While washing his face, Yan Peifeng was uncharacteristically distracted. He was skilled at reading people. The fallen bed curtains obscured the candles that had burned through the night, but in the dim light, Yan Peifeng could see clearly: Shen Yunying had either frowned or bitten her lips tightly, never showing the slightest hint of pleasure. In the end, tears had welled in her eyes, slowly falling into her waterfall-like dark hair.
A sense of defeat he had never felt before.
Yan Peifeng turned his head. His new bride was still asleep, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, seemingly unbothered by the events of the previous night. Unconsciously, Yan Peifeng found himself staring intently at Shen Yunying once more.
Realizing this, Yan Peifeng’s expression turned stern. He lifted his foot and strode quickly out of the main chamber.
As soon as Yan Peifeng’s figure disappeared, Yinping and Yinzheng rushed into the room. One woke Shen Yunying while the other soaked a warm towel. In the quarter-hour they had waited, the two had already planned Shen Yunying’s outfit and hairstyle.
When Shen Yunying heard Yinping’s voice, she simply rolled over, pulled up the covers, and mumbled sleepily, “My dear Yinping, go and distract Mama Li. I’ll wake up right away.”
Yinping blinked and reminded her, “Miss, open your eyes and look. This is the Princess Mansion, not Yanyu Garden.”
Shen Yunying’s eyes snapped open as she remembered: she had gotten married yesterday. In Yanyu Garden, she had to hide from Mama Li to sleep in a little longer, but Mama Li wouldn’t be accompanying her as part of her dowry.
Shen Yunying glanced to the side. “Yan—, where is my husband?” she quickly corrected herself.
Yinping replied, “The master finished washing up and went out. Siqi said the master is waiting outside for you to go together to pay respects to the old master and the old madam.” She added, “Siqi is the master’s capable young servant.”
Shen Yunying nodded. It was just as well that Yan Peifeng wasn’t there. The night had been rushed and exhausting, and she didn’t want to open her eyes to see Yan Peifeng’s face.
Yinping and Yinzheng were skilled and efficient. In no time, they had dressed and styled Shen Yunying, adorning her in a bright red new gown. The pomegranate-flower horse-face skirt at the hem folded in layers, making her look like a blooming peony, radiant and delicate.
Having woken up a bit late, Shen Yunying hurried through breakfast before sending someone to fetch Yan Peifeng so they could go pay respects to the elders.
As soon as Shen Yunying stepped out of the courtyard gate, she saw Yan Peifeng in a dark red round-collared robe, which added a touch of warmth to his usually cool and noble demeanor.
Shen Yunying smiled brightly. “Husband.”
Yan Peifeng gave a slight nod and called out, “Wife.”
To the servants watching, the newlyweds appeared respectful and harmonious, a picture of marital bliss.
Yinping and Yinzheng secretly rejoiced, while Siqi lowered his head. His master had finally married! A perfect match of talent and beauty! Siqi was already imagining what their future children would look like—they would undoubtedly be the finest in the capital!
Upon receiving news of the imperial marriage decree, Grandparents Yan had immediately returned to the capital from Fanzhou. The elderly traveled slowly, and by the time they arrived, the Emperor had already taken charge of the wedding arrangements. The two elders were open-minded and settled directly into the Yan family’s old residence, moving into the Princess Mansion only in the days leading up to the wedding.
The Yan clan members from the Fanzhou main branch were arranged to stay at the old residence, arriving at the Princess Mansion only this morning.
Since the Yan family was small, Grandparents Yan had Yan Peifeng and his wife meet the clan members together. The branch that came was the closest to Yan Peifeng.
One elder clansman, a cousin of Grandfather Yan. Three young gentlemen and two young ladies, all considered Yan Peifeng’s cousins.
In the main hall of Rongmao Hall, Grandparents Yan sat at the head, while the clan elder and the Yan family’s young gentlemen and ladies sat on the right side.
Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying arrived hand in hand, like figures stepping out of a painting—a match made in heaven. The main hall seemed to brighten instantly.
A maid brought two kneeling cushions.
Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying knelt to pay respects to their elders.
“Grandson pays respects to Grandfather and Grandmother.”
“Granddaughter-in-law pays respects to Grandfather and Grandmother.”
Another maid presented warm teacups. Recalling Mama Li’s instructions, Shen Yunying followed etiquette to offer tea. “Please have some tea, Grandfather.”
Grandfather Yan, who had long awaited the day his grandson would marry, laughed heartily at the sight of Yan Peifeng bringing his wife to pay respects. “Good! Good! A fine son and a fine daughter-in-law.”
He reached out to accept the tea from his granddaughter-in-law and instructed that the long-prepared gifts be presented.
