Chapter 04: Good Man

There was a faint sound of guards cracking whips to clear the way ahead, and the onlookers on the roadside scattered in a commotion, creating a noisy scene.

I straightened my neck, facing my grandfather's gaze, and heard my own voice, hoarse yet resolute, "I am willing to marry Prince Xu Qi of Yuzhang!"

Princess of Yuzhang, from now on I shall no longer be the carefree Princess of Shangyang, but will embrace this new identity and walk towards the unknown of this life with that man whom I have never met before

I finally burst into laughter, and in the cold, silent room, all that could be heard was my loud, prolonged laughter

Zi Dan will resent me, will blame me, and then will forget me

The father spoke in a hushed voice, filled with deep sorrow and helplessness

I stood up, and as soon as Fang got up, a wave of dizziness washed over me

Please return, General; I shall not see you off.

Since the passing of King Qingyang two years ago, the influence of the royal family and the gentry within the military has nearly collapsed, with no one left to succeed them

Such results, with twists and turns, bring joy to all

This esteemed Wang of Yuzhang, it was he who initially requested the Emperor to grant a marriage, seeking to form an alliance with my family

The wedding attendants were greatly alarmed, and they all knelt down. The lead wedding attendant urgently said, "Your Highness, you must not! The wedding ceremony has not yet been completed, and it is absolutely forbidden to lift the bridal veil!"

In the dream, no one was seen, neither parents, nor elder brother, nor Zi Dan

The marriage of Wang Yuzhang to the Princess of Shangyang became a sensational event in the capital.

The matchmaker said that during the wedding of His Highness the Second Prince, there was no such extravagant arrangement either

I sit upright on the soft couch, my head and neck held straight, my hands and feet cold and stiff, maintaining this proud posture as I step out of the Eastern Palace, pass through the palace gates, and ascend the phoenix carriage... Until this moment, I am finally left alone, yet my tense body seems to be beyond my control. A powerful and icy force penetrates me, sustaining my entire will, preventing me from becoming lax or weak.

Jin Er occasionally murmured some auspicious and joyful words beside me to please me, yet I was almost out of strength to even listen

From this point on, as I marry into a family of military leaders, I will find myself among this group of warriors

Accompanying this was the chaotic sound of voices from outside the door

Occasionally, I think of that distant yet exceptionally clear name, the beloved to whom I am about to be married... I cannot recall his figure, nor have I ever seen his face. Yet, the fleeting glimpse during the military parade always lingers before my eyes.

The dowry bestowed upon me by the queen was continuously brought into the house for three consecutive days

What I possess more than them is merely an identity

This is my destined relationship, my beloved.

I clasp my hands together, digging my nails forcefully into my palms, yet even this sharp pain cannot dispel the turmoil in my heart

What the world is eager to see is the renowned daughter of the Wang family, a celebrated heiress of her time

This is the personal guard commander of the King of Yuzhang; I wonder what kind of cold, unyielding, and heartless person my beloved must be.

Perhaps, isn't it

The matchmaker hurriedly stopped her, saying, "Your Highness, please do not be angry. The veil cannot be taken away casually, as it is inauspicious."

Unable to discern whether it is desolation or solitude, clutching my chest, as if I cannot find the trace of a heartbeat

"Brother, don't..." I rushed in, and before I could grab his sleeve, he had already lifted his garment and knelt down straight on the ground, saying, "Father, I am willing to join the army!"

Zi Dan, Zi Dan, Zi Dan

Hearing the name of Wang Qingyang, who has been deceased for two years, still sends a shiver down my spine

The servant can convey the message on behalf of the princess, as she is currently engaged in ceremonial duties and cannot meet with outsiders

Zi Dan will share a loving and harmonious relationship with her partner, with the warmth of red sleeves adding fragrance, raising the tray in unison, spending endless time together until they grow old

Amidst the clamor, I slowly parted the draped curtain

The palace city is already far away, yet my aunt's words still linger clearly in my ears

Leaning in my brother's embrace, I suddenly felt a sense of security, a profound sense of peace, just like when I would fall asleep while studying as a child and he would carry me back to bed... I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled brightly in my brother's arms

Father's voice suddenly became hoarse, is this still my father's voice...! ... When did my majestic and towering father become so old, so powerless!

From the vestibule to the inner hall, a short distance that seemed to take so long and felt so arduous

Silence, as dead silence

I responded with a calm smile, perhaps.

It is likely that no one has ever witnessed a scene where the groom suddenly leaves, abandoning the bridal chamber without a care. Everyone was taken aback by this turn of events, rendered speechless, and for a moment, they all stood there like wooden puppets, exchanging bewildered glances.

The betrothal gifts of Wang of Yuzhang are astonishingly magnificent, and the rewards bestowed by the Emperor are even more dazzling.

In a moment, I will face the most anxious moment of tonight

I lowered my head, feeling an infinite shyness, "I have long admired Wang Yuzhang; marrying such a heroic man is a daughter's honor"

At night, I always read until very late, until the world is quiet and I am so tired that I can no longer keep my eyes open

The mother remained silent, with only long sobs remaining

They are all overthinking; I neither feel sad nor have anything to be angry about, I am just tired and do not want to force a smile anymore

Xiao Qi, this name will henceforth be linked to my life forever

The wedding date is approaching

I find myself at leisure, no need to enter the palace to pay my respects, nor to step out of the residence. I simply need to sit upright and composed in my room, listening to the palace matrons instructing me on the customs of marriage, teaching me one thing after another, what I should do and what I should not do. Continuously, people come to offer their congratulations, with auspicious words and beautiful praises filling my ears.

In a state of confusion, I was led by the matchmaker to the altar, and then guided into the bridal chamber

The phoenix crown on my head is pressing down on me, almost suffocating me.

In a daze, I have unknowingly arrived at home

The night breeze passes through my clothes, and I slightly raise my head, only to feel that everything in my heart has turned to ash

The phoenix carriage had already departed from the palace gates, making its way back to the residence. The carriage swayed slightly, and the heavily embroidered drapes blocked the sunlight from outside

You have also witnessed how the Xie family and the Gu family have declined, which family did not once wield immense power, which family did not have royal connections? Jinru, you do not truly misunderstand, you simply refuse to believe... Over the years, I have struggled to maintain the influence of the noble families in the court. If it were not for the prestige of the King of Qingyang in the military, how could things have gone so smoothly

As if my elder sister came to see me, congratulating me in the capacity of the Crown Princess

Beneath the brilliant autumn sun, I quietly turn my gaze, observing the crowd before me, and break into a gentle smile

Indeed, my father's words were not wrong; these generals who hold power and command troops no longer have any respect for our gentry.

Inside the bridal chamber, two matrons of honor attended by maids and servants stood by, while the sounds of silk and bamboo music filled the air outside

I smiled at her, yet in her clear and bright eyes, I saw my own smile reflected, more wan than her pale complexion

Regardless of the reason, whether willingly or unwillingly, it is ultimately something he has sought for himself

Rather than being anxious, it is better to be calm

I am all alone

When the others were dismissed and only the two of us remained, she began to cry

The mother's voice was faintly hoarse, filled with profound sorrow, devoid of her former grace. "What princess, what state affairs? All I know is that I am a mother! Those who are parents in this world love their children far more than they love themselves. Are you not the father of Awu? Do you not feel heartache?"

Who am I, whether beautiful or ugly, whether crying or laughing, no one cares

As long as it has not reached the worst, there is still a glimmer of hope

I do not know when it was that I noticed the joyful sounds of the strings and bamboo outside had ceased

After a while, Xi Niang also began to feel secretly anxious

The chest feels tightly constricted, as if being grasped by an invisible hand, pulling downward relentlessly

A man's voice, cold and hard as stone, devoid of any emotion, shattered the romantic atmosphere of the wedding night.

I pushed open the door adorned with large red characters of joy, and the night breeze rushed in, causing the cover to flutter and strike my face coldly

Brother! I exclaimed in surprise, reaching out to stop him.

You were born in the deep palace and married into a noble family, surrounded by splendor in all that you see and hear. However, Jinru, do you truly remain unaware that the court has long been afflicted, military power has fallen into disarray, and chaos has erupted among the people? The once illustrious aristocratic families have long since lost their former glory... Do you think that our Wang family has been able to maintain its prominence solely through our marriage ties with the royal family?

Lying on the bed like this, wrapped in a bright red wedding gown, I drifted off into a daze.

The first time I saw a heavily armored soldier with a sword standing so close in front of me

"Let my daughter enter into a marriage alliance, to win over the hearts of the military. What are all of you, the officials and generals, doing?" the mother asked sternly.

Several armored men with swords stood before me. The leader, upon seeing me, was momentarily stunned. When I lifted my veil, he surprisingly did not lower his head to avoid my gaze, but instead fixed his eyes directly on my face. After a moment, he regained his composure and was the first to kneel down, followed by the others who also knelt on one knee, the sound of their cold, hard metal armor scraping against each other resonating in the air.

Fortunately, Jin'er is well-behaved and quietly prepared bird's nest for me; otherwise, I would not know if I had the strength to sit here until now

If I were not surnamed Wang, if I had not been born into this family, at this moment, I would not be sitting in the high phoenix carriage, receiving the admiration of the crowd... Perhaps I would be like that flower-selling girl, squeezing by the roadside, straining to look, or perhaps like a certain maid, following behind the carriage, allowing the dust to soil my clothes

It is one thing for Wang Yuzhang to leave without saying goodbye, but it is truly outrageous that even a minor general can come to bully us with such arrogance

My two aunts, one is the queen, and the other is the Princess of Qingyang

I turned around and stepped into the room, the door slammed shut behind me

The tribute kiln ice-patterned white jade cup was thrown out of the door, shattering into pieces, accompanied by the mother's lament, "What kind of father are you, what kind of prime minister are you!"

The phoenix crown gown, along with the thick veil, makes me feel as if I am bound in layers, unable to move.

Father, mother, elder brother... Everyone said something, I vaguely remember, yet I do not remember clearly.

Zi Dan will marry a beautiful and graceful princess

Father gazed at me, his eyes fixed, the sorrow deepening ever more.

Father did not respond, silence enveloped us, and the sudden onset of silence caused my breath to catch in my chest

However, I no longer care how the world perceives or speaks of me

They say one is a world-renowned hero with immense power, and the other is a rare beauty of noble lineage, admired and envied by all, a perfect match made in heaven... Who does not love to see heroes and beauties, who does not envy the companionship of celestial beings

I smiled faintly and said, "General, if you dare to lead your men straight into the bridal chamber, would you still fear such a trivial matter?"

A sudden upheaval arises, shattering the tranquil spring night

It is still early, how could the banquet end so quickly

The voice of my brother suddenly sounded from behind, and he had been right behind me all along

The man, his face flushed, bent down and knocked his head heavily on the ground, saying, "This subordinate knows his crime!"

Awu has always admired heroic men who stand tall and strong, and it is Wang Yuzhang whom I wish to marry

"I am not only the father of these two children, but I am also the eldest son of the Wang family and the current Prime Minister." The father's voice trembled, "Jinru, you and I, we have not only daughters, but also a family and a country! Awu's marriage is not merely about marrying off our daughter; it is a union of the Wang family and, indeed, the entire gentry class!"

After that, until my wedding, it was as if my sister never came to see me again

The humble subject is commanded by His Highness to ensure that the report is delivered in person to the Princess Consort

Wedding gown, phoenix crown, rosy veil, adorned with pearls and emeralds, radiating brilliant light

Tears instantly blurred my vision, making it difficult to see my parents' expressions

The person who once struck me with awe from afar is now within arm's reach, yet I no longer feel fear

A more astonishing cry suddenly emerged from the silent crowd, the overwhelming clamor nearly engulfing me

They are not looking at me, but at Princess Shangyang

Upon entering the bridal chamber, there was a brief moment of quiet, but soon the matrons began their commotion again, endlessly chanting blessings and auspicious wishes

I gently raised my gaze, smiling as I inserted the phoenix hairpin into my coiled hair, seeing in the mirror my own serene features and graceful smile

As I stepped into the inner courtyard, before I could return to my room, I faintly heard my mother's weeping.

"Jinru, as the eldest princess, you should understand that this is a matter of state, not merely a family affair." Father's voice was desolate and weak

I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to every task, and at this moment, a wax-sealed letter arrives, prompting him to leave with a wave of his sleeve, too lazy to even spend the effort to be courteous. How much time can a face-to-face farewell truly take? Even if the military situation is urgent, it may not necessarily be as pressing as it seems.

Brother, father, mother, their faces are deeply imprinted in my eyes

Having long been accustomed to such clamor, at this moment, I suddenly feel a pang of bitterness and sorrow

I say it for Sister Wanru to hear, and I also say it for myself to hear

I lowered my head and took the dowry she had given me, a phoenix hairpin crafted by a master artisan, made from a thousand-year-old dark pearl. I played with it delicately in my hand, smiling faintly as I thought, "Zi Dan has returned from mourning and must also be conferred as a consort. Time truly flies... Even the closest playmates in childhood must eventually part ways as they grow up"

At the entrance, Aunt Xu was locked in a standoff with him, her tone already tinged with slight anger

Since midnight, I have been tossing and turning until now. Beneath a thick blanket, my world is in chaos, and I can see nothing, only hearing the overwhelming joy ringing in my ears, which has not ceased from morning until now

In the splendid bridal chamber adorned in bright red, I stand alone before a pair of large red candles burning high, their wax tears still dripping down.

I straightened up, feeling a slight surprise. Just as I was about to call Jin'er to go outside and take a look, I heard a series of footsteps approaching in quick succession

The heavy phoenix crown pressed down on my head, making it almost impossible for me to lift my neck.

The father's words, however, fell like ice water.

I coldly gaze at the person kneeling before me, clad in shining iron armor that glimmers with a cold, icy light, remaining as motionless as a stone carving.

What are you saying? I replied coldly, "The Prince of Yuzhang, Wang Tianzong, is indeed wise and brilliant, and naturally, he is favored by heaven. It is a great fortune for me to meet a good man and marry into a military family, which can be considered a significant blessing."

"Awu!" Father and Brother exclaimed simultaneously, and Brother rushed over to embrace me

He is also a mortal being of flesh and blood, perhaps he is not as terrifying as he seems, and perhaps my fate in love is not as bad as it appears

I have finally realized that a good marriage only requires matching backgrounds and does not necessitate mutual affection

I stopped, standing at the door, motionless

The imperial edict granting marriage will be issued in three days, and the entire household will kneel to receive and express gratitude.

Father stood there, the gray strands at his temples trembling slightly, and his usually upright and robust figure suddenly hunched over

The general, adorned in armor and bearing a sword, is a harbinger of great misfortune with weapons in hand; it is advised not to approach the bridal chamber. I implore the general to halt.

After the Seven Years' War, the gentry, who originally esteemed the elegance of scholars and preferred a life of peace, no longer had anyone willing to serve in the military

With the heavy curtains drawn down, I leaned back against the soft couch with my eyes closed, and finally laughed to the point of tears

"Your Highness, please take back this item. I shall certainly convey your intentions to the Prince. I hope Your Highness will take care of yourself." The man lowered his head, presenting the cover with both hands. His last words were spoken in a softer tone, no longer as firm as before.

I hurriedly stepped forward, wanting to help my mother, but my body suddenly went weak, and I fell to my knees on the ground.

My brother held my hand, it became colder, yet he held me tighter

I mustered my strength and walked to the door, speaking softly, "I am here, please speak, General."

He is so close to me

The Emperor and the Empress summoned me, and what they said has also slipped my mind

Zi Dan is still unaware of your wedding news. She weeps sorrowfully.

As if my sister gently raised her eyes, a pair of tearful eyes fixed on me, "Can you truly forget him?"

I know nothing of his appearance or voice, and thus I was left alone in the bridal chamber to spend my wedding night by myself

I trembled as if struck by lightning

According to the rules, I must wait until the groom has entered the bridal chamber before I can eat and drink

Only my aunt passed away early, and my uncle, Wang Qingyang, has been stationed at the border for many years, so my impression of him is quite limited.

That person, the one who instilled awe in the world like a deity or a demon, has now become my husband

I thought my father would not respond, but I heard his slow and weak voice, "Do you think that the gentry today still enjoys the same glory as in the past? Do you think that the world today is still as peaceful as it was in those days?"

Her words, each sentence and each word, seemed like burning coals, yet also like cold ice, leaving my body alternately icy and then feverish

He said, on the night of the wedding, my husband had not yet entered the bridal chamber before leaving the capital to go to war

With a clang, a crack echoed, startling both Jin Er and me, causing us to tremble simultaneously

The outside fell silent for a moment, and that person still spoke in a cold and hard voice, "Your Highness, I have just received a wax-sealed message, urgently reporting that Jizhou has fallen. There is an urgent situation ahead with one hundred thousand at stake. The prince has already gone to the main camp to lead the troops in support. I have been specially dispatched to inform Your Highness, as the matter is urgent, I have no time to bid farewell to Your Highness in person. Once the prince has quelled the rebellion, I will certainly come to seek Your Highness's forgiveness."

I do not care whether he shares a marital bed with me, nor do I care whether he understands my feelings

As my elder brother comforted me, Yu Zhang Wang is a remarkable man of great stature, a hero and a beauty, truly a perfect match

The surrounding maids and the bride were as silent as cicadas in winter, and even Jin'er did not dare to make a sound

Only in this way do I lack the energy to think too much, and I have no time to remember Zitan

In light of this, I could not help but smile instead of getting angry. I raised my hand and threw the veil in front of him, saying, "I kindly ask the general to pass this item to the prince and convey to him on my behalf that since the wedding ceremony is at his discretion, there is no need for his esteemed presence."

Despite knowing that the ceremonial guard is imposing and that even being very close would not allow them to see even a finger of mine, people still rush forward, risking being struck on the head and face by long whips, just to catch a glimpse of the grace of Princess Shangyang. Even if it is merely the shadow of her phoenix carriage or the faint scent of her incense, it brings them immense joy.

I held onto Jin'er’s hand, feeling the ground sway slightly beneath me, my heart sinking and floating unpredictably. Gazing at the familiar courtyard before me, I found myself lacking the courage to take a step forward

My wedding was held according to the princess's ceremonial customs, beginning preparations at midnight. Before dawn, I knelt before my parents to express my gratitude and bid farewell. Subsequently, I entered the palace to thank the Emperor and Empress. The procession commenced from the Taihua Gate, passing through the Xuanhua Gate, Kundef Gate, and Fengyi Gate. Joyful sounds filled the air, with bright red brocade laid along the path, and golden silk petals of the hehuan flower scattered and danced in the air. Six hundred palace attendants, adorned with red silk canopies and emerald feathered umbrellas, surrounded the grand red palanquin of the six phoenixes, winding like a dragon through the palace city, imperial city, and inner city, directly reaching the specially constructed residence of the Prince of Yuzhang. Along the way, bright red brocade was laid down, and golden silk petals of the hehuan flower scattered and danced in the air. Six hundred palace attendants, adorned with red silk canopies and emerald feathered umbrellas, surrounded the grand red palanquin of the six phoenixes, winding like a dragon through the palace city, imperial city, and inner city, directly reaching the specially constructed residence of the Prince of Yuzhang.

Beside me, Jin'er trembled uncontrollably; I turned my head to look at her, and this little girl was utterly frightened

Father, it is not the act of a true gentleman to consolidate the family's power through the marriage of a woman

"Be careful, Your Highness." Jin'er hurriedly supported me

I suddenly want to laugh, yet I cannot make a sound.

In the ebb and flow of morning and evening, it glides through the chaos and turmoil like water

Among those remaining in the military to fight, only the sons of the cold-blooded commoners are left, relying solely on their own flesh and blood to earn their titles and positions, no longer the despised warriors of the past. The King of Yuzhang holds absolute power in the military, and he is further relied upon to stabilize the nation. Not to mention the noble families, even the royal family fears him to some extent. Now that he has achieved great merit, he has also received promises of rewards directly from the Emperor, and I did not expect that he would seek to marry Awu. This marriage proposal, if not agreed to, would mean breaking the Emperor's word and offending the military's powerful officials, exacerbating the rift between the two factions; if accepted, it would win over the hearts of the military and regain support for our Wang family.

Zi Dan will learn of my words from her

But I absolutely cannot tolerate him humiliating me in such a manner, humiliating my family

I just performed the heaven and earth ceremony with him, and I could faintly see the tips of his toes beneath the veil.

This name was once a symbol of the formidable military might of the dynasty

You, you—" My mother trembled all over, raised her hand to point at me, unable to utter a single word

This reprimanding question pierced my heart like a needle—indeed, mother, this is also the question I most wish to pursue

Due to the urgency of the situation, the prince has instructed that all formalities be relaxed, and requests the princess to forgive any transgressions

The entire night, I locked myself in my room, refusing to open the door to anyone outside, no matter how earnestly they pleaded, even my mother was turned away at the door

The depths of my heart are empty and desolate, just like this vacant bridal chamber, with only my own shadow reflecting the dazzling splendor before my eyes

A faint pain, not sharp enough, yet slowly begins to seep into the deepest part of the heart, dissolving the heavy dull ache.

They only love revelry every night, poetry and wine, even if they spend their whole lives doing nothing, they still enjoy hereditary official titles and salaries.

A momentary blank in the mind.

The crowd of onlookers suddenly fell silent

In an instant, as if waking from a dream, I suddenly wanted to burst out laughing, but tears rushed to my eyes first.

He did not even glance at me, but pushed the door open and stood proudly in front of his parents

As my mother swayed, a cry of sorrow had yet to escape her lips before she softly collapsed into the chair

Moments later, I suddenly came to my senses

However, my mind was blank, and my thoughts were muddled, as if I had fallen into a vast fog, unable to see my surroundings or grasp anything.

The household has become very busy, with Aunt Xu and others rushing in and out every day, preparing for a grand wedding ceremony.

Who would care about the beauty of a flower seller, who would believe that a maid could also be stunningly talented.

The world is spinning, his name fills the sky, and his face is everywhere.

In fifteen days, I will welcome the date of my wedding

I raised my hand and pulled down the cover, and suddenly a bright light filled my vision