cold sweat beading on her forehead and cheeks, her body instinctively tensing.
“Relax a little, madam,” Yan Peifeng leaned down, his deep voice sounding right beside Shen Yunying’s ear.
Shen Yunying deeply regretted not having someone clear away the pile of red dates and peanuts beneath the bedding earlier, leaving her attacked from both front and back. Obediently, Shen Yunying slowly relaxed and wrapped her arms around Yan Peifeng’s waist and back.
If she was in pain, she would make sure Yan Peifeng felt it too.
After much commotion, the battle finally ceased. Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying both heaved a sigh of relief in unison. Their eyes met once more, and they promptly closed them, pretending to be asleep.
With her eyes shut, Shen Yunying thought drowsily, storybooks are all lies!
She had tried her best to cooperate, yet there was no pleasure in it at all. Her mother had even said she could enjoy it!
The road ahead seemed bleak, and Shen Yunying could only take solace in the fact that Yan Peifeng would spend less time in the Rear Courtyard.
The next day at the hour of Mao, Yan Peifeng opened his eyes and rose. Beside him, Shen Yunying was still deep in sleep. She was utterly exhausted, not even hearing Yan Peifeng’s movements, and had completely forgotten the time for morning greetings.
However, Yinping and Yinzheng, standing guard outside the door, remembered clearly that Shen Yunying was supposed to rise at the hour of Mao. Today, she had to pay respects to Grandparents Yan, meet the Yan family members from their Fanzhou hometown, visit the small ancestral hall to pay homage to Princess Jiarong and her consort, and finally enter the palace to express gratitude.
Shen Yunying’s morning schedule was packed!
Yinping, well aware of Shen Yunying’s tendency to linger in bed, timed her entry to wake her. On the first day, she couldn’t leave a bad impression on the young master.
As soon as she pushed the door open, she saw Yan Peifeng already dressed neatly and sitting by the bed, his brow furrowed as he stared motionlessly at the sleeping Shen Yunying.
The sight made Yinping’s heart skip a beat.
“Young Master, this servant will wake the mistress now,” Yinping said, slightly raising her voice as she hurried to the bedside, about to shake Shen Yunying’s arm.
Merely speaking wouldn’t wake her young mistress—she needed a little physical jostling.
Yet, the next moment, her hand was blocked.
Yan Peifeng reached out to shield Shen Yunying’s fair and delicate arm. “Go fetch hot water. I need to wash up.” After a pause, seeing the maid standing there dumbfounded, he thought to himself that Shen Yunying’s maids weren’t very sharp. He added, “Wake the mistress in a quarter of an hour.”
“Yes, this servant will go at once.”
The young master was showing concern for Shen Yunying.
Yinping lowered her head, a smile curling at the corners of her mouth, before quickly turning and leaving.
Author’s Note:
Note:
Unaware of the night, urging the balcony near the dressing mirror. Who says the lotus grows in water? In the bronze mirror, a branch blooms.
From Jia Dao’s “Urging the Bride at a Friend’s Wedding to the Yang Family”