Shen Yunying signaled Yinzheng to receive them. Glancing briefly, she caught her breath for a moment—it was actually silver notes and a land deed. She stole a glance at Grandfather Yan: his face was lean, resembling a scholarly teacher, much like the maternal grandfather Jiang Wensheng had described.
She never expected the gifts to be entirely monetary. It completely took her by surprise.
When it came to Grandmother Yan, Shen Yunying respectfully offered tea once more.
Grandmother Yan was amiable and kind, much gentler in appearance than Old Madam Shen. Her aged eyes held a calm tenderness. After drinking the tea, she directly removed a jade bracelet from her wrist, took Shen Yunying’s hand, and personally slipped it onto her.
“Yunying, this is the Yan family’s heirloom bracelet. It should have been given to you by the princess herself, but alas, she did not live to see this day.” The regret in Grandmother Yan’s eyes quickly faded as she looked fondly at Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying. “Peifeng, Yunying, our Yan family is small. You must support each other and stay together for life.”
Yan Peifeng privately thought one woman was enough—one duck’s noise was still manageable. If a whole flock of ducks were brought back, he might as well not return home.
He replied solemnly, “Your grandson understands.”
Shen Yunying also expressed her commitment: “Your granddaughter-in-law will remember Grandmother’s teachings.”
Grandmother Yan was very pleased with Shen Yunying as her granddaughter-in-law. At first glance, she seemed blessed with good fortune. Perhaps the Yan family, in their grandson’s generation, could break the tradition of single-line inheritance? Thinking this, Grandmother Yan’s smile grew even more sincere. “I knew at once you were a good child. Peifeng is reserved and doesn’t understand a young woman’s heart—please be patient with him. If he dares to bully you, write to us in Fanzhou. Although your grandfather and I will return to Fanzhou in a few days, making another trip wouldn’t be a bother!”
Shen Yunying hurriedly lowered her head in shyness. Yan Peifeng said, “Grandfather, Grandmother, rest assured. Your grandson will not disturb your peace.”
This remark delighted Grandfather and Grandmother Yan even more—their grandson was already protecting his wife.
Next came introductions to several clansmen from Fanzhou. Shen Yunying had Yinzheng present gifts to them. After a round of introductions, she barely managed to remember their names.
After leaving Rongmao Hall, Yan Peifeng silently led Shen Yunying to the small ancestral hall, which housed only the memorial tablets of Princess Jiarong and her husband.
Shen Yunying glanced subtly at Yan Peifeng. His handsome face softened with a faint smile as he paused before the tablets. At that moment, she felt Yan Peifeng’s gaze upon the tablets was even more tender than when he looked at her.
“Come, pay respects to my parents,” Yan Peifeng said, taking incense first. Shen Yunying followed suit.
Yan Peifeng recalled when his mother was gravely ill, holding his hand and urging him that when he brought his new wife to offer incense, he should tell her all about his wife’s appearance and character, so she could rest assured.
Yan Peifeng held the incense with both hands, his mouth opening to speak, but he chewed over the words several times before slowly saying, “Let your daughter-in-law speak.”
Yan Peifeng had only met Shen Yunying for the first time last night. How could he tell his mother that her daughter-in-law was as beautiful as a peony, with skin as smooth as mutton fat, and that she was a beauty?
As for Shen Yunying’s character, Yan Peifeng thought that if he said she preferred quiet, Princess Jiarong would surely be displeased. So he decided to take a clever approach, gently and softly instructing Shen Yunying, “Today is your first time meeting Father and Mother. Speak with them.”
Yan Peifeng felt somewhat uneasy, pushing his own task onto his newlywed wife was not the behavior of a gentleman. However, he concealed it quickly, and Shen Yunying didn’t notice the change in his expression at all.
Shen Yunying thought it made sense, so she cleared her throat lightly and said, “Father, Mother, your daughter-in-law is Shen Yunying, from Taishi Mansion. My grandfather is Shen Yunnian, my father is Shen Fengcheng, and my mother is Jiang Wensheng.”
After introducing her family background, Shen Yunying recalled Old Madam Shen’s words, made a few changes, and repeated them slowly, “Please rest assured, Father and Mother. I will manage household affairs, take care of my husband, and ensure the Yan family flourishes and prospers.”
Whether I bear the children myself is another matter. Shen Yunying silently added this in her heart. She had heard Jiang Wensheng say that childbirth for women was like passing through the gates of hell—if possible, it was better not to give birth. As the principal wife, society placed great emphasis on propriety and laws. Raising a concubine’s child was not a big deal, and for the sake of his career and reputation, he wouldn’t dare disrespect Shen Yunying in the future.
The phrase “flourishes and prospers,” spoken in the woman’s soft and gentle voice, drifted into Yan Peifeng’s ears. He immediately recalled the events of the previous night in the bedchamber, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowing. Without engaging in such activities, there would be no way to bear children.
He understood the difficulty of his family’s three generations of single heirs. Whether it was his grandparents or the Emperor and Empress, they all hoped he would have offspring soon. Yan Peifeng quietly observed his newlywed wife, who had closed her eyes to offer incense, a flicker of determination flashing in his eyes.
After meeting the Yan family, Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying hurriedly entered the palace to express their gratitude.
Imperial Palace, Kunning Palace.
Yan Peifeng had finally married, and the Emperor was so overjoyed that he couldn’t sleep all night. The next day, he rose early to prepare, changing his dragon robe three times.
The Empress, unable to bear the disturbance, said irritably, “Was it your wedding night or Peifeng’s? You’re so happy you don’t know which way is up!”
“Of course, it was his! If it were my wedding night, would I stay up all night? Even if I wanted to, you wouldn’t be able to keep up, Empress!” the Emperor replied candidly, glancing at the Empress.
The Empress blushed, slapping the pearwood comb, and chided, “At your age, you still can’t be more dignified.”
The Emperor didn’t mind at all, “It’s just the two of us here. What’s there to fear?”
In front of his ministers, the Emperor had to maintain dignity and composure, but in front of his wife and children, he couldn’t be bothered to put on airs.
At that moment, Wang Gonggong announced loudly, “Your Majesty, Empress, Lord Yan and Lady Yan request an audience.”
“Quickly, let them in,” the Emperor said excitedly, rising to his feet. He and the Empress took their seats in the main hall, and he sighed emotionally to the Empress, “I’ve finally waited for this day.”
Shen Yunying, meeting the Emperor and Empress for the first time, felt somewhat nervous, her body involuntarily tensing up. Yan Peifeng gently reminded her, “The Emperor and Empress are both amiable people. There’s no need to be nervous, my lady.”
Shen Yunying glanced up at him, thinking to herself that they might be amiable to him, but not necessarily to her. Outwardly, she only nodded slightly, “You’re right, husband. I understand.”
When the meeting took place, Shen Yunying had to admit that the Emperor, loving the house for the crow, treated her with great kindness.
The Emperor had a plump, well-nourished face and a relaxed, cheerful expression, the corners of his lips perpetually upturned. When he saw Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying enter, his eyes brightened even more. Before Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying could kneel and bow, the Emperor eagerly called out, “Rise quickly! Ah, what a perfect match, such a splendid new couple.”
The Emperor couldn’t scrutinize Shen Yunying too much, so he praised her without even seeing her properly: “The Shen family’s daughter is gentle, elegant, well-read, and reasonable. I must give her a generous gift upon meeting.”
“Empress, look—doesn’t Peifeng seem even more handsome today? Indeed, one must marry. With a wife, he immediately looks radiant and content.”
The Emperor teased Yan Peifeng, while the Empress covered her lips with a smile, her gaze soft as she looked at Shen Yunying and beckoned her over. “Yunying, come here. Let me take a good look at you.”
Shen Yunying slightly raised her head and slowly ascended the steps. Fortunately, the Shen family had thoroughly drilled her on palace etiquette before her wedding. Maintaining an elegant pace, she approached the Empress.
“I greet Empress.”
The Empress examined her carefully, inwardly marveling. Shen Yunying had a graceful figure and striking appearance, like a peony in full bloom—gorgeous and captivating.
She stole a glance at Yan Peifeng. Could it be that Yan Peifeng had already taken a liking to Shen Yunying? Was it truly not a random choice that day?
The Empress had been quite certain that Yan Peifeng had pointed at someone arbitrarily, but first the Crown Prince had doubted it, and now, having seen Shen Yunying’s appearance and demeanor in person, she felt somewhat uncertain.
“No need for such formalities. Peifeng calls me Aunt, so you may do the same from now on.” The Empress’s gaze shifted between Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying, instructing Shen Yunying to address her with familial courtesy.
Shen Yunying turned to look at Yan Peifeng—she had no experience handling such situations!
Catching Shen Yunying’s pleading gaze, Yan Peifeng stepped forward, standing opposite her. “Just listen to Aunt. Uncle and Aunt have always been very good to me.”
The Emperor was delighted, waving his hand to bestow a pile of rewards, praising Shen Yunying once more, and finally urging Yan Peifeng to live well.
When they finally left Kunning Palace, Shen Yunying felt as though the towering, imposing palace walls had lightened considerably.
She never expected the Emperor to be so talkative and effusive—even more so than Jiang Wensheng’s admonitions!
Author’s Note